9 AM - 6 PM IST - Mon-Fri

10 AM - 1 PM IST - Sat

Western Canada by Rail ( 8930)

9 days from Calgary to Vancouver

2024 Tour Details

Create a lifetime of incredible memories traveling through the unforgettable Canadian Rockies! Take an Ice Explorer ride on the Columbia Icefield in Alberta, travel across British Columbia on the Rocky Mountaineer train, and enjoy scenic ferry crossings to/from Victoria—these are just a few of the many highlights on this memorable Western Canada by Rail tour. You’ll overnight in Calgary, Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, Kamloops, Vancouver, and Victoria. Along the way, witness spectacular scenery and explore western Canada’s most famous cities. Two nights in both Banff National Park, one of Canada’s favorite resorts, and Jasper National Park, the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, give you time to be amazed at the majestic scenery, hike, explore on your own, or take optional outings, such as a helicopter ride over the Canadian Rockies. Between Banff National Park and Jasper National Park, stop in Lake Louise and marvel at this world-famous location with its glacial waters reflecting the surrounding mountains and glaciers. You’ll also stop for a highlight of this western Canada tour—a thrilling ride aboard an Ice Explorer to the Athabasca Glacier, part of the Columbia Icefield, the largest expanse of ice in the Canadian Rockies. Another highlight of this western Canada tour is a 2-day, all-daylight journey from Jasper National Park to Vancouver on the Rocky Mountaineer. This train ride through breathtaking scenery takes you back to a time when getting to your destination was part of the fun. Along the way, pass Mount Robson, the Canadian Rockies’ highest mountain; wild rivers; majestic mountain ranges; and turbulent Hell’s Gate. More scenery awaits on your ferry crossing from Vancouver through the spectacular Gulf Islands to Victoria. In Victoria, enjoy world-famous Butchart Gardens with its 55 acres of floral displays. This is an unforgettable, value-minded vacation with an amazing itinerary full of beautiful scenery and once-in-a-lifetime activities.

To know more about the visas for this vacation, click here

 Tour Highlights

Sightseeing:

CALGARY
Sightseeing

BANFF NATIONAL PARK
Orientation tour; stay two nights inside Banff National Park

LAKE LOUISE
Visit the lake

COLUMBIA ICEFIELD
Ice Explorer ride on the Columbia Icefield

JASPER NATIONAL PARK
Orientation tour; stay two nights inside Jasper National Park

ROCKY MOUNTAINEER
2-day scenic rail journey in SilverLeaf Service

VANCOUVER
Sightseeing; Stanley Park

VICTORIA
Sightseeing; visit Butchart Gardens

Guides:

Services of a professional Tour Director.

Scenic Highlights:

Scenic Highlights:
Banff National Park, Lake Louise, Jasper National Park, Thompson River, Monashee Mountains, Fraser Canyon, Strait of Georgia, and the Gulf Islands.

Notes:

Visiting and participating in activities in this region may be subject to favorable weather conditions and vendor dates of operation.

UNESCO World Heritage

World Heritage Sites are designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for having cultural, historical, scientific or other form of significance. The sites are judged to contain cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.

The following UNESCO World Heritage Sites can be seen or visited on this vacation:

  • Banff National Park
  • Jasper National Park
Transportation:

On Rocky Mountaineer—2-day, all-daylight rail journey in SilverLeaf Service; GoldLeaf Service upgrades are available; ferry crossing to/from Vancouver Island; private, deluxe, air-conditioned motorcoach while touring.

 Meals

 Meals & Itinerary

On Rocky Mountaineer—2 breakfast, 2 lunches

 Itinerary

Day 1

CALGARY Welcome to Calgary! Your Tour Director is on hand late this afternoon to answer any questions.

Day 2

CALGARY–BANFF NATIONAL PARK The discovery of oil converted this cattle-ranching town into a thriving, sophisticated city. Sightseeing highlights downtown, Fort Calgary, Stampede Park, the Saddledome, and Canada Olympic Park. Next, drive west through the foothills of the Rockies into Banff National Park. On arrival, enjoy an orientation tour.

Day 3

BANFF NATIONAL PARK Today is at leisure. Play golf, horseback ride, hike the many wilderness trails in the area, stroll through Banff, or simply relax at the hot springs. The park is the perfect place for wildlife watching, and you may spot some of these amazing creatures in their natural habitat. The most commonly seen are deer and big horn sheep.

Day 4

BANFF NATIONAL PARK–LAKE LOUISE–COLUMBIA ICEFIELD–JASPER NATIONAL PARK First stop is Lake Louise, with its cold waters reflecting the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Precipitous gorges, snowcapped mountain ranges, and exquisite lakes come into view as your motorcoach scales three mountain passes. Another highlight is a stop at the Columbia Icefield to experience the Ice Explorer, an all-terrain vehicle that travels on ice measuring 750 feet thick. Late this afternoon, join our optional float trip down the historic Athabasca River. In Jasper, an orientation tour showcases the area’s unspoiled beauty. Accommodation for the next two nights is in Jasper National Park.

Day 5

JASPER NATIONAL PARK Join the optional narrated cruise on Maligne Lake to Spirit Island. On the return journey, view picturesque Medicine Lake and Maligne Canyon. With much of the afternoon and evening free, consider hiking or exploring Jasper’s local charm. While exploring the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies keep an eye out for native wildlife, including grizzly bears, moose, elk, and wolves.

Day 6

JASPER NATIONAL PARK–MOUNT ROBSON–ROCKY MOUNTAINEER–KAMLOOPS An exciting morning as you board the Rocky Mountaineer for a 2-day, all-daylight, classic rail journey from the Canadian Rockies to the Pacific Coast. En route, pass Mount Robson, the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies. Follow the North Thompson River and enjoy vistas of the Monashee Mountains. Free time in Kamloops this evening.
Breakfast Breakfast Lunch Lunch

Day 7

KAMLOOPS–ROCKY MOUNTAINEER–VANCOUVER Reboard your train and head through the ranchlands along the Thompson River. Continue through the stark beauty of Fraser Canyon and the turbulence of mighty Hell’s Gate. After an evening arrival in Vancouver, transfer to your hotel.
Breakfast Breakfast Lunch Lunch

Day 8

VANCOUVER–FERRY CROSSING–VICTORIA Morning sightseeing focuses on Vancouver’s Chinatown, Gastown, and lovely Stanley Park. Afterward, sail through the spectacular Gulf Islands, known for their Mediterranean-like climate. Afternoon sightseeing in Victoria includes world-famous Butchart Gardens, Bastion Square, and Thunderbird Park with its collection of totem poles.

Day 9

VICTORIA–FERRY CROSSING–VANCOUVER Morning departure for Vancouver. The trip ends at Vancouver International Airport. Please schedule flights after 1:30 pm.

 Tour Director

With Cosmos, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of your Tour Director. Averaging over a decade... we’d like you to meet a Tour Director, who is representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

SERENA CAMPBELL

Escorting tours for more than 20 years

" As a small child I was fascinated when hearing my grandparents' travel adventures. I would listen to their stories for hours! Here I am, years later, taking passengers around, sharing stories and showcasing my beautiful country! Combining my love for working with people and traveling is a perfect fit. Seeing the fascination in passengers' eyes as they witness Western Canada's stunning and ever changing scenery is the part I love best. Bringing the world alive through stories is a privilege."

Tour Director -  SERENA CAMPBELL

MARK LOVE

Escorting tours for more than 5 years

" Travel has always been my passion. After completing my degree in Tourism, I lived oversees and had the opportunity to visit numerous countries and experience different cultures. My background in the travel industry has enabled me to realize how invaluable a respected and experienced tour operator is. I have 5 years of experience as a Tour Director with Globus family of brands and am proud every time I represent the company and travel with my guests. The Canadian Rockies are my home and I can not imagine a better office space in the world. Regardless if I am viewing wildlife with my group, telling a story of historical significance, or just standing close by as guests enjoy the beautiful scenery of Western Canada, I love my role as a Tour Director. Being a part of a guests travel experience is the best reward that I can ask for!"

Tour Director -  MARK LOVE

 Accommodation

CALGARY

SANDMAN SIGNATURE CALGARY DOWNTOWN HOTEL

Hotel as shown or similar
Superior Tourist-Class
  Free Wifi

BANFF

BANFF HIGH COUNTRY INN

Hotel as shown or similar
Superior Tourist-Class
  Free Wifi

JASPER

LOBSTICK LODGE

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

VANCOUVER

HOLIDAY INN & SUITES VANCOUVER DOWNTOWN

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

VICTORIA

ROYAL SCOT HOTEL & SUITES

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

 Optional Excursions

Contact your Travel Consultant for more information.
Price Ranges

$ ($50 USD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 USD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 USD)
$$$$ (Over $150)



* The "Starting at" or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include airfare; additional fees/charges are not included. If a price is crossed out, the new price includes a limited time promotional offer(s) – please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Cosmos).
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