Rockies Rail & Drive
SELF DRIVE TOURING
BANFF | LAKE LOUISE | ATHABASCA GLACIER | JASPER | ROCKY MOUNTAINEER | VANCOUVER
Drive through unforgettable scenery in the Banff and Jasper National Parks, see the crystal waters of Lake Louise, enjoy charming Jasper then take the iconic Rocky Mountaineer for the journey of a lifetime to Vancouver.
HIGHLIGHTS:
• Visit picturesque Banff, set in its own National Park
• Stay at stunning Lake Louise
• Explore the mountain village of Jasper
• Ride the iconic Rocky Mountaineer
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Your Itinerary
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Day 1
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Day 2
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Day 3
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Day 4
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Day 5
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Day 6
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Day 7
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Day 8
Day 1 : Calgary - Banff (75 miles)
Arriving in cosmopolitan Calgary, collect your rental car and drive to Banff.
Day 2 : Banff
Today is free to explore. Nestled high in the Canadian Rockies, Banff is a town that makes you feel at home and exhilarated with wonder all at the same time. This is a town that truly celebrates its heritage, lives and breathes mountain culture and never takes its backyard for granted. In town you’ll find shopping, cafés, nightlife and museums. Check out the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, Banff Gondola (included) where you will see a panoramic view of the Bow Valley, then take a dip in the hot mineral pools at the Upper Hot Springs.
Day 3 : Banff - Lake Louise (38 miles)
Travel along the lovely Bow Valley Parkway on a leisurely drive to Lake Louise, taking advantage of the many scenic lookouts along the way. Be sure to stop for a quick nature walk at Johnston Canyon, where you can stand in the spray of a roaring mountain waterfall. Continue to Lake Louise, the “Jewel of the Rockies”; the most famous glacial lake in the Canadian Rockies and one of the most beautiful in the Western Hemisphere.
Day 4 : Lake Louise - Jasper (129 miles)
Today, travel through the spine of the Canadian Rockies along the amazing Icefield Parkway. You’re sure to be enthralled by the scenery, wildlife and waterfalls en-route. A stop at Peyto Lake along the way is a must. Don’t miss the Columbia Icefield for a ride onto the Athabasca Glacier on board an Ice Explorer (included) before continuing your journey to Jasper.
Day 5 : Jasper
A free day to explore this charming mountain village. With over 4,000 acres of alpine forests, white-water rivers, hot springs, soaring mountain peaks and tranquil river valleys there’s little chance you’ll see it all! Perhaps you’ll visit the limestone gorge of Maligne Canyon, or volcanic Medicine Lake, named by tribal elders who believed its waters had healing powers. Or perhaps admire the breath taking beauty of glacially fed Maligne Lake and cruise to Spirit Island (not included). Or maybe you’ll take the gondola to the top of Whistlers Mountain or visit the Miette hot springs. This evening you’ll experience an included visit to the Jasper Wonderland for some amazing close-up photo opportunities of wildlife.
Day 6 : Jasper - Rocky Mountaineer - Kamloops
Return your car this morning. Then it’s aboard the Rocky Mountaineer in SilverLeaf Service for a journey past the sprawling grandeur of Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, following the mighty Thompson River, the route of early fur traders towards Kamloops.
Day 7 : Kamloops - Rocky Mountaineer - Vancouver
Leaving Kamloops follow the Thompson River to the Fraser Canyon, where at Hells Gate watch water torrent past the canyon walls at its narrowest point. The last leg of the journey takes you through the fertile farming region of the Fraser Valley to arrive in the Pacific port of Vancouver late afternoon.
Day 8 : Depart Vancouver
Your tour ends with the check out from your hotel. Why not extend your stay to see more of Vancouver, add on another tour, or join an Alaskan cruise.
