Rockies Rail & Road: VIA Rail from Vancouver

Prices are per person listed in Canadian dollars. Subject to applicable taxes. Prices listed do not include discounts or promotions - please inquire. Package prices and itinerary are not finalized until confirmed by a Vacations Canada travel planner.  Contact your travel professional or a Vacations Canada travel planner to customize or build your own vacation package. View Terms and Conditions.

VACATION FEATURES:

Accommodations
- 5 nights hotel accommodation
- 1 night aboard VIA Rail

Meals
- 2 Breakfasts
- 2 Lunches
- 2 Dinners

Sightseeing Excursions and Tours
- Overnight VIA Rail Journey from Jasper to Vancouver

Admissions
- The Vancouver Lookout Tower
- Banff Gondola Ride
- Banff Upper Hot Springs
- Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure

Documentation
- National Historic Sites Pass
- Icefield Photograph
- Itinerary, brochures, maps and vouchers
- National Park entrance fees
- Hotel luggage handling

ITINERARY:

DAY 1 - Vancouver to Kelowna

This tour begins with the pick up of a rental car (not included) in Vancouver. Depart this pacific city and travel eastward to the city of Kelowna following the Trans-Canada Highway through the Fraser Canyon and along the Fraser River.  En route, consider a stop at Hell’s Gate, located in the scenic Fraser Canyon.  Descend smoothly from the highway level in one of two comfortable 25-passenger gondolas and experience a breathtaking flight directly above the unique Hell’s Gate fish ways, where two million sockeye salmon challenge the river each year on their epic journey to their inland spawning grounds.  At the lower terminal, after a 152-metre decent across the canyon, there are observation points to view the mighty Fraser River where, at peak level, 757 million litres (200 million gallons) of water per minute leap and surge through the 34-metre (111 feet) wide gorge.  Once you are finished exploring this amazing attraction, you’ll head down through the town of Merritt and continue through British Columbia’s stunning Okanagan Region to the city of Kelowna. Here, you’ll have the remainder of the evening at leisure to explore or relax.

DAY 2 - Kelowna to Banff

After breakfast (included), continue northeast toward the Rockies.  As you drive through Sicamous and the Shuswap Lakes area, keep watch for osprey and eagles who inhabit the treetops and the tops of the telephone poles.  This afternoon, journey through the Kicking Horse Canyon to the highway’s highest point of elevation of 1,625 metres (5,331 feet) at Kicking Horse Pass.  It is here, at the Continental Divide, that waters, continuing east eventually flow to Hudson’s Bay and waters flow west via the Columbia River to the Pacific Ocean.  During the day, you will cross a time zone and pass through both Glacier and Yoho National Parks.  Continue onto Banff following the Bow River Valley.  Two of the more outstanding landmarks along the way are Castle Mountain at 2,750 metres (9022 feet) and Temple Mountain at 3,523 metres (11,560 feet).

DAY 3 - Discovering Banff

Explore the wonders of world-famous Banff National Park, a scenic alpine town that's also a centre for arts and entertainment, shopping, restaurants and nightlife. Luxuriate in the mineral waters of the newly-renovated Upper Hot Springs and ride the Banff Gondola for a 360 degrees look at Banff and the Bow Valley.

DAY 4 - Banff to Jasper Sightseeing

Today you will drive to Jasper via Canada's most spectacular mountain highway - the Icefields Parkway. Be sure to stop and explore, take pictures, enjoy the peaks, valleys, waterfalls, glaciers and turquoise lakes. A ride on the Brewster Ice Explorer, visiting the Athabasca Glacier adjacent to the Columbia Icefields Interpretive Centre, is included in your package. Begin a two-night stay in Jasper.

DAY 5 - Exploring Jasper

Take time to discover Jasper and it's lovely surroundings on your own. Drive to Maligne Canyon and Maligne Lake, where you can take a scenic lake cruise; try the Whistlers tramway for a panoramic view of the townsite and surrounding area; or head eastward to Miette Hot Springs. Suggested options are not included in this vacation.

DAY 6 & 7 - VIA Rail's 'Canadian' from Jasper to Vancouver

Return your rental vehicle in Jasper and begin the two-day rail portion of your vacation. An afternoon departure onboard VIA Rail's 'Sleeper Touring' class, will begin your overnight rail journey to Vancouver. You will travel along the tranquil North Thompson River, through B.C.'s Interior Plateau with its sagebrush and Ponderosa pines, and finally along the rugged Fraser Canyon past Hell's Gate into the Coast Mountain range. Your vacation concludes upon arrival in Vancouver.


*Car Rental Pricing: Inquire with your Brewster representative about available car rental options and inclusions.

*** Want to travel aboard the Rocky Mountaineer? Check out this package (CA88) ***