Rail & Drive through the Canadian Rockies | VIA Rail | Self-drive

Day 1 Vancouver to Jasper | VIA Rail This afternoon, board VIA Rail’s legendary Canadian for your overnight journey from Vancouver to the majestic Canadian Rockies. Settle into the nostalgia of classic rail travel aboard restored stainless-steel railcars, complete with a dining car, lounge car and panoramic dome car. As the train leaves the city behind, watch the scenery unfold from the fertile Fraser Valley to the rugged Coast Mountains and dramatic Fraser Canyon. This evening, follow the Thompson River through changing landscapes as you enjoy dinner onboard, then settle into your comfortable upper or lower berth, prepared for the overnight journey. (Dinner included today onboard VIA Rail)

Day 2 Arrive Jasper | VIA Rail Wake to the beauty of the Canadian Rockies as the train continues through mountain valleys, forests and snow-capped peaks on its approach to Jasper. Enjoy breakfast onboard before arriving in this welcoming alpine town, surrounded by the wilderness of Jasper National Park. After transferring to your hotel, the rest of the day is free to explore at your own pace, browse the local shops and cafés, or simply take in the fresh mountain air. (Breakfast included today onboard VIA Rail)

Day 3 Jasper | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 3 Excursions Today you can tailor your day by selecting one of three Jasper experiences. Option 1. Maligne Lake Cruise | Operating season is weather dependent Cruise across Maligne Lake, one of Jasper National Park’s most photographed settings. Surrounded by mountain peaks, forested shoreline and brilliant alpine water, the journey includes views toward Spirit Island, one of the Canadian Rockies’ most iconic natural landmarks. Option 2. Jasper River Float Enjoy a gentle rafting experience on the Athabasca River, offering a relaxed and scenic perspective of Jasper National Park. Drift through a wide mountain valley with views of forests, peaks and wildlife habitat while your guide shares stories of the area’s natural and human history. Option 3. Jasper Nature Walk Explore Jasper National Park on a guided nature walk through a landscape of rolling hills, jagged peaks, forests, meadows, marshes, streams and glacial lakes. Along the way, learn more about the plants, wildlife and mountain ecology that make this region so remarkable.

Day 4 Jasper to Lake Louise | Ice Explorer + Skywalk | 208 km/129 mi Travel south along the Icefields Parkway, one of the most spectacular mountain drives in the world. This unforgettable route follows the spine of the Canadian Rockies, passing glacier-fed lakes, sweeping valleys, waterfalls and towering peaks. At the Columbia Icefield, step aboard the Ice Explorer for a journey onto ancient glacier ice, then continue to the Glacier Skywalk, where a glass-floored platform extends high above the Sunwapta Valley. These included experiences offer a powerful perspective on the scale, beauty and geology of this treasured region before you continue to Lake Louise.

Day 5 Lake Louise to Banff | 62 km/38 mi Depart Lake Louise for Banff, travelling through the heart of Banff National Park as glacier-fed waters, forested valleys, rugged peaks and classic Canadian Rockies scenery unfold along the way. In summer, travellers may enjoy either the Bow Valley Parkway, known for its quieter pace and wildlife viewing opportunities, or the Trans-Canada Highway, which offers a faster route with sweeping mountain vistas. Along the way, Johnston Canyon is a popular highlight, where a paved trail follows the canyon walls to rushing waterfalls, turquoise pools and dramatic limestone scenery. Continue to Banff, surrounded by alpine beauty, mountain views and the lively atmosphere of one of Canada’s most iconic Rockies towns.

Day 6 Banff | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 7 Excursions Today you can tailor your day by selecting one of seven Banff experiences. Option 1. Banff Gondola Ride the Banff Gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain for sweeping views over Banff, the Bow Valley and the surrounding peaks of Banff National Park. At the top, enjoy viewing platforms, interpretive exhibits and time to take in one of the most impressive panoramas in the Canadian Rockies. Option 2. Lake Minnewanka Cruise Cruise across the turquoise waters of Lake Minnewanka, surrounded by mountain peaks, forested shoreline and open alpine scenery. As you travel toward Devil’s Gap, enjoy a relaxed and scenic perspective of one of Banff National Park’s most beautiful glacier-fed lakes. Option 3. River Explorer Canoe Tour Enjoy a gentle guided canoe tour along the Bow River, where calm waters, mountain views and riverside scenery create a peaceful way to experience Banff National Park. This fun and interactive excursion is ideal for families, with no paddling experience necessary. Option 4. Bow River Horseback Adventure Saddle up for a guided horseback ride through the celebrated landscapes of Banff National Park. Follow scenic riverside trails, take in mountain views and experience the Rockies in a classic western style. Option 5. Banff Townsite E-Bike Tour Explore Banff on a relaxed guided e-bike ride to some of the town’s most scenic highlights, including Bow Falls, Surprise Corner, downtown Banff and the Cave and Basin National Historic Site. Enjoy mountain views, local history and an easy-paced ride suitable for beginners and families. Option 6. Upgrade Option: Moraine Lake & Lake Louise Sunset Wildlife Adventure with Picnic Dinner Experience the beauty of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake during the soft glow of golden hour. Travel through the mountain landscapes of Banff National Park as the evening light brings out the colour of the turquoise lakes, surrounding peaks and forested valleys. Along the way, watch for wildlife such as elk and deer, enjoy scenic shoreline walks and savour a picnic dinner in one of the Canadian Rockies’ most iconic settings. Option 7. Upgrade Option: Continental Divide Helicopter Tour Take to the skies on a spectacular helicopter flight over the Canadian Rockies and the Continental Divide. From above, admire a dramatic landscape of jagged peaks, alpine valleys, glaciers, hidden lakes and remote wilderness that few visitors ever see from the ground. This upgraded experience offers an unforgettable aerial perspective of the scale and beauty of the Rockies.

Day 7 Banff to Calgary | 115 km/72 mi Say goodbye to the fresh mountain air and majestic scenery of the Rockies as you leave Banff National Park and follow the Trans-Canada Highway east. Along the way, the dramatic peaks, forested slopes and glacier-carved valleys gradually soften into rolling foothills and wide-open prairie landscapes. If time permits, consider a scenic detour to Cochrane, a western foothills town set above the Bow River, where ranching heritage, river pathways and wide views back toward the Rockies make a relaxed final stop before Calgary.

Day 1 Calgary to Banff | 115 km/72 mi Leave the Stampede City of Calgary and travel west toward the rising peaks of the Canadian Rockies. As the prairie landscape gives way to foothills and mountain views, continue into Banff National Park and the resort town of Banff, one of Canada’s most iconic alpine destinations. Surrounded by dramatic peaks, forested valleys and glacier-fed rivers, Banff offers a spectacular introduction to the natural beauty and wildlife of the Rockies.

Day 2 Banff | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 7 Excursions Today you can tailor your day by selecting one of seven Banff experiences. Option 1. Banff Gondola Ride the Banff Gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain for sweeping views over Banff, the Bow Valley and the surrounding peaks of Banff National Park. At the top, enjoy viewing platforms, interpretive exhibits and time to take in one of the most impressive panoramas in the Canadian Rockies. Option 2. Lake Minnewanka Cruise Cruise across the turquoise waters of Lake Minnewanka, surrounded by mountain peaks, forested shoreline and open alpine scenery. As you travel toward Devil’s Gap, enjoy a relaxed and scenic perspective of one of Banff National Park’s most beautiful glacier-fed lakes. Option 3. River Explorer Canoe Tour Enjoy a gentle guided canoe tour along the Bow River, where calm waters, mountain views and riverside scenery create a peaceful way to experience Banff National Park. This fun and interactive excursion is ideal for families, with no paddling experience necessary. Option 4. Bow River Horseback Adventure Saddle up for a guided horseback ride through the celebrated landscapes of Banff National Park. Follow scenic riverside trails, take in mountain views and experience the Rockies in a classic western style. Option 5. Banff Townsite E-Bike Tour Explore Banff on a relaxed guided e-bike ride to some of the town’s most scenic highlights, including Bow Falls, Surprise Corner, downtown Banff and the Cave and Basin National Historic Site. Enjoy mountain views, local history and an easy-paced ride suitable for beginners and families. Option 6. Upgrade Option: Moraine Lake & Lake Louise Sunset Wildlife Adventure with Picnic Dinner Experience the beauty of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake during the soft glow of golden hour. Travel through the mountain landscapes of Banff National Park as the evening light brings out the colour of the turquoise lakes, surrounding peaks and forested valleys. Along the way, watch for wildlife such as elk and deer, enjoy scenic shoreline walks and savour a picnic dinner in one of the Canadian Rockies’ most iconic settings. Option 7. Upgrade Option: Continental Divide Helicopter Tour Take to the skies on a spectacular helicopter flight over the Canadian Rockies and the Continental Divide. From above, admire a dramatic landscape of jagged peaks, alpine valleys, glaciers, hidden lakes and remote wilderness that few visitors ever see from the ground. This upgraded experience offers an unforgettable aerial perspective of the scale and beauty of the Rockies.

Day 3 Banff to Lake Louise | 62 km/38 mi Depart Banff for Lake Louise, travelling through the heart of Banff National Park as forested valleys, rugged peaks and classic Canadian Rockies scenery unfold along the way. In summer, travellers may enjoy either the Bow Valley Parkway, known for its quieter pace and wildlife viewing opportunities, or the Trans-Canada Highway, which offers a faster route with sweeping mountain vistas. Along the way, Johnston Canyon is a popular highlight, where a paved trail follows the canyon walls to rushing waterfalls, turquoise pools and dramatic limestone scenery. Continue to Lake Louise, surrounded by glacier-fed waters, soaring peaks and iconic alpine beauty.

Day 4 Lake Louise to Jasper | Ice Explorer + Skywalk | 208 km/129 mi Travel north along the Icefields Parkway, one of the most spectacular mountain drives in the world. This unforgettable route follows the spine of the Canadian Rockies, passing glacier-fed lakes, sweeping valleys, waterfalls and towering peaks. At the Columbia Icefield, step aboard the Ice Explorer for a journey onto ancient glacier ice, then continue to the Glacier Skywalk, where a glass-floored platform extends high above the Sunwapta Valley. These included experiences offer a powerful perspective on the scale, beauty and geology of this treasured region before you continue to Jasper.

Day 5 Jasper | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 3 Excursions Today you can tailor your day by selecting one of three Jasper experiences. Option 1. Maligne Lake Cruise | Operating season is weather dependent Cruise across Maligne Lake, one of Jasper National Park’s most photographed settings. Surrounded by mountain peaks, forested shoreline and brilliant alpine water, the journey includes views toward Spirit Island, one of the Canadian Rockies’ most iconic natural landmarks. Option 2. Jasper River Float Enjoy a gentle rafting experience on the Athabasca River, offering a relaxed and scenic perspective of Jasper National Park. Drift through a wide mountain valley with views of forests, peaks and wildlife habitat while your guide shares stories of the area’s natural and human history. Option 3. Jasper Nature Walk Explore Jasper National Park on a guided nature walk through a landscape of rolling hills, jagged peaks, forests, meadows, marshes, streams and glacial lakes. Along the way, learn more about the plants, wildlife and mountain ecology that make this region so remarkable.

Day 6 Jasper to Vancouver | VIA Rail This morning, board VIA Rail’s legendary Canadian for your overnight journey from the Canadian Rockies to Vancouver. Settle into the nostalgia of classic rail travel aboard restored stainless-steel railcars, then make your way to the panoramic dome car as the train follows the scenic Yellowhead route. Watch for the towering presence of Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, before the landscape begins to shift from alpine valleys and forested slopes to the dramatic canyons, rivers and rolling desert scenery of central British Columbia. Enjoy brunch and dinner onboard, then settle into your comfortable upper or lower berth, prepared for the overnight journey. (Brunch & dinner included today onboard VIA Rail)

Day 7 Arrive Vancouver | VIA Rail Wake onboard as the train continues west toward the Pacific Coast, passing through the fertile Fraser Valley before arriving in the vibrant coastal city of Vancouver. Enjoy a continental breakfast onboard before your rail journey comes to an end, bringing with it the memorable experience of travelling from mountain wilderness to oceanfront city by classic overnight train. (Continental breakfast included today onboard VIA Rail)