6-Day VIA Rail from Calgary to Vancouver visit Rocky Mountain Banff Jasper Tour
5 Ratings
- Live Guide
- Pickup Service
- E-Ticket
☆ Welcome to Calgary! Enjoy the dazzling mountain peaks, lush alpine meadows, blue-green lakes, dense forests, and abundant wild animals. ☆ Explore Banff: Step into the temple of time, open the door to a trip into the past, combining mountain and river scenery with history. ☆ Unforgettable journey: A national treasure-class road trip allowing you to explore the gems along the Icefields Parkway, discover a list of winding peaks, high mountains, and flowing water, accompanied by ancient glaciers. ☆ Hiking: Walk along the beautiful shores of the seasonal Moraine Lake and iconic Lake Louise. Both lakes offer amazing mountainous views. ☆ Don’t want to miss: Ride on the Ice Explorer and set foot on the massive glacier; stroll along the Skywalk and enjoy the beautiful scenery from the clouds. ☆ Relaxing journey: The train journey seems to slow down the rush of time. After arriving in Vancouver, you can explore Richmond and experience the diverse cultures of Vancouver.
Itinerary Details
Operated by: Westar Travel Ltd.
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Day 1 Home Town to Calgary
Stop At: Calgary
Welcome to Calgary! Enjoy the dazzling mountain peaks, lush alpine meadows, blue-green lakes, dense forests, and abundant wild animals. Immerse yourself into the nature and enjoy local delicacies. Your choices of add-on activity [ Self-Guided City Tour] if you arrived in Calgary before 12:00PM. [ City Self-Explore - Route A (additional charge) ] Explore "Calgary CBD" + check out trendy locations + The Core shopping mall [ City Self-Explore - Route B (additional charge) ] Back to the Time at Heritage Park (5hr) [ City Self-Explore - Route C (additional charge) ] Shopping! Shopping! Shopping! @ CrossIron Mills Outlet （5hr） [ City Self-Explore - Route D (additional charge) ] Shopping @ Chinook Centre (5hr)
Day 2 Calgary-Lake Louise-Moraine Lake-Yoho National Park-Emerald Lake-Natural Bridge
Stop At: Lake Louise
If there is only one place you can go while you are in the Canadian Rockies, you must visit Lake Louise. Also named “Jewel of the Rockies,” this world famous turquoise lake draws millions of visitors every year. This gorgeous alpine lake is embellished with Victoria Glacier as the backdrop. The rugged peaks and glaciers behind the lake makes the scenery of the lake seem as if it were a carefully designed painting.
Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes
Stop At: Moraine Lake
Located 14 km southeast of the hamlet of Lake Louise is home to Moraine Lake, a beautiful turquoise lake surrounded by the Ten Peaks, waterfalls, and rock piles. The color of the water actually changes intensity through the summer. Explore further by canoeing to the heart of the lake, or go on a hiking adventure that will lead you to a vista giving you a birds eye view of the beautiful Moraine Lake.
Duration: 40 minutes
Stop At:
Visit [Lake Louise Gondola] (additional charges) at [Lake Louise Ski Resort]. The mountainous scenery here is immaculate. (Sightseeing: 60 mins) We will have a lunch stop here (Optional add-on lunch is available with additional fees)
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Spiral Tunnels
This section of the Canadian Pacific Railway carried too much blood and tears of railroad workers and history.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Emerald Lake
One of the most admired destinations in Yoho National Park is Emerald Lake. This gorgeous emerald coloured lake is a result of the light refracting the deposit of rock flour in the lake. Emerald Lake is surrounded by the President Range that forms a natural amphitheater with towering forested banks. If you look carefully, you might be able to spot some really cool wildlife such as marmots, bald eagle, bears, loons, and the occasional moose!
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Natural Bridge
Stop at the Natural Bridge along the way and admire the Kicking Horse River as it carves a path through ancient rock. You can view the incredible natural formation from different perspectives at vantage points with interpretive displays that tell you about interesting facts about Natural Bridge. This beautiful scenery is enhanced with the scenic mountains and lush forests in the background.
Duration: 15 minutes
Day 3 Banff National Parks - Sulphur Mt. - Bow Falls - Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Johnston Canyon
Stop At: Banff National Park
Banff National Park is Canada's first national park, and is a destination on innumerous people’s bucket lists from all around the world. The most famous attractions in the park are Lake Louise and Lake Moraine. Banff National Park is also home to countless iconic natural landmarks from majestic mountain ranges to gorgeous turquoise lakes, to beautiful waterfalls, and canyons.
Stop At: Sulphur Mountain
Sulphur Mountain is a mountain located in Banff, Alberta, Canada. At the peak of the mountain you will be amazed by the incredible 360 degree view on the skywalk, of six majestic mountain ranges, beautiful rivers and valleys, the Bow Valley as well as the Town of Banff. Surrounded by the massive peaks that reach the sky, you feel as if you are at the heart of the planet.
Stop At:
Ride the Sulphur Mountain [Banff Gondola (additional charges)] to reach the top of the mountain. At this moment, it seems that a fascinating picture has unfolded. A 3-minute “Above Banff” experience allows you to explore Banff through an eagle-eye perspective with stunning sound effects, advanced visual film processing technology, 3D effect, and perfectly shows the full picture of Banff National Park.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Hoodoos Trail
Hoodoos take millions of years to form and stand 5 to 7 meters tall. Each hoodoo is a sandstone pillar resting on a thick base of shale that is capped by a large stone. Hoodoos are very fragile and can erode completely if their capstone is dislodged. The protected Hoodoos site is a guaranteed spot to see Hoodoos but smaller versions of these sandstone giants can be found all over the Badlands. The Hoodoos make a great stop on the way to the Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site in East Coulee.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Bow Falls
Located 2.7 km from the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel is Bow Falls. The astounding scene and the powerful sound of aqua green water crashing over limestone is truly a remarkable experience. The bow falls is a shallow but wide waterfall on the bow river. Several Hollywood films of the 1950s were filmed here! Famous Hollywood star Marilyn Monroe once was swept over the bow falls as they filmed for “River of No Return.”
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Surprise Corner
The Surprise corner is named after its spectacular views of the majestic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel that is cozily nestled at the heart of a dense forest with the beautiful Sulphur Mountain as a backdrop. This beautiful scene is elevated with Bow River cascading down into the Bow Falls as a foreground. The magnificent scene at Surprise Corner will make you feel as if you have travelled into a fairytale story.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At:
The Fairmont Banff Spring Hotel, also known as the "Castle of the Rockies", has been around for more than 100 years. This iconic gem is located among the majestic Rocky Mountains and the Bow River. We will make a lunch stop at this Iconic Castle hotel. Optional add-on French Brasserie lunch at your choice (additional fees)
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
Stop At: Johnston Canyon
is carved into the limestone bedrock from thousands of years of water erosion. It is truly remarkable how powerful water can be in shaping landscapes. On this hike, you will be immersed into a beautiful scene of overhanging canyon walls, waterfalls, and lush forest. (Sightseeing: 60 mins) (If the attraction is under maintenance or other force majeure, we will go to Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake as an alternative attraction)
Duration: 1 hour
Day 4 Bow Lake - Peyto Lake - Columbia Icefield - Athabasca Falls
Stop At: Crowfoot Glacier
Attached to the Northeast side of the Crowfoot Mountain and overlooking the Bow Lake lies the Crowfoot Glacier. This huge mass of ice was named a century ago because its appearance resembled that of a three-toed crowfoot. Be sure to take lots of photos because the next time you visit Crowfoot Glacier, it might not look the same anymore!
Stop At: Bow Lake
Bow Lake is a stop you will not regret taking while you are travelling across Icefield Parkway. When the lake thaws in the summer, it becomes a vivid blue colour from the glacier melt of the Crowfoot Glacier. Speaking of the Crowfoot Glacier, the Bow Lake is also the perfect place to view the Crowfoot Glacier, Wapta Icefield, bow glacier, crowfoot mountain and Mount Thompson. It really seems like the ultimate all in one package!
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Icefields Parkway
Joining the hamlet of Lake Louise in Banff with the Town of Jasper in Jasper National Park is one of the most scenic highways in the world --- Icefields Parkway. Along the 230 km mountain road, every corner on the Icefields Parkway reveals another one of nature’s splendor, from the ancient glaciers and cascading waterfalls to the vivid colours of lakes and lush forests. Many stops along the Icefields Parkway deserve a stop.
Stop At: Peyto Lake
Located along the Icefields Parkway, approximately 40km north of Lake Louise is the vibrant glacier-fed lake, Peyto Lake. The lake is nestled in majestic mountain ranges which lie on each of its sides. This jaw dropping view is the best reward for an intense scrambling hike. The scenery on the viewpoint looks as if it is a carefully painted piece of art. Peyto Lake’s beauty is comparable with the famous Moraine Lake without as many crowds.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Columbia Ice Field
[Columbia Icefield] is the largest ancient icefield in the Canadian Rockies. A ride on the [Ice Explorer] (additional charges) to explore [Athabasca Glacier]. Discover a different perspective of the remarkable scenery as you peer into what seems like the heart of the planet through a glass-bottomed [Skywalk] (additional charges). The [Columbia Icefields Skywalk] arches out away from the building approximately 280 m above the valley floor, offering an amazing mountainous view of [Sunwapta Valley] on either side of the skywalk and directly beneath you. (2 activity Sightseeing: 150 mins); You will have a lunch stop here for 60 mins.
Duration: 3 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Athabasca Falls
Located 30 km south of Jasper town, Athabasca Falls, is one of the most incredible and powerful waterfalls in the Canadian Rockies. Although its height is not astonishing, the Athabasca falls is known for its impressive volume and force of water. This splendid waterfall is in the foreground of a stunning backdrop of lush forests, and beautiful rocky mountain ranges.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Jasper National Park
Drive to [Town of Jasper], the simple folk style, vast space that makes us return to nature. [Jasper National Park] is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day 5 Jasper – VIA Rail
Stop At:
Depart from Jasper Hotel at approximately 08:00 in the morning. Guests will go to the [Canada National Rail VIA] station to check in by themselves. (The departure time is subject to the final notification from Jasper Railway Station, please go to the railway station to check in at least 1 hour in advance) The train departs at 09:30 (there is no driver-guide service on the train), and you will start the special Rocky Mountain train Brigade - 800 kilometers of magnificent mountains and rivers along the way, allowing you to enjoy the scenery of the Rocky Mountains. Crossing the alpine meadows, driving in the snow-capped waterfalls under the blue sky is the snow-white glaciers, having the opportunity to see the highest peak in Canada, Mount Robertson, and looking down at the emerald lake, just like the words of the literati: "The Rocky Mountains are a A temple where people can worship and purify their souls.” The sun sets, night falls, and tonight you will fall asleep in pure nature.
Duration: 19 hour
Day 6 VIA Rail - Vancouver
Stop At:
Arrive at [Pacific Railway Station] at approximately 8:00am in the morning, Vancouver time. Welcome to Vancouver. After arriving at Vancouver Pacific Railway Station, the tour ends on your own.
Stop At: Vancouver
The City of Vancouver is what many visitors immediately associate with "Vancouver the destination." Indeed, it is home to the largest population among the Metro Vancouver municipalities, and is located at the heart of the region. Downtown Vancouver is where most of the region's finacial and business activity happens, and the vast majority of the city's hotel rooms are there as well.
Day 1 Home Town to Calgary
Stop At: Calgary
Welcome to Calgary! Enjoy the dazzling mountain peaks, lush alpine meadows, blue-green lakes, dense forests, and abundant wild animals. Immerse yourself into the nature and enjoy local delicacies. Your choices of add-on activity [ Self-Guided City Tour] if you arrived in Calgary before 12:00PM. [ City Self-Explore - Route A (additional charge) ] Explore "Calgary CBD" + check out trendy locations + The Core shopping mall [ City Self-Explore - Route B (additional charge) ] Back to the Time at Heritage Park (5hr) [ City Self-Explore - Route C (additional charge) ] Shopping! Shopping! Shopping! @ CrossIron Mills Outlet （5hr） [ City Self-Explore - Route D (additional charge) ] Shopping @ Chinook Centre (5hr)
Day 2 Calgary-Lake Louise-Moraine Lake-Yoho National Park-Emerald Lake-Natural Bridge
Stop At: Lake Louise
If there is only one place you can go while you are in the Canadian Rockies, you must visit Lake Louise. Also named “Jewel of the Rockies,” this world famous turquoise lake draws millions of visitors every year. This gorgeous alpine lake is embellished with Victoria Glacier as the backdrop. The rugged peaks and glaciers behind the lake makes the scenery of the lake seem as if it were a carefully designed painting.
Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes
Stop At: Moraine Lake
Located 14 km southeast of the hamlet of Lake Louise is home to Moraine Lake, a beautiful turquoise lake surrounded by the Ten Peaks, waterfalls, and rock piles. The color of the water actually changes intensity through the summer. Explore further by canoeing to the heart of the lake, or go on a hiking adventure that will lead you to a vista giving you a birds eye view of the beautiful Moraine Lake.
Duration: 40 minutes
Stop At:
Visit [Lake Louise Gondola] (additional charges) at [Lake Louise Ski Resort]. The mountainous scenery here is immaculate. (Sightseeing: 60 mins) We will have a lunch stop here (Optional add-on lunch is available with additional fees)
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Spiral Tunnels
This section of the Canadian Pacific Railway carried too much blood and tears of railroad workers and history.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Emerald Lake
One of the most admired destinations in Yoho National Park is Emerald Lake. This gorgeous emerald coloured lake is a result of the light refracting the deposit of rock flour in the lake. Emerald Lake is surrounded by the President Range that forms a natural amphitheater with towering forested banks. If you look carefully, you might be able to spot some really cool wildlife such as marmots, bald eagle, bears, loons, and the occasional moose!
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Natural Bridge
Stop at the Natural Bridge along the way and admire the Kicking Horse River as it carves a path through ancient rock. You can view the incredible natural formation from different perspectives at vantage points with interpretive displays that tell you about interesting facts about Natural Bridge. This beautiful scenery is enhanced with the scenic mountains and lush forests in the background.
Duration: 15 minutes
Day 3 Banff National Parks - Sulphur Mt. - Bow Falls - Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Johnston Canyon
Stop At: Banff National Park
Banff National Park is Canada's first national park, and is a destination on innumerous people’s bucket lists from all around the world. The most famous attractions in the park are Lake Louise and Lake Moraine. Banff National Park is also home to countless iconic natural landmarks from majestic mountain ranges to gorgeous turquoise lakes, to beautiful waterfalls, and canyons.
Stop At: Sulphur Mountain
Sulphur Mountain is a mountain located in Banff, Alberta, Canada. At the peak of the mountain you will be amazed by the incredible 360 degree view on the skywalk, of six majestic mountain ranges, beautiful rivers and valleys, the Bow Valley as well as the Town of Banff. Surrounded by the massive peaks that reach the sky, you feel as if you are at the heart of the planet.
Stop At:
Ride the Sulphur Mountain [Banff Gondola (additional charges)] to reach the top of the mountain. At this moment, it seems that a fascinating picture has unfolded. A 3-minute “Above Banff” experience allows you to explore Banff through an eagle-eye perspective with stunning sound effects, advanced visual film processing technology, 3D effect, and perfectly shows the full picture of Banff National Park.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Hoodoos Trail
Hoodoos take millions of years to form and stand 5 to 7 meters tall. Each hoodoo is a sandstone pillar resting on a thick base of shale that is capped by a large stone. Hoodoos are very fragile and can erode completely if their capstone is dislodged. The protected Hoodoos site is a guaranteed spot to see Hoodoos but smaller versions of these sandstone giants can be found all over the Badlands. The Hoodoos make a great stop on the way to the Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site in East Coulee.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Bow Falls
Located 2.7 km from the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel is Bow Falls. The astounding scene and the powerful sound of aqua green water crashing over limestone is truly a remarkable experience. The bow falls is a shallow but wide waterfall on the bow river. Several Hollywood films of the 1950s were filmed here! Famous Hollywood star Marilyn Monroe once was swept over the bow falls as they filmed for “River of No Return.”
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Surprise Corner
The Surprise corner is named after its spectacular views of the majestic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel that is cozily nestled at the heart of a dense forest with the beautiful Sulphur Mountain as a backdrop. This beautiful scene is elevated with Bow River cascading down into the Bow Falls as a foreground. The magnificent scene at Surprise Corner will make you feel as if you have travelled into a fairytale story.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At:
The Fairmont Banff Spring Hotel, also known as the "Castle of the Rockies", has been around for more than 100 years. This iconic gem is located among the majestic Rocky Mountains and the Bow River. We will make a lunch stop at this Iconic Castle hotel. Optional add-on French Brasserie lunch at your choice (additional fees)
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
Stop At: Johnston Canyon
is carved into the limestone bedrock from thousands of years of water erosion. It is truly remarkable how powerful water can be in shaping landscapes. On this hike, you will be immersed into a beautiful scene of overhanging canyon walls, waterfalls, and lush forest. (Sightseeing: 60 mins) (If the attraction is under maintenance or other force majeure, we will go to Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake as an alternative attraction)
Duration: 1 hour
Day 4 Bow Lake - Peyto Lake - Columbia Icefield - Athabasca Falls
Stop At: Crowfoot Glacier
Attached to the Northeast side of the Crowfoot Mountain and overlooking the Bow Lake lies the Crowfoot Glacier. This huge mass of ice was named a century ago because its appearance resembled that of a three-toed crowfoot. Be sure to take lots of photos because the next time you visit Crowfoot Glacier, it might not look the same anymore!
Stop At: Bow Lake
Bow Lake is a stop you will not regret taking while you are travelling across Icefield Parkway. When the lake thaws in the summer, it becomes a vivid blue colour from the glacier melt of the Crowfoot Glacier. Speaking of the Crowfoot Glacier, the Bow Lake is also the perfect place to view the Crowfoot Glacier, Wapta Icefield, bow glacier, crowfoot mountain and Mount Thompson. It really seems like the ultimate all in one package!
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Icefields Parkway
Joining the hamlet of Lake Louise in Banff with the Town of Jasper in Jasper National Park is one of the most scenic highways in the world --- Icefields Parkway. Along the 230 km mountain road, every corner on the Icefields Parkway reveals another one of nature’s splendor, from the ancient glaciers and cascading waterfalls to the vivid colours of lakes and lush forests. Many stops along the Icefields Parkway deserve a stop.
Stop At: Peyto Lake
Located along the Icefields Parkway, approximately 40km north of Lake Louise is the vibrant glacier-fed lake, Peyto Lake. The lake is nestled in majestic mountain ranges which lie on each of its sides. This jaw dropping view is the best reward for an intense scrambling hike. The scenery on the viewpoint looks as if it is a carefully painted piece of art. Peyto Lake’s beauty is comparable with the famous Moraine Lake without as many crowds.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Columbia Ice Field
[Columbia Icefield] is the largest ancient icefield in the Canadian Rockies. A ride on the [Ice Explorer] (additional charges) to explore [Athabasca Glacier]. Discover a different perspective of the remarkable scenery as you peer into what seems like the heart of the planet through a glass-bottomed [Skywalk] (additional charges). The [Columbia Icefields Skywalk] arches out away from the building approximately 280 m above the valley floor, offering an amazing mountainous view of [Sunwapta Valley] on either side of the skywalk and directly beneath you. (2 activity Sightseeing: 150 mins); You will have a lunch stop here for 60 mins.
Duration: 3 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Athabasca Falls
Located 30 km south of Jasper town, Athabasca Falls, is one of the most incredible and powerful waterfalls in the Canadian Rockies. Although its height is not astonishing, the Athabasca falls is known for its impressive volume and force of water. This splendid waterfall is in the foreground of a stunning backdrop of lush forests, and beautiful rocky mountain ranges.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Jasper National Park
Drive to [Town of Jasper], the simple folk style, vast space that makes us return to nature. [Jasper National Park] is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day 5 Jasper – VIA Rail
Stop At:
Depart from Jasper Hotel at approximately 08:00 in the morning. Guests will go to the [Canada National Rail VIA] station to check in by themselves. (The departure time is subject to the final notification from Jasper Railway Station, please go to the railway station to check in at least 1 hour in advance) The train departs at 09:30 (there is no driver-guide service on the train), and you will start the special Rocky Mountain train Brigade - 800 kilometers of magnificent mountains and rivers along the way, allowing you to enjoy the scenery of the Rocky Mountains. Crossing the alpine meadows, driving in the snow-capped waterfalls under the blue sky is the snow-white glaciers, having the opportunity to see the highest peak in Canada, Mount Robertson, and looking down at the emerald lake, just like the words of the literati: "The Rocky Mountains are a A temple where people can worship and purify their souls.” The sun sets, night falls, and tonight you will fall asleep in pure nature.
Duration: 19 hour
Day 6 VIA Rail - Vancouver
Stop At:
Arrive at [Pacific Railway Station] at approximately 8:00am in the morning, Vancouver time. Welcome to Vancouver. After arriving at Vancouver Pacific Railway Station, the tour ends on your own.
Stop At: Vancouver
The City of Vancouver is what many visitors immediately associate with "Vancouver the destination." Indeed, it is home to the largest population among the Metro Vancouver municipalities, and is located at the heart of the region. Downtown Vancouver is where most of the region's finacial and business activity happens, and the vast majority of the city's hotel rooms are there as well.
