Canadian Rockies by Train #2
Vancouver to Banff & Lake Louise
The Rocky Mountaineer journey has delighted so many with its striking landscape and the thrill of traveling by train. Our starting point is Vancouver, BC tucked between the mountains and the sea. Famous for its sparkling beauty, this city is likely to steal your heart. At Vancouver we board the Rocky Mountaineer and travel through the dramatic Canadian Rockies to Banff, a charming town nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains. We will explore Banff and take a day trip to lovely Lake Louise before concluding in Calgary. If stunning natural beauty is your thing, then this is the trip for you. All aboard!
Canadian Rockies by Train #2
August 17 - August 24, 2019Highlights
- Travel by rail through beautiful British Columbia
- See the sights of Vancouver
- Explore Banff and Lake Louise
- Time to explore personal interests
- Suggestions for additional things to see
- Small group no larger than 14
- And More... See itinerary for details
Itinerary
Saturday, 17 August 2019: Arrive Vancouver; Welcome Dinner (D)
Schedule your arrival no later than 4:00pm and take local transportation to the hotel. The tour begins at the hotel at 6:00pm with our Welcome Meeting, followed by dinner to get acquainted and discuss our upcoming trip. Overnight Vancouver - 2 nights
Sunday, 18 August 2019: Vancouver Sighteeing (B)
Welcome to beautiful British Columbia. We begin with a hop-on hop-off tour of Vancouver, the province's largest city and the major port for all of western Canada. Renowned for its scenic beauty and endless opportunities for outdoor activities, Vancouver is surrounded almost completely by water and features snow-capped mountains rising dramatically in the background. Stanley Park, an evergreen oasis of 1,000 acres, is recognized as one of the greatest parks of the world. The hop-on hop-off bus gives everyone the freedom to linger at those places that interest you the most. You might also want consider a stop for dim-sum in one of the many restaurants in Chinatown, visit Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden, an exquisite reproduction of a Ming Dynasty landscape or head to Capilano suspension bridge for a walk on the wild side.
Monday, 19 August 2019: Rocky Mountaineer Train to Kamloops (B,L)
We get an very early start today as we board the train in Vancouver and travel the Silver Leaf Service to Kamloops in the heart of British Columbia's interior. Breakfast and lunch will be served on the train. On today's journey you will see dramatic changes in scenery, from the lush green fields of the Fraser River Valley to the forests and winding river canyons to the more arid environment of the interior. Highlights include the rushing waters of Hell's Gate in the Fraser Canyon and the steep slopes and rock sheds along the Thompson River. Our day concludes as the Rocky Mountaineer travels along the shores of Kamloops Lake and into Kamloops where we will spend the night. Overnight Kamloops - 1 night
Tuesday, 20 August 2019: Rocky Mountaineer Train to Banff; Late Afternoon Arrival (B,L)
We are up early again to continue with our journey as we head eastward to the mighty Canadian Rockies and the province of Alberta. Once again you will see a spectacular range of scenery as you travel across ranchlands, along rocky lakeshores, over high mountain passes and through the remarkable tunnels that form part of the rich rail history of the area. Today's highlights include Craigellachie where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven, the climb over Rogers Pass, Kicking Horse Canyon, the Spiral Tunnels and of course the glaciers and snow-capped peaks. The train journey concludes in the resort town of Banff late this afternoon. Overnight Banff - 3 nights
Wednesday, 21 August 2019: Free Day to Explore Banff; Group Dinner (B,D)
The town of Banff is actually located inside Banff National Park, which covers 2,564 square miles of roaring waterfalls and ice-blue glaciers, meadows full of wildflowers and breathtaking panoramic vistas. The origins of Canada's first national park date to 1883, when railway builders came across the hot springs. Among the many highlights are the hoodoos - incredible sandstone formations that have been shaped by centuries of wind - Surprise Corner, and Tunnel Mountain Drive for outstanding views of the Bow River Valley. The day is yours to explore Banff and all the outdoor activities it has to offer. Your Tour Leader will have many suggestions and will help pair up travelers based on interests. We will have dinner together this evening in Banff.
Thursday, 22 August 2019: Lake Louise (B)
Renowned as one of the most scenic drives in the Rockies, the Icefields Parkway leads us past natural beauty and the chance to see wildlife enroute to Lake Louise. Our first stop will be the gondola to ride to the top of the mountain for sweeping views of the area. We continue on to Lake Louise where Mt. Victoria and the Victoria Glacier provide a perfect backdrop for the blue-green waters of the lake, known as the "Jewel of the Rockies." There will be time to explore this beautiful resort before we return to Banff in the late afternoon.
Friday, 23 August 2019: Johnston Canyon; Calgary; Farewell Dinner (B,D)
This morning we make our way to Johnston Canyon, a slot canyon with a river rushing river through it. Johnston Canyon features raised platform walkways that allow us to explore this amazing canyon with relative ease and safety. Walk the entire length of the canyon or explore only as far as you wish and then turn around. There will be time for lunch before we continue on to Calgary. Our hotel is located at the Calgary airport for convenience sake. After freshening up we'll have dinner at the hotel. Overnight Calgary - 1 night
Saturday, 24 August 2019: Return home from Calgary
Depart Calgary at your convenience. Since we are literally in the airport, you need only walk to your gate. No matter when your flight departs you need to allow 2 to 2 1/2 hours for US security and customs at the Calgary Airport.
Canadian Rockies by Train #2
August 17 - August 24, 2019Pricing
Room Share
$4,796.00 (Sold Out)Single Room
$6,021.00Non-Members
ADD $75.00Status of this Tour
Trip Full and Closed
Tour Pricing Includes
- All meals and activities expressly listed in the itinerary, PLUS...
- All tipping of local guides
- WTT Tour Leader to enhance the individual & group experience
- Transportation in WTT's own Mercedes mini-coach beginning in Banff
- Arranged room sharing with another solo traveler
- Travel Dollar credits (a benefit of WTT membership) toward future travel with WTT
Not Included In The Price
- Airfare or other transportation to and from the tour
- Airport transfers
- Meals and activities not specified in the itinerary
- Any personal expenses or expenditures
- Any pre- or post- tour arrangements
- Passport fees
- Any gratuities for the WTT Tour Leader
- Travel Insurance
Payment Dates -and- Cancellation Terms for This Tour
At Space Reservation: Initial Deposit is due.
Monday, 18 Feb 2019: Initial deposit cannot be parked and is forfeited if traveler cancels after this date.
Sunday, 19 May 2019: Payment in full. 50% cancellation penalty after this date.
Wednesday, 3 Jul 2019: 100% forfeited if traveler cancels after this date.
Please review our travel and cancellation policies before making your reservation. You will be asked to confirm you have read and understood WTT's travel polices before we will accept your reservation.
Travel Insurance: We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect you in the event you need to cancel your tour. WTT will mail you information from a reliable travel insurance provider at the time we confirm your reservation.
You can review the insurance information from TravelGuard to get an idea of rates.
Canadian Rockies by Train #2
August 17 - August 24, 2019Flights, Transfers & Lodging
Arrival & Departure Information
Travelers will make their own air arrangements as follows:
When searching for flights for this trip, be sure to search "Multi-city" (on Kayak) or "Multiple Destinations" (on Expedia). For comparison, you may also want to search for one-way fares.
Arrival Airport: YVR - Vancouver, Canada (Vancouver Int'l Airport)
Arrival Date: Saturday, August 17th. Arrive no later than 4:00pm.
Arrival Transfer: Use local shuttle or taxi service. Details provided in Final Travel Instructions.
Departure Airport: YYC - Calgary, Canada (Calgary Int'l Airport)
Departure Date: Saturday, August 24th. Depart at your convenience.
Departure Transfer: Not Needed. The hotel is located on airport property. Walk to your gate.
Lodging / Hotels
Vancouver: Delta Vancouver Downtown Suites
Kamloops: Rocky Mountaineer-selected hotel
Banff: Moose Hotel & Suites
Calgary: Delta Calgary Airport Hotel
In the unlikely event WTT is unable to provide the hotel accommodation(s) listed, for whatever reason, WTT will substitute similar quality accommodation(s) at no additional cost to the traveler.
Want to Arrive a Day Early?
Worried about possible flight delays? Consider arriving one day before the official tour start date. Many of our travelers choose this optional service. Your pre-tour package includes:
- The room (standard check-in times apply)
- Breakfast the following morning
- Optional activity suggestions prior to tour
$212.00 Roomshare $391.00 Single
The pre-tour package is an optional service. Rates are established at time of tour posting. Early check-in is solely at the discretion of the hotel and cannot be arranged in advance.
Additional Reminders About This Tour
- Travelers are required to have a valid passport or passport ID card.
- Passport should be valid for at least six months after you return home and needs to have two consecutive blank pages.
- This tour uses a 15-passenger Mini-Coach for transportation while on tour. Learn more about The WTT North American Travel Experience by downloading/opening the pdf.
Canadian Rockies by Train #2
August 17 - August 24, 2019Destination Information
What do others say about this tour and traveling with WTT?
How Does Room Sharing Work?
- If you wish to share with another solo traveler, select this option on the Reservation Form and your tour price will automatically be based on the room share price.
- Or, you may select a single room, when available, on the Reservation Form and your tour price will be automatically based on the single room price.
- These choices are clearly stated on the Reservation Form.
- All shared rooms have 2 beds
- All shared rooms are non-smoking
- No special requests about your roommate can be accommodated
- Most solo travelers elect to share a room
- See "Frequently Asked Questions" TAB for more details
How Active is this Tour?
In addition to the minimum requirements, the specific activities on this tour are rated as follows:
- 75% Easy (walking involved)
- 25% Moderate
Read more about Activity Levels
What meals are included and how are dietary restrictions accommodated?
- Breakfast most days
- 2 Lunches (aboard the train)
- 3 Dinners
Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dietary requests can be accommodated on this tour with limited selections.
What clothing and items should I pack for this trip?
In general this time of year, the average temperature during the day is in the 60s to low 70s, dropping to the 50s at night. It is likely to be a bit warmer in Vancouver than in Banff and Calgary.
For This Tour You May Want—
- Swimsuit — The Moose Hotel and the Delta Calgary Hotel both have pools.
- One smart-casual outfit if you'd like to dress up a bit for dinners.
- Lightweight fleece jacket for chilly mornings and evenings.
- Bring what you need to get a good night's sleep, such as ear plugs, white noise generator, sleeping pills, etc. Unfamiliar noises of all types can disrupt your rest.
Good Packing Habits—
- Pack a limited amount of comfortable, casual clothing that layer and coordinate. Your fellow travelers will not mind – or even notice – seeing you in the same clothing.
- Bring only two pairs of everyday shoes: one pair of well-broken-in walking shoes, and a second pair that could do double-duty as a walking shoe or a slightly dressy shoe.
- Pare down your beauty regimen to the bare minimum and always pack travel-sized toiletries.
- Pack medication in your carry-on and pack only as much as needed for the duration of your tour plus a few extra days as a precaution.
What are the luggage restrictions for this tour?
On every WTT tour, our policies regarding luggage restrictions are driven by the physical space limitations of the vehicles we use, the requirement that all travelers be able to manage their own belongings without assistance and the restrictions imposed by other forms of transportation such as trains.
- It is best to travel as lightly as possible. Most travelers regret when they have packed too much.
- You may bring one suitcase plus small shoulder bag/day pack/purse.
- Maximum suitcase size: 25-inches in height as measured from the FLOOR to the top of the retracted handle. The small or medium-size in a 3-piece luggage set easily meets this requirement and will be plenty roomy for this length of trip. Suitcases larger than 25" in height will not fit in the WTT coach; don't bring them.
- The maximum weight of your suitcase should not exceed 30 pounds, as you will need to lift it into the coach luggage compartment.
- You are responsible for managing your own belongings. You must be able to get on and off of trains with your belongings without assistance. You will not have time to search for a porter. We expect you to take your belongings from the coach or train to your room and to bring it back to the coach or train on days we change hotels. We do not provide luggage pulls; they are not safe and are inconvenient. The possibility of steps exist at most hotel entrances.
What are the phone and internet recommendations for this tour?
Your US cell phone will work in Canada but most cell providers charge roaming fees for use in Canada. Be sure to check with your cell provider to see what plans they might offer to reduce the cost of using your phone outside the United States. Some providers offer Canada-only plans at reasonable rates.
How much money should I bring on this tour?
Only you can determine the optimum amount of cash to take on tour. When budgeting for out-of-pocket expenses, there are several aspects to consider: the number of meals you are responsible for, the amount of money you like to have on-hand for snacks and drinks, and your individual shopping interests and habits.
- Notify your credit card issuer that you will be traveling and provide dates of travel. Credit cards are widely accepted in Canada.
- ATMs are typically the best way of obtaining cash; you must know your PIN number for your debit and credit cards in order to use the ATMs.
- Canada's official currency is the Canadian Dollar (CAD).
- Many places accept the US Dollar, however expect your change to be in CAN. It is better to exchange money at an official money exchange where you get a better rate than local merchants provide.
What are the tipping guidelines for this tour?
All tips to local guides during your tour have already been paid on your behalf.
- You are responsible for tipping wait-staff, porters, or other individuals who provide a service to you at the hotel, or other public locations.
- Tipping in Canada is similar to tipping in the United States.
- You may want to tip your WTT Tour Leader for an outstanding job. The amount is entirely a personal preference. If you'd like a guideline, consider $8-$10 per day.
What other Additional Information do I need to know?
- Travelers are required to have a valid passport or passport ID card.
- Passport should be valid for at least six months after you return home and needs to have two consecutive blank pages.
- This tour uses a 15-passenger Mini-Coach for transportation while on tour. Learn more about The WTT North American Travel Experience by downloading/opening the pdf.
Can I transfer my deposit to another tour?
To get off this tour and register for another tour, you must follow these steps - in the order shown:
2) WAIT before submitting your new reservation! You must receive the Cancellation Confirmation email before submitting your new reservation. This can take up to 2 business days. The Cancellation Confirmation email will list the amount of parked credits from this tour that are now available to use on a new reservation.
3) COMPLETE the new Reservation Form and USE the parked credits towards your deposit on the new tour.
Note: If you used Parked Credits to pay the deposit on this tour, these credits cannot be used a second time and are not eligible to be transferred.
What happens if I need to cancel this tour?

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