Journey Through the Clouds Top Explorer, 8 Days

Experience the West! This journey takes you to the stunning mountain towns of Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff, including a trip to the Columbia Icefields and a helicopter tour through the soaring peaks of the Rockies.

Destinations: Vancouver, Kamloops, Jasper, Banff, Calgary
2 days onboard Rocky Mountaineer
7 Nights Total
Activities & Tours:

Vancouver Lookout
National Parks Pass
Maligne Lake Cruise
Jasper Exclusive Interpretive Program
Ice Explorer (April Closure Dates)
Glacier Skywalk (April Closure Dates)
Panoramic Helicopter Tour
Calgary Tower
Panoramic Helicopter Tour
Banff Gondola
Calgary Tower

ITINERARY VANCOUVER TO CALGARY EASTBOUND:

Vancouver. Arrive in Vancouver and spend time exploring this scenic city on your own. Overnight in Vancouver.
Vancouver to Kamloops
Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from the coastal city of Vancouver to Kamloops, in the heart of British Columbia’s interior. On today’s journey you will see dramatic changes in scenery, from the lush green fields of the Fraser Valley, through forests and winding river canyons surrounded by the peaks of the Coast and Cascade Mountains, to the desert-like environment of the BC 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. Your day concludes as the Rocky Mountaineer travels along the shores of Kamloops Lake into Kamloops. Overnight in Kamloops.
Kamloops to Jasper
Your journey continues north and east to the mighty Canadian Rockies and the province of Alberta. Once again you will be surrounded by dramatic scenery as you follow the banks of the North Thompson River through the Monashee and Cariboo Mountains, climbing ever nearer to the high peaks of the Continental Divide. Today’s highlights include Mount Robson, at 3,954 metres (12,972 feet) the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, Pyramid Falls, and the climb over the Yellowhead Pass into Jasper National Park. Your rail journey ends this evening on arrival in the resort town of Jasper. Overnight in Jasper.
Jasper
Jasper National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Canadian Rockies’ largest national park. Today you will enjoy a scenic full day tour of some of the park’s natural attractions and rugged peaks, and perhaps catch a glimpse of the wildlife that calls this region home. Highlights include lunch and a lake cruise at historic Maligne Lake. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore more of Jasper independently. Overnight in Jasper. Note: In the event the lake cruise is not operating, interpretive experiences will be offered on First Nations history, foods and culture.
Jasper to Banff
Travel to Banff via one of the most scenic highways in the world, the Icefields Parkway. Among the highlights are Bow Lake, the Columbia Icefield, Glacier Skywalk and Athabasca Falls. The Columbia Icefield is one of the largest accumulations of ice south of the Arctic Circle and one of the most accessible icefields in North America. Here you will ride on an Ice Explorer to the middle of the Athabasca Glacier to learn more about its geological features. Lunch is included at the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre. Afterwards, a brief stop will be made at Bow Lake before arriving in Banff this afternoon. Overnight in Banff.
Banff
A half-day tour takes you into Yoho National Park to view some of its natural wonders. Among the attractions are the Spiral Tunnels, Emerald Lake and a natural rock bridge spanning the Kicking Horse River. The tour ends in Lake Louise where the remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure to enjoy this magnificent location before returning to Banff in a motor coach transfer. Overnight in Banff.
Banff to Calgary
Begin the morning with a motorcoach sightseeing tour of Banff. Among the points of interest are Bow Falls, Lake Minnewanka, Surprise Corner, and the Hoodoos. A trip on the Banff Gondola is included. Continue on to Kananaskis for a 12 minute Panoramic Helicopter Tour over the remarkable landscape of the Rockies before you Begin the morning with a motorcoach sightseeing tour of Banff. Among the points of interest are Bow Falls, Surprise Corner, and the Hoodoos. A trip on the Banff Gondola is included. Continue on to Kananaskis for a 12 minute Panoramic Helicopter Tour over the remarkable landscape of the Rockies before you transfer to Calgary. Enjoy admission to the Calgary Tower. Overnight in Calgary.
Calgary. Your journey ends upon checkout from your Calgary hotel.

OR REVERSE

ITINERARY CALGARY TO VANCOUVER WESTBOUND:

Calgary. Arrive in Calgary and spend the rest of the day sightseeing in "The Heart of the New West" independently. Overnight in Calgary.
Calgary to Banff
Depart Calgary this morning for a full-day tour concluding in Banff. Journey to Kananaskis where you will enjoy the highlight of today, a 12-minute Panoramic Helicopter Tour over the remarkable landscape of the Rockies. Continue on to Banff for a sightseeing tour including Bow Falls, Surprise Corner and the Hoodoos. Banff Gondola included. Your tour ends on arrival in Banff late this afternoon. Overnight in Banff.
Banff
A half-day tour takes you into Yoho National Park to view some of its natural wonders. Among the attractions are the Spiral Tunnels, Emerald Lake and a natural rock bridge spanning the Kicking Horse River. In the afternoon, you will come back to Banff in a motor coach transfer. Overnight in Banff.
Banff to Jasper
Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Banff and Jasper national parks via the Icefields Parkway. Among the highlights are Bow Lake, the Columbia Icefield, Glacier Skywalk and Athabasca Falls. The Columbia Icefield is one of the largest accumulations of ice south of the Arctic Circle and one of the most accessible icefields in North America. Here you will ride on an Ice Explorer to the middle of the Athabasca Glacier to learn more about its geological features. Lunch is included at the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre. Arrive in Jasper late this afternoon. Overnight in Jasper.
Jasper
Jasper National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Canadian Rockies’ largest national park. Today you will enjoy a scenic full day tour of some of the park’s natural attractions and rugged peaks, and perhaps catch a glimpse of the wildlife that calls this region home. Highlights include lunch and a lake cruise at historic Maligne Lake. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore more of Jasper independently. Overnight in Jasper. Note: In the event the lake cruise is not operating, interpretive experiences will be offered on First Nations history, foods and culture.
Jasper to Kamloops
Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from Jasper in the Canadian Rockies to Kamloops, in the heart of the British Columbia Interior. As you journey west and south you will be surrounded by the dramatic scenery of the Continental Divide and by the river valleys of the Monashee and Cariboo Mountains. Today’s highlights include Mount Robson, Pyramid Falls, the climb over Yellowhead Pass, and the journey along the North Thompson River as you approach Kamloops. Overnight in Kamloops.
Kamloops to Vancouver
Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from Jasper in the Canadian Rockies to Kamloops, in the heart of the British Columbia Interior. As you journey west and south you will be surrounded by the dramatic scenery of the Continental Divide and by the river valleys of the Monashee and Cariboo Mountains. Today’s highlights include Mount Robson, Pyramid Falls, the climb over Yellowhead Pass, and the journey along the North Thompson River as you approach Kamloops. Overnight in Kamloops.
Vancouver. Your journey ends upon checkout from your Vancouver hotel.

WHAT'S INCLUDED:

2 breakfasts, 4 lunches
2 days Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf or SilverLeaf Service
Luggage handling and rail station transfers in Vancouver, Kamloops and Jasper
Coach Transfer Lake Louise to Banff
7 nights hotel: Vancouver, Kamloops, Jasper, Banff and Calgary
Activities & Tours (see above)