Western Canada by Rail (8930)

9 days from Calgary to Vancouver

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Create lasting memories traveling through the Canadian Rockies. This adventure begins in Calgary, home of the world-famous Calgary Stampede, and continues to Banff National Park, stunning Lake Louise, and the Icefields Parkway, where you’ll ride the all-terrain Ice Explorer onto the Athabasca Glacier.

Experience a two-day, all-daylight rail journey aboard the Rocky Mountaineer and take in the views as you travel by train from Jasper to Vancouver. Pass Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, wild rivers, mountain ranges, and the Hell’s Gate rapids on the Fraser River.

See Stanley Park and other highlights in Vancouver before crossing by ferry through the Gulf Islands to Victoria on Vancouver Island. Visit beautiful Butchart Gardens, then enjoy free time to explore Victoria.

Return by ferry across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver to conclude this unforgettable value-minded vacation in Western Canada.

The world is within reach with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, and private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi (where available).

Your Tour Includes:
• Entrance fee to Banff National Park and Jasper National Park, home to glacier-fed lakes, mountain peaks, and abundant wildlife
• Orientation tours of Banff, Jasper, and Victoria, introducing each destination's scenic and historic highlights
• Ticket for the Icefields Explorer Experience at Columbia Icefield to travel onto the Athabasca Glacier
• 2-day, all-daylight rail journey on the Rocky Mountaineer in SilverLeaf Service, following rivers, canyons, and mountain passes through western Canada (GoldLeaf Service upgrades are available)
• Guided city sightseeing of Vancouver, featuring Stanley Park and other city highlights
• Ferry crossing to/from Vancouver Island, sailing through the scenic Strait of Georgia
• Admission to Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island, featuring 55 acres of spectacular floral displays

Dates & Prices Book Online

800.646.5374

Photo Highlights

Meals

Meals & Itinerary

On Rocky Mountaineer—2 breakfast, 2 lunches

Notes:

• Visiting and participating in activities in this region may be subject to favorable weather conditions and dates of operation.

• Early departures may not be able to visit Columbia Icefield (opens in early May), Maligne Lake & Spirit Island optional excursion (opens late May to early June), or Moraine Lake optional excursion (opens in early June).

• Maximum elevation on tour: 7,500 ft.

Itinerary

Day 1 CALGARY

Welcome to Calgary! Your Tour Director is on hand from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. to answer any questions.

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Day 2 CALGARY–BANFF NATIONAL PARK

Home to the Calgary Stampede, Calgary was transformed by the discovery of oil from a ranching town into a thriving city. See many of downtown Calgary’s attractions on today’s sightseeing tour, including The Confluence (formerly Fort Calgary), Stampede Park, the Saddledome, and Canada Olympic Park. Next, drive west through the foothills of the Rocky Mountains into Banff National Park. Enjoy an orientation tour of the townsite upon arrival. The evening is at leisure.

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Day 3 BANFF NATIONAL PARK

Enjoy the day exploring Banff National Park, Canada’s first national park. Hike the many trails, stroll through Banff townsite, or relax at the hot springs. Banff National Park is also an excellent place for wildlife viewing, with opportunities to spot deer, elk, and bighorn sheep. For a different perspective, choose an optional helicopter ride for breathtaking aerial views of the Canadian Rockies. If you prefer to stay on the ground, join the Panoramas & Peaks* optional excursion to visit gorgeous Moraine Lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks.

*This optional excursion begins operating in early June.

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Day 4 BANFF NATIONAL PARK–LAKE LOUISE–COLUMBIA ICEFIELD–JASPER NATIONAL PARK

First stop is stunning Lake Louise, the crown jewel of Banff National Park, where turquoise waters reflect the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Then travel the Icefields Parkway, crossing three mountain passes as gorges, snowcapped peaks, and glacier-fed lakes come into view. Stop at the Columbia Icefield for a tour highlight – a ride aboard the Ice Explorer onto the Athabasca Glacier. Late this afternoon, consider an optional float trip down the Athabasca River. Upon arrival in Jasper National Park, enjoy an orientation tour of the townsite.

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Day 5 JASPER NATIONAL PARK

Enjoy a day at leisure to explore Jasper National Park, the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. Immerse yourself on a memorable optional narrated cruise on the glacial waters of Maligne Lake to legendary Spirit Island*. Along the way, see Medicine Lake and Maligne Canyon while keeping an eye out for wildlife, including grizzly bears, moose, and elk. Then perhaps hike one of the park’s trails or browse the shops in the Jasper townsite.

*This optional excursion begins operating in late May/early June.

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Day 6 JASPER NATIONAL PARK–ROCKY MOUNTAINEER–MOUNT ROBSON–KAMLOOPS

Board the Rocky Mountaineer for a two-day, all-daylight rail journey from the Canadian Rockies to the Pacific Coast. Along the way, pass Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, and follow the North Thompson River with views of the Monashee Mountains. Enjoy free time in Kamloops this evening.

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Breakfast

Lunch

Day 7 KAMLOOPS–ROCKY MOUNTAINEER–VANCOUVER

This morning, continue your Rocky Mountaineer rail journey through the ranchlands along the Thompson River. Travel through the Fraser Canyon and see the powerful whitewater of Hell’s Gate on the Fraser River. Arrive in Vancouver this evening and transfer to your hotel.

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Breakfast

Lunch

Day 8 VANCOUVER–FERRY CROSSING–VICTORIA

Morning sightseeing highlights Stanley Park and other Vancouver landmarks. Afterward, sail through the Gulf Islands, to Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, on Vancouver Island. Visit Butchart Gardens and its 55 acres of floral displays, then continue sightseeing in Victoria, including Bastion Square, the Parliament Buildings, and Thunderbird Park, home to an impressive collection of totem poles. This evening, perhaps enjoy a stroll along Victoria’s Inner Harbour and dinner at one of the waterfront restaurants.

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Day 9 VICTORIA–FERRY CROSSING–VANCOUVER

Sail by ferry across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver this morning. Continue to Vancouver International Airport where your vacation ends. Please schedule flights after 2:00 p.m. Guests who have purchased extra nights to explore Vancouver further will be taken to the tour hotel.

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Tour Director

With COSMOS, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of a Tour Director. We’d like you to meet one of our Tour Directors, who average over a decade of experience and are representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

MARK LOVE

Escorting tours for more than 10 years

“Travel has always been my passion. After completing my degree in Tourism, I lived overseas and had the opportunity to visit numerous countries and experience different cultures. My background in the travel industry has enabled me to realize how invaluable a respected and experienced tour operator is. I have 5 years of experience as a Tour Director with Globus family of brands and am proud every time I represent the company and travel with my guests. The Canadian Rockies are my home and I can not imagine a better office space in the world. Regardless if I am viewing wildlife with my group, telling a story of historical significance, or just standing close by as guests enjoy the beautiful scenery of Western Canada, I love my role as a Tour Director. Being a part of a guests travel experience is the best reward that I can ask for!”

Accommodations

Optional Excursions

No matter what you’re into: food, wine, history, art, music or anything else, we give you the freedom to personalize your vacation with optional excursions that speak to your interests.

When you book your excursions with us, you can be assured that every optional excursion that we offer coordinates with the free time that you'll have in your destination, so you'll never have conflicts between included and optional activities. Our team of travel experts carefully selects each optional excursion that we offer to ensure that you receive the highest quality at a great value. Our tried-and-true partners have a finger on the pulse of the city in which they operate so they deliver the very best experiences. We offer experiences you cannot create on your own and because you’re booking with us, we coordinate all your transportation and timing needs.

The following optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These may or may not be offered, and availability is subject to days of operation and seasonality. Please select a departure date to view optional excursions and pricing for a specific date (due to currency fluctuation, pricing shown is subject to change until purchased). Optional excursions are available for purchase on our MyCosmos site 90 days prior to the tour start date.

Price Ranges

$ ($50 USD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 USD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 USD)
$$$$ (Over $150)

Banff

Helicopter Tours

Discover unparalleled views of the Canadian Rockies and the Banff National Park region by helicopter. There are several options to choose from, but all deliver spectacular opportunities for a once in a lifetime experience in the Rockies.

Price Range: $$$$

Canyons & Peaks of the Canadian Rockies with Moraine Lake

Visit the world-famous Moraine Lake, nestled in the breathtaking Valley of the Ten Peaks - a truly iconic and exclusive destination in the Canadian Rockies. With personal vehicle access no longer permitted, reaching Moraine Lake is now a privilege reserved for the select few, making our visit all the more special! Often called the Crown Jewel of the Canadian Rockies, Moraine Lake's striking turquoise waters and dramatic mountain setting make for an unforgettable alpine adventure.

Price Range: $

The "Starting at" or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include International airfare; additional fees/charges are not included. If a price is crossed out, the new price includes a limited time promotional offer(s) – please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Cosmos).