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- The Canadian Rockies & Glacier National Park by Rail
The Canadian Rockies & Glacier National Park by Rail
From £5,406 pp
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16 nights
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Economy flights
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Available June - September
A true rail adventure taking in the awe-inspiring mountain and lake scenery of beautiful Glacier National Park and the unforgettable Canadian Rockies. This journey takes you from the 'windy city' of Chicago on the Amtrak Empire Builder overnight train to Glacier National Park. Seattle beckons next before you travel by train to stunning Vancouver to catch the overnight VIA Rail train through the Rockies to the mountain town of Jasper. Finish your rail journey taking in the incredible scenery along the Icefields Parkway and Lake Louise with a final stay in picturesque Banff.
What's Included?
- International flights departing from London in economy class
- Accommodation for 13 nights
- Amtrak overnight Empire Builder from Chicago to Glacier National Park staying in a roomette
- Full day Glacier National Park tour by open-top Red Bus
- Amtrak overnight Empire Builder from Glacier National Park to Seattle staying in a roomette
- Amtrak Cascade service from Seattle to Vancouver in coach class
- VIA Rail The Canadian overnight train from Vancouver to Jasper staying in berth accommodation
- Icefield Parkway tour including Ice Explorer, Glacier Skywalk and lunch from Jasper to Lake Louise
- Half day sightseeing tour of Banff
- Scheduled transfer from Lake Louise to Banff
- Scheduled transfer from Banff to Calgary airport
Start
Finish
Stops
Point of interest
Your day-to-day plan
Day 1-2
Arrive in Chicago
Upon arrival in Chicago make your way by taxi or jump on the Blue Train which takes you to the heart of downtown Chicago. Spend the next two nights exploring the ‘Windy City’ and its beautiful architecture along the Magnificent Mile, the main shopping street in the city. Stroll along the riverwalk by the pretty Chicago River or take a cruise down the river and out on to Lake Michigan, the second largest of the ’Great Lakes’. Take in the wonderful Chicago Skyline from one of its observation decks including the Skydeck Chicago at the Willis Tower or the 360-degree Chicago Experience on top of the former John Hancock Tower.
Day 3
Amtrak – Overnight Empire Builder train to Glacier National Park
Depart Chicago this afternoon heading through Minnesota and the cities of Minneapolis/St Paul and Fargo, famous for its namesake film and television series. Continue over the North Dakota Plains, to ‘Big Sky Country’ Montana, America’s 4th largest state. You will be staying in a roomette that offers comfortable seating by day that converts to upper and lower berths by night. Your roomette will also have access to a shared toilet and shower in your allocated carriage, lounge access and complimentary meals.
Day 4-5
Glacier National Park
Arrive in East Glacier train station located close to Glacier National Park’s east entrance late evening. Your base for the next two nights is the Glacier Park Lodge which is located in the south east entrance of the park and offers transfers to and from the train station. Enjoy the next two days exploring Montana’s crown jewel, the park is just utterly breathtaking with blue turquoise lakes, glacier carved valleys, majestic mountain peaks, wildlife and cascading waterfalls. We’ve included a full day sightseeing tour the following day that travels along the famous 'Going to the Sun Road' travelling on the famous Red Buses. Take in the incredible scenery as you journey to the top of the Crown of the Continent at Logan Pass and through the St. Mary Valley and Swiftcurrent Valley known for its stunning views, glacier hikes and wildlife.
Day 6
Amtrak – Overnight Empire Builder train to Seattle
Enjoy another full day in the park, maybe take a hike or horseback ride around the park or take a white-water rafting trip down the Flathead River. Late afternoon transfer back to East Glacier train station for your rail journey to Seattle. Your overnight train journey staying in roomette accommodation passes through the Rocky Mountains, Flathead River and the Columbia River Gorge before arriving in Seattle late morning the following day.
Day 7-8
Seattle
Arrive just before lunch in Seattle, which has the dramatic backdrop of the Cascade Mountains and has a sparkling waterfront overlooking the islands of beautiful Puget Sound. The city is very walkable with must-see attractions including the iconic Space Needle which has 360-degree views of the city and mountains and the Victorian buildings and museums in Pioneer Square, the city’s oldest neighbourhood. Other highlights include the sights and smells of lively Pike Place Market and Chihuly Garden and Glass and its display of colourful glass blown sculptures and beautiful landscaped gardens.
Day 9-10
Amtrak – Cascade train to Vancouver
Cross the border this morning into Canada on the three-hour train journey to Vancouver, a vibrant and diverse city flanked by the mountains on one side and the ocean on the other. Enjoy the next couple of days exploring this enchanting coastal city, walking along the harbourfront and around pretty Stanley Park. Head over to Granville Island for lunch and see the historic districts of Yaletown and Gastown.
Day 11
VIA Rail – The Canadian to Jasper
This afternoon transfer independently to Union Station to board VIA Rail’s The Canadian to Jasper. Sit back and relax in your berth accommodation which converts from sofa style seating in the day to bunk bed accommodation by night. The scenery on your journey is unforgettable as you pass dense forests, pretty lakes and the incredible sight of Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Rockies.
Day 12-13
Jasper
Arrive in Jasper this morning and transfer independently to your hotel. You have the next two days to explore the town of Jasper and the surrounding national park and its majestic scenery. We recommend you book an excursion to nearby Maligne Lake and cruise to Spirit Island, one of the most iconic images of the Canadian Rockies. On the outskirts of Jasper and easily reached by local transport are lakes such as Pyramid Lake, where you can hire a canoe. Look out for wildlife, Jasper is known for the herd of Elk that graze on the outskirts of town.
Day 14
Icefields Parkway – Jasper to Lake Louise
Travel from Jasper to Lake Louise on one of the most scenic highways in the world, the Icefields Parkway. You will stop at the Columbia Icefield, 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 vehicle to the middle of the Athabasca Glacier to learn about its geological features. Also included is the Columbia Icefield Skywalk, a glass-floored observation platform that overlooks the Sunwapta Valley. Arrive in Lake Louise in the afternoon. Soak up the incredible beauty of Lake Louise, one of the most photographed lakes in the world which is set against the snow-capped peaks of Victoria Glacier.
Day 15-16
Lake Louise to Banff
After a relaxing morning in Lake Louise, you will be transferred to Banff to have free time to explore this mountain town which has plenty to see and do, from relaxing in the historic hot springs to outdoor wildlife adventures. The next morning, you'll discover the town of Banff and its natural surroundings on a comprehensive sightseeing tour. The tour will show you some of Banff National Park’s many highlights, including Hoodoos Viewpoint, Surprise Corner Lookout, pretty Bow Falls, Lake Minnewanka and if you're lucky Banff's amazing wildlife.
Day 17
Homeward Bound
Enjoy the last of the crisp mountain air and snow-capped mountain peaks of the Rockies before transferring back to Calgary airport for your return flight back to the UK.
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Please note Parks Canada charge fees at most national parks and historic sites across the country. Parks Canada passes can be purchased as part of your holiday, speak to your sales advisor for more details. Early booking is recommended.
For further information about national parks and historic sites in Canada or to reserve campsites and activities, please visit:
Please note selected national parks in the USA require reservations for vehicles in order to enter the parks. Reservations are required in advance. This is in addition to purchasing a national park entrance ticket. Early booking is recommended.
Further information on the parks, where vehicle reservations are required and how to book can be found on:
USA National Parks
This holiday requires an ETA for entry to Canada, for full details and to apply please see below:
This holiday requires an ESTA for entry to the United States, for full details and to apply please see below:
