A scenic rail journey through Canada’s Rocky Mountains has topped the list of “must-do” experiences for travellers for decades. The awe-inspiring vistas that showcase Canada’s stunning lakes, turquoise rivers, snowy mountains, and local wildlife at every turn have made it such an aspirational experience.
With Rocky Mountaineer, the train takes you on a journey through Mother Nature at its finest, stopping overnight in cosmopolitan cities such as Seattle and Vancouver, as well as the quintessentially Canadian mountain towns of Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper.
There are four Rocky Mountaineer routes, each with their own distinctive highlights. The hosts onboard the train share facts and historic details about the regions as the train goes along that will delight history buffs.
With more than 65 holiday packages to choose from, there’s a journey to suit everyone’s interests and budget. From scenery to unique excursions, your journey through the Canadian Rockies is closer than you think.
Here are just some of the highlights you’ll discover on an iconic Rocky Mountaineer journey.
On your journey through the historic First Passage to the West, you will pass by Craigellachie, a historic landmark in Canadian history. This is the spot where the last spike was driven into the railway; uniting Canada to become the country we know it as today.
These tunnels bring you through the “Big Hill”, which was considered one of the biggest challenges during the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway. The spiral tunnels opened in 1909 and have been impressing and disorienting rail travellers ever since.
This mountain in Banff National Park was named for its castle-like appearance in 1858. Its mammoth stature is intimidating to anyone onboard Rocky Mountaineer when passing by. It looks nearly inaccessible from the side of the train but the peak is reachable from the other side.
This beautiful 91m waterfall sends crisp glacier-fed water into the Thompson River. From Rocky Mountaineer, you get an exclusive close-up view of the waterfall through the rails. As the train slows down you can feel the mist on your face as you enjoy the view.
Nicknamed “The Great White Fright”, Mount Robson is the highest point in the Canadian Rockies at almost 4000m high. From the train, you can get a full view of the iconic mountain and its ice-capped peaks.
Near West Vancouver lies North America’s southernmost fjord, Howe Sound. From the train, you can enjoy the spectacular view of the water and islands. All the wildlife in and around Howe Sound are truly representative of beautiful British Columbia.
Hells Gate is a spectacular display of nature’s awesome force. This small, 33-metre wide gorge has twice the amount of water crashing through it each minute compared to Niagara Falls.
Every Rocky Mountaineer route has a stop in beautiful Vancouver. It’s a world-class city with mountain hikes, stretches of inviting beaches, and an exciting downtown area. The combination of city and nature makes Vancouver one of Canada’s top destinations.