Canadian Rockies by Rail: Pre Cruise Extension

Day 1: Vancouver, Canada's Premier Pacific City

Your introduction to Canada's most captivating Pacific city begins with a private tour, just you and your expert guide in the comfort of your own vehicle.

Stanley Park sets the tone beautifully, a remarkable 1,000-acre urban wilderness where ancient old-growth forest meets dramatic city skyline, complete with a fascinating collection of First Nations totem poles. From here, you'll explore the ever-vibrant Granville Island, with its artisan food stalls, craft studios and much-loved microbrewery, before discovering the cobbled streets of historic Gastown, the energy of Chinatown and the designer boutiques of Robson Street. The harbour and English Bay provide one of those views that reminds you why you travelled this far, sailboats and cruise ships drifting against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks, before your tour concludes in the fashionable restaurants and bars of Yaletown.

Day 2: Vancouver to Banff aboard the Rocky Mountaineer

Your private transfer will deliver you to the Rocky Mountaineer station, where two days of truly world-class rail travel await in the elevated comfort of GoldLeaf service.

The genius of this journey lies in one simple detail: the train travels exclusively by daylight, ensuring not a single moment of the extraordinary scenery passes you by. Day one carries you through the BC interior to Kamloops, the dome car framing sweeping views of river valleys and ranchlands throughout. Here in Kamloops, you'll bed down for the night before continuing your journey through the Rocky Mountains.

Day 3: Railway Through the Rockies

Today brings the full drama of the Rockies, Rogers Pass, Kicking Horse Pass and the legendary Spiral Tunnels await you on your fantastical journey before your arrival into Banff. Freshly prepared breakfasts and lunches are served daily in the dining room below, and an exclusive outdoor observation deck ensures the mountains always feel gloriously close.

Day 4: Banff, the Gem of the Rockies

As you step off the Rocky Mountaineer, the crisp mountain air, carrying the faint scent of pine, offers the warmest of welcomes.  Your transfer delivers you to the doors of the Fairmont Banff Springs, one of those rare properties that manages to exceed even the highest expectations. Modelled on a 19th-century Scottish Baronial castle and set against the full grandeur of the Rockies, your Mountain View Room ensures the scenery remains ever-present. Beyond your room, eight restaurants, a world-class spa, a fitness centre and an acclaimed 18-hole golf course await.

Day 5: A Tour of Banff National Park

This morning belongs entirely to the mountains. Your private guide collects you for a five-hour exploration of Banff National Park, not just the famous viewpoints, but the quieter, lesser-known corners that most visitors never find.

The itinerary reads like a greatest hits of the Canadian Rockies: the mirror-calm waters of Two Jack Lake, the thundering cascade of Bow Falls, the otherworldly rock formations of the Hoodoos along Tunnel Mountain Drive, and the sweeping panorama from Mt. Norquay, where bighorn sheep have a habit of appearing at the most wonderfully unexpected moments. The Cave and Basin National Historic Site, the very birthplace of Banff National Park, adds a fascinating layer of history to what is otherwise a feast for the eyes. Your guide will ensure you leave with both a deeper understanding of this remarkable place and a camera full of images that will never quite do it justice.

Day 6: Farewell to the Rockies

After a leisurely breakfast, your private transfer awaits to take you onwards to Calgary Airport for your flight home.