The Best Train Experience in the World

One Million Passengers Can't Be Wrong

More than a million passengers have had the exciting experience of traveling the Rocky Mountaineer's two-day, all daylight Canadian railway trip. It ventures through the absolutely stunning scenery of British Columbia as well as the idyllic and diverse beauty of Canada's West. Relax and enjoy the renowned service and the gourmet cuisine. If you have a passion for historical adventure or an appreciation for natural wonder, the Rocky Mountaineer has a vacation experience to suit you perfectly.

Train Travel's Best (overview)

Travel by rail offers many unique features. Among them, extremely comfortable seats with ample legroom that affords the freedom to stretch your legs, and you can take in the fresh air in the vestibules. Attentive service, outstanding commentary filling you in on the wonders that you pass – this type of leisurely travel won't let you forget that you are on vacation. And you'll be venturing through territory where no car or motor coach can traverse. The routes themselves are engineering marvels. But they can't be compared to the white-water rivers, towering waterfalls, and spectacular river canyons. There are four spectacular train tours.

First Passage to the West

On this tour you will cover the steps the explorers of two centuries ago trekked. You'll reconnoiter the Spiral Tunnels and you'll pass by the spot where the Last Spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven, uniting Canada's east to its west. Highlights include:

• Fraser Valley
• Fraser, and Thompson Canyons
• The Last Spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway
• Rogers Pass
• Spiral Tunnels
• Kicking Horse Pass
• Banff National Park

Journey Through the Clouds

You'll experience the true beauty of Canada's scenery as you wend your way through deep valleys, the Coastal Mountain Range, and the Fraser Canyon, cut by its raging white-water river. Highlights include:

• Fraser Valley
• Fraser and Thompson Canyons
• Pyramid Falls
• Albreda Icefields
• Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies
• Jasper National Park

Rainforest to Gold Rush

When it comes to appreciating the many aspects of Canada's beauty, this train route has it all. You’ll enjoy some of the most breathtakingly beautiful and widely varied scenery found anywhere on the globe:

• Coastal rainforest
• Seton and Anderson Lakes
• Fraser Canyon and the Cariboo Plateau
• Rocky Mountain Trench
• Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies
• Jasper National Park

Whistler Sea to Sky Climb

The Whistler Sea to Sky Climb route offers a showcase of beauty because of its unique blend of opposites for which the “Sea-to-Sky Region” is renowned, such as globe-class cities and old-growth forests, deep valleys, snow-peaked mountains, seascapes, and of course, Rocky Mountain views. Vancouver and Whistler, hosts of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, are among the stops and sights on this wonderfully breathtaking three-hour rail journey:

• West Vancouver and Stanley Park
• Howe Sound
• Mount Garibaldi
• Cheakamus Canyon
• Brandywine Falls

GoldLeaf Experiences

For first class luxury and enjoyment, you'll want to ask about the GoldLeaf Experience. A limousine will pick you up from your luxury hotel and whisk you away to the Rocky Mountaineer Station in Vancouver. There you'll board the luxurious two level Dome Coach for you journey. The dome has a plush lounge area and is a perfect spot to view the wonderfully spectacular scenery in pure luxury. You can enjoy a espresso or Irish Coffee while you make new friends. Browse the onboard library or step outside onto the spacious vestibule to take in the fresh mountain air and panoramic views.

Things You'll Need to Know

The west coast of Canada has a perfect climate – warm summers and mild winters. The Canadian Rockies and the more eastern provinces offer a more exciting weather pattern. The cold winters are just perfect for snow-based outings and activities. June through September the weather is generally best for the finest climate situations, but the other months offer deep-discount savings. Plan on bringing light wraps, but a light topcoat or raincoat might come in handy, too. Pack some sturdy though lightweight shoes should you decide to walk in the mountains at one of the scheduled stops.

There is limited internet and cell service until the train enters city centers. All the hotels offer Web access. Only limited outlets for laptop electricity are available, so if you must use your computer, even with all the wonderful scenery whizzing by, make sure it has a full charge. Ask your travel agent about rail and sea cruise combinations, rail transfers from other lines, and car rentals. Children are welcome, just be aware that even on the shortest trips they will be spending at least nine hours for two days straight onboard.

Ask about “The Ice Explorer.” It's an ice and snow terrain vehicle that has been designed to tour the freezing slopes of the Athabasca Glacier in the Columbia Icefield. A trip aboard is a 5-kilometre (3-mile) round-trip tour that includes commentary on glaciers, their formation, and movement. Also, get information regarding wine tastings and golf tours.

A Typical Trip

As an example of time on board, costs, and activities: $829 (USD) per person buys 4 Days and 3 nights. Two days will be spent onboard the Mountaineer and three nights in luxury hotels along the route. This includes rail station transfers in Vancouver, Kamloops, and Banff. Your luggage is transferred. You'll be given passes to National Parks for planned stops along the route. And two breakfasts and lunches are provided each day.

A Lifetime Experience

With all this beauty, all this service, and all this comfort, it's no wonder that The Rocky Mountaineer has been named as one of National Geographic’s "Journeys of a Lifetime." And it was named as “One of the World’s Greatest Train Trips” by the Society of American Travel Writers. For more information call your travel agent, check out: www.rockymountaineer.com.