A Canadian Rockies AdventureFeaturing two spectacular days on the Rocky Mountaineer train

Your Travel Itinerary

August 6 - Edmonton, Alberta
Arrive during the afternoon in Edmonton and check in at the Fairmont MacDonald-Edmonton. This evening gather with fellow travelers and Study Leader Barry Lane for a welcome reception and dinner. (R,D)

August 7 - Edmonton to Jasper
Depart by motorcoach for Jasper and arrive at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, built by the Canadian National Railway in 1922. Enjoy free time to relax this afternoon and explore this village of cedar chalets and heritage log cabins situated along the emerald shores of Lac Beauvert. This evening gather for a lecture followed by a festive dinner in the hotel. (B,L,D)

August 8 - Jasper National Park
Today’s highlight is a boat cruise on Maligne Lake, one of the largest glacier-fed lakes in the world. Marvel at the snowcapped mountain peaks, which cast themselves brilliantly across the surface of the water, and the pristine natural beauty of Spirit Island. The remainder of the afternoon is on your own. You may take in the natural beauty of the hotel’s surroundings, use the hotel’s extensive sporting and spa facilities, visit the village of Jasper, or journey on your own to other scenic sites within Jasper National Park. (B,D)

August 9 - Icefields Parkway
As you travel south along the Icefields Parkway, view amazing wildlife such as deer, elk, mountain goat, and grizzly bear, as well as massive glaciers, roaring waterfalls, and rivers surrounded by pristine forests. A naturalist will discuss the amazing sights along the way, and you’ll enjoy a boxed lunch en route. Late in the day make a brief stop at picturesque Chateau Lake Louise. Continue to Banff and check in at the legendary Banff Springs Hotel. Styled after a Scottish baronial castle, few hotels in the world can rival the majesty, hospitality, and scenery along with its unique blend of opulence and seclusion. (B,L,D)

August 10 - Banff National Park
Awaken to the beauty of Banff National Park, with its snowcapped peaks, enchanting lakes, and pristine wilderness. Following a lecture by Barry Lane, enjoy a private tour of the historic Banff Springs Hotel, a World Heritage site located in the heart of Banff National Park. Then depart by bus to the Whyte Museum for a tour of the museum’s collection celebrating the history and heritage of the Canadian Rockies. In the afternoon enjoy free time in the village of Banff or return to the hotel to relax. This evening gather for a lecture and dinner in the hotel. (B,D)

August 11 - Rocky Mountaineer West to Kamloops
Board the renowned Rocky Mountaineer train in Banff and set out for a two-day adventure through a breathtaking landscape of lofty snowcapped mountains, roaring river canyons, and coastal forests of the Canadian West. The luxurious Rocky Mountaineer features fine meals, comfortable lounge chairs, and a special dome car with panoramic views.

Today, you’ll travel along the Kicking Horse Route toward Kamloops and delight as the train weaves its way through the towns and villages that grew around and supported the construction of this crucial railway. Cross over the Continental Divide and enter the Spiral Tunnels, a unique architectural wonder built over 20 months starting in 1907. Enjoy lunch onboard the train. Arrive in Kamloops in the early evening. The name Kamloops itself is derived from a Shuswap Indian word meaning “meeting place” referring to the joining of the North and South Thompson Rivers on which the town is located. Check in to a local Kamloops motel then gather for a late dinner. (The accommodations in Kamloops will be announced on tour.) (B,L,D)

August 12 - Rocky Mountianeer to Vancouver
Embark the Rocky Mountaineer again this morning and continue west through the ranch lands of the Thompson River Valley and the Fraser River Valley Canyon. Here the train hugs the canyon wall as you view spectacular scenery and rushing rivers below. Travel through the Coast Mountains, the westernmost range of the Pacific Cordillera, running along the northwestern shore of the North American continent, extending south from the Alaska Panhandle and covering most of coastal British Columbia. Arrive in Vancouver late in the afternoon and check in to the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. This evening, gather for a toast and your final lecture with Barry Lane, followed by a festive farewell dinner. (B,L,D)

August 13 - Depart Vancouver, Home
Individual departures from the hotel.