7 Day Winter Semi Guided Tour VIA Rail from Vancouver to Calgary

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Vancouver - VIA National Rail (No Westar tour guide service on this day, it is a self-guided tour)
1 stop
1
Guests will check in independently at the Pacific Central Station. Your train departs at 3:00 PM. Pacific Central Station Address:1150 Station St, Vancouver, BC V6A 4C7. You will spend the night on the VIA train with the default seat ticket (sleeper or cabins can be upgraded with an additional charge; there is no guide service on the train). Itinerary Overview: •14:00: Arrive at Vancouver Pacific Central Station •15:00: VIA Rail departs from Vancouver •19-hour journey •Next day at 11:00 arrives in Jasper Important Notes: • No guide service: This is a self-guided trip. For assistance, contact the customer service number on your confirmation voucher. • Train Departure: Please arrive 90 minutes before departure at the station for check-in and luggage handling (valid ID and VIA Rail e-ticket required). • Luggage Allowance: • Economy: 1 checked bag (23kg), 1 carry-on (7kg), and 1 personal item (e.g., laptop bag). • Economy: No meals included; snacks and light meals available for purchase.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
Day 2
VIA National Rail - Jasper (No Westar tour guide service on this day, it is a self-guided tour)
1 stop
2
Itinerary Overview: 11:00: Arrive at Jasper Train Station Proceed to your Jasper hotel Afternoon free for leisure and optional activities After the VIA Rail journey through the breathtaking Rocky Mountain scenery, you will arrive in Jasper around noon. Upon arrival, make your way to your hotel for check-in. After lunch, you have the option to participate in optional winter activities in Jasper. Important Notes: No guide service: This is a self-guided trip. For assistance, please contact the service phone number listed in your confirmation voucher. Hotel Information: Your hotel will likely be Whistler Inn or Athabasca Hotel, both within a 3-minute walk from the train station. If staying at another hotel, you may call for a local taxi (Caribou Cabs: +1 781-931-2334). Next Day Departure: At 8:30 AM, meet at the hotel lobby to board the Jasper to Banff intercity bus. This portion of the trip is also a self-guided journey.
11 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 3
Jasper - Icefields Parkway - Banff (No Westar tour guide service on this day, it is a self-guided tour)
1 stop
3
Banff
Itinerary Overview: 8:30 AM: Meet at your hotel lobby for the Jasper to Banff intercity bus Icefield Parkway (approx. 4-hour drive) 12:45 PM: Arrive in Banff At 8:30 AM, wait at your hotel lobby for the intercity bus to Banff. The bus will travel along the Icefield Parkway (Highway 93), one of National Geographic’s "Top 10 Scenic Drives in the World," where you'll enjoy stunning winter landscapes. You'll arrive in Banff around 12:45 PM, with the afternoon free for leisure. You can explore the charming Banff town or enjoy a meal according to your preferences.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Banff – Johnston Canyon Upper Falls – Bow Falls – Surprise Corner – Banff Gondola – Banff
6 stops
4
Johnston Canyon
Your journey begins in Calgary, leaving behind the bustling city as you travel through the charming alpine town of Canmore en route to Banff National Park. The first stop is Johnston Canyon, where you will hike along the scenic trail to the Upper Falls. (Trail information: approx. 5 km round trip, 120 m elevation gain. Ice cleats are provided during winter months.) Experience dramatic canyon walls and sparkling frozen waterfalls.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
5
Banff National Park
The town of Banff is a cozy place, alive with wonder and welcoming people. The small town is nestled among majestic mountains and trees. Surrounding the town is Mount Rundle, Sulphur Mountain, Mount Norquay, and Cascade Mountain. On your evening stroll or your morning jog you might be able to spot a family of deer wandering down the street. Note : Lunch stop
1 hour • Admission ticket free
6
Bow Lake
The roaring and rushing landscape of the summer, at this moment, feels as if it has been enchanted by time, and the space-time has frozen in this instant. But you can still hear the sound of the river rushing beneath the solidified ice, as if it wants to break free from the confinement of the time magic
15 minutes • Admission ticket included
7
Surprise Corner
The Surprise corner is named after its spectacular views of the majestic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel that is cozily nestled at the heart of a dense forest with the beautiful Sulphur Mountain as a backdrop. This beautiful scene is elevated with Bow River cascading down into the Bow Falls as a foreground. The magnificent scene at Surprise Corner will make you feel as if you have travelled into a fairytale story.
15 minutes • Admission ticket included
8
Banff Gondola
The Banff Gondola offers outstanding panoramic views of the town of Banff and the Canadian Rockies from 7486ft (2281m). Enjoy the 8 minute ride to the top of the world where there are dining options, hiking trails, and observation decks at the summit of Sulphur Mountain for your maximum viewing pleasure. Note: Optional Add-on Activity
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included
9
Banff Avenue
Drop off : Accomodation in Banff
10 minutes • Admission ticket included
Day 5
Banff - Bow Lake - Peyto Lake - Icefield Parkway - Vermillion Lake - Lake Minnewanka - Two Jack Lake - Banff
7 stops
10
Bow Lake
Bow Lake is a stop you will not regret taking while you are travelling across Icefield Parkway. When the lake thaws in the summer, it becomes a vivid blue colour from the glacier melt of the Crowfoot Glacier. Speaking of the Crowfoot Glacier, the Bow Lake is also the perfect place to view the Crowfoot Glacier, Wapta Icefield, bow glacier, crowfoot mountain and Mount Thompson. It really seems like the ultimate all in one package!
15 minutes • Admission ticket included
11
Peyto Lake
Located along the Icefields Parkway, approximately 40km north of Lake Louise is the vibrant glacier-fed lake, Peyto Lake. The lake is nestled in majestic mountain ranges which lie on each of its sides. This jaw dropping view is the best reward for an intense scrambling hike. The scenery on the viewpoint looks as if it is a carefully painted piece of art. Peyto Lake’s beauty is comparable with the famous Moraine Lake without as many crowds.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included
12
Crowfoot Glacier
Attached to the Northeast side of the Crowfoot Mountain and overlooking the Bow Lake lies the Crowfoot Glacier. This huge mass of ice was named a century ago because its appearance resembled that of a three-toed crowfoot. Be sure to take lots of photos because the next time you visit Crowfoot Glacier, it might not look the same anymore!
Admission ticket free
13
Lake Louise
Note : Lunch Stop
45 minutes • Admission ticket included
14
Vermilion Lakes
In the winter, you might get lucky and see the magical Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) lighting up the night sky. When the waters of the Vermillion Lakes freeze over, there is a period of time where you have the opportunity to see the beauty of bubble layers in the ice. The shapes are frozen methane bubbles, which form when microbes consume dead organic matter on the bottom of the lake.
15 minutes • Admission ticket included
15
Lake Minnewanka
Located 15 minutes east of Banff is Lake Minnewanka, the largest and deepest glacial lake in Banff National Park, reaching a depth of 142 meters. Its name comes from the Indian Stoneni family, which means "water spirit.” This stunning aqua blue lake is surrounded by beautiful mountain peaks and unique rocks by the shoreline.
20 minutes • Admission ticket included
16
Two Jack Lake
The beautiful and tranquil Two Jack Lake is accessible by a 3.2 km loop trail that is perfect for hikers of all skill levels. In the summer, the two red lounge chairs on the lakeshore contrast with the emerald green lake. The vivid blue lake is backdropped with a stunning mountain and lush forest. It is a very photogenic destination, and it is a trendy place for many photographers and hikers who want to see a vibrant sunset.
15 minutes • Admission ticket included
Day 6
Banff - Emerald Lake - Natural Bridge - Lake Louise - Lunch at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise - Marble Canyon - Banff
5 stops
17
Lower Spiral Tunnels Viewpoint
Take a quick stop at Spiral Tunnels, where you can catch a glimpse of Canada’s history. This spiraling tunnel lies on the Canadian Pacific Railway. This is one of the steepest, and most scenic railway lines in all of North America, crossing the Kicking Horse River, also running under Mount Ogden and Cathedral Mountain towards the town of Field in British Columbia.
Admission ticket free
18
Emerald Lake
One of the most admired destinations in Yoho National Park is Emerald Lake. This gorgeous emerald coloured lake is a result of the light refracting the deposit of rock flour in the lake. Emerald Lake is surrounded by the President Range that forms a natural amphitheater with towering forested banks. If you look carefully, you might be able to spot some really cool wildlife such as marmots, bald eagle, bears, loons, and the occasional moose!
20 minutes • Admission ticket included
19
Lake Louise
If there is only one place you can go while you are in the Canadian Rockies, you must visit Lake Louise. Also named “Jewel of the Rockies,” this world famous turquoise lake draws millions of visitors every year. This gorgeous alpine lake is embellished with Victoria Glacier as the backdrop. The rugged peaks and glaciers behind the lake makes the scenery of the lake seem as if it were a carefully designed painting. Note : Optional Add on-Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Hotel Afternoon Tea ( Additional fee )
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
20
Marble Canyon
There are 7 bridges in Marble Canyon that you can hike on it, walking in a zigzag pattern on the deep limestone canyon and the winding creek below. The canyon is the junction of Tocum Creek and Suzaku River. Fossils of Cambrian soft-bodied creatures millions of years ago were found here, which is quite magnificent.
45 minutes • Admission ticket included
21
Banff
The tour concludes in Banff around 5:30 PM, approximately at sunset.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 7
Lake Louise Ski Resort Free Exploration (optional ski lessons & equipment available)-Drop off Banff/Calgary
1 stop
22
Lake Louise
Enjoy a relaxing day at Lake Louise and Lake Louise Ski Resort—admire the stunning lakeside scenery or upgrade to a world-class ski lesson (optional, at extra cost). Round-trip transfer from Calgary is included for a hassle-free winter getaway. Then, have fun at Ski Lake Louise: For Skiers (choose one): Full-Day Ski Package / Half-Day Ski Package For Non-Skiers: Ski Resort Sightseeing Gondola / Winter Snow Tube (opens mid-Dec) / 45-min Horse-Drawn Sleigh Ride (opens mid-Dec) Depart the ski resort at 16:00PM. If you need to connect to a flight departing Calgary that evening: For flights within Canada, please book a flight departing after 21:00PM. For international flights, please book a flight departing after 22:00PM.
5 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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