5-Day Canadian Rockies VIA Railway Experience Summer Tour from Vancouver: Banff, Yoho and Jasper National Park

What you'll experience

Highlights

5 days

Day-by-day itinerary

1. 1

   Day 1 — Vancouver - VIA Rail Canada

   VIA Rail will depart around 15:00PM from Vancouver
   
   Today, you will independently travel to Vancouver Pacific Central Station (Address: 1150 Station St, Vancouver, BC V6A 4C7) to board the VIA Rail Canada train.
   The train departs at 15:00 PM, taking you away from the city bustle. As the journey progresses, the landscape dramatically transitions from twilight into night. You will enjoy the view of the Fraser River Valley under the moonlight, and later pass through Kamloops before continuing the overnight journey toward Jasper National Park.
   
   * Economy class does not include any meals but VIA Rail sells meals and drinks on the train.
     

   Meals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: VIA Rail (Economy)
2. 2

   Day 2 — VIA Rail Canada - Jasper Town - Maligne Lake - Maligne Canyon

   Estimated to arrive at Jasper station around 11:00AM
   Today, you will enter the breathtaking landscape of the Canadian Rockies. As the train approaches Jasper National Park, look to the left side of the carriage for the appearance of Mount Robson (3,954 meters), the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies.
   The train is scheduled to arrive at Jasper Town around 11:00AM. Upon arrival, you will be met by our guide at the scheduled time to begin your bus tour of the Rockies. Surrounded by towering mountains, the day's itinerary starts with a scenic walk along the shores of the mysterious Maligne Lake, admiring the stunning surrounding peaks. Afterward, you will proceed to the deepest canyon in the Rockies, Maligne Canyon, to witness the powerful force of nature before returning to Jasper Town.
   
   Journey Highlights
   Maligne Lake: Experience Canada's second-largest glacier-fed lake, renowned for its stunning azure waters and surrounding mountain peaks. (Approx. 100min. stop; optional Lake Cruise to Spirit Island available $$)
   Maligne Canyon: Explore this impressive limestone gorge with depths reaching 50 meters, carved over millennia by glacial waters. (Approx. 30min. stop)
   Medicine Lake: Witness the fascinating "Disappearing Lake" phenomenon, where the water level dramatically changes due to an underground karst system. (Pass through with commentary)
   Jasper Town: Discover the charming mountain community that serves as the heart of Jasper National Park.
     
     

   

   Maligne Lake

   

   Maligne Canyon

   

   Jasper National Park

   

   Medicine Lake

   Meals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Whistlers Inn Hotel, Lobstick Lodge, Jasper Inn & Suite
3. 3

   Day 3 — Jasper - Athabasca Falls - Columbia Icefield (Ice Explorer/ Glacier Skywalk) - Bow Lake - Peyto Lake

   ★ Departure around 8:00AM from Hotel / ★ Return to Hotel around 17:30-18:30PM
   
   Icefield Parkway & Columbia Icefield - Glaciers, Alpine Lakes & Wonders
   The journey ventures deeper into the Canadian Rockies along the renowned Icefields Parkway (Highway 93), consistently ranked as one of the world's most scenic drives. This spectacular route stretches 232 km through the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, leading to some of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders in North America.
   
   Journey Highlights
   Athabasca Falls: Witness the raw power of nature as glacier-fed waters carve through ancient rock in this thundering waterfall. (Approx. 30min. stop)
   Icefield Parkway: Travel along this world-famous scenic highway connecting Banff and Jasper National Parks, featuring breathtaking mountain vistas, glaciers, and turquoise lakes (scenic drive)
   Columbia Icefield Adventure (Optional $$): Explore the largest ice mass south of the Arctic Circle. Ride a massive Ice Explorer vehicle directly onto the Athabasca Glacier, or choose to walk onto the suspended, glass-floored Glacier Skywalk for jaw-dropping views of the Sunwapta Valley. This ancient ice sheet is the source of numerous glaciers and serves as a valuable record of climate history. (Approx. 2.5hrs stop)
   * Seasonal attraction: Closed before the 1st Saturday of May. During closure periods, this activity is replaced by Lake Minnewanka visit (20mins stop).
   Bow Lake: Experience the most visited lake on the Icefield Parkway, where the reflection of Crowfoot Mountain on the mirror-like water creates a serene atmosphere perfect for photography. During summer, this area serves as a natural habitat for wildlife, including bears. (Approx. 20min. stop)
   Peyto Lake: Marvel at one of the most photographed lakes in Canada, famous for its ever-changing turquoise colors. The high concentration of glacial minerals in the water creates a vivid blue appearance that sometimes looks almost unreal. (Approx. 20min. stop)
   * Note: If not accessible, this will be replaced with a visit to Waterfowl Lake.
     
     
     

   

   Athabasca Falls

   

   Icefields Parkway

   

   Bow Lake

   

   Peyto Lake

   Meals: B: Included(Compulsory Selection), L: Excluded(Group Meal Option Available), D: ExcludedStay: Banff Aspen Lodge, Banff Mount Royal, Elk + Avenue Hotel, Banff Inn, Banff Park Lodge, Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa
4. 4

   Day 4 — Banff - Lake Louise - Moraine Lake - Yoho National Park - Spiral Tunnel - Emerald Lake - Natural Bridge

   ★ Departure around 9:30AM from Hotel / ★ Return to Hotel around 16:30-17:30PM
   
   Exploring Lake Louise and Yoho National Park
   The journey continues through the heart of the Canadian Rockies with visits to the legendary Lake Louise and the awe-inspiring Yoho National Park. This spectacular day features some of the most photographed landscapes in Canada, from the turquoise waters of Lake Louise set against Victoria Glacier to the emerald-hued Moraine Lake nestled in the Valley of the Ten Peaks. In Yoho National Park, marvel at remarkable natural formations and engineering wonders while learning about the geological forces that shaped this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
   
   Journey Highlights
   Lake Louise: Admire the breathtaking turquoise waters of this iconic alpine lake named after Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, with time to explore the shoreline and capture perfect photographs. (Approx. 2hrs. stop)
   Moraine Lake: Discover the stunning valley of the Ten Peaks featuring one of the most beautiful lakes in the Rockies with its distinctive vivid blue waters created by glacial rock flour. (Approx. 60min. stop)
   * Note: If it is closed, it will be replaced by Vermillion Lake.
   Yoho National Park: Experience this spectacular park whose name means "awe" in the Cree language, featuring dramatic waterfalls, towering rock walls, and alpine meadows.
   Spiral Tunnels: Witness an engineering marvel where the railroad crosses over itself in a figure-eight configuration, an ingenious solution to the steep mountain grade. (Drive through with commentary)
   Emerald Lake: Visit the largest of Yoho's 61 lakes and explore its shoreline surrounded by towering mountain peaks, with striking green waters that give the lake its name.  (Approx. 20min. stop)
   Natural Bridge: Observe this fascinating rock formation carved by the powerful Kicking Horse River, demonstrating the incredible erosive force of water on the landscape.  (Approx. 15min. stop)
     
     
     

   

   Lake Louise

   

   Moraine Lake

   

   Yoho National Park

   

   Emerald Lake

   

   Natural Bridge, Canada

   Meals: B: Included(Compulsory Selection), L: Excluded(Optional Group Meal Available - Deluxe Lunch at Chateau Lake Louise), D: ExcludedStay: Banff Aspen Lodge, Banff Mount Royal, Elk + Avenue Hotel, Banff Inn, Banff Park Lodge, Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa
5. 5

   Day 5 — Banff - Banff Gondola - Johnston Canyon - Bow Falls - Surprise Corner - Hoodoos - Banff Town

   ★ Departure around 9:30AM from Hotel / ★ Return to Calgary Airport after tour. Please book flight departure after 21:30PM or book Extended Stay with us
   
   Banff National Park Exploration – Waterfalls, Canyons & Mountain Views
   The journey continues with an exploration of Banff National Park, Canada's first and most iconic national park established in 1885. From dramatic canyons and waterfalls to unique rock formations and stunning mountain vistas, this protected wilderness has drawn visitors for over a century. The itinerary includes both natural landscapes and cultural highlights, with ample time to experience the charming mountain town of Banff.
   
   Journey Highlights
   Banff Mountain Sulphur Gondola (Optional$$): Soar to an elevation of 2,281 meters on a state-of-the-art gondola for breathtaking 360° views of six mountain ranges and the Bow Valley below. (Approx. 90mins. stop)
   Johnston Canyon: Explore this dramatic limestone canyon with its series of waterfalls, catwalks, and forest paths that showcase the power of erosion over millennia. (Approx. 60mins. stop)
   Bow Falls: Visit this wide, cascading waterfall near the Banff Springs Hotel, which gained fame as a filming location for "The River of No Return" in the 1950s. (Approx. 15mins. stop)
   Surprise Corner: Discover one of the most iconic viewpoints in Banff, offering the perfect vantage point to photograph the majestic "Castle in the Rockies" - the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. (Approx. 15mins. stop)
   Hoodoos Viewpoint: Marvel at these unique geological formations - tall spires of sedimentary rock created by differential erosion that stand like sentinels overlooking the Bow Valley. (Approx. 15mins. stop)
   Banff Town: Enjoy free time in this charming alpine town with its array of shops, galleries, cafes and restaurants nestled among stunning mountain scenery. (Approx. 90mins. stop)
     
     

   

   Johnston Canyon

   

   Bow Falls

   

   Surprise Corner

   

   Banff Town

   

   Banff Gondola

   

   Banff National Park

   Meals: B: Included(Compulsory Selection), L: Excluded(Group Meal Option Available), D: Excluded

What's included

Meeting & drop-off

Cancellation policy

Important info

Special notes

• Each person is allowed to check in and carry on only one piece of baggage, any additional baggage will incur an extra fee of CAD$50+5%GST per piece.
• Aside from admission fees, optional tour fees and service fees mentioned above, other fees and taxes should be paid in CAD currency by. If you choose to pay in USD currency, you should pay the price difference caused by the currency exchange rate.
• Please be ready and show up at meeting location 5-10 minutes prior to the meeting time as the tour will start on time. If you miss the bus, please go to next pick up location to meet the group. Should there be any concerns, please contact us.
• Upgrade fees do not include breakfast (need to pay extra).
• Tours4Fun has put forth all necessary efforts in order to ensure that, at all times of publication, all descriptions in the present brochure are exact. For reasons out of the control of Tours4fun, modifications or cancellations may occur during the tour, where customers should not object.
• Tours4Fun shall not be liable for failure in the performance of any of its obligations for any loss or damage resulting from any delay, cancellations, loss of personal belongings, illness, bodily injury, accident, death, deterioration of services,inconvenience, loss of enjoyment, disappointment or frustration, either mental or physical, attributable to a fault, negligent act or omission by a provider or any employee thereof.
• Tours4Fun suggest you to purchase travel insurance as a measure of added protection.
• One piece of checked luggage & one piece of carry-on luggage, with applicable size restrictions, are allowed for each person.
• All room types are based on double occupancy. No extra bed for 3rd & 4th person.
• Should there be any itinerary details/price discrepancies from our website, the company's invoice will be considered as the final confirmation.

Pricing notes (children, single supplement)

* Prices are subject to final confirmation.
* Prices for Single Occupancy apply when one person stays in one standard hotel room.
* Prices for Double/Triple/Quadruple Occupancy apply when two/three/four people stay in one standard hotel room respectively.
* Triple/Quadruple price does not guarantee a third/fourth bed in the room since each room is equipped with two beds. Please check the availability at the time of check-in.
* Children prices applies when a 0-12 year-old child stays in one standard room as a third or fourth person.
* Maximum room capacity: 4 people including adult and child/infant.

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