Ride The Rocky Mountaineer
Still to do
Two days through the Rockies under a glass dome, watching for bears and eagles as the mountains roll past.
The adventure
The Rocky Mountaineer only runs in daylight, and that's the point. From Vancouver the line follows the Fraser River through canyons and orchard country, stops overnight in Kamloops, then climbs into the mountains the next morning.
From the glass-domed carriage you watch the peaks of the Rockies rise up, snow-capped and huge, while the train follows rivers through canyons and past lakes the colour of turquoise. Hosts point out bald eagles, bighorn sheep and, if you're lucky, a bear by the line. The route over the Continental Divide and through the Spiral Tunnels near Kicking Horse Pass is a feat of 1880s engineering, and arriving in Banff feels like arriving somewhere special.
Why it’s epic
- Glass-domed carriages in GoldLeaf service.
- The Spiral Tunnels and Kicking Horse Pass.
- Wildlife spotting: eagles, bighorn sheep and bears.
What it is
A luxury daylight train through the Canadian Rockies, with glass-domed carriages and an overnight stop in a hotel, so you never miss the scenery in the dark.
How to do it
Book a package directly with Rocky Mountaineer or a travel agent, often combined with hotels in Vancouver and Banff.
Top tip
Pair it with time in Banff National Park, which is already on the list.
Need to know
- It's a tourist train, not a regular service, and runs only in the warmer months.
- Prices include meals and the hotel night on the way.
- Book early for the best dates.
Plan this trip
- Rough cost
- £5,000 or more per person, including flights from the UK
- Time needed
- 2 days
- Best time to go
- April to October
- Fly into
- YVR airport
A premium train package; GoldLeaf costs much more than SilverLeaf.
Make it happen
Why it’s on my list
Not done yet. If you’ve done it and have tips, tell me about it.
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