My Luxury Train Vacation By Rocky Mountaineer – A Life Changing Experience

By Pamela Nandi | Nov 21, 2019

Are you curious to know how my luxury train vacation fulfilled my dream to see the breathtaking views of Canadian Rockies by boarding world’s one of the best amazing train journeys – Rocky Mountaineer, a Canadian rail-tour company in Western Canada that operates on rail routes through British Columbia and Alberta.

**Journey Through the Rocky Mountain Trench**

TIME OF VISIT: AUGUST

DAY 1: CALGARY

MY ARRIVAL: Flew from Waterloo, province of Ontario, Canada to Calgary, province of Alberta, Canada by WestJet (NON-STOP flight duration of 4 hrs 20 mins). Checked-in to my hotel at Calgary during the early evening. Stayed overnight at Calgary to indulge into my luxury train vacation next morning by Rocky Mountaineer.

Calgary, a cosmopolitan city in the Canadian province of Alberta, flags as the centre of Canada’s oil industry and well known for ‘Calgary Stampede’ – annual rodeo, exhibition and festival held every year in July.

**Calgary Downtown that boasts numerous skyscrapers centred around Calgary Tower**

**The most iconic landmark – Calgary Tower, the 190.8-meter observation tower in downtown Calgary. Originally called Husky Tower**

MY STAY: International Hotel Suites -Calgary, located in the heart of downtown Calgary. The spacious, luxurious Orchid Suites floor dedicated only for women provides with every comfort and convenience and made my stay enjoyable. Appreciate their complimentary basket of goodies and wine.

DAY 2: CALGARY TO KAMLOOPS

My journey started by boarding the train very early morning from the Rocky Mountaineer station at Calgary Tower.

TIPS: I opted for the package “Kicking Horse Route” by taking the Westbound Route – Banff->Kamloops->Vancouver.

On-Boarding Experience: From the service to the awe-inspiring spectacular views, it is extraordinary. A 2-day journey with an overnight stop at Kamloops. Delicious chilled breakfasts and luncheon were served at the seat while enjoying the all-daylight adventure and commentary from the onboard attendant.

The Canadian Rockies mountain range spans over the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta. My journey continued to the west towards the Pacific Ocean and the coastal city of Vancouver.

**Inside the train** **– Rocky Mountaineer**

It is not just all about the train ride but creates a dream journey with a full jam-packed itinerary that is unique and indescribable.

Some Highlights of the ride –

The first station to halt was Banff, a resort town in the province of Alberta, located within Banff National Park, Canada’s first and most beautiful national parks formed in 1883 on the slopes of Canadian Rockies.

**The breathtaking cascade mountain scenery of Banff National Park**

**Region of alpine lakes** – **Banff National Park**

Roger Pass – The high mountain pass through the Selkirk Mountains of British Columbia, located in the centre of Glacial National Park used by the Canadian Pacific Railway as a shortcut for coast to coast connect.

**Roger Pass – Eye pleasing green road view**

**Outdoor recreation sites on South Thomson river**

The first day’s journey ended in Kamloops with an overnight stay at The Thompson Hotel – Kamloops arranged by Rocky Mountaineer as a part of their vacation package.

DAY 3: KAMLOOPS TO VANCOUVER

After a good night’s sleep, the second day started by boarding the train followed by happy breakfast.

**Check-out from the hotel at Kamloops**

**Rocky Mountaineer at Kamloops Station**

Kamloops, the Canadian city in south-central British Columbia, at the confluence of North and South Thompson rivers. The city is named from the Secwe̓pemc word “Tk’emlúps”, meaning “where the rivers meet”.

**Fascinating hillside landscape of Kamloops**

**Canada’s only semi-arid dessert of historic Kamloops**

**Steep slopes and rock sheds along the Thompson River**

**Dramatic changes in scenery, from the dessert-like environment to** **fertile lush green fields of Fraser Valley**

The rail journey ended on arrival in Vancouver during the early evening.

**Its time to say Good-Bye to Rocky Mountaineer**

Vancouver, the lively west coast seaport in British Columbia, and most populous city in the province known for filming location, art, theatre and music.

DAY 4: WHISTLER

My next journey was to explore the wild and beautiful alpine village of Whistler, the home of 2010 Winter Olympic Games located in the province of British Columbia by taking another remarkable rail journey – Whistler Mountaineer.

MY ARRIVAL: Picked up from my hotel at Vancouver by tour operator and headed off to Vancouver station in order to experience an epic train journey by boarding Whistler Mountaineer, that operates between Vancouver and Whistler.

**Boarding Whistler Mountaineer from Vancouver**

**Breakfast served in the train by Whistler Mountaineer**

The epic journey to the Whistler offers some of the best views of the lush coastal rain forest and spectacular mountain vistas while taking deep into the wild heart of British Columbia.