Best of the Rockies Circle Journey -12 nights

Arrive in Vancouver and spend time exploring this scenic coastal city on your own. That could be discovering Stanley Park, taking a small ferry to Granville Island, visiting historic Gastown, dining in lively Yaletown, or enjoying a walk on the Stanely Park Seawall. No matter what you choose to do, the Coast Mountains and the Pacific Ocean surround you. Overnight in Vancouver.

Departing early in the morning, travel onboard Rocky Mountaineer from the coastal city of Vancouver to Kamloops, located in the heart of British Columbia's interior. On today's journey, you will see dramatic changes in scenery, from the lush green fields of the Fraser Valley, through forests and winding river canyons surrounded by the peaks of the Coast and Cascade Mountains, to the desert-like landscapes of the BC interior. Highlights include the rushing waters of Hell's Gate in the Fraser Canyon and the steep slopes and rock sheds along the Thompson River. Your day ends in the evening as the train travels along the shores of Kamloops Lake into the town of Kamloops. Overnight in Kamloops.

Early in the morning, your journey continues eastward to the mighty Canadian Rockies and the province of Alberta. Once again, you will experience ever-changing scenery as you travel across ranchlands, along rocky lakeshores, over high mountain passes and through the remarkable tunnels that form part of the rich rail history of the Canadian Rockies. Today's highlights include Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven, the climb over Rogers Pass, Kicking Horse Canyon, the Spiral Tunnels and, of course, the iconic glaciers and snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies. Your rail journey ends this evening in the resort town of Banff. Overnight in Banff.

Enjoy the day with free time to relax or book your own activities at your leisure. Banff has activities for all, from taking the gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain, relaxing in the Banff hot springs, and exploring the bustling town, to outdoor wildlife adventures. Overnight in Banff.

Enjoy a second day in this quaint mountain town with more free time to explore, relax, or book activities at your leisure. Overnight in Banff.

A morning half-day transfer takes you into Yoho National Park to view some of its natural wonders. Among the attractions are the Spiral Tunnels, Emerald Lake and a natural rock bridge spanning the Kicking Horse River. The tour ends in Lake Louise, where the remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure to enjoy this awe-inspiring location. Overnight in Lake Louise.

Enjoy the day with free time to relax or book your own activities at your leisure. With its unique history and picturesque scenery, Lake Louise will not disappoint. Learn about the local wildlife, paddle the lake by canoe, or simply relax amongst the beauty. Overnight in Lake Louise.

Continue your journey from Lake Louise to Jasper on a sightseeing tour of Banff and Jasper National Parks via the Icefields Parkway. Bow Lake, the Columbia Icefield, Glacier Skywalk, and Athabasca Falls are among some of the day's highlights. The Columbia Icefield is one of the largest accumulations of ice south of the Arctic Circle and one of the most accessible icefields in North America. Here you will ride on an Ice Explorer to the middle of the Athabasca Glacier to learn about its geological features. Lunch is provided at the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre. You will arrive in Jasper late afternoon. Overnight in Jasper.

Enjoy the day with free time to relax or book your own activities at your leisure. The resort town of Jasper and the surrounding national park offer various activities from relaxation to adventure. Overnight in Jasper

Departing early in the morning, travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from the mountain resort town of Jasper in the Canadian Rockies to the charming rural town of Quesnel, gateway to the North Cariboo. Pass through the Rocky Mountain Trench, with the steep Rocky and Cariboo Mountains on either side and on to the rolling hills and vast forests of British Columbia's Northern Interior. Highlights include Mount Robson, at 3,954 metres (12,972 feet), the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, Yellowhead Pass and Moose Lake, home to plentiful wildlife, including a large population of moose, caribou and bears. Your day concludes as the train passes through the town of Prince George and follows the Fraser River into Quesnel in the evening. Overnight in Quesnel.

Early in the morning, your journey continues southwest to the all-season resort town of Whistler, host of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games and renowned for world-class outdoor activities, both leisure and adventure. Along the route, enjoy breathtaking and varied scenery, from the desert-like conditions of the Fraser Canyon, through the rolling hills and vast ranchlands of the Cariboo Plateau, to the river canyons and lush farmland of the Pemberton Valley. Highlights include sweeping views of the Fraser Canyon, the crossing of Deep Creek Bridge, one of the highest railway bridges in the world, and the shorelines of glacial-fed Seton Lake and Anderson Lake. Your rail journey today ends on arrival at Pemberton Station in the evening, where you will board a motorcoach transfer to your Whistler accommodation (approximately a 35-minute drive). Overnight in Whistler.

The morning is free to explore Whistler Village at your leisure. In the afternoon, return to Vancouver onboard Rocky Mountaineer through the stunning scenery of the Sea to Sky Corridor. Highlights of the trip include Cheakamus Canyon, the dome peak of Mount Garibaldi, Brandywine Falls, and breathtaking views of Howe Sound and the Coast Mountains. An afternoon meal is served canapé style. Your rail journey ends today on arrival in North Vancouver in the evening, where you will be provided with a transfer to your accommodation in downtown Vancouver. Overnight in Vancouver.

Your journey ends upon check out from your Vancouver hotel.