Ask a seasoned traveler or a professional traveler who publishes travel guides, ‘which is the best way to see the Canadian Rockies ’; you will receive a reply without second thoughts, “Go by train”. When someone suggests a train journey to go for sightseeing, we all accept without skepticism. It can be any place in the world; a train travel is accepted by all as safe, cheap, and comfortable. Nothing can beat the comforts of a train travel. If you wish to see the real landscape of any country in the world, you have to select a suitable train tour package.
What exactly the Canadian Rockies and where it is located?
The Canadian Rockies is a jagged mountain range that is typically Canadian with ice-clad summits. The Rockies run through British Columbia and Alberta provinces in Canada.
What are all the major tourist attractions during Canadian Rockies train ride?
- Mount Robson
- Yoho National Park
- Jasper National Park
- Athabasca Glacier
- Banff National Park
- Alpine lakes
- Diverse wildlife
- Takakkaw Falls
- Athabasca Glacier
- Jasper Sky Tram (a cable car)
- Lake Louise
- Columbia Icefield
Remember to ask the guide or a fellow passenger to point out to these attractions in the Canadian Rockies as you travel in a train.
What are some of the fun activities offered during the Canadian Rockies train ride?
The train journey itself is a major fun activity-right? Well apart from that, you can enjoy:
- Lake cruises on most of the stunning lakes with sparkling waters
- Walking in the woods
- An exciting ride in a “Sky Tram”
What is the starting point of Canadian Rockies Train Tour?
You board the train at Vancouver.
What will be the duration of the Canadian Rockies Train journey?
The ideal duration to see all the above-mentioned sightseeing places in the Canadian Rockies is 4 days. Oh, it should be 3 nights and four days.
How much does it cost to enjoy a train journey in the Canadian Rockies?
It depends on the duration of the train ride. Canadian Rockies Train safari packages involve various duration. While the majority of the travelers choose a 4-day tour, avid travelers with their family, buy longer duration Canadian Rockies train safari. For example, the National Geographic offers an eight-day tour package starting from Vancouver and terminating at Calgary.
There are several operators of Canadian Rockies train tour and the best among them is the National Geographic.
Does the train travel at night?
No, in order for you to enjoy the natural wonders of the Canadian Rockies and pristine Canadian lakes, the train travels only during the day.
What are the lodging options during the Canadian Rockies Train Safari?
Since the travel included several national parks, you can choose to stay in hotels and lodges inside the parks. Hotels are also ideally located on the lake shores such as the Fairmont Chateau on the banks of Lake Louise and the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.
Pretty impressive-eh?
I like the 8-day train tour option offered by the National Geographic.
Based on the tour itinerary, here are the highlights of the Canadian Rockies by rail.
The train starts from Vancouver and goes through Kamloops, Jasper, Alberta, Lake Louise and ends at Calgary.
Before boarding the Canadian Rockies train at Vancouver, you can see all the popular landmarks in Vancouver that include:
- Snowy mountains
- Dense forests
- Stanley Park
- Vancouver Harbor
The train carrying the passengers is fitted with a glass roof. It will be a picturesque ride.
The side windows are big enough to see the stunning vistas of the Canadian countryside. Since the journey is through the day, all passengers are given only seats and no sleeping berths.
During the first leg of the train journey up to the Kamloops in the Canadian Rockies, you can see:
- The Fraser Canyon
- Thompson River.
After staying overnight at Kamloops, your second leg of the thrilling train ride takes you to the Jasper National Park. As the train passes through gorgeous landscapes, you will come across the Pyramid Creek Falls and the Yellowhead Pass across the Continental Divide situated at the Mount Robson at an altitude of 13,000 feet.
Things to see and to do at the Jasper National Park during Train Journey
Jasper National Park is a big attraction in Canada and it requires 3 days to fully explore the nature preserve that houses wonderful flora and fauna.
This is where you go on a thrilling ride in the Sky Tram that takes you over the mountains offering a breathtaking view of the shimmering Maligne Lake below.
Later, when you go on a boat ride in Maligne lake, you can spot some of the wildlife such as moose, elk, and reindeer.
Your Canadian Rockies train tour involves a detailed exploration of Banff National Park, Alberta. You are pointed out at the Athabasca Glacier by the fellow passengers. The beautiful Lake Louise comes across your path.
The Athabasca Glacier is a huge ice mass and it is part of Canada’s Great Divide Trail. If you are up to it, you can join a small group of tourists on a trekking expedition across the glacier. Your next memorable sightseeing spot in Alberta is the great Lake Louise.
Finally, you arrive at the Yoho National Parks where you along with other tourists enjoy an exhilarating hike taking you through some of the superb gardens of wildflowers and a few lakes that include:
- Moraine Lake
- Emerald Lake
Ok, irrespective of my preference for lodging types, can you give me an idea of the cost involved for this eight days rail tour of the Canadian Rockies?
Yes, it will be about $10,000. This would give you an idea of an increase in price based on your preferences of additional luxuries.
1 comment
The scenery is truly breathtaking !