6-Day Winter VIA Rail Semi-Guided Tour from Vancouver to Calgary, Banff

This 6-day winter VIA Rail semi-guided tour from Vancouver to Calgary offers an unforgettable journey through the snow-draped Canadian Rockies.

Your adventure begins with a scenic overnight VIA Rail ride, transporting you from Vancouver to Jasper in a cozy, relaxed setting. Upon arrival, enjoy free time in Jasper, where you can explore the charming town at your own pace, or unwind in the peaceful winter scenery. In Jasper, you’ll also embark on a self-guided experience, giving you the freedom to discover the sights that most captivate you.

For a touch of luxury, you have the option to savor afternoon tea at the iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Balancing guided activities with ample free time, this tour combines relaxation and adventure, offering a perfect way to embrace the Rockies’ winter beauty.

Inclusions & Exclusions

✔ Traffic Accident Liability

✔ Driver/Guide: Bilingual guide service (Speak Both Mandarin/English during the tour)

✔ In-vehicle air conditioning

✔ Gratuities

✔ Hotel accommodations as listed

✖ Meals & All Personal Expenses such as laundry, phone & travel insurance.

✖ Optional add-on Activities, Excursion and Tours listed on the itinerary

✖ Optional add-on Meals listed on the itinerary

Departure & Return

Departure: ,

Guests will go to the【Pacific Central Station】station to check-in by themselves.

Train station address：1150 Station St, Vancouver, BC V6A 4C7

View Map

Itinerary

Vancouver - VIA Rail

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Guests will go to the Pacific Central Station station to check in by themselves. .Your train departs at 3:00 PM. Please arrive at least one hour early to exchange your ticket and prepare for boarding. Pacific Central Station Address:1150 Station St, Vancouver, BC V6A 4C7. The train passes through Kamloops and Shanhe Town in Western Canada. Enjoy the beautiful mountain and river scenery for the 800 kilometers train journey. You will spend the night on the VIA train with the default seat ticket (sleeper or cabins can be upgraded with additional charge, there is no guide service on the train).

Arrive Jasper National Park - Free time in Jasper

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Jasper National Park Your journey continues eastwards to the mighty Canadian Rockies and the province of Alberta. Once again you will see a spectacular array of 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. At approximately 11:00 AM, you’ll arrive at Jasper Station. Please proceed to your hotel for check-in (we’ll confirm the hotel name and directions before departure). Standard check-in is at 4:00 PM. If early check-in isn’t available, you may store your luggage at the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Enjoy and spend a wonderful night in Jasper.

Duration: 5 hours

Jasper National Park - Icefields Parkway - Free time in Banff

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Banff Avenue Please wait at the hotel lobby from 8:00 to 8:30 AM to board the Jasper - Banff bus, heading to Banff National Park. We will travel along the famous Icefields Parkway, recognized as one of the "Top 10 Scenic Drives in the World" by National Geographic. Along the way, you'll be captivated by the breathtaking winter scenery with everything covered in a blanket of glistening snow. In the afternoon, we will arrive in Banff Town, often referred to as the "Little Switzerland." During the winter season, Banff Town takes on a magical ambiance with its snow-covered landscapes. After dropping you off at the hotel, you'll have time to explore Banff freely. **Jasper - Banff Bus: Each passenger is allowed to bring 1 piece of carry-on luggage, 1 suitcase, and 1 personal item. Additional luggage requests will incur an extra fee. SUNDOG, additional luggage is CAD$15+GST per item, ski equipment is CAD$30+GST per item, can be paid on the bus.

Banff- Bow Lake - Peyto Lake - Johnston Canyon - Banff

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Bow Lake Your first stop is Bow Lake, where you can take in the serene beauty of the surroundings for 15 minutes on the icefield parkway.

Duration: 15 minutes

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Peyto Lake Located along the Icefields Parkway, approximately 40km north of Lake Louise is the vibrant glacier-fed lake, Peyto Lake. The lake is nestled in majestic mountain ranges which lie on each of its sides. This jaw dropping view is the best reward for an intense scrambling hike. The scenery on the viewpoint looks as if it is a carefully painted piece of art. Peyto Lake’s beauty is comparable with the famous Moraine Lake without as many crowds.

Duration: 60 minutes

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Crowfoot Glacier Attached to the Northeast side of the Crowfoot Mountain and overlooking the Bow Lake lies the Crowfoot Glacier. This huge mass of ice was named a century ago because its appearance resembled that of a three-toed crowfoot. Be sure to take lots of photos because the next time you visit Crowfoot Glacier, it might not look the same anymore!

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Lunch Stop(Set Lunch for additional fee, please contact Customer Service for the add-on lunch if needed. )

Duration: 60 minutes

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Johnston Canyon Exploring the thundering falls and icy cliffs of Johnston Canyon make the classic winter hike a must-do experience for every visit to Banff National Park.

Duration: 1.25 hours

Banff - Marble Canyon - Lake Louise - Emerald Lake – Natural Bridge – Banff

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Marble Canyon There are 7 bridges in Marble Canyon that you can hike on it, walking in a zigzag pattern on the deep limestone canyon and the winding creek below. The canyon is the junction of Tocum Creek and Suzaku River. Fossils of Cambrian soft-bodied creatures millions of years ago were found here, which is quite magnificent.

Duration: 60 minutes

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Lake Louise During the winter, Lake Louise transforms into a magical playground. Brilliant blue skies contrast with the sparkling white peaks, the air is the crispest you’ve ever breathed, and there is a wealth of winter activities to enjoy. (Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise with optional add-on Afternoon Tea, please contact customer service for details)

Duration: 1.5 hours

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Lower Spiral Tunnels Viewpoint Take a quick stop at Spiral Tunnels, where you can catch a glimpse of Canada’s history. This spiraling tunnel lies on the Canadian Pacific Railway. This is one of the steepest, and most scenic railway lines in all of North America, crossing the Kicking Horse River, also running under Mount Ogden and Cathedral Mountain towards the town of Field in British Columbia.

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Emerald Lake One of the most admired destinations in Yoho National Park is Emerald Lake. This gorgeous emerald coloured lake is a result of the light refracting the deposit of rock flour in the lake. Emerald Lake is surrounded by the President Range that forms a natural amphitheater with towering forested banks. If you look carefully, you might be able to spot some really cool wildlife such as marmots, bald eagle, bears, loons, and the occasional moose!

Duration: 30 minutes

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Natural Bridge Stop at the Natural Bridge along the way and admire the Kicking Horse River as it carves a path through ancient rock. You can view the incredible natural formation from different perspectives at vantage points with interpretive displays that tell you about interesting facts about Natural Bridge. This beautiful scenery is enhanced with the scenic mountains and lush forests in the background.

Duration: 20 minutes

Calgary - Banff Gondola - Cave and Basin National Historic Site - Lake Minnewanka - Banff Town

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Surprise Corner The Surprise corner is named after its spectacular views of the majestic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel that is cozily nestled at the heart of a dense forest with the beautiful Sulphur Mountain as a backdrop. This beautiful scene is elevated with Bow River cascading down into the Bow Falls as a foreground. The magnificent scene at Surprise Corner will make you feel as if you have travelled into a fairytale story.

Duration: 15 minutes

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Bow Falls The astounding scene and the powerful sound of aqua green water crashing over limestone is truly a remarkable experience. The bow falls is a shallow but wide waterfall on the bow river. Several Hollywood films of the 1950s were filmed here! Famous Hollywood star Marilyn Monroe once was swept over the bow falls as they filmed for “River of No Return.”

Duration: 15 minutes

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At Banff Gondola (Optional Activity with additional fees), you will be able to view the beautiful scenery that surrounds you freely, and in every sense on a 360 degree roof-top observation deck with glass fencing. The stunning sunsets reflecting on the snowy mountains is a scene you will never forget. (*Banff Gondola is closed for annual maintenance from Nov 4-15, this attraction and the Banff Upper Hot Springs itineraries will be replaced by Bow Lake and Peyto Lake)

Duration: 1.25 hours

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Banff Enjoy a delightful lunch stop in the charming Banff Town, where you can explore local dining options and immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere. (with your own cost)

Duration: 60 minutes

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Cave and Basin National Historic Site History enthusiasts will love exploring the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, where the Canadian national parks system began.

Duration: 45 minutes

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Lake Minnewanka Lake Minnewanka, a vast lake offering perfect photo opportunities.

Duration: 20 minutes

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Two Jack Lake Two Jack Lake, known for its serene waters and ideal setting for nature lovers.

Duration: 15 minutes

Cancellation Policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Additional info

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

• Public transportation options are available nearby

• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

• Depending on arrival date, travelers’ itinerary sequences may difference from the product discription.

• Any of the Optional add-on Activities, Excursion, Tours, and meals must be booked at least 10 days prior to tour start. All add-on items are subject the availability.

• This is a combined bus tour. Besides the regular Pickup and drop-off locations, additional points may be added to the tour.

• If for any reason you need to leave our group during the trip, you must fill out a “Letter of Liability Release”, no exceptions.

• If you have special needs (such as but not limited to: bed type, vegetarian options, high-chairs, etc.) please inform us at least 7 days before your trip. We will do our best to accommodate you, but there is no guarantee.

• If you have a connecting international flight after the tour, please ensure that your flight departs after 10:30 pm.（**Please understand that depending on schedule, traffic and weather conditions, your arrival time in Calgary may be adjusted **）

• The North American Hotel Standard Room is equipped with one large bed or two standard beds. If you have a specific request for bed types, please inform us at the time of booking and we will do our best to accommodate you.

• Westar will not be responsible for the performance of this Agreement if prevented or delayed by acts of God, strikes or other labour relations matters, accidents, weather, traffic, airport conditions, lack of performance by third-party suppliers, or other causes beyond Westar’s reasonable control from meeting its terms. Nor will Westar be responsible for any loss or damage relating to trip cancellations or any other cancellations.

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