Steam train trips

A nine day tour offering some of the most visually exotic sights by rail anywhere in Canada.

Here is an example schedule of the Golden Circle/Whistler tour: 

Day 1 Vancouver Arrival

You will be met on arrival at Vancouver International Airport and transferred to your downtown Vancouver accommodation.

Day 2 Vancouver to Whistler (Whistler accommodation), Glacier Dome Experience

Travel on board the Whistler Mountaineer Glacier Dome Experience from the coastal city of Vancouver to the resort town of Whistler (a great Whistler condo rental is here), renowned for outstanding skiing and year-round outdoor activities. Following your motor coach transfer from Downtown Vancouver, the Whistler Mountaineer takes you on a breathtaking rail journey through the stunning scenery of this "Sea to Sky" region.

Day 3 Whistler (Whistler lodging) to Quesnel, GoldLeaf Service

Travel on board the Rocky Mountaineer in GoldLeaf Service style from the four-season mountain resort of Whistler to the charming rural town of Quesnel, the gateway to the North Cariboo. Enjoy breathtaking and varied scenery, from the river canyons and lush farmland of the Pemberton Valley, to the desert-like conditions of the Fraser Canyon, and the Cariboo Plateau with its rolling hills and vast ranch lands. Highlights include the shorelines of Anderson Lake and glacial fed Seton Lake, sweeping views of the Fraser Canyon and Deep Creek Bridge, one of the highest railway bridges in the world.

Day 4 Quesnel to Jasper, GoldLeaf Service

Your journey continues eastward today to the majestic Canadian Rockies and Jasper National Park. From Quesnel the Rocky Mountaineer follows the Fraser River north to the town of Prince George and then travels east through the forests of Northern British Columbia, home to plentiful wildlife including a large population of moose. Entering the Rocky Mountain Trench you are surrounded to the north by the steeply rising Rocky Mountains and to the south by the Cariboo Mountains. Continue climbing past Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies at 3,954 metres (12,972 feet), and through the Yellowhead Pass into the province of Alberta. Your rail journey ends today on arrival in your overnight destination of Jasper. Overnight at The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.

Day 5 Jasper Sightseeing

All traveling in the Canadian Rockies is onboard a specially designed motor coach providing extra legroom and additional comfort. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Overnight at The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.

Day 6 Icefields Parkway Tour from Jasper to Lake Louise

Continue your trip through the Canadian Rockies traveling along one of the most scenic highways in the world, the Icefields Parkway. Among the highlights are Crowfoot Glacier, Peyto Lake, the Columbia Icefield, Sunwapta Falls and Athabasca Falls. The Columbia Icefield is one of the largest accumulations of ice south of the Arctic Circle and it is here that you will ride an Ice Explorer to the middle of Athabasca Glacier to learn more about its geological features. T

Day 7 Lake Louise to Banff

Enjoy a full-day tour of Yoho and Banff National Parks. Begin your morning in Yoho Park visiting the Spiral Tunnels, Emerald Lake and a natural Rock Bridge that spans the Kicking Horse River. 

Day 8 Banff to Kamloops, GoldLeaf Service

Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from the mountain town of Banff to Kamloops, in the heart of British Columbia's interior. Your journey offers you a spectacular range of scenery as you travel between the high peaks of the Canadian Rockies, over mountain passes and through remarkable tunnels, along rocky lakeshores and across the ranchlands of the interior. Today's highlights include the Continental Divide, the Spiral Tunnels a remarkable feat of railroad engineering, the Kicking Horse Canyon, Rogers Pass, Craigellachie where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven and of course the glaciers and snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies. 

Day 9 Kamloops to Vancouver, GoldLeaf Service

Your journey continues west towards the Pacific Ocean and the coastal city of Vancouver. On today's journey you will again see dramatic changes in scenery, from the desert-like environment of the interior, through winding river canyons and forests surrounded by the peaks of the Coast and Cascade Mountains to the lush green fields of the Fraser River Valley. Highlights include the steep slopes and rock sheds along the Thompson River and the rushing waters of Hell's Gate in the Fraser Canyon. Overnight at The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.

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Ride a working freight train through high desert scenery on this 4-hour round trip from the historic depot in Santa Fe to Lamy, a sleepy little village 18 miles southeast of Santa Fe and reminiscent of turn-of-the-century Wild West days!

Coaches on the Santa Fe Southern Railway are charming vintage cars which have been authentically restored or renovated with a southwestern look.

Seats in rows have "walk-over" backs which allow passengers to face all one way or face each other. Interiors are graced with high ceilings and windows which can open.

Santa Fe Southern Railway's Silver Class cars are vintage ATSF Super Chief cars which afford riders a cozier, more intimate experience.

These carpeted, silver sided coaches with lounge chair seating transform into diners with two to six person table seating for our dinner trains. Whether you're riding on the authentically restored Acoma Lounge Car or the Plaza Lamy Pleasure Dome, you'll experience the comfortable luxury of America's train heyday. Silver Class is subject to availability.

Within the lovely Plaza Lamy Pleasure Dome car (description above) are 16 special seats "up top!" Eight of these seats are walk-over bench seats, and eight of them are swivel seats.

The dome seats are surrounded by a glass dome which affords the rider a 360 degree view. Dome Seating subject to availability.

The 120 year-old spur from Lamy to Santa Fe, the vintage railcars, and the charming California mission-style depot at 410 S. Guadalupe St., combine to make a charming slice of history.

Every year, tens of thousands of visitors come to see, photograph and paint the old Santa Fe Depot and ride the train along the original high-desert route that carried early tourist adventurers, settlers, artists and scientists into the city.

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The Grand Canyon – the most magnificent of the seven natural wonders.

Of all that may pull you to the Grand Canyon, nothing is more powerful than Grand Canyon Railway's fleet of vintage locomotives. As the mighty giant pulls you closer you're more than content to watch a remarkable world go by in the comforts of your train car.

Out your window, high desert turns to prairie, prairie to pine. It's a view that's ever changing until you come across a view that changes so dramatically, it could very well change you.

Each train engine, both steam and diesel, and each train car, from Coach to First Class, has been painstakingly restored to its original state by a staff of mechanics who see their work as more a labor of love than a job.

During the train tour, your crew is no less enthusiastic. Each is bursting with local and Grand Canyon folklore and history, as well as Grand Canyon Railway knowledge.

Strolling musicians catch you up with what was hot way back when. And there's even fun recreations of an old fashioned shoot out and a train robbery. 

The Sunset Limited  Grand Canyon train trip

An exclusive afternoon train will depart in the fall on its way through the changing seasons to an engagement with a Grand Canyon sunset. Travel in the Railway's fleet of First Class streamliner-era stainless steel rail cars to the South Rim.

Upon arrival, enjoy an exclusive motorcoach tour to witness the setting sun from the world's most spectacular backdrop. Then, travel back under the stars as a variety of hot hors d'oeuvres and appetizers are provided along with a full bar.

Ski and Snowboard Tour

An early morning departure from the Canadian Pacific Railway Pavilion in downtown Calgary takes you along the foothills of Alberta. Delight in a scenic breakfast as the train winds its way into the Canadian Rockies through Banff National Park en route to Lake Louise - Canada's largest ski and snowboard area.

The train will park at Chalet Spur and you will be whisked off by motor coach for a day on the 4200 ski-able acres of mountain slopes. 

After a few turns down the mountain, enjoy a private lunch at the lodge prior to returning to the slopes for the afternoon.

Upon arrival back to the train, the gourmet dinner prepared by our world class chefs await you. Reminisce with your fellow guests over dinner and drinks, as the train journeys east back to Calgary for the final leg of your tour.

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The Coast Starlight connects the hottest cities on America's West Coast and is considered to be one of the most beautiful of all train routes. Daily services between Seattle and Los Angeles, the Coast Starlight passes through Portland, Eugene, Sacramento, the San Francisco Bay Area and Santa Barbara.

There is a great variety scenery along the Coast Starlight route: snow-covered mountains, dense forests, fertile valleys and long stretches of Pacific Ocean shoreline.

You have the chance to stop off at places like Paso Robles, where you can tour one of over 48 wineries or relax in the natural hot springs. Head to San Luis Obispo to climb the enchanted hill to Hearst Castle. Leave your heart in spectacular San Francisco. Or just stop and smell the roses in Portland.

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