Trip Summary
Traveling aboard Rocky Mountaineer’s luxurious all-dome train, experience the awe-inspiring beauty of western Canada from a unique and unforgettable vantage point. Ride through otherwise unreachable landscapes: coastal rainforests, rushing rivers, and the dramatic canyons of British Columbia while relaxing in your seat with panoramic views, gourmet meals, and engaging storytelling from expert hosts. As you journey inland, marvel at natural wonders like the Fraser and Thompson River valleys, the engineering marvel of the Spiral Tunnels, and the towering peaks of the Canadian Rockies. Spend each night in a comfortable hotel, including a stay in Kamloops and three nights in Banff, allowing you to explore each region more fully and travel without the need for overnight train accommodations.
Your adventure begins in the vibrant city of Vancouver and culminates in the alpine beauty of Banff National Park. Ride a gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain for panoramic views, stroll along the shores of iconic Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, and unwind in the soothing mineral waters of Banff’s Upper Hot Springs. Along the way, you’ll discover the meaning of Canadian hospitality—whether it’s a lakeside meal at the Fairmont Château Lake Louise or a warm conversation with your train hosts. With its seamless blend of luxury rail travel, majestic scenery, and immersive regional experiences, this journey reveals the best of British Columbia and Alberta in grand, unhurried style.
Event Itinerary
Day 1: En Route from U.S.
- Arrive at Vancouver International Airport and transfer to hotel
- Settle into the historic Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
- Welcome Reception with fellow travelers
Day 2: Vancouver
- Guided city tour including Gastown and its iconic Steam Clock
- Leisure time on Granville Island to explore markets, art studios, and waterfront eateries
- Evening at leisure to enjoy local cuisine
Day 3: Vancouver/Rocky Mountaineer/Kamloops
- Early check-out and board the Rocky Mountaineer train
- Scenic rail journey through Fraser Canyon and Thompson Valley
- Gourmet meals, expert commentary, and wildlife spotting aboard the train
- Overnight in Kamloops
Day 4: Kamloops/Rocky Mountaineer/Banff
- Continue eastward aboard the Rocky Mountaineer
- View Rogers Pass, Spiral Tunnels, Kicking Horse Canyon, and the Canadian Rockies
- Onboard experiences include wine tasting and lectures
- Arrive in Banff and transfer to The Rimrock Resort Hotel
Day 5: Banff
- Gondola ride to the summit of Sulphur Mountain for panoramic views
- Free afternoon to explore Banff, shop, or visit Banff Hot Springs
- Evening at leisure with hotel amenities available
Day 6: Banff/Lake Louise/Moraine Lake
- Excursion to Lake Louise and shoreline walk
- Lunch at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
- Visit scenic Moraine Lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks
- Farewell Dinner with fellow travelers
Day 7: Banff/Calgary/Depart for U.S.
- Group transfer to Calgary International Airport for return flights
Meet Your Faculty Expert
Leslie Butler
Leslie Butler, Professor of History and Vice Chair of the department, studies and teaches courses on American cultural and intellectual history that explore the contours and complexities of 19th-century Anglo-American liberalism. Her first book, Critical Americans: Victorian Intellectuals and Transatlantic Liberal Reform, examines a group of liberal intellectuals of the time who sought to remake public life, and her most recent book Consistent Democracy: The “Woman Question” and Self-Government in Nineteenth Century America explores debates on how women’s roles in society shaped 19th-century political thought.
Robert Bonner ’68a
Robert Bonner, the Kathe Tappe Vernon Professor in Biography and Professor in the History Department since 2009, researches and teaches primarily on nineteenth-century North American history. An expert on the 1860s crisis of Union and emancipation, among his books are Mastering America: Southern Slaveholders and the Crisis of American Nationhood and The First Pariah State: How the Proslavery Confederacy Menaced the World.