Rocky Mountaineer - First Passage to the West

Retrace the steps of 19th century explorers, travel through the legendary Spiral Tunnels and pass by the spot where the last spike on the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven. This is the only passenger rail service on this historic route, and its construction is one of the most important in Canadian history as it united Canada from east to west. You’ll also transverse the Continental Divide and be inspired by spectacular mountains and dramatic canyons. If you’re a history buff, this route is for you.

You can choose from 3 classes of service on this journey. 

RedLeaf Service

Relax in your reclining seat and enjoy commentary and impeccable service from your onboard attendant. Meals are served at your seats so you won't miss a moment of the breathtaking scenery.

• Unwind in a single level classic rail carriage in reclining seats
• Savour a selection of chilled breakfasts and lunches served at your seat, with a glass of complimentary wine or beer at lunch.
• Relax with complimentary non-alcoholic beverages and snacks whilst enjoying commentary from the onboard attendant
• Overnight accommodation in Kamloops or Quesnel (overnight bag required, luggage not available at your hotel).

Please Note: RedLeaf guests need to pack an overnight bag for their stay in Kamloops.

SilverLeaf Service

Discover SilverLeaf, a new single level glass dome service, a unique way to experience the First Passage to the West journey. Enjoy the awe inspiring landscapes of British Columbia and the majestic Canadian Rockies through domed windows of a custom-designed carriage.

• Enjoy panoramic views through oversized windows in a single level dome carriage.
• Enjoy delicious hot breakfasts and lunches served at your seat, with a choice of entrées and a glass of complimentary wine or beer with lunch
• Sip on non-alcoholic complimentary beverages whilst listening to commentary from onboard attendants
• Overnight accommodation in Kamloops, with luggage delivered to your hotel SilverLeaf is available only on the First Passage to the West journey.

 Goldleaf Service

The luxury and comfort of Rocky Mountaineer's award winning GoldLeaf service is beyond compare. The two level glass domed GoldLeaf carriage allows you to take in panoramic views from your seat and enjoy gourmet meals in the dining car below.

• Enjoy panoramic views for a custom designed two level dome carriage
• Savour gourmet hot breakfasts and lunches from an a la carte menu served in an exclusive GoldLeaf dining room
• Sip complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and savour gourmet snacks whilst listening to commentary from onboard attendants
• Take in the fresh mountain air from a covered vestibule
• Overnight accommodation in Kamloops or Quesnel, with luggage delivered to your hotel.

We have two exclusive special offers you can choose from when booking this 2 day journey.  Please choose from the following:

Exclusive Special Offer 1: Free Transfer

Book this 2 day rail journey by 31st May 2013 for travel in 2013** and get FREE return transfers between selected hotels and Rocky Mountaineer railway stations.  Transfers are available in Vancouver and Banff to / from the following hotels (if your hotel isn't listed, your transfer will drop you off at the closest hotel in the list below):

Banff

Fairmont Banff Springs, Banff Caribou Lodge, Banff Ptarmigan Inn, Fox Hotels and Suites, Rimrock Resort Hotel, Mount Royal, Brewsters Mountain Lodge

Vancouver

Holiday Inn Vancouver, Hampton Inn and Suites, Georgian Court, Sheraton Wall Centre, Fairmont Waterfront Hotel, Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Four Seasons, Fairmont Pacific Rim

Please note this offer does not apply to transfers in Calgary where the station is located in the central downtown area.

* Transfers must be requested at time of booking. Valid for new bookings only, not combinable with other offers.

** Free transfers are not applicable for April departure dates on this journey.

Book this 2 day rail journey by 28th March 2013 and get either a free sightseeing excursion in Vancouver or Banff of your choice or 1 night pre or post hotel stay in Vancouver, Banff or Calgary. Choose from one of the following:

Vancouver Excursions*

Deluxe Vancouver City Tour

Vancouver and Capilano Suspension Bridge

Guilty Pleasures Gourmet tour (Mon, Fri & Sat only)

World's Best Street Eats Tour (Tue, Thurs & Fri only)

Sunset Dinner Cruise

Vancouver Hotels*

Sandman Downtown Vancouver (Standard Room) or Rosedale on Robson (1 bedroom apartment)

Banff Excursions*

Best of Banff Sightseeing Tour

Discover Banff and its Wildlife

Discover Lake Louise and Moraine Lake

Explore Banff including Gondola ride

Banff Hotel*

Banff International - Superior Room

Calgary Hotel*

Sandman Calgary Centre - Standard Room

Please note: This offer is subject to availability and applies to new bookings only. It cannot be combined with any other offer. Terms and conditions apply, please contact us for more information.

Eastbound Itinerary

Day 1 Vancouver to Kamloops
Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from the coastal city of Vancouver to Kamloops, 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 River valley, through forests and winding river canyons surrounded by the peaks of the Coast and Cascade mountains, to the desert-like environment of the 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 concludes as the Rocky Mountaineer travels along the shores of Kamloops Lake and into Kamloops. Overnight in Kamloops.

Day 2 Kamloops to Lake Louise, Banff or Calgary*

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. Today’s highlights include Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven, the climb over Rogers Pass, the Kicking Horse Canyon, the Spiral Tunnels and, of course, the glaciers and snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies. Your rail journey ends in the mountain hamlet of Lake Louise (2013 departures only), resort town of Banff, or continues to the “Stampede City” of Calgary.

Westbound Itinerary

Day 1 Calgary, Banff or Lake Louise to Kamloops*
Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from the Stampede City of Calgary, the resort town of Banff, or the mountain hamlet of Lake Louise (2013 departures only) to Kamloops, in the heart of British Columbia’s interior. Your journey takes you through a spectacular array of scenery as you travel between the glacier and snow-capped 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, the Kicking Horse Canyon, Rogers Pass and Craigellachie – where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven. Overnight in Kamloops.

Day 2 Kamloops to Vancouver
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 pristine forests, to the Coast and Cascade mountains and 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. Your rail journey ends on arrival in Vancouver this evening.

*Routing depends on date of travel.  2012 services travel to Banff & Calgary only.  In 2013 selected dates serve Lake Louise and Banff, and Banff and Calgary.  See Journey Dates tab for details.

Journey Dates: 2013

Vancouver to Lake Louise or Banff

Apr - 23, 30

May - 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, 28, 31

June - 7, 14, 21, 28

July - 5, 12, 19, 28

August - 9, 16, 23, 30

September - 6, 13, 17, 20, 27

October - 1

Vancovuer to Banff or Calgary

May - 6, 13, 20, 27

June - 3, 10, 17, 24

July - 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

August - 12, 19, 26

September - 2, 9, 16

Calgary or Banff to Vancouver

May - 8, 15, 22, 29

June - 5, 12, 19, 26

July - 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

August - 14, 21, 28

September - 4, 11, 18

Banff or Lake Louise to Vancouver

April - 25

May - 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30

June - 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

July - 7, 14, 21, 28

August - 11, 18, 25

September - 1, 8, 15, 19, 22, 29

October - 3

Cost Per Person

Discounts availavble for children aged 2-11 years.

Supplements for Calgary & Banff sector;

2012 Journeys

Redleaf: £72

Silverleaf: £85

Goldleaf: £98

2013 Journeys

Redleaf: £75

Silverleaf: £88

Goldleaf: £102