What to Know About Rocky Mountaineer Prepare Journeys

For the traveler who understands that attending to their vacation spot might be half the enjoyable, the Rocky Mountaineer prepare makes for an excellent trip. Whereas the corporate’s extremely curated itineraries take passengers to a number of unimaginable locations all through the Canadian Rockies, the Rocky Mountaineer is greater than only a mode of transportation or a scenic rail route. These multiday journeys are all about delivering a luxurious expertise each on and off the prepare—one thing I found after I tried one of many routes myself.

Between the gorgeous landscapes rolling by outdoors the panoramic home windows, the animated storytelling of the onboard hosts, and the scrumptious meals, lengthy days on the Rocky Mountaineer appear to fly by. Right here’s every thing it’s essential to find out about this distinctive North American prepare expertise.

Rocky Mountaineer Routes

Rocky Mountaineer gives three customary routes, starting from two to 3 days. For vacationers having hassle selecting only one itinerary, there’s additionally the choice to e-book a circle journey that mixes two routes for a four- or five-day journey. Restricted-time routes are additionally typically obtainable.

First Passage to the West

This two-day journey begins in Vancouver. Arrive a number of days early to discover the many issues to do on this lovely coastal metropolis earlier than hopping on the Rocky Mountaineer. The primary day on board begins early. The prepare makes its means by Fraser Valley, with views of majestic mountains, inexperienced forests, and raging rivers. After a full day on the prepare, you’ll arrive within the riverfront city of Kamloops. Stretch your legs with a stroll by the river, discover the artwork galleries and museums, or take part in one in every of many outside actions. On day two, the prepare continues its journey east, passing by mountains and an idyllic lake. The enduring views of Fortress Mountain would be the spotlight of at the present time earlier than the prepare reaches its remaining vacation spot in Banff. Passengers disembark in Banff and the journey can simply proceed from there with visits to Banff Nationwide Park, together with the postcard-ready Lake Louise.

Journey By way of the Clouds

This two-day itinerary begins with an identical route because the prepare departs from Vancouver and stops in Kamloops for the evening. On day two, nonetheless, the prepare heads northeast to Jasper. The pure magnificence alongside this route is plentiful, with passengers catching views of the Blue River, Pyramid Falls, and Mount Robson, the tallest peak within the Canadian Rockies. Passengers disembark within the charming mountain city of Jasper, which gives easy accessibility to Jasper Nationwide Park.

Rainforest to Gold Rush

Rocky Mountaineer’s solely three-day itinerary takes passengers on a special, however equally picturesque, route from Vancouver to Jasper. Day one begins with the prepare making its means round Horseshoe Bay and the gorgeous fjords of Howe Sound earlier than buying and selling the water-filled vistas for the Coast Mountains. The day ends with an in a single day keep in Whistler, the place you’ll undoubtedly need to take a journey on the Peak 2 Peak gondola for the most effective views of this mountainous area. On day two, passengers will see a very completely different kind of Canadian panorama because the prepare passes by extra arid surroundings, together with canyons the place prospectors as soon as looked for gold, after which stops for the evening within the small metropolis of Quesnel. Day three brings passengers to the ultimate cease in Jasper after one other full day aboard the prepare, admiring the world’s mountains, lakes, and rivers.

Rockies to the Purple Rocks on Canyon Spirit

Rocky Mountaineer debuted its first route in the USA within the fall of 2021; now, that itinerary has turn out to be Canyon Spirit, a sibling rail expertise. Though the title is completely different, the route continues to be the identical—touring from Denver to Moab, Utah, with an in a single day cease in Glenwood Springs, Colorado—however now with an elective route extension to Salt Lake Metropolis. Canyon Spirit is a part of the Armstrong Collective, which incorporates Rocky Mountaineer, so the extent of service, eating, and facilities stays stellar.

I launched into this route when it was operated by Rocky Mountaineer, spending a number of days in Denver earlier than boarding the prepare. On day one, we left town skyline behind and immersed ourselves within the Colorado Rockies, crossing the Continental Divide and reducing by the spectacular 6.2-mile Moffat Tunnel. By nightfall, we have been in Glenwood Springs, the place a go to to the world’s largest mineral scorching spring pool is a should. The subsequent day, we continued our journey west, buying and selling the Rockies for the distinctive pink rocks of the Southwest, together with unimaginable views of Mount Garfield and Ruby Canyon. By noon, we have been in Moab, the right dwelling base for exploring Arches and Canyonlands nationwide parks.

Rocky Mountaineer Lessons of Service

When you’ve determined in your route, it’s time to decide on which stage of service you’d like on board. For all company, the Rocky Mountaineer expertise features a comfortable seat with loads of legroom, picture-perfect views outdoors the expansive home windows, drinks and meals, and top-notch leisure from the hosts who regale company with their wonderful storytelling concerning the area you’re touring by.

The every day schedule for every itinerary varies, however the prepare solely travels throughout sunlight hours to make sure that passengers don’t miss any inch of the jaw-dropping panorama. The Rocky Mountaineer expertise consists of lodge stays within the cities and cities the place the prepare stops for the evening, with a wide range of choices for various budgets. There’s loads of time to benefit from the locations at every cease, and it’s extremely advisable that company lengthen their keep earlier than and after the journey. Rocky Mountaineer even gives full trip packages that embody excursions and journey extensions.

Whereas the Rocky Mountaineer actually offers a top-notch expertise for all company, there are key variations value noting as you select which onboard service stage is best for you.

GoldLeaf

GoldLeaf is the top-tier service stage that Rocky Mountaineer gives, and it’s simple to inform it aside from SilverLeaf as a result of the coach has two ranges. On the primary ground, company will discover a eating room with massive panoramic home windows that permit them to soak up the views whereas having fun with meals ready on board by the chef. There’s additionally a big outside platform so passengers can admire the surroundings within the recent air. Passengers will spend most of their time within the consolation of their assigned seats on the second ground, the place dome-shaped home windows permit for practically unobstructed views. 

SilverLeaf

The SilverLeaf coach is on the underside ground. Visitors on this stage will take pleasure in their meals (ready earlier than departure and warmed up on board) from comfy seats, whereas additionally admiring the landscapes outdoors the big panoramic home windows. For passengers on this coach, there’s a small outside viewing space, the place one to 2 individuals at a time can stand and peek outdoors an open window.

“When trying to assist potential company resolve between SilverLeaf and GoldLeaf, I attempt to paint an image of two nice—however completely different—ranges of service,” mentioned Danny Becker, enterprise growth supervisor for Rocky Mountaineer. “I describe our SilverLeaf expertise as a single-level railcar with lovely massive image home windows, nice meals and storytelling, and ample room between the seats. When describing our GoldLeaf expertise, I attempt to current a picture of true luxurious with plush leather-based heated seats, a totally domed railcar with most viewing potential, an extra onboard host for enhanced service and extra frequent storytelling, and made-to-order delicacies with world-class presentation and style.”

Nonetheless, Becker added, “You actually can’t go unsuitable whether or not you select SilverLeaf or GoldLeaf Service, each are high-quality, all-inclusive ranges of service.”

Canyon Spirit Signature and Premier Experiences

Passengers on Canyon Spirit for the Rockies to the Purple Rocks route can select between two tiers of service. In contrast to the Rocky Mountaineer, Canyon Spirit trains haven’t got a second stage because the railway passes by a number of tunnels. The all-inclusive Signature Expertise comes with comfortable, preassigned seats, outsized domed home windows for panorama viewing, Southwestern-inspired delicacies, and drinks. The Premier improve kicks issues up a notch, with entry to an unique lounge automobile, a personal outside viewing space, and elevated eating and host service.