Sam and Dan’s Rocky Mountaineer Experience: A Guide to Your Luxury Train Journey

Begin the Journey in Banff

Our Rocky Mountaineer journey began in the picturesque town of Banff, Alberta – known for its natural beauty, evidenced by its sparkling lakes and lush mountain peaks! This stunning resort town is the perfect base for exploring the Banff National Park, home to the iconic Moraine Lake and Lake Louise, which are snow- and glacier-fed lakes with deep teal waters that reflect the surrounding mountains.

The best part? All of our Rocky Mountaineer packages include a stay here, giving you the chance to experience this remarkable town.

DAY 1. Banff to Kamloops

The next day, we were collected by a Rocky Mountaineer representative at 7am from our downtown hotel. Here, we were presented with our tickets and luggage labels and commemorative pins. It was only a short ride across to the train platform where the impressive Rocky Mountaineer train was waiting for us against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains and a magnificent orange sunrise. 

A short while later and after settling into our glass domed carriage and being introduced to our two carriage hosts, the train pulled away from the station. The seat was one of the highlights for me, with a comfortable recline and a massage and seat-warming feature, it allows you to sit back and relax in ultimate comfort whilst taking in the spectacular surrounding views.

After breakfast, we headed back upstairs just in time for the first of our two journeys through the spiral tunnels. Dating back to 1909, this man-made feat was built to mitigate the steep grade of the Kicking Horse Pass as a replacement to the perilous stretch of train tracks known as the ‘Big Hill,’ which posed a myriad of risks and challenges to the trains that traverse it. In an effort to improve the safety of train trips across the Rockies, a series of spiral tunnels that cut through the mountains were established to let the trains travel on a much flatter grade.

Today, passengers aboard the Rocky Mountaineer get the one-of-a-kind opportunity to twist through this historic engineering marvel, which is easily one of the highlights of the First Passage to the West route!

At around 4pm, the mountains had started to open up and we journeyed through Salmon Arm where the tracks followed the edge of the impressive lake. The local people from the village all came out of their houses to wave at the train.

At 7pm, we pulled into Kamloops for our overnight stay. Where the North and South Thompson rivers meet, Kamloops is a popular halfway stop among the Rocky Mountaineer routes, offering a wonderful blend of scenery, outdoor activities, and culture. Everything was organised to perfection, the train pulled up to the station and coaches were waiting to take us to our hotels for the evening.

Day 2. Kamloops to Vancouver

On our second day, we were picked up at 7am and after a 10-minute journey back to the train station, we were back on board for another day which turned out to be just as extraordinary as the first. Whilst day one onboard was filled with snow-capped mountains and misty fields, day two would see us travelling in glorious sunshine through winding canyons, passing wide lakes and arid prairie lands. It felt like a completely different experience.

After the previous day of winding through the Rocky Mountains, today was all about spectacular views across the wide-open passes, in particular the Savona Summit – a towering peak that looms over Kamloops Lake and the Thompsons River Valley, surrounded by an array of awe-inspiring landscapes such as rugged cliffs, deep canyons and dry ridges! 

Ending Our Memorable Rocky Mountaineer Train Trip

After two remarkable days, we pulled into Vancouver and our magnificent journey came to an end. Similar to the previous evening in Kamloops, as soon as the train pulled into the station, coaches were waiting for us to take us to our hotels in Vancouver.

The Rocky Mountaineer’s legendary routes offer an unmissable opportunity to see the panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains and the ever-changing landscapes beyond unfold slowly before your eyes – whether from the expansive glass-dome windows or the exclusive outdoor viewing platform. Experience this luxury train journey yourself in one of our bespoke packages across Alaska and Canada – with an unforgettable Rocky Mountaineer adventure!

Silver Leaf or Gold Leaf?

Rocky Mountaineer offers two levels of service: SilverLeaf Service and GoldLeaf Service. Both come with friendly Hosts, gourmet breakfasts and lunches, and endlessly amazing views. Discover the difference between excellent & extraordinary!

All LoveitBookit Rocky Mountaineer packages include the Silver Leaf service, allowing you to make miles & miles of memories from your single-level glass-dome coach. Here's what you can expect with the Silver Leaf experience:

• Panoramic views in a custom-designed, single-level glass-domed coach

• Gourmet meals served right to your seat

• Friendly and expert hosts 

• Access to outdoor viewing deck

• Complimentary beverages and snacks

• Complimentary baggage transfers

• Deluxe hotel stay

Of course you can upgrade your package and elevate your experience! In Gold Leaf, you can enjoy all these perks in an enhanced bi-level coach, in addition to a dining room and an exclusive outdoor viewing platform on the lower level, plus more spacious, reclining seats and oversized glass windows on the upper level.