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Alberta/British Columbia

The Best of the Rockies by Rail: Western Canada's Splendor

Program No. 3748RJ

Journey to the heart of the Canadian Rockies by train — and glass-enclosed gondola! — discovering ancient glaciers, unique wildlife, isolated towns and stunning alpine views.

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We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more

Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

Program

At a Glance

Duration

12 days

Program Begins

Calgary, Alberta

Program Concludes

Vancouver, British Columbia

Meals

26 ( 11B, 8L, 7D )

Activity Level

Experience the wonder of the rugged, beautiful Canadian Rockies in Alberta and British Columbia. Journey through green valleys, past sapphire rivers and wide, jade lakes as you head into the heart of the mountains. Visit the soaring resort town of Banff, where you can explore the hot springs that have made this place famous. See Lake Louise’s famed emerald waters, born of the glaciers that overlook it. Complete your adventure with three nights in the cosmopolitan coastal city of Vancouver.

Best of all, you'll...

Enjoy some of the world’s most magnificent stretches of railway aboard the Rocky Mountaineer.
Ride a glass-enclosed gondola to the peak of Sulphur Mountain for 360-degree views of the Canadian Rockies.
Journey along the famed Icefields Parkway through the heart of the Canadian Rockies.

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General Notes

Select dates are designated for small groups and are limited to 24 participants or less. Due to hotel staffing constraints, the hotel in Kamloops will not be known until 3-7 days prior to arrival.

Kirsten Schmitten

Kirsten Schmitten has more than 30 years under her belt as a researcher, writer, and guide in the Canadian Rockies. She has worked as a professional park interpreter and lived in remote wilderness stations with her warden husband. Kirsten was awarded a Master Level Interpretive certification by the guiding community. She is a co-owner of All Things Wild, a company dedicated to connecting people to the stories unfolding in Jasper National Park.

Please Note:

This expert may not be available for every date of the program

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Cory Gross

Cory grew up in the Calgary area, living both in the city and on the ranches where his father worked. In 2005 he received a bachelor’s in Museum and Heritage Studies from the University of Calgary and currently works as an educator at the Glenbow Museum. Cory is also a volunteer with the Western Art Gallery at the Calgary Stampede and with several other heritage organizations throughout the city.

Brent MacDonald

Brent Macdonald has been a resident of the Canadian Rockies for almost 30 years. As a geology expert, he provides a wealth of knowledge about geography and geomorphology. Brent has had a diverse career as a freelance natural history interpreter, also working as a consultant for a geotechnical engineering company. He has shared his knowledge of geology and natural history as an interpreter and guest lecturer. Brent is also a certified mountain leader and ski instructor.

Greg Allemang

Greg Allemang is an Alberta-based outdoor guide and educator with a global perspective. A lifelong adventurer, he has explored five continents and lived across Canada and in South Korea. Greg is certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides, the Interpretive Guides Association, and the Outdoor Council of Canada, with advanced wilderness first aid training. Since 2012, he has led hiking, backpacking, and snowshoeing trips in the Canadian Rockies, and has been a group leader with Road Scholar since 2014.

John Atkin

John Atkin is an author, historian and heritage advocate who has been fascinated with Vancouver since moving to the city over 30 years ago. He is the co-founder of the Heritage Vancouver Society, has contributed to a documentary on the city, and has appeared regularly on television and radio, including CBC Television and CTV’s Canada AM. John is the author of four books on Vancouver, including “Strathcona: Vancouver’s First Neighborhood,” and is an editor for the B.C. Historical Federation.

Patricia Thomson

Patricia Thomson not only loves nature, she’s made it her life’s calling. Having had a broad environmental education career including working for Parks Canada, B.C. Parks, and the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre, Patricia enjoys passing her passion on to others. Since 2004, she has been the executive director of Stanley Park Ecology Society (SPES), leading a team of twelve conservation biologists and educators. Patricia is excited to take others with her and show to them the reasons she loves her home.

Routes Adventures Mobile Phone

Please call the toll free line at 1-866-745-1690 during regular business hours or for non-urgent matters (Mon - Fri 8:30 - 4:30 EST). The mobile phone #1-613-331-5777 is for after hours and weekends for emergency use only. The phone is carried by a staff member.

Alasdair Butcher

Alasdair Butcher is a Vancouver-born and based local expert, community organizer, and educator. He has a B.A.H. in human geography from the University of British Columbia and a master's in urban studies from Simon Fraser University. In 2008, he founded Vancouver DeTours with the aim of reclaiming travel as an act of educational empowerment. Since then, he has taken more than 100,000 guests on explorations of Vancouver's social history, architecture, urban planning, public art, and contemporary topics through an approach he calls "pedestrian pedagogy."

Marie-Pierre Flipo-Bergeron

Marie-Pierre Flipo-Bergeron moved to Jasper from a French community in Quebec in 2007, and fully embraced the mountain lifestyle. She has worked as a boater, naturalist, hiking expert, and ski instructor for the last 17 years. Marie has an education in protection and exploitation of wildlife territories, as well as training in outdoor leadership. A talented musician, Marie performs at local venues as a singer and guitarist. Marie has two children who love nature as much as she does.

Wesley Wenhardt

Wesley Wenhardt is a storyteller and explorer whose career has taken him around the world, planning, opening, and revitalizing cultural attractions. Bilingual in French and English, he now calls Vancouver, British Columbia home. He loves getting outdoors rain or shine, in the mountains, hiking, skiing, cycling, and flyfishing.

Activity Level

Keep the Pace

Walking up to two miles daily over varied terrain, some stairs will be encountered. Elevations of 4,500-8,041 feet.

Suggested Reading List

View Full List (5 Books)

You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.

HAVE QUESTIONS?

Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?

We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!

Call 800-454-5768

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Enroll with Confidence

Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

Assurance Plan

Road Scholar's continued commitment to our participants and their well-being is exemplified whether participating on a program in the United States or on one of our International programs, every Road Scholar participant receives coverage under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan.

Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.
Assurance Plan

Road Scholar's continued commitment to our participants and their well-being is exemplified whether participating on a program in the United States or on one of our International programs, every Road Scholar participant receives coverage under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan.
Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.
Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

The Best of the Rockies by Rail: Western Canada's Splendor

Enroll with Confidence

Protecting the Environment

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