Canadian Adventures! - The Rocky Mountaineer

We have seen a huge increase in the number of “bucket list” trips being booked as couples and families are seeking more adventure from their holidays.  This is undoubtedly a result of not being able to travel due to COVID and there is definitely pent-up demand for when the borders open back up again.  We are finding that planning further ahead into 2022 and even 2023 is needed to ensure not only that our clients are able to secure the trip that they want, but also at the best price. 

One of the bucket list trips we book for our clients is the Canadian Rockies.  What better way to explore this scenic area than onboard the Rocky Mountaineer train in this rail adventure! 

This truly is a luxurious way to travel and get close to nature from the comfort of your carriage.  You will see places that are inaccessible by any other means of transport. 

There are a few options of routes you can take but all routes have one thing in common……. Fantastic scenery, great hosts who will pick out the highlights along the route, and amazing food and drink.  Lake Louise and Jasper national park are definitely highlights of the trip.   Pictures do not do the turquoise waters justice and there is every chance you will see Grizzly Bears and Eagles soaring above you! 

The season runs from April – October.  The best time to visit will very much depend on what you are looking at getting out of the trip.  Spring sees a lot of the wildlife start to emerge after the cold winter.  The summer is peak season with more activities on offer and is generally busier.  The colours of the trees in the autumn are simply spectacular as well!

The trains operate during daylight hours to make the most of the scenery.  Guests disembark each evening and stay in hotels along the route.  Breakfast and lunch are served onboard the train along with unlimited drinks and snacks.  The food is all locally produced including local wines, Alberta beef and of course Canadian salmon!   

There are two levels of service onboard the Rocky Mountaineer – silver leaf and gold leaf.  The gold leaf carriages have the extra advantage of having an upper deck on the carriage where meals are served and also have a glass roof for panoramic views during your journey. 

One of the appeals of exploring the Canadian Rockies is that you can pair it with an unlimited number of options to extend your holiday.  Alaskan cruises from Vancouver to take in the glaciers and whale watching is a popular choice.  You can travel up to Whittier in Alaska whilst stopping at Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and Glacier Bay.   Adventure seekers will be in their element with many activities on offer such as kayaking, hiking, and helicopter tours.  Nature lovers will have the chance to see Humpback Whales and Orcas in their natural habitat and the possibility of catching a glimpse of a Grizzly Bear on the shoreline. 

Vancouver is a vibrant and modern city and is worth staying for a few days.  There are plenty of parks and open spaces including Stanley Park, Queen Elizabeth park, and VanDusen Botanical gardens.  You will be spoilt for choice with restaurants and being by the ocean there are many sea-food specialities to try. 

Travelling the west coast of the USA to Seattle, San Francisco, and L.A is also easily achievable as well.  There is an overnight train that runs between Vancouver and San Francisco which is a popular way of making your way down into the USA through Washington state and Oregon arriving in California.    After a few days in San Francisco, you can pick up a car and travel down the west coast stopping off at Monterey, Santa Maria, and Santa Barbara before heading home from Los Angeles.   

If you have already ticked off the Rocky Mountaineer and the Canadian Rockies, did you know that there is a brand-new train route operated by the same company in the USA?  “The Rockies to the Red Rocks” runs between Moab in Utah and Denver in Colorado.  The same first-class service is on offer but with different scenery brings about a completely new experience! Denver is known as the Napa Valley for beer with a huge number of micro-breweries and worth a stay!

Many clients choose to start their trip with a few days in Denver and when they arrive in Moab following the train journey has some downtime here as well.  It is possible to then travel on to Las Vegas – either a short flight or a road trip spread over a couple of days with plenty of time to stop along the way and see the sights. 

Please get in touch if you would like more information on 01872 248534 or drop us a message – we always love hearing from you!