6 Day Winter Semi-Guided Tour VIA Rail from Vancouver to Calgary

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6 days (approx.)

Mobile ticket

Offered in: English

Overview

Journey across Western Canada on this 6-day adventure from Vancouver to Calgary. Begin with the iconic train ride through British Columbia’s coastal mountains to Jasper, then travel by coach along the Icefields Parkway to Banff. Explore turquoise lakes, dramatic canyons, and charming mountain towns with guided and independent experiences in Banff and Lake Louise. Highlights include Yoho National Park, the Columbia Icefield, and the beauty of the Canadian Rockies. A seamless combination of train and road travel designed for global explorers seeking comfort and wonder.

[Important Note]: Free admission applies to Parks Canada sites from December 12, 2025 to January 15, 2026. A refund of CAD 7 per person per day will be issued on tour for days that include national park visits.

What's Included

Traffic Accident Liability
National Park Pass
Via Rail Ticket : Vancouver to Jasper (one way)
Air-conditioned vehicle
Gratuities
Hotel accommodations as listed
Driver/Guide: Bilingual guide service ( English and Mandarin)

Meals & All Personal Expenses such as laundry, phone & travel insurance.
Optional add-on Activities, Excursion and Tours listed on the itinerary

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What To Expect

Day 1

Vancouver - VIA Rail Canada (No Westar tour guide service on this day, it is a self-guided tour)

1 Stop

Day 2

VIA Rail Canada - Jasper (No Westar tour guide service on this day, it is a self-guided tour)

1 Stop

Day 3

Jasper - Icefields Parkway - Banff (No Westar tour guide service on this day, it is a self-guided tour)

1 Stop

Day 4

Banff – Johnston Canyon Upper Falls – Banff Town (lunch stop) – Bow Falls – Surprise Corner – Banff Gondola – Banff

6 Stops

Johnston Canyon, Upper Falls

As Banff National Park’s most popular hiking destination, you won’t want to miss Johnston Canyon. Johnston Canyon is carved into the limestone bedrock from thousands of years of water erosion. On this hike, you will be immersed into a beautiful scene of overhanging canyon walls, waterfalls, and lush forest. Every moment at Johnston Canyon is a memory as you explore depths and different perspectives of the beautiful gorge.

2 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Banff

The town of Banff is a cozy place, alive with wonder and welcoming people. The small town is nestled among majestic mountains and trees. Surrounding the town is Mount Rundle, Sulphur Mountain, Mount Norquay, and Cascade Mountain. On your evening stroll or your morning jog you might be able to spot a family of deer wandering down the street.Note : Lunch stop

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Bow Falls

The roaring and rushing landscape of the summer, at this moment, feels as if it has been enchanted by time, and the space-time has frozen in this instant. But you can still hear the sound of the river rushing beneath the solidified ice, as if it wants to break free from the confinement of the time magic

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Surprise Corner Viewpoint

The Surprise corner is named after its spectacular views of the majestic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel that is cozily nestled at the heart of a dense forest with the beautiful Sulphur Mountain as a backdrop. This beautiful scene is elevated with Bow River cascading down into the Bow Falls as a foreground. The magnificent scene at Surprise Corner will make you feel as if you have travelled into a fairytale story.

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Banff Gondola

The Banff Gondola offers outstanding panoramic views of the town of Banff and the Canadian Rockies from 7486ft (2281m). Enjoy the 8 minute ride to the top of the world where there are dining options, hiking trails, and observation decks at the summit of Sulphur Mountain for your maximum viewing pleasure.Note: Optional Add-on Activity

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Banff Avenue

Drop off : Accomodation in Banff

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Day 5

Banff - Bow Lake - Peyto Lake - Icefield Parkway - Vermillion Lake - Lake Minnewanka - Two Jack Lake - Banff

7 Stops

Bow Lake

Bow Lake is a stop you will not regret taking while you are travelling across Icefield Parkway. When the lake thaws in the summer, it becomes a vivid blue colour from the glacier melt of the Crowfoot Glacier. Speaking of the Crowfoot Glacier, the Bow Lake is also the perfect place to view the Crowfoot Glacier, Wapta Icefield, bow glacier, crowfoot mountain and Mount Thompson. It really seems like the ultimate all in one package!

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Peyto Lake

Located along the Icefields Parkway, approximately 40km north of Lake Louise is the vibrant glacier-fed lake, Peyto Lake. The lake is nestled in majestic mountain ranges which lie on each of its sides. This jaw dropping view is the best reward for an intense scrambling hike. The scenery on the viewpoint looks as if it is a carefully painted piece of art. Peyto Lake’s beauty is comparable with the famous Moraine Lake without as many crowds.

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Crowfoot Glacier

Attached to the Northeast side of the Crowfoot Mountain and overlooking the Bow Lake lies the Crowfoot Glacier. This huge mass of ice was named a century ago because its appearance resembled that of a three-toed crowfoot. Be sure to take lots of photos because the next time you visit Crowfoot Glacier, it might not look the same anymore!

Admission Ticket Free

Lake Louise Village Grill & Bar

Note : Lunch Stop

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Vermilion Lakes

In the winter, you might get lucky and see the magical Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) lighting up the night sky. When the waters of the Vermillion Lakes freeze over, there is a period of time where you have the opportunity to see the beauty of bubble layers in the ice. The shapes are frozen methane bubbles, which form when microbes consume dead organic matter on the bottom of the lake.

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Lake Minnewanka

Located 15 minutes east of Banff is Lake Minnewanka, the largest and deepest glacial lake in Banff National Park, reaching a depth of 142 meters. Its name comes from the Indian Stoneni family, which means "water spirit.” This stunning aqua blue lake is surrounded by beautiful mountain peaks and unique rocks by the shoreline.

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Two Jack Lake

The beautiful and tranquil Two Jack Lake is accessible by a 3.2 km loop trail that is perfect for hikers of all skill levels. In the summer, the two red lounge chairs on the lakeshore contrast with the emerald green lake. The vivid blue lake is backdropped with a stunning mountain and lush forest. It is a very photogenic destination, and it is a trendy place for many photographers and hikers who want to see a vibrant sunset.

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Day 6

Banff - Emerald Lake - Natural Bridge - Lake Louise - Marble Canyon - Drop off Banff/Calgary

6 Stops

Lower Spiral Tunnel Viewpoint

Take a quick stop at Spiral Tunnels, where you can catch a glimpse of Canada’s history. This spiraling tunnel lies on the Canadian Pacific Railway. This is one of the steepest, and most scenic railway lines in all of North America, crossing the Kicking Horse River, also running under Mount Ogden and Cathedral Mountain towards the town of Field in British Columbia.

Admission Ticket Free

Emerald Lake

One of the most admired destinations in Yoho National Park is Emerald Lake. This gorgeous emerald coloured lake is a result of the light refracting the deposit of rock flour in the lake. Emerald Lake is surrounded by the President Range that forms a natural amphitheater with towering forested banks. If you look carefully, you might be able to spot some really cool wildlife such as marmots, bald eagle, bears, loons, and the occasional moose!

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Natural Bridge Lower Falls

Stop at the Natural Bridge along the way and admire the Kicking Horse River as it carves a path through ancient rock. You can view the incredible natural formation from different perspectives at vantage points with interpretive displays that tell you about interesting facts about Natural Bridge. This beautiful scenery is enhanced with the scenic mountains and lush forests in the background.

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Lake Louise

If there is only one place you can go while you are in the Canadian Rockies, you must visit Lake Louise. Also named “Jewel of the Rockies,” this world famous turquoise lake draws millions of visitors every year. This gorgeous alpine lake is embellished with Victoria Glacier as the backdrop. The rugged peaks and glaciers behind the lake makes the scenery of the lake seem as if it were a carefully designed painting.Note : Optional Add on-Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Hotel Afternoon Tea ( Additional fee )

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Marble Canyon Trailhead

There are 7 bridges in Marble Canyon that you can hike on it, walking in a zigzag pattern on the deep limestone canyon and the winding creek below. The canyon is the junction of Tocum Creek and Suzaku River. Fossils of Cambrian soft-bodied creatures millions of years ago were found here, which is quite magnificent.

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Calgary

Drop off : Banff/CalgaryIf you plan to connect to a flight departing from Calgary on the same evening:For domestic flights within Canada, please book a departure after 9:00 PM.For international flights, please book a departure after 10:00 PM.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Depending on arrival date, travelers’ itinerary sequences may difference from the product discription.

Any of the Optional add-on Activities, Excursion, Tours, and meals must be booked at least 7 days prior to tour start. All add-on items are subject the availability.
This is a combined bus tour. Besides the regular Pickup and drop-off locations, additional points may be added to the tour.
If for any reason you need to leave our group during the trip, you must fill out a “Letter of Liability Release”, no exceptions.
If you have special needs (such as but not limited to: bed type, vegetarian options, high-chairs, etc.) please inform us at least 7 days before your trip. We will do our best to accommodate you, but there is no guarantee.
If you have a connecting international flight after the tour, please ensure that your flight departs after 10:30 pm.（**Please understand that depending on schedule, traffic and weather conditions, your arrival time in Calgary may be adjusted **）
The North American Hotel Standard Room is equipped with one large bed or two standard beds. If you have a specific request for bed types, please inform us at the time of booking and we will do our best to accommodate you.
Westar will not be responsible for the performance of this Agreement if prevented or delayed by acts of God, strikes or other labour relations matters, accidents, weather, traffic, airport conditions, lack of performance by third-party suppliers, or other causes beyond Westar’s reasonable control from meeting its terms. Nor will Westar be responsible for any loss or damage relating to trip cancellations or any other cancellations.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 55 travelers

Frequently Asked Questions

(7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the 6 Day Winter Semi-Guided Tour VIA Rail from Vancouver to Calgary?

A: This tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded. Read more Apr 2025