In the event you’re something like most Australians, the Rocky Mountaineer is probably going one in every of your bucket record journeys.
Even in case you’re not a prepare nerd, it is a journey reasonably than only a method to get from A to B.
I used to be fortunate sufficient to journey Gold Leaf on the ‘Journey to the Clouds’ from Vancouver to Jasper in Might 2023, and it’s definitely an expertise I gained’t overlook. Listed here are some journey ideas and recommendation that may make it easier to benefit from your journey!
The Route
The Rocky Mountaineer affords a number of totally different journeys, the most well-liked is from Vancouver to Banff/Lake Louise, Vancouver to Jasper and the brand new route from Moab to Denver within the USA.
Which “Leaf of Journey”?
Rocky Mountaineer affords Silver and Gold Leaf carriages of journey. Silver Leaf encompasses a comfy seat, meals delivered to your seat and huge home windows to view the beautiful surroundings.
In the event you can afford it, I might positively suggest Gold Leaf, which is how I travelled. Gold Leaf options luxurious seats with recline and heating, in a dome glass carriage for uninterrupted views of the surroundings. Your meals are served in a gorgeous eating carriage downstairs, and there’s additionally a viewing platform to get great images and a few contemporary air.
Gold Leaf carriage with glass dome for uninterrupted scenic views.
Do you need to request a sure seat?
There isn’t a ‘unhealthy’ seat on the prepare, neither is there one facet that has the higher views. The one factor I can suggest could be to request a seat in direction of the entrance of the carriage as we had been proper on the again and had a little bit of ‘background noise’ of the crew cleansing and stacking dishes and plates.
Which course is finest to journey?
Personally, I feel from Vancouver to Jasper/Banff/Lake Louise. The primary day on this course was good however felt like a ‘heat up’ for what was approaching day two. So I feel in case you travelled in the wrong way, you is likely to be underwhelmed by the surroundings on day two. Plus, in case you’re spending time within the Rockies earlier than the prepare, viewing the mountains from the prepare gained’t have as a lot sparkle because it does if you’re seeing them for the primary time.
What’s one of the simplest ways to e-book the Rocky Mountaineer?
There are many alternative ways to e-book the Rocky Mountaineer, all by way of your favorite Journey Guide, in fact!
- Guide the prepare journey solely
- Guide a Rocky Mountaineer package deal, together with lodging and sightseeing in Jasper/Banff/Lake Louise/Vancouver earlier than and/or after your prepare journey
- Guide an escorted tour that features the Rocky Mountaineer prepare. Firms like APT, Scenic and Trafalgar all supply thrilling excursions that embody the Rocky Mountaineer
Whereas I’m in Western Canada, the place else ought to I embody in my itinerary?
There are such a lot of choices however listed below are a few of my favourites.
Exploring the Rocky Mountains is a no brainer so positively add on some nights in Jasper and Banff. You possibly can both keep in Lake Louise as properly or do a day journey from Banff to Lake Louise in beneath an hour every manner. In case your dates align, positively add in Calgary in the course of the Calgary Stampede (normally in July) for some boot-scooting cowboy enjoyable! I went a number of years in the past and had a blast.
In the event you haven’t visited Vancouver earlier than, positively add a couple of days to discover. A few of my favorite actions in Vancouver embody visiting the Granville Markets and a whale-watching cruise. You can even go to the Capilano Suspension Bridge, Grouse Mountain, Fly Over Canada and have a wander round Stanley Park. A day journey to Vancouver Island can also be advisable with the intention to go to Victoria and Butchart Gardens; nevertheless, it’s a really lengthy day; the journey I did was about 15 hours. So you probably have time, I’d suggest spending a couple of nights there as an alternative.
You’d be silly to be in Vancouver and never take the possibility at leaping onboard an Inside Passage Cruise. These cruises go away from Canada Place within the coronary heart of downtown. You possibly can select a roundtrip journey, however I’d extremely suggest doing a Cruise and Land tour the place you cruise a technique from Vancouver to Anchorage after which discover Denali Nationwide Park, Mt McKinley and Fairbanks. For the prepare lovers on the market, there’s a Direct to Wilderness Alaska Rail Service full with glass-domed railcars that you simply will not need to miss.
So in case you’re able to e-book essentially the most epic Canadian Rockies expertise, get in contact!