5-Day Independent Jasper Trip via VIA Rail Rocky Mountain Route from Vancouver to Calgary – Visit Maligne Canyon, Four Major Lakes & Maligne Lake, Explore Banff

Day 1: Poetry and Distant Lands (Hometown – Vancouver – VIA Rail)

Vancouver

VIA Rail Canada

# Itinerary Arrangement:

## Itinerary Overview:

The train will arrive at Pacific Central Station in Vancouver at approximately 14:00. Please arrive at the station at least 90 minutes in advance to complete relevant procedures (the train departs at 15:00). This is a VIA Rail train trip from Vancouver to Jasper with a travel time of around 19 hours, arriving in Jasper at 11:00 the next day.

Address of Pacific Central Station, Vancouver: Pacific Central Station, 1150 Station Street, Vancouver, BC V6A 4C

After the train departs Vancouver, you will pass by the picturesque scenery of the Pacific Coast and the Fraser Valley along the way. Once entering the Rocky Mountains, snow-capped peaks, glaciers and alpine lakes will come into view one after another. The forests are lush and green in summer, and wild animals may be spotted occasionally. At dusk, the setting sun shimmers over mountain ranges; at night, you can gaze up at a sky full of stars, and lucky passengers may even catch sight of the Northern Lights. You will stay overnight on the VIA Rail train with standard coach tickets by default (upgrades to sleeper berths or private cabins are available; no tour guide service is provided on board).

## Important Notes:

No Western Star tour guide service will be provided for this day’s itinerary, which is a self-guided tour. If assistance is needed, you may contact the itinerary service hotline stated in the Tour Confirmation Letter in advance.

The train departs at 15:00. Please arrive at the station no less than 90 minutes early for check-in and luggage consignment (to be processed with valid identification documents and your digital VIA Rail train ticket).

### Luggage Allowance (varies based on your booked train cabin class):

- Economy Coach: 1 checked baggage complying with airline size limits (23kg) + 1 carry-on baggage complying with airline size limits (7kg) + 1 personal item (such as a laptop bag or garment bag)

- Comfort Sleeper: 1 checked baggage complying with airline size limits (23kg) + 2 carry-on baggage complying with airline size limits (7kg) + 1 personal item (such as a laptop bag or garment bag)

- Comfort Cabin: 1 checked baggage complying with airline size limits (23kg) + 2 carry-on baggage complying with airline size limits (7kg) + 1 personal item (such as a laptop bag or garment bag)

### Meal Arrangement (varies based on your booked train cabin class):

- Economy Coach: Meals are not included; a variety of light meals and snacks are available for purchase on board at your own expense.

- Comfort Sleeper: One dinner and one breakfast included. Alcoholic beverages are at your own cost.

- Comfort Cabin: One dinner and one breakfast included. Alcoholic beverages are at your own cost.

• Breakfast: at your own expense; Lunch: at your own expense; Dinner: at your own expense
• On the VIA Rail train
• Things to Know
  • If flights or trains are cancelled or delayed due to unexpected incidents and force majeure factors, including but not limited to capacity allocation by transportation companies, temporary closure of airports or stations, temporary cancellations by transportation companies, weather conditions, and transportation control, the travel agency will make every effort to assist you with change procedures.
  • If the train is delayed for more than 5 hours or cancelled, you may choose to wait for the train or voluntarily cancel the train segment of your trip. If you cancel the train service, our team will assist you with processing the refund for the corresponding train fare, help you adjust your subsequent itinerary, arrange hotel accommodation for the night, rebook flights or arrange alternative transportation. All costs incurred for the night's hotel stay and transportation rebooking shall be borne by you personally.
  • This product includes train tickets for VIA Rail Canada. All train details and refund & modification policies are subject to final confirmation by VIA Rail Canada, the official operator.
  • It is strongly recommended that you purchase relevant travel insurance in advance.

Day 2: Slow Train Journey, Peaceful Years: Arrival at Jasper National Park - Independent Travel

Jasper National Park

Jasper Town

# Itinerary Overview

11:00 Arrive at Jasper Railway Station – Self-transfer to Jasper hotel – Free time in the afternoon with optional paid activities

Early the next morning, the train enters the Rockies region, traversing alpine meadows and traveling amid snow-capped mountains and waterfalls. Beneath the azure sky lie snow-white glaciers. You may catch distant glimpses of Mount Robson, Canada’s highest peak, while emerald-green lakes stretch below. As literati once wrote: "The Rockies are a temple worthy of reverence, cleansing the soul." The train is scheduled to arrive at Jasper Railway Station at 11:00 AM.

# Important Notes

No Weststar tour guide service will be provided for the day; this is a self-guided itinerary. For assistance, you may contact the itinerary service hotline listed in the Tour Confirmation Letter in advance.

Check-in at North American hotels generally starts at 15:00 PM. If your room is not ready upon arrival, you may store your luggage at the hotel free of charge before heading out for leisure activities. Your tour guide will contact you in the evening to inform you of the assembly time and arrangements for the following day.

For maximum convenience in Jasper, Athabasca Hotel will be prioritized for accommodation, which is approximately a 3-minute walk from the train station. If other hotels are assigned, you may book a local taxi to the hotel on your own (Taxi booking number: Caribou Cabs +1 7819312334)

# Recommended Afternoon Activities

## Recommendation 1: Jasper SkyTram + Shuttle

Tour Mode: Shuttle transfer to the tram station (English-speaking driver only, no tour guide) for independent sightseeing

Suggested Duration: 2 hours

Built in 1964, Jasper SkyTram is Canada’s highest and longest aerial tramway. Featuring vintage red cabin carriages, it ascends 970 meters to a summit at an altitude of 2,263 meters, offering 360-degree panoramic views of nearly ten thousand square kilometers of surrounding mountainous landscapes.

• Breakfast: Not included (Guests purchasing Package B/C are provided with railway meals on the national rail train: 1 night accommodation + 1 breakfast); Lunch: At your own expense; Dinner: At your own expense
• Athabasca Hotel in Jasper Town or similar
• Things to Know
  • Please refer to different package details for train cabin upgrades
  • Travel time of VIA train from Vancouver to Jasper: approximately 19 hours
  • The arrival time in Jasper is subject to change depending on the schedule of activity programs, and we appreciate your understanding.

Day 3: Jasper National Park - Maligne Lake - Maligne Canyon (replaced with Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and Lake Beauvert during closure periods) - Banff

Maligne Canyon

Maligne Lake

Banff Town Area

Medicine Lake

# Itinerary:

Jasper – Medicine Lake – Maligne Lake (Optional paid cruise, 90 minutes) – Lunch at Maligne Lake (Optional at own expense, 45 minutes) – The Crossing – Banff

Depart from your hotel in Jasper and pass by [Medicine Lake], then arrive at [Maligne Lake], the world’s second-largest glacial lake, located at the lake’s far end. Board the [Maligne Lake Cruise (Optional at own expense)] (operates until October 12; Pyramid Lake will serve as an alternative afterward) for a 90-minute stay. Drift across the 22-kilometer-long lake and slowly approach [Spirit Island], known as "the meeting place of gods". Following lunch at Maligne Lake, proceed to [Maligne Canyon], the longest and deepest canyon in the Canadian Rockies. (Due to the 2024 wildfires, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and Lake Beauvert may be substituted depending on the national park’s opening status.) Carved by glacial erosion, this canyon features deep, jagged rock formations and breathtaking scenery. Afterwards, travel south along the Icefields Parkway by coach, stop for a rest at the rest area of [The Crossing], then head back to Banff for hotel check-in.

*Maligne Lake Cruise (Optional at own expense) runs from May 29 to October 11. Schedules are subject to change based on lake ice melt conditions. When cruises are unavailable, the alternative itinerary includes Pyramid Lake (45 minutes) and Patricia Lake (15 minutes).

*Maligne Canyon: Due to the 2024 wildfires, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and Lake Beauvert may replace this attraction (total visiting time: 30 minutes), subject to the national park’s opening arrangements.

• Breakfast: Available for additional order; Lunch: Available for additional order; Dinner: At your own expense
• Mount Royal Hotel / Banff Inn / Canalta Lodge / Caribou Lodge / Rundlestone Lodge in Banff Town or similar
• Things to Know
  • You may tick to add a gourmet package if needed. **Lunch will be served at Historical Chalet Restaurant by Maligne Lake. Local chefs select regional ingredients to infuse the unique vibes of nature, exploration and adventure into a wide array of exquisite dishes. (Groups with fewer than 15 simultaneous bookings may be offered plated meals or la carte lunch consisting of soup, main course and desserts as an alternative)**
  • The arrival time in Banff is subject to change depending on the schedule of activity programs. We appreciate your understanding.

Day 4: Banff - Lake Louise - Moraine Lake - Yoho National Park - Emerald Lake - Natural Bridge - Banff

Lake Louise

Moraine Lake

Emerald Lake

Yoho National Park

Emerald lake

Natural Bridge Banff

Banff Town Area

# Itinerary Arrangement:

Banff - Lake Louise (75 mins) - Moraine Lake (60 mins) - Lunch at Lake Louise Village (at your own expense; Grill & Bar lunch add-on available, 45 mins) - Emerald Lake (20 mins) - Natural Bridge (15 mins) - Banff

Depart the hotel early in the morning and head west along Highway 1. The steep and rugged Castle Mountain will come into view, and you will soon arrive at Lake Louise, the most famous lake in the Rocky Mountains. Bathed in sunlight, the mineral-rich lake water shimmers with mesmerizing sapphire blue, enclosed on three sides by the towering Victoria Glacier. Resembling a jade gem scattered among the mountains, it earns its moniker "the Sapphire of the Rockies". Looking back from the lakeshore, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise stands serenely amid pine forests, welcoming visitors. Afterwards, hike to the top of the trail, where the crystal-clear turquoise waters of seasonal Moraine Lake reflect the jagged Ten Peaks. Standing at the vantage point, you can take in the full panoramic beauty of the lake and mountains, losing all sense of time. After leaving Moraine Lake, proceed to Lake Louise Village for lunch (at your own expense; Chinese or Western plated meals available as add-ons). Post-lunch, continue westbound, passing the Spiral Tunnel built through the toil and hardship of Pacific Railway workers to enter Yoho National Park. You will reach the tranquil Emerald Lake, where red canoes ripple across the calm lake surface. Next, visit Natural Bridge, formed by centuries of erosion from the Kicking Horse River. The waterway, ancient pine trees, distant mountain ranges and shallow shoals together form a breathtaking natural painting. Drive back to Banff.

*Moraine Lake: Seasonal access only. Tentative opening period: Victoria Day long weekend in May through late September/early October each year, subject to official notices from Parks Canada. If the lake is closed and inaccessible during your trip, the substitute attractions will be Lake Minnewanka (30 mins) and Two Jack Lake (15 mins). Mandatory fees for Moraine Lake will be waived in such cases.

• Breakfast: available for additional order; Lunch: available for additional order; Dinner: at your own expense
• Mount Royal Hotel / Banff Inn / Canalta Lodge / Caribou Lodge / Rundlestone Lodge in Banff Town or equivalent hotels
• Things to Know
  • The arrival times in Banff and Calgary are subject to change depending on the schedule of activity programs. We appreciate your understanding.

Day 5: Banplay - Banpe gondola - Bow Falls - Fairmont Banff Spring - Johnston Canyon - Ban / Car

The Fairmont Banff Springs

Banff National Park

Sulphur Mountain

Banff Gondola

Bow Falls

Johnston Canyon

Calgary

Banff Town Area

## Itinerary:

Banff - Banff Gondola (at own expense, 90 minutes) - Hoodoos (15 minutes) - Bow Falls (15 minutes) - Surprise Corner (15 minutes) - Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel & Lunch (at own expense; French bistro-style meals available for additional booking, 90 minutes) - Johnston Canyon (60 minutes) - Banff - Calgary

In the morning, take a coach to Banff National Park and arrive at Sulphur Mountain, where you will board the Banff Gondola (at own expense). As the gondola ascends slowly, you can admire the snow-covered mountain scenery surrounded by rolling peaks blanketed in snow. Afterwards, head to the Hoodoos standing above the banks of the Bow River and behold the magnificent Bow Falls surging downwards, presenting a stunning contrast of black rocks and white rushing water just like a mighty river flowing eastward. Next, proceed to Surprise Corner for distant views of Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel and the Bow River landscape. You will then visit the Scottish castle-style Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel and stay here for lunch at your own cost. After lunch, tour Johnston Canyon, one of the three major canyons in the Rocky Mountains, and walk along the trail to the front of the rushing waterfalls. (If the scenic area is closed due to maintenance or other force majeure factors, the visit will be replaced with Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake). After a stopover in Banff Town, drive back to Calgary, marking the successful conclusion of the 5-day trip.

• Breakfast: available for additional purchase; Lunch: available for additional purchase; Dinner: at your own expense
• Things to Know
  • You may tick to add a gourmet package if needed. **Lunch will be served with French bistro-style cuisine at Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, blending the charm of Banff into every bite. A #World Cultural Heritage Site, Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel features Scottish castle architecture, sits on the Bow River, and stands as an iconic landmark of the Rocky Mountains.**
  • The arrival times in Banff and Calgary are subject to change according to the schedule of activity programs, and we appreciate your understanding.
  • The actual itinerary sequence may be adjusted according to different departure group dates to ensure a smooth trip.
  • If you need to catch a flight departing Calgary on the same evening, please book a flight taking off after 21:30 to avoid disrupting your itinerary.