There’s something magical about a train ride. Perhaps it’s a throwback to a golden age of travel when even the journey was an adventure. You can capture that magic with the best of today’s amenities when you board the Rocky Mountaineer for a trip across the Canadian Rockies.

For more than 25 years, the Rocky Mountaineer has transported passengers over majestic mountains, past glacier-fed lakes, and alongside rushing rivers, as they experience a part of Canada only accessible on board the luxury train.

Classic First Passage to the West

The Rocky Mountaineer offers a variety of routes, but one of the most spectacular (and the most popular) is the First Passage to the West. Book the GoldLeaf Deluxe service to get the best experience. You will spend your days in the glass-domed train and your nights at luxury hotels.

The comfortable interior of GoldLeaf Service coach. Photo courtesy Rocky Mountaineer

The visit begins in Vancouver,  a modern gem on Canada’s Pacific Coast, about three hours by air from Phoenix. You might stay the night at The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, a historic hotel in the heart of the city. You can enjoy dinner and drinks at the hotel’s Notch8 Restaurant & Bar, which gives a nod to the hotel’s railroad history.

First Day On Board the Train

Your first day starts with a transfer to Vancouver’s train depot. As you depart the coast and head into the heart of British Columbia, you’ll enjoy a gourmet breakfast while passing through the verdant Fraser Valley and the rushing waters of Hells Gate (part of the Fraser River).

As the day progresses, you can indulge in complimentary adult beverages or perhaps a cup of tea as you watch the rolling hills give way to the high desert, with the peaks of the coast and Cascade Mountains in the distance. The glass-domed coach makes it easy to sit back, relax, and watch the grandiose spectacle from the comfort of the train.

Hosts serve more than 4,000 cases of wine throughout the season, helping create a jovial onboard atmosphere. Photo courtesy Rocky Mountaineer

As night approaches, you’ll arrive at Kamloops, a typical Western boomtown. There are many fun eateries downtown; try The Noble Pig for local brews and bites, or, for something a bit more upscale, book a table at Terra.

Final Day On Board the Train

You’ll leave Kamloops to climb the mountains and head deep into the Canadian Rockies. Another day of gourmet meals and drinks is interspersed with history and majestic views. Watch for bears, deer, elk, and mountain goats today as the train slowly climbs the mountain.

Look out for elk along the route. Photo courtesy Rocky Mountaineer

The most spectacular part of the trip is the Spiral Tunnels, an engineering masterpiece —one of the steepest, most scenic railway lines in North America — that lets you breathe in the splendor of the Rockies. The train’s outdoor viewing platform is ideal for getting great photos!

Ending Your Journey in Banff

Your journey ends in the quaint resort town of Banff with a stay at the AAA Four Diamond Rimrock Resort Hotel or the Fairmont Banff Springs Resort. Whether you relax at the hotels’ spa, explore the town’s boutiques, or head up Sulphur Mountain on the Banff Gondola, you will lose your heart to this mountain enclave.