A Canadian Rockies Tour Provides Adventure and Amazing Sights
Tours of the Canadian Rockies allow visitors to enjoy the true natural beauty of the area.
The Canadian Rockies are breathtaking! That's why so many travelers choose to visit the towns of Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, and Canmore each year, taking in the amazing sights.
While many will choose to explore the area on their own, an organized Canadian Rockies tour is preferred by many. Here are a few possibilities.
Rail Tours of the Canadian Rockies
The train route that travels through the majestic Rockies was created almost one hundred years ago, opening the western portion of Canada to those who were eager to experience the adventures awaiting them amidst the Rocky Mountains.
The sights along this train route are amazing! You'll see incredible wildlife, snow-capped mountains, crystal clear lakes, and trees that seem to reach the skies.
Most Rocky Mountain rail journeys are all-inclusive and non-escorted, meaning that you'll book everything you need before you depart, including lodging, attractions, and sightseeing tours, but will still have the freedom to do some exploring on your own.
Some tours, however, do offer escorted options for those who prefer to travel in a group with a knowledgeable guide leading the way. Rail and Drive vacations are also available.
Rail journeys include hotel accommodations at your departure and arrival cities. Most include a choice of hotel class, with prices varying according to your choice of lodging.
Onboard, travelers will choose from sleeping cars or comfortable fully-reclining seats. Dining cars offer first-class meals or, in some cases, passengers are served in their seats.
Itineraries vary from tour to tour, usually departing from Vancouver, BC and ending in Jasper, Banff, or Calgary or vice-versa, with plenty of stops along the way. Travelers will have the opportunity to hike, bike, raft, and enjoy any number of "side trips" when they're not on the train.
In the case of one-way trips, tour companies assist in arranging air travel back to the departure city. Longer excursions may be round-trip.
Rail tours of the Canadian Rockies usually begin in mid-April and continue until mid-October. A limited number of winter journeys are available, especially during the Christmas holidays. Reservations are necessary as far in advance as possible.
Coach Tours of the Canadian Rockies
For those who prefer to travel on Rocky Mountain roads rather than train tracks, a deluxe motorcoach tour is a fun and exciting adventure. Not unlike rail journeys, you'll have the opportunity to see the area up close, stopping at popular destinations to view the sights.
Since sleeping on a bus is not a comfortable option, coach tours include stays at hotels, including such wonderful 5-star resorts as the luxurious Fairmont properties.
Popular sights for an overnight stay are the wonderful national parks of the Canadian Rockies including Banff and Jasper National Parks. Many coach tours offer more than a full day in these locations, where there's so much to see.
Much like on a cruise ship, additional excursions are available that allow passengers to see more than they might from the window of the motorcoach.
At least one meal a day is included with the trip, often more. Dinners may include special events, like a chuckwagon BBQ or a meal at a dinner theater.
Similar to rail journeys, the most popular months for Canadian Rockies tours via motorcoach are April through October though trips are available during the winter months, if desired.
Choosing a Tour
Select a season of the year and determine how much time you'd like to spend on your tour. Rail journeys range from just two days to more than two weeks. Motorcoach trips average one to two weeks.
Research the Rocky Mountain area and be sure that the tour includes all the sites you'd like to visit and note whether or not you'll have sufficient time to truly explore your chosen destinations.
Lastly, think about sleeping accommodations. If sleeping in a berth or a reclining seat doesn't sound appealing to you, you may want to choose a tour of the Canadian Rockies via motorcoach instead of train.