Best of western Canada by train & self-drive

You have a full day at leisure to enjoy Vancouver. This cosmopolitan city has plenty of sights to see, including Stanley Park, a great place for cycling, Canada's largest Chinatown, historic Gastown, and the shops of Robson Street.

Today, you join a whale-watching trip, heading out onto the Strait of Georgia and tracking reports of recent whale sightings. This is one of the best places to view orcas in the wild, with three pods native to the southern parts of Vancouver Island. Your onboard naturalist will tell you about the orca, porpoises, sea lions, bald eagles and other wildlife you may encounter. Spend the rest of the day taking in the sights of Vancouver.

This morning, you will make your way to the VIA Rail station to embark on your fantastic journey by rail. Here, you board the Canadian, a comfortable train from which you can enjoy fantastic views from the domed glass observation cars. You will be accompanied by experienced guides who know the railway and the areas you pass through well and can help point out wildlife. You spend tonight on board the train in your private cabin.

This morning your journey will come to a close, taking you past incredible scenic highlights through the Rocky Mountains, including the spectacular Mount Robson, its highest peak. When you awake you will have arrived in Jasper, one of the prime destinations in the Canadian Rockies. When you arrive in Jasper you have the morning and afternoon at leisure to relax at your accommodation or explore the town.

Today you have a full day at leisure to explore Jasper and the surrounding area. You could take a walk around the alpine meadows near Mount Edith Cavell and Angel Glacier, a great area for wildlife viewing and hiking. Alternatively, take a cable car up to the top of Whistlers Mountain, or take a boat trip out on Maligne Lake to Spirit Island for an iconic view of the turquoise lake and surrounding forest.

Spend a second full day exploring the beauty of Jasper National Park. A fantastic spot to visit is Old Fort Point lookout. It's a beautiful walk from town and the lookout offers stunning views of Jasper town and the surrounding mountains. This afternoon, take a guided tour of the park with a local Métis guide to spot the wildlife that call the area home, including black and grizzly bears, coyotes, elk and moose.

Drive five hours south from Jasper, along the spectacular Icefields Parkway, to Field. You might want to stop at the Athabasca Glacier where you can drive right up to the edge to see the historic ice field. Your journey then continues toward Yoho National Park. There are many beautiful lakes and glaciers to admire en route.

Spend time taking in the striking natural scenery of Yoho National Park and the surrounding area. Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are within easy reach and offer great walking and wildlife viewing opportunities. In Yoho itself, we recommend visiting the towering Takakkaw Falls. White-water rafting, fly-fishing and mountain biking are all available in the area.

Continue to Banff this morning. The journey takes around an hour and a half, so you will be able to enjoy much of the day exploring Banff National Park. We recommend taking the gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain, which boasts superb views stretching across the Rockies. Walk along the boardwalk to the summit to get even higher and look down upon Banff below.

Today is yours to explore Banff National Park further. You may like to visit the historic Cave and Basin site or take the Banff gondola for spectacular views over the park. For a chance to see some of the area's wildlife, follow one of the many hiking trails in the area. You'll be guided by a local on one of the most popular hikes in the area to either the Larch Valley, the Plain of Six Glaciers, or Stanley Glacier, with transfers included. Spend the rest of the day relaxing in the town or the Upper Hot Springs.

You may have some time to spend in Banff this morning, perhaps browsing the town's shops for any last-minute souvenirs. You then take a two-hour drive to Calgary Airport, where you return your hire car and board your onward flight.

Arrive home today to complete your journey.