Our journey began in the charming town of Banff, where we stayed overnight at the Royal Mount Hotel nestled in the heart of the picturesque pedestrianised street. Picture this: Banff, a charming blend of ski resort chic and old Wild West vibes surrounded by snow-capped mountains.
The town offers lots of places to eat, independent shops, as well as a few well-known retailers, and even some quirky stores (yes, even a doggie store!).
Bright and early, we tossed our last-minute items into our bags and dashed off to meet our Rocky Mountaineer guide. Quick paperwork check and we were on our way to Banff Train Station in no time. All aboard the coach to the station, where anticipation was high for our train adventure. Snagging seats 53 and 54 in Carriage No 1 on the left side, we were ready to roll!
We chose to pay for Gold Leaf service, and were treated like royalty! We ascended to the upper level of the train, greeted by an incredible and mesmerizing domed roof that promised uninterrupted mountain views.
Our hosts explained how the seats reclined and all the gadgets the seats came with. Bang on schedule, the train set off to Kamloops, the site of our overnight stay.
Cruising at a leisurely 40mph pace towards Kamloops, every turn revealed breathtaking views. A 15-minute stop at Lake Louise to collect more arrivals was a nice breather before diving back into the spectacular scenery.
Breakfast onboard was a delight! The Rocky Mountaineer customer team advised us that the breakfast would be served in two sittings, with half the carriage going downstairs to the breakfast area, while the other half of the carriage were given tea and coffee – not forgetting some pastries or cake.
On our turn, we went down to the dining area. We were given a menu with 6 different options, ranging from Eggs Benedict, Pancakes, Smoked Salmon with Avocado and other various options. They catered for food allergies, and allowed combining various dishes from the menu. Fruit juices, water, tea and coffee for offered accompanying the food.
Imagine sharing a table with random fellow travellers, swapping stories over Eggs Benedict and bottomless coffee—talk about a bonding session made in train heaven!
Once we returned upstairs, we took in the magnificent views. As the day unfolded, so did the wonders outside our windows. From desert-like landscapes to mountainous marvels, every sight was a postcard-worthy moment. And let’s not forget the onboard crew—serving up drinks; including alcohol and cocktails, snacks, and fascinating insights into the wildlife sightings along the way. Who knew a train ride could be this thrilling?
Mid-afternoon; Time for lunch! Served across 2 sittings, we went downstairs to the dining area. There was an excellent choice of food, served with wine if you wished. We sat with different people again, so it was nice getting to know other people from different walks of life.
There was an area in our carriage where you could stand outside and take in the fresh air, while listening to the noise of the train. This area was great, especially when a goods train passed by in the other direction —some of them stretching over 3 miles!
The rest of the day was spent taking in the scenery, enjoying the drinks provided and snacks throughout the afternoon.
Kamloops greeted us with open arms. We arrived around 8pm and disembarked the train where the coach whisked us away to a lovely hotel for the night, where our luggage awaited us in our room.
Up early the following morning, we were ready and set for the second part of our journey.
We were advised to leave our luggage in our rooms for collection and delivery to our next hotel. Experiencing such exceptional service made us feel like royalty! Though slightly nerve-wracking leaving our luggage, we trusted them completely!
Back on the train we hopped, same carriage, same seats. Only this time, instead of being the first carriage, we were now the last carriage. The train from Jasper had been added to our train. Our seats had been swivelled so we were still facing the same direction the train was travelling.
Breakfast and lunch was served again in the downstairs area. With us being the first group, we headed down and enjoyed sitting with other passengers chatting away.
The scenery completely changed coming out of Kamloops. It started off a bit like a desert, with some colourful rock formations. About an hour later, we were surrounded by mountains, gorges, rivers, and lakes again.
During the trip, the Rocky Mountaineer team kept us updated on what we were passing by and of course, pointed out wildlife spots. They also made sure we had a steady supply of drinks, snacks, and food throughout the journey.
Eventually, we arrived in Vancouver, where coaches awaited to take us to our hotel. Sure enough, our luggage was waiting for us. Everything about the trip was professional with the upmost effort into the experience. We could not fault Rocky Mountaineer at all. Once in a lifetime maybe, I suspect I will want to do it again in 5 to 10 years, maybe taking in the route from Jasper.
Ready to hop aboard the Rocky Mountaineer for your own adventure of a lifetime? Our team are at hand to help you plan this unforgettable experience!
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