First Passage to the West

If you have a passion for historical adventure, First Passage to the West is your ideal Rocky Mountaineer experience. Retrace the steps of 19th century explorers, but in luxurious custom-built train coaches instead of on stubborn packhorses.

This route transports you all the way back to a simpler time, when Canada was finally united by the transcontinental railroad at Craigellachie, BC. The Last Spike, exactly 125 years ago, was an exclamation point to an incredible story of engineering and human Endeavour. Your experience onboard the Rocky Mountaineer will take you across the 150 meter span of Stoney Creek Bridge and through the world-famous Spiral Tunnels - a monument to ingenuity and perseverance that took 1,000 men almost two years to build. Traverse the spectacular Continental Divide via Kicking Horse Pass - so named after the geologist/naturalist James Hector was knocked unconscious by one of his packhorses during the Palliser Expedition of 1858.

As you wind your way through the Canadian Rockies you'll take in a spellbinding range of scenery sculpted by the elements over millions of years. The genuine atmosphere on board the train makes the journey an experience you'll remember for years to come.

Route: Vancouver - Banff/Calgary (2 days)

Includes

• 2 days rail travel aboard Rocky Mountaineer - RedLeaf, SilverLeaf (if offered) or GoldLeaf
• Overnight in moderate accommodations in Kamloops
• 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches
• Rail station transfers in Kamloops
  

Departures 2011

From Vancouver:

April 26
May 3, 9, 10, 13*, 16, 17, 20, 23, 24, 27, 30 & 31
June 3*, 9, 10, 13, 17, 20, 24 & 27
July 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22 & 25
August 5*, 8, 12*, 15, 19*, 22, 26* & 29
September 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23 & 30*
October 3
*SilverLeaf service offered for these dates, to Banff only

Day 1: Board Vancouver @ 7:30 am, Arrive Kamloops @ 5:35 pm
Day 2: Board Kamloops @ 6:15 am, Arrive Banff @ 7:20 pm (MT), Calgary @ 9:40 pm (MT)

From Banff/Calgary:

April 28
May 5, 11, 12, 15*, 18, 19, 22, 25, 26 & 29
June 1, 2, 5*, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22, 26 & 29
July 3, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20, 24 & 27
August 7*, 10, 14*, 17, 21*, 24, 28* & 31
September 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21 & 25
October 2*, 5
*SilverLeaf service offered for these dates from Banff only.

Day 1: Board Calgary @ 6:10 am (MT), Banff @ 8:20 am (MT), Arrive Kamloops @ 7:20 pm
Day 2: Board Kamloops @ 7:30 am, Arrive Vancouver @ 5:35 pm

Prices 2011

Vancouver-Banff

• RedLeaf: April, May & October 789$Cdn per person - June, July & August 979$Cdn per person
• SilverLeaf: 1,269$Cdn (May 13), 1,589$Cdn (May 15), 1,419$Cdn (Jun 3), 1,379$Cdn (Jun 5), 1,499$Cdn (Aug 5, 12, 19 & 26), 1,419$Cdn (Aug 7, 14, 21, 28), 1,589$Cdn (Sept 30), 1,269$Cdn (Oct 2) per person
• GoldLeaf: April, May & October 1,589$Cdn per person - June, July & August 1,769$Cdn per person

Vancouver-Calgary

• RedLeaf: April, May & October 899$Cdn per person - June, July & August 1,089$Cdn per person
• GoldLeaf: April, May & October 1,739$Cdn per person - June, July & August 1,919$Cdn per person

Prices do not include GST (5%) if departure from Banff/Calgary or HST (12%) if departure from Vancouver. Based on double hotel accommodation.