Rocky Mountaineer is a world-renowned, luxury train that travels by day through the wild beauty of Western Canada and Southwest America. The best way to experience the majestic Canadian Rockies, Rocky Mountaineer has welcomed nearly 2 million guests on board since its inception in 1990. A family-owned business based in British Columbia, the goal of Rocky Mountaineer has remained the same since day one: to provide the most spectacular and unforgettable travel experience in the world. And what an unforgettable experience it is!
From the moment you step aboard Rocky Mountaineer, attentive hosts will go above and beyond to make your journey as comfortable as it is unforgettable. Five-star comfort meets five-star views with Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Service. Experience expansive views through panoramic windows of the bi-level glass dome coach. Sit back and relax on the upper level and enjoy gourmet meals prepared with local ingredients by Executive Chefs on the lower level. After eating, step onto the exclusive outdoor viewing platform to get closer to the passing action. On board Rocky Mountaineer, you won’t have to worry about a thing! Your attentive hosts will fulfil your every need, even entertaining you with stories about passing landmarks and pointing out wildlife sightings.
We chatted to Dave from award-winning cruise blog Shipmonk, he told us: “Everyone should ride Rocky Mountaineer at least once - I’ve been lucky enough to do it twice. The first time I travelled from Jasper to Vancouver, the second from Vancouver to Banff. By upgrading to the GoldLeaf Service, I was able to enjoy views from the domed upper level, dine in style on the lower and even nip out on the open-air platform between the carriages to get some stunning pictures.”
Rocky Mountaineer has four unforgettable rail routes showcasing Western Canada and Southwest America. You can choose from:
- First Passage to the West: Rocky Mountaineer’s most famous route through the Canadian Rockies, famous for uniting Canada’s East and West. Read our Concierge Sales Manager’s first-hand experience here.
- Journey Through the Clouds: Witness the unparalleled beauty of the highest peaks in the Canadian Rockies and the remote vistas of Canada’s West.
- Rainforest to Gold Rush: Carve through extreme landscapes like BC’s coastal rainforest, the rugged Fraser Canyon and the historic Cariboo gold rush region on your way to the Canadian Rockies.
- Rockies to the Red Rocks: With the ever-changing landscapes between Moab and Denver, this journey takes you from mesmerising red sandstone landscapes that twist through the bright blue sky to majestic mountain ranges.
If that wasn’t enough to persuade you, here are 3 reasons to book Rocky Mountaineer:
3 reasons to book Rocky Mountaineer
Mouthwatering food
Your taste for adventure isn’t the only thing indulged on a Rocky Mountaineer train journey. The food you’ll find on your plate is almost as impressive as the views visible through the glass-dome windows. Delicious multi-course breakfasts and lunches are served on board each day, freshly prepared by Rocky Mountaineer’s professional culinary team.
The first indication that this is going to be one delicious journey comes before you even leave the station: raise your glasses for a toast as you’re all welcomed on board. Those travelling in GoldLeaf Service are divided into two meal seating groups per rail coach and head downstairs to the dedicated dining room. Perusing the menu, you can choose from five different main courses at each meal. Those in SilverLeaf Service choose from two main courses served at your seat. This really is restaurant-quality dining executed on the rails, as you pass through some of the most remote parts of Western Canada and Southwest America.
Impeccable service
Steph from cruise and travel blog Cruise with Amber knows how wonderful the Rocky Mountaineer experience is. “My sister and brother-in-law stepped aboard Rocky Mountaineer for a short 2-day journey travelling between Vancouver and Jasper with an overnight stop at Kamloops. As this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and the highlight of a holiday to Canada, they opted for the GoldLeaf Service.
“The GoldLeaf experience was certainly worth every penny; the glass-roofed carriage provided jaw-dropping panoramic views of the spectacular scenery. On board you are treated like royalty, even the red carpet is rolled out for you as you step aboard. You never need to ask for anything; the stewards are attentive and informative without being intrusive. Complimentary drinks, gourmet nibbles and other sweet treats also seem to appear from nowhere without asking. The food served at breakfast and lunch is also mouth-watering and first-class.”
Breathtaking views
Onboard Rocky Mountaineer, you’ll see parts of Western Canada and Southwest America that you can’t reach any other way - mostly untouched by humans. Likewise, there are Alaskan bays, calving glaciers and remote inlets that can exclusively be reached by ship.
“The train clatters alongside rivers and climbs through the mountains,” Dave told us. “On the journey to Banff, the double locos chug through two spiral tunnels to a dizzying height before the final breathtaking descent into the town. “Everywhere there is the sense of following pioneers, hunters and prospectors, through colourful sights such as Hell’s Gate, Skuzzy Creek, Avalanche Alley, Jaws of Death Gorge and Kicking Horse River, as the crew point out passing bears, moose or bald eagles.”
“Throughout the journey, you are always kept up-to-date with points of interest, so you don’t miss anything; such as the opportunity to spot the grizzly bears but always from the comfort and safety of your five-star carriage,” Steph explained.
