Canada's Rocky Mountaineer
Recently, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to experience a rail journey like no other aboard Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer. The Rocky Mountaineer is considered one of the most iconic rail journey’s in the world and she didn’t disappoint.
After an overnight stop in Vancouver I had a reasonably early start at 7.00am for our coach transfer to the Rocky Mountaineer Station, only a short 10-minute drive from downtown Vancouver. The Rocky Mountaineer station is owned and used solely by Rocky Mountaineer for their rail guests and you can feel the vibe of excitement in the air as we briefly wait for all the guests to arrive. Once all guests have arrived the “All Aboard Whistle call” is sounded and we boarded our allocated carriage to the sound of bagpipes via the red carpet. As the train pulls out of the station we are farewelled by Rocky Mountaineer staff not travelling on this journey who line the platform and wave us on our way. It's these little touches that really do make this journey such a special experience.
The first day on the train I get to experience the Silver Leaf service. I was fortunate enough to be seated in a brand-new carriage of which there are 12 this year. They have a great open and airy feel about them, big spacious seats with fold out table and large picture windows so you’re not too disadvantaged if you don’t score a window seat. There is a small outdoor vestibule at the back of each silver service carriages.
Each carriage has its own Maitre’d and host who serve breakfast and lunch to our seats. Although each carriage has its own kitchen area – silver service food is prepared prior to boarding.
Meal servings are very generous, regular snacks provided all day (nuts, dried fruits, trail mix), soft drinks available all day and alcohol serviced from 10.30am with local red and white wines plus a huge selection of spirits – also generous in serving size. All meals/drinks and snacks are serviced at your seat and are all included in your package, in both Silver and Gold leaf service while travelling on the train.
With all travel being only during daylight hours, we arrive in Kamloops late in the afternoon welcomed by Volunteer Canadian Mounties on horseback, lining the track as we draw into the station. We disembark our train and farewell the days amazing staff and transfer via coach to tonight’s accommodation.
After an overnight in a comfortable Kamloops hotel I begin day two of my journey a little later with an 8.00am coach pick-up to be transferred to the station to re-board the Rocky Mountaineer.
My second day on the train I am being spoilt with travel in Gold Leaf Class. Our Gold Leaf Carriage has two decks with allocated seating upstairs and a dining area downstairs. The upstairs seating is surrounded by a glass domed roof, and the size of these windows really does allow you to appreciate the vastness and beauty of the Rocky Mountains. Our meals in Gold leaf are served downstairs in the dining area, with two sittings for breakfast and lunch the first and second seatings are alternated each day. All Gold leaf carriages have their own chef with all main meals prepared to order with a choice of 6 different main menu options for breakfast and lunch. As in silver leaf drinks are snacks are serviced regularly throughout the day.
The Gold leaf carriages also features an open-air vestibule at the back of each carriage although it's much larger than in silver leaf. It's great to be able get out and breath in the fresh crisp mountain air as the wind whistles through your hair.
The two days onboard the train provides some spectacular yet contrasting scenery; from green lush river flats to the snow-capped mountains, dense pine forests, native wildlife and mighty rivers across plateaus regarded as the warmest and driest region of Canada, to canyons with rock formations reflecting every colour of the rainbow. As we continued to travel deep into the mountains our onboard hosts help ensure along the way that you learn a thing or two about the sights and always on the lookout for a glimpse of a shy grizzly bear or elk, or maybe a caribou, cougar or coyote who also call the Canadian Rockies home. The train will even slow down for bear sightings.
There are four different Rocky Mountaineer Rail journeys to choose from: “Rainforest to Goldrush” Vancouver to Jasper via Whistler and Quesnel; “Journey through the Clouds” Vancouver to Jasper via Kamloops; “First passage to the West” Vancouver to Banff via Kamloops and Lake Louise and the “Coastal Passage” from Seattle to Vancouver which must be combined with one of the above journeys. Combine two routes to make a round trip itinerary or choose one of the journeys and combine with a self-drive or escorted coach tour itinerary - your choices are endless.
The Rocky Mountaineer really is a spectacular journey through some of the world’s most awe-inspiring scenery, there is no better way to travel through the Rockies than aboard this wonderfully relaxed environment, surrounded by unrivalled panoramic views whilst at the same time enjoying all the luxury of 5-star service.