Rocky Mountaineer® - Kicking Horse Route
Wilderness and wildlife - The spirit of the Rockies. Experience a rich history of amazing architecture, and human determination. The Kicking Horse Route, towards Banff, weaves its way through the towns and villages that grew around and supported the construction of this crucial railway. Experience the exceptional service Rocky Mountaineer® is known for while taking in the legendary landmarks, architectural feats, and natural wonders that echo with the spirit of Canada's West.
With an overnight stay in Kamloops, at the junction of the mighty Fraser and the Thompson River, this two-day, all daylight, rail experience, ensures that not a moment of this spectacular journey will be missed.
SERVICE CLASSES
FEATURED CITIES
Vancouver
A multicultural and dynamic city nestled at the base of the coastal mountains and framed by the Pacific Ocean. Vancouver is known for its spectacular natural beauty, range of outdoor activities available, modern skyline, and mild climate. Vancouver has consistently been voted in the top five most liveable cities in the world and will be the host of the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Banff
There is only one place in the world that can genuinely offer spectacular natural mountain scenery, abundant wildlife, four-season recreation and world-class accommodation in a protected National Park setting. The town of Banff and hamlet of Lake Louise are in the heart of Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover the distinctive mountain lifestyle; explore the grandeur of the pristine surroundings; ski the famed Canadian Rockies and spoil yourself with the international culture and cuisine.
Calgary
Nestled in the foothills of the Canada's Rocky mountains Calgary, Heart of the New West™ is a place where visitors come to explore the heritage of the Canadian West. This safe, clean, and vibrant city offer the best of all worlds: a cosmopolitan city over 1 million people and breathtaking outdoor adventure in pristine wilderness.
Kamloops
Kamloops and Sun Peaks Resort is a four-season destination resort in the Okanagan region of British Columbia. Known for its sunny climate, Kamloops receives more than 2,000 hours of sunshine per year. In the winter, the area offers visitors the second largest area to ski or ride in British Columbia.
HIGHLIGHTS
Fraser Canyon
South of Quesnel the Fraser has eroded a deep canyon that extends all the way to Hope, with steep sides soaring up to 600 metres (1980 feet) above the water.
The Last Spike
You will pass the stone cairn of Craigellachie where the last railroad spike was driven, linking Canada's railway from coast to coast. The landmark is named after a large rock in Banffshire County, Scotland where Donald Smith, who drove in the last spike, had grown up. The rock was meant as a symbol of determination.
Spiral Tunnels
A unique architectural wonder built over 20 months starting in 1907, the Upper and Lower Spiral Tunnels were constructed through Mount Ogden and Cathedral Mountain, to improve safety by reducing the grade. It is fascinating to watch lengthy freight trains as they snake their way through these tunnels.
Stoney Creek
Bridge
One of the most important bridges of its time, the beautiful Stoney Creek Bridge spans 147.6 metres (484 feet) and towers 99 metres (325 feet) above the creek bed.
Hell's Gate
The thundering waters of the renowned tourist attraction, Hell's Gate, are a fascinating sight. Located at the most narrow and intimidating point in the Fraser River, as much as 909,218,000 litres (200 million gallons) of water surge through the 33.53 metre (110 foot) gorge each minute.
Roger's Pass
Tunnels, such as the remarkable Mount MacDonald Tunnel, snow sheds and glistening glaciers characterize this pass through the Selkirk Mountains. The pass is named after the man who discovered it, Major A.B. Rogers, a surveyor and locating engineer working for the Canadian Pacific Railway.
VACATION PACKAGES
Disclaimer: Exclusively Canada is an authorized reseller of Rocky Mountaineer® Vacations