Train Vacation｜9-Day Western Canada Classis Tour - Rockies, Yellowstone National Park - Seattle to Calgary

Important Notice: New U.S. National Park Fee Policy (Effective January 1, 2026)

AMTRAK RAIL JOURNEY – MOUNTAINS, RIVERS & LAKES

Journey Highlight

• Seattle -Nestled by Puget Sound, Seattle blends city life with nature. Enjoy coffee culture, vibrant music, and stunning harbor views. Visit iconic spots like the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, Chihuly Garden and Glass, and Olympic Sculpture Park. Don’t miss a Seattle Harbour Cruise for beautiful skyline and bay views.
• AMTRAX -Experience one of North America's most iconic train routes, departing from Seattle aboard the Amtrak Empire Builder. Enjoy spectacular views of mountains, river valleys, and lakes along the way. This is a journey combining comfort, convenience, and sightseeing.
  🌄 Majestic Mountain Views: Travel through the Cascade Mountains and Whitefish Mountains, with snow-capped peaks and pine forests like a painting.
  🏞️ Lakes and Rivers: Serene views of Coeur d’Alene Lake and the winding Spokane River will leave you feeling refreshed.
  🍽️ Comfortable Amenities: Spacious seats, luxurious sleeping cars, and delicious meals in the dining car make the journey relaxing and enjoyable.

Seattle Optional Activities

1. Hop-onHop-off Bus Ticket (1-day pass)
   Adults (12＋ years): CAD$94
   Children (5-11 years): CAD$57
   The bus stops at major attractions, allowing you to hop on and off at your convenience to explore Seattle.
   Self-guided walking tour available to learn about Seattle’s early history and culture.
   Includes an English audio guide to discover the city's history and culture.
2. CityPASS (Includes tickets for 5 attractions)
   Adults (13＋ years): CAD$189
   Children (5-12 years): CAD$147
   The CityPASS provides one-time admission to the following5 major attractions:
   Space Needle (must-visit)
   Seattle Aquarium (must-visit)
   Chihuly Garden and Glass
   Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour
   Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP)
   Woodland Park Zoo
   Pacific Science Center

MONTANA HIGHLIGHTS & YELLOWSTONE GATEWAY WITH SCENIC TRANSITIONS

Journey Highlight

• Great Falls -Located along the Missouri River, known for its dramatic waterfalls, scenic river trails, and rich American West exploration history.
• Helena-The capital of Montana, originally a gold-rush town, surrounded by mountains and offering a blend of history, culture, and outdoor charm.
• West Yellowstone-The western entrance to Yellowstone National Park, serving as a key base for exploring geothermal wonders, wildlife, and outdoor adventures.

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK EXPLORATION – GEYSERS, HOT SPRINGS & CANYON FALLS

Journey Highlight

• Lower Geyser Fountain Paint Pots -The Fountain Paint Pots in this area is to the south of Norris District. A special place is the Fountain Paint Pot not far from the starting point of the trail. It is basically a mud fountain. The viscosity of the mud water is very high, and you can clearly see the shape of the bubbles slowly forming and disappearing.
  
• Midway Geyser Grand Prismatic Hot Springs -Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone’s largest hot spring, is 200-330 feet in diameter and more than 121 feet deep. Hot springs are the most common hydrothermal features in Yellowstone. Their plumbing has no constrictions. Superheated water cools as it reaches the surface, sinks, and is replaced by hotter water from below. This circulation prevents water from reaching the temperature needed to set off an eruption.
  
• Old Faithful -Old Faithful is the most famous, though not the highest, of all North American geysers. It was so named in 1870 by the Washburn-Langford Doane Expedition because it seemed to spout “faithfully” every 63 to 70 minutes. Continuous observation revealed, however, that the eruptions occurred with some irregularity, the intervals varying from 33 to 120 minutes.
• Artist’s Paint pots -The Artist's Paint Pots trail is so full of vibrant colors, comparable only to an artist's palette, it will be easy to see how they got their name. The short 1/3 mile trail begins at the parking lot just off the main road across from a wide-open meadow.
• Norris Geyser-One of Yellowstone National Park’s most popular geyser basins, Norris is home t Steamboat (the world’s tallest geyser). In addition, there are several miles of boardwalks from which you can explore dozens of multi-colored thermal features. Finally, elk and the occasional bison can sometimes be spotted in the area.
  
• Lower Fall/Upper Fall -The Upper and Lower Falls in Yellowstone are formed by the erosion of softer rocks by the waters of the Yellowstone River. The Canyon Falls area is located at the right end where the two circles intersect in the figure-eight-shaped road. The Yellowstone River, surging out of the Yellowstone Canyon, traverses the entire Yellowstone National Park.
  

YELLOWSTONE'S GEOLOGIC WONDERS & MONTANA'S ALPINE BEAUTY

Journey Highlight

• Mammoth Hot Springs - Located in the park's north, this area offers a geological landscape distinct from the rest of Yellowstone. It is world-renowned for its Travertine Terraces—spectacular stepped formations created as hot water flows over soft limestone and deposits white and ochre minerals. Because the rock here changes rapidly, it is often described as an "Inside-Out Cave," where sculptures usually found underground (like stalactites) are formed magnificently under the open sky.
• Tower Fall - Situated in the Tower-Roosevelt district, this 132-foot (40-meter) waterfall plunges past eroded volcanic pinnacles that resemble medieval towers. Beyond its beauty, it holds deep historical significance; a 1871 painting of this fall by Thomas Moran played a crucial role in convincing the U.S. Congress to establish Yellowstone as the world's first national park.
• Flathead Lake - Crossing into Montana, we visit Flathead Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River. Famed for its crystal-clear water and reflections of the Rocky Mountains, it is a haven for water sports. Look out for Wild Horse Island State Park, home to bighorn sheep and wild horses. If traveling in summer, be sure to taste the famous local Flathead Cherries, a sweet seasonal delicacy grown right on the lake's shores.

WATERTON LAKES NATIONAL PAR – WHERE THE MOUNTAINS MEET THE PRAIRIE

Today, we explore Waterton Lakes National Park, a globally unique destination that holds three prestigious designations: a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an International Peace Park, and a Biosphere Reserve. Established in 1895, it joins with Montana's Glacier National Park to form the world's first International Peace Park. Famous for the dramatic landscape where the rolling prairies abruptly meet the sheer cliffs of the Canadian Rockies, the park is a sanctuary for biodiversity, strong winds, and pristine ecosystems.

Journey Highlight

• Two Medicine Lake (Glacier National Park) - Before crossing the border, we visit this spiritually significant region in Montana. Revered by the Blackfeet Nation as a site for "Vision Quests," the valley offers profound cultural depth. The highlight is the view of Sinopah Mountain reflecting perfectly in the calm waters—a photographer's dream and a place of deep serenity.
• Waterton Town - Nestled on the shores of Upper Waterton Lake, this alpine village is the perfect place to unwind. Enjoy views of the iconic Prince of Wales Hotel perched on the bluff, stroll the waterfront, or spot local deer wandering the streets. It offers a rare blend of wilderness grandeur and small-town hospitality.
• Cameron Falls - Located right on the edge of town, this accessible waterfall is a geological masterpiece. Watch crystal-clear water cascade over 1.5-billion-year-old Precambrian bedrock—some of the oldest exposed rock in the Rockies. After heavy rains, red argillite sediment can sometimes turn the water a striking pink-red hue, a rare phenomenon known as the "Pink Waterfall."

BANFF NATIONAL PARK EXPLORATION – WATERFALLS, CANYONS & MOUNTAIN VIEWS

The journey continues with an exploration of Banff National Park, Canada's first and most iconic national park established in 1885. From dramatic canyons and waterfalls to unique rock formations and stunning mountain vistas, this protected wilderness has drawn visitors for over a century. The itinerary includes both natural landscapes and cultural highlights, with ample time to experience the charming mountain town of Banff

Journey Highlights

• Banff Sulphur Mountain Gondola (optional$$): Soar to an elevation of 2,281 meters on a state-of-the-art gondola for breathtaking 360° views of six mountain ranges and the Bow Valley below (stop for about 90 minutes)
• Johnston Canyon: Explore this dramatic limestone canyon with its series of waterfalls, catwalks, and forest paths that showcase the power of erosion over millennia (stop for about 60 minutes)
  
• Bow Falls: Visit this wide, cascading waterfall near the Banff Springs Hotel, which gained fame as a filming location for "The River of No Return" in the 1950s (stop for about 15 minutes)
• Surprise Corner: Discover one of the most iconic viewpoints in Banff, offering the perfect vantage point to photograph the majestic "Castle in the Rockies" - the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel (stop for about 15 minutes)
• Hoodoos Viewpoint: Marvel at these unique geological formations - tall spires of sedimentary rock created by differential erosion that stand like sentinels overlooking the Bow Valley (stop for about 15 minutes)
• Banff Town: Enjoy free time in this charming alpine town with its array of shops, galleries, cafes and restaurants nestled among stunning mountain scenery (stop for about 90 minutes)

LAKE LOUISE & YOHO NATIONAL PARK – TURQUOISE LAKES & ENGINEERING MARVELS

The exploration continues with visits to the legendary Lake Louise and the awe-inspiring Yoho National Park. This spectacular day features some of the most photographed landscapes in Canada, from the turquoise waters of Lake Louise set against Victoria Glacier to the emerald-hued Moraine Lake nestled in the Valley of the Ten Peaks. In Yoho National Park, marvel at remarkable natural formations and engineering wonders while learning about the geological forces that shaped this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Journey Highlights

• Lake Louise: Admire the breathtaking turquoise waters of this iconic alpine lake named after Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, with time to explore the shoreline and capture perfect photographs (stop for about 2 hours)
• Moraine Lake (seasonal: early June to early October): Discover one of the most photographed landscapes in Canada, where intensely turquoise waters reflect the dramatic surrounding peaks, creating a scene that once appeared on the Canadian twenty-dollar bill (*If not accessible, it will be replaced with Vermilion Lake) (stop for about 60 minutes)
• Yoho National Park: Experience this spectacular park whose name means "awe" in the Cree language, featuring dramatic waterfalls, towering rock walls, and alpine meadows (multiple stops within the park)
• Spiral Tunnels: Witness an engineering marvel where the railroad crosses over itself in a figure-eight configuration, an ingenious solution to the steep mountain grade (drive through with commentary)
• Emerald Lake: Visit the largest of Yoho's 61 lakes and explore its shoreline surrounded by towering mountain peaks, with striking green waters that give the lake its name (stop for about 20 minutes)
• Natural Bridge: Observe this fascinating rock formation carved by the powerful Kicking Horse River, demonstrating the incredible erosive force of water on the landscape (stop for about 15 minutes)

From Banff to Jasper Along the Icefield Parkway

Journey Highlights

• Icefield Parkway: Travel along this 232km stretch of highway connecting Banff and Jasper National Parks, renowned as one of the world's most scenic mountain routes. (Pass through)
  
• Bow Lake: Admire the striking blue waters of this glacier-fed lake, which forms the headwaters of the Bow River that flows through Calgary. (Approx. 20min. stop)
  
• Columbia Icefield: Marvel at one of the largest accumulations of ice south of the Arctic Circle, with the option to experience the glacier firsthand on the (Optional $$) Ice Explorer and Glacier Skywalk. (Approx. 3.5hrs stop)
  
• Athabasca Falls: Witness the raw power of nature as glacier-fed waters carve through ancient rock in this thundering waterfall. (Approx. 30min. stop)
  
• Jasper Town: Discover the charming mountain community that serves as the heart of Jasper National Park.

Exploring Jasper’s Natural Wonders

The exploration of Jasper National Park continues with visits to some of the park's most celebrated natural wonders. This day features the magnificent Maligne Lake and Maligne Canyon, alongside other remarkable attractions in this pristine wilderness area. Journey through diverse mountain landscapes while discovering unique geological features, crystal-clear lakes, and abundant wildlife habitats. The optional Maligne Lake cruise offers the chance to see the world-famous Spirit Island, one of the most photographed locations in the Canadian Rockies.

Journey Highlights

• Maligne Lake: Experience Canada's second-largest glacier-fed lake, renowned for its stunning azure waters and surrounding mountain peaks (Approx. 100min. stop; optional lake cruise available $$)
  
• Maligne Canyon: Explore this impressive limestone gorge with depths reaching 50 meters, carved over millennia by glacial waters (Approx. 30min. stop)
  
• Medicine Lake: Witness the fascinating "Disappearing Lake" phenomenon, where the water level dramatically changes due to an underground karst system. (Pass through with commentary)
  
• Peyto Lake: Marvel at the vivid turquoise waters of this glacier-fed lake, shaped like a fox and offering one of the most iconic views in the Rockies (Approx. 20min. stop)
  *If closed, it will be replaced by Waterfowl Lake.
  
• The Crossing: Visit this service hub that offers essential amenities for travelers exploring the Columbia Icefield area(Approx. 10min. stop)
  
• Crowfoot Glacier: Observe this ancient ice formation named for its distinctive shape, a poignant reminder of climate change as its "third toe" has largely receded(Approx. 15min. stop)