Journeys That Fit
Rocky Mountaineer train winding through the Canadian Rockies in fall
A Rockies & Rail Journey

Colorful Canada
September 21–28, 2027

Specifically Designed for Padgetts/Branstads

Banff, Lake Louise, and Vancouver — larch valleys, alpine gondolas, and two days aboard the Rocky Mountaineer in GoldLeaf Service.

7
Nights
3
Hotels
2
Rail Days
4
Travelers
✈ ORD → 🏔 Banff · 3N → 🏞 Lake Louise · 2N → 🚂 Kamloops · 1N → 🌊 Vancouver · 1N → ✈ ORD
Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel above the Bow River in fall
Tuesday, Sept 21

Arrival & the Castle in the Rockies

Calgary → Canmore → Banff
✈ Travel
Flight — Example United ~8:45–11:30am ORD → YYC
National Rental Car — 12:30pm pickup, one-way rental to drop in Lake Louise on Sept 24
🍽 Lunch, Canmore
Rocky Mountain FlatbreadWood-fired pizza, garage-door mountain views Communitea CafeFresh bowls, wraps, 80+ loose-leaf teas
🏨 Stay · 3 nights
Fairmont Banff SpringsCheck-in
🏰 Activity
Banff Springs History Tour4:30pm
🍽 Dinner
WaldhausBavarian cottage, terrace drinks first
1
Johnston Canyon catwalk trail above the turquoise creek
Wednesday, Sept 22

Canyon Falls & the Bow River

Banff National Park
🥾 Morning
Johnston CanyonCatwalk trail to the Lower and Upper Falls
🚶 Afternoon
Stroll Bow Falls → walk to Surprise Corner and back → downtown Banff Avenue
🍽 Dinner Options
The BisonRegional, seasonal, Canadian — rooftop terrace The Fat OxAlpine-inspired Italian, handmade pasta
2
Two elk on a frosted alpine meadow with the Rockies behind them
Thursday, Sept 23

Summit, Springs & Wildlife

Banff National Park
🚡 Morning
Banff Gondola, Sulphur MountainBoardwalk stroll, hike down
♨ Afternoon
Banff Upper Hot Springs
🦌 Evening
Banff Wildlife SafariPrivate guided tour
🍽 Dinner Options
1888 Chop HouseAlberta beef, signature steakhouse Castello ItalianaHand-made pasta, cozy alternative
3
Hiker among golden larches in Larch Valley with mountain peaks behind
Friday, Sept 24

Golden Larches, Valley of the Ten Peaks

Banff → Moraine Lake → Lake Louise
🥾 Larch Valley Hike
Round Trip Shuttle — Lake Louise Park & Ride → Moraine Lake7–9km round trip · ~550m gain · ~3 hrs · turn back before Sentinel Pass
🏨 Transition
Drop Bags & Guests — Drop off, then driver goes to National Rental Car
National Rental Car — Return, then back via hotel shuttle
Fairmont Chateau Lake LouiseCheck in · 2 nights Rocky Mountaineer check-in at hotelGoldLeaf Service
🍽 Dinner
Walliser Stube3-course Swiss fondue experience
4
Canoeists on turquoise Lake Louise with the Fairmont Chateau behind them
Saturday, Sept 25

Lakeside Activities

Lake Louise
🥾 Morning
Hike to Iconic Tea HousesChoose: Lake Agnes (2.2mi one-way, 1,300' gain) or Plain of Six Glaciers (3.3mi one-way, 1,200' gain)
Snacks/lunch at the tea houseLake Agnes is much busier given its closer location
🏞 Afternoon
Lunch overlooking the lake at the Lakeview LoungeIf needed after the tea house
Canoe Rental on Lake Louise1 hour BASIN Glacial WatersNew wellness facility · 3-hour experience
🍽 Dinner
Fairview Bar & RestaurantThe Chateau's premium dining room
5
Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf host addressing guests in the glass-domed rail car
Sunday, Sept 26

All Aboard

Lake Louise → Kamloops
🌄 Morning
Sunrise Yoga
🚂 Rail
Transfer to train by Rocky Mountaineer
Rocky Mountaineer — Day 1, GoldLeaf ServiceFirst Passage to the West · Classic Lake Louise Westbound
Lake Louise → Kamloops · overnight
6
Rocky Mountaineer train passing snow-capped Mount Robson in fall
Monday, Sept 27

Journey's End, Harbor City

Kamloops → Vancouver
🚂 Rail
Rocky Mountaineer — Day 2, GoldLeaf ServiceFirst Passage to the West · Classic Lake Louise Westbound
Kamloops → Vancouver
Private Transfer — Station → Hotel
🏨 Stay · 1 night
Wedgewood Hotel & SpaBoutique, Relais & Châteaux, downtown Hyatt Regency VancouverDowntown, on Burrard Street Rosewood Hotel GeorgiaDowntown, historic 1927 landmark
🍽 Evening
At Rosewood Hotel Georgia
Drinks, Reflection Terrace
HawksworthContemporary Canadian, in-house
7
Aerial view of downtown Vancouver and False Creek at sunset with mountains behind
Tuesday, Sept 28

Homeward

Vancouver → Chicago
✈ Travel
Private airport transfer
Flight — Example United ~1:45pm Depart YVR → ~8:00pm Arrive ORD
8