One for the Bucket List!

Since the Lockdown Roadmap was announced, I have seen an increase in the number of enquiries for ‘Bucket List’ experiences. The last year and the impact of the pandemic seems to have made people realise that it is experiences that matter more than ‘things’! As a result, the clients who have been in touch regarding booking a Bucket List holiday have told me that they want to start ticking off places on their list sooner rather than later!

One such trip I have recently booked for a very good client (a lady who has embraced this philosophy and also booked to take her grandchildren to see Father Christmas in Lapland!) includes the iconic Rocky Mountaineer rail experience. This was combined with an Alaskan Cruise as part of a 50th Anniversary celebration.

The Rocky Mountaineer is often listed among the world's top trains due to the spectacular scenery along its route and the luxury experience offered to its passengers. The train offers two different levels of service – Silver Leaf and Gold Leaf. In Silver Leaf, travellers sit in a single storey domed carriage with almost 180˚ panoramic views. In Gold Leaf service, each carriage has an open car to allow passengers to immerse themselves in the wilderness and keen photographers to take photos without the possibility of reflection from the glass. The Gold Leaf carriages have a two storey design, with the upper level featuring a glass domed ceiling with panoramic views. Downstairs, the dining car serves up gourmet dishes, fit for any Michelin star restaurant.

On the Vancouver to Calgary route, the luxury train pulls out of the city of Vancouver, into the mountains and towards its overnight stop at Kamloops. A highlight of the first day aboard is the Cisco Crossing, named after the local first nation's people. Two bridges cross the Fraser River at the same location. The Canadian Pacific Bridge was built in England in the 1880s, and the Canadian National Bridge is the largest single span bridge on the route.

As the train continues along its route, it reaches the confluence of the Fraser and Thompson rivers. The train then leaves the stunning mountain scenery behind and moves onto the Thompson Plateau. This is one of the warmest and driest regions in Canada! The Rocky Mountaineer then travels into Rainbow Canyon, which gets its name from the huge array of colours that can be seen reflected in the rocks. One unusual landform to look out for are the 'hoodoos'. These are tall, thin spires of rock that protrude from this arid plateau landscape.

The next stop is Kamloops, famous originally for its fur trade and later as a mining town, later settled by ranchers. The train continues its journey from Kamloops and heads north. The next notable landmark along the route is Craigellachie, a monument to the completion of Canada's transcontinental railway in 1885.

Bridges and Tunnels

The route crosses several bridges as the train climbs up into the Rocky Mountains. Spanning 480ft, the Stoney Creek Bridge is the highest bridge of the journey. Another great feat of engineering are the Spiral Tunnels, just outside the town of Field. Built in 1884, the tunnels steeply wind their way down the mountain. The original 4.5 percent gradient track down the mountain caused the first train down to de-rail! In the early 1900s engineers had to build the series of winding tunnels and track to reduce it, making the journey a lot safer for passengers! So precise was the planning of these tunnels that when the engineers blasted through from both sides, the track joined up with an error of just 2 centimetres!!
The highest point of The Rocky Mountaineer's journey reaches five-thousand three-hundred and thirty-two feet at the continental divide until it winds its way to its final destination of Banff.

A Paradise for Wildlife Lovers!

As well as the breath-taking scenery, the journey also provides some excellent opportunities for wildlife spotting. Passengers could get the chance to see mountain goats perched on high rocky outcrops and eagles and ospreys gracing the skies. The Rockies are also home to caribou, cougars, coyotes and wolves, but these animals are very shy and a sighting is a real bonus. The lucky few will also catch a glimpse of one of Canada's two native bear species and if a bear is spotted, the train will slow down for passengers to get a better look.

A journey on the Rocky Mountaineer is truly one of the greatest train journeys in the world. From the award winning service to the breath-taking scenery, it's no wonder that so many people choose to experience this Bucket List trip more than once!

Practical Tips for your Rocky Mountaineer Experience

I thought I would offer some practical advice for those who are planning a trip on the Rocky Mountaineer.

What to Pack……..
For your comfort, it is recommended that you bring a day bag that is small enough to fit at your feet onboard the train, as there is no overhead or under-seat storage. You will not have access to your checked luggage until you arrive at the station or hotel at the end of the day.
The dress code onboard the Rocky Mountaineer is smart casual.

Suggested clothing would be:

• Comfortable, cool layers, as temperatures may fluctuate
• A light jacket or sweater, as the air conditioning may feel just right for some but chilly for others!
•  A hat or cap and some sunglasses

Due to the movement of the train and the spiral staircase in the Gold Leaf coach, flat-soled shoes with grip are highly recommended!
Another important consideration is having the correct paperwork! All visitors to Canada and/or the USA require appropriate ID, entry documents and Visas. Permission to enter the USA or Canada is granted solely at the discretion of Customs and Immigration officers so make sure you discuss this before you travel with your travel consultant!
An experience that you will never forget! BIG Bucket List tick!

Click Here to Find Out About Booking the Rocky Mountaineer