The First Passage to the West tour in the eastbound direction begins in the port city of Vancouver and travels east into the Canadian Rockies, ending in Banff or Lake Louise. Over two days, with an overnight stay in Kamloops, guests enjoy ever-changing scenery that highlights the diversity of Western Canada.

Day One, the train leaves Vancouver and winds its way along the powerful Fraser River, where sheer cliffs and the churning waters of Hell’s Gate demonstrate nature’s force. The landscape later gives way to the arid canyons of the Thompson River Valley, its undulating sagebrush hills and wide-open skies a testament to the region’s pioneering history. Passengers overnight in Kamloops at a hotel booked by Rocky Mountaineer.

On Day Two, the train goes east, climbing gradually into the Canadian Rockies. The day’s highlights include traveling through the Spiral Tunnels of historical importance, crossing the Continental Divide, and marveling at snow-capped mountains and alpine lakes. The tour ends in the stunning mountain towns of Banff or Lake Louise, where visitors can pursue their interests with tours, excursions, or additional stays.

The eastbound direction offers a natural sequence of landscapes, from coast to desert and then into the grandeur of the Rockies — one of the most spectacular directions in which to experience the Canadian outdoors.