Rocky Mountaineer launches new trip route for 2026 only

Luxury rail tour operator Rocky Mountaineer has just launched a new trip that will give customers a greater focus on the Rocky Mountains of Alberta and British Columbia.

The new program is called “Passage to the Peaks” and it brings passengers to iconic highlights of Canadian scenery in the heart of the Rockies, including Banff, Jasper, Mount Robson, Castle Mountain, Lake Louise and the Spiral Tunnels of Kicking Horse Pass.

Passage to the Peaks will operate during June and July of 2026, and the trains will offer both the SilverLeaf and GoldLeaf levels of service. The new trips have been introduced due to the FIFA World Cup taking place in Vancouver during June and July, says Rocky Mountaineer.

With the city expected to welcome a significant number of visitors, the company says it is offering this alternative route to those seeking a quieter experience. It is only available in 2026, says the rail tour operator.

Unlike other Rocky Mountaineer routes, Passage to the Peaks does not travel to the west coast of B.C. and does not terminate in Vancouver. Other rail trips that originate or terminate in Vancouver include First Passage to the West, Journey through the Clouds and Rainforest to Gold Rush routes, and are available for booking.

As on other Rocky itineraries, the trains for the new program operate only during daylight hours to maximize the scenery, and they have a mid-trip overnight hotel stop in a half-way location – the city of Kamloops in this case. Passengers can book their choice of hotels for this overnight stop on the basic two-day itinerary.

Or they can book more nights in any of Banff, Jasper or Kamloops to extend their Canadian mountain adventure. Package options range from two to ten days, with package details available on the Rocky Mountaineer website, at rockymountaineer.com

But the highlight is the rail trip itself. In the single-level SilverLeaf cars, guests take in the scenery through expansive, panoramic windows and are served meals at their seats, airline-style. In the double-level GoldLeaf coaches, passengers sit on the top floor under vast glass dome windows and take their upscale meals in the dining room located on the bottom level.

PHOTO Credit – Rocky Mountaineer