Rainforest to Rockies: Vancouver to Banff

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A Trans-Mountain Journey by Luxury Train, plus a Fly-In Wilderness Lodge
Discover Canada’s mountain grandeur on a unique itinerary into wild realms others rarely see. Begin in coastal Vancouver, surrounded by lush evergreen forest and backdropped by the icy peaks of the Coast Range. Aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, follow tracks into history along a stunning rail route that opened the Canadian West. Our train wends its way through rocky canyons cut by mighty rivers, the world’s only inland temperate rainforest, and successive mountain ranges—Selkirks, Purcells and Bugaboos—each sheerer and steeper than the last. Finally, we reach the Canadian Rockies. Among the most imposing mountains on Earth, Canada's grandest peaks are home to elk, bighorn sheep, bears and wolves. From an exclusive fly-in lodge, enjoy helicopter-supported exploration and hiking in alpine meadows, knowing you are among very few travelers who will experience this sublime wilderness.
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Nat Hab guests, Bugaboo Provincial Park, British Columbia.
Nat Hab Guest Lori Kent
Nat Hab guests, Bugaboo Provincial Park, British Columbia.
The Rocky Mountaineer, British Columbia.
The Rocky Mountaineer, British Columbia.
Guests heli-exploring, Columbia Mountains, British Columbia.
Field Staff Taylor Burk
Guests heli-exploring, Columbia Mountains, British Columbia.
Aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, British Columbia.
Aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, British Columbia.
Nat Hab guest and Expedition Leaders, British Columbia.
Nat Hab Expedition Leader Lianne Thompson
Nat Hab guest and Expedition Leaders, British Columbia.
Bugaboo Lodge, Bugaboo Provincial Park, British Columbia.
Field Staff Taylor Burk
Bugaboo Lodge, Bugaboo Provincial Park, British Columbia.
Guests at Bugaboo Lodge, Bugaboo Provincial Park, British Columbia.
Guests at Bugaboo Lodge, Bugaboo Provincial Park, British Columbia.
Guests heli-exploring in the Canadian Rockies, Alberta.
Guests heli-exploring in the Canadian Rockies, Alberta.
Vancouver, British Columbia.
Vancouver, British Columbia.
Howser Spire Massif, Bugaboo Provincial Park, British Columbia.
Nat Hab Guest Marge Damm
Howser Spire Massif, Bugaboo Provincial Park, British Columbia.
Purcell Mountain Range, Bugaboo Lodge, British Columbia.
Nat Hab Guest Gayle Lejeune
Purcell Mountain Range, Bugaboo Lodge, British Columbia.
Nat Hab guests, Bugaboo Provincial Park, British Columbia.
Nat Hab Expedition Leader Lianne Thompson
Nat Hab guests, Bugaboo Provincial Park, British Columbia.
Glass dome of the Rocky Mountaineer, British Columbia.
Glass dome of the Rocky Mountaineer, British Columbia.
Nat Hab guests, Bugaboo Provincial Park, British Columbia.
Nat Hab Expedition Leader Lianne Thompson
Nat Hab guests, Bugaboo Provincial Park, British Columbia.
Banff, Alberta.
Banff, Alberta.

Trip Highlights

A Two-Day Train Journey Aboard the Rocky Mountaineer

Aboard a private luxury train, ride historic rails from Vancouver to Lake Louise, enjoying GoldLeaf service and panoramic views from our bi-level glass dome car

Fly by Helicopter to Our Backcountry Lodge

From our deluxe wilderness lodge in the Bugaboo Range, enjoying heli-supported exploration of dramatic high-alpine terrain with our two Expedition Leaders

The Canadian Mountain West Without the Crowds

On a route less traveled, journey from the Pacific Ocean to the Continental Divide, passing through primeval forest, rocky gorges and four national parks

Photo Departure

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See Canada's Mountain West as Only a Fortunate Few Will

With Nat Hab, you know you'll explore differently. We don't settle for standard routes in overrun places. And this adventure showcases that approach like no one else! Find out more:

  1. Luxury Train Travel & Heli-Hiking on a Single Itinerary
    We've combined two of the most dramatic nature immersions in western Canada, connecting a two-day journey aboard the famous Rocky Mountaineer train with heli-hiking in the legendary Bugaboos Range of British Columbia. Experience a slice of western Canada's most dramatic wilderness in amazing comfort.

  2. We Avoid Crowds...but We Don't Avoid Mind-Blowing Scenery!
    We decided to create an experience of Canada's lesser-known (but no less spectacular) mountain regions so you can bask in the beauty and peace of the wild, rather than fighting your way through over-touristed areas swarming with people. You'll cross the mountainous interior of British Columbia on a luxurious train, then spend three nights at a remote lodge on the western edge of the Canadian Rockies where we access some of the most splendid alpine terrain on the planet via helicopter. Experience this region in a way that very few travelers will!

  3. Enjoy Elite GoldLeaf Service Aboard the Rocky Mountaineer
    Travel in first-class elegance from Vancouver to Lake Louise, enjoying the Rocky Mountaineer's highest service level. From the upper section of our bi-level rail car, drink in the passing panorama beyond our glass dome, designed so you can see in every direction. Enjoy gourmet cuisine in a dedicated dining room with locally inspired menus and plated meals, never missing a bit of the scenic drama outside your expansive window.

  4. Three Nights at a Luxury Fly-In Wilderness Lodge
    The biggest distinction (among many) between our itinerary and others is this element: We fly you by helicopter to Bugaboo Lodge—a deluxe backcountry outpost high in the Purcell Range—in view of glaciers and rugged granite spires, inaccessible to anyone except lodge guests. From our comfortable base, we board a helicopter for daily hikes of varying ability levels in pristine alpine meadows and flower-filled valleys. Return each day to relax with a drink or a book on the lodge deck, soak in the hot tub, rejuvenate in the sauna, and enjoy hearty dinners with unparalleled views of the glacier-iced peaks beyond.

  5. Two Expedition Leaders—Plus Local Guides—Allows a Choice of Activities
    While hiking is a focus of this adventure, not everyone has the same desire or ability level when it comes to available options. By traveling with two Nat Nab Expedition Leaders throughout—plus multiple local guides at Bugaboo Lodge—we can offer a choice of easy nature walks and more challenging hikes to rewarding vistas. You'll also get double the attention and information as you travel with two seasoned naturalists.

  6. Our Naturalist Guides are the Best in the Business
    We're known for the quality of our guides, and you'll find that the leadership on this trip is no exception! With a deep knowledge of western Canada's ecosystems, geology and history, your Expedition Leaders will enhance your adventure in a way that is enlightening and personalized. Read our Expedition Leader bios and traveler comments regarding the quality of our leaders.

  7. Our Quality-Value Guarantee Ensures Your Rewarding Experience
    With Natural Habitat Adventures, you get our exclusive guarantee, promising that we will meet the lofty expectations set in our promotional materials. To our knowledge, this is the most impressive guarantee made by any adventure travel company. Read our important promise.

  8. Feel Good About Your Carbon-Neutral Journey
    We care deeply about our planet, as we know you do. When you travel with us, the carbon emissions from your trip are 100% offset—including your round-trip flights from home. Natural Habitat Adventures has been the world's first carbon-neutral travel company since 2007.

  9. Natural Habitat Adventures is WWF's Travel Partner
    Because of our commitment to environmentally friendly travel as well as the exceptional quality of our worldwide adventures, World Wildlife Fund, the world's leading environmental conservation organization, has named Natural Habitat Adventures as its worldwide travel partner, a designation that makes us exceedingly proud!

Read what travelers are saying about our Rainforest to Rockies adventure:

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Rainforest to Rockies: Vancouver to Banff
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