They are widely considered to be among the most beautiful, iconic and breathtaking destinations in the world. Famed for or their turquoise lakes, towering, snow-capped peaks, and sprawling glaciers, for the first time this summer they are being connected by a new inland rail route. The luxury two day, one night journey of a lifetime connects two incredible towns from next month. Passengers will enjoy epic views of peaks and prairies and enjoy a night at a stopover renowned among outdoor enthusiasts. This summer, Canada's Rocky Mountaineer will connect two stunning resort towns - Banff and Jasper - in the company's first inland-only route.

Setting off from the blue lakes of Banff, clients can enjoy epic views of peaks and prairies, including Pyramid Falls and Kicking Horse Canyon. The Rocky Mountaineer is introducing "Passage to the Peaks", a new, limited-time 2026 route running between Banff and Jasper on June 10. This two-day, one-night journey operates in June and July 2026, traveling through the Canadian Rockies with an overnight stay in Kamloops.

Banff's skyline is dominated by the Rocky Mountains. The resort town in the province of Alberta is located within Banff National Park.

The peaks of Mt. Rundle and Mt. Cascade, part of the Rocky Mountains, dominate its skyline. On Banff Avenue, the main thoroughfare, boutiques and restaurants mix with château-style hotels and souvenir shops.

The surrounding 6,500 square kilometres of parkland are home to wildlife including elk and grizzly bears. Amid the snow-capped Canadian Rockies, the park has glacier-fed lakes, forests and rivers. The Jasper SkyTram climbs to the summit of Whistlers Mountain, with views of downtown.

For history buffs the Jasper Yellowhead Museum and Archives presents exhibits on the fur trade, railway and early exploration of the park.

Then it is all-aboard and off to Jasper. After a night in a hotel in Kamloops, the train journeys on to Jasper, passing beneath snow-capped Mount Robson. The two-day journey has a limited season from June 10 to July 10.

The overnight in Kamloops itself offers excellent mountain biking, hiking, golfing, and a surprisingly robust craft brewery scene, thriving even in its unique semi-arid desert landscape.

Jasper serves as a quieter, more rustic alternative to Banff, featuring dramatic lakes and glaciers. Jasper National Park in the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies offering extensive backcountry trails, forests, and wildlife viewing, including bears, elk, and moose.

The Jasper SkyTram takes visitors up Whistlers Mountain for panoramic views of the town and surrounding peaks and you can visit breathtaking spots like Maligne Lake, Athabasca Falls, and the Columbia Icefield.

As the world's second-largest dark sky preserve, it offers world-class stargazing, particularly during the annual Dark Sky Festival, scheduled for October 16 to October 25 in 2026.

* Book it: First Class Holidays has a seven-night Passage to the Peaks itinerary from £5,505 per person, based on two sharing. Includes SilverLeaf class on Rocky Mountaineer, transfers and flights from Heathrow. fcholidays.com