Private Sightseeing Tours

Leave the guidebook at home.

After nearly 30 years of providing unforgettable tours throughout our beautiful country, Canada Rail Vacations has assembled a team of some of the best guides in the business. By including private excursions within your tour package, you’ll be the envy of the other guests aboard the train when you skip the buses and motorcoaches and instead have your own private vehicle and guide all to yourself.

Private excursions are designed around what you want to get out of your time with us. Unlike a group tour, you get to decide when, where, and for how long. Rest assured you’ll be shown the very best of Canada in whichever part of the country you wish to explore.  Private excursions can be added to almost any destination within any of our rail tour packages. Most guests who request a Premium Tour Package like to add on private sightseeing tours and transfers at every stop across the country

When you are ready to book your trip, please ask one of our Vacation Planners about adding private excursions to your trip!

On many occasions, our company founder Martin Flanagan will personally guide private tours for our guests. Our other local guides in the Canadian Rockies include Jake Pawis, Neil Zeller, and Julian Perez de Camino. In locations across the country where we don’t have our own in-house guide, we only work with the best of the best.

Meet the Guide Team

Why book a Private Tour?

The best of the best. Some of the features of our Private Sightseeing Tours are:

World Class Guides

Experienced, knowledgeable, and passionate tour guides.

Relax in Comfort

Private, comfortable vehicles perfectly suited to the excursion.

Flexibility

Customizable sightseeing, tailored to your personal preferences.

Your Choice

Available for one day, several days, or every day of your trip.

Timesaving

Make the most out of your time and maximize your sightseeing.

Perfect Pace

Learning made easy, and we can focus on what is interesting to you.

What are Private Sightseeing Tours really like?

Here’s a video of company founder Martin Flanagan touring some clients on a private tour throughout the Rockies. This video was filmed on a busy weekend during high season in the Rockies and he still managed to find private, hidden gems that you won’t see with a large group tour:

What Else Have We Done For Our Clients?

Chase the Aurora Borealis in the Yukon?

We've done it.

We work with a lovely little lodge just north of Whitehorse called Sun Dog Retreat. At the lodge, you’ll have your own private cabin in the woods. Our guides there will make sure you learn everything about the north, hear some stories, see some animals and watch for the Aurora.

Ride Every Train in Canada?

We've made it happen.

We had a guest contact us in 2012 saying she wanted to ride every possible passenger train in Canada. We made this happen. Our guest started her five week train journey out east. We had so much fun putting this trip together, our company owners Heather and Martin went up to Jasper and rode the final three days with her. It was literally a trip of a lifetime.

Cycle the Canadian Rockies?

Hint - a tour is being created.

Our company owner Martin Flanagan has ridden with, and is friends with, ex-pro cyclist Tyler Hamilton. We know Martin and Tyler are working on a tour of the Rockies together. Ride the Rocky Mountaineer train in style from Vancouver to Jasper. Then ride bikes on a fully guided tour with Martin and Tyler as your guides.

Heli-ski in the Purcell Mountains?

We live down the street!

We literally lived down the street. Most of our staff have lived and worked in Panorama, BC. This is where we all go on vacation. RK. Heliski is right there. We’ve shuttled many guests over the years to this heli ski operation who are celebrating over 50 years in business. Panorama Resort will be worth staying for a few nights. In the winter, there’s plenty of skiing or snowmobiling with Toby Creek Adventures. In the summer, Greywolf Golf Course, one of Canada’s top golf courses is there to enjoy too.

Photography Excursion of Western Canada?

We know some pros.

We love to recommend and work with Neil Zeller. This Calgary based photographer loves to guide and loves to show off Western Canada. He’s ridden aboard the Rocky Mountaineer with us. In fact, many of the photos on our website are his. He’s a busy man and books out early, but if you’d like a special photography tour with him, we’ll be happy to arrange it.

Special Interest Group That Wants To Come To Canada?

We'd love to work with you.

We’ve hosted everything from bird watchers to police and firefighter groups to sports teams. Maybe you’d like to come run the Calgary Marathon with a group and then ride the train or perhaps your curling team needs a ride across Canada, everything is possible.

We’ve even hosted business meetings on board the trains. There are two very special train cars that can be added on to the train. Perfect for board meetings, these lounge cars can be set up for groups to sit together.

Featured Rail Tours

Upgrade to Private Excursions on any of our Tours

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Looking for Private Tours without booking a packaged train tour, or in addition to an already booked train tour?

For any multiday private sightseeing tour requests within the Canadian Rockies, please contact us at [email protected] or visit us at albertablueskytours.com, a division of Canada Rail Vacations. For any private day tours from Calgary, or from the Canadian Rockies, as well as private transportation services, see the available options below.