Overview
This cross-country adventure across Canada begins in Toronto, ends in Vancouver, and includes beautiful scenery and fun-filled activities in some of Canada’s most popular cities. A highlight of this Canada train tour is the 3-day, 3-night journey on VIA Rail®’s the Canadian—a premier continental train—from Toronto to Jasper. In refurbished art deco rail cars and domed observation cars, enjoy views of the ever-changing landscapes as you leisurely travel through Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.
The spectacular landscapes on your train trip are not the only stunning scenery you’ll witness on this Canada rail tour. Marvel at hypnotic Niagara Falls on your boat cruise past the falls. In the Canadian Rockies, ride the Ice Explorer—an all-terrain vehicle—on Columbia Icefield, an expanse of ice that is 1,200-feet thick. Stop in breathtaking Lake Louise, where cold waters mirror the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Spend time in stunning Jasper National Park—with its rugged mountains, glaciers, alpine meadows, rivers, and abundant wildlife—and Banff National Park, home to majestic mountains and picture-perfect scenery. Also stop in Yoho National Park, with its famous fossils, and Glacier National Park, with its abundant wildlife. From the Pacific Coast, sail to Victoria through the scenic Gulf Islands, a diverse archipelago. In Victoria, visit world-famous Butchart Gardens with its 55 acres of floral displays.
Throughout this Canada train tour, enjoy sightseeing in the cities and time to explore on your own. You may want to dine at the top of Toronto’s CN Tower, take an optional float trip on the Athabasca River in Jasper, hike in Banff, enjoy Afternoon Tea at Victoria’s Empress Hotel, or shop Vancouver’s Robson Street.
See Canada’s spectacular mountain scenery, stunning lakes, picturesque towns, gentle prairie fields, and exciting cities on this Canadian rail tour—what a fantastic holiday!
Total meals included:
- 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
UK - Toronto
Day
1
Fly to Toronto where you will transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Welcome to Toronto! Your Tour Director is on hand late this afternoon to answer any questions.
Toronto - Excursion to Niagara Falls
Day
2
Leave bustling Toronto and travel along the shores of Lake Ontario to Niagara Falls. Sightseeing here includes a SIGHTSEEING BOAT CRUISE past the world-famous falls. Later, visit picturesque Niagara-on-the-Lake. Return to Toronto and spend the evening exploring the city sights on your own, including Harbour Front Centre, Ontario Place, and Chinatown.
NOTE: Operation of the Niagara Falls sightseeing cruise is subject to favourable weather and/or river conditions. When unfavourable conditions exist, a walking tour through the scenic tunnels will be substituted.
Toronto - VIA Rail The Canadian
Day
3
Setting Toronto’s exciting architectural pace are City Hall; the downtown banking district; Roger’s Center; and stunning CN Tower, more than a third of a mile high. See all this and more on your city sightseeing tour. This evening, join the optional outing that combines dinner with the spectacular sight of Toronto’s lights from the CN Tower. Afterward, transfer to Union Station for a late evening departure on the CANADIAN, VIA Rail’s premier transcontinental train. Spend the next three days and nights on this classic trip across Canada’s heartland. Your Sleeper Plus class rail cars are refurbished art-deco cars from the 1950s. Domed observation cars let you enjoy views of the Canadian countryside as you roll past Ontario’s landscapes. All meals are included, and you won’t want to miss any of them, as the chef offers a tempting array of soups, salads, main courses, and desserts.
VIA Rail The Canadian
Day
4
Today, watch the scenery as you whisk by the ever-changing Canadian landscape and travel the full length of the Canadian National Railway’s breathtaking mainline.
VIA Rail The Canadian - Winnipeg
Day
5
An early arrival into Winnipeg, Manitoba’s capital, a city rich in history and culture. Mid-morning, we continue our journey through Manitoba’s prairies and into Saskatchewan.
VIA Rail The Canadian - Jasper National Park
Day
6
This morning enjoy a delicious breakfast as you continue on the Canadian into the very heart of the Canadian Rockies. Arrive in Jasper this evening. An orientation tour includes Jasper’s unspoiled beauty. The evening is free to enjoy the ambience of this delightful mountain setting.
Jasper National Park
Day
7
With free time this morning, maybe hike on the trails and watch for wildlife, or stroll the streets of Jasper. This afternoon consider an optional trip to Maligne Lake for a narrated cruise to much-photographed Spirit Island. On the return journey, stop to view mighty Maligne Canyon. Perhaps an optional float trip on the Athabasca River to end the day?
Jasper National Park - Columbia Icefield - Lake Louise - Banff National Park
Day
8
Board your coach this morning and journey through JASPER NATIONAL PARK, stopping along the way at the COLUMBIA ICEFIELD to experience the Ice Explorer, an all-terrain vehicle that travels on ice that is 750 feet (250 metres) thick. Continue down Icefields Parkway to Lake Louise, where cold waters mirror the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Arrive in BANFF NATIONAL PARK for a leisurely 2-night stay.
Banff National Park
Day
9
This morning, consider an optional helicopter ride over the Canadian Rockies. The day is free to independently explore this resort town located within Banff National Park. Stroll Banff Avenue, the main thoroughfare of boutiques and souvenir shops. The surrounding 2,564 square miles of parkland are home to wildlife including elk and grizzly bears. This evening your Tour Director will suggest an optional horse-drawn wagon ride along scenic trails followed by a BBQ steak dinner.
Banff National Park - Yoho National Park - Glacier National Park - Kamloops
Day
10
This morning, leave Banff National Park and travel over Kicking Horse Pass on the Continental Divide. Travel through YOHO NATIONAL PARK, where pre-Cambrian fossils were discovered, and GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, where recreational mountain climbing was introduced to North America a century ago. Late this afternoon, arrive at the cattle-ranching centre of Kamloops.
Kamloops - Ferry Crossing - Victoria
Day
11
As you travel through the Coast Mountain Range to its majestic Pacific coastline, the vegetation changes from desert landscape to lush alpine forests. Board your afternoon ferry for the spectacular crossing to Vancouver Island. Sightseeing in Victoria includes the worldfamous BUTCHART GARDENS, the Inner Harbour, Bastion Square, and Thunderbird Park. This evening, consider strolling along the Waterfront Promenade.
Victoria
Day
12
Be sure to discover some of the attractions this splendid city has to offer, including the Royal British Columbia Museum, Afternoon Tea at the Empress Hotel, a whale-watching cruise on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and fine shopping along Government Street.
Victoria - Ferry Crossing - Vancouver
Day
13
This morning, set sail across the Strait of Georgia and through the spectacular Gulf Islands, an archipelago known for its climate. In Vancouver, city sightseeing includes STANLEY PARK, Gastown, Chinatown, and many other famous landmarks. The remainder of the day is free to explore Robson Street and experience British Columbia’s premier shopping and entertainment location.
Vancouver
Day
14
Today is at leisure for independent sightseeing. Maybe take a water taxi to lively Granville Island with its outdoor markets, street musicians, and waterfront cafés. Or, re-visit historic Gastown with its steam-powered clock, antique shops, art galleries, and street vendors.
Vancouver
Day
15
Your holiday ends this morning.
You will be transferred to the airport for your flight to the UK.
For guests extending their holiday with an Alaska cruise, continue your stay in Vancouver and transfer to your ship the following day.
Home landing in the UK
Day
16
Things to note
Niagara Falls: Operation of the sightseeing cruise is subject to favourable weather/river conditions. A walking tour through the scenic tunnels will be offered as a replacement.
The Canadian is VIA Rail's flagship train, which retraces the historic western transcontinental route, as the enchanting lakes and forests of Ontario give way to the prairies of big-sky country through to the majestic Rockies. The train is scheduled to ensure daylight viewing of the Rockies.
Sleeper Plus Class: All our customers travel in Sleeper Plus class award-winning first class cabins.
Dining: Whether for breakfast, lunch or for the evening sittings, an enticing menu is freshly prepared by the onboard chef, featuring soups and salads, hot entrées and desserts. In the Mural Lounge the bar serves a wide selection of drinks.
Accommodation: By day a private cabin for two, with armchairs, a large picture window, small closet, hand basin and separate toilet. At night the cabin converts to upper and lower beds. A separate shower room is located at the end of each carriage. Shower kit (including towels) is provided. VIA Rail's: single rooms are more compact than the standard twin. Please check the VIA Rail website for further details.
General: VIA Rail® operate a no smoking policy.
Luggage on the train: In preparation for the VIA Rail train segment, you will need a small "overnight bag" that can be packed with a minimum of necessary clothes and items required during rail travel. Remember to pack medications, glasses and any other important items. Also include a sweater or something warm, as it is sometimes cool on the train. Large luggage will be checked through to the completion of the rail journey, meaning there is no access to your luggage whilst on the train. Carry-on baggage for your overnight on the train should not exceed 21.5 x 15.5 x 9 in. and its weight should not exceed 25lbs (11.33kg).
Baggage that is not required during the train journey will be checked through to Jasper. Checked baggage will not be accessible during the journey.
Upgrade to Prestige Class on VIA Rail 'The Canadian' is available strictly on a request basis. Please call for upgrade prices.