The Great Trans-Canada

French Canada to the Pacific and the spectacular Rockies en route.  A great way to see Canada!
Montreal - Toronto - Niagara Falls - Winnipeg - Saskatoon - Edmonton - Jasper - Banff - Lake Louise - Vancouver 

Day 1  Monday/Wednesday  Transfer by train in coach class from downtown Montreal to downtown Toronto.  Overnight in one of our Toronto hotels  

  Tuesday/Thursday  We have some free time to explore Toronto.  How about dinner in the tallest free standing structure in the World this evening?  The CN Tower is amazing in its height and stature.  Or you can see Broadway style theater, one of many interesting museums or shop in massive Eaton Center.  Overnight at one of our Toronto Hotels

Day 3    Two Choices today.   Depart for NIAGARAFALLS including an exciting "Maid of the Mist" cruise for a close up look at the falls (subject to favorable weather).   Alternatively you may choose to spend time exploring Toronto's many shopping, attractions and museums.   An optional dinner in the World's tallest free standing structure, the CN Tower is a great idea for the evening.  Overnight Toronto.

Day 4  Thursday/Saturday  Our incredible train journey continues!  Transfer to Union Station (downtown) for our departure (Saturdays).  All aboard the "VIA Rail Transcontinental" bound for the Pacific Coast.  Our first class rail cars are refurbished to the 1950's genre in Art Deco.  The observation dome offers unequalled views as we roll across the Appalachian Shield of Ontario.  The private bedrooms are comfortable and all meals are included (Checked baggage is not available until day 5, smaller overnight bag is recommended on the train).  Be sure to visit the Bullet Lounge in the Park Car for a nightcap. 
VIA RAIL BEDROOMS  /  DINING CAR  /  DOME CAR  /  PARK-LOUNGE CAR

Comfortable bedrooms on the train

  
Toronto Skyline Including CN Tower

Stunning Rocky Mountain Lakes

 
Table Mountain in the fall

Day 5 and Day 6  Each day is a culinary delight as all meals are included.  We pass sparkling lakes and boreal forests as we roll into Manitoba, the province of 100,000 lakes.  Drink in the vistas from the dome cars and enjoy the terrific on-board service.  We arrive in Winnipeg for a brief stop and continue our train journey. 

Day 7   Enjoy a delicious breakfast and relax as we forge across the great wheatfields of Saskatchewan before our morning arrival into Edmonton, capital and most vibrant metropolis in Alberta.   After a brief stop we continue the train journey to the "Jewel of the Canadian Rockies" JASPER , Alberta.  Disembark and transfer to our Jasper hotel.  Keep on the lookout for wild animals often seen in and around the town.  

Day 8  This morning we tour JASPER and, above the townsite, beautiful PYRAMID LAKE.   Perhaps take an optional cruise of magnificent MALIGNE LAKE and its incredible aquamarine waters.  The views are stunning and the water is a shade of blue found only in these mountains.   Spirit Island is a famous spot for  photographers seeking the perfect picture.  Return to Jasper via the Valley of the FIVE LAKES.  A few miles to the south of  Jasper is the JASPER GONDOLA from where the views of the valleys and peaks are outstanding and ATHABASCA FALLS /  HORSESHOE LAKE.  Overnight at one of our Jasper Hotels

Day 9  Depart Jasper for Banff on our deluxe motor coach along the Icefields Parkway.  This is one of the most scenic drives on earth.  We'll ride a Sno-Coach (weather permitting) onto the Columbia Icefield's ATHABASCA GLACIER.  The Columbia Icefields are 125 square miles in size (massive!), with no fewer than 30 glaciers where 3 river systems flow to three different oceans.   The Icefields Parkway delivers us  past BOW LAKE, PEYTO LAKE and MISTAYA LAKE  south to LAKE LOUISE, one of the most enchanting spots on earth.  We see the reflections of the mountains in her aqua blue waters and we'll find out how rock flour helps the water retain its mesmerizing color.  Continue further into BANFF NATIONAL PARK to

Day 10  Tour today includes mountains lakes and waterfalls.  Depart Banff on our motor coach and travel the beautiful Bow Valley Expressway to JOHNSTON CANYON where you are given time for a short nature walk.  We continue to beautiful MORAINE LAKE to see its mystical green waters and then visit LAKE LOUISE.  Visitors come from all over the World to stand before the lake.  After lunch at Lake Louise (lunch not included in fare),  cross the Great Divide and enter Yoho National Park. You’ll visit Yoho’s scenic highlights such as tumbling Takakkaw Falls, Emerald Lake and the Natural Rock Bridge before returning to BANFF TOWN in the late afternoon.  What a great day!  Overnight Banff

Day 11  Board our motor coach for the trip once more along one of the World's great drives and arrive in Jasper in the afternoon.  Bring lots of film as the sights are breathtaking and wildlife is plentiful.   You have time for souvenir shopping and fine dining.  Overnight in beautiful alpine Jasper.

Day 12  Board VIA Rail trans-continental in the early afternoon.  Cross over the Continental Divide.  Travel through no fewer than 5 mountain ranges, past emerald lakes and raging rivers and massive Mount Robson.  Sunset to the west is usually a photographers delight especially from one of the dome cars.  

Day 13 Travel along the Fraser Valley and arrive in VANCOUVER,  British Columbia in the morning and pick up your luggage. 

End of services or we can arrange additional nights and activities in refreshing and beautiful Vancouver.  How about a tour to Victoria, BUTCHART GARDENS and Vancouver Island?  Whale watching anyone?  
Maybe a 7 night ALASKA CRUISE??

We include:   Via Rail Trans-Canada train journey including private bedroom (all meals are included aboard the train but not on motor coach tours or in hotels), tourist-class or superior hotels across Canada, motor coach tours as per itinerary  Checked baggage is not available on the train, smaller overnight bag is recommended.