Extended Great Trans-Canada

The Canadian Shield, The Lofty Rocky Mountains, Across the divide to the Pacific Ocean
Toronto - Sioux Lookout - Edmonton - Jasper - Banff - Lake Louise - Yoho National Park - Kamloops - Vancouver  

Tuesday and Thursday departures.  
Add a couple days in Jasper for additional $100 per person, per night
Day 1  Our tour begins in bustling Toronto with arrival at our hotel.  

Day 2    Two Choices today.   Depart for NIAGARA FALLS 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 3  Our incredible train journey begins!  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

Day 4  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 5   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 we are transferred to our hotel.  Keep on the lookout for wild animals often seen in and around the town.  

Day 6  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.  Those staying for additional nights can travel on their own a few miles to the south of  Jasper to the JASPER GONDOLA from where the views of the valleys and peaks are outstanding and ATHABASCA FALLS / HORSESHOE LAKE.

Day 7  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 the majestic town of  BANFF for the first of two nights here.

Day 8  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 9 and Day 10  Enjoy two days to explore the trails, shopping, tours and sightseeing that this area is Word famous for.  Overnight in one of our Banff hotels.  LAKE MINNEWANKA /  BANFF GONDOLA  /  VERMILION LAKES

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.  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

       Toronto, Ontario

 
Fabulous cuisine aboard the train

 
  Beautiful sunsets from the dome car 
     Vermillion Lakes near Banff

 

Extend Your Tour; BUTCHART GARDENS   VICTORIA  on Vancouver Island WHISTLER Resort area (North of Vancouver).    Whale watching We can pre-book  7 night ALASKA CRUISES at wholesale rates.

 

Private Tour Guide & Vehicle??

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.