The Two Trains Adventure

Visit the Canadian Shield, the vast prairies, the majesty of the mighty Canadian Rocky Mountains
Toronto - Sioux Lookout - Edmonton - Jasper - Banff - Lake Louise - Yoho Park and Takkakkaw Falls - Vancouver  

Thursday  Board the train this evening in  Toronto at Union Station (downtown) and unpack for the next 3 nights aboard VIA's Trans-Continental.  Your porter is on-hand throughout the journey to ensure that you have a comfortable stay.  Roll across the Canadian Shield, boreal forests, countless lakes and the hardest rock on Earth! 1/3 of the fresh water in the World is in Canada and you will see some of it on this trip. 

Day 2  Friday  Arrive into Winnipeg to take on more passengers and continue rolling through Manitoba, the province of 100,000 lakes.  Drink in the vistas from the Dome Cars and enjoy the terrific on-board service including World-Class Cuisine.  
How about a night cap in the Park Car tonight?

Day 3  Saturday  Enjoy a delicious breakfast in the Dining Car and relax as we forge across the great wheatfields of Saskatchewan 

Day 4  Sunday  Cross into Alberta before our arrival into Edmonton, capital largest 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 for the first of 2 nights.  Keep on the lookout for wild animals often seen in and around the town.   

Day 5  Monday  This morning we tour alpine  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 which will take you to the top of the "Whistlers" from where the views of the valleys and peaks are outstanding.   Nearby are ATHABASCA FALLS and HORSESHOE LAKE.
 

Great vistas roll by the dining car

Vermilion Lakes near Banff and Lake Louise

Day 6   Sunday/Tuesday  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 6   Tuesday  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 Day 5   Saturday/Monday  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 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.  Overnight in one of our Banff hotels.

Day 7  Wednesday   SULFUR MOUNTAIN GONDOLA to the top for amazing views, stroll the massive Banff Springs hotel or take one of the many hikes available from town.  Helicopter tours can be arranged as well as boat tours on LAKE MINNEWANKA. 

Day 8  Thursday  Today we board the second of our amazing Canadian Trains.  The Rocky Mountaineer departs Banff in the morning westbound and features "all daylight" travel.  Enjoy lunch aboard as you cross the continental divide and roll on through 5 mountain ranges toward the coast.  Stop in Kamloops and you are transferred to your hotel for the evening.   Travel past lakes and lofty peaks and traverse the famous spiral tunnel and then over the Kicking Horse Pass.    Today we board the second of our amazing Canadian Trains.  The Rocky Mountaineer departs Banff in the morning westbound and features "all daylight" travel.  Enjoy lunch aboard as you cross the continental divide and roll on through 5 mountain ranges toward the coast.  Stop in Kamloops and you are transferred to your hotel for the evening.   Travel past lakes and lofty peaks and traverse the famous spiral tunnel and then over the Kicking Horse Pass. 

Day 9  Friday  Re-board the Rocky Mountaineer in the morning and continue west, shadowing the Thompson River through the Fraser Valley.  We arrive at Pacific Central Station in Vancouver at about 4:00PM.   Transfer the short distance to your downtown hotel for the evening.  Perhaps visit Vancouver's   stately revolving restaurant or the classy and famous "Seasons Restaurant" near Queen Elizabeth Park.  Harbor dinner cruise anyone?     QUEEN ELIZABETH PARK  |  STANLEY PARK

Day 10  Saturday  End of services or extend your stay and visit BUTCHART GARDENS and the city of VICTORIA  (on Vancouver Island) or travel up to WHISTLER Resort area (North of Vancouver).   

    
        The castle-like Banff Springs hotel

 

Private Tour Guide  & Vehicle??