Great Cities & Rail Tour East Bound

Pacific Rim, The Mighty Rocky Mountains, Canadian Shield to Eastern Canada
Victoria - Vancouver - Kamloops - Jasper - Edmonton - Saskatoon - Winnipeg - Sioux Lookout - Toronto - Niagara Falls

Day 3  We are picked up at our hotel and depart on a great adventure.  We transfer by motor coach onto British Columbia Ferries ships to sail the inside passage to Vancouver Island.  Our motor coach drives us to beautiful BUTCHART GARDENS.  With its millions of flowers it is hard to imagine this was once a horrid rock quarry.  Continue to VICTORIA, capital of British Columbia and the most "British" city in Canada.  Enjoy a scenic drive with vistas of the Juan de Fuca Strait and the Olympic Mountains.  There is enough time for shopping and High Tea at the Empress Hotel before returning to the ferry which will deliver us back to our Vancouver hotel.

Day 4  Our incredible train journey begins!  Transfer to Pacific Central Station (near downtown) for our departure.  All aboard the train, bound for Eastern Canada.  Our first class rail cars are refurbished to the "VIA Rail Transcontinental" 1950's genre in Art Deco.  The observation dome offers unequalled views as we roll across 5 mountain ranges and into Alberta.  The private bedrooms are comfortable and all meals are included (Checked baggage while on the train, 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 5   Enjoy a delicious breakfast and relax as we forge across the Rocky Mountains in 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.  

Day 7   A second day in Alpine paradise.    Perhaps rent a car or take a day tour (we can pre-arrange these for you).  You  can travel 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 and  HORSESHOE LAKE.  With a car you can drive on the Icefields Parkway to ATHABASCA GLACIER, have lunch and continue to LAKE LOUISE.   This is a very full day of some of the most breathtaking scenery in Canada.  Overnight Jasper

Day 8  Board VIA Rail trans-continental mid- afternoon.  The great peaks of the Rockies give way to foothills and then rolling prairies as we cross the great prairies.   Enter the province of Saskatchewan, the breadbasket of Canada.   

Day 9  Roll across the prairies, watch the scenery roll by from the panoramic setting of the dome cars, and arrive into Winnipeg.  Continue for your second night aboard as you continue into Ontario 

Day 10  Our epic journey continues.    The bullet car is a great meeting place for conversation and the meals on-board are fabulous.  Fall asleep this evening to the gentle rocking of the train.   Ride the rails across track laid over the hardest rock on earth as we roll through northern Ontario.    

Day 11  Arrive this morning into Toronto, Ontario.  Transfer to our hotel with the rest of the day free.   This evening you might want to visit one of the tallest free standing structures on Earth, the CN Tower.  Be sure to ride the elevators to the second platform.   

Day 12    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 13   Check out and end of services

 Vancouver, Voted #1 Destination in North
     America by the American Business Association

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 (as chosen), motor coach tours as per itinerary.  Checked baggage is not available on the train, smaller overnight bag is recommended.