Great Two Trains Explorer

Winnipeg to the Rockies including the Icefields Parkway and Banff and on to the Pacific Rim
Winnipeg - Saskatoon - Edmonton - Jasper - Banff - Lake Louise - Kamloops - Vancouver

 
Day 1  Monday Our incredible train journey commences!  Board VIA Rail train at Winnipeg's downtown train station.  Dinner is served aboard this evening.   You will love the international cuisine served by VIA's super-friendly staff.   Enjoy the scenery roll by your picture windows and appreciate the long Canadian summer days.  Your porter will prepare your sleeping accommodations for the evening.    VIA RAIL BEDROOMS  /  DINING CAR  /  DOME CAR  /  PARK-LOUNGE CAR

Day 2  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 3  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.  Overnight at one of our Jasper Hotels

Day 4  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.  Overnight at one of our Banff Hotels

Day 7  This morning, board the Rocky Mountaineer westbound (Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays).  The Rocky Mountaineer is all daylight travel and is one of the most dramatic train trips in the World.  Service by on-board multi-lingual attendants is superb.  You will travel through rugged terrain and experience the great Spiral Tunnels (where the train circles around inside a mountain and comes out over itself) and ascent over Rogers Pass.  Roll on through 5 mountain ranges to the city of Kamloops.  We stop and transfer to our hotel for the night (included). 

Day 8  Re-board the Rocky Mountaineer in the morning and continue west.  This region of Canada is interesting as we emerge from the great Rockies into Canada's only desert.  Dramatic scenery rolls by as we parallel the mighty Thompson and Fraser Rivers past Hell's Gate.  Arrive in Canada's most beautiful city, Vancouver in the early evening.  Transfer on your own to our downtown hotel (a very easy cab ride). 

Day 9  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).   

We can pre-book  7 night ALASKA CRUISES at wholesale rates.

  
Toronto Skyline

Fabulous Cuisine & Scenery

Banff townsite

Johnston Canyon has 7 waterfalls