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Trans Canada By Rail & the Rockies
Tour Description:
SPEND 14 DAYS ON THIS EXCITING ADVENTURE ACROSS CANADA AND THROUGH THE CANADIAN ROCKIES!
Your journey begins in the cosmopolitan city of Vancouver. From here travel east on VIA Rail's Canadian, admiring charming alpine towns, unspoiled natural scenery, and amazing wildlife along your route. As you travel through the heart of the Canadian Rockies, enjoy stops in beautiful Jasper, tranquil Lake Louise, and to the small town of Banff before continuing your journey across Canada to Toronto.
Your rail adventure across Canada and through the Canadian Rockies includes first-class train accommodations including access to the Canadian's Skyline and Park Cars, moderate, superior or deluxe hotel accommodations, sightseeing, ample time at your leisure, and more!
This itinerary is also available from Toronto to Vancouver based on your travel preference.
Highlights:
* Four nights aboard VIA Rail's Canadian
* Nine nights hotel accommodations
* 12 Meals
* Meals onboard the train
* Vancouver Lookout
* Sulphur Mountain Gondola ride in Banff
* Transfer from Vancouver hotel to VIA Rail station
* Transfer service from Lake Louise to Banff and Banff to Jasper
* Hotel to airport transfer in Toronto
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Destination & Sightseeing
ITINERARY
ITINERARYDay 1 - Vancouver
Arrive in the coastal city of Vancouver and check-in to your hotel. Located in the heart of the city, you're close to many of the city's attractions, shops, and restaurants. Take the day to explore this scenic city on your own. Included is admission to the Vancouver Lookout, offering panoramic views of the city. Overnight Vancouver.
Day 2 - Depart for Jasper
Spend the day exploring Vancouver on your own. Later this afternoon, transfer from your hotel to the Vancouver train station to board the Canadian. Settle into your Sleeper Plus accommodations and prepare for your trip into the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Your first-class accommodations convert from a sitting room by day to comfortable upper and lower berths by night. Overnight train. (D)
Day 3 - Enroute to Jasper
Awake this morning to the beauty of the Canadian Rockies as the train arrives in Jasper. Upon arrival, transfer from the rail station to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to explore Jasper on your own. You may elect to go on a hike, bike the surrounding area, or ride the Jasper Tramway. Overnight Jasper. (B)
Day 4 - Jasper to Lake Louise
Enjoy a full-day scenic transfer en route to Lake Louise. Travel along the Icefield Parkway, a scenic two-lane road that parallels the Continental Divide. A highlight of the day is a stop at the Columbia Icefield, where you will board an Ice Explorer and journey onto the massive Athabasca Glacier. Arrive in Lake Louise this evening for your first of two nights. Overnight Lake Louise. (L)
Day 5 – Lake Louise
You have a full day to enjoy the beauty of Lake Louise today. Perhaps spend the day exploring the surrounding wilderness, or visit the famous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, and the eponymous lake. Known for its turquoise waters, the glacier-fed lake is surrounded by high mountain peaks and is overlooked by the stately Chateau. Overnight Lake Louise.
Day 6 - Lake Louise to Banff
Travel east today to Banff, a resort town surrounded by the Sulphur and Cascade Mountains. The town, originally settled by the Canadian Pacific Railway in the 1880s, is a veritable playground, offering an assortment of activities including hiking and biking paths and pristine ski areas. One of Banff's most popular attractions is the Banff Upper Hot Springs located in Banff National Park. Overnight Banff.
Day 7 - Banff
Today we explore the exciting town of Banff. Enjoy a gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountains and a visit to Banff's National Park. Be sure to carve out time to visit the grand Banff Springs Hotel, a former railway hotel constructed in the Scottish Baronial style in 1888. Overnight Banff.
Day 8 - Banff to Jasper
The morning is yours to enjoy Banff at your leisure. Later today, transfer from Banff to Jasper. Overnight Jasper.
Day 9 – Exploring Jasper
Your last day in the Rockies is free to explore at your leisure. Take some time to stroll the quaint mountain town and its many shops and restaurants, take a wildlife tour, or venture out onto the Summit Trail at the peak of the Jasper SkyTram for unprecedented views of six mountain ranges and the Athabasca River. Overnight Jasper.
Day 10 - VIA Rail Jasper to Toronto
Transfer to the rail station this afternoon to board VIA Rail's Canadian for your departure east. Tonight, the train travels through Alberta's capital city of Edmonton as you head toward Toronto. Overnight train. (D)
Day 11 - En Route to Toronto
Today's travels take you through Saskatoon, Canada's leader in the high technology and mining industries, and Melville, named after Charles Melville Hays, President of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railroad Company. Spend the day chatting with your fellow travelers and enjoying panoramic views from the Skyline Car. This evening stop in Winnipeg, the capital of Manitoba and once the hub of the Canadian fur trade. Overnight train. (B, L, D)
Day 12 - VIA Rail to Toronto
A highlight of today's scenic trip includes Longlac, which, located at the northern tip of Long Lake, played an important role as part of the historic canoe route for fur traders. Spend time in the Park Car enjoying its three salons and observation deck as well as the Skyline Car with an observation dome offering 360-degree views of the ever-changing landscape. Overnight train. (B, L, D)
Day 13 - Toronto
The Canadian is scheduled to arrive in Toronto this afternoon. After you disembark, transfer on your own to your centrally located hotel, and spend the remainder of the day exploring this cosmopolitan city as you like. Overnight Toronto. (B, L)
Day 14 - Depart Toronto
Your trans-Canada journey ends this today. You may wish to extend your stay in Toronto in order to better explore this cosmopolitan city. Or, transfer to the airport for your return flight home.
