Canada By Rail

Day 1 - Halifax

Arrive in Halifax, check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 2 - Halifax to Montreal

On VIA Rail's Ocean Train you'll cross the Maritimes in one single day, on an epic journey through Moncton, Bathurst, Rivière-du-Loup and more. Boarding the train in Halifax, Nova Scotia, for an overnight journey in Sleeper Plus Class to Montreal, a cozy cabin for two will play as your room for the night and food and beverage service is included. As dusk is falling you will travel along the coast of Baie-des-Chaleurs, and as dawn breaks the following morning you'll find yourself in the Monteregian Hills. You will arrive to VIA Rail's Central Station in Montreal.

Day 3 - Montreal

Arrive in Montreal, check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day exploring or at leisure.

Day 4 - Montreal

Today take the included walking tour of Montreal, a great way to acquaint yourself with this fascinating city.

Day 5 - Montreal to Ottawa

Travel by rail from Montreal to Canada's capital Ottawa. Departing from Central Station in the heart of downtown Montreal today, cross the Ottawa River into Ontario for your journey into the nation's vibrant capital city. Complimentary newspapers and non-alcoholic beverages are available in the lounge, and power outlets and free Wi-Fi are conveniently at your seat. A rail journey of just under four hours, you'll travel through rural Ontario's maple forests and pastureland as you approach Ottawa, a city regarded for its grand Victorian architecture and museums such as the National Gallery of Canada. The train will arrive to Ottawa Station, just east of downtown

Spending the rest of your day at leisure or activate your included Hop on Hop off bus pass to start exploring Canada's capital. 

Day 6 - Ottawa

Enjoy a day of sightseeing via your hop on hop off bus ticket

Day 7 - Ottawa to Toronto

Today travel onbaord VIA Rail's train from Ottawa to Toronto.

Departing the nation's capital of Ottawa today, board the VIA Rail train bound for Toronto, Canada's largest city. Complimentary newspapers and non-alcoholic beverages are available in the lounge, and power outlets and free Wi-Fi are conveniently at your seat. Traveling out of Ottawa you'll enjoy views of Ontario's small villages and scattered maple forests, then the train will pass Trenton Junction and travel along the shores of Lake Ontario, one of the five Great Lakes of North America. Your journey will take approximately four hours, arriving to Toronto at Union Station. Known as Canada's busiest transport hub, approximately 250,000 visitors pass through Union Station every day.

Day 8 - Toronto

Enjoy a day of leisure exploring Toronto at your own pace, Excursions are available to Niagara Falls, just ask your consultant for details.

Day 9 - Toronto to Banff

Today board a domestic flight from Toronto to Calgary, then transfer by express coach to Banff in the heart of the Rocky Mountains.

Day 10 - Banff to Jasper - Scenic Transfer

Today's tour to Jasper takes us through some of the most spectacular mountain landscapes in North America. Following the spine of the Canadian Rockies, view a never-ending procession of mammoth mountains, jagged snowy peaks, and over 100 glaciers. The entire day is spent in the majesty of Canada's two most famous National Parks, Banff and Jasper. Departing Banff we pass Vermilion Lakes and the fortress formations of Castle Mountain before arriving at stunning Lake Louise and the world famous Chateau Lake Louise. After a short break we continue northwards on the Icefields Parkway, one of the most scenic stretches of highway in North America. Stops will be made at Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake, Peyto Lake and the Weeping Wall before arriving at the Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield where we allow time to enjoy the "Ice Explorer Ride" and the Glacier Skywalk (included). From here the parkway descends Tangle Ridge and follows the Athabasca River, which begins as melt water from the Athabasca Glacier. We then stop at the Athabasca Falls, where the boiling waters of the river plunge into a chasm gouged out of the valley floor.

Highlights: A hearty picnic lunch is included and will be enjoyed at a secluded location along the Icefields Parkway.  

Ice Explorer Ride 

Facing the Columbia Icefield Visitors Centre lies the Athabasca Glacier - a tongue of ice 6 kilometres long and one kilometre wide descending almost to road level. Take time for Brewster's Ice Age Adventure, a tour onto the icy slopes of the Athabasca Glacier. You will travel in a specially designed Brewster Snocoach to the middle of the glacier, on a 5 kilometre round trip journey. Your driver/guide will explain how glaciers are formed and point out interesting geological features as you travel in safety and comfort. At the icefall below the glacier headwall, you will have the option of stepping out onto ice formed from snow falling as long as 400 years ago.

Glacier Sky Walk 

Opened in May 2014, the area's newest attraction consists of a 500 metre interpretive boardwalk and a glass-floored observation platform extending 30 metres out over the Sunwapta Valley. Glacier Skywalk offers spectacular scenery and a rare view of nature. Anyone of any age and any activity level can immerse themselves in nature in a way that makes them feel truly overwhelmed by their surroundings and their unique vantage point!

Day 11 - Jasper

Today an introductory excursion in Jasper begins with a short tour of the town before heading across the Athabasca River to Maligne Lake. A century after Mary Schaeffer's remarkable adventure, come discover the world-renowned Maligne Lake for yourself! A stop at Maligne Canyon offers staggering views of the river thundering through a series of magnificent waterfalls in a gorge 10,000 years in the making. Farther up the valley, stop to solve the mystery of "disappearing" Medicine Lake. Next we'll carry on to the pinnacle of our tour, breathtaking Maligne Lake! Enjoy a gentle guided walk along the shores of this pristine lake before heading back to Jasper.

Day 12 - Jasper to Vancouver

Back on board VIA rail for a spectacular overnight journey through the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Coast and cosmopolitan Vancouver

Day 13 - Vancouver

Spend the day exploring Vancouver, this afternoon we have included a half day city tour to acquaint you with some of the best attractions that Vancouver has to offer.

Day 14 - Vancouver

Enjoy a full day at leisure exploring Vancouver at your own pace.

Day 15 - Vancouver to UK

Enjoy your last day in Vancouver, catching up on any shopping or sight seeing before catching your homeward flight.