Canada by Rail - Starting in Toronto (13 days)
From your front row seat, discover how the landscape shifts as you travel from Toronto to the Pacific Ocean. Watch the rugged Canadian Shield, the untamed wilderness of Northern Ontario, and the vast rolling prairies of Manitoba and Saskatchewan pass by your window. Marvel at the majestic, snow-capped mountains of the Canadian Rockies. See the rushing waters, fertile farms, and sheer rock faces of the Fraser River Valley. Undoubtably, the train is the best way to appreciate the incredible scale and diversity of this vast nation.
While traversing Canada, delight in first-class service and amenities aboard VIA Rail on The Canadian from Toronto to Jasper. Enjoy delicious food and cozy accommodations as you ride the rails. In Banff, board the Rocky Mountaineer – “The Most Spectacular Train Trip in the World.” During the daytime see panoramic vistas from glass-domed coaches and outdoor viewing areas. Gourmet meals are delivered to your comfortable seats. It is a true feast for the senses!
Dates
Highlights
VIA Rail’s Sleeper Plus Class from Toronto to Jasper
Rocky Mountaineer 2-Day Rail Tour from Banff to Vancouver
Canadian Rockies
Columbia Icefields Ice Explorer and Skywalk
Tours of Jasper, Banff, Victoria, and Vancouver
2 Nights in Jasper
2 Nights in Banff
3 Nights in Vancouver
21 Meals
Fully escorted from Toronto
Itinerary
DAY 1: September 28, 2024
Arrive Toronto ON
Arrive in Canada’s largest city and transfer to your hotel. Stay the night in the heart of the city at the historic and elegant Fairmont Royal York. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner. (Dinner)
DAY 2: September 29, 2024
Depart Toronto ON
This morning, depart on VIA Rail’s transcontinental train, restored to its original 1950’s style. “The Canadian” is a handsome stainless-steel re-creation of the great era of train travel. Enjoy your private room, socialize over a drink with friends in the Mural Lounge, or ascend the staircase to the dome of the Park Car for coffee under the stars. Overnight VIA Rail (Sleeper Plus Class). (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 3: September 30, 2024
Northern Ontario to Manitoba
After a peaceful night’s rest, awake and enjoy the view of the untamed wilderness of Northern Ontario. Cross the rugged rocks of the Canadian Shield to enter the Province of Manitoba. Overnight VIA Rail (Sleeper Plus Class). (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 4: October 1, 2024
Manitoba to Saskatchewan to Alberta
As your westward journey continues, be sure to visit the Dome for sweeping views of the vast rolling prairies as you travel across Saskatchewan and into Alberta today. Overnight VIA Rail (Sleeper Plus Class). (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 5: October 2, 2024
Jasper AB
This morning, arrive in the resort town of Jasper, in the heart of the mountains. No trip to Jasper National Park is complete without seeing Maligne Canyon and Lake, one of the most picturesque spots in the Canadian Rockies. Keep your eyes open for grizzly bears and other wildlife as you drive through the park. Spend two nights in Jasper, Alberta. (Continental Breakfast)
DAY 6: October 3, 2024
Jasper AB
The entire day is yours to explore Jasper at your leisure. (Breakfast)
DAY 7: October 4, 2024
Jasper AB to Banff AB
Travel by motorcoach south on the Icefields Parkway to the Columbia Icefields. Board the Ice Explorer for a ride up the Athabasca Glacier, followed by the exhilarating Skywalk (weather permitting). Continue along the Parkway, whose scenery is rated “the most spectacular in the entire Canadian National Parks System”, en route to Lake Louise. Spend two nights nested under imposing peaks in the bustling resort village of Banff, Alberta. (Breakfast)
DAY 8: October 5, 2024
Banff AB
Today’s tour of Banff includes Bow Falls, the Banff Springs Hotel and Tunnel Mountain. The Banff Gondola takes you to the top of Sulphur Mountain to experience a stunning bird’s eye view of six mountain ranges. The rest of the day is free to explore on your own. (Breakfast)
DAY 9: October 6, 2024
Rocky Mountaineer
Today it’s “All Aboard” as you pull out of the Banff Station on the Rocky Mountaineer two- day rail tour, “the Most Spectacular Train Trip in the World”. Sit back and relax in spacious, comfortable reclining seats with picture windows in Silverleaf service. Meals, snacks, and non-alcoholic drinks are served at your seat. Your Onboard Service Attendant provides interesting and informative commentary on the history and geography along the route. Travel through the snow-capped mountains of Banff, Yoho, and Glacier National Parks. Twist a figure eight through the “Spiral Tunnels”. Watch for wildlife on the hillsides. Traverse Rogers Pass. Discover Craigellachie where, in 1885, the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railroad was driven. Overnight in Kamloops, British Columbia. (Continental Breakfast, Lunch)
DAY 10: October 7, 2024
Kamloops BC to Vancouver BC
Re-board the train as you continue westward through Canada’s semi-arid desert. Travel down the Thompson River, where whitewater rafters challenge the rapids at the Jaws of Death Gorge. Along the historic Fraser River, see Hell’s Gate in the Fraser Canyon before entering the lush, fertile fields of the Fraser Valley. In the late afternoon, arrive in Vancouver, British Columbia for a three-night stay. (Continental Breakfast, Lunch)
DAY 11: October 8, 2024
Day Trip to Victoria BC
It’s an early start for a day trip to charming Victoria. Board the ferry at Tsawwassen to cross the Strait of Georgia to Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island. Victoria – “the Emerald of the West and Sunshine City” – is a regal capital with a British accent and old English charm. Your tour of the city includes the Tudor-style buildings, parks, flower-lined streets and more. Visit Butchart Gardens, offering four seasons of magnificent flowers, trees and much more. Return to Vancouver for overnight. (Breakfast)
DAY 12: October 9, 2024
Vancouver BC
A morning city tour will acquaint you with this impressive western Canadian city, site of the 1986 World Exposition and the host of the 2010 Winter Olympics. See historic Gastown, 1000-acre Stanley Park, the downtown area, English Bay beaches, the waterfront and Chinatown. The afternoon is free to pursue your own interests. This evening, join your tour director for a Farewell Dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 13: October 10, 2024
Depart Vancouver today, taking with you fond memories of your cross Canada rail adventure!
Accommodations
| Day 1 | Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Toronto, ON |
| Days 2-4 | VIA Rail Sleeper Plus Class from Toronto, ON to Jasper, AB |
| Days 5&6 | Forest Park Hotel, Jasper, AB |
| Days 7&8 | Mount Royal Hotel, Banff, AB |
| Day 9 | Riverland Inn or Similar, Kamloops, BC |
| Days 10-12 | Blue Horizon Hotel, Vancouver, BC |
Mobility Requirements
Travelling with Atlantic Tours requires a certain level of activity and physical fitness to enjoy and take part in the tour.
While the specific requirements for each tour vary, in general, you must be able to:
- Enter and exit the train on your own.
- Climb stairs with ease and at times without handrails.
- Walk up and down moderate to steep inclines.
- Walk on uneven surfaces.
- Walk distances of at least 1km at a reasonable pace.
- Walk and stand for up to 2 hours.
- Manage your own luggage if luggage handling is not available.
Rates (CAD)
2024
| Double/Twin | Triple | Quad | Single |
| $10,609 | $10,169 | $9959 | $12,259 |
Rates are Per Person in CAD
Rates are subject to 7.7%HST/GST
Deposit & Payment Requirements:
- A deposit of $500 USD per person is due at time of booking.
- Balance of payment must be paid by July 12, 2024
- Full payment must accompany any reservation received on or after July 12, 2024
Cancellations:
- Prior to July 12, 2024: deposit is non-refundable
- Between July 12 to July 25, 2024: 50% of the total tour price is non-refundable
- July 26, 2024, day of departure and after departure: 100% of the total tour price is non-refundable
GENERAL INFORMATION & TERMS:
Price Per Person Rates Include:
- Accommodations, meals and sightseeing as noted in the itinerary
- Professional Tour Director
- Transportation
- Airport transfers in Toronto and Vancouver/Seattle
- Luggage Handling of one suitcase per person
Price Per Person Rates Does Not Include:
- Meals other than those referenced in the itinerary
- Airfare
- Travel Insurance
- Items of a personal nature
- HST/GST (Harmonized Sales Tax/Goods and Services Tax): all tours are subject to 7.7% HST/GST. While we are not currently aware of any proposed changes to this tax rate, it is subject to change due to local legislation.
- Customary gratuities to tour director (gratuities are discretionary, and therefore, should be extended on a voluntary, individual basis)
Rates (USD)
2024
| Double/Twin | Triple | Quad | Single |
| $8841 | $8474 | $8299 | $10,216 |
Rates are Per Person in USD
Rates are subject to 7.7%HST/GST
Deposit & Payment Requirements:
- A deposit of $500 USD per person is due at time of booking.
- Balance of payment must be paid by July 12, 2024
- Full payment must accompany any reservation received on or after July 12, 2024
Cancellations:
- Prior to July 12, 2024: deposit is non-refundable
- Between July 12 to July 25, 2024: 50% of the total tour price is non-refundable
- July 26, 2024, day of departure and after departure: 100% of the total tour price is non-refundable
GENERAL INFORMATION & TERMS:
Price Per Person Rates Include:
- Accommodations, meals and sightseeing as noted in the itinerary
- Professional Tour Director
- Transportation
- Airport transfers in Toronto and Vancouver/Seattle
- Luggage Handling of one suitcase per person
Price Per Person Rates Does Not Include:
- Meals other than those referenced in the itinerary
- Airfare
- Travel Insurance
- Items of a personal nature
- HST/GST (Harmonized Sales Tax/Goods and Services Tax): all tours are subject to 7.7% HST/GST. While we are not currently aware of any proposed changes to this tax rate, it is subject to change due to local legislation.
- Customary gratuities to tour director (gratuities are discretionary, and therefore, should be extended on a voluntary, individual basis)
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