2008 Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive Toronto
Welcome to Toronto, Canada's largest city and one of the most dynamic and multicultural metropolitans in North America. Once you have retrieved your luggage take a taxi, limo or airport bus (not included) to downtown Toronto and your accommodation for the night, the historic Fairmont Royal York Hotel. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore this exciting city.
Overnight Fairmont Royal York Hotel - Fairmont room
Day 2 - VIA Rail - Toronto/Ontario
Let the journey begin! This morning, walk to the VIA Rail Station, accessible by an underground walkway from the hotel. Your train adventure across Canada begins at this morning as VIA Rail's Canadian train rolls out of Union station. You are retracing a journey that started over 120 years ago on a ribbon of steel that still connects Canada from coast to coast. On the first leg of its epic journey across Canada, the Canadian travels through some of the least populated regions as it crosses Canada's largest province, Ontario. Enjoy private bedroom accommodation, meals in the private dining car and relax in the 'Silver & Blue Lounge' or Dome car.
Overnight VIA Rail in a private bedroom
Day 3 - VIA Rail - Ontario / Manitoba / Saskatchewan
Today the journey continues through the vast forests and lake country of Ontario. From the isolated lumber community of Sioux Lookout through to the Manitoba city of Winnipeg, the Canadian is rarely interrupted by civilization. The train rolls relentlessly westward passing pristine lakes, forests and nature rich marches. Soon the vast wheat fields of Saskatchewan present themselves in golden splendour. You may be lucky enough to witness a dramatic prairie lightning storm from the dome car before you turn in for the night.
Overnight VIA Rail in a private bedroom
Day 4 - Arrive Jasper
While oil and natural gas industry dominate the economy of Alberta, it is the gentle rolling hills of grain and herds of contented cows that dominate the landscape for the first part of the day. Mid-morning the Canadian will make a brief stop at the provincial capital city of Edmonton before heading west along the banks of the Athabasca River and into the Rocky Mountains. Later in the afternoon you will arrive at the train station in the quaint resort village of Jasper, the northern gateway to the Canadian Rockies. Your accommodation for the night is 2 blocks away in the centre of town. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore the activities, shops and restaurants of Jasper.
Overnight Amethyst Lodge - Standard room
Day 5 - Rocky Mountaineer® - Jasper to Kamloops RedLeaf Service®
This morning you will transfer (on own) to the Jasper Train Station where you will board the Rocky Mountaineer®. For the next two days, you will be experiencing the friendly RedLeaf Service® on the 'Most Spectacular Train Trip in the World!®'. Leaving Jasper, you will soon pass by Mt Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies at 3954 meters (12,972 ft). Beyond Mount Robson Provincial Park, the train rolls westward and follows the Fraser River and picturesque Moose Lake before turning south to follow the Thompson River. The snowy peaks of the Monashee and Cariboo Mountains gradually give way to the rolling hills of the dry interior plateau of British Columbia and your stop for the night, the lively city of Kamloops. Tonight you may choose to enjoy one of the dinner shows presented by Rocky Mountaineer® or explore this exciting and lively town on your own.
Overnight Kamloops (Hotel to be advised)
Day 6 - Rocky Mountaineer® - Kamloops to Vancouver RedLeaf Service®
Early this morning, the Rocky Mountaineer® pulls out of the Kamloops Station. As breakfast is served the train rolls along the banks of the Thompson River and the deep blue waters of Kamloops Lake. The landscape changes dramatically as the Rocky Mountaineer® enters the jagged landscape of the Thompson and Fraser River Canyons. Hearty white water rafters wave as they soar through giant rapids. At Hell's Gate watch the river converge through the narrow canyon walls with tremendous force as wary onlookers view the spectacle from the safety of a gondola dangling from the canyon walls. Eventually the Rocky Mountaineer® reaches the peaceful calm of the fertile farmlands of the Fraser Valley. Too soon your journey will come to an end as the train rolls into the station in Vancouver. Transfer (on your own) to your accommodation for the night and enjoy your time in this exciting and beautiful city.
Overnight Residence Inn by Marriott Downtown Vancouver (includes buffet breakfast)
Day 7 - Depart Vancouver
Today you will transfer (on own) to the Vancouver International Airport in time for your flight departure home.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- 4 nights accommodation, any mandatory service charges and room tax
- 2 nights bedroom accommodation and meals on VIA Rail's Canadian from Toronto to Jasper in Silver & Blue Class
- Rocky Mountaineer® 2 day rail tour from Jasper to Vancouver in RedLeaf Service® including 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches & snacks
- National Park Entrance fee
- Personalized documentation package
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Meals not listed as included
- Airport transfers
- Gratuities rail personnel and hotel staff
- Optional Activities
- Trip Cancellation Insurance (Insurance can be purchased from your Vacation Specialist, ask for more details)
2009 Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive Toronto / VIA Rail - Toronto/Ontario
Welcome to Toronto, Canada's largest city and one of the most dynamic and multicultural metropolitans in North America. Once you have retrieved your luggage take a taxi, limo or airport bus (not included) to downtown Toronto and the VIA Rail Train Station. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore this exciting city.
Your train adventure across Canada begins this evening (approximately 9:30pm) as VIA Rail's Canadian train rolls out of Union station. You are retracing a journey that started over 120 years ago on a ribbon of steel that still connects Canada from coast to coast. On the first leg of its epic journey across Canada, the Canadian travels through some of the least populated regions as it crosses Canada's largest province, Ontario. Enjoy private bedroom accommodation, meals in the private dining car and relax in the 'Silver & Blue Lounge' or Dome car.
Overnight VIA Rail in a private bedroom
Day 2 & 3 - VIA Rail - Ontario / Manitoba / Saskatchewan
The journey continues through the vast forests and lake country of Ontario. From the isolated lumber community of Sioux Lookout through to the Manitoba city of Winnipeg, the Canadian is rarely interrupted by civilization. The train rolls relentlessly westward passing pristine lakes, forests and nature rich marches. Soon the vast wheat fields of Saskatchewan present themselves in golden splendour. You may be lucky enough to witness a dramatic prairie lightning storm from the dome car before you turn in for the night.
Overnight VIA Rail in a private bedroom
Day 4 - Arrive Jasper
While oil and natural gas industry dominate the economy of Alberta, it is the gentle rolling hills of grain and herds of contented cows that dominate the landscape for the first part of the day. Mid-morning the Canadian will make a brief stop at the provincial capital city of Edmonton before heading west along the banks of the Athabasca River and into the Rocky Mountains. In the afternoon you will arrive at the train station in the quaint resort village of Jasper, the northern gateway to the Canadian Rockies. Your accommodation for the night is 2 blocks away in the centre of town. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore the activities, shops and restaurants of Jasper.
Overnight Amethyst Lodge - Standard room
Day 5 – Jasper at Leisure
Spend a full day exploring Jasper and the surrounding area. Suggested activities include a boat cruise on Maligne Lake, exploring the depths of Maligne Canyon, a ride on the Jasper Tramway or a visit to Miette Hot Springs. For the adventurous traveller, the Athabasca River offers exciting whitewater rafting excursions.
Overnight Amethyst Lodge - Standard room
Day 6 - Rocky Mountaineer® - Jasper to Kamloops RedLeaf Service®
This morning you will transfer (on own) to the Jasper Train Station where you will board the Rocky Mountaineer®. For the next two days, you will be experiencing the friendly RedLeaf Service® on the 'Most Spectacular Train Trip in the World!®'. Leaving Jasper, you will soon pass by Mt Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies at 3954 meters (12,972 ft). Beyond Mount Robson Provincial Park, the train rolls westward and follows the Fraser River and picturesque Moose Lake before turning south to follow the Thompson River. The snowy peaks of the Monashee and Cariboo Mountains gradually give way to the rolling hills of the dry interior plateau of British Columbia and your stop for the night, the lively city of Kamloops. Tonight you may choose to enjoy one of the dinner shows presented by Rocky Mountaineer® or explore this exciting and lively town on your own.
Overnight Kamloops (Hotel to be advised)
Day 7 - Rocky Mountaineer® - Kamloops to Vancouver RedLeaf Service®
Early this morning, the Rocky Mountaineer® pulls out of the Kamloops Station. As breakfast is served the train rolls along the banks of the Thompson River and the deep blue waters of Kamloops Lake. The landscape changes dramatically as the Rocky Mountaineer® enters the jagged landscape of the Thompson and Fraser River Canyons. Hearty white water rafters wave as they soar through giant rapids. At Hell's Gate watch the river converge through the narrow canyon walls with tremendous force as wary onlookers view the spectacle from the safety of a gondola dangling from the canyon walls. Eventually the Rocky Mountaineer® reaches the peaceful calm of the fertile farmlands of the Fraser Valley. Too soon your journey will come to an end as the train rolls into the station in Vancouver. Transfer (on your own) to your accommodation for the night and enjoy your time in this exciting and beautiful city.
Overnight Residence Inn by Marriott Downtown Vancouver (includes buffet breakfast)
Day 8 - Depart Vancouver
Today you will transfer (on own) to the Vancouver International Airport in time for your flight departure home.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- 4 nights accommodation, any mandatory service charges and room tax
- 3 nights bedroom accommodation and meals on VIA Rail's Canadian from Toronto to Jasper in Silver & Blue Class
- Rocky Mountaineer® 2 day rail tour from Jasper to Vancouver in RedLeaf Service® including 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches & snacks
- National Park Entrance fee
- Personalized documentation package
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Meals not listed as included
- Airport transfers
- Gratuities rail personnel and hotel staff
- Optional Activities
- Goods and Services tax (GST)
- Trip Cancellation Insurance (Insurance can be purchased from your Vacation Specialist, ask for more details)