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20242025
17 days From £10,495 £9,995 per person

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A fabulous rail journey across Canada’s most beautiful scenery, into the breathtaking Rockies, staying in iconic Fairmont Hotels.

Save up to £300pp

Save up to £300pp on selected Worldwide 2024 holidays when you book by 31st October 2023.

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2024 Tour code: CCP24

About the tour

Staying in four distinctive and luxurious Fairmont Hotels, our fabulous rail journey begins in stunning Vancouver which we explore before joining the iconic Rocky Mountaineer to beautiful Banff. We continue to the World Heritage Jasper National Park, then head east to cultural Toronto, the awe-inspiring Niagara Falls, historic Québec and charming Nova Scotia.

Unforgettable experiences

Stanley Park, Vancouver
Stanley Park, Vancouver
Explore cosmopolitan Vancouver, from the city’s superb Fairmont Hotel, discovering the Gastown neighbourhood and the expansive Stanley Park.
Rocky Mountaineer
Rocky Mountaineer
Travel into the Canadian Rockies on the iconic Rocky Mountaineer, climbing the legendary spiral tunnels, built to overcome steep mountain gradients.
Banff National Park
Banff National Park
Experience the natural beauty of Banff National Park, Emerald Lake and the stupendous Lake Louise.
Jasper Park Lodge
Jasper Park Lodge
Enjoy an indulgent stay in Jasper Park Lodge, set beneath stunning mountains, and explore the World Heritage wonderland of Jasper National Park.
The Canadian
The Canadian
Enjoy a three-night rail adventure on The Canadian from Jasper to Toronto, crossing prairies and the Canadian Shield, past glacial lakes and ancient forests. Glimpse moose, eagle and elk, as we travel to Ontario’s scenic lakelands.
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls
Discover the highlights of Toronto and take a boat into the fine mist at the base of the thundering Niagara Falls.
Château Frontenac
Château Frontenac
Stay in Québec’s world-renowned Fairmont Hotel – the enchanting and luxurious Château Frontenac.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Vancouver

We depart the UK on our flight from London Heathrow to Vancouver, where we transfer to our superb Fairmont Hotel in the heart of the city for two nights.

Day 2 – Exploring Vancouver

The city of Vancouver is one of the world's most desirable places to live, with an incredible setting between coastal mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Today we take a guided tour of its attractions. We begin at the old Gastown quarter, one of Vancouver's best-loved neighbourhoods - an area of trendy coffee shops, galleries, native art stores and the Gastown Steam Clock. We visit the incredible Stanley Park, larger than Central Park and filled with over half a million trees. Here, we see the colourful totem poles which celebrate the region's Native American history. We also experience the scents and sights of Chinatown. The rest of your day is at leisure, with plenty to explore at your own pace.

Day 3 – The Rocky Mountaineer

Today we embark on a daylight journey towards the Rockies on the iconic Rocky Mountaineer, travelling to Kamloops along one of the most dramatic stretches of the line. We pass through lush green forests and dramatic valleys, home to an abundance of Canadian wildlife, along the dramatic Thompson and Fraser Canyons before entering the desert-like environs of Canada's interior. Look out for Rainbow Canyon, where a myriad colours are reflected in the rocks. Other features to spot are 'hoodoos' - tall skinny spires of rock which protrude from the arid Thompson Plateau. Local mythology describes these as giants, turned to stone by the Great Spirit. We disembark in the town of Kamloops where we spend the night.

Day 4 – The Rocky Mountaineer to Banff

We reboard the Rocky Mountaineer this morning, entering the towering landscapes of the Rockies, following the 'First Passage to the West' route. We experience the legendary spiral tunnels, built to overcome the steep gradients of the mountains, and cross the impressive Continental Divide. We arrive into Banff, staying two nights in the luxurious Banff Springs Fairmont Hotel.

Day 5 – Banff National Park

We explore the natural beauty of Banff National Park, seeing the Emerald Lake, visiting beautiful Lake Louise and meeting a retired Canadian 'Mountie'.

Day 6 – Jasper

Today, we depart by coach along the world-famous Icefields Parkway, a stunning route which links Banff with Jasper. We stop at the Icefields Centre and see the breathtaking Athabasca Glacier. We overnight in the lovely town of Jasper, staying in the wonderful Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, amid majestic mountain scenery with World Heritage status.

Day 7 – The Canadian

After a free morning in the friendly town of Jasper, we begin our epic journey aboard The Canadian, travelling to Toronto over the next three nights. Settling into our private cabins, we begin a spectacular journey through the foothills of the Rockies, passing pine forests, glaciers, canyons and soaring peaks.

Day 8 – The Canadian

Today is our first full day on the train. From the comfort of the glass-roofed panoramic observation car, sit back and watch the world go by as we travel eastwards, crossing the prairies into the province of Saskatchewan. You may glimpse local wildlife, including bear, moose, eagles and elk.

Day 9 – Across the Canadian Shield

Today is spent crossing the Canadian Shield - a wild land of glacial lakes, ancient trees and isolated communities. Our journey continues through the scenic lakelands of northern Ontario, as we travel overnight towards Toronto.

Day 10 – Toronto

Arriving in Toronto, we check into our central waterfront hotel for two nights. Enjoy a free evening to explore your new surroundings and settle in.

Day 11 – Toronto and Niagara Falls

We take a guided coach excursion to Niagara Falls on Day 11, one of the most impressive natural wonders in the world. We enjoy a boat tour into the mist at the base of the falls, experiencing the thundering effect of the three separate waterfalls - American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and the Horseshoe Falls - as they converge into one. We continue to Table Rock, a national park on the edge of Canada's Blue Ridge Mountains. We also see the Niagara Whirlpool, caused by the powerful force of the rapids. We continue to visit the small town of Niagara-on-the-Lake where there's free time to look around.

Day 12 – Québec City

This morning we travel by rail to Montreal, changing trains for the approach to Québec City, the only walled city in North America. Here we check into our accommodation at the exceptional Fairmont Hotel, Le Château Frontenac.

Day 13 – Discovering Québec

Today we explore the city on a guided, seeing the Citadel and the 'Plains of Abraham' - the site of the historic battle between British and French forces which led to the French surrender of Quebec. Later, we visit a sugar shack where maple syrup is produced. We learn about the history of maple syrup in Canada, and enjoy a tasting, followed by a three course lunch inspired by the syrup. Québec has a fascinating history and some wonderful architecture, including the Ba-silica Cathedral Notre-Dame de Québec. The Old City is a joy to explore, with pedestrianised streets, galleries, bistros and shops. Also worth a visit is Dufferin Terrace, a popular viewing site. This evening we board The Ocean for our overnight rail journey to Nova Scotia.

Day 14 – Halifax

During the night, The Ocean travels alongside the St Lawrence River to Chaleur Bay. The train then heads across New Brunswick and into Nova Scotia, arriving in Halifax, where we stay for two nights.

Day 15 – Nova Scotia

We explore Nova Scotia's maritime treasures and coast on a sightseeing tour today, visiting Peggy's Cove - a charming fishing village with a lighthouse and a number of traditional inukshuks - age-old rock structures used to navigate the frozen north. Legend says the community got its name from the sole survivor of a schooner shipwreck. We continue to Lunenburg, whose quaint waterfront houses with colourful wooden façades, have earned the town World Heritage status.

Day 16 – Halifax

With a free morning at leisure, you could head to Point Pleasant Park, in Halifax's south end peninsula. This wooded 75-hectare park is popular with locals and has some great walking trails. Alternatively, maybe visit the historic Keith brewery, sample the local lobster at a waterside diner, or spend some time in the maritime museum. Later, we transfer to the airport for our flight back to London Heathrow.

Day 17 – London

We arrive in London, and you're free to continue your journey home.

Additional information

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotels

Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Banff

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The Westin Nova Scotian, Halifax

The Westin Nova Scotian, Halifax

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Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Jasper

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Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, Québec

Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, Québec

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Hotel le Germain Maple Leaf Square, Toronto

Hotel le Germain Maple Leaf Square, Toronto

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Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

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Trains

The Canadian Train
The Ocean Train
The Rocky Mountaineer

Enhance your holiday

Upgrades

Upgrade to a Sleeper Plus cabin on The Canadian train
Upgrade to Prestige Class on The Canadian
Upgrade your flight to Premium Economy
London Hotels
UK rail connections

Extend your holiday

Grizzly Bears of Knights Inlet Lodge
Vancouver Island
Worldwide Holidays by Rail 2023/2024

Worldwide Holidays by Rail 2023/2024

Long haul rail holidays to Scandinavia, North America, South America, Asia, Africa and Australasia.

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