Canadian Rail Adventure: Rocky Mountaineer & The Canadian

Your grand Canadian rail adventure begins today on arrival in the coastal city of Vancouver. As your plane touches down, transfer independently to your centrally located hotel to check in for one night. From this point, the remainder of the evening is yours to relax and enjoy the amenities of your accommodations or to begin getting to know your new surroundings.

Vancouver has a thriving cultural scene, with fascinating neighborhoods to explore, including historic Gastown and Chinatown. You might like to make your way to Granville Island to explore the famous market or to Stanley Park, whose leafy surroundings and pathway along the seawall offer a scenic introduction to Vancouver.

There is so much to see and do in this coastal city; should you wish to extend your stay, speak to a Rail Specialist about adding additional nights and sightseeing experiences in Vancouver. Some options include a city tour, whale watching or a day trip to Whistler. Overnight Vancouver.

With some of Western Canada's most impressive views ahead, the day begins with an early morning transfer to board the luxurious Rocky Mountaineer for an all-daylight journey toward Kamloops. Settle into your SilverLeaf* seat, surrounded by panoramic windows and 180-degree views.

Delight in commentary from your onboard attendants and enjoy a delicious breakfast as the beauty of British Columbia unfolds. Rocky Mountaineer winds through deep forests and fields along the Fraser River before the imposing peaks of the Coast Mountains close in. Passing the rushing waters of Hell's Gate, you can admire Fraser Canyon and keep your eyes open for native Canadian wildlife.

After Lytton, the train follows the Thompson River and the scenery changes once again, becoming an almost desert-like environment. A three-course lunch is served at your seat as breathtaking views pass by. Disembarking in Kamloops early this evening, head to your hotel to check in and then you are free to find dinner locally or relax. Overnight Kamloops.

*Please note: upgrades are available to GoldLeaf Service, which includes upper-level seating and meals in the lower-level dining car.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Transferring back to the Kamloops train station early this morning, your journey onboard Rocky Mountaineer continues toward the Canadian Rockies. With another day of impeccable service by your onboard hosts and breakfast and lunch served at your seat, you can sit back and marvel at the beautiful sights.

Travel through the South Thompson River area and past Shuswap Lake, which is said to house a legendary inhabitant, Shuswaggi. Climbing the dramatic Kicking Horse Pass, the train twists through a marvel of engineering, the Spiral Tunnels. More striking scenery awaits as you cross the Continental Divide, passing the photogenic Morant's Curve and the iconic Castle Mountain before arriving in Banff.

On arrival, a transfer takes you to your hotel, conveniently located within reach of everything this mountain town has to offer. You might like to explore the local cuisine in one of Canada's burgeoning foodie destinations or relax in these spectacular natural surroundings. Overnight Banff.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Some of the Rockies' most awe-inspiring sights lie ahead as you set out on a guided tour of Banff National Park. With a guide, uncover breathtaking views while visiting Bow Falls, Surprise Corner and Two Jack Viewpoint. In addition to reveling in the scenery from the ground, you also have included admission to the Banff Gondola, which travels to the summit of Sulphur Mountain for panoramic scenes of the Bow Valley. Lunch is included as you tour. For departures after May 16, this tour also includes a cruise on Lake Minnewanka. Alternatively, you can explore your way by switching to another tour (additional charges may apply). The remainder of your day is then at leisure. If you would like to discover the region further, consider adding an optional evening excursion. Overnight Banff.

Alternative Tours & Optional Evening Excursion

Discover Banff & Its Wildlife With Gondola - Alternative A shorter version of the standard touring option, this 5 ½-hour excursion showcases the town of Banff and the wonders that lie in the surrounding national park. See highlights like Bow Falls, Surprise Corner, Two Jack Lake and Tunnel Mountain Drive, as well as stunning examples of Banff National Park's unique hoodoos. This tour also includes admission to the Banff Gondola to see the glories from above. Lunch is not included with this option.

Full-day Discover Grizzly Bears Tour - Alternative Departures between June 1 and September 27 can embark on a journey of scenic highlights and majestic wildlife just outside Banff. First, travel to a grizzly bear refuge and then enjoy a sightseeing tour that takes you to the Spiral Tunnels, Takakkaw Falls and Kicking Horse Mountain. At the mountain, a gondola ride takes you to Canada's highest restaurant for an included lunch. This tour does not allow for evening excursions.

Evening Wildlife Safari - Optional On departures after May 1, spend two hours searching for Banff National Park's most impressive inhabitants on an evening expedition. This tour ventures to some of the park's most prolific wildlife-spotting destinations, with animals seen on approximately 95% of tours. Admire the stunning scenery while looking for bears, elk, bighorn sheep and more while learning about the ecology of the Canadian Rockies.

• Lunch

Venturing deeper into Banff National Park today, you can discover some of the most picturesque sights in the Canadian Rockies. Set out surrounded by imposing mountain peaks, soaking up a timeless landscape filled with lakes, waterfalls and colorful valleys. Each season brings its own range of highlights; however, all departures feature the Spiral Tunnels. Other stops may include Moraine Lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, Takakkaw Falls, Johnston Canyon, Field Visitor Centre and the Natural Rock Bridge.

After crossing the Continental Divide and entering Yoho National Park, the route continues to Emerald Lake. Enjoy some time to admire its scenery and an included lunch at Emerald Lake Lodge before heading toward Banff National Park's iconic Lake Louise. Surrounded by views of the Victoria Glacier and encircled by dramatic peaks, this glacial lake is truly stunning.

With a free evening after checking into your hotel, you can soak up the serene atmosphere of this breathtaking resort town. Overnight Lake Louise.

• Lunch

Cascading waterfalls, broad-reaching valleys, tranquil mountain lakes, glaciers and snow-capped peaks guide the way as you leave Lake Louise on a motorcoach tour this morning, following the spectacular course of Icefields Parkway. The route pauses at the Columbia Icefield, where a highlight of your vacation awaits: a ride aboard an Ice Explorer vehicle onto the surface of the Athabasca Glacier.

Travel directly onto the glacier itself, and enjoy a chance to walk around on the ancient ice before returning to the Glacier Discovery Centre. A hot buffet lunch is included, as is time to walk along the impressive Glacier Skywalk (weather dependent), a curved glass walkway 918 feet in the air that provides unobstructed views of the Sunwapta Valley below.

Back on your motorcoach en route to Jasper, soak up even more views of the Rockies and their foothills before arriving in Jasper in the evening. Check into your hotel with the rest of the day free in this resort town. Jasper has a quieter atmosphere than Banff; however, there is still plenty to uncover. Overnight Jasper.

• Lunch

There is time to find breakfast locally and delight in Jasper's scenery before making your way to Jasper's train station late this morning to board one of the world's most iconic train journeys, VIA Rail's Canadian. Stepping aboard, settle into your semi-private Berth* as your three-night journey to Toronto begins.

Leaving Jasper, the Canadian follows the Athabasca River, winding down the Rocky Mountains into the foothills. Enjoy views of glaciers, plunging canyons, soaring mountains and endless forests before the train crosses further into Alberta, where the scenery changes as remote settlements and serene lakes dot the landscape.

All of your meals and non-alcoholic drinks are included on the Canadian, and as a Sleeper Plus traveler, you also enjoy use of the Skyline Car, whose upper-level Sightseer Lounge provides remarkable vistas. Additionally, you have use of the Park Car during specified hours. This evening, the views become more urban as the train passes through Edmonton, and dinner is served in the Dining Car. Overnight train.

*Please note: upgrades to private Cabins are available. Speak with a Rail Specialist for details.

• Dinner

Views of Saskatchewan's vast prairies punctuate the scenery as you enjoy breakfast this morning. The seemingly endless grasslands of the Great Plains stretch as far as the eye can see as the Canadian rolls on.

With a population similar to that of Montana and an area slightly smaller than that of Texas, Saskatchewan is ideal for sitting back and watching the world go by. Keep your eyes peeled for roaming wildlife or eagles soaring overhead as the route proceeds through this remote region. Lunch and dinner are also served on board as you continue east.

Crossing into Manitoba, a province with more than 100,000 lakes stretching up to the shores of Hudson Bay, there is plenty to catch the eye. Manitoba's capital is Winnipeg, and the Canadian passes through this fascinating city, home to more than 50 ethnic communities, tonight. Overnight train.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Over breakfast on the VIA Rail's Canadian this morning, cross the rocky ground of northwestern Ontario, a landscape pocked with scenic lakes and thick forests of ancient trees. While Ontario might be the most populous of Canada's provinces, the remote areas of today's route are raw Canadian wilderness. The domed-glass windows of the Sightseer Lounge provide truly inspiring views as the train rumbles on. Look closely, and you may be lucky enough to spot wildlife against this pristine backdrop.

After lunch on board, the Canadian changes direction, continuing its journey in a southeasterly direction toward the Great Lakes. You might like to spend some time watching the world pass in your seat or grab a drink in the Park Car before dinner as the train continues through this evocative scenery en route to Toronto. Overnight train.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Your final morning on the Canadian begins with breakfast as the train travels south toward Toronto. The views change from the mountains and prairies of the past few days to more familiar suburban scenes as the train makes its way around Lake Simcoe into the Greater Toronto area.

Brunch is served before arriving mid-afternoon at Toronto's Union Station. On arrival, make your own way to your centrally located hotel, and then you are free to start exploring the dynamic cityscape.

You might like to head into the city center to explore the shops and museums, such as the Royal Ontario Museum, or you could find dinner at one of Toronto's more than 9,300 restaurants that reflect the tastes, cultures and ingredients of the world. From upscale dishes to comfort food, you will find dining experiences to satisfy any craving. Overnight Toronto.

• Breakfast, Brunch

Another tour highlight lies ahead today as you set out this morning for a full-day sightseeing excursion to Niagara Falls. Your route takes you through the orchard-laden Niagara Peninsula to Niagara Falls, one of the great wonders of the world.

In addition to seeing the falls from land, this excursion includes a ride on the world-famous Hornblower, which travels to the base of Horsehoe Falls, allowing you to feel the power of the plunging water. Also included is a lunch buffet overlooking the waterfall. Exploring the site further, you travel along the beautiful River Road, winding along the Niagara Gorge and stopping at the Floral Clock and the historical community of Niagara-on-the-Lake before returning to Toronto.

Alternatively, you can stay in Toronto for the day and explore its unique features by switching to a Private Sightseeing Tour without lunch (additional charges may apply). Overnight Toronto.

• Lunch

From the glittering Pacific Coast to the lush Rockies and Niagara Falls - one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World - this trans-Canadian journey has been a showcase of natural beauty. Canada's iconic railways have been an ideal chariot, with the Rocky Mountaineer revealing Western Canada by daylight only before VIA Rail's Canadian whisked you across the vast interior. In between your rail journeys, time in Banff and Jasper National Parks offered a welcome chance to soak up the wonders of the wilderness in person.

Your journey comes to a close this morning with an included transfer from your hotel to Toronto's international airport, from which you are free to begin your travels home. Should you wish to extend your stay in Canada instead, speak to a Rail Specialist about adding extra nights in Toronto.