Itinerary Details
Great Canadian Rail Journey
Day 1: ARRIVE IN TORONTO, ONTARIO Welcome to Toronto! At 6:00 p.m., meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers for a welcome drink.
Day 2: TORONTO. EXCURSION TO NIAGARA FALLS Taking the Plunge Drive along the shores of Lake Ontario to Niagara Falls. Take a Niagara Falls sightseeing cruise for a thrilling boat ride to view the thundering falls from river level. Enjoy lunch in Niagara Falls, then return to Toronto for an orientation tour and evening at leisure. (B,L)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
The famous natural wonder of Niagara Falls consists of three massive waterfalls – Rainbow Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Horseshoe Falls – plummeting at the southern end of Niagara Gorge. Take an exciting sightseeing cruise on the waters below the thunderous cascades of Niagara Falls and feel the mist and magic of this stunning spectacle of nature.
Day 3: TORONTO–VIA RAIL THE CANADIAN–ONTARIO All Aboard in Toronto! After breakfast, head to Union Station for departure on The Canadian, VIA Rail’s premier transcontinental train. (B,L,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
All aboard for a 3-day/3-night journey by train on this classic trip across Canada’s heartland, courtesy of VIA Rail’s Sleeper Plus service. Ride in nostalgic style in the comfort of refurbished 1950s art-deco-style interiors and domed observation cars providing panoramic views of Ontario’s beautiful landscapes and Canadian countryside.
Day 4: VIA RAIL THE CANADIAN–ONTARIO–WINNIPEG, MANITOBA Riding the Rails Your rail journey aboard The Canadian continues through Ontario and Manitoba. (B,L,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Watch the scenic countryside from your train as you glide past sparkling lakes and sun-dappled forests of Ontario. Try the observation dome for unparalleled views or enjoy quiet conversation in one of the comfortable lounges. Enter Manitoba with its endless golden prairies and vast cultivated fields.
Day 5: VIA RAIL THE CANADIAN–SASKATCHEWAN & ALBERTA Spectacular Saskatchewan Continue through the picturesque prairies and winding rivers of Saskatchewan and Alberta. (B,L,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
View the ever-changing landscape with ease and comfort as you meet and mingle with fellow passengers and enjoy freshly prepared meals that showcase Canadian cuisine and regional specialties courtesy of your VIA Rail train service.
Day 6: VIA RAIL THE CANADIAN–JASPER, ALBERTA Rocky Mountain Trails Admire the scenery as your train follows the Yellowhead Corridor, Canada’s historic trail of westward expansion. Arrive in Jasper for an orientation drive and free time this afternoon and evening. (B)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
Explore more in Jasper with free time to taste the traditions of Alberta’s gorgeous town nestled in the Canadian Rockies. Consider an optional excursion float trip on the Athabasca River or visit the Jasper SkyTram for marvelous views from Whistlers Mountain. Take your pick of an abundance of local eateries serving everything from Mediterranean cuisine and wood-fired pizza to hearty comfort foods like smokehouse brisket, mac and cheese, venison sausage, bison short ribs, and baked beans. Your Tour Director can recommend the best spots to satisfy your adventurous appetite, and provide tips for stargazing at night in Jasper, a designated Dark Sky Preserve nights.
Day 7: JASPER. EXCURSION TO MALIGNE LAKE Untamed Beauty Travel through Jasper’s unspoiled wilderness to Maligne Canyon and beautiful Maligne Lake, where you'll enjoy lunch and a narrated scenic cruise to Spirit Island. Return to Jasper, where the balance of the day is at leisure to explore on your own. (B,L)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Spanning nearly 4,250 square miles of spectacular natural beauty, Jasper is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. Its vast wilderness, majestic peaks, abundant wildlife, and breathtaking panoramic sights lie below an incredible sky to thrill stargazers as well. A cruise to Spirit Island on the turquoise waters of Maligne Lake is an exceptional sight to behold as one of the most photographed locations in the world for its jaw-dropping beauty.
Day 8: JASPER–COLUMBIA ICEFIELD–LAKE LOUISE–BANFF Moving Mountains and Lifting Hearts Head south through Jasper National Park on Icefields Parkway to the Columbia Icefield for a thrilling Ice Explorer ride on Athabasca Glacier. Climb Sunwapta Pass to savor stunning vistas of alpine meadows, waterfalls, and massive glaciers. Next, stop at Lake Louise, where turquoise waters form a perfect mirrored reflection of Mount Victoria. Continue into Banff. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
EPIC RIDE Be moved by an expedition across the Athabasca Glacier! Traverse this massive ice field aboard the all-terrain Columbia Ice Explorer and walk on the glacier's surface and witness the powerful forces that continue to shape the Rocky Mountain landscape. Feel the force of nature on an ancient glacier that continues to shape the Rocky Mountain landscape today.
Day 9: BANFF Breathtaking Banff Guided sightseeing includes Bow River and Bow Falls. The balance of the day is at leisure. Consider an optional flightseeing trip for a bird’s-eye view of the Rockies, scenic stroll along the Bow River and downtown, or a visit to the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, the birthplace of Canada’s national parks. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Journey into the heart of Banff National Park, Canada’s first national park, where towering Rocky Mountain peaks frame shimmering turquoise lakes. With breathtaking vistas at every turn, this immersive experience showcases the timeless beauty and grandeur of the Canadian Rockies.
Day 10: BANFF–SICAMOUS, BRITISH COLUMBIA–KAMLOOPS Heavenly Heights This morning, travel through Yoho National Park, one of Canada’s most popular recreational areas and site of Cambrian fossil finds. On to Canada’s Glacier National Park, where the motorcoach climbs 4,364-foot-high Rogers Pass, a perfect spot for photos of the surrounding mountain cliffs and glaciers. Visit Sicamous, British Columbia, for a sweet treat at a local dairy. Continue to Kamloops for western hospitality, dinner, and a relaxing evening at your riverside resort, South Thompson Inn. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Put your feet up in historic elegance in this beautifully rugged setting at the South Thompson Inn in Kamloops. Once home to a thoroughbred-racing stable, the 55-acre riverfront property retains its original Manor and Carriage Houses, renovated into first-class luxury lodging.
Day 11: KAMLOOPS–VICTORIA British Columbia Treasures Continue west and catch a BC Ferry to Vancouver Island. A city tour of Victoria includes the gardens of Beacon Hill Park, the Fairmont Empress hotel, Bastion Square, and Thunderbird Park. Free time this evening to enjoy dinner on your own at one of the many restaurants in this harbor city. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
EPIC RIDE Cruise on the BC Ferry from Vancouver to Victoria for a 90-minute journey across the water and keep a watchful eye on this bracing crossing to spy sea birds, seals, dolphins, or maybe even a humpback whale or a pod of orcas. Arrive in the very British city of Victoria on Vancouver Island, known as the Garden City for its stunning array of blooming flowers. Wander the quaint downtown core with its British colonial architecture, heritage buildings, and beautiful gardens before relaxing over a proper British afternoon tea.
Day 12: VICTORIA Spend your day your way in Victoria Explore more of Victoria with your choice of included Globus Choice excursions.
CAPITAL CULTURE
Visit the Royal BC Museum showcases the province's natural history, cultural heritage and the stories of Indigenous people. Three permanent galleries, Natural History, Becoming BC, and the First Peoples Gallery, feature exhibits and artifacts on colonial history, the gold rush, early settlers, modern culture and more. Visit adjacent Thunderbird Park, home to many totem poles and other First Nation monuments.
HARBOR HIGHLIGHTS
Explore the charm of Victoria on a guided walking tour through the heart of the city. Discover historic streets, local landmarks, and hidden gems while learning about the rich history, culture, and character that make British Columbia's capital such a beloved destination.
Enjoy a leisurely afternoon for independent sightseeing and shopping. Start with Government Street’s elegant boutiques and Market Square’s specialty shops. Later, visit [LF] The Butchart Gardens, then gather for a special farewell dinner in the beautifully restored original greenhouse. (B,D)
LOCAL FAVORITE
The Butchart Gardens, created by visionary Jennie Butchart in 1912, is a National Historic Site celebrated for its extraordinary horticultural beauty. With millions of blooms, more than 900 plant varieties, and exquisitely designed landscapes, this botanical oasis feels straight out of a fairytale.
Day 13:
VICTORIA–VANCOUVER British Columbia Treasures Take the BC Ferry through the Gulf Islands, an archipelago known for its Mediterranean climate. Arrive in Vancouver for a city tour that includes the Waterfront, Chinatown, and Stanley Park with remarkable towering evergreen forests and totem poles. Free time this evening to enjoy this vibrant city on your own. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Created in 1888, Stanley Park is considered the “crown jewel” of Vancouver. As the largest urban park in Vancouver, the dramatically beautiful and panoramic setting of Stanley Park spans more than 1000 acres right next to downtown Vancouver. Native culture is preserved with a striking collection of First Nations totem poles carved from western red cedar, each telling a story of a real or mythical event bearing significant meaning–the eagle representing the kingdom of air; the whale as the lord of the sea; and the wolf as the genius of the land – to name a few.Day 14:
VANCOUVER Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
