2009 Coast to Coast by Rail

17 Day(s)/ 16 Night(s) 

Eastbound

Day 1 Vancouver Arrival
Arrive in Vancouver and spend time exploring this scenic city on your own. Overnight in Vancouver.

Day 2 Vancouver to Kamloops
Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from the coastal city of Vancouver to Kamloops in the heart of British Columbia’s interior. On today’s journey you will see dramatic changes in scenery, from the lush green fields of the Fraser River Valley, through forests and winding river canyons surrounded by the peaks of the Coast and Cascade Mountains, to the desert-like environment of the interior. Highlights include the rushing waters of Hell’s Gate in the Fraser Canyon and the steep slopes and rock sheds along the Thompson River, before you ease along the shores of Kamloops Lake into your overnight destination of Kamloops. Overnight in Kamloops.

Day 3 Kamloops to Banff
Your journey continues eastwards to the mighty Canadian Rockies and the province of Alberta. Once again you will see a spectacular range of scenery as you travel across ranchlands, along rocky lakeshores, over high mountain passes and through the remarkable tunnels that form part of the rich rail history of the Canadian Rockies. Today’s highlights include Craigellachie where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven, the climb over Rogers Pass, the Kicking Horse Canyon, the Spiral Tunnels a remarkable feat of railroad engineering, and of course the glaciers and snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies. Your journey today ends in the resort town of Banff this evening. Overnight in Banff.

Day 4 Banff Sightseeing
Enjoy a three-hour motorcoach sightseeing tour of Banff this morning. Among the highlights are visits to Bow Falls, Banff Gondola, the Cave and Basin Centre, Surprise Corner and the Hoodoos. The rest of the day is free to spend at leisure in Banff. Overnight in Banff.

Day 5 Banff to Lake Louise
A half-day tour takes you into Yoho National Park to view some of its natural wonders. Among the attractions are the Spiral Tunnels, Emerald Lake and a natural rock bridge that spans the Kicking Horse River. The tour ends at Lake Louise, and your afternoon is at leisure to enjoy this magnificent location. Please note: While arrival at The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise will be approximately 12:00 PM, scheduled check-in time is not until 4:00 PM. In the event that your room is not ready, your luggage will be stored and you are free to enjoy the amenities of the hotel.

Day 6 Free Day in Lake Louise
Enjoy a free day at Lake Louise. Take a stroll beside the lake or an afternoon paddle in a canoe. Overnight at The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

Day 7 Lake Louise to Jasper
Enjoy a full day sightseeing tour of Banff and Jasper National Parks via the Icefields Parkway. Among the highlights are Bow Lake, the Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Falls. The Icefield is one of the largest accumulations of ice south of the Arctic Circle in addition to being one of the most accessible ones in North America. It is here that you will ride on an Ice Explorer to the middle of Athabasca Glacier to learn more about its geological features. Time will be available for lunch (not included). Arrive in Jasper late this afternoon. Overnight in Jasper.

Day 8 Jasper to Toronto
This afternoon begin your three-day VIA Rail journey across the Prairie Provinces and Northern Ontario. Overnight on VIA Rail.

Day 9 Jasper to Toronto
Continue your rail journey across Western Canada to Toronto. Overnight on VIA Rail

Day 10 Jasper to Toronto
Continue your rail journey across Western Canada to Toronto. Overnight on VIA Rail.

Day 11 Toronto Arrival
Arrive in Toronto on VIA Rail this evening. Overnight in Toronto.

Day 12 Niagara Falls Daytrip
Enjoy a full day motorcoach tour to Niagara Falls, one of the great natural wonders of the world. Included is a cruise on the Maid of the Mist to the base of Horseshoe Falls (Imax Theatre or Journey Behind the Falls is substituted when Maid of the Mist is not operating). Return to Toronto early this evening. Overnight in Toronto.

Day 13 Toronto to Montreal
Travel by VIA Rail in VIA 1 Class from Toronto to Montreal. Overnight in Montreal.

Day 14 Montreal Sightseeing
Scheduled stops include Old Montreal, Notre-Dame Basilica, Olympic Park, Mount Royal, and McGill University among others. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore this vibrant city on your own. Overnight in Montreal.

Day 15 Montreal to Halifax
Spend the day sightseeing independently in Montreal before taking the overnight VIA train to Halifax. Dinner is served onboard. Overnight on VIA Rail.

Day 16 Halifax Arrival
Enjoy the scenic Nova Scotia and New Brunswick landscape before arriving in Halifax this afternoon. Breakfast is served onboard. Spend the rest of the day exploring this eastern seaboard city. Overnight in Halifax.

Day 17 Halifax Departure
Your vacation ends with check-out from your Halifax hotel.

Westbound

Day 1 Halifax Arrival
Arrive in Halifax and spend the rest of the day exploring this eastern seaboard city. Overnight in Halifax.

Day 2 Halifax to Montreal
This morning is free to explore more of Halifax before departing on VIA Rail this afternoon. Enjoy the scenic landscapes of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick as you travel on your overnight journey to Montreal, Quebec. Dinner is served onboard. Overnight on VIA Rail.

Day 3 Montreal Arrival
After breakfast served onboard, arrive into Montreal early this morning and spend the rest of the day sightseeing independently. Overnight in Montreal.

Day 4 Montreal Sightseeing
Enjoy a half-day guided tram tour of Montreal today. Scheduled stops include Old Montreal, Notre-Dame Basilica, Olympic Park, Mount Royal, and McGill University among others. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore this vibrant city on your own. Overnight in Montreal.

Day 5 Montreal to Toronto
Today you will travel by VIA Rail in VIA 1 Class from Montreal to Toronto. Overnight in Toronto.

Day 6 Niagara Falls Daytrip
Enjoy a full day motorcoach tour to Niagara Falls, one of the great natural wonders of the world. Included is a cruise on the Maid of the Mist to the base of Horseshoe Falls (Imax Theatre or Journey Behind the Falls is substituted when Maid of the Mist is not operating). Return to Toronto early this evening. Overnight in Toronto.

Day 7 Toronto to Jasper
This morning begin your three-day VIA Rail journey across Northern Ontario and the Prairie Provinces. Overnight on VIA Rail.

Day 8 Toronto to Jasper
Continue your rail journey across Western Canada to Jasper. Overnight on VIA Rail.

Day 9 Toronto to Jasper
Continue your rail journey across Western Canada to Jasper. Overnight on VIA Rail.

Day 10 Jasper Arrival
Arrive in Jasper on VIA Rail this afternoon. Overnight in Jasper.

Day 11 Jasper to Lake Louise
Travel to Lake Louise via one of the most scenic highways in the world, the Icefields Parkway. A stop will be made at Athabasca Falls before arriving at the Columbia Icefield. It is here that you will ride on an Ice Explorer to the middle of Athabasca Glacier to learn more about its geological features. Your driver/guide will explain how glaciers are formed and point out some interesting geological features. Time will be available for lunch (not included). Afterwards, a brief stop will be made at Bow Lake before arriving in Lake Louise this afternoon. Overnight at The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

Day 12 Free Day in Lake Louise
Enjoy a free day at Lake Louise. Perhaps take a stroll along the lake promenade or an afternoon paddle by canoe. Overnight at The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

Day 13 Lake Louise to Banff
A half-day tour takes you into Yoho National Park to view some of its natural wonders. Among the attractions are the Spiral Tunnels, Emerald Lake and a natural rock bridge that spans the Kicking Horse River. At the end of the tour you will be transferred to Banff. Overnight in Banff. Please note: While departure from The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise will be approximately 1:30 PM, scheduled check-out time is normally 11:00 AM. Your luggage will be stored on check-out and you are free to enjoy the amenities of the hotel until the tour departs.

Day 14 Banff Sightseeing
Enjoy a three-hour motorcoach sightseeing tour of Banff this morning. Among the highlights are visits to Bow Falls, Banff Gondola, the Cave and Basin Centre, Surprise Corner, and the Hoodoos. The rest of the day is free to spend at leisure in Banff. Overnight in Banff.

Day 15 Banff to Kamloops
Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from the mountain town of Banff to Kamloops in the heart of British Columbia’s interior. Your journey offers you a spectacular range of scenery as you travel between the high peaks of the Canadian Rockies, over mountain passes and through remarkable tunnels, along rocky lakeshores and across the ranchlands of the interior. Today’s highlights include the Continental Divide, the Spiral Tunnels a remarkable feat of railroad engineering, the Kicking Horse Canyon, Rogers Pass, Craigellachie where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven and of course the glaciers and snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies. Overnight in Kamloops.

Day 16 Kamloops to Vancouver
Your journey continues west towards the Pacific Ocean and the coastal city of Vancouver. On today’s journey you will again see dramatic changes in scenery, from the desert-like environment of the interior, through the winding river canyons and pristine forests, to the Coast and Cascade Mountains and the lush green fields of the Fraser River Valley. Highlights include the steep slopes and rock sheds along the Thompson River and the rushing waters of Hell’s Gate in the Fraser Canyon. Your rail journey ends on arrival in Vancouver this evening. Overnight in Vancouver.

Day 17 Vancouver Departure
Your vacation ends with check-out from your Vancouver hotel.