Canadian Trail
15 days / 14 nights

Explore Canada’s dramatic diversity from the urban thrills of Toronto to British Columbia’s spectacular coastal views. Travel by rail over the Canadian Shield to the wheat-filled vistas of Canada’s prairie provinces where you’ll experience the frontier spirit of Cree warriors, cattle ranchers and the Mounted Police. In Banff and Jasper national parks discover the breathtaking vistas of the Rockies and stand on the water-lapped shores of mountain lakes. Watch Bighorn sheep scramble up slopes and Elk hunt for food. Cruise the waterways of Canada’s Pacific rim and then soak in Vancouver’s exciting vibe and Victoria’s maritime charm. Canadian Trail will put you on the path to adventure.

Day 1: Arrival in Toronto
Individual transfer to your centrally-located hotel. After a check-in with your tour director, the remainder of the day is free. Overnight in Toronto.

Day 2: Toronto
‘Sightseeing tour of Toronto and discover the many identities of the world’s most cosmopolitan city. Highlights include the provincial legislative buildings (Queen’s Park), City Hall, the financial district, Chinatown, residential areas, the waterfront and a ride up the CN Tower. The remainder of the day is free for independent exploration, shopping or simple relaxation. Overnight in Toronto. Continental breakfast included.

Day 3: Niagara Falls
Full-day excursion to the splendour of Niagara Falls. Our route takes us through the lush fruit growing district of the Niagara Peninsula and we see the historic village of Niagara-on-the-Lake. The Niagara Parkway follows the Niagara River, bordered with parkland, and leads us to our first unforgettable glimpse of the falls. Included is a thrilling boat ride on the Maid-of-the-Mist, taking us right to the foot of the Horseshoe Falls. We return to Toronto in the afternoon. The evening is at leisure to enjoy the city’s many culinary delights and entertainment options, such as theatre and night clubs. Overnight in Toronto. Continental breakfast included.

Day 4:Toronto / VIA Rail
Transfer to Union Station to board Via Rail’s The Canadian en route to western Canada. The railway travels from Toronto through the picturesque Muskoka resort region and past Sudbury. Overnight on board VIA Rail’s The Canadian. Continental breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 5: VIA Rail
Travelling north of the Great Lakes, view the rugged terrain of the Canadian Shield, some of North America’s oldest rock formations. By early evening, the train crosses the border into the province of Manitoba and stops briefly in the capital, Winnipeg. Overnight on board VIA Rail’s The Canadian. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 6: VIA Rail / Edmonton to Calgary
By early morning, we have traversed the expanses of prairie flatland in Saskatchewan and Alberta. Upon arrival in Edmonton, we board our tour coach and travel to Calgary. Upon arriving in the ‘Stampede City’, the remainder of the day is at leisure. Explore the Old West at the Glenbow Museum or Fort Calgary, browse through the Eau Claire Market, ride up the Calgary Tower for a great view and savour the great restaurants and dynamic nightlife. Overnight in Calgary. Breakfast included.

Day 9: Banff National Park to Jasper
Today promises to be a highlight of our Canadian Trail programme. Shortly after leaving Banff we visit the famous scenery of Lake Louise. Afterwards, we travel north on the famed Icefields Parkway through a rugged wilderness flanked by dramatic mountain ranges. At the Columbia Icefield we board a specially constructed SnoCoach to ride on the surface of the ancient Athabasca Glacier. Close to Jasper, you have the chance to go on an optional raft trip on the Athabasca River. Your experienced guide will point out the natural and human history as you raft through short rapids and stretches of calm waters. Overnight in Jasper. Continental breakfast included.

Day 10: Jasper National Park to Sun Peaks
EBefore leaving Jasper National Park this morning, you can take part in an optional Spirit Island Cruise on Maligne Lake, the most picturesque and largest glacier-fed lake in the park. Then we travel west along the Yellowhead Highway and into the heartland of British Columbia. The route takes us along the Thompson River through the picturesque Shuswap Highlands (optional Voyageur Canoe Trip). Overnight in Sun Peaks. Continental breakfast included.

Day 11: Sun Peaks to Whistler
A day of dramatic scenery changes as we drive through the ranch lands and head for the coastal mountains. A journey along the Duffey Lake Road exposes new vistas at every turn. An optional Floatplane Sightseeing Tour over Garibaldi Park gives you an inspiring view of a natural preserve of volcanic peaks, alpine lakes and meadows. You can also go on an optional Helicopter Tour that gives you a bird eye’s view of the area’s scenic highlights. Discover the mountain ecology on an optional Zipline Adventure and ride on a series of cables and suspension bridges. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Whistler. Continental breakfast included.

Day 12: Whistler to Victoria
Today, the Sea-to-Sky Highway leads us through spectacular coastal scenery. From Horseshoe Bay we cruise by ferry across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver Island and continue by coach to Victoria. En route we visit the Quw’utsun’ Cultural and Conference Centre in Duncan, where we experience the culture and traditions of the Cowichan people. Overnight in Victoria. Continental breakfast included.

Day 13: Victoria
TVictoria has retained a quaint, colonial demeanour evident in the many 19th century landmarks that we pass on our tour of this charming city. You can take part in an optional Floatplane Sightseeing Tour or you can also go on an optional Whale watching Excursion aboard a Zodiac or a regular vessel. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to explore the city’s delights. Overnight in Victoria. Continental breakfast included.

Day 14: Victoria to Vancouver
We travel up the Saanich Peninsula to stop at Butchart Gardens, one of the world’s great floral displays. Time will be allocated here for browsing through the regal gardens before we continue on our way via a pleasant cruise through the resort region of the Gulf Islands to the oceanside city of Vancouver. Upon arrival in Vancouver, we enjoy an interesting tour of the city, including Stanley Park, English Bay, Gastown, Chinatown, and much more. The remainder of the day is free for independent exploration or simple relaxation. This evening features our farewell dinner party at the Capilano Suspension Bridge with a welcome from First Nations carvers. Overnight in Vancouver. Continental breakfast and dinner included.

Day 15: End of tour
A time for last-minute shopping and sad farewells. Continental breakfast included.

• Toronto city tour
• CN Tower tour
• Niagara Falls excursion
• Maid-of-the-Mist boat ride
• Calgary city tou
• Banff and Lake Louise region tour
• Columbia Icefield SnoCoach ride
• Ferry cruise through the Gulf Islands to Vancouver Island
• Chemainuis Tour
• Victoria city tour
• Butchart Gardens
• Vancouver city tour
• 14 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 3 dinners
• Transportation by modern tour coach
• Toronto/Edmonton rail passage on VIA Rail, including sleeping accommodation as booked
• Local guide in Toronto and tour director from Calgary to Vancouver
• First class (or best available) accommodation
• Baggage handling (1 piece per person)
• Applicable taxes

Note: Meals (not mentioned) and gratuities not included.
If you wish to upgrade aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, we are happy to offer their GoldLeaf Service, which includes the domed railcar, enhancing the magnificent views, fine dining and dinner in Kamloops.