Duration: 15 Days
This cross-country adventure across Canada begins in Toronto, ends in Vancouver, and includes beautiful scenery and fun-filled activities in some of Canada’s most popular cities. A highlight of this Canada train tour is the 3-day, 3-night journey on VIA Rail’s® the Canadian—a premier continental train—from Toronto to Jasper. In refurbished art deco rail cars and domed observation cars, enjoy views of the ever-changing landscapes as you leisurely travel through Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. The spectacular landscapes on your train trip are not the only stunning scenery you’ll witness on this Canada rail tour. Marvel at hypnotic Niagara Falls on your boat cruise past the falls. In the Canadian Rockies, ride the Ice Explorer—an all-terrain vehicle—on Columbia Icefield, an expanse of ice that is 750-feet thick. Stop in breathtaking Lake Louise, where cold waters mirror the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Spend time in stunning Jasper National Park—with its rugged mountains, glaciers, alpine meadows, rivers, and abundant wildlife—and Banff National Park, home to majestic mountains and picture-perfect scenery. Also travel through Yoho National Park, with its famous fossils, and Glacier National Park, with its abundant wildlife. From the Pacific Coast, sail to Victoria through the scenic Gulf Islands. In Victoria, take an optional visit to the world-famous Butchart Gardens with its 55 acres of floral displays. Throughout this Canada train tour, enjoy sightseeing in the cities and time to explore on your own. You may want to dine at the top of Toronto’s CN Tower, take an optional float trip on the Athabasca River in Jasper, hike in Banff, enjoy Afternoon Tea at Victoria’s Empress Hotel, or shop Vancouver’s Robson Street. See Canada’s spectacular mountain scenery, stunning lakes, picturesque towns, gentle prairie fields, and exciting cities on this Canadian rail tour—what a fantastic holiday!
Traveller Notes
- Adventure is knocking with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, and private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi where available. Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your CosmosGO mobile app!
- Private berth on VIA Rail’s the Canadian® train from Toronto to Jasper in Sleeper Plus class and a ferry crossing to/from Vancouver Island are included.
- Visiting and participating in activities in this region may be subject to favourable weather conditions and vendor dates of operation.
Please note: Itinerary is based on 2024, and is subject to change. Full details will be confirmed in 2024.
Welcome to Toronto! Your Tour Director is on hand late this afternoon to answer any questions.
Begin the day with an orientation tour of Toronto that includes City Hall, the downtown banking district, Rogers Centre, and the stunning CN Tower. Leave the city and travel along the shores of Lake Ontario to Niagara Falls. Sightseeing here includes a Niagara Falls cruise past the world-famous falls. Return to Toronto and spend the evening exploring the city sights on your own or join the optional outing that combines dinner with the spectacular sight of Toronto's skyline from the CN Tower.
NOTE: Operation of the Niagara Falls sightseeing cruise is subject to favourable weather and/or river conditions. When unfavourable conditions exist, a walking tour through the scenic tunnels will be substituted.
This morning, transfer to Union Station for a departure on The Canadian, VIA Rail's premier transcontinental train. Spend the next three days and nights on this classic trip across Canada's heartland. Your Sleeper-Plus class rail cars are refurbished art-deco cars from the 1950s. Domed observation cars let you enjoy views of the Canadian countryside as you roll past Ontario's landscapes. Chef-prepared meals offer a tempting array of soups, salads, main courses, and desserts. (L,D)
Today, watch the scenery as you whisk by the ever-changing Canadian landscape and travel the full length of the Canadian National Railway's breathtaking mainline. (B,L,D)
The Canadian glides through Winnipeg, before continuing the journey through Manitoba's prairies and into Saskatchewan. (B,L,D)
Arrive in Jasper this morning and enjoy an orientation tour of the townsite. The remainder of your day is free to enjoy the ambiance of this delightful mountain setting.
Consider an optional trip to Maligne Lake for a narrated cruise to much-photographed Spirit Island. On the return journey, stop to view mighty Maligne Canyon. With free time this afternoon, maybe hike on the trails and watch for wildlife, or stroll the streets of Jasper. Perhaps an optional float trip on the Athabasca River to end the day?
Board your motorcoach this morning and journey through Jasper National Park, stopping along the way at the Columbia Icefield to experience the Ice Explorer, an all-terrain vehicle that travels on ice measuring 750 feet (250 metres) thick. Continue down Icefields Parkway to Lake Louise, where cold waters mirror the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Arrive in Banff National Park for a leisurely 2-night stay. An orientation tour highlights Banff's unspoiled beauty.
The day is free to independently explore this resort town located within Banff National Park. Stroll Banff Avenue, the main thoroughfare of boutiques and souvenir shops. The surrounding 2,564 square miles of parkland are home to wildlife, including elk and grizzly bear. Or perhaps enjoy an optional helicopter ride over the Canadian Rockies. Your Tour Director can offer suggestions for activities and dinner.
This morning, leave Banff National Park and travel over Kicking Horse Pass on the Continental Divide. Travel through Yoho National Park, where pre-Cambrian fossils were discovered, and Glacier National Park, where recreational mountain climbing was introduced to North America a century ago. Late this afternoon, arrive at the cattle-ranching centre of Kamloops.
As you travel through the Coast Mountain Range to its majestic Pacific coastline, the vegetation changes from desert landscape to lush alpine forest. Board your afternoon ferry for the spectacular crossing to Vancouver Island. Sightseeing in Victoria includes the Inner Harbour, Bastion Square, and Thunderbird Park. This evening, consider strolling along the lovely Waterfront Promenade.
Be sure to discover some of the attractions this splendid city has to offer, including the Royal British Columbia Museum, Afternoon Tea at the Empress Hotel, and fine shopping along Government Street. Or perhaps take an optional excursion to see the 55 acres of floral displays at world famous Butchart Gardens or go on a whale and wildlife watching cruise.
This morning, set sail across the Strait of Georgia and through the spectacular Gulf Islands, an archipelago known for its Mediterranean-like climate. In Vancouver, city sightseeing includes Stanley Park, Gastown, Chinatown, and many other famous landmarks. The remainder of the day is free to explore Robson Street and experience British Columbia's premier shopping and entertainment location.
Today is at leisure for independent sightseeing. Maybe take a water taxi to lively Granville Island with its outdoor markets, street musicians, and waterfront cafés. Or re-visit historic Gastown with its steam-powered clock, antique shops, art galleries, and street vendors.
Your holiday ends this morning.
