East Meets West Train Explorer 10 days / 9 nights

Trip Overview

Traveling across Canada is a dream, and what better way to do it than with the style and comfort of train travel?

Combine a cross country overnight journey with the luxury of Rocky Mountaineer’s daylight sightseeing train and you will be surrounded by spectacular scenery for the entire duration of your vacation!

The East Meets West Rail Adventure gives you a thorough introduction to Canada in just over a week.

Map

Arrive Toronto
1 night Toronto
3 nights Via Rail
1 night Jasper
2 night Banff
1 night Kamloops
1 night Vancouver
Depart Vancouver

Detailed Itinerary

(Please note, like most of our Canada rail packages & tours, this railway vacation can be customized to your needs - just ask one of our local experts when you call.)
EASTBOUND ITINERARY
 (Westbound itinerary is the same, but reversed. See below for details.)

Day 1 Your Across Canada Train Adventure Begins – Arrive Toronto The sounds of Canada’s largest city welcome you as you arrive in downtown Toronto. Couples hurry along the sidewalk, rushing to one of Toronto’s big stage productions. A woman quickly shifts all her shopping bags to one arm as she raises a hand to hail a cab, and the smell of Chinese food makes you salivate as a delivery boy bikes along the street in front of you. Toronto beckons and you’re anxious to get out and explore the city.

 Day 2 - Toronto Tour / Via Rail’s The Canadian – Toronto to Jasper
 Before heading off to the Rockies on tonight’s train, you have the day to enjoy a Toronto Hop-on-Hop-off city tour. Highlights include the CN Tower, SkyDome, Casa Loma, Queens Park, Yorkville and Chinatown to name a few. It takes two hours to complete the entire circle, but you can step on or off at any time, so the true length depends on you!

After your tour, you’re on your way to the great Canadian Rockies! The overnight train between Toronto and Jasper is an incredible rail journey that takes 3 full days. Leave the picturesque lakelands of Northern Ontario behind, as you travel west to Jasper.

 Day 3 & 4 - Canadian Rail Journey to the West – Onboard the Canadian Train
 The scenery changes once again as you travel across the undulating plain of the prairie provinces. Settle into your seat and enjoy watching the sights from your window. This is the second and third day and night of your rail journey.

 Day 5 - Enter Canada’s Rocky Mountains – Arrive in Jasper Step off the Canadian train and take a deep breath – the crisp mountain air is invigorating. You are completely surrounded by mountains and trees. You look to your left and see a downtown gas station with a snow topped mountain peak standing proudly in the distance behind it. Jasper is summed up in that one view. It’s a town with all the modern touches, but the splendor of the Canadian Rockies is never out of your thoughts.

 Day 6 - Icefields Parkway Tour - Jasper to Banff Travel the Icefields Parkway through the natural splendour of Jasper and Banff national parks. Glistening glaciers, cascading waterfalls, emerald lakes, pristine rivers and alpine meadows dot this awe-inspiring mountain wilderness. The breathtaking panorama of snow-capped peaks and endless mountain ridges occasionally opens up to afford a spectacular view of deep valleys stretching to a distant horizon. The tour stops at the Columbia Icefield where you will venture onto the massive Athabasca Glacier in a specially designed Ice Explorer. Other brief sightseeing stops include an opportunity to photograph the turquoise waters of picturesque Lake Louise are made throughout the tour. Ice Explorer Included.

 Day 7 - Banff Tour
 Take a guided bus tour through the towering mountains of Rundle, Tunnel, Cascade, and Norquay while learning about the natural attractions of the wind-shaped hoodoos and the Cave & Basin National Historic Site. Surprise Corner along Tunnel Mountain Drive delivers a breathtaking view of the valley without comparison. Experience a 8 minute gentle ride to the summit of Sulphur Mountain in a four-person, fully enclosed gondola.* A spectacular view and picture taking opportunity await you at the top of this 360 degree panoramic vantage of Bow Valley. Learn all about how these majestic mountains have shaped this unique community.
 *Gondola Ride not available April 14-30, 2010
Day 8 - Rocky Mountaineer 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, 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 9 - Vancouver Arrival
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 10 - With Fond Memories Made – Depart Today you leave the fresh air and colorful sights of Canada behind as your across Canada train vacation comes to an end.

Can't decide which trip is best for you?

Call a friendly local expert today.

US & Canada 
 United Kingdom
0-800-917-5924		 Australia
1-800-992-872		 Other Countries
1-604-737-8743		 Reserve
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Accommodations

Sheraton Wall Centre

Superior

A visually-stunning hotel located in the heart of downtown. Enjoy great views through the floor to ceiling windows. Thoughtful extras include luxury bath amenities, and refreshment centers in every room.

Rimrock Resort

Superior

The Rimrock Resort is one of Fresh Tracks favourite hotels! The hotel is built into the side of a mountain, when you enter the main lobby, you are actually on the 7th floor, and the views from the pamorama of windows over the Bow Valley are simply stunning. The hotel has an upscale yet understated feel, and the service is impeccable.

Sawridge Inn

Superior

Just a 10-minute walk to Jasper's downtown core, this superior hotel offers award-winning dining, and features an indoor heated pool, jacuzzi tub and outdoor hot tubs.

Westin Harbour Castle Toronto

Superior and Deluxe

The Westin Harbour rises above scenic Lake Ontario, and is conveniently located near major attractions, including the Air Canada Centre, CN Tower, and Theatre district. Once inside, you will marvel at the spacious marble lobby, with floor to ceiling windows, and indulge in the utmost comfort.

Options & Upgrades

All our Canada train trips can be customized to create your ideal vacation featuring some time on a railroad across all or part of Canada.

Here are some ideas - but please ask our friendly experts for more ideas tailored to your needs when you call.
• Upgrade to GoldLeaf Service on the Rocky Mountaineer - Dome windows optimize your view of the great scenery, excellent food and an outdoor viewing platform allowing wonderful photographic opportunities make this option a must.
• Optional Kamloops Entertainment:
- Two River Junction Dinner & Musical Revue - a humorous take on Canadian Rail history
- The Great Canadian Lumberjack Show - see the amazing feats of talented woodsmen
• Extra nights/tours may be added to this trip (ask us)

Dates & Prices

2010 Package Start Dates
 Westbound starting in Toronto April 28
May 5, 12, 19, 26
June 2, 9, 16, 23
July 7, 21
August 4, 18, 25
September 1, 8

 Eastbound starting in Vancouver
May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
October 4
Standard Hotels & Rocky Mountaineer RedLeaf Service USD$ Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Service Upgrade
Double Single USD$
Apr 28 - May 22 2010 3,065 3,988 898
May 23 - Jun 15 2010 4,017 5,047 898
Jun 16 - Sep 30 2010 4,040 5,215 898
Oct 1 - Oct 31 2010 3,843 4,866 898
Superior Hotels & Rocky Mountaineer RedLeaf Service USD$ Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Service Upgrade
Double Single USD$
Apr 28 - Jun 15 2010 3,499 4,840 898
May 23 - Jun 15 2010 4,350 5,873 898
Jun 16 - Sep 30 2010 4,838 6,558 898
Oct 1 - Oct 31 2010 4,424 5,782 898
Deluxe Hotels & Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Service USD$
Double Single
Apr 28 - May 22 2010 4,647 6,270
May 23 - Jun 15 2010 5,832 7,892
Jun 16 - Sep 30 2010 6,454 8,634
Oct 1 - Oct 31 2010 6,103 7,826
Price Notes
 • Prices are per person
• Double means two people occupying a room
• Triple and child rates are available

Includes
• VIA Rail’s 3-night rail trip between Toronto and Jasper; 3 nights cabin for 1 or 2 people
• Rocky Mountaineer Rail Journey between Vancouver and Banff - Standard and Superior includes Rocky Mountaineer RedLeaf service while Deluxe features Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf service
• 6 nights accommodation in Standard, Superior or Deluxe hotels
• Toronto Hop-on-Hop-off City Tour
• 3-hour Banff sightseeing tour with Sulphur Mountain Gondola (Gondola from May 1st, 2010 onwards only)
• Icefields Parkway tour between Jasper and Banff, venture on to the Athabasca glacier aboard the famous Ice fields explorer (May 1st onwards)
• Private luxury vehicle arrival and departure airport transfers, including meet & greet on day one
• Private luxury vehicle transfers between hotels and rail stations (vehicle type subject to availability)
• Motorcoach rail station transfers in Kamloops
• All meals onboard VIA Rail, and 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches onboard Rocky Mountaineer
• Documentation package

Not Included
 • National park entrance fees
• Meals and attractions, unless otherwise stated
• Driver gratuities
• Trip Cancellation Insurance
• Canadian sales taxes (pre-rebated by 50% for visitors to Canada)

HAVE A CHAT  

From UK toll-free: 0-800-917-5924
From Australia toll-free: 1-800-992-872
Other countries: (int.l prefix +) 1-604-737-8743

Your vacation is important and to make the most of it, we strongly advise talking to a local expert first.