Canada Coast to Coast Rail Journey

Day 1 To Vancouver
Fly to Vancouver, and on arrival transfer to your city centre hotel for 2 nights.

Day 2 Vancouver
The day is at leisure to explore the city. Relax in beautiful Stanley Park, where the locals go to unwind. Explore enigmatic Chinatown, eat and drink in Gastown or perhaps make the most of the ‘hop-on hop-off’ bus tour around the city.

Day 3 Overnight in Kamloops Hotel
This morning transfer to Vancouver train station to board the Rocky Mountaineer for the start of a thrilling journey into the distant mountains. You’ll enjoy excellent service and storytelling by your onboard hosts as well as seeing some jaw-dropping scenery.
As you leave the busy city, heading into the wilderness, you’ll pass through the fertile fields of the Fraser River Valley and the towering peaks of the Coastal Mountains before entering the Fraser Canyon. Follow the Thompson River through beautiful landscapes to historic Kamloops, gateway to the Interior of British Columbia.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 4 Kamloops to Banff (Rail)
You’ll continue your journey this morning through the snow-capped peaks. The track follows the South Thompson River to Shuswap Lake with its thousand miles of shoreline, to Craigellachie, where the ‘last spike’ was driven completing the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1885. Enter Rogers Pass, with its tunnels, snow-sheds and glistening glaciers. The Kicking Horse River leads you to Kicking Horse Pass, and the day’s journey ends with a flourish along the engineering marvel of the Spiral Tunnels and over the Continental Divide to Banff. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel in Banff for 2 nights in this exciting mountain resort.

Travel: Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 5 Morning sightseeing tour of Banff
This morning enjoy a tour of the town of Banff. Among the highlights are visits to the Hoodoos, bizarre rock formations shaped by centuries of wind, Surprise Corner for wonderful views, a Gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain and the journey along Tunnel Mountain Drive, which overlooks the splendour of Bow Valley. Enjoy the afternoon independently to explore this charming resort.

Day 6 Banff to Lake Louise (Coach)
This afternoon you’ll head out of Banff by shared coach along the Icefields Parkway on the short journey through the scenic Bow Valley to Lake Louise. Lake Louise is often used as a symbol of the beautiful lakes and mountains of Canada, and you will have the night here to enjoy the remarkable scenery.

Day 7 Lake Louise to Jasper (Coach)
Travel by coach today via one of the most scenic highways in North America – the Icefields Parkway. Visit the Columbia Icefield, the glaciers and ice sheet that covers the high mountains. You’ll take an Ice Explorer ride on the Athabasca Glacier. Along the way stops will be made at Bow & Peyto Lakes, the Crowfoot Glacier and the Athabasca Falls. This highway is renowned for sightings of bear, elk, moose & mountain sheep, so keep your camera handy. Later today you’ll arrive in the mountain town of Jasper for an overnight stay.

Day 8 Jasper to Toronto (Rail)
Spend the day relaxing in Jasper. This evening board VIA Rail for your three night journey on ‘The Canadian’ across the prairies to Toronto.
Private Bedroom
Travel: Dinner.

Exlusive to Sleeper Touring Class

By day, sit back in comfortable arm chairs and enjoy the stretch out comfort of your very own accommodation. At night attendants will transform your quarters into cosy bunks or bedroom. Guests have access to the ParkCar, always at the tail end of the train whose tapered shape gives the car its distinctive look.

Day 9 Onboard Via Rail
Watch the scenery change as you leave the mountains for the prairies and great plains of Canada. You’ll pass through Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba provinces, passing through the cities of Edmonton and Winnipeg as well as small, remote frontier towns with names like Sioux Lookout, Saskatoon and Unity. All day you will see the huge untouched lands of central Canada, the great forests and raging rivers alongside green ranch lands. Overnight onboard the train.

Travel: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 10 Onboard Via Rail
Today is spent crossing the huge province of northern Ontario, a land dotted with thousands of lakes, ancient forests and big skies. Overnight onboard the train.

Travel: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 11 Arrive Toronto
You’ll arrive in Toronto this morning at 9.30am and transfer to your hotel for a 2 night stay.

Day 12 Toronto
Spend a free day in Toronto, where there is some much to see and do. You can experience the skywalk in the famous CN Tower, explore the trendy Yorkville area, visit the St Lawrence Market or look around the Harbourfront skyline.

Day 13 Departure from Toronto
After a morning at leisure, transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

Day 14 Arrive UK
Morning arrival into the UK.

Tour includes:

Travel two days onboard the award-winning Rocky Mountaineer from Banff to Vancouver
Rental cars from small compact automatics to convertible sport cars and minivans
Accommodation as detailed
Inspirational sightseeing programme
Hotel luggage porterage service
4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners

On a Journey of Distinction, you are not merely a bystander. They believe that the wonders, customs and cultures you experience will live on in the core of your being. They even go so far as to say that one of their holidays will change your life forever.

Their combination of Tour Managers and Local Guides is what makes Journey of Distinction so distinctive. When you’re embarking on a voyage of discovery, it’s reassuring to know that a seasoned traveller is with you every step of the way; planning, organising, checking details and offering their advice and support. Their groups all depart from the UK, and no one joins us along the way, so you have the reassuring constancy of always knowing your travelling companions.

Our Opinion
“Limited to just 25 travellers per departure, every Journeys of Distinction escorted tour has an intimate, personal feel that makes for a more enjoyable experience.”