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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Classic Canada and Canadian Rockies in Winter Eastbound

Vancouver to Toronto by VIA Rail via winter Jasper Rockies

Illustration of Classic Canada and Canadian Rockies in Winter Eastbound

Railbookers' Classic Canada and Canadian Rockies in Winter Eastbound is a 10-day independent rail vacation that crosses Canada from Vancouver to Toronto by VIA Rail. Day 1 begins with an overnight stay in Vancouver and an evening in historic Gastown, and Day 2 leaves the day free, including admission to FlyOver Canada at Canada Place, before the overnight train departs that evening. Arriving in Jasper, a serene mountain town in the Rockies, Day 4 brings a guided Winter Wildlife Discovery tour seeking elk, deer, sheep, coyotes, and moose, and Day 5 is a Maligne Canyon Icewalk tour to the bottom of the deepest accessible canyon in Jasper National Park, observing frozen waterfalls and ice caves, a tour that runs through March 30th each season. Three further nights aboard VIA Rail carry you east through the Rockies and the prairies to Toronto, where Day 9 includes riding the glass elevators to the top of the CN Tower. Riding in Economy class throughout, this suits winter travelers who want guided wildlife and ice experiences bundled with a long-distance rail crossing.

What to know before you look closer

  • The hotel list offers 18 accommodation options across tiers and cities, described as choices rather than consecutive stays, from Vancouver's Fairmont Pacific Rim to Jasper's Forest Park Hotel; the final property depends on the tier and city you choose.
  • The Maligne Canyon Icewalk tour is stated to end March 30th, so it may not be available on later winter departures.
  • The operator publishes no specific departure dates in the available materials beyond the Icewalk tour's March 30th cutoff; confirm current departures with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Vancouver

    Your Journey Begins in Vancouver

    Welcome to Vancouver, and the start of your Canadian journey! Upon arrival, check in at your hotel for an overnight stay. In the evening, make your way to lively, historic Gastown, with its unique mix of indie art galleries, shops, and excellent bars and restaurants.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail

    Overnight Onboard VIA Rail

    The day is yours today to explore Vancouver at your leisure before your train journey across Canada begins this evening. Be sure to visit Canada Place today, where you'll have admission to Fly Over Canada, an ultimate flying sensation experience of Canada's beautiful vistas.

  3. Day 3overnight: Jasper

    Jasper, AB

    Welcome to Jasper, a serene town located high in the magnificent Canadian Rockies! Travel on your own to your hotel and get settled. Explore the local restaurants and shops in the quaint downtown area.

  4. Day 4overnight: Jasper

    Jasper, AB

    Today, a Winter Wildlife Discovery tour of Jasper National park is included. Your knowledgeable guide will seek out all of the park's most iconic wildlife - you may see elk, deer, sheep, coyotes, and moose and more! You'll also learn about the history, geology, and ecology of the area.

  5. Day 5overnight: Jasper

    Jasper, AB

    Enjoy a truly unique experience today with your Maligne Canyon Icewalk tour. You'll be taken to the bottom of Maligne Canyon, the deepest accessible canyon in Jasper National Park, where you will observe frozen waterfalls, ice caves, and incredible ice formations.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail

    Overnight Onboard VIA Rail

    Once onboard, enjoy delicious meals, comfortable accommodations and epic panoramic views out your window as you glide through the Canadian countryside.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail

    Overnight Onboard VIA Rail

    Continue your journey towards Toronto on VIA Rail, traveling out of the Canadian Rockies and through the beautiful prairies of Ontario.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail

    Overnight Onboard VIA Rail

  9. Day 9overnight: Toronto

    Toronto, ON

    Arrive in Toronto and check in at your hotel for an overnight stay. Enjoy discovering the sights of this dynamic city today, and be sure to ride the glass elevators to top of the CN Tower, Toronto's signature icon of the skyline, for a memorable bird's eye view.

  10. Day 10

    Your Journey Ends in Toronto

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1An evening exploring Gastown, Vancouver's historic district of indie art galleries, shops, bars, and restaurants.
  • Day 2Admission to FlyOver Canada at Canada Place before boarding the overnight VIA Rail train east that evening.
  • Day 4A guided Winter Wildlife Discovery tour of Jasper National Park, seeking out elk, deer, sheep, coyotes, and moose.
  • Day 5A Maligne Canyon Icewalk tour to the bottom of the deepest accessible canyon in Jasper National Park, observing frozen waterfalls and ice caves.
  • Day 9Riding the glass elevators to the top of Toronto's CN Tower for a bird's eye view of the city.

Included

  • 5 nights' hotel accommodations
  • 4 nights' onboard VIA Rail
  • One-way VIA Rail in Economy accommodations from Vancouver to Jasper; Jasper to Toronto

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. One-way VIA Rail in Economy accommodations is included from Vancouver to Jasper and from Jasper to Toronto, with 4 nights spent onboard.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
It is an independent rail vacation. Two guided tours are included in Jasper (Winter Wildlife Discovery and the Maligne Canyon Icewalk); other days, including both Vancouver days and the arrival in Toronto, are self-guided.
What is included besides the train and hotels?
Admission to FlyOver Canada in Vancouver, a Winter Wildlife Discovery tour and a Maligne Canyon Icewalk tour in Jasper, and admission to the CN Tower in Toronto.
When does the Maligne Canyon Icewalk tour run?
The evidence states it ends March 30th, so it is only available on winter departures up to that date.
Where do you stay?
5 hotel nights across Vancouver, Jasper, and Toronto, plus 4 nights aboard VIA Rail; 18 accommodation options are offered across tiers and cities.

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