Is this trip guided or independent?

Both. A small group tour with a professional driver and local guide covers Montreal to Quebec City and Bathurst to Halifax; other legs are independent travel with planning and support from Fresh Tracks Canada.

Which hotels are used?

Hotel Bonaparte in Montreal, Hotel Verso in Magog, the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City, and The Prince George Hotel in Halifax.

What is included in the price?

Hotel accommodation, the sleeper train experience in a private cabin, a choice of guided activities, 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 3 dinners, airport and train station transfers, and Fresh Tracks Canada customer service support.

When does this trip run?

It is built around the fall colour season in Quebec's Eastern Townships and the Maritimes; the evidence does not list specific departure dates.

Canadian Train Vacations (Fresh Tracks Canada) · Small-group and tailor-made rail vacation

Fall Colours from Quebec to the Maritimes

Small-group fall-colour rail journey from Montreal to Halifax via Quebec City

Canadian Train Vacations, operated through Fresh Tracks Canada, runs this 12-day trip from Montreal to Halifax through Quebec and Canada's Maritime provinces. The pace mixes guided and independent days: a small-group tour with a professional driver and local guide covers Montreal to Quebec City and later Bathurst to Halifax, while other stretches are travelled independently with local planning support. Early days settle into two-night stays in the Eastern Townships around Magog, with a lake cruise and time among the region's mountains, lakes and vineyards, before two nights in Quebec City at the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac. On day 6 the group boards VIA Rail's Ocean train in a private Sleeper Plus cabin for an overnight run into New Brunswick, followed by the Bay of Fundy coastline, Hopewell Rocks, a ferry crossing to Nova Scotia and the Lighthouse Route towns of Mahone Bay and Peggy's Cove. It suits travellers who want one signature overnight rail journey inside a broader coach-and-ferry tour of eastern Canada, rather than a trip built entirely around train travel.

What to know before you look closer

Only one night (day 6 into day 7) is spent on the train itself; the rest of the 12 days travel by coach, on foot in the cities, or by ferry across the Bay of Fundy.
Guiding with a professional driver and local guide applies only to the Montreal to Quebec City and Bathurst to Halifax legs; other stretches are independent travel with local-expert planning support rather than an escorted guide.
The evidence does not list specific departure dates; confirm current scheduling with the operator before booking.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Montreal
Arrive in Montreal
Your Canadian vacation begins in Montreal, the largest city in Quebec. Walk down the cobblestone streets of the Old Port, admire the city's blend of heritage buildings and eye-catching skyscrapers, and take in the views of the St. Lawrence River.
Day 2overnight: Magog
Travel to the Eastern Townships
Say goodbye to vibrant Montreal and enjoy the scenic journey to Magog, a small city in the Eastern Townships. Group dinner in Magog.
Day 3overnight: Magog
Explore the Eastern Townships
Discover some of the beautiful mountains, lakes, and vineyards in the Eastern Townships region. Lake Memphremagog Brunch Cruise.
Day 4overnight: Quebec City
Eastern Townships to Quebec City
Travel through some of French Canada's most picturesque countryside as you head towards Quebec City.
Day 5overnight: Quebec City
Explore Quebec City
Discover the history, charm and flavours of Quebec City today. Options: Gourmet Food and History Walking Tour, Old Quebec City Walking Tour, Dinner at the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac.
Day 6railovernight: Onboard train
Explore Quebec's countryside, depart on VIA Rail
Enjoy a leisure morning, followed by an afternoon exploring Quebec's countryside before boarding The Ocean train (Sleeper Plus Class) this evening.
Day 7railovernight: Moncton
VIA Rail to Miramichi, then travel to Moncton
Awake in the province of New Brunswick and enjoy the countryside views as the train moves towards Miramichi. This afternoon, explore the Acadian coastline on your way to Moncton. Group dinner in Moncton.
Day 8overnight: Saint John
Bay of Fundy Coast to Saint John
See the famous Hopewell Rocks and travel the Fundy Trail Provincial Park, a coastal wilderness area with craggy cliffs, isolated beaches, sea caves and waterfalls.
Day 9overnight: Saint John
Discover St. Andrews by-the-Sea
Your destination today is the quaint seaside town of St. Andrews, where you can learn about Ministers Island, a National Historic Site of Canada.
Day 10overnight: Lunenburg
Saint John to Nova Scotia's South Shore
Board the ferry in Saint John and cross the Bay of Fundy to Digby, Nova Scotia. After your ferry crossing, travel to the colourful, historic town of Lunenburg. Group dinner in Lunenburg.
Day 11overnight: Halifax
Mahone Bay, Peggy's Cove and Halifax
Travel along the Lighthouse Route, known for its beauty, historic charm, and rocky coastline. Stop at Mahone Bay and Peggy's Cove before arriving in Halifax.
Day 12
Depart Halifax
Bid farewell to the Canadian Maritimes as your trip ends with departure from Halifax.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 4The tour includes a stay at the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City, with a room overlooking the St. Lawrence River.
Day 6The group boards VIA Rail's Ocean train in a private Sleeper Plus cabin for an overnight journey toward New Brunswick.
Day 8The route passes the Hopewell Rocks and the Fundy Trail Provincial Park, a coastal wilderness of cliffs, sea caves and waterfalls.
Day 10A ferry crosses the Bay of Fundy from Saint John to Digby, Nova Scotia, before the drive on to the historic town of Lunenburg.
Day 11The Lighthouse Route stops at Mahone Bay and Peggy's Cove before the tour ends in Halifax.

Included

Hotel accommodation
Sleeper train experience in a private cabin
Choice of unique guided activities
Selection of meals included (8 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 3 dinners)
Airport and train station transfers
Small group tour with professional driver and local guide (Montreal to Quebec City / Bathurst to Halifax)
Electronic travel documentation package
Personalized Fresh Tracks Canada customer service support

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?: Yes. The trip includes one overnight journey on VIA Rail's Ocean train in a private Sleeper Plus cabin, from Quebec City (Sainte-Foy) to Miramichi, New Brunswick.
Is this trip guided or independent?: Both. A small group tour with a professional driver and local guide covers Montreal to Quebec City and Bathurst to Halifax; other legs are independent travel with planning and support from Fresh Tracks Canada.
Which hotels are used?: Hotel Bonaparte in Montreal, Hotel Verso in Magog, the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City, and The Prince George Hotel in Halifax.
What is included in the price?: Hotel accommodation, the sleeper train experience in a private cabin, a choice of guided activities, 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 3 dinners, airport and train station transfers, and Fresh Tracks Canada customer service support.
When does this trip run?: It is built around the fall colour season in Quebec's Eastern Townships and the Maritimes; the evidence does not list specific departure dates.