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Great Rail Journeys · Independent rail holiday

Maple Leaf Explorer

Illustration of Maple Leaf Explorer

Great Rail Journeys' Maple Leaf Explorer is a ten-day independent tour of eastern Canada, combining major cities and natural attractions from Toronto through to Quebec City. You depart London and return via transatlantic flights, using VIA Rail business class for three scenic rail journeys between Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec City. The itinerary balances escorted activities with free time: guided walking tours explore Parliament and the Prime Minister's residence in Ottawa, Old Montreal and Notre Dame Basilica in Montreal, and the walled streets of Old Quebec. On day two, you take a Hornblower boat tour to Horseshoe Falls at Niagara Falls and visit the historic town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Most evenings and afternoons are yours to discover local food, parks, harbours, and museums. You stay in established 4-star and 5-star hotels, including Fairmont properties. This package suits first-time rail travellers seeking a comfortable mix of city culture, guided insights, and independent exploration.

Price history

Across 3 checks, this price has held at £3,665 every time.

£3,6654 Jul24 Aug

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

  • This is an independent tour, not fully escorted; your participation in guided city tours is structured, but you have significant free time each afternoon to explore on your own.
  • The itinerary includes a transatlantic overnight flight (London to Toronto outbound, Quebec to London return); jet lag and flight fatigue should be factored into your first and last days.
  • Only three meals are included across ten days; most dinners and breakfasts are at your own expense.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Toronto

    Arrival in Toronto

    Transfer to the hotel, with free time to explore Kensington Market, St. Lawrence Market, or the Royal Ontario Museum.

  2. Day 2overnight: Toronto

    Niagara Falls

    A tour to Niagara Falls including the Hornblower boat trip to Horseshoe Falls, lunch overlooking the falls, and a visit to Niagara-on-the-Lake, returning to Toronto in the evening.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Ottawa

    Toronto to Ottawa

    Board VIA Rail's train to Ottawa, travelling in business class, then transfer to the hotel.

  4. Day 4overnight: Ottawa

    Ottawa Guided tour

    A guided tour of Ottawa including the Parliament Buildings, the embassies, the Prime Minister's residence, and Rideau Falls and Canal, with the rest of the day free.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Montreal

    Ottawa to Montreal

    Board VIA Rail's train to Montreal in business class, then transfer to the hotel with time to explore.

  6. Day 6overnight: Montreal

    Montreal guided tour

    A morning tour of Montreal including Old Montreal, Notre Dame Basilica, Olympic Park and Mount Royal Park, with the afternoon free.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Quebec City

    Montreal to Quebec

    Board VIA Rail's train to Quebec, following the St Lawrence River in business class, then transfer to the hotel.

  8. Day 8overnight: Quebec City

    Guided tour of Quebec

    A small group guided walking tour of Old Quebec, the only walled city in North America, with free time to explore further.

  9. Day 9

    Quebec to the UK - departure

    Transfer from the hotel to the airport for the overnight flight back to London.

  10. Day 10

    Arrival in the UK

    Arrive back in the UK, concluding the holiday.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Day 2: Hornblower boat tour to Horseshoe Falls at Niagara Falls, followed by a visit to the historic town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
  • Day 3Day 3: Board VIA Rail business class for the journey from Toronto to Ottawa, watching the landscape unfold from your seat.
  • Day 4Day 4: Guided tour of Canada's capital covering Parliament Buildings, embassies, the Prime Minister's residence, Rideau Falls and Canal.
  • Day 7Day 7: VIA Rail business class journey from Montreal to Quebec along the St Lawrence River with scenic views throughout.
  • Day 8Day 8: Small group guided walking tour of Old Quebec, the only walled city in North America, exploring its charming streets and history.

Included

  • Hotel accommodation for 8 nights
  • Rail travel in VIA Rail Canada
  • Return flights to Canada from the UK
  • Airport transfers in Canada
  • 3 meals

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes all VIA Rail Canada business class travel between Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec City.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
It is an independent tour with guided city tours. You have a guide for Ottawa, Montreal, and Old Quebec, but you arrange your own activities during free afternoons.
What hotels are included?
Accommodation options vary by city and preference. In Toronto you may choose the Sheraton Centre or Fairmont Royal York; in Ottawa the Lord Elgin Hotel or Fairmont Château Laurier; in Montreal the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth; and in Quebec City the Chateau Laurier Quebec or Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac.

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