Anderson Vacations · Independent rail journey

Maple Majesty: Canada's Premier Luxury Rail Tour

Luxury cross-Canada rail journey on Rocky Mountaineer and VIA Rail sleeper

Maple Majesty: Canada's Premier Luxury Rail Tour, a rail journey with Anderson Vacations

Anderson Vacations markets this 10-day independent rail journey as its premier luxury rail tour across Canada, running from Vancouver to Toronto. The Rocky Mountaineer, in Silver Leaf service, carries travellers from Vancouver through the Fraser River Valley to Kamloops, then on across the Rockies and Alberta ranch lands to Banff. Days in Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper follow, with a Banff Gondola pass, an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier at the Columbia Icefield, and a Maligne Lake cruise to Spirit Island. From Jasper, the trip shifts to VIA Rail's Sleeper Class for a 3-day, 3-night journey across the prairies to Toronto, with meals included onboard and access to the Park Car lounge and Dome Car. It suits travellers who want two distinct rail experiences, a daytime scenic cruise train through the mountains and a multi-night sleeper crossing of the prairies, combined with a week of Rockies sightseeing in between.

What to know before you look closer

  • The quoted from-price of CAD $8,684 is for the Rocky Mountaineer's Silver Leaf Experience train class; a Gold Leaf option is also listed for the Vancouver to Banff leg, at a price not given in the evidence.
  • Gratuities for local guides, tour managers and bus drivers, and travel insurance, are listed as not included in the price.
  • The evidence does not list current departure dates or availability; confirm directly with Anderson Vacations.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Kamloops

    Vancouver to Kamloops on the Rocky Mountaineer

    Depart Vancouver onboard the Rocky Mountaineer for Kamloops, through the Fraser River Valley, forests and river canyons surrounded by the Coast and Cascade Mountains.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Banff

    Kamloops to Banff on the Rocky Mountaineer

    Continue eastward into the Canadian Rockies and Alberta, across ranch lands, rocky lakeshores, high mountain passes and historic rail tunnels.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Banff

    Banff Sightseeing

    Explore Banff, once 'Siding 29' on the Canadian Pacific Railway, with a small group tour of the town's landmarks and an included Banff Gondola pass up Sulphur Mountain.

  4. Day 4overnight: Lake Louise

    Banff to Lake Louise

    Transfer by coach to Lake Louise, surrounded by glaciers and Mount Victoria.

  5. Day 5overnight: Jasper

    Lake Louise to Jasper

    Travel the Icefields Parkway, home to bears, elk, moose and mountain goats, visiting the Columbia Icefield for an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier and the Glacier Skywalk.

  6. Day 6overnight: Jasper

    Jasper Sightseeing

    An interpretive tour up the Maligne Valley including Maligne Canyon, Medicine Lake and Maligne Lake with a boat cruise to Spirit Island or a guided hike, followed by the Jasper Tramway up Whistlers Mountain.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Onboard Via Rail

    Jasper to Toronto on board VIA Rail (day 1 of 3)

    Board VIA Rail in sleeper class for the journey east, with access to the Park Car lounge and Dome Car; gourmet meals included when travelling in Sleeper Class.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Onboard Via Rail

    Jasper to Toronto on board VIA Rail (day 2 of 3)

    The rail journey continues across the prairies (page describes Days 7, 8 and 9 as a single combined 3-day rail leg).

  9. Day 9railovernight: Onboard Via Rail

    Jasper to Toronto on board VIA Rail (day 3 of 3)

    The rail journey continues toward Toronto.

  10. Day 10

    Arrive in Toronto

    Arrival in Toronto; tour ends.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1The Rocky Mountaineer departs Vancouver for Kamloops through the Fraser River Valley, forests and river canyons surrounded by the Coast and Cascade Mountains.
  • Day 3A small group tour of Banff, once known as 'Siding 29' on the Canadian Pacific Railway, includes a Banff Gondola pass up Sulphur Mountain.
  • Day 5The Icefields Parkway reaches the Columbia Icefield for an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier and the Glacier Skywalk.
  • Day 6A boat cruise on Maligne Lake reaches Spirit Island, followed by the Jasper Tramway up Whistlers Mountain.
  • Day 7VIA Rail's Sleeper Class begins a 3-day journey east from Jasper to Toronto, with access to the Park Car lounge, Dome Car and gourmet onboard meals.

Included

  • 7 nights of hotel accommodation
  • Rocky Mountaineer rail tour in Silver Leaf service including meals
  • Via Rail from Jasper to Toronto
  • Attractions and sightseeing as above

Not included

  • Meals not specifically mentioned as included in the itinerary
  • Gratuities for Local Guides, Tour Managers, and/or Bus Drivers
  • Travel Insurance and Cancellation Protection (strongly recommended, ask us for a quote!)
  • Taxes as applicable
  • Airfare unless specified as included within the itinerary
  • Items (attractions and sightseeing & entrance fees) not listed as included in the itinerary

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. Anderson Vacations includes the Rocky Mountaineer in Silver Leaf service from Vancouver to Banff (via Kamloops), plus a 3-day VIA Rail Sleeper Class journey from Jasper to Toronto.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
The operator describes it as an independent rail journey.
Which trains are used?
The Rocky Mountaineer (Silver Leaf Experience, with Gold Leaf also offered) from Vancouver to Banff via Kamloops, and VIA Rail Sleeper Class from Jasper to Toronto.
Is the VIA Rail journey overnight?
Yes. The Jasper to Toronto leg is a 3-day journey with 3 nights spent onboard VIA Rail in Sleeper Class, including gourmet meals and access to the Park Car lounge and Dome Car.
What is not included?
Meals not specifically mentioned in the itinerary, gratuities for guides and drivers, travel insurance, taxes, airfare unless specified, and attractions or entrance fees not listed.
How much walking is involved?
The operator rates the tour as having a low level of physical demand, with an optional guided hike offered as an alternative to the Maligne Lake boat cruise on day 6.

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