Is train travel included?

Yes, twice. VIA Rail's The Canadian carries the trip in Sleeper Plus Class from Toronto to Jasper (days 3 to 6), then the Rocky Mountaineer covers Jasper to Kamloops to Lake Louise (days 8 to 9) in SilverLeaf or GoldLeaf service.

Which hotels are used?

The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, and in Banff either the Elk + Avenue Hotel or the Rimrock Resort Hotel depending on tier; the evidence does not name a specific Jasper hotel.

What are the price tiers?

Comfort Level (3 to 3.5-star hotels, from CAD 14,590), Superior Level (4 to 4.5-star, from CAD 16,040), and Deluxe Level (5-star hotels with Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf, from CAD 19,660); all tiers include VIA Rail Sleeper Plus Class.

What does the trip include besides trains and hotels?

Meals onboard both trains, a choice of guided activities, train station and airport transfers, a feature dining experience, and Fresh Tracks Canada customer service support.

How much walking or activity is involved?

The itinerary describes choosing your own style of touring in Niagara, Jasper and Banff; optional extras include a Private Guided Nature Walk and a Columbia Icefield Sightseeing Tour, without naming hikes.

Canadian Train Vacations (Fresh Tracks Canada) · Independent tailor-made rail vacation

Scenic Wonders Across Canada

13-day cross-Canada rail trip from Toronto to Calgary via Jasper

Canadian Train Vacations, operated through Fresh Tracks Canada, runs this 13-day, 12-night independent rail vacation from Toronto to Calgary. There is no fixed group schedule; local experts, described as Canadian Insiders, plan, coordinate and support the trip throughout. Two nights in Niagara-on-the-Lake, among rolling vineyards and the Niagara Gorge, lead back to Toronto to board VIA Rail's The Canadian, with three nights onboard in Sleeper Plus Class across the Canadian Shield's boreal forest and countless lakes and the Prairie provinces' plains, arriving in Jasper. After two nights in Jasper National Park, the Rocky Mountaineer takes over for a two-day daylight journey across ranchlands, rocky lakeshores and the Spiral Tunnels to Lake Louise, where two more nights allow a full day at the lake itself. The trip ends with two nights in Banff National Park. It suits travellers who want an extended, two-train crossing of Canada, from Niagara wine country to the Rockies, rather than a single regional rail trip.

What to know before you look closer

Hotel and Rocky Mountaineer service tier vary together: the Banff hotel is either the Elk + Avenue Hotel or the Rimrock Resort Hotel, and Rocky Mountaineer service is SilverLeaf (Comfort or Superior) or GoldLeaf (Deluxe), depending on the tier chosen.
Of the 13 days, about 6 involve train travel (3 nights on VIA Rail's sleeper from Toronto to Jasper, plus 2 days on the Rocky Mountaineer from Jasper to Lake Louise); the rest is spent in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff, or travelling by road between them.
The evidence does not list specific departure dates for this trip; confirm current scheduling with the operator before booking.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Niagara-on-the-Lake
Welcome to Niagara-on-the-Lake
Arrive in Canada's largest city, Toronto, and be whisked away to the charming town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Rolling vineyards and blooming flowers surround you, framing Lake Ontario.
Day 2overnight: Niagara-on-the-Lake
Discover the Niagara Region
Discover the splendor of the Niagara Gorge and the serene woodlands of wine country. Choose an activity that's just right for you.
Day 3railovernight: Onboard train
VIA Rail - Depart Toronto
Leave Niagara-on-the-Lake and return to Toronto to begin your transcontinental journey west, travelling north into Ontario's picturesque lake country.
Day 4railovernight: Onboard train
VIA Rail - Ontario
Head west through the rugged landscape of the Canadian Shield and into the province of Manitoba. See ancient, exposed rock, boreal forest, and countless lakes.
Day 5railovernight: Onboard train
VIA Rail - Canadian Prairies
Journey across the undulating plains of the Prairie provinces, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
Day 6railovernight: Jasper
VIA Rail - Arrive in Jasper
See the magnificent Rocky Mountains early this morning as you get close to Jasper, a laid-back mountain town in the heart of Jasper National Park.
Day 7overnight: Jasper
Explore Jasper National Park
Jasper's wide-open valleys are enticing to a variety of wildlife and are incredibly breathtaking. Spend the day exploring Jasper National Park on your style of tour.
Day 8railovernight: Kamloops
Rocky Mountaineer Train - Jasper to Kamloops
The first day of your two-day Canadian Rockies rail journey. Step out onto the outdoor viewing platform and feel the cold wind against your cheeks.
Day 9railovernight: Lake Louise
Rocky Mountaineer Train - Kamloops to Lake Louise
Travel across ranchlands, along rocky lakeshores, over high mountain passes, and through the remarkable Spiral Tunnels. Arrive in Lake Louise this evening.
Day 10overnight: Lake Louise
Explore Lake Louise
Spend your day in one of the most beautiful places on the planet, Lake Louise.
Day 11overnight: Banff
Lake Louise to Banff Sightseeing
Discover the beauty of what lies outside of Banff National Park today, with your choice of tour as you make your way to Banff.
Day 12overnight: Banff
Explore Banff National Park
Fill your lungs with cool, fresh Rocky Mountain air and head out to explore Banff National Park in your chosen way.
Day 13
Depart Calgary
You leave the fresh air and mountain peaks of Canada to journey home.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 1Niagara-on-the-Lake is reached from Toronto, surrounded by rolling vineyards and blooming flowers framing Lake Ontario.
Day 4The route crosses the Canadian Shield into Manitoba, passing ancient exposed rock, boreal forest and countless lakes.
Day 6The Canadian arrives in Jasper past the Rocky Mountains, early in the morning.
Day 9The Rocky Mountaineer crosses ranchlands and rocky lakeshores, over high mountain passes and through the Spiral Tunnels, arriving in Lake Louise.
Day 10A full day is spent at Lake Louise, described as one of the most beautiful places on the planet.

Included

Hotel accommodation
Sleeper train experience in a private cabin
Rocky Mountaineer daylight train journey
Meals onboard the train
Choice of unique guided activities
Train station transfers
Transportation to and from airports, timed with your flights
Feature dining experience at one of our favorite local restaurants
Electronic travel documentation package
Personalized Fresh Tracks Canada customer service support

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?: Yes, twice. VIA Rail's The Canadian carries the trip in Sleeper Plus Class from Toronto to Jasper (days 3 to 6), then the Rocky Mountaineer covers Jasper to Kamloops to Lake Louise (days 8 to 9) in SilverLeaf or GoldLeaf service.
Is this trip guided or independent?: It is independent, with no fixed group schedule; local experts, described as Canadian Insiders, plan, coordinate and support the trip throughout.
Which hotels are used?: The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, and in Banff either the Elk + Avenue Hotel or the Rimrock Resort Hotel depending on tier; the evidence does not name a specific Jasper hotel.
What are the price tiers?: Comfort Level (3 to 3.5-star hotels, from CAD 14,590), Superior Level (4 to 4.5-star, from CAD 16,040), and Deluxe Level (5-star hotels with Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf, from CAD 19,660); all tiers include VIA Rail Sleeper Plus Class.
What does the trip include besides trains and hotels?: Meals onboard both trains, a choice of guided activities, train station and airport transfers, a feature dining experience, and Fresh Tracks Canada customer service support.
How much walking or activity is involved?: The itinerary describes choosing your own style of touring in Niagara, Jasper and Banff; optional extras include a Private Guided Nature Walk and a Columbia Icefield Sightseeing Tour, without naming hikes.