Canadian Train Vacations · Independent tailor-made rail vacation

Scenic Wonders Across Canada

Illustration of Scenic Wonders Across Canada

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.

4 readings are held out of the price above and this history: an unconfirmed large change. We only price on the operator's package from-price, read from its own page.

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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Onboard train

    VIA Rail - Canadian Prairies

    Journey across the undulating plains of the Prairie provinces, Saskatchewan and Alberta.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. Day 10overnight: Lake Louise

    Explore Lake Louise

    Spend your day in one of the most beautiful places on the planet, Lake Louise.

  11. 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.

  12. 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.

  13. 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

How much does it cost?
From $11,480 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $11,480 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
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 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.

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