Is train travel included in the price?

Yes. The from-price of CAD 13,660 (USD 9,618) includes VIA Rail sleeper cabins (Sleeper Plus Class) and the full Rocky Mountaineer journey with meals aboard both trains.

What are the accommodations?

Comfort Level includes 3 to 3.5-star hotels; Superior Level, 4 to 4.5-star; Deluxe Level, 5-star. Named hotels include Elk + Avenue Hotel in Banff, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, and Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver.

Which trains are used?

VIA Rail's The Canadian runs Toronto to Jasper with sleeper cabins in Sleeper Plus Class. Rocky Mountaineer operates Banff to Vancouver via Kamloops, with SilverLeaf service on Comfort and Superior tiers, GoldLeaf on Deluxe.

Is this an escorted or independent trip?

It is independent travel with no fixed group schedule. Canadian Train Vacations (Fresh Tracks Canada) employs local experts called Canadian Insiders to plan, coordinate, and support throughout.

What activities are included?

Meals aboard both trains, hotel stays, choice-of-activity days in Jasper and Lake Louise/Banff, airport and train station transfers, one feature dining experience at a local restaurant, and a choice of guided activities such as wildlife tours or nature walks. Optional paid extras include helicopter tours and sightseeing tours.

When does the trip run?

The trip is marketed for springtime; specific departure dates are not listed in the package details provided.

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

Springtime Across Canada

Thirteen-day Toronto to Vancouver by sleeper train and Rocky Mountaineer through Canadian national parks

Canadian Train Vacations (Fresh Tracks Canada) operates this 13-day independent rail journey from Toronto to Vancouver, combining two of Canada's premier trains with guided exploration of three national parks in spring. The trip begins with two unguided days in Toronto, where you may visit neighborhoods or take a day trip to Niagara Falls, before boarding VIA Rail's The Canadian for an overnight sleeper journey across Ontario's lakes, the Canadian Shield, the prairie provinces, and into the Rocky Mountains. You arrive in Jasper, where a full day of self-directed activities precedes a scenic coach journey along the Icefields Parkway to Lake Louise and Banff, each with activities you choose. From Banff, the Rocky Mountaineer operates two all-day daylight trains carrying you through the Spiral Tunnels and Hell's Gate canyon to Vancouver. Hotels, all train travel, meals aboard both trains, and one feature dining reservation are included; the package suits couples and repeat rail travelers seeking a high-comfort, independently paced Canadian experience.

What to know before you look closer

Days 1 and 2 in Toronto are unguided; you arrange your own sightseeing or book optional tours (Niagara Falls, wine country, Toronto sightseeing).
Days 7 and 9 are self-directed activity days in the national parks; you choose your own exploration (walking, canoeing, horseback riding, climbing).
Days 8 and 9 involve coach travel on the Icefields Parkway and between Lake Louise and Banff rather than rail legs.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Toronto
Arrive in Toronto
The sights and sounds of Canada's largest city welcome you as you arrive in the heart of downtown.
Day 2overnight: Toronto
Explore Toronto or Niagara
Spend a day enjoying the quaint and colorful neighborhoods of Toronto or visit world-famous Niagara Falls.
Day 3railovernight: Onboard train
VIA Rail - Depart Toronto
Board The Canadian train in Toronto and 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 8overnight: Lake Louise
Icefields Parkway - Jasper to Lake Louise
Travel along the spine of the Rockies on one of the most beautiful roads in the world, the Icefields Parkway, to picture-perfect Lake Louise.
Day 9overnight: Banff
Enjoying Lake Louise and Transfer to Banff
A varied pace is important, and today you set the cadence. Relax, stroll around the lake, go to the spa, or get out for canoeing, horseback riding, hiking or climbing, before transferring to Banff.
Day 10overnight: 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 11railovernight: Kamloops
Rocky Mountaineer Train - Banff to Kamloops
All aboard. Settle in while the smell of breakfast wafts from the galley, with highlights including the Spiral Tunnels and Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven in 1885.
Day 12railovernight: Vancouver
Rocky Mountaineer Train - Kamloops to Vancouver
Enjoy another day of great food, excellent service and incredible scenery, travelling through winding river canyons, pristine forests, mountain ranges and lush farmland. See Hell's Gate in the Fraser Canyon.
Day 13
Depart Vancouver
You leave the fresh air and mountain peaks of Canada to journey home.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 3Board The Canadian in downtown Toronto and travel north into Ontario's lake country, beginning a transcontinental journey west.
Day 6See the Rocky Mountains early in the morning as you arrive in Jasper, a mountain town in the heart of Jasper National Park.
Day 8Travel the Icefields Parkway, described as one of the most beautiful roads in the world, from Jasper to Lake Louise.
Day 11Board the Rocky Mountaineer and pass through the Spiral Tunnels and Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven in 1885.
Day 12Travel through Hell's Gate in the Fraser Canyon, winding river canyons, forests, and mountain ranges to Vancouver.

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 in the price?: Yes. The from-price of CAD 13,660 (USD 9,618) includes VIA Rail sleeper cabins (Sleeper Plus Class) and the full Rocky Mountaineer journey with meals aboard both trains.
What are the accommodations?: Comfort Level includes 3 to 3.5-star hotels; Superior Level, 4 to 4.5-star; Deluxe Level, 5-star. Named hotels include Elk + Avenue Hotel in Banff, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, and Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver.
Which trains are used?: VIA Rail's The Canadian runs Toronto to Jasper with sleeper cabins in Sleeper Plus Class. Rocky Mountaineer operates Banff to Vancouver via Kamloops, with SilverLeaf service on Comfort and Superior tiers, GoldLeaf on Deluxe.
Is this an escorted or independent trip?: It is independent travel with no fixed group schedule. Canadian Train Vacations (Fresh Tracks Canada) employs local experts called Canadian Insiders to plan, coordinate, and support throughout.
What activities are included?: Meals aboard both trains, hotel stays, choice-of-activity days in Jasper and Lake Louise/Banff, airport and train station transfers, one feature dining experience at a local restaurant, and a choice of guided activities such as wildlife tours or nature walks. Optional paid extras include helicopter tours and sightseeing tours.
When does the trip run?: The trip is marketed for springtime; specific departure dates are not listed in the package details provided.