Canada Rail (canadarail.ca) · Independent tour

The Canadian Adventurer: Eastbound

12-day Rockies and Canadian rail journey, Vancouver to Niagara Falls

The Canadian Adventurer: Eastbound, a rail journey with Canada Rail (canadarail.ca)

Canada Rail Vacations operates this 12-day, 11-night independent rail vacation from Vancouver to Niagara Falls, combining two of Canada's rail journeys. The trip opens with two days aboard the Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Banff, passing Kicking Horse Canyon and the Spiral Tunnels, followed by guided touring through Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper, including an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier on the Icefields Parkway. In Jasper, travelers board VIA Rail's 'The Canadian' for three nights in a private sleeper cabin, crossing the Prairies and Ontario before arriving in Toronto with a complimentary CN Tower pass. The trip closes with a full-day Niagara Falls excursion, including a Niagara City Cruises boat ride along Horseshoe Falls. This suits travelers who want to experience both the daytime, scenic Rocky Mountaineer and the overnight sleeper train in a single trip, with national park sightseeing and city time built in on either end.

What to know before you look closer

  • The base package uses Popular Hotels (3-star), with a Superior Hotel upgrade in Lake Louise included; Superior, Deluxe, and GoldLeaf Train Service upgrades cost more, and a Prestige Class upgrade on 'The Canadian' costs an additional CAD $3,500 per person.
  • Rail station transfers in Jasper and Toronto are not included, and neither is transportation to or from the Vancouver and Toronto airports.
  • Meals other than onboard the Rocky Mountaineer, VIA Rail, and the Niagara Falls day trip are on your own, as are gratuities for hotel, VIA Rail, and transfer staff.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver Arrival

    Arrive in Vancouver, known for its cultural and linguistic diversity. This city is very lively and home to a bustling arts scene so you will find that there is no shortage of things to do and places to explore. Popular sites include the urban jungle of Stanley Park, Canada's largest Chinatown, and the Robson Street Shopping District.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Kamloops

    Rocky Mountaineer Train from Vancouver to Kamloops

    Climb aboard the Rocky Mountaineer and raise your glass as the train heads northeast out of Vancouver. Your journey across Canada has officially begun! Travel alongside the mighty waters of the salmon-rich Fraser River and pass the powerful rapids of Hell's Gate. Towards the end of today you'll approach the drier grasslands of Kamloops.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Banff

    Rocky Mountaineer Train from Kamloops to Banff

    As you travel east towards the province of Alberta, you are greeted by the Canadian Rockies. Rocky lakeshores, snow-capped mountain peaks, and crisp glacial streams accompany you as you dine on locally-sourced, gourmet meals. Learn about points of interest such as astoundingly high Kicking Horse Canyon and the Spiral Tunnels.

  4. Day 4overnight: Banff

    Banff Sightseeing Tour including Banff Gondola

    Today you'll be on a 5-hour guided tour through the towering Rundle, Tunnel, Cascade, and Norquay Mountains. Learn about the wind-shaped hoodoos and experience Surprise Corner along Tunnel Mountain Drive. Take a gentle gondola ride up to the top of Sulphur Mountain for fantastic views, interpretive boardwalks, and photo opportunities.

  5. Day 5overnight: Lake Louise

    Banff to Lake Louise Sightseeing Tour - Mountain Lakes & Waterfalls

    Your motorcoach leaves in the morning and offers you a guided tour of the area between Banff and Lake Louise. Cross the Continental Divide and pass through Yoho National Park offering scenic sights such as Takakkaw Falls, Kicking Horse Pass, Emerald Lake, and the Natural Rock Bridge that spans across the Kicking Horse River. You will spend the night at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

  6. Day 6overnight: Jasper

    Sightseeing Tour from Lake Louise to Jasper including Columbia Icefield Excursion

    Today you're riding along the most beautiful highway in Canada, the Icefields Parkway. Highlights include stops at Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, The Columbia Icefield, and the powerful Athabasca Falls. While at the Athabasca Glacier, climb aboard the Ice Explorer, a specialized bus that travels directly on to the glacier.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Aboard the train

    Board "The Canadian" Train in Jasper

    Your trip of a lifetime continues as you board "The Canadian" train. The train offers a truly unique experience of Canada's diverse scenery. All meals are included and can be enjoyed in the dining car. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to take in the scenery in the glass dome. At night you will retire to your private cabin as the gentle sway of the train rocks you to sleep.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Aboard the train

    "The Canadian" Train through Saskatchewan and Manitoba

    Your train continues on through the rolling prairies of Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Swaying grasslands and fields of gold stretch out before you in every direction underneath a never ending sky. You'll reach Winnipeg this evening before the train continues on eastwards.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Aboard the train

    "The Canadian" Train through Ontario

    The entire day is spent travelling across Canada's second largest province, Ontario. Your route is north of the Great Lakes and the entire day can be spent watching the countryside pass by. Lakes and never ending forests are out your window throughout the day.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Toronto

    "The Canadian" Train Arrival in Toronto. Complimentary CN Tower Admission

    Arrive in Toronto in the afternoon and the rest of the day is yours. Use your complimentary CN Tower admissions pass to view Canada's capital city from above. You may choose to walk the glass floor or enjoy a seasonal dinner in the rotating restaurant at the top.

  11. Day 11overnight: Toronto

    Niagara Falls Sightseeing Day Tour

    Travel through wine country where Niagara Falls, one of the Seven Great Wonders of the World, is waiting for you! Board a vessel with Niagara City Cruises and feel the mist on your face as you cruise along the roaring base of Horseshoe Falls. You'll also get the chance to experience the falls from above, standing within feet of its lip. End off the day tour with a visit to Niagara on the Lake.

  12. Day 12rail

    Toronto Departure

    With fond memories of Canada, this adventure ends in Toronto. We look forward to hosting you again in Canada in the future. Thank you for travelling with Canada Rail Vacations!

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3The Rocky Mountaineer's second day, from Kamloops to Banff, passing Kicking Horse Canyon and the Spiral Tunnels.
  • Day 6An Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier at the Columbia Icefield, on the Icefields Parkway drive from Lake Louise to Jasper.
  • Day 7Boarding VIA Rail's 'The Canadian' in Jasper for three nights in a private sleeper cabin, with all meals included in the dining car.
  • Day 10Arrival in Toronto aboard 'The Canadian,' with a complimentary CN Tower admission pass to view the city from above.
  • Day 11A full-day Niagara Falls excursion with Niagara City Cruises, cruising along the base of Horseshoe Falls.

Included

  • 8 nights hotel accommodation
  • 3 nights private bedroom accommodation on board "The Canadian" train in Sleeper Plus Class
  • 2-day Rocky Mountaineer SilverLeaf Service or GoldLeaf Service
  • 5 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 3 dinners
  • Banff Tour including Banff Gondola
  • Banff and Yoho National Park Tour from Banff to Lake Louise (scenic transfer from late-October to early-May)
  • Icefields Parkway Tour including Ice Explorer (scenic transfer from late-October to early-May)
  • Complimentary CN Tower admission
  • Complimentary Vancouver city tour when an additional night is added
  • Full-day Niagara Falls excursion with meal
  • Rail station transfers in Vancouver, Kamloops & Banff
  • Gratuities/tip for Rocky Mountaineer train staff

Not included

  • Rail station transfers in Jasper and Toronto
  • Transportation to/from Vancouver and Toronto airports
  • Meals other than onboard the Rocky Mountaineer, VIA Rail and Niagara Falls day trip
  • Gratuities/tip for hotel, VIA Rail and transfer staff
  • Canadian 5% sales tax

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes, two days aboard the Rocky Mountaineer (Vancouver to Banff via Kamloops) and three nights aboard VIA Rail's 'The Canadian' (Jasper to Toronto) are both included.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is an independent tour. Vancouver and Toronto arrivals are made on your own, with guided sightseeing pre-arranged in Banff, Lake Louise, the Icefields Parkway, and Niagara Falls.
Which trains and classes are used?
The Rocky Mountaineer in SilverLeaf or GoldLeaf Service, and VIA Rail's 'The Canadian' in Sleeper Plus Class, with a Prestige Class upgrade available for CAD $3,500 per person.
What hotels are used?
Popular Hotels (3-star) is the base tier, with a Superior Hotel upgrade at Lake Louise's Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise included.
What is not included?
Rail station transfers in Jasper and Toronto, airport transportation, most meals, and gratuities for hotel, VIA Rail, and transfer staff.
When does it run?
50 departures, running April to October in both 2026 and 2027.

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