Canada Rail (canadarail.ca) · Independent tour

The Canadian Adventurer: Westbound

12-day Canadian and Rockies rail journey, Toronto to Vancouver

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

Canada Rail Vacations operates this 12-day, 11-night independent rail vacation from Toronto to Vancouver, combining two of Canada's rail journeys. The trip opens in Toronto with a complimentary CN Tower pass and a full-day Niagara Falls excursion, including a Niagara City Cruises boat ride along Horseshoe Falls. From there, travelers board VIA Rail's 'The Canadian' for three nights in a private sleeper cabin, crossing Ontario, the Prairies, and into the Canadian Rockies to Jasper. Guided touring follows through Jasper, Lake Louise, and Banff, including an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier on the Icefields Parkway, before the trip's final two days aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, from Banff to Kamloops and on to Vancouver. This suits travelers who want to experience both the overnight sleeper train and the daytime, scenic Rocky Mountaineer 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 Toronto and Jasper are not included, and neither is transportation to or from the Toronto and Vancouver 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: Toronto

    Arrival in Toronto. Complimentary CN Tower admission

    Arrive in Toronto, Canada's largest city and the capital of Ontario. Once you've checked into your hotel, the rest of the day is yours! We've included complimentary passes to the CN Tower so that you can get an unforgettable view of the bustling city from above. Walk the glass floor or enjoy a seasonal dinner in the rotating restaurant at the top.

  2. Day 2overnight: Toronto

    Niagara Falls Sightseeing Day Tour

    Travel through wine country where Niagara Falls, one of the Seven Great wonders of North America, 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 the day tour with a visit to Niagara on the Lake.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Aboard the train

    Board "The Canadian" Train from Toronto to Jasper

    Today is the beginning of your three nights aboard VIA Rail's 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.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Aboard the train

    "The Canadian" Train - 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 as you glide across our great country on the route the early settlers once took.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Aboard the train

    "The Canadian" Train - Manitoba and Saskatchewan

    Enter the peaceful prairies of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. A stop in Winnipeg gives you the option of getting off the train and taking a look around. As you head further west, swaying grasslands and fields of gold stretch out before you in every direction underneath a never ending sky.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Jasper

    "The Canadian" Train - Arrival in Jasper

    Enter Alberta and pass through its capital city of Edmonton before continuing west. A milestone moment has been reached. You've entered the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Enjoy your breakfast on board as you snake through the snow-capped mountain peaks and winding rivers our country is famous for. Welcome to the cozy little resort town of Jasper.

  7. Day 7overnight: Lake Louise

    Sightseeing Tour from Jasper to Lake Louise including Columbia Icefields Excursion

    Today you're riding along the most beautiful highway in Canada, the Icefields Parkway. Highlights include stops at the powerful Athabasca Falls, the Columbia Icefield, Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, and Crowfoot Glacier. Arrive at the Athabasca Glacier and climb aboard the Ice Explorer, a specialized bus that travels directly on to the glacier. Tonight, you'll be sleeping in style in your room at the picturesque Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

  8. Day 8overnight: Banff

    Lake Louise to Banff Sightseeing Tour - Mountain Lakes & Waterfalls

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

  9. Day 9overnight: 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.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Kamloops

    Rocky Mountaineer Train from Banff to Kamloops

    Toast to your first day aboard the Rocky Mountaineer! Today you'll pass by the snow-peaked mountains and crystal-clear waters that our country is famous for. Highlights include the Spiral Tunnels, Kicking Horse Canyon, and Rodgers Pass. A dramatic change of scenery will take place as you approach the ranchlands of the interior plateau.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Vancouver

    Rocky Mountaineer Train from Kamloops to Vancouver

    You're on your way to the coast today. Dine on a locally-sourced, gourmet breakfast and lunch as you wind through the changing scenery and step out on the outside deck to take in that fresh mountain air. When you add a second night in Vancouver to your vacation package, you will receive a complimentary Vancouver city tour through Canada Rail Vacations!

  12. Day 12rail

    Vancouver Departure

    Your vacation concludes upon checking out of your hotel. Thank you for traveling with Canada Rail Vacations!

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Arrival in Toronto with a complimentary CN Tower admission pass to view the city from above.
  • Day 2A full-day Niagara Falls excursion with Niagara City Cruises, cruising along the base of Horseshoe Falls.
  • Day 3Boarding VIA Rail's 'The Canadian' in Toronto for three nights in a private sleeper cabin, with all meals included in the dining car.
  • Day 7An Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier at the Columbia Icefield, on the Icefields Parkway drive from Jasper to Lake Louise.
  • Day 10The Rocky Mountaineer's first day, from Banff to Kamloops, passing the Spiral Tunnels, Kicking Horse Canyon, and Rodgers Pass.

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
  • 6 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 4 dinners
  • Complimentary CN Tower admission
  • Full-day Niagara Falls excursion with meal
  • Icefields Parkway Tour including Ice Explorer (scenic transfer from late-October to early-May)
  • Banff Tour including Banff Gondola
  • Banff and Yoho National Park Tour from Lake Louise to Banff (scenic transfer from late-October to early-May)
  • Rail station transfers in Banff, Kamloops and Vancouver
  • Complimentary Vancouver city tour when an additional night is added
  • Gratuities/tip for Rocky Mountaineer train staff

Not included

  • Rail station transfers in Toronto and Jasper
  • Transportation to/from Toronto and Vancouver 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, three nights aboard VIA Rail's 'The Canadian' (Toronto to Jasper) and two days aboard the Rocky Mountaineer (Banff to Vancouver via Kamloops) are both included.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is an independent tour. Toronto and Vancouver arrivals are made on your own, with guided sightseeing pre-arranged along the Icefields Parkway, in Lake Louise, Banff, and Niagara Falls.
Which trains and classes are used?
VIA Rail's 'The Canadian' in Sleeper Plus Class, with a Prestige Class upgrade available for CAD $3,500 per person, and the Rocky Mountaineer in SilverLeaf or GoldLeaf Service.
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 Toronto and Jasper, airport transportation, most meals, and gratuities for hotel, VIA Rail, and transfer staff.
When does it run?
98 departures, running April to October in both 2026 and 2027.

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