Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Wonders of Canada & Rocky Mountaineer

Escorted Canada tour combining Rocky Mountaineer and VIA Rail's Canadian

Wonders of Canada & Rocky Mountaineer, a rail journey with Great Rail Journeys

Great Rail Journeys operates this 14-day escorted tour of Canada, with a UK Tour Manager travelling with the group from Vancouver to London Heathrow. After a guided sightseeing day in Vancouver, taking in Gastown, Stanley Park, and Granville Island, the tour boards the Rocky Mountaineer for two days of daylight rail travel through the Fraser Canyon and Rogers Pass to the alpine towns of Banff and Jasper. Coach excursions from Banff and Jasper visit Lake Louise, Emerald Lake, and the Columbia Icefield, where a Snocoach crosses the Athabasca Glacier. From Jasper, the tour boards VIA Rail's Canadian for a three-night sleeper journey across the prairies and the Canadian Shield to Toronto, where a full-day excursion to Niagara Falls includes a boat cruise into the mist of Horseshoe Falls. It suits travellers who want two distinct named trains, guided sightseeing, and the support of a Tour Manager rather than planning each stop independently.

What to know before you look closer

  • The single price (GBP 7,899) is well above half the twin-share price (GBP 6,499), so solo travellers pay a significant single supplement.
  • The optional Jasper National Park excursion on day 7 (Maligne River valley, Maligne Canyon, Maligne Lake) is payable locally and not included in the tour price.
  • GoldLeaf Class on the Rocky Mountaineer and Prestige Class or a Sleeper Plus Cabin upgrade on The Canadian are optional upgrades at extra cost; the standard package uses SilverLeaf and Sleeper Plus Berths.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Vancouver

    Your great Canadian adventure begins in Vancouver

    Meeting the Tour Manager at London Heathrow this afternoon, board a direct flight to the west coast of Canada, arriving in Vancouver early evening local time. The hotel is a short distance from both Downtown and the harbour. After check in there is a free evening to unwind or venture out to try some of western Canada's finest cuisine.

  2. Day 2overnight: Vancouver

    Exploring Vancouver and Stanley Park

    An early morning tour of Vancouver's most characterful and historic districts with a local guide. Starting in Vancouver's original Downtown, visiting rejuvenated Gastown, Canada's largest Chinatown, Stanley Park with colourful totem poles, and Granville Island with its food markets. The rest of the day is free to explore independently.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Kamloops

    Into the Rocky Mountains on the First Passage to the West

    Head to the train station for a spectacular journey into the Rocky Mountains on the Rocky Mountaineer in SilverLeaf Class. Wind through deep forests and fertile fields along the banks of the Fraser River, through the Fraser Canyon, past Hell's Gate, then along the Thompson River through an almost desert-like environment. Disembark in Kamloops for a night at a local hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  4. Day 4railovernight: Banff

    Kamloops to Banff on the Rocky Mountaineer

    Travel eastwards on Rocky Mountaineer with breakfast and lunch served onboard. Pass Shuswap Lake, the site of the 'last spike' of the trans-Canadian railway, Rogers Pass, the Connaught Tunnel, Kicking Horse Pass, the Spiral Tunnels, the Continental Divide, Morant's Curve and iconic Castle Mountain before arriving in Banff.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  5. Day 5overnight: Banff

    Glistening lakes in the Rockies' national parks

    Coach tour to glacial Emerald Lake and the turquoise glacial Lake Louise framed by towering snow-capped mountains, with free time to soak up the spectacular view. Also view the Spiral Tunnels from the lookout point. Return to Banff this evening.

  6. Day 6overnight: Jasper

    The Icefields Parkway to Jasper

    Journey along the famous Icefields Parkway by coach, a 144-mile road linking Banff and Jasper with more than 100 glaciers visible. Stop at the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre to marvel at the Athabasca Glacier and ride over the ice field by giant Snocoach. Short stop at Athabasca Falls. Check in to hotel in Jasper.

  7. Day 7overnight: Jasper

    Free time in Jasper National Park and planetarium evening

    Free day to explore at leisure. Optional scenic excursion into UNESCO-listed Jasper National Park including Maligne River valley, Maligne Canyon, Maligne Lake and wildlife watching (payable locally). Evening excursion to Jasper Planetarium.

  8. Day 8railovernight: The Canadian (train)

    Boarding the Canadian for an epic three-night journey

    Time to enjoy Jasper and have breakfast at the hotel before transferring to the train station to board VIA Rail's Canadian. Settle into semi-private berths for a three-night ride across Canada to Toronto. Follow the Athabasca River down the Rocky Mountains into the verdant foothills. Dinner served on board. Pass through Edmonton this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  9. Day 9overnight: The Canadian (train)

    Into the great wide open

    Wake up to Saskatchewan's vast prairies. Enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner served on board. View the seemingly endless grasslands of the Great Plains from the glass-roofed panoramic observation car. Cross into Manitoba, passing through Winnipeg late this evening before continuing eastwards overnight.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  10. Day 10overnight: The Canadian (train)

    Crossing northern Ontario's wilderness

    Cross the rocky ground of the Canadian Shield over breakfast, passing through primordial lakes and thick verdant forests. After lunch onboard, the Canadian changes direction towards the Great Lakes. Spend time in the observation car or lounge before dinner is served. The Canadian continues overnight towards its destination.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  11. Day 11overnight: Toronto

    Arrival in lakeside Toronto

    Final morning onboard the Canadian with a continental breakfast. Travel south towards Toronto, arriving mid-afternoon at Toronto's Union Station. Transfer to downtown hotel with time to unwind or explore Canada's most populous city at leisure.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  12. Day 12overnight: Toronto

    Exploring spectacular Niagara Falls with a cruise

    Full-day coach trip to Niagara Falls with an expert local guide. Set sail on a 'Voyage to the Falls' cruise to get closer to the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and the iconic Horseshoe Falls. Lunch independently in Niagara. Admire the falls from above at Table Rock. Visit the whirlpool and conclude at Niagara on the Lake. Return to Toronto this evening.

  13. Day 13overnight: In flight

    Homeward bound

    Time at leisure in Toronto to explore Union Station's historic Great Hall, the Distillery Historic District, the CN Tower observation decks, or Ward's Island/Toronto Island Park. In mid-afternoon, regroup at the downtown hotel and transfer by coach to the airport for the direct overnight flight to London.

  14. Day 14

    Arrival in London

    Land at London Heathrow early this morning, concluding this spectacular expedition from the Pacific coast to the Great Lakes.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 4The Rocky Mountaineer passes Shuswap Lake, where the last spike of the trans-Canadian railway was driven, on the way to Banff.
  • Day 6A stop at the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre includes a ride over the ice field by giant Snocoach to the Athabasca Glacier.
  • Day 9From the glass-roofed panoramic observation car, you watch the grasslands of the Great Plains before crossing into Manitoba and passing through Winnipeg.
  • Day 12A Voyage to the Falls cruise gets you close to the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Horseshoe Falls, with further views from Table Rock.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 9 nights' 3 & 4-Star hotel accommodation
  • 3 nights in Sleeper Plus aboard VIA Rail's Canadian
  • Silver Leaf Class rail travel on Rocky Mountaineer
  • All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Direct flights from London Heathrow to Vancouver, Toronto to London Heathrow with Air Canada
  • 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

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Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes SilverLeaf Class on the Rocky Mountaineer and 3 nights in Sleeper Plus aboard VIA Rail's Canadian.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is an escorted tour with a UK Tour Manager from start to finish, in groups of up to 30.
Which trains are used?
The Rocky Mountaineer (Vancouver to Banff via Kamloops, First Passage to the West route) and The Canadian, VIA Rail's train from Jasper to Toronto.
What hotels are used?
9 nights of 3 and 4-star hotel accommodation, including stays in Vancouver, Kamloops, Banff, and Jasper, plus the Chelsea Hotel in Toronto.
When does it run?
Departures run in May, June, July, August, September and October across 2026 and 2027.
What is not included?
Cancellation and travel insurance, and optional excursions such as the Jasper National Park trip, which is payable locally.

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