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Vacations By Rail has withdrawn this trip from sale. We keep the page for reference and comparison. The same itinerary is still sold by another operator, listed under Also sold by below.

Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Wonders of Canada & Rocky Mountaineer

13-day Canadian rail journey from Vancouver to Niagara Falls on two trains

Illustration of Wonders of Canada & Rocky Mountaineer

Vacations By Rail's 13-day Wonders of Canada & Rocky Mountaineer tour crosses Canada by two of its most celebrated trains, starting in Vancouver and concluding in Niagara Falls. A Tour Manager travels with the group throughout, handling all logistics and guiding. Days 1 and 2 include a guided tour of Vancouver, Gastown, Chinatown, Stanley Park, and Granville Island. Days 3 and 4 place you aboard Rocky Mountaineer in SilverLeaf Class, a daytime train that ascends the Fraser and Thompson river valleys and crosses the Canadian Rockies, passing the Spiral Tunnels, Rogers Pass, and Kicking Horse Pass into Banff. From Banff, a coach excursion reaches glacial Emerald Lake and Lake Louise. Day 6 follows the Icefields Parkway to the Columbia Icefield, where a Snocoach carries you onto Athabasca Glacier. Days 8, 9, and 10 unfold aboard VIA Rail's Canadian, a three-night sleeper train that descends from the Rockies into the prairies, crosses the Canadian Shield, and arrives in Toronto. A final guided excursion includes a boat cruise into Niagara Falls and a stop at Niagara-on-the-Lake. This tour suits repeat rail travellers, couples, and those seeking guided comfort with a mobility-conscious pace.

What to know before you look closer

  • Flights and airport transfers are not included in the from-price; these must be booked separately.
  • The Jasper Planetarium visit is included, but a Maligne River valley excursion and Maligne Lake cruise are optional and payable locally.
  • Upgrades from SilverLeaf Class on Rocky Mountaineer (to GoldLeaf) and from Sleeper Plus on VIA Rail's Canadian (to Prestige or Prestige Cabin) incur additional charges.
  • Three of the twelve nights involve overnight rail travel; the remaining nine nights are in 3 and 4-star hotels, with five available options in Jasper depending on tier.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Vancouver

    Your great Canadian adventure begins in Vancouver

    Arrive independently and meet the Tour Manager at the Vancouver hotel this evening.

  2. Day 2overnight: Vancouver

    Exploring Vancouver and Stanley Park

    A guided tour of Gastown, Chinatown, Stanley Park and Granville Island, with the rest of the day free.

  3. Day 3overnight: Kamloops

    Into the Rocky Mountains on the First Passage to the West

    Board Rocky Mountaineer in SilverLeaf Class for a daylight journey along the Fraser River, through Hell's Gate and Fraser Canyon, and along the Thompson River to Kamloops, with breakfast and a three-course lunch served onboard.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  4. Day 4overnight: Banff

    Kamloops to Banff on Rocky Mountaineer

    Continuing east on Rocky Mountaineer past Shuswap Lake, the Eagle River last-spike site, Rogers Pass, Kicking Horse Pass, the Spiral Tunnels, the Continental Divide and Castle Mountain, arriving in Banff.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  5. Day 5overnight: Banff

    Glistening lakes in the Rockies' national parks

    A coach tour to glacial Emerald Lake and Lake Louise, with a stop at the Spiral Tunnels lookout point, returning to Banff.

  6. Day 6overnight: Jasper

    Icefields Parkway to Jasper

    A drive along the Icefields Parkway to the Columbia Icefield for a Snocoach ride onto Athabasca Glacier and a stop at Athabasca Falls, arriving in Jasper.

  7. Day 7overnight: Jasper

    Free time in Jasper National Park and planetarium evening

    A free day, with an optional excursion into the Maligne River valley (payable locally) and an evening visit to Jasper Planetarium.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Overnight aboard VIA Rail's Canadian

    Boarding the Canadian for an epic three-night journey

    Board VIA Rail's Canadian in semi-private berths for a three-night ride to Toronto, following the Athabasca River down from the Rockies, with dinner served onboard and Edmonton passed this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  9. Day 9overnight: Overnight aboard VIA Rail's Canadian

    Into the great wide open

    The Canadian crosses Saskatchewan's prairies and into Manitoba, reaching Winnipeg late this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  10. Day 10railovernight: Overnight aboard VIA Rail's Canadian

    Crossing northern Ontario's wilderness

    The train crosses the Canadian Shield's lakes and ancient forests before turning southeast toward the Great Lakes.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  11. Day 11overnight: Toronto

    Arrival in lakeside Toronto

    Arrive at Toronto's Union Station mid-afternoon and transfer to a downtown hotel, with time to explore.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  12. Day 12overnight: Toronto

    Exploring spectacular Niagara Falls with a cruise

    A full-day guided excursion to Niagara Falls, including a "Voyage to the Falls" boat cruise, viewing from Table Rock, the whirlpool and Niagara-on-the-Lake.

  13. Day 13

    Traveling home

    The vacation concludes this morning; begin your journey home or continue exploring independently.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Board Rocky Mountaineer in SilverLeaf Class and travel the First Passage to the West along the Fraser River and through Hell's Gate, Fraser Canyon, and the Thompson River to Kamloops, with breakfast and three-course lunch served onboard.
  • Day 4Continue on Rocky Mountaineer past the Spiral Tunnels, the Continental Divide, and Castle Mountain into Banff, with breakfast and lunch aboard.
  • Day 6Ride a Snocoach onto Athabasca Glacier and see Athabasca Falls along the Icefields Parkway to Jasper.
  • Day 8Board VIA Rail's Canadian in a semi-private berth for a three-night sleeper journey across the Canadian prairies, boreal forests, and the Canadian Shield to Toronto.
  • Day 12Take a guided full-day excursion to Niagara Falls, including a Voyage to the Falls boat cruise and views from Table Rock.

Included

  • Expertise of a 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
  • All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout your tour
  • 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Flights and Airport transfers not included

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes two daytime journeys on Rocky Mountaineer's SilverLeaf Class (Vancouver to Kamloops to Banff) and a three-night sleeper passage on VIA Rail's Canadian in Sleeper Plus berths (Jasper to Toronto). Flights to and from Canada are not included.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
This is an escorted tour. Vacations By Rail provides a Tour Manager from arrival in Vancouver through departure, handles all transfers, and coordinates guided tours and excursions.
What accommodation is included?
Nine nights in 3 and 4-star hotels: Century Plaza in Vancouver (2 nights), Elk and Avenue in Banff (2 nights), one of five options in Jasper (2 nights depending on tier: The Crimson Hotel, Chateau Jasper, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, or Jasper Inn & Suites), Chelsea Hotel in Toronto (2 nights), and three nights in a Sleeper Plus berth aboard VIA Rail's Canadian.
What meals are provided?
Breakfast and lunch are served aboard both Rocky Mountaineer journeys (days 3-4). Dinner is included on days 3, 8, 9, and 10. Breakfast and lunch are included on day 11. The package covers 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 3 dinners in total.
How much walking and physical activity is involved?
The tour has a Mobility Rating of 2. This includes guided walking tours in Vancouver and Gastown, a Snocoach ride onto Athabasca Glacier, a cruise into Niagara Falls, and exploration of national parks, but does not involve strenuous hiking.
When does this tour run?
Specific departure dates are not listed in the published information; contact Vacations By Rail to confirm availability.

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