Northern Rail Journey

Day 1: Vancouver Arrival
Arrive in Vancouver and spend time exploring this scenic city on your own. Overnight in Vancouver.

Day 2: Vancouver to Whistler
Travel onboard the Whistler Mountaineer from the coastal city of Vancouver to the resort town of Whistler, renowned for outstanding skiing and year-round outdoor activities. Following your motorcoach transfer from downtown Vancouver, the Whistler Mountaineer takes you on a breathtaking rail journey through the stunning scenery of this “Sea to Sky” region. Highlights of the trip include spectacular views across Howe Sound and the Coast Mountains, Shannon Falls, Mount Garibaldi and the impressive Cheakamus Canyon. On arrival at the Whistler train station, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Whistler.

Day 3: Free Day in Whistler
Enjoy a free day exploring the picturesque mountain resort of Whistler on your own. Overnight in Whistler.

Day 4: Whistler to Quesnel
Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from the four-season mountain resort of Whistler to the charming rural town of Quesnel, the gateway to the North Cariboo. Enjoy breathtaking and varied scenery, from the river canyons and lush farmland of the Pemberton Valley, to the semi-arid conditions of the Fraser Canyon and the Cariboo Plateau with its rolling hills and vast ranchlands. Highlights include the shorelines of Anderson Lake and glacial fed Seton Lake, sweeping views of the Fraser Canyon and Deep Creek Bridge, one of the highest railway bridges in the world. Your day concludes as the Rocky Mountaineer follows the banks of the Fraser River into Quesnel. Overnight in Quesnel.

Day 5: Quesnel to Jasper
Your journey continues eastward today to the majestic Canadian Rockies and Jasper National Park. From Quesnel the Rocky Mountaineer follows the Fraser River north to the town of Prince George and then travels east through the forests of Northern British Columbia, home to plentiful wildlife including a large population of moose. Entering the Rocky Mountain Trench you are surrounded to the north by the steeply rising Rocky Mountains and to the south by the Cariboo Mountains. Continue climbing past Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies at 3,954 metres (12,972 feet), and through the Yellowhead Pass into the province of Alberta. Your rail journey ends today on arrival in the resort town of Jasper. Overnight in Jasper.

Day 6: Jasper Sightseeing
Spend either the morning or afternoon touring Jasper by motorcoach. Attractions include Pyramid and Patricia Lakes, Maligne Canyon and Athabasca viewpoint. The remainder of the day is free to explore more of Jasper National Park independently. Overnight in Jasper.

Day 7: Columbia Icefield Daytrip
Enjoy a full day sightseeing tour to the Columbia Icefield. Travel along the spectacular Icefields Parkway, one of the most scenic highways in world, past countless glaciers and majestic mountain peaks to the Columbia Icefield. Here you will ride on an Ice Explorer to the middle of Athabasca Glacier and learn more about its geological features. Time will be available for lunch (not included) before returning along the Icefields Parkway to Jasper. Overnight in Jasper.

Day 8: Jasper to Toronto
This afternoon begin your three-day VIA Rail journey across the Prairie Provinces and Northern Ontario. Overnight on VIA Rail.

Day 9: Jasper to Toronto
Continue your rail journey across Canada to Toronto. Overnight on VIA Rail.

Day 10: Toronto Arrival
Arrive in Toronto on VIA Rail this evening. Overnight in Toronto.

Day 11: Niagara Falls Daytrip
Enjoy a full day motorcoach tour to Niagara Falls, one of the great natural wonders of the world. Included is a cruise on the Maid of the Mist to the base of Horseshoe Falls (Imax Theatre or Journey Behind the Falls is substituted when Maid of the Mist is not operating). Return to Toronto early this evening. Overnight in Toronto.

Day 12: Toronto Departure
Your vacation ends with check-out from your Toronto hotel.

Westbound

Day 1: Toronto Arrival
Arrive in Toronto and explore Canada’s largest city at your leisure. Overnight in Toronto.

Day 2: Niagara Falls Daytrip
Enjoy a full day motorcoach tour to Niagara Falls, one of the great natural wonders of the world. Included is a cruise on the Maid of the Mist to the base of Horseshoe Falls (Imax Theatre or Journey Behind the Falls is substituted when Maid of the Mist is not operating). Return to Toronto early this evening. Overnight in Toronto.

Day 3: Toronto to Jasper
This morning begin your three-day VIA Rail journey across Northern Ontario and the Prairie Provinces. Overnight on VIA Rail.

Day 4: Toronto to Jasper
Continue your rail journey across Canada to Jasper. Overnight on VIA Rail.

Day 5: Jasper Arrival
Arrive in Jasper on VIA Rail this afternoon. Overnight in Jasper.

Day 6: Jasper Sightseeing
Spend either the morning or afternoon touring Jasper by motorcoach. Attractions include Pyramid and Patricia Lakes, Maligne Canyon and Athabasca viewpoint. The remainder of the day is free to explore more of Jasper National Park independently. Overnight in Jasper.

Day 7: Columbia Icefield Daytrip
Enjoy a full day sightseeing tour to the Columbia Icefield. The Columbia Icefield is one of the largest accumulations of ice south of the Arctic Circle in addition to being one of the most accessible ones in North America. It is here that you will ride on an Ice Explorer to the middle of Athabasca Glacier to learn more about its geological features. Time will be available for lunch (not included) before returning to Jasper. Overnight in Jasper.

Day 8: Jasper to Quesnel
Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from the mountain resort of Jasper in the Canadian Rockies to the town of Quesnel, gateway to Northern British Columbia. Pass through the Rocky Mountain Trench with the steep Rocky and Cariboo Mountains either side, and onto the rolling hills and vast forests of British Columbia’s northern interior, home to abundant wildlife. Highlights include Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, Yellowhead Pass, Moose Lake and the opportunity to view the abundant wildlife found in this unspoiled wilderness region. Your day concludes as the Rocky Mountaineer follows the Fraser River into Quesnel. Overnight in Quesnel.

Day 9: Quesnel to Whistler
Your journey continues south today to the four-season resort of Whistler. Enjoy breathtaking and varied scenery, from the desert-like conditions of the Fraser Canyon, and the Cariboo Plateau with its rolling hills and vast ranchlands, to the river canyons and lush farmland of the Pemberton Valley. Highlights include sweeping views of the Fraser Canyon and Deep Creek Bridge, one of the highest railway bridges in the world and the shorelines of Anderson Lake and glacial fed Seton Lake. Your rail journey ends today on arrival in the resort town of Whistler, host of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games alpine events. Overnight in Whistler.

Day 10: Free Day in Whistler
Enjoy a free day exploring the picturesque mountain resort of Whistler on your own. Overnight in Whistler.

Day 11: Whistler to Vancouver
Travel onboard the Whistler Mountaineer from the alpine village of Whistler to the cosmopolitan city of Vancouver. Following your motorcoach transfer from Whistler Village, embark on your rail journey through the stunning scenery of this “Sea to Sky” region. Highlights of the trip include Cheakamus Canyon, the dome peak of Mount Garibaldi, Shannon Falls and the breathtaking views of Howe Sound and the Coast Mountains. On arrival at the North Vancouver train platform, you will be transferred to your hotel in downtown Vancouver. A light meal is served onboard. Overnight in Vancouver.

Day 12: Vancouver Departure
Your vacation ends with check-out from your Vancouver hotel.