Canada's Pacific Northwest awaits you on this 8-day train tour that combines coastal cities, the Canadian Rockies, the lakes and prairies of central British Columbia, and two incredible trains. Beginning in Vancouver, travel via the Canadian to Jasper, where you will get back to nature in this mountain town. From Jasper, board the Skeena for your travel northwest, stopping first in Prince George followed by Prince Rupert.

View Dates and Prices Images & Route Map Tour Highlights and Inclusions View Itinerary Hotel and Train Accommodations

• Guaranteed Departures
• Vancouver city sightseeing tour
• Transfers from hotel to VIA Rail station in Vancouver
• Overnight aboard VIA Rail -Sleeper Plus in a private bedroom from Vancouver to Jasper with access to the domed viewing cars, dinner and breakfast aboard the train.
• Station transfers in Jasper
• Discover Jasper Tour
• Two full days on VIA Rail in Touring Class from Jasper to Prince George and Prince George to Prince Rupert; providing spacious first class seating, delicious meals served at your seat, access to the dome car for scenic viewing (Early June to mid September)
• Prince Rupert sightseeing tour (whale watching August to October, grizzly bear tour mid May to July)
• 6 Nights Hotel Accommodations
• Air transportation from Prince Rupert to Vancouver
• Hotel taxes & GST as applicable

Day 1- Vancouver
Upon your arrival in Vancouver, check in to your hotel and get situated. Your accommodations for tonight are centrally-located to the city's premier shopping, museums, and restaurants. Take the remainder of the day to explore the city on your own. Overnight Vancouver.

Day 2 - Vancouver Sightseeing
Today embark on a hop on/hop off sightseeing tour of the city. Use the tour as a means to travel around the city, learn more about Vancouver, and get a great lay of the land. Make the most of your day, visiting popular landmarks along your route including Stanley Park, the Vancouver Aquarium, English Bay Beach, Granville Island, Chinatown, Robson Street, and more. Spend the day soaking up all that the city can offer.

This evening transfer to the train station for your 8:30 pm overnight train to Jasper. Board VIA Rail's Canadian, settle into your accommodations, and prepare for your journey eastward. As the train pulls away, take time to explore your new surroundings and meet your fellow travelers. Overnight train.

Day 3 - VIA Rail to Jasper
Admire the stunning scenery passing before you as you enjoy breakfast in the Dining Car this morning. You may wish to spend the remainder of the day taking advantage of some of the perks of being a Sleeper Plus passenger, like access to the exclusive Skyline and Park Cars, offering spectacular views of the passing scenery and a wonderful atmosphere to sit back, relax, and enjoy your journey. The Canadian pulls into Jasper around 4:00 pm. Transfer from the rail station to your hotel. Spend the remainder of the day at your leisure exploring what is considered to be one of the most-photographed locations in the world. Overnight Jasper. (B, L)

Day 4 - Jasper Sightseeing
Jasper is brimming with beautiful wildlife and unspoiled scenery. Travel the trails of the early explorers to get an in-depth look at Jasper National Park and this beautiful area on today's sightseeing tour*. Learn about David Thompson and the valley ecosystem as you begin to discover Jasper's hidden treasures along the Athabasca Canadian Heritage River. Your tour takes you above the narrow gorge and limestone walls of Maligne Canyon to Medicine Lake to learn about the Native legends surrounding this mysterious place. Next, travel to Maligne Lake, the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies, keeping an eye out for a variety of mountain wildlife along the way.

After your Discover Jasper adventure, the rest of the day is yours to see Jasper on your own. The best way to do so is a ride on the Jasper Tramway, which has renown as the longest and highest guided aerial tramway in Canada and the only guided aerial ropeway in the Canadian Rockies. Along your ride enjoy unrivaled views of Jasper, six mountain ranges, the Athabasca River, and glistening glacier-fed lakes. Overnight Jasper.

Day 5 - Jasper to Prince George
Take the morning to enjoy Jasper at your leisure, leaving enough time to collect your bags and transfer to the rail station for your 12:45 pm train to Prince George. Settle into your seats aboard the Skeena and prepare for your 6-hour journey. As a Touring Class passenger, you will enjoy delicious meals as well as exclusive access to a dome car with a private lounge and 360-degree panoramic views.

Spend the afternoon relaxing as the Skeena whisks you northwest along the Skeena River. Read a book, nap, chat with fellow travelers, or chart your travels as the train takes you through interesting towns along your route, including McBride, whose station was built in 1919 and is a showcase of elegant railway architecture from a bygone era. You'll know you're nearing Prince George when you reach Willow River with its quaint general stores near the tracks. Arrive in Prince George around 7:00 pm this evening and check in to your hotel. Be sure to get a good night's rest because you'll have an early wake-up call tomorrow. Overnight Prince George. (L, D)

Day 6 - Prince George to Prince Rupert
Arrive at the railway station early this morning for your 7:45 am departure aboard the Skeena bound for Prince Rupert. Spend the day admiring the breathtaking scenery as you travel closer to the coast and your final destination. Be sure to take advantage of your access to the Skeena's exclusive observation dome and private lounge car as part of your Touring Class privileges. Highlights of this route include Burns Lake, a popular fishing and boating area; Smithers, a railway town founded in 1913 and now popular as a recreation destination; Moricetown, a vital fishing site for more than 5,000 years; Kitwanga, famous for its totem poles, some of which are visible from the train; and, the Kitselas canyon and tunnels, which are best viewed from the dome car where you will be in awe of the breathtaking river flowing over jagged rocks as the train skirts the edge of the canyon as it makes its way through the tunnels. You'll arrive in Prince Rupert at 8:00 pm. Overnight Prince Rupert. (B, L, D)

Day 7 - Prince Rupert
The morning is yours to get acquainted with this small town. Visit the historic downtown area and Cow Bay for unique shopping, art galleries, restaurants, and cafes. As you navigate the streets, take note of the totem poles dotted around town as well as small details in the town's architecture and monuments that herald its rich history. Other stops this morning may include the Sunken Garden project, Pacific Mariner's Memorial Park, and Prince Rupert Waterfront Park. This afternoon embark on a sightseeing adventure** can include either a whale watching tour off the shores of Prince Rupert or a grizzly bear viewing excursion in Khutzeymateen, north of Prince Rupert and home to the largest population of grizzly bears in the world, Overnight Prince Rupert.

Day 8 - Prince Rupert to Vancouver
This morning transfer to the city air terminal for your transfer to the local airport for your flight to Vancouver. Once in Vancouver, you can elect to extend your stay or continue your journey home. Vacations By Rail strongly recommends arranging for evening hotel accommodations in Vancouver with a departing flight scheduled for the following day.

Superior Accommodations
Hotels include the Metropolitan Hotel Vancouver, Sawridge Inn, Coast Inn of the North, and Crest Hotel (or similar). VIA Rail accommodations are in Sleeper Plus in a private cabin aboard the Canadian from Vancouver to Jasper. Meals are included aboard the train along with exclusive access to lounges and observation cars. Accommodations aboard VIA Rail’s Skeena between Jasper and Prince Rupert for departures June 19 – September 29 are in Touring Class and includes meals aboard the train. (seasonal)

Deluxe Accommodations
Hotels include the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Coast Inn of the North, and Crest Hotel (or similar). VIA Rail accommodations are in Sleeper Plus in a private cabin aboard the Canadian from Vancouver to Jasper. Meals are included aboard the train along with exclusive access to lounges and observation cars. Accommodations aboard VIA Rail’s Skeena between Jasper and Prince Rupert for departures June 19 – September 29 are in Touring Class and includes meals aboard the train. (seasonal)

 Hotel accommodations are based on availability; substitutes will be of similar quality and amenities.