Complete Trans-Canada Experience

Let the open scenery and city splendor of the northern United States and Canada delight you on this 13-day roundtrip journey.

Tour Description

Travel over 2,200 miles through the United States and 2,700 miles through Canada on this in-depth tour. Our journey begins in Chicago, IL and extends across seven states before the iconic Empire Builder arrives in Everett followed by a motorcoach to Vancouver. An extended journey aboard the luxurious Via Rail Canadian takes us to exciting stops such as Icefields Parkway, Banff and further to Toronto/Montreal. We visit the attractions in each destination before the trip concludes with a ride back to Chicago aboard Amtrak's Adirondack.

Tour Photos

Highlights and Inclusions

• Round-trip transportation by rail from Chicago
• Berth accommodations on VIA Rail for three nights
• Reclining coach seat with leg rest on Amtrak for three nights
• First-class hotel accommodations for six nights
• 17 meals*
• Extensive sightseeing including and admissions to the Banff's Sulphur Mountain Gondola
• Baggage handling, taxes & tips
• Services of a professional Rail Tour Director

Itinerary

Day 1 - Depart Chicago
Complete Trans-Canada Experience tour members will meet the Tour Director in the Metropolitan Lounge at Chicago's Union Station throughout the morning. We'll board Amtrak's Empire Builder, a double-decker, Superliner-equipped train, in time for its afternoon departure. This famous train will carry us across seven northern states to Everett, Washington. Relax in your comfortable reclining coach seat with leg rest. Roomettes or Bedrooms may be available at an additional cost and include dining car meals.

Day 2 - En Route
During the day we will roll across the remote lands of North Dakota and eastern Montana. This evening a dramatic panorama of Rocky Mountain peaks will begin to rise above the horizon, becoming increasingly dynamic as we approach Glacier National Park. The scenery is striking as we wind past waterfalls, river gorges and other sights. The glass-walled lounge or dining car is an excellent vantage point.

Day 3 - Everett/Vancouver
You may want to rise early to watch the sun come up over some spectacular scenery. This morning the Empire Builder will enter the 7.8 mile-long Cascade Tunnel. For the next several hours we'll wind through the scenic Cascade Mountains. Arrival into Everett is scheduled for 8:38 a.m.

We’ll board our motorcoach and travel to Vancouver. We will embark on a three-and-a-half hour sightseeing tour of the city. The tour will include Gastown, Chinatown, Stanley Park, English Bay, Marine Drive, the waterfront and Queen Elizabeth Park with an "on-your-own" lunch stop at Granville Island. Following our tour, we will check into the deluxe Blue Horizon Hotel Vancouver, our home tonight. The hotel is convenient to many of this great city’s major attractions. This evening we'll transfer to The Keg Steakhouse for an included dinner. (D)

Day 4 - Vancouver
This morning we will transfer to the VIA Rail Station to prepare for our 12:00-noon departure. We’re about to embark on one of the world’s greatest passenger rail experiences . . . The Canadian! For four days and nights we’ll travel 2,700 miles between the towering Canadian Rockies’ peaks, across the vast Prairie Plains and through the Canadian Shield wilderness on our way to Toronto. We’ll, of course, stopover in the heart of the Rockies for three days before continuing our eastbound journey.

All meals aboard The Canadian are included in the elegant, art deco dining car. You’ll want to head for one of the Dome Cars. What a thrilling rail journey you’ll experience today! (L, D) 

Day 5 - Icefields  Parkway / Banff  
You may be fortunate enough to catch the sun rising over the brilliant peaks and pine forests of the Canadian Rockies We’ll arrive in Jasper at 8:00 a.m. and board our motorcoach to head for Banff. You will experience the Icefields Parkway, North America’s most scenic highway. Upon arrival we’ll check into the Banff Aspen Lodge, our home for the next two nights. (B)

Day 6 - Banff
Following breakfast we’ll embark on a Discover Banff Tour. The highlight of the tour will be the gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain for a spectacular view. You’re free this afternoon to rest, shop along Banff Avenue, or visit the Natural History or Parks Canada Museums. Return to the Banff Aspen Lodge for a second night. (B)

Day 7 - Jasper
Following breakfast we’ll board our motorcoach and return to Jasper via the Icefields Parkway. Another high point will be the visit to Lake Louise and its famous Chateau. The setting is one of the most picturesque in the Rockies. A boxed lunch will be served en route. Our hotel for the night in Jasper will be the Whistler’s Inn. (B, L)

Day 8 - The Canadian
This morning we’ll transfer to the VIA Rail station. We’ll reboard The Canadian and depart for Toronto at 10:00 a.m. Enjoy all of the fantastic amenities of this world-class train. (L, D)

Day 9 - En Route
Three great meals, onboard activities and the Great Plains of Canada are all highlights today. At 7:00 p.m. we’ll arrive in Winnipeg where you can stroll “The Forks”, which features dining and shopping opportunities. Just make sure you are back in time for the 10:30 p.m. departure. (B, L, D)

Day 10 - En Route
Today’s scenery may be the best yet as we discover the fascinating, rugged landscape of Northern Ontario. Our train will wind between countless pristine lakes and rock protrusions created by the last great glacier. (B, L, D) 

Day 11 - Toronto
This morning we will be headed south on the east side of Georgian Bay. Our arrival into Toronto’s Union station is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.

Upon arrival we will transfer to our hotel, the majestic Fairmont Royal York. You will have free time to explore the city. Visiting the CN Tower is an option. “On-your-own” dinner opportunities are abundant in and around the hotel. (B, L)

Day 12 - Montreal
This morning we’ll transfer to the VIA Rail Station for the 9:20 a.m. departure to Montréal. Arrival is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. You will have time for an "on-your-own" lunch at the station prior to boarding a motorcoach for a sightseeing tour of beautiful Montréal. This tour will take in over 200 points of interest including Notre Dame de Montréal (the most magnificent of French-Canadian churches), Old Montréal, the French Quarter, McGill University and a view of this great city from an observation point atop Mount Royal. Following our tour, we will check into the opulent Fairmont Queen Elizabeth, one of Montréal’s premier hotels.

Day 13 - En Route 
This morning we’ll descend into the VIA Rail Station and prepare to board Amtrak’s Adirondack for our 10:20 a.m. departure for the 222-mile run along Lake Champlain and the beautiful Adirondack Mountains. This has been described as one of the top ten scenic train rides in the world! Arrival into Schenectady is scheduled for 5:33 p.m. You will board the Lake Shore Limited for the 7:31 p.m. departure for Chicago. Eastern passengers will remain on the Adirondack until 5:40 p.m. when the train reaches Albany.

Day 14 - En Route to Chicago
This morning we are scheduled to arrive into Chicago at 9:45 a.m. Passengers will continue to home destinations throughout the day. Eastern travelers will depart Albany for home destinations.

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Dates & Prices

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• VIA Rail Berth / Amtrak Coach
• VIA Rail Berth / Amtrak Roomette
• VIA Rail Berth / Amtrak Bedroom
• VIA Rail Cabin / Amtrak Coach
• VIA Rail Cabin / Amtrak Roomette
• VIA Rail Cabin / Amtrak Bedroom