Canada & the Rocky Mountaineer

Meet your group and Tour Manager at the Blu Horizon Hotel in Vancouver. Vancouver is vibrant and welcoming city, combining its breathtaking setting with beautiful architecture and a perfectly-pitched way of life. It is among Canada's largest cities, and its port is the largest on North America's west coast. The first European settlers came here in 1858, as a result of a local gold rush, and in 1884 the city became the terminus for the transcontinental Canadian railroad, leading to a booming population that continues to this day, no doubt aided by its stunning scenery and lively atmosphere. The city lies between the beautiful Pacific Ocean coastline and the majestic Coastal Mountains. Overnight Vancouver.

Our morning sightseeing tour of Vancouver today visits historic Gastown, an area of coffee shops, galleries and native art stores. We also experience the exciting scents and sights of Chinatown, and leafy Stanley Park, with its colorful totem poles. This afternoon, you are free to discover this diverse city at your own pace. Overnight Vancouver.

Today, you are free to experience Vancouver at leisure. Why not take the bus to Grouse Mountain, and take the Skyride cable car (payable locally) for fantastic views over the city? Known as the 'Peak of Vancouver', the mountain is open year-round, and the Skyride offers an incredible panorama over the city, the Pacific Ocean beyond, and closer, the glittering tops of the Douglas firs that dot the mountainside. Overnight Vancouver.

Today we embark on a daylight journey to the Rockies on the world-renowned Rocky Mountaineer. This fantastic journey from Vancouver to Kamloops takes in one of the most dramatic stretches of the line. Keep your eyes open for Canadian wildlife as the magnificent train leaves the Pacific Coast and travels along the Thompson and Fraser Canyons. We travel in SilverLeaf Service, marveling at the passing scenery with breakfast and lunch served at our seats. Overnight Kamloops.

We continue our journey through the Rockies on the Rocky Mountaineer. This magnificent trip to Banff takes in the scenery of the 'First Passage to the West' route, passing over the Continental Divide and through Banff National Park. We arrive in picturesque Banff and transfer to our hotel for two nights. Overnight Banff.

Today we experience the spectacular natural beauty of Banff National Park, visiting the Spiral Tunnels, as well as the majestic Emerald Lake, renowned for its vivid colors, and the idyllic waters of Lake Louise. The views at Lake Louise are nothing short of majestic. Here, we absorb the beauty of the vibrant yet calm waters of the lake, surrounded on all sides by soaring peaks, and covered, at the base of them, by verdant pine forests that slope away from the shore. The lake itself is indeed a calming oasis amidst the drama of its backdrop. Overnight Banff.

We depart by coach along the world-famous Icefields Parkway, a 144-mile road that links Banff with Jasper and takes us through some of the world's most spectacular mountain scenery. We travel along a lake-lined valley past many of the highest and most rugged peaks in the Rockies to the Icefields Center at the foot of the vast Columbia Icefields. Here we stop to marvel at the breathtaking Athabasca Glacier.

We arrive in Jasper where we spend two nights surrounded by majestic mountain scenery. The town of Jasper - and later the park - was named after Jasper Hawes, who used the area as a trading post in the late 19th century. The beautiful enclosure first became a park in 1907, and was granted National Park status in 1930. In 1984, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, and now attracts almost two million visitors every year, and with scenery like this, it isn't hard to see why. Day 8 is spent at leisure to further discover the beauty of Jasper. Days 7 & 8, overnight Jasper.

Today we begin our epic journey on the Canadian, traveling to Toronto. We settle into our berths for our journey through the foothills of the Rockies, passing pine forests, glaciers, plunging canyons and soaring peaks. If you'd prefer to travel in added comfort and style, we have upgrades available to Sleeper Plus Class cabins (speak with a rail specialist for details). These cabins come highly recommended, and feature private bathroom facilities and a greater amount of space.

Day 10 is our first full day on the Canadian. We travel through the province of Saskatchewan, crossing the prairies on our way towards Winnipeg, a fascinating city which is home to over 50 ethnic communities. Day 11 is spent crossing the Canadian Shield, and enjoying the wonderful facilities of the iconic train. Days 9-11, overnight train.

Our journey on the  Canadian ends today as we arrive in Toronto and transfer to our hotel, where we stay for two nights. Overnight Toronto.

Our excursion today takes us to incredible Niagara Falls, truly one of the natural wonders of the world. During our time at the falls you can experience the awesome power of crashing waters from the viewing area or at the foot of the thundering falls on board the boat (payable locally). Overnight Toronto.

A guided sightseeing tour of Toronto* is included today, before your journey through Canada comes to a close.

*Flights out of Toronto need to be booked after 6:30pm EST in order to participate in the sightseeing tour.