Wonders of Canada & Rocky Mountaineer

Arriving in Vancouver independently, you can meet the Tour Manager at our hotel this evening.

On the Pacific coast, Vancouver is regularly regarded as one of the world's most desirable places to live, thanks to its charming atmosphere amid the incredible setting of mountains and sheltered bays and harbors. Cosmopolitan Vancouver effortlessly impresses its many visitors with a blend of culture and the spectacular surrounding scenery.

Our hotel is a short distance from both Downtown and the harbor. After checking in there is a free evening to unwind or venture out to try some of western Canada's finest cuisine. Top-class seafood, such as salmon, oysters and Dungeness crab can be found in many of the city's popular restaurants. With a multicultural population, you can also find local versions of Asian and Mexican dishes. Overnight Vancouver.

An early morning tour of Vancouver's most characterful and historic districts with a local guide awaits us on our first full day in Canada. Starting in Vancouver's original Downtown, rejuvenated Gastown is the city's most historic area. Redbrick Victorian buildings dot the tree-lined streets surrounding pretty Maple Tree Square. Many upmarket fashion boutiques, trendy coffee shops, art galleries and the famous Gastown Steam Clock can be found in this area named after talkative barman 'Gassy' Jack Deighton.

Crossing East Hastings Street, we arrive in Canada's largest Chinatown, where we experience the sights and sounds of the beautifully adorned streets. From leafy Stanley Park, where we view colorful totem poles celebrating the native history of the region's indigenous Coast Salish people, we travel to Granville Island. Boasting many food markets, this is where our tour concludes this afternoon.

The rest of the day is free to explore independently. You could stay on Granville Island to enjoy the craft stalls or visit North Vancouver to find the Capilano Suspension Bridge hanging 450 feet above the forest floor. Overnight Vancouver.

Early this morning, we head to the train station ready for a spectacular journey into the Rocky Mountains. In panoramic carriages, 180-degree views of the sky and soaring mountain peaks pass by.

Enjoying breakfast onboard Rocky Mountaineer in SilverLeaf Class, we wind our way through deep forests and fertile fields along the banks of the Fraser River before the scenery becomes even more impressive as the imposing peaks of the Coast Mountains close in. Passing the rushing waters of Hell's Gate, we admire the stunning Fraser Canyon and keep our eyes open for native Canadian wildlife such as bears, elk and moose.

After Lytton, our route follows the Thompson River and the scenery changes once again. Here, we traverse an almost desert-like environment as arid mountains roll out before our windows. A three-course lunch is served at our seats as we admire wonderful views. Disembarking in the early evening in Kamloops for a night at a local hotel, there is time to explore and dine independently. Overnight Kamloops.

• Breakfast, Lunch

The Canadian Rockies continue to inspire awe this morning as we travel eastward on Rocky Mountaineer. With breakfast and lunch served onboard, we can sit back and marvel at the beautiful sights enroute. Look out for the mythical Shuswaggi - an eight-foot monster similar to Nessie said to reside in Shuswap Lake.

Nearly 3,000 miles of trans-Canadian railway were connected by the shores of the Eagle River in 1885 as the "last spike" was driven into the track. This followed surveyor A.B. Rogers setting out in 1881 to locate an accessible route through the mountains. His name is remembered by the Rogers Pass under which the five-mile Connaught Tunnel runs. Climbing the dramatic Kicking Horse Pass, we twist through the magnificent Spiral Tunnels. More striking scenery awaits as we cross the Continental Divide, passing photogenic Morant's Curve and iconic Castle Mountain before arriving in Banff.

After checking in to our centrally located hotel, the rest of the day is free to explore this mountain town or savor local cuisine in one of Canada's burgeoning foodie destinations. Overnight Banff.

• Breakfast, Lunch

We explore this sensational part of the world on a coach tour today. Our first destination is the glacial Emerald Lake, so-called due to its remarkable color.

The first non-indigenous person to record seeing the lake was Tom Wilson in 1882, who was pursuing horses that had bolted. On encountering the lake, Wilson stopped to enjoy its beauty. A backcountry expert, Wilson was also the first non-indigenous person to view our next destination: Lake Louise, a turquoise glacial lake framed by towering snow-capped mountains. This famed picture-perfect lake has become intrinsically linked with the region but is even more impressive in person, and there is free time to soak up this spectacular view.

Wilson also played a role in discovering a pass through the mountains for the Canadian Pacific Railway. Having traveled this remarkable route yesterday, we view the Spiral Tunnels from the lookout point - hopefully seeing a train twisting its way through. Returning to Banff this evening, you are free to dine independently. Overnight Banff.

A journey along the famous Icefields Parkway awaits today as we leave Banff by coach. This 144-mile road framed by astonishing mountain scenery links Banff and Jasper. Recognized as one of the most scenic drives in the world, there are more than 100 glaciers visible enroute.

We pass beautiful lakes and admire the surroundings of rugged mountains and the blanket of pristine pine forests, before arriving at the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre. Here, we stop to marvel at the otherworldly Athabasca Glacier nestled between the peaks and ride over the ice field by giant, all-terrain Snocoach. Afterward, we make a short stop at the Athabasca Falls, where thundering waters cascade through the idyllic mountain scenery.

One of the most important towns for miles around, Jasper manages to retain a calm, small-town feel. Charming buildings line streets peppered with interesting shops and enticing restaurants. After checking in to our hotel, you are free to explore this picture-perfect town this evening. Overnight Jasper.

Please Note - On departure June 12, we will stay at the Chateau Jasper hotel. On departure June 26 we will stay at the Jasper Inn & Suites. On departure September 4 we will stay at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.

You are free to explore at leisure today. A scenic excursion deep into the UNESCO-listed Jasper National Park that surrounds the town is a popular choice (payable locally). Heading into the Maligne River valley, you will be greeted by a spectacular showcase of Canada's grandest landscapes, including craggy, snow-dusted mountains, plunging waterfalls, hot springs and crystalline lakes. The main attractions here are the Maligne Canyon, a deep limestone gorge, and Maligne Lake - the largest glacier-fed body of water in the region - where you could opt to embark on a cruise.

There's plenty of wildlife to watch out for such as grey wolves, hoary marmot, caribou and moose. Elk can also be found wandering through the town of Jasper and out on the mountains, while ospreys, eagles and other birds circle overhead.

Later this evening, there is an excursion to Jasper Planetarium for an unforgettable experience as knowledgeable guides explain the wonders of the cosmos. Overnight Jasper.

Waking up on the Canadian, we are welcomed to Saskatchewan's vast prairies which we can view while enjoying our breakfast. The seemingly endless grasslands of the Great Plains stretch as far as the eye can see, with boundless farming communities passing by our windows as the Canadian rolls on.

With a population smaller than Dallas in an area similar to Texas, Saskatchewan is perfect for sitting back and watching the world go by and the glass-roofed panoramic observation car is the ideal place to do this, while enjoying lunch served on board. Traveling through the southern plains of Saskatchewan, you may spot deer, eagles and, in select areas, antelope, moose and bison. Dinner is also served onboard.

Later, we cross into Manitoba, a province with more than 100,000 lakes stretching up to the shores of Hudson Bay. Its capital is Winnipeg, considered the geographical center of Canada. Late this evening, the train pulls into this fascinating city, home to more than 50 ethnic communities before continuing eastward. Overnight train.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Over breakfast on the Canadian train this morning, we cross the rocky ground of the Canadian Shield, a landscape pocked with primordial lakes and thick, verdant forests of ancient trees. We pass through an area known as the Canadian Shield, a geological formation of ancient rock that stretches more than 3 million square miles across Canada. The shield is made of the exposed continental crust that lies below North America, as fascinating as it is beautiful.

For the isolated communities we pass through, the Canadian Pacific Railway has been a lifeline for decades. While Ontario might be the most populous of Canada's provinces, the remote areas we travel through today are raw Canadian wilderness, with moose, lynx and black bears prowling its dense woodlands.

After lunch onboard, the Canadian changes direction, continuing its journey in a southeasterly direction toward the Great Lakes. Spend some time in the observation car or lounge as we travel through this evocative scenery before dinner is served. The Canadian continues its epic journey overnight toward its destination. Overnight train.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our final morning onboard the Canadian begins with a continental breakfast as we travel south toward Toronto. The views change from the mountains and prairies of the past few days to more familiar suburban scenes as we make our way around Lake Simcoe into the Greater Toronto area.

Lunch is served before our arrival mid-afternoon at Toronto's Union Station, Canada's largest and most elegant train station. Built in 1927, this glorious Beaux-Arts structure is actually the third incarnation of the station - a testament to the importance of railways in connecting Canada. Nearby is the iconic CN Tower built by the Canadian National Railway Company and the world's tallest free-standing structure from 1975 until 2007.

We transfer to our downtown hotel where there is time to unwind or explore Canada's most populous city at leisure. There is no shortage of restaurants nearby for you to find somewhere to eat, from steak and seafood to European and Asian cuisine. Overnight Toronto.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Today is a highlight as we are joined on a coach by an expert local guide for a full-day trip to the incredible Niagara Falls. Connecting the Great Lakes of Erie and Ontario, the Niagara River plunges down three astonishing waterfalls.

When we arrive, we set sail on a "Voyage to the Falls" cruise to get closer to one of the world's most impressive natural sights - with protective ponchos supplied. Marveling at the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and the iconic Horseshoe Falls is an unforgettable experience as clouds of spray and thunderous roar emphasize the awesome majesty of nature. Back onshore, there is time for lunch independently in one of Niagara's restaurants before admiring the falls from above at Table Rock. Continuing our exploration, we reach the whirlpool where the river bursts out of Niagara Gorge.

We conclude our excursion in the town of Niagara on the Lake, where there is time to stroll its quaint streets. Returning to Toronto this evening, you are free to dine independently tonight. Overnight Toronto.

This spectacular expedition has seen us journey on iconic trains from the Pacific coast to the Great Lakes, witnessing many highlights of the world's second-largest country.

From the thriving cultural scene of Vancouver and awe-inspiring views on Rocky Mountaineer, we explored the national parks around Banff and Jasper on visits to Lake Louise and the Icefields Parkway. Boarding the incredible Canadian train for three nights provided a front-row seat to the varied landscapes before we arrived in Toronto. The unforgettable experiences continued as we visited the majestic Niagara Falls on a fantastic cruise.

Your Canadian vacation concludes this morning, and you can begin your journey home or continue exploring.