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North America

Maple Explorer

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9 days From $2,646 per person
4.3 stars(34 reviews)
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This 9-day journey takes you through the heart of Canada as you visit its biggest and best cities of Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City.

Travel on your own following a well-planned itinerary
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2025 Tour code: CC-MEXE-25

About the tour

Begin this tour of Canada's heartland as you depart Toronto for a daylong trip to the majestic Niagara Falls. Try to stay dry as you enjoy the views of thundering waterfalls before returning to Toronto to explore the thriving nightlife of this diverse city.

Start the train portion of your journey as you embark on VIA Rail's first-class accommodations toward Ottawa for a two-night stay. You'll have a morning tour to visit everything from the grand Parliament to the serene Rideau Falls*, then an afternoon to explore on your own.

Return to your train to travel to Canada's cultural capital of Montreal, with its European flair and influence, for a two-night stay. A morning sightseeing tour will take you to its best spots, including Old Montreal, with the afternoon free to eat, shop, and explore.

You'll then depart Montreal and travel along the St. Lawrence River to Quebec City, the only walled city in all of North America. Watch the lovely sights fly by from the comfort of your train. Get acquainted with city's old world charms and French culture on a walking tour. 

This itinerary is also available from Quebec City to Toronto based on your travel preference.

Highlights

View Dates & Pricing

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Toronto

Arrive in Toronto and transfer to your hotel with the remainder of the day at your leisure. Overnight Toronto.

Day 2 - Niagara Falls

Enjoy a full day excursion to world famous Niagara Falls with its thundering waters and boiling cataracts. Don an included rain slicker and enjoy the famous Hornblower tour, an exciting boat ride that takes you to Horseshoe Falls.

After this unforgettable cruise, we enjoy lunch with a view of the majestic Niagara Falls at the Fallsview Restaurant. We then journey through the scenic Niagara Parkway with stops at Floral Clock, Botanical Gardens, Queenston Heights, Niagara Gorge, and free time in the historic quaint town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.

We return to Toronto in the early evening via the scenic settlement of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Overnight Toronto.

Please note: During winter months the Niagara Falls excursion includes Journey Behind the Falls experience in place of the Cruise Boat.

Includes
  • Lunch
Day 3 - VIA Rail from Toronto to Ottawa

Today, board VIA Rail's business class service to Ottawa, capital city of Canada. Transfer on your own to your selected hotel to begin a two-night stay. Overnight Ottawa.

Includes
  • Lunch
Day 4 - Exploring Ottawa

This morning, tour the nation's 'Capital' highlighted by Canada's Parliament Buildings, the Embassies, the Prime Minister's residence, Rideau Falls and Canal*. The remainder of the day is free to explore the National Arts Centre, take a stroll in one of the many parks, or return to further explore Canada's Parliament buildings (walking distance from hotel). Overnight Ottawa.

Day 5 - VIA Rail from Ottawa to Montreal

A short ride on VIA Rail's business class service takes you to Montreal, Canada's most cosmopolitan city. You'll have time to explore Old Montreal or take an optional sightseeing tour from the hotel. Overnight Montreal.

Includes
  • Lunch
Day 6 - Exploring Montreal

Set off on a morning city tour of Montreal, the second largest French-speaking city in the world. Visit Old Montreal, Notre Dame Basilica, Olympic Park, and Mount Royal Park. View Montreal Harbour on the great St. Lawrence River - 1000 miles from the sea. The afternoon is free to shop and explore. Overnight Montreal.

Day 7 - Train to Quebec City

Today's rail travel from Montreal follows the St. Lawrence River to the "Ancient Capital," Quebec City. The only walled city in North America, Quebec City, boasts "old world" charm. Overnight Quebec City.

Day 8 - Quebec City at Leisure

Experience the charm of Quebec City, the cradle of French culture in North America. A small group guided walking tour of Old Quebec immerses you in the history of the walled city and allows you to explore the hub that is Quebec City. Overnight Quebec City.

Day 9 - Quebec City

Your Maple Explorer vacation concludes today upon check-out from your hotel.

Additional information

Pricing Plans

Moderate
Hotels included are Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel,  Lord Elgin Hotel, Ottawa, Delta Montreal and Hotel Chateau Laurier Quebec, Quebec City. Business class rail aboard the train is reserved for the exclusive use of Business and Sleeper Plus class travelers, all our Business lounges are equipped for your comfort. Enjoy the services of dedicated personnel to help you with your travels, spacious seats, HD television screens, free non-alcoholic beverages and Wi-Fi. VIA rail's renovated car has a 2-1 seats configuration: more space for every traveler thanks to a row of single seats. It also has new ergonomic seats, side table and an electrical outlet available for each seat. Meals and a cocktail service are also included.

Deluxe
Hotels included are the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Toronto, Fairmont Chateau Laurier, Ottawa, Fairmont Queen Elizabeth and Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac. Business class rail aboard the train is reserved for the exclusive use of Business and Sleeper Plus class travelers, all our Business lounges are equipped for your comfort. Enjoy the services of a dedicated personnel to help you with your travels, spacious seats, HD television screens, free non-alcoholic beverages and free Wi-Fi. VIA rail's renovated car has a 2-1 seats configuration: more space for every traveler thanks to a row of single seats. It also has new ergonomic seats, side table and an electrical outlet available for each seat. Meals and a cocktail service are also included.

Please note

Taxes are not included on rail portions and are subject to change. *When day tours or attractions are not operational in the off-season, the price will be adjusted or there will an alternative excursion/attraction made available. Ask your rail specialist for details.

Departure times

Departure times vary based on selected rail vacation. This information will be provided in your final documents. For more information please speak with your rail specialist.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular vacation with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

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Reviews

4.3 stars4.3 / 5 · 34 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (17)
  2. 4 stars
    (12)
  3. 3 stars
    (2)
  4. 2 stars
    (2)
  5. 1 star
    (1)

GRANT YING CHIN

4 stars

Submitted 11/Oct

Two days time in some cities seemed too short. An option to experience 3 days would be nice.

Collected by Trustpilot

JOHN NOLAN

5 stars

Submitted 7/Oct

Accommodations were very good. Train travel was excellent, our first time using trains on a trip. The tour packages in each city were very good. The travel was self-guided which wasn't as clear in the original documents but still worked out well.

Collected by Trustpilot

JAMES JOSEPH ROCKLIN

4 stars

Submitted 24/Jul

A nice way to visit 4 major Canadian cities. Enjoyed it a lot. The only thing I would change would have been to have a hotel in Quebec City in the "Old Quebec" section.

Collected by Trustpilot

MICHAEL EDWARD GERON

5 stars

Submitted 21/Jul

We had a wonderful time. Loved the train, food good and was on time

Collected by Trustpilot

BARRY TREAS

3 stars

Submitted 10 Oct 2023

Vacations By Rail provides minimal service to upgrade the experience. Basically, all they provide is 4 hotel bookings and 4 train bookings, nothing more. We booked the moderate experience. I have to say that I was expecting at least four-star hotels. Most were what i would call 3 star and I have stayed in better two-star hotels than the one we had in Toronto. If I had it to do over again, I would simply book this trip on my own.

Collected by Trustpilot

JANICE IRENE MASLANIAK

5 stars

Submitted 23 Jul 2023

Comfortable, on time, good food, wonderful staff.

Collected by Trustpilot

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