GREAT CANADIAN RAIL JOURNEY
11 days from Toronto to Vancouver

This breathtaking escorted tour crosses Canada using two scenic railroads. Your vacation begins in Toronto with an orientation tour and excursion to Niagara Falls, where you take a thrilling boat ride to view the thundering falls from the river level. Back in Toronto, board the art deco cars of VIA Rail's The Canadian train for your 3-night rail journey through Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. Watch the scenic countryside, lakes, and sun-dappled forests from your windows as you relax in first-class refurbished cars from the 1950s.

Disembark in Jasper to savor the beauty of Jasper National Park, and enjoy a fully narrated cruise to Spirit Island. Travel through Jasper National Park on Icefields Parkway and take a thrilling Ice Explorer ride on the 1,000-foot-deep Columbia Icefield. On the way to Banff National Park, drink in the spectacular sights of Lake Louise with its green-blue waters forming a perfect mirror reflection of Mount Victoria.

In Banff, visit Sulphur Mountain for a ride on the Banff gondola with panoramic views of Banff's spectacular scenery. Next, board the Rocky Mountaineer for a 2-day, all-daylight rail journey from the Canadian Rockies to the Pacific coast. Highlights include steep slopes and rock sheds along the Thompson River and rushing waters of Hell's Gate in the Fraser Canyon. Your rail trip ends in Vancouver with a sightseeing tour of this sophisticated city and leisure time to explore on your own. This is an excellent tour choice for those who want to see Canada via rail.

Day 1 Arrive in Toronto
(Wed.) Welcome to Toronto! At 6 pm, meet your traveling companions for a welcome drink. Your Tour Director will prepare you for your upcoming adventure.

Day 2 Toronto-Niagara Falls-VIA Rail the Canadian
(Thu.) Drive south along the shores of Lake Ontario to Niagara Falls. For the adventurous, your Tour Director will suggest optional flightseeing over the falls. Then, board the MAID OF THE MIST for a thrilling boat ride to view the thundering falls from river level. Before leaving the area, see the Floral Clock, then, return to Toronto for an orientation tour of the downtown area. Enjoy dinner atop the 1,815-foot-tall CN TOWER before transferring to the train station for your departure on the CANADIAN later this evening. (B,D) Note: The operation of the Maid of the Mist cruise is subject to favorable weather and/or river conditions. When weather is unfavorable, a walking tour through the scenic tunnels will be substituted.

Note: For your convenience, baggage that will not be needed during the train journey will be checked through to Jasper. Checked baggage will not be accessible during the journey. Plan to pack an overnight bag with necessities for the train portion of the tour, including any medications, eyeglasses, and other important items.

Day 3 VIA Rail the Canadian-Ontario
(Fri.) Watch the scenic countryside from your windows as you relax in first-class refurbished art deco cars from the 1950s. Travel through "Cottage Country," a favorite retreat for the city dwellers of southern Ontario. Continue past the sparkling lakes and sun-dappled forests of northern Ontario. Try the observation dome for unparalleled views or enjoy quiet conversation in one of the comfortable lounges. (B,L,D)

Day 4 VIA Rail the Canadian-Winnipeg, Manitoba
(Sat.) Enter Manitoba with its endless golden prairies and vast cultivated fields. Arrive this morning in Manitoba's capital city of Winnipeg, where you will disembark the train for time to explore this historic city including Forks National Historic Site, a commercial hub for more than 5,000 years and now home to the Forks Market that boasts a vast number of boutiques and restaurants. Reboard the train late this morning and continue west. (B,L,D)

Day 5 VIA Rail the Canadian through Saskatchewan & Alberta-Jasper
(Sun.) From Winnipeg to Jasper, the train roughly parallels the famed Yellowhead Route, Canada's historic trail of westward expansion. Arrive in Jasper this afternoon. Tonight, enjoy an excursion to Maligne Lake for a fully narrated CRUISE to Spirit Island followed by dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 6 Jasper-Columbia Icefield-Lake Louise-Banff
(Mon.) This morning, travel through JASPER NATIONAL PARK on Icefields Parkway to the 1,000-foot-thick Columbia Icefield for a thrilling ICE EXPLORER RIDE. Climb Sunwapta Pass to savor stunning vistas of alpine meadows, waterfalls, and massive glaciers, then scale Bow Pass with splendid views of Peyto Lake. Next, stop at Lake Louise, whose green-blue waters form a perfect mirror reflection of Mount Victoria. Continue into BANFF NATIONAL PARK. (B,D)

Day 7 Banff
(Tue.) Sightseeing includes a visit to Sulphur Mountain for a ride on the BANFF GONDOLA, complete with panoramic views of Banff's spectacular scenery. Also visit Bow Falls and the hoodoos. The balance of the day is at leisure. Consider an optional float trip excursion on the Bow River or a helicopter flightseeing trip for a bird's-eye views of the Rockies. (B)

Day 8 Banff-Rocky Mountaineer-Spiral Tunnels-Yoho National Park-Kamloops
(Wed.) Depart this morning for Banff's train station and board the ROCKY MOUNTAINEER for a 2-day, all daylight, classic rail journey from the Canadian Rockies to the Pacific Coast. Begin by crossing the Continental Divide and climbing Kicking Horse Pass before winding through the engineering feat of the Spiral Tunnels. Continue through the dramatic domain of Yoho National Park and enter the heart of the Selkirk Mountains before passing the spectacular sights of Glacier National Park, the Monashee Mountains, and Shuswap Lake. End today's journey in Kamloops, where you may opt to join the Rythms on the Rails dinner show (B,L)

Note: Kamloops properties are considered moderate 2- or 3-star hotels or motor inns. The city does not offer any hotels in the superior category. Your chosen hotel is determined by Rocky Mountaineer Railtours; however, you can rest assured it satisfies our high standards of cleanliness and comfort. For your convenience, baggage that will not be needed during the train journey will be checked through to Vancouver. Checked luggage will not be accessible during the journey. Plan to pack an overnight bag with necessities for the train portion of the tour, including medications, eyeglasses, and other important items (GoldLeaf passengers will have their luggage delivered to their Kamloops hotel).

Day 9 Kamloops-Rocky Mountaineer-Fraser Canyon-Vancouver
(Thu.) Board your train this morning and witness dramatic changes in scenery en route to Vancouver. Highlights include the steep slopes and rock sheds along the Thompson River and the rushing waters of Hell's Gate in the Fraser Canyon. Upon arrival in Vancouver, transfer to your hotel for an evening at leisure. (B,L)

Day 10 Vancouver
(Fri.) This morning's city tour of Vancouver includes the harbor and beaches, Chinatown, and Stanley Park. Balance of the day is at leisure. Perhaps rent a bike and ride around the seawall of Stanley Park, or shoppers and browsers might want to take a water taxi to Granville Island or visit historic Gastown. Tonight, your Tour Director hosts a farewell dinner. Wonderful conversation and cuisine make the perfect finale for your vacation. (B,D)

Day 11 Vancouver
(Sat.) The vacation ends this morning after breakfast with guests departing on individual schedules. Airport transfers are provided. (B)

Vacation Highlights: INCLUDED FEATURES
Toronto: Orientation tour, dinner at CN Tower
Niagara Falls: Maid of the Mist cruise
Toronto-Jasper: Private bedroom on VIA Rail's the Canadian (travel in Silver & Blue class)
Winnipeg: Orientation
Jasper: Cruise on Maligne Lake
Columbia Icefield: Ice Explorer ride on the Columbia Icefield
Banff National Park: Gondola ride up Banff's Sulphur Mountain
Banff-Vancouver: 2-day journey aboard the Rocky Mountaineer
Vancouver: Sightseeing tour; farewell dinner

Note: Maximum elevation on vacation: 7,500 ft.

INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.

MEALS - (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner
American breakfast daily (B); 5 lunches (L); 6 three-course dinners (D), including a farewell dinner in Vancouver. Breakfast on RedLeaf Service is a deluxe continental-not a full American breakfast.

SUPERIOR HOTELS - (D) Deluxe (SF) Superior First-Class (F) First-Class
Toronto Delta Chelsea (SF), Jasper Sawridge Hotel (F), Banff Banff Park Lodge (F), Kamloops Determined by Rocky Mountaineer (BA), Vancouver Georgian Court (SF)

Dates:
May - September

Prices:
Priced from $3,229.00 US per person based on double occupancy
Departures on or within the seasons shown will determine the price