18 Day West To East Cross Canada By Rail Tour

18 Day West to East Cross Canada by Rail

Style: Independent Touring

Day 1: Vancouver - Jasper Overnight Onboard VIA Rail

There's no better way to tour western Canada than aboard a train Enjoy breathtaking scenery every second of the journey between Canada's largest city and the Pacific coast on board the Canadian. In the space of four nights and three days, you'll get to see the lakes in Northern Ontario, the lush boreal forest, the western Prairies, and the magnificent Rocky Mountains. Onboard the Canadian, you'll discover the beauty of Canada's landscape and cities at a pace that allows you to be in-tune with the nature around you.

Day 2: Jasper

Arrive in Jasper and spend the afternoon perhaps taking a wildlife tour, going up the Jasper Tram or visiting the famous Maligne valley.

Day 3: Icefield Parkway and Columbia Icefield Sightseeing (Small Coach)

You are standing on a sheet of ice as thick as the Eiffel Tower is tall surrounded by glaciers that hang all about you! It's not hard to feel like the first person to set eyes on this awesome sight!

A tour to the Columbia Icefields allows you to experience a moment in time when Ice was King and silence ruled the forest floor! Arriving at the Icefields, you will have time to take the Ice-Explorer up and on to the Athabasca Glacier for a 90 min tour or if you'd prefer you can enjoy the services and view from the Icefields Interpretive centre.

Day 4: Jasper - Toronto Overnight Onboard VIA Rail

Whether it's breathtaking views, friendly service or world-class food, this train has been creating unforgettable moments for decades, for over a hundred thousand passengers every year.

Day 5: Onboard VIA Rail

Onboard VIA Rail.

Day 6: Onboard VIA Rail.

Onboard VIA Rail.

Day 7: Toronto

Join Toronto's original and most comprehensive fully narrated hop-on hop-off tour through the city, visiting the CN Tower, Skydome, Toronto Harbourfront, Casa Loma Castle, the Eaton Centre, Hockey Hall of Fame, and Yorkville. Included in your pass is an elevation ride to the top of the CN Tower and entrance to Ripley's Aquarium.

Day 8: Niagara Falls Day Tour (Coach)

This breathtaking full-day tour will take you through the orchard laden Niagara Peninsula to Niagara Falls. Enjoy a buffet lunch overlooking the falls. Join a boat ride to the base of the majestic Horseshoe Falls. Stop at the observation deck of the Whirlpool Rapids and visit the Floral Clock. On your return discover the picturesque town of Niagara-on-the-lake, visit a local country market and tour a winery.

Day 9 Toronto - Ottawa Onboard VIA Rail

The landscape is dotted with small villages and surrounded by maple forests and rich pasture land as you travel to Ottawa, the capital city of Canada.

Day 10: Ottawa Sightseeing (Coach)

Sit back and relax on an open-top double-decker or historic trolley as your professional guide shows you the nation's capital with its many historical landmarks, scenic waterway, and beautiful parks. Your ticket is valid for one day allowing you time to hop on and hop off at your leisure.

Day 11: Ottawa - Montreal Onboard VIA Rail

Travel through rural Ontario as you cross into Quebec at Coteau, where the rail line joins the Toronto - Montreal line. Cross the Ottawa River to Dorval and onwards downtown to the central station. Explore the west side of Old Montreal on a 90-minute walking tour showcasing its French heritage and rich architecture.

Day 12: Montreal Sightseeing (Coach)

Take in over 200 points of interest including a photo stop of Notre Dame Basilica, St. Joseph's Oratory, Old Montreal, the French Quarter, and Mount Royal on a three-hour city tour. This afternoon join a discovery cruise on the St Lawrence River.

Day 13: Montreal - Quebec City Onboard VIA Rail

Following the St. Lawrence River, pass from city suburbs to the rural landscapes of forests and rich pastures, dotted with tiny villages that extend to Quebec City, the oldest walled city in North America and hear to the French Canadian culture of Canada. This evening enjoys a 3-course dinner in the heart of Old Quebec.

Day 14: Quebec City Sightseeing (Coach)

With a professional local guide, join a leisurely walking tour where you will explore the architecture, historical sites and significant events in Quebec's history. In the afternoon travel by coach for a tour to the Beaupre Coast and Montmorency Falls.

Day 15: Quebec City - Halifax overnight Onboard VIA Rail

This morning enjoys an unforgettable experience on a helicopter tour of Quebec City and its surrounds. This evening board VIA rail's Ocean train and settle into your cosy private Cabin. You're rocked to sleep as you leave French Canada behind and travel to Halifax.

Day 16: Halifax

Wake to views of the Atlantic Ocean, rolling hills, and quaint coastal villages that appear frozen in time as you travel into the Atlantic Maritimes. Arrive in Halifax in the early evening.

Day 17: Halifax Sightseeing (Coach)

On a Halifax city tour, you will be introduced to one of North America's most unique and captivating cities. View historic properties, such as the Spring Garden Road area, Old Town Clock, St. Paul's Churchy, residential areas and much more.

The tour includes the Titanic Burial Site and the Halifax Citadel National Historic Park. In the afternoon travel to Peggy's Cove, which has been an artist and explorers paradise for well over 150 years. This picture-postcard village, on the rugged Atlantic shoreline, stands on the solid rock about the crashing surf.

Day 18: Halifax

Your package ends with a check out from your hotel. We suggest an add-on packaging to Charlottetown on Prince Edward Island. Canada's birthplace is a very picturesque seaside city, rich in history, from here you can travel the island and visit the site of Anne of Green Gables.

Package Includes:

12 nights of accommodation, VIA Rail private cabin for two from Vancouver to Toronto, VIA Rail private cabin for two from Québec City to Halifax, meals onboard the train, sightseeing and attractions as listed below.

Highlights:

Full day Icefield Parkway tour
Ice Explorer ride
Glacier Skywalk pass
Toronto hop-on hop-off city tour
Ripley’s Aquarium
Ontario Science Centre
Full day tour to Niagara Falls including a boat ride
Ottawa hop-on hop-off city tour
Morning walking tour of Old Montréal
National Gallery of Canada
Afternoon Montréal coach tour
3-course dinner in Old Montréal
Québec City walking tour
Québec City helicopter tour
Afternoon tour to Beaupre Coast and Montmorency Falls
Discovery cruise on the St. Lawrence River
Halifax city tour
Peggy’s Cove tour

Pricing is per person (does not include applicable taxes)