Grand Canadian Rail Journey | Vancouver to Halifax

The below itinerary reflects our recommendations for this specific trip. We also offer tailored private excursions, allowing you to personalize the itinerary to match your custom preferences.

Day 1 Vancouver to Kamloops | Rocky Mountaineer Board Rocky Mountaineer this morning and begin your unforgettable journey east from Vancouver through the ever-changing landscapes of British Columbia. Travel through the fertile Fraser Valley before following the mighty Fraser River into the dramatic Fraser Canyon, where steep rock walls, rushing whitewater and remarkable railway engineering create one of the most memorable stretches of the route. Highlights along the way include the thundering waters of Hell’s Gate and historic Cisco Crossing, before the scenery opens to the rolling hills, sagebrush country and wide lake vistas of the Interior on approach to Kamloops. (Breakfast & lunch is included today)

Day 2 Kamloops to Banff | Rocky Mountaineer Rejoin Rocky Mountaineer this morning and continue east as the scenery becomes even more dramatic on approach to the Canadian Rockies. Travel past rugged ranchlands, forested valleys, glacier-fed rivers and soaring mountain passes, with a series of legendary rail highlights unfolding throughout the day. Look out for Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven, the dramatic setting of Rogers Pass, the engineering marvel of Stoney Creek Bridge, the sheer walls of Kicking Horse Canyon and the famous Spiral Tunnels. By evening, arrive in Banff surrounded by the magnificent peaks of the Rockies. (Breakfast & lunch is included today)

Day 3 Banff | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 6 Excursions Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of these excursions. Option 1. Discover Banff & Its Wildlife Tour + Banff Gondola Discover Banff's natural wonders on this half-day, small-group tour. Marvel at sights like Bow Falls, Hoodoos rock formation, and Lake Minnewanka. Conclude your exploration with a relaxing gondola ride to Sulphur Mountain's peak, maximizing your views of Banff National Park effortlessly. Enjoy the enchanting beauty of these landmarks with minimum exertion. Option 2. Banff National Park Explorer Moraine Lake & Lake Louise | Small Group Tour with Picnic Lunch Join this small group tour for a curated experience of Banff National Park's highlights, with the added chance to spot wildlife through expert local guidance. Enjoy unhindered access to Moraine Lake & Lake Louise, spending over 1½ hours at each, discovering hidden gems and serene trails. The final phase of the tour is tailor-made in Banff by your guide, considering recent wildlife sightings and your interests, ensuring the day concludes on a high note. Option 3. Rockies Hidden Gems Yoho & Kootenay National Parks | Small Group Tour with Picnic Lunch Avoid the crowds with this full-day adventure in the Kootenay and Yoho National Parks, featuring picturesque waterfalls and Canadian Rockies views. Start with a relaxing stroll in Kootenay National Park's Marble Canyon, marveling at turquoise glacial waters and striking canyon walls. Enjoy Emerald Lake's neon blue waters, where optional canoe rentals, hiking trails, and lakeside picnics are available. The day concludes with a visit to Canada's 2nd tallest waterfall, Takakkaw Falls, accessible through backroads offering mountain vistas and wildlife sightings. Option 4. Cowboy Horseback Cookout BBQ Lunch or Dinner Saddle up for a ride along the Bow River in Banff and a Western style cookout. Choose from riding on horseback or in a covered wagon through the beautiful Rocky Mountain terrain. Option 5. Signature Guided Hike | Small Group Hike with Picnic Lunch Experience the best of Rocky Mountain National Parks' backcountry with our curated hiking tours. Revel in spring's wildflowers, summer's clear glacier views, and the golden hues of fall's larch trees. Our passionate local guides will lead you on classic hikes in the Banff and Lake Louise area, including Stanley Glacier, Larch Valley, Kootenay National Park Trails, and Plain of 6 Glaciers. Immerse yourself in nature's beauty across seasons in the Rockies. Option 6. Personalised Tailor-made Excursion Talk with one of our local Canada specialists to tailor your day in Banff to your preferences. Choose from a variety of experiences, including guided hikes, evening wildlife e-bike tours, river explorer canoe tours, a foodie tour at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, or upgrade to a selection of private tours of the region. Alternatively, you can spend the day relaxing and enjoying the fresh mountain air, and we'll credit the cost of your excursion.

Day 4 Banff to Lake Louise with Moraine Lake Tour Enjoy a relaxed morning in Banff. This afternoon, travel via the scenic Bow Valley Parkway toward Lake Louise, with stories along the way about how local landmarks got their names. Continue to world-renowned Moraine Lake, nestled in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, and take a short walk up the Rockpile for the postcard-perfect view once featured on Canada’s historic $20 bill. Then arrive at Lake Louise, where turquoise waters shimmer beneath rugged mountain peaks and the majestic Victoria Glacier. Seasonal note (May 1-31): Moraine Lake Road is closed during this period, and the tour is replaced with a mid-day or afternoon scheduled coach transfer to Lake Louise. You will have free time to canoe, hike to the Lake Agnes Teahouse, or enjoy afternoon tea at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Private transfers are available at an additional cost.

Day 5 Lake Louise to Jasper Tour | with picnic lunch Includes Ice Explorer Ride onto the Athabasca Glacier + Glacier Skywalk Travel along the breathtaking Icefields Parkway today, one of North America’s most spectacular mountain highways. This full-day sightseeing journey showcases jagged peaks, turquoise lakes, glacier-fed rivers, hanging glaciers, deep valleys and cascading waterfalls, with possible stops including Athabasca Falls, the Weeping Wall, Bow Lake and Crowfoot Glacier. At the Columbia Icefield, board the Ice Explorer for an unforgettable ride onto the ancient Athabasca Glacier, then step out over the Sunwapta Valley on the glass-floored Glacier Skywalk. Continue through dramatic mountain passes and glacier-carved scenery toward your overnight destination. (Picnic lunch included today)

Day 6 Depart Jasper | VIA Rail Spend the morning at leisure in Jasper, with time to enjoy the relaxed pace of this mountain town before beginning one of Canada’s great rail journeys. This afternoon, board VIA Rail’s legendary Canadian and settle in as the train rolls east from the Rockies. From the comfort of the lounge or dome car, watch the scenery shift from forested valleys and distant mountain peaks to the wide-open landscapes of Alberta. As evening falls, enjoy dinner onboard while the train continues across the heart of Western Canada, with endless skies, quiet farmland and prairie horizons setting the scene for the days ahead. Overnight onboard VIA Rail. (Dinner included today onboard VIA Rail)

Day 7 On-board VIA Rail | Saskatchewan and Manitoba Wake to the vast beauty of the Canadian Prairies, where golden fields, open skies, small towns and classic grain elevators create an ever-changing panorama from your window. The pace of the journey is part of the experience today - time to relax in the dome car, enjoy meals onboard, read, socialize or simply watch Canada unfold mile by mile. As the train continues east through Saskatchewan and into Manitoba, the landscape gradually shifts from open farmland to lakes, forest and the approaching edge of the Canadian Shield. Overnight onboard VIA Rail. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included today onboard VIA Rail)

Day 8 On-board VIA Rail | Ontario Today’s journey takes you deep into the rugged beauty of Northern Ontario, where the Canadian Shield reveals a landscape of ancient rock, dense boreal forest, quiet lakes and remote wilderness. From the dome car, watch for sparkling waterways, forested ridges and small railway communities that offer a glimpse into a quieter side of Canada. This is a day to slow down and enjoy the rhythm of the train, with all meals served onboard as you continue your remarkable journey east. Overnight onboard VIA Rail. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included today onboard VIA Rail)

Day 9 Arrive Toronto | VIA Rail Your final morning onboard brings changing views of Ontario’s lake country, forested hills and rural landscapes as the train continues toward Canada’s largest city. Enjoy continental breakfast and brunch onboard before the scenery gradually transitions from quiet countryside to the urban skyline of Toronto. Arrive at Union Station by mid-afternoon, completing an unforgettable transcontinental rail journey from the mountain wilderness of Jasper to the heart of downtown Toronto. (Continental breakfast & brunch included today onboard VIA Rail)

Day 10 Toronto | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 6 Excursions Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of these excursions. Option 1. Niagara Falls & Niagara on the Lake Tour Experience Niagara Falls on a luxury small-group tour featuring a certified driver and guide duo, a thrilling Niagara City Cruises boat ride, scenic photo stops, and free time in charming Niagara-on-the-Lake. Option 2. Gems of Toronto Tour Explore Toronto's iconic landmarks, including the historic Casa Loma and the soaring CN Tower. Enjoy a curated journey through the city's vibrant neighborhoods and scenic vistas, all within a comfortable, small-group setting. Option 3. Helicopter Flightseeing Tour Soar above Toronto, capturing breathtaking aerial views of the CN Tower, Rogers Centre, and Lake Ontario. This 6-8 minute flight offers unforgettable photo opportunities of the city's iconic skyline Option 4. Toronto Street Art & Graffiti Walking Tour Explore Toronto's vibrant west end with a local street artist, uncovering hidden installations, massive murals, and diverse styles like wheat pastes and yarn bombing on this immersive 2-hour walking tour. Option 5. Taste of the Continents: International Food Tour Embark on a culinary journey through Toronto's Kensington Market, sampling dishes from eight countries across five continents in just 2.5 hours. Enjoy diverse flavors, skip the lines, and savor the city's rich cultural tapestry Option 6. Great Canadian Food Tour Taste your way through Toronto’s historic neighbourhoods on a foodie adventure from St. Lawrence Market to the cobblestone streets of the Distillery District. Sample beloved Canadian favourites and local treats many visitors do not realize are Canadian. In just one mile of walking, discover the flavours, stories and neighbourhoods that help shape Canada’s food culture.

Day 11 Toronto to Montreal | VIA Rail Business Class By rail enter French Canada and arrive in the vibrant city of Montreal. There will be plenty of stunning views along the way of the blue expanse of Lake Ontario, the lovely farmland of rural Quebec and the shores of the St. Lawrence River. (Lunch is included today)

Day 12 Montreal | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 4 Excursions Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of these excursions. Option 1. Beyond the Market Food Walking Tour Experience Montréal through its flavours on a locally led food tour around Jean-Talon Market and Little Italy, tasting independent local favourites while discovering the city’s diverse communities, vibrant café culture, artisanal chocolate, seasonal produce and neighbourhood stories beyond tourist clichés. Option 2. Beyond the Basilica Walking Tour Explore Montréal beyond the usual sights on a lively walking tour from Old Montréal and Notre-Dame Basilica through Chinatown, the Underground City and festival district to neighbourhoods, blending history, architecture, street art and local culture Option 3. Heart of Montreal City Coach Tour Discover Montréal’s highlights on a guided city tour with photo stops at Old Montréal, Notre-Dame Basilica, Saint Joseph’s Oratory, Mount Royal and Olympic Park, combining panoramic views, iconic architecture and over 200 points of interest. Option 4. Walking Tour of Old Montreal Explore Old Montréal on a relaxed walking tour through cobblestone streets, landmark squares and Old Port viewpoints, uncovering historic architecture, hidden corners and local stories, with stops at Place Jacques-Cartier, Place d’ Armes and Underground City.

Day 13 Montreal | Day Tour to Quebec City & Montmorency Falls Quebec City is the heart of French Canada. Nowhere else in North America is the appearance and atmosphere of an old-world city so complete. Quebec City looks and feels very European; perhaps that is why the entire old section of the town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 14 Montreal to Moncton | VIA Rail This evening enjoy the scenic vista through the rural communities of Quebec’s south shore. Overnight on VIA Rail. (Dinner is included today)

Day 15 Arrive Moncton | Private Transfer to Charlottetown Wake to views of the Atlantic Ocean, rolling hills, and quaint coastal villages that appear frozen in time. Upon disembarking the train take an included private transfer to Charlottetown via the Confederation Bridge. (Breakfast is included today)

Day 16 Charlottetown | Island Drive & Anne of Green Gables Tour Today enjoy views of rolling farmlands, stunning seascapes, tiny villages and bustling harbours along the Green Gables Shore (scenic drive) as we get ready to tour the North Shore area.

Day 17 Charlottetown to Halifax | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 2 Excursions This morning you can personalize your day by choosing one of these excursions Option 1. Morning Lobster Cruise | Operates 01 Jul - 30 Aug Catch a buoy, haul a trap and band a claw as you learn about the world of lobster fishing on Prince Edward Island. Onboard feel the ocean breeze and watch for seabirds as Captain Mark explains the hard life of a lobster fisherman. Then head to the mouth of the harbour and into the Northumberland Strait, past Port La Joye/Fort Amherst, the Island’s oldest European settlement. Option 2. Morning Charlottetown Highlights Tour Discover the history and charm of Canada’s Birthplace as you ride through the streets of Charlottetown. Charlottetown to Halifax | Private Transfer Then this afternoon depart on a private transfer back over the Confederation Bridge to Halifax.

Day 18 Halifax | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 4 Excursions Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of these excursions. Option 1. Peggy's Cove Tour Journey from Halifax to Peggy's Cove, where you'll discover the famous lighthouse set on striking granite boulders beside the Atlantic. You'll have time to wander the active fishing village, browse its welcoming shops, and visit the William deGarthe Art Gallery. Enjoy a warm blend of coastal scenery, local character, and inviting places to explore. Option 2. Grape Escapes | Annapolis Valley Wine and Lunch Escape Escape into Nova Scotia's scenic Annapolis Valley on the Wine & Lunch Escape tour. You're transported from Halifax, Dartmouth, or Wolfville through rolling countryside to three unique wineries, where you enjoy guided wine tastings and learn about cool-climate viticulture. Between tastings, savor a delicious lunch paired with wine or cider at a vineyard. Option 3. Halifax Waterfront Walking Tour Starting at Cable Wharf, this guided walking tour follows Halifax's lively waterfront, where history and modern city life meet along the harbour. Stroll past working wharves, public spaces, and historic landmarks while hearing stories that shaped the city, from its maritime roots to key moments in Canadian history. The walk offers a relaxed way to experience Halifax's waterfront on foot. Option 4. Halifax Harbour Cruise Enjoy a relaxing cruise on Halifax's picturesque harbour aboard the Violet Mac or Sherbrooke Ghost. These all-electric, zero-exhaust vessels provide a quiet and environmentally friendly way to explore the waterfront.

Day 19 Halifax | Departure A check-out from your hotel concludes this memorable rail journey to Atlantic Canada.