Toronto to the Canadian Rockies by Train with Via Rail and Rocky Mountaineer

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 Toronto to Jasper | VIA Rail This morning, check in at Toronto’s Union Station and board VIA Rail’s legendary Canadian for your transcontinental journey to the Canadian Rockies. Settle into the romance of classic rail travel aboard beautifully restored stainless-steel railcars, with access to the lounge, dining car and panoramic dome car. Leaving the city behind, the train rolls past the Toronto skyline before entering the lake country and rugged Canadian Shield, where ancient rock, forests, rivers and quiet lakes create a striking contrast to the bustle of downtown. Enjoy brunch and dinner onboard as your journey west begins. Overnight onboard VIA Rail. (Brunch & dinner included today onboard VIA Rail)

Day 2 Onboard VIA Rail | Northern Ontario Wake to the remote beauty of Northern Ontario, a landscape of dense boreal forest, granite outcrops, winding rivers and countless lakes. Today is a day to slow down and enjoy the rhythm of the train, whether from the comfort of the dome car, over meals in the dining car or from your own window as Canada’s wilderness unfolds mile by mile. As the train continues west, the scenery gradually opens toward Manitoba, offering a memorable transition from rugged shield country to the wide horizons ahead. Overnight onboard VIA Rail. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included today onboard VIA Rail)

Day 3 Onboard VIA Rail | Manitoba and Saskatchewan Today the journey crosses the vast Canadian Prairies, where endless skies, golden fields, quiet towns and classic grain elevators create one of the country’s most iconic landscapes. Watch the scenery stretch to the horizon as the train travels through Manitoba and Saskatchewan, with changing views of farmland, rolling hills and open plains throughout the day. Relax in the dome car, enjoy all meals onboard and savour the unhurried pace of rail travel as you continue toward the Rocky Mountains. Overnight onboard VIA Rail. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included today onboard VIA Rail)

Day 4 Arrive Jasper | VIA Rail This morning, the scenery builds toward an unforgettable arrival as the wide-open landscapes give way to forests, foothills and the dramatic peaks of the Canadian Rockies. Step off the Canadian in Jasper, surrounded by the mountain wilderness of Jasper National Park and the crisp alpine air. After a short orientation of this welcoming mountain town, transfer to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to explore, relax or simply take in the spectacular setting.

Day 5 Jasper | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 6 Excursions Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of these excursions. Option 1. Morning Maligne Valley with Medicine Lake Tour Experience the most incredible sights in Jasper National Park’s Maligne Valley during this guided excursion to the region’s most scenic lakes & majestic canyons, enjoy a gentle guided walk along the shores of this pristine lake. Option 2. Evening Discover Jasper & its Wildlife Admire diverse animal life in the Canadian wilderness on this evening wildlife tour. Delve into Jasper National Park with your guide. Travel through the mighty Athabasca Valley and marvel at the park’s beautiful landscapes by twilight. Option 3. Gentle Raft Float on the Athabasca River Experience Jasper National Park's natural beauty with a small group float trip on the Athabasca River. Cover several miles on Class II rapids, offering mild excitement with a few splashes. Enjoy your guide's engaging storytelling about local history and wildlife throughout this gentle adventure. Option 4. Maligne Canyon Hiking Tour Embark on a stunning hike in Jasper National Park, exploring the deepest accessible canyon in the Canadian Rockies. Learn about the Maligne Valley, Karst topography, and the mysterious disappearing Medicine Lake. Enjoy breathtaking views of rushing rapids and waterfalls along the canyon's five bridges. An added bonus is the shuttle service back to the top, saving you from a steep uphill hike. Option 5. Upgrade Option: Maligne Valley Sightseeing + Boat Cruise This Jasper tour starts with a brief town overview before crossing the Athabasca River to Maligne Lake. Discover the majestic Maligne Canyon's waterfalls and the enigmatic "disappearing" Medicine Lake. The highlight is a trip to stunning Maligne Lake, including an interpretive boat cruise to Spirit Island. Experience firsthand the beauty that captured adventurer Mary Schaeffer's heart a century ago, and has since become world-renowned. Option 6. Personalised Tailor-made Excursion Talk with one of our local specialists to tailor your day in Jasper to your preferences. Choose from a variety of experiences, including a Maligne Valley tour & lake cruise, an exhilarating Harley-Davidson motorcycle sidecar tour of Jasper National Park, a Jasper food tour to experience the local cuisine, hiking and cooking tour in the backcountry, or 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 6 Jasper to Banff 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 scenery with time to experience the turquoise waters and soaring peaks of Lake Louise before arriving in Banff. (Picnic lunch included today)

Day 7 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 8 Banff to Kamloops | Rocky Mountaineer Board Rocky Mountaineer this morning and begin your spectacular westbound journey through the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Depart Banff surrounded by towering peaks and pristine alpine scenery, then travel through a succession of celebrated rail landmarks that showcase both the beauty and history of this remarkable route. Highlights include the famous Spiral Tunnels, the dramatic cliffs of Kicking Horse Canyon, the breathtaking mountain scenery of Rogers Pass, Stoney Creek Bridge and historic Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven. Later, the landscapes soften into the wide-open scenery of British Columbia’s Interior as you continue to Kamloops. (Breakfast & lunch is included today)

Day 9 Kamloops to Vancouver | Rocky Mountaineer Rejoin Rocky Mountaineer this morning and continue west through the striking landscapes of British Columbia. Follow the Thompson River through dry grasslands, rolling hills and rocky canyon country before entering the dramatic Fraser Canyon, where steep cliffs, powerful currents and remarkable rail engineering create some of the route’s most iconic scenery. Watch for highlights including Cisco Crossing and the surging whitewater of Hell’s Gate, then continue alongside the Fraser River through the fertile farmlands of the Fraser Valley before arriving in Vancouver later today. (Breakfast & lunch is included today)