Day 1 Toronto to Jasper | VIA Rail
This morning, check in at Toronto’s Union Station and board VIA Rail’s ‘Canadian’ train for the famous journey across the prairies to the Canadian Rockies. Step back in time to the days of classic rail travel, riding in the original stainless steel ‘streamliner’ railcars made famous by the ‘Canadian’ in the 1950s. Each has been restored with air conditioning, a café car, lounge car, and access to the dome car. Today is spent crossing the scenic lake lands and forests of Ontario. (brunch & dinner included today onboard VIA Rail)
Day 2 On-board | VIA Rail
Watch the scenery change as you enter Manitoba and travel through the prairies and great plains of Canada. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included today onboard VIA Rail)
Day 3 On-board | VIA Rail
Continue west through the breadbasket of Canada: Manitoba and Saskatchewan each have golden wheat fields stretching as far as the eye can see. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included today onboard VIA Rail)
Day 4 Arrive Jasper | VIA Rail
This morning, awake to arrive in Jasper, a small alpine community located in the majestic Canadian Rockies.
Day 5 Jasper Freedom of Choice | 1 of 6 Excursions
Personalize your stay in Jasper by choosing one of these excursions
Option 1. Pleckaitis or Maligne Canyon Icewalk
Explore Jasper National Park’s Maligne Valley in winter on the Pleckaitis Icewalk, with scenic stops at Medicine Lake and a memorable icewalk through untouched Pleckaitis Canyon.
Please note: If Maligne Canyon reopens in time for the winter season, this tour will revert to the Maligne Canyon Icewalk.
Experience the wonders of Maligne Canyon from the ground up. Carved over 10,000 years of erosion, it forms a dramatic 50-metre gorge.
Option 2. Discover Jasper & its Wildlife Tour
Travel through the Athabasca Valley to some of the park’s most beautiful Canadian Rocky Mountain scenery to seek out all the park’s most iconic creatures.
Option 3. Jasper Dark Sky Planetarium & Telescope Experience
Join LIVE astronomy guides for a full evening of cosmic exploration, starting inside with a world-exclusive domed theatre experience, then outside with the largest telescope in the Rockies. In the climate-controlled 40-seat dome theatre, take a LIVE virtual tour of Jasper’s 11,000 sq km Dark Sky Preserve.
Option 4. Secrets of Jasper Snowshoe Tour
Embark on an unforgettable winter adventure through breathtaking alpine landscapes. Trek across pristine snow-covered trails, surrounded by towering peaks and serene wilderness. Discover hidden gems, local wildlife, and fascinating stories while enjoying a guided experience that blends nature, history, and outdoor excitement in a magical winter wonderland.
Option 5. Upgrade Option: Jasper Foodie Tour
Show your foodie side some love on this walking food tour of Jasper. The mountain town has come a long way from it’s humble beginnings without losing sight of what makes it special.
Option 6. Upgrade Option: Dog Sledding Tour
Travel by dog sled along 22 km (13 mi) of pristine winter scenery in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Learn the history of the area and the people amongst the crisp mountain air and the beautiful scenery that surrounds you. Enjoy lunch cooked over an open campfire, hot apple cider, and homemade treats.
Day 6 Jasper to Lake Louise | Coach | Evening Sleigh Ride
Travel southward along the Icefields Parkway to Lake Louise. This spectacular drive through glacier country features massive snow covered mountains, frozen waterfalls, broad-reaching valleys. Included this evening is a wonderful 40 minute sleigh ride that takes place beside the lake.
Day 7 Lake Louise | Day at Leisure
Lake Louise transforms into a real-life snow globe in the winter that has to be seen to be believed. To make the most of your stay, rent a pair of ice skates and head onto the frozen lake or snowshoes and explore the many trails, wander the shoreline and take in the iconic views – both are authentic Canadian experience. For skiing or snowboarding visit Lake Louise Ski Resort, known for it’s spectacular scenery and versatile terrain. With over 4,200 acres spread across four mountain faces.
Day 8 Lake Louise to Banff | Coach
Begin your day with a relaxed morning, taking in the breathtaking beauty of Lake Louise. With the option of a mid- or late-afternoon transfer to Banff, you have the freedom to immerse yourself in Lake Louise’s winter wonderland or indulge in afternoon tea at the iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise before departing on a 45-minute journey along the breathtaking Bow Valley Parkway. Whether you choose the scheduled transfer (included) or a private transfer, both options allow you to customize your time between these two stunning destinations.
Day 9 Banff | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 4 Excursions
Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of these excursions
Option 1. Discover Banff & Its Wildlife Tour + Gondola
Keep your eyes peeled for deer, elk, and bighorn sheep on this morning tour of Banff. Scenic highlights include Fairmont Banff Springs, Bow Falls, Surprise Corner Lookout, the Hoodoos Viewpoint & Lake Minnewanka. Then soar up to the summit of Sulphur Mountain on the Banff Gondola for 360-degree views over Banff.
Option 2. Snowshoeing at Paint Pots
Experience an unforgettable snowshoeing adventure to the historical Paint Pots with its ochre-colored mineral pools. This easy 3-kilometre trail offers a great introduction to snowshoeing for first-timers. Along the way, search for hare, lynx, and wolf tracks in the forest. Snowshoes, hiking poles, and authentic historical props are included. Warm up with hot chocolate and a uniquely Canadian maple taffy treat!
Option 3. Johnston Canyon Frozen Falls Adventure
Explore the icy wonderland of Johnston Canyon with expert guides fitting you with ice-walking gear. Marvel at the stunning Lower Falls, then venture to the Upper Falls, where ice climbers scale frozen towers. En route, discover hidden gems along the Bow Valley Parkway, stopping at exclusive viewpoints for breathtaking, camera-worthy scenery.
Option 4. Electric Fat Biking Banff Adventure
Experience the thrill of Winter Electric Fat Biking in Banff! Ride effortlessly through snow-covered trails with powerful e-fat bikes, soaking in breathtaking mountain views. Perfect for all skill levels, this guided adventure offers an exciting and eco-friendly way to explore Banff’s winter wonderland.
Day 10 Banff to Jasper | Scheduled Coach
As you return to Jasper via the Icefield Parkway, the scenery strikingly varies in each direction, further altered by shifting light and cloud formations. Winter cloaks the rugged terrain in a serene snow blanket, transforming it into a tranquil, crystal-like wonderland. Driving along, you'll see majestic mountains towering above, with frozen lakes and rivers glistening under the crisp winter sunlight.
Day 11 Jasper to Vancouver | VIA Rail
This morning, reboard VIA Rail’s ‘Canadian’ train for the final stretch from Jasper to Vancouver. Using the original steel railcars from the 1950s, sit back and relax in the dome car to enjoy a dramatic change in scenery as you travel the ‘Yellowhead’ route past the sprawling grandeur of Mount Robson. Watch the landscape transition from mountains to desert as you follow the Thompson River into central British Columbia. Brunch and dinner is included onboard VIA Rail, and your private quarters will once again be transformed into a bedroom for the overnight journey.
Day 12 Vancouver Arrival | VIA Rail
After breakfast disembark in Vancouver. The balance of day is at leisure. Canada’s third-largest metropolitan centre, Vancouver is a busy port city with a thriving multi-cultural ambiance. Restaurants, shopping, nightlife, a mild climate and a cosmopolitan atmosphere make Vancouver a favourite tourist destination. (continental breakfast included)
