From Toronto to Vancouver by rail

Today you'll join a full-day, small-group guided trip to Niagara Falls. The journey takes around two hours, passing the Niagara Peninsula wine region. On arrival at Niagara Falls, you have an exhilarating boat trip to give you a closer view, and plenty of time to take in the beauty and power of the cascading water. After an included lunch with a view of the Falls, you'll be driven along the scenic Niagara Parkway to visit the pretty village of Niagara-on-the-Lake with free time to explore and taste the local wines.

This morning, make your own way to Toronto Union Station, where you’ll check your bags and board the Canadian train bound for Jasper. You can choose a cabin for two with a private bathroom and shared shower, or upgrade to the larger Prestige class with a double bed and private shower. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included on board, and snacks and drinks are available for purchase. You’ll have a guide to talk you through the main sights along the way, and you can make yourself comfortable in the dome viewing car for the best viewpoint.

Your journey across Canada continues today as you pass through the southern edge of Ontario province into the southeast tip of Manitoba. Along the way, you’ll be across the top of Lake Huron and Lake Superior through small towns and isolated communities. You arrive in Winnipeg this evening, stopping briefly before continuing west.

Overnight you'll continue to pass through traditional First Nations lands, heading further into Manitoba and the widening prairies before crossing over into the province of Saskatchewan today. Relax in the comfort of your cabin as The Canadian makes a short stop in the larger city of Saskatoon before proceeding northwest across the provincial border with Alberta toward Edmonton.

This morning, you'll get your first glimpse of the Rockies as the Canadian arrives in the small town of Jasper. Disembark and make your own way to your hotel, which will be your base for the next three nights. The trains typically arrive in Jasper in the early morning, so you have the day at leisure to relax in your hotel or explore. We recommend a visit to Old Fort Point lookout. It's a beautiful walk from town, and the lookout offers stunning views of Jasper town and the surrounding mountains.

Spend the morning exploring at your own leisure. For hiking and walking, we recommend the alpine meadows near Mount Edith Cavell and Angel Glacier. Alternatively, take a cable car up to the top of Whistlers Peak for views from the SkyTram over the valley. This afternoon, you head out on a small-group guided tour with a local Métis guide to look for the park's wildlife, including black and grizzly bears, bobcats, elk, coyotes, moose and porcupines.

For your final full day in Jasper, enjoy a small-group guided tour of Maligne Valley. You'll cross the Athabasca River, stopping at Maligne Canyon for views of the river thundering through a series of waterfalls in a gorge 10,000 years in the making. You'll also have the chance to see the mystery of the 'disappearing' Medicine Lake. The highlight of the tour is a boat trip out on Maligne Lake to Spirit Island for one of the best views in the Rockies. Take in the distinctive blue lake fringed by mountains.

This morning, make your own way to the VIA Rail station to complete your journey west on The Canadian. As your train leaves Jasper, you'll pass by the towering Mount Robson, the tallest mountain in the Canadian Rockies — we suggest being in the dome car to see this one. You’ll then continue through the arid farmlands and desert of British Columbia’s interior. We also recommend listening out for the announcement of Hell’s Gate Falls to see the thundering waterfall in the midst of the forest. You continue toward Vancouver overnight.

Depending on rail traffic, you arrive in Vancouver this morning and make your own way to your hotel. You have the rest of the day to explore at your own leisure. With its coastal location, Vancouver enjoys a much milder winter climate than other Canadian cities. We recommend a walk through Stanley Park to see Beaver Lake and along the seawall, before visiting Granville Island for delicious market food and handcrafted artisan products.

For your second day in Vancouver, we’ve included admission to Capilano Suspension Bridge on the North Shore, including a free shuttle from the waterfront. A range of activities awaits on the other side, including a treetop adventure in the rainforest through a maze of suspended footbridges swaying between hemlocks, red cedars and Douglas fir trees. The rest of the day is yours to explore the many museums and galleries of the city.

Today, you'll join a whale watching trip, heading out into the Strait of Georgia and tracking reports of recent whale sightings. Listen for the gentle spurts as whales come up for air and admire the island scenery. This is one of the best places to view orcas in the wild, with three pods native to southern Vancouver Island. Your onboard naturalist will tell you about the orca, porpoises, sea lions, bald eagles and other wildlife you may encounter. You have the rest of your final full day in Canada at leisure.

Depending on your flight time, you may have some time to spend in Vancouver this morning, perhaps browsing the shops for any last-minute souvenirs. You'll then make your own way to Vancouver Airport to board your onwards flight.