Extended Prairies and Mountains

French Canada to the Pacific and the spectacular Rockies en route.  A great way to see Canada!
Montreal - Toronto - Winnipeg - Saskatoon - Edmonton - Jasper - Banff - Lake Louise - Vancouver 

Day 1  Wednesday/Friday  Transfer by train in coach class from downtown Montreal to downtown Toronto.  Overnight in one of our Toronto hotels  

Day 2  Thursday/Saturday  Board the train at Toronto's Union Station  and unpack for the next 2 nights aboard VIA's Trans-Continental.  Your porter is on-hand throughout the journey to ensure that you have a comfortable stay.  Roll across the Canadian Shield, boreal forests, countless lakes and the hardest rock on Earth! 1/3 of the fresh water in the World is in Canada and you will see some of it on this epic journey. 
VIA RAIL BEDROOMS  /  DINING CAR  /  DOME CAR  /  PARK-LOUNGE CAR

Day 3  Arrive into Winnipeg to take on more passengers and continue rolling through Manitoba, the province of 100,000 lakes.  Drink in the vistas from the dome cars and enjoy the terrific on-board service. 

Day 4   Enjoy a delicious breakfast and relax as we forge across the great wheatfields of Saskatchewan before our morning arrival into Edmonton, capital and most vibrant metropolis in Alberta.   After a brief stop we continue the train journey to the "Jewel of the Canadian Rockies" JASPER, Alberta.  Disembark and we are transferred to our hotel for the first of 2 nights.  Keep on the lookout for wild animals often seen in and around the town.   

Day 5  This morning we tour JASPER and, above the townsite, beautiful PYRAMID LAKE.   Perhaps take an optional cruise of magnificent MALIGNE LAKE and its incredible aquamarine waters.  The views are stunning and the water is a shade of blue found only in these mountains.   Spirit Island is a famous spot for  photographers seeking the perfect picture.  Return to Jasper via the Valley of the FIVE LAKES.  A few miles to the south of  Jasper is the JASPER GONDOLA from where the views of the valleys and peaks are outstanding and ATHABASCA FALLS /  HORSESHOE LAKE.  Overnight at one of our Jasper Hotels

Day 6  Depart Jasper for Banff on our deluxe motor coach along the Icefields Parkway.  This is one of the most scenic drives on earth.  We'll ride a Sno-Coach (weather permitting) onto the Columbia Icefield's ATHABASCA GLACIER.  The Columbia Icefields are 125 square miles in size (massive!), with no fewer than 30 glaciers where 3 river systems flow to three different oceans.   The Icefields Parkway delivers us  past BOW LAKE, PEYTO LAKE and MISTAYA LAKE. Continue to Banff for overnight.

Day 8 and Day 9  Enjoy two days to explore the trails, shopping, tours and sightseeing that this area is Word famous for.  Perhaps hike JOHNSTON CANYON and its seven waterfalls or take a dinner cruise onto LAKE MINNEWANKA.  The adventurous can see the Bow Valley from the seat of a helicopter or go shopping for precious gems found only in Alberta.   Overnight at one of our Banff Hotels

Day 10  Depart for Kamloops by motor coach in the sunny Okanagan via Kicking Horse Pass.  Pass over the Continental Divide and begin our slow downhill descent to the Pacific Ocean.  Travel through Yoho National Park, one of four parks that comprise a World Heritage Sight.  We arrive in the late afternoon at the "cattle country"  center of Kamloops for overnight. 

Day 11  We scoot along the shores of Kamloops Lake (Kamloops being a native word meaning "meeting of the lakes") and then shadow the mighty Frasier River past Hell's Gate Canyon.  We arrive in lovely VANCOUVER where our orientation tour includes Gastown (be sure to see the steam clock), Chinatown (second largest in North America), the harbor area and the famous Totem Poles at STANLEY PARK.  We can pre-book a harbor dinner cruise for you. or perhaps visit beautiful QUEEN ELIZABETH PARK.  Overnight at one of our Vancouver Hotels

Day 12  Transfer to the airport or you may choose to extend your stay and visit Vancouver and the largest island in North America, mighty Vancouver Island.  Those extending their stay can go whale watching, see BUTCHART GARDENS and the city of VICTORIA  on Vancouver Island or travel up to WHISTLER Resort area (North of Vancouver).   
We can pre-book  7 night ALASKA CRUISES at wholesale rates.

Fabulous cuisine & great views

   
Vermillion Lakes near Banff

Beautiful lake vistas

Banff Springs Hotel