Toronto to Victoria

Day 1 Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday Board VIA Rail in Toronto (9:00AM) and unpack for the next 2 nights aboard VIA's magnificent 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 trip. Enjoy delicious lunches and dinners in the dining car. All meals included.
VIA RAIL BEDROOMS / DINING CAR / DOME CAR / PARK-LOUNGE CAR

Day 2 Wednesday/Friday/Sunday 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. Our porter will turn down your bedding for the night. How about a night cap in the Park Car Lounge this evening before bed?

Day 3 Thursday/Saturday/Monday Enjoy a delicious breakfast and relax as we forge across the great wheatfields of Saskatchewan before our morning arrival into Edmonton, capital and oil capital of North America. After a brief stop we continue the train journey to the "Jewel of the Canadian Rockies" Jasper, Alberta. Disembark and pick up your car or van rental in the train station. Drive the short distance to your chosen hotel in Jasper. Unpack for 2 nights

Fabulous cuisine and scenery

Day 4 Friday/Sunday/Tuesday We recommend exploring the Jasper area including beautiful PYRAMID LAKE, a cruise of magnificent MALIGNE LAKE (45 minutes east of Jasper) 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 and Medicine Lake is known to disappear into the ground. Not too far from here is MIETTE HOTSPRINGS, Canada's hottest. South of Jasper, and very close are HORSESHOE LAKE and the JASPER GONDOLA. The tram is highly recommended and the hearty hiker can enjoy the Whistlers Trail at the top. The restaurant is a great place for soup and a hot coffee. Return to Jasper for your overnight.
Day 5 Saturday/Monday/Wednesday Depart in your rental car to the south on the Icefields Parkway. Stop at BOW LAKE south to LAKE LOUISE, one of the most enchanting spots on earth. We see the reflections of the mountains in her aqua blue waters and we'll find out how rock flour helps the water retain its mesmerizing color. Continue further into BANFF NATIONAL PARK to the majestic town of BANFF. Overnight in one of our Banff hotels.

Day 6 Sunday/Tuesday/Thursday LAKE LOUISE and nearby MORAINE LAKE. Consider hiking up to the teahouse which overlooks Lake Louise (moderate difficulty) or have lunch in the fabulous Chateau Lake Louise. This afternoon consider a visit to JOHNSTON CANYON where you can hike the trail up to seven different waterfalls and the famous Ink Pots.
Day 7 Monday/Wednesday/Friday You have another day to visit Banff including the ride up Sulfur Mountain Gondola on the BANFF GONDOLA. The views at the top are spectacular. Perhaps some shopping or soak in the curative waters of the Banff Hotsprings. IF you are not staying at the Banff Springs Five star hotel you might want to step inside for a visit. It is like a castle in the Rockies! Overnight Banff
Day 8 Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday Check out of hotel. Transfer to Calgary International Airport OR we can arrange more sightseeing including VANCOUVER, BUTCHART GARDENS and the city of VICTORIA on Vancouver Island or travel up to WHISTLER Resort area (North of Vancouver). ALASKA CRUISES at wholesale rates.

OTHER OPTIONS
You can drive northeast to Edmonton (3 hours) to visit West Edmonton Mall. Edmonton has an international airport.

You can stay longer and enjoy the many great hikes and sights of Banff and Jasper National Parks (Both Unessco World Heritage Sights)

Vermilion Lakes have many moods

Incomparable Lake Louise / Victoria Glacier

Private Tour Guide
& Vehicle??