Day 2  Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays  This morning, board the Rocky Mountaineer eastbound.  The Rocky Mountaineer is all daylight travel and is one of the most dramatic train trips in the World.   Our departure carries us through fascinating country as we emerge from the lush Delta Valley into Canada's only desert.  Dramatic scenery rolls by Hell's Gate as we parallel the mighty Thompson.  Arrive in Kamloops where we overnight in one of Rocky Mountaineer's hotels.  

Day 3  Re-board the train in the morning and continue east into Alberta.  We travel through rugged terrain, over Rogers Pass and experience the great Spiral Tunnels (where the train circles around inside a mountain and comes out over itself).  Roll on through 5 mountain ranges to the arrive in Banff in time for supper.  Transfer to one of our Banff hotels. 

Day 4  Pickup your car rental in Banff and then explore the beauty of the Rockies.  Perhaps travel the beautiful Bow Valley Expressway to JOHNSTON CANYON where you can stroll past seven waterfalls.  Drive to beautiful MORAINE LAKE to see its mystical green waters and then visit LAKE LOUISE.  Visitors come from all over the World to stand before the lake.  Return to BANFF TOWN for overnight.  What a great day!  Overnight Banff

Day 5  Drive to the edge of town and take a gondola ride up Sulfur Mountain for splendid views of the Banff Springs and the Bow Valley.  Perhaps soak in the Banff Upper Hotsprings or maybe take a cruise onto LAKE MINNEWANKA.  A short drive from VERMILION LAKES.  Overnight at one of our Banff Hotels

Day 6  Depart Banff for Jasper on paved highways along the Icefields Parkway.  This is one of the most scenic drives on earth.  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  some of the most enchanting spots on earth.   Arrive in lovely Jasper.

Day 7  This morning visit charming JASPER and, above the townsite, beautiful PYRAMID LAKE.   40 minutes from Jasper you can take a 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.  Those staying for additional nights can travel on their own a few miles to the south of  Jasper to the JASPER GONDOLA.  The views from the "Whistlers" of the valleys and peaks are outstanding.  ATHABASCA FALLS and  HORSESHOE LAKE or a very short drive from here.  Overnight at one of our Jasper Hotels

Day 8  Wednesday, Saturday, Monday  Drop off your car rental and board VIA Rail's trans-continental train at 12:20PM.  The great peaks of the Rockies give way to foothills and then rolling prairies as we cross the great prairies.   Enter the province of Saskatchewan, the breadbasket of Canada.   

Day 9  Roll through Manitoba and past thousands of lakes onto the Canadian Shield.  The railway tracks here are built on the hardest rock on earth. 

Day 10  Enjoy sumptuous meals as we continue through the cottage country of Ontario and into Toronto, Ontario.  Arrive at 8:00PM and transfer to one of our downtown Toronto hotels.

Day 11  Check out and end of services
 
Those extending their trip can add extra hotel night(s) in Toronto and an excursion to NIAGARA FALLS including an exciting "Maid of the Mist" cruise for a close up look at the falls (subject to favorable weather).   Alternatively you may choose to spend time exploring Toronto's many shopping, attractions and museums.   An optional dinner in the World's tallest free standing structure, the CN Tower is a great idea for the evening.  Overnight Toronto  

   
Fabulous cuisine and scenery

Vermilion Lakes have many moods

Incomparable Lake Louise and Victoria Glacier