The Canadian by Train and Car

 From Winnipeg    7  Days or More   
VIA Rail and CAR  OR  VAN RENTAL
(tourCW108)

Travel by train across the Canadian Shield and see the grandeur of the prairies in "Silver and Blue Service".   Arrive in Jasper and pick up your rental car.  Your hotels are pre-booked and you have total freedom to hike, explore, dine and breath in the fresh mountain air.  The Icefields Parkway, south of Jasper is one of the most amazing drivers anywhere and you can do it all at your own pace.  Wow!

Day 1  Wednesday/Friday Our incredible train journey commences!  Board VIA Rail train at Winnipeg's downtown train station.  Dinner is served aboard this evening.   You will love the international cuisine served by VIA's super-friendly staff.   Enjoy the scenery roll by your picture windows and appreciate the long Canadian summer days.  Your porter will prepare your sleeping accommodations for the evening.     VIA RAIL BEDROOMS  /  DINING CAR  /  DOME CAR  /  PARK-LOUNGE CAR

Day 2 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  

Day 3 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 via the Valley of the  FIVE LAKES for your overnight.

Day 4  Saturday/ Monday/Wednesday  Depart in your rental car to the south on the Icefields Parkway.  Stop at ATHABASCA FALLS Sunwapta Falls and continue south to the massive Columbia Icefields.  Here you can board a Brewster Sno-coach and ride onto ATHABASCA GLACIER.  This is one of the largest and most accessible glaciers in the western hemisphere.  Near to here is the spot where 3 rivers flow to 3 oceans.  This is unique on Earth.  Stop for lunch and continue south.  Be sure to take the PEYTO LAKE turnoff  and see the amazing baby blue waters of the Lake.  It is quite a contrast to the aqua green waters of other glacial lakes in the Rockies.  Continue past 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 at one of our Banff Hotels

Day 5  Sunday/ Tuesday/Thursday  We recommend driving the Bow Valley Expressway to 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.  Overnight at one of our Banff Hotels

Day 6  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 7 Tuesday/ Thursday/Saturday  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). 

We can pre-book  7 night ALASKA CRUISES at wholesale rates.

Perhaps drive northeast to Edmonton to visit West Edmonton Mall and Fort Edmonton Park.  The drive is 4 hours and 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)

   
Amazing views and terrific food in the dining car

   
Vermilion Lakes


The castle-like Banff Springs hotel
 


Stunning Lake Louise


Map shows option that continues to Vancouver but you can choose to fly home from Calgary
This tour can also be booked in the opposite direction
MORE TOURS FROM WINNIPEG

Summer tours from only $1,756CAD, per person, including tax, twin occupancy.

We recommend travel insurance.
Initial non refundable deposits are $250USD 
with final payment due 45 days prior to departure

We include:   Via Rail Trans-Canada train journey including private bedroom (all meals are included aboard the train but not on motor coach tours or in hotels), tourist-class or superior hotels across Canada, car rental.   Checked baggage is not available on the train, smaller overnight bag is recommended.
 

 
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Or we can custom build one for you!
 


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