Canadian Train Odyssey (8960)

15 days from Toronto to Vancouver

2021 Tour Details

This cross-country adventure across Canada begins in Toronto, ends in Vancouver, and includes beautiful scenery and fun-filled activities in some of Canada’s most popular cities. A highlight of this Canada train tour is the 3-day, 3-night journey on VIA Rail’s® the Canadian—a premier continental train—from Toronto to Jasper. In refurbished art deco rail cars and domed observation cars, enjoy views of the ever-changing landscapes as you leisurely travel through Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.

The spectacular landscapes on your train trip are not the only stunning scenery you’ll witness on this Canada rail tour. Marvel at hypnotic Niagara Falls on your boat cruise past the falls. In the Canadian Rockies, ride the Ice Explorer—an all-terrain vehicle—on Columbia Icefield, an expanse of ice that is 1,200-feet thick. Stop in breathtaking Lake Louise, where cold waters mirror the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Spend time in stunning Jasper National Park—with its rugged mountains, glaciers, alpine meadows, rivers, and abundant wildlife—and Banff National Park, home to majestic mountains and picture-perfect scenery. Also travel through Yoho National Park, with its famous fossils, and Glacier National Park, with its abundant wildlife. From the Pacific Coast, sail to Victoria through the scenic Gulf Islands. In Victoria, visit world-famous Butchart Gardens with its 55 acres of floral displays.

Throughout this Canada train tour, enjoy sightseeing in the cities and time to explore on your own. You may want to dine at the top of Toronto’s CN Tower, take an optional float trip on the Athabasca River in Jasper, hike in Banff, enjoy Afternoon Tea at Victoria’s Empress Hotel, or shop Vancouver’s Robson Street.

See Canada’s spectacular mountain scenery, stunning lakes, picturesque towns, gentle prairie fields, and exciting cities on this Canadian rail tour—what a fantastic vacation!

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Canadian Train Odyssey map

 Photo Highlights

The following UNESCO World Heritage Sites can be seen or visited on this vacation:

  • Banff National Park
  • Jasper National Park
  • Yoho National Park

 Meals

 Meals & Itinerary

3 breakfast, 3 lunches, 3 dinners


Notes:

Maximum elevation on tour: 9,900 ft.

 Itinerary

Day 1 TORONTO

Welcome to Toronto! Your Tour Director is on hand late this afternoon to answer any questions.

Day 2 TORONTO. EXCURSION TO NIAGARA FALLS

Leave bustling Toronto and travel along the shores of Lake Ontario to Niagara Falls. Sightseeing here includes the Niagara Falls sightseeing cruise past the world-famous falls. Return to Toronto and enjoy a sightseeing tour that includes City Hall, the downtown banking district, Rogers Centre, and stunning CN Tower—more than a third of a mile high. Spend the evening exploring the city sights on your own, or join the optional outing that combines dinner with the spectacular sight of Toronto’s skyline from the CN Tower.

NOTE:
Operation of the Niagara Falls sightseeing cruise is subject to favorable weather and/or river conditions. When unfavorable conditions exist, a walking tour through the scenic tunnels will be substituted.

Day 3 TORONTO–VIA RAIL THE CANADIAN

This morning, transfer to Union Station for a departure on The Canadian, VIA Rail’s premier transcontinental train. Spend the next three days and nights on this classic trip across Canada’s heartland. Your Sleeper-Plus class rail cars are refurbished art-deco cars from the 1950s. Domed observation cars let you enjoy views of the Canadian countryside as you roll past Ontario’s landscapes. Chef-prepared meals offer a tempting array of soups, salads, main courses, and desserts.

Breakfast Breakfast
DinnerDinner

Day 4 VIA RAIL THE CANADIAN

Today, watch the scenery as you whisk by the ever-changing Canadian landscape and travel the full length of the Canadian National Railway’s breathtaking mainline.

Breakfast Breakfast
DinnerDinner

Day 5 VIA RAIL THE CANADIAN

The Canadian glides through Winnipeg, before continuing the journey through Manitoba’s prairies and into Saskatchewan.

Breakfast Breakfast
DinnerDinner

Day 6 VIA RAIL THE CANADIAN–JASPER NATIONAL PARK

Arrive in Jasper this morning and enjoy an orientation tour of the townsite. The remainder of your day is free to enjoy the ambiance of this delightful mountain setting.

Day 7 JASPER NATIONAL PARK

Consider an optional trip to Maligne Lake for a narrated cruise to much-photographed Spirit Island. On the return journey, stop to view mighty Maligne Canyon. With free time this afternoon, maybe hike on the trails and watch for wildlife, or stroll the streets of Jasper. Perhaps an optional float trip on the Athabasca River to end the day?

Day 8 JASPER NATIONAL PARK–COLUMBIA ICEFIELD–LAKE LOUISE–BANFF NATIONAL PARK

Board your motorcoach this morning and journey through Jasper National Park, stopping along the way at the Columbia Icefield to experience the Ice Explorer, an all-terrain vehicle that travels on ice measuring 750 feet (250 meters) thick. Continue down Icefields Parkway to Lake Louise, where cold waters mirror the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Arrive in Banff National Park for a leisurely 2-night stay. An orientation tour includes Banff’s unspoiled beauty.

Day 9 BANFF NATIONAL PARK

This morning, consider an optional helicopter ride over the Canadian Rockies. The day is free to independently explore this resort town located within Banff National Park. Stroll Banff Avenue, the main thoroughfare of boutiques and souvenir shops. The surrounding 2,564 square miles of parkland are home to wildlife, including elk and grizzly bear. This evening, your Tour Director will suggest an optional horse-drawn wagon ride along scenic trails, followed by a BBQ Steak dinner.

Day 10 BANFF NATIONAL PARK–YOHO NATIONAL PARK–GLACIER NATIONAL PARK–KAMLOOPS

This morning, leave Banff National Park and travel over Kicking Horse Pass on the Continental Divide. Travel through Yoho National Park, where pre-Cambrian fossils were discovered, and Glacier National Park, where recreational mountain climbing was introduced to North America a century ago. Late this afternoon, arrive at the cattle-ranching center of Kamloops.

Day 11 KAMLOOPS–FERRY CROSSING–VICTORIA

As you travel through the Coast Mountain Range to its majestic Pacific coastline, the vegetation changes from desert landscape to lush alpine forest. Board your afternoon ferry for the spectacular crossing to Vancouver Island. Sightseeing in Victoria includes the world-famous Butchart Gardens, the Inner Harbour, Bastion Square, and Thunderbird Park. This evening, consider strolling along the Waterfront Promenade.

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 12 VICTORIA

Be sure to discover some of the attractions this splendid city has to offer, including the Royal British Columbia Museum, Afternoon Tea at the Empress Hotel, a whale-watching cruise on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and fine shopping along Government Street.

Day 13 VICTORIA–FERRY CROSSING–VANCOUVER

This morning, set sail across the Strait of Georgia and through the spectacular Gulf Islands, an archipelago known for its Mediterranean-like climate. In Vancouver, city sightseeing includes Stanley Park, Gastown, Chinatown, and many other famous landmarks. The remainder of the day is free to explore Robson Street and experience British Columbia’s premier shopping and entertainment location.

Day 14 VANCOUVER

Today is at leisure for independent sightseeing. Maybe take a water taxi to lively Granville Island with its outdoor markets, street musicians, and waterfront cafés. Or, re-visit historic Gastown with its steam-powered clock, antique shops, art galleries, and street vendors.

Day 15 VANCOUVER

Your vacation ends this morning.



Transportation:

Private bedroom on VIA Rail’s the Canadian® train from Toronto to Jasper in Sleeper Plus class; ferry crossing to/from Vancouver Island; private, deluxe, air-conditioned motorcoach while touring with free Wi-Fi.

 Tour Director

With COSMOS, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of a Tour Director. We’d like you to meet one of our Tour Directors, who average over a decade of experience and are representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

SUE LANDRY

Escorting tours for more than 10 years

“Growing up in a family hotel business, I have interacted with the traveling public since I was a child. I have over 35 years of experience in the travel industry and have guided tours in Canada and Europe since 1996. After living in Denmark and traveling the world, I currently call Halifax, Nova Scotia home and it is my privilege to share this beautiful country of Canada, both the east and west coast, with visitors from around the world.”

Tour Director - SUE LANDRY

 Accommodations

 Optional Excursions

No matter what you’re into: food, wine, history, art, music or anything else, we give you the freedom to personalize your vacation with optional excursions that speak to your interests.

When you book your excursions with us, you can be assured that every optional excursion that we offer coordinates with the free time that you'll have in your destination, so you'll never have conflicts between included and optional activities. Our team of travel experts carefully selects each optional excursion that we offer to ensure that you receive the highest quality at a great value. Our tried-and-true partners have a finger on the pulse of the city in which they operate so they deliver the very best experiences. We offer experiences you cannot create on your own and because you’re booking with us, we coordinate all your transportation and timing needs.

The following optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These may or may not be offered, and availability is subject to days of operation and seasonality. Please select a departure date to view optional excursions and pricing for a specific date (due to currency fluctuation, pricing shown is subject to change until purchased). Optional excursions are available for purchase on our MyCosmos site 90 days prior to the tour start date.

Price Ranges

$ ($50 USD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 USD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 USD)
$$$$ (Over $150)


Toronto
Jasper National Park
Banff National Park
Victoria
Vancouver

Toronto

Niagara Helicopter Sightseeing

Niagara Helicopter Sightseeing

Take a thrilling ride over the most famous falls in North America. As the helicopter gently lifts off the awe-inspiring views of the Niagara Region begin to appear below.

Price Range: $$$

CN Tower Dinner Experience

CN Tower Dinner Experience

Your dinner location this evening, high atop the CN Tower, features unforgettable food combined with a magnificent revolving view of Toronto and Lake Ontario.

Price Range: $$

Jasper National Park

Maligne Lake Cruise to Spirit Island

Maligne Lake Cruise to Spirit Island

Immerse yourself in the very essence of the Canadian Rockies on this exceptional cruise across the glacial waters of Maligne Lake to legendary Spirit Island!

Price Range: $$

Athabasca River Float Trip

Athabasca River Float Trip

Enjoy some of Jasper National Park's very best scenery from water level on this exciting rafting float trip along the Athabasca River!

Price Range: $$

Magical Mystical Maligne Canyon Walk

Magical Mystical Maligne Canyon Walk

Take an exciting walk on the edge of Jasper National Park's deepest accessible canyon on this exhilarating guided excursion to Maligne Canyon.

Price Range: $$

Banff National Park

Helicopter Tours

Helicopter Tours

Discover unparalleled views of Banff National Park and the Canadian Rockies region by helicopter. There are several options to choose from, but all deliver spectacular opportunities for a once in a lifetime experience in the Rockies.

Price Range: $$$$

Victoria

Victoria Zipline Adventure

Victoria Zipline Adventure

Experience the exhilaration of ziplining through a coastal temperate rainforest with magnificent mountain and ocean views.

Price Range: $$

Victoria Panorama by Seaplane

Victoria Panorama by Seaplane

Take to the skies during this thrilling, 20-minute seaplane flight over Victoria Harbour and the rugged coast of Vancouver Island!

Price Range: $$

Marine Wildlife & Whale-Watching Expedition

Marine Wildlife & Whale-Watching Expedition

Discover the wildlife wonders of Vancouver Island during this inspiring cruise in search for the area's abundant marine animals and resident pods of orca whales!

Price Range: $$$

Vancouver

Vancouver Sunset Dinner Cruise

Vancouver Sunset Dinner Cruise

Take in the sights and sounds of the city while cruising past the magnificent Vancouver skyline at night while enjoying live music and delicious West Coast-themed cuisine.

Price Range: $$

Whistler Day Trip

Whistler Day Trip

Experience one of the world's most scenic drives as you journey along the Sea to Sky Highway to the majestic resort of Whistler, home to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games!

Price Range: $$$

Grouse Mountain & Capilano Suspension Bridge

Grouse Mountain & Capilano Suspension Bridge

From suspension bridges and treetop viewing platforms, to fish ladders and mountain gondolas, this sightseeing tour to Vancouver's North Shore is the ultimate tour for thrill-seekers and nature lovers.

Price Range: $$$



* The "Starting at" or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include International airfare; additional fees/charges are not included. If a price is crossed out, the new price includes a limited time promotional offer(s) – please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Cosmos).