Great Canadian Rail Journey
Great Canadian Rail Journey
Great Canadian Rail Journey
14 Days Starting in Toronto, Canada and ending in Vancouver, Canada
Visiting: Toronto, Niagara Falls, Winnipeg, Saskatchewan, Jasper, Banff, Kamloops, Victoria, Vancouver, North America
Tour operator:
Tour code:
CZ-2025
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
0 - 36
Age range:
5-99
Special diets catered:
Please Advise Request
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the Great Canadian Rail Journey, an unforgettable adventure through the heart of Canada. Experience the majestic beauty of Niagara Falls on a thrilling sightseeing cruise, traverse the stunning landscapes of Jasper National Park on the Icefields Parkway, and ride the Ice Explorer on Athabasca Glacier. Enjoy scenic cruises to Spirit Island on Maligne Lake and explore the enchanting Butchart Gardens. This tour includes guided sightseeing in Toronto, Jasper, Banff, Kamloops, Victoria, and Vancouver, with comfortable accommodations and delicious meals throughout. Travel by coach and VIA Rail’s premier transcontinental train, The Canadian, and take a BC Ferry ride through the picturesque Gulf Islands to Vancouver Island.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive In Toronto,Ontario
Location: Toronto
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel
At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome drink.
Day 2: Toronto. Excursion To Niagara Falls
Location: Niagara Falls
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Drive along the shores of Lake Ontario to Niagara Falls. Take a Niagara Falls sightseeing cruise for a thrilling boat ride to view the thundering falls from river level. Return to Toronto for an orientation drive before a special dinner atop the 1,815-foot-tall CN Tower.
Day 3: Toronto,Via Rail The Canadian,Ontario
Location: Toronto
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, head to Union Station for departure on the Canadian, VIA Rail’s premier transcontinental train. On VIA Rail, during the day your cabin for two offers armchairs, toilet, and a picture window. By night it transforms into upper and lower beds where guests must be able to climb a ladder to reach the upper bed. If you are a single passenger, your cabin by day features small couch-style seating, toilet and sink, and a large picture window. By night, an economy of space requires the pull-down bed to fill the space (obstructing the furniture and bathroom facilities). Public restrooms are available on each coach. Train travel is subject to unforeseen delays.
Day 4: Via Rail The Canadian,Ontario,Winnipeg,Manitoba
Location: Winnipeg
Accommodation Name: Rail train
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Your exciting travel on the VIA Rail train continues through Ontario and Manitoba.
Day 5: Via Rail The Canadian,Manitoba & Saskatchewan
Location: Saskatchewan
Accommodation Name: Rail train
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Continue through the picturesque prairies and winding rivers of Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
Day 6: Via Rail The Canadian,Saskatchewan,Jasper,Alberta
Location: Jasper
Accommodation Name: Rail train
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel from Saskatchewan to Jasper. Admire the scenery as your train roughly parallels the famed Yellowhead Route, Canada’s historic trail of westward expansion. Arrive in Jasper for an orientation drive and free time this evening.
Day 7: Jasper. Excursion To Maligne Lake
Location: Jasper
Accommodation Name: Chateau Jasper
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Travel through Jasper’s unspoiled beauty to glacial Maligne Canyon to stunning Maligne Lake for lunch and a narrated scenic cruise to Spirit Island. Return to Jasper where the balance of the day is at leisure to explore Jasper on your own.
Day 8: Jasper,Columbia Icefield,Lake Louise,Banff
Location: Banff
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Banff Park Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Head south through Jasper National Park on Icefields Parkway to the Columbia Icefield for a thrilling Ice Explorer ride on Athabasca Glacier with a Glaciologist guide. Climb Sunwapta Pass to savor stunning vistas of alpine meadows, waterfalls, and massive glaciers. Next, stop at Lake Louise, whose green-blue waters form a perfect mirror reflection of Mount Victoria. Continue into Banff.
Day 9: Banff
Location: Banff
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Banff Park Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast
Guided sightseeing includes Bow River and Falls. The balance of the day is at leisure. Consider an optional flightseeing trip for a bird’s-eye view of the Rockies.
Day 10: Banff,Kamloops
Location: Kamloops
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: South Thompson Inn Guest Ranch & Conference Centre
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, travel through the spectacular beauty of Yoho National Park, one of Canada’s most popular recreational areas and site of pre-Cambrian fossil finds. On to Canada’s Glacier National Park, where the motorcoach climbs 4,379-foot-high Rogers Pass, a perfect spot for photos of the surrounding mountain cliffs and glaciers. Continue to your riverside resort. Tonight, enjoy a [LF] riverside BBQ with S’mores.
Day 11: Kamloops,Victoria
Location: Victoria
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Inn At Laurel Point
Meals Included: Breakfast
Continue west and catch a BC Ferry to Vancouver Island. An orientation tour of Victoria includes the gardens of Beacon Hill Park, the Fairmont Empress Hotel, Bastion Square, and Thunderbird Park. Free time this evening—enjoy dinner on your own at one of the many restaurants in this harbor city.
Day 12: Victoria
Location: Victoria
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Inn At Laurel Point
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
The morning and afternoon is at leisure for independent sightseeing and shopping. For shoppers, Government Street’s elegant shops and Market Square’s collection of specialty stores are good places to start. History buffs should be sure to visit the Royal British Columbia Museum. Later, visit [LF] Butchart Gardens, followed by a special farewell dinner in the original, now restored, greenhouse.
Day 13: Victoria,Vancouver
Location: Vancouver
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Listel Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Take the BC Ferry through the Gulf Islands, an archipelago known for its Mediterranean-type climate. Arrive in Vancouver for a city tour that includes the Waterfront, Chinatown, and Stanley Park with its towering evergreen forests and totem poles. Free time this evening to enjoy this vibrant city on your own.
Day 14: Vancouver
Location: Vancouver
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
What's Included
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Accommodations
Stay in comfortable hotels throughout the journey, including Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, Chateau Jasper, Banff Park Lodge, South Thompson Inn Guest Ranch & Conference Centre, Inn at Laurel Point, and The Listel Hotel Vancouver.
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Meals
Enjoy breakfast daily, 4 lunches, and 7 dinners, including special dinners and a riverside BBQ with S'mores.
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Transportation
Travel by coach and experience a scenic train ride on VIA Rail's premier transcontinental train, The Canadian, with accommodations provided.
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Sightseeing and Excursions
Guided sightseeing tours in Toronto, Niagara Falls, Jasper, Banff, Kamloops, Victoria, and Vancouver, including visits to major attractions and parks.
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Special Experiences
Enjoy a Niagara Falls sightseeing cruise, an Ice Explorer ride on Athabasca Glacier, a scenic cruise to Spirit Island on Maligne Lake, and a visit to Butchart Gardens.
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Ferry Rides
Take the BC Ferry through the Gulf Islands to Vancouver Island and enjoy the scenic views.
What's Not Included
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers to ensure protection against unforeseen events.
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Airport Transfers
Airport transfers on arrival and departure days are not included unless specified.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, mini-bar, room service, and other discretionary spending are not included.
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Optional Activities
Optional activities and excursions not listed in the itinerary are available at an additional cost.
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Gratuities
Gratuities for tour director, drivers, and local guides are not included and are at your discretion.
Meals
Breakfast daily, 4 lunches, 7 dinners
Notes
Operation of the Niagara Falls sightseeing cruise is subject to favorable weather and/or river conditions. Favorable conditions usually exist from May to mid-October. When weather is unfavorable, a walking tour through the scenic tunnels will be substituted.Due to the frequent use of this railroad for other services, delays may occur during the journey.One guest will be required to climb a ladder to reach the upper berth in a double cabin.Visiting and participating in activities in this region may be subject to favorable weather conditions.
Small Group
Globus offers Small-Group Discoveries on select North America dates. A Small-Group Discovery is limited to an average of just 24 guests per departure. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Globus escorted tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery trip is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds.
UNESCO Sites
Banff National Park|Jasper National Park|Yoho National Park
Accommodation
Stay in comfortable hotels throughout the journey, including Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, Chateau Jasper, Banff Park Lodge, South Thompson Inn Guest Ranch & Conference Centre, Inn at Laurel Point, and The Listel Hotel Vancouver.
Mode of Transport
Travel by coach and experience a scenic train ride on VIA Rail's premier transcontinental train, The Canadian, with accommodations provided.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of accommodations are provided during the Great Canadian Rail Journey?
The tour includes stays in comfortable hotels such as Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, Chateau Jasper, Banff Park Lodge, South Thompson Inn Guest Ranch & Conference Centre, Inn at Laurel Point, and The Listel Hotel Vancouver. Additionally, accommodations are provided on VIA Rail's premier transcontinental train, The Canadian.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, the tour package includes breakfast daily, 4 lunches, and 7 dinners. Special dinners and a riverside BBQ with S'mores are also part of the package.
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What kind of transportation is used during the tour?
Transportation includes travel by coach and a scenic train ride on VIA Rail's premier transcontinental train, The Canadian. Additionally, there are ferry rides, including a BC Ferry ride through the Gulf Islands to Vancouver Island.
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What special experiences are included in the tour?
Special experiences include a Niagara Falls sightseeing cruise, an Ice Explorer ride on Athabasca Glacier, a scenic cruise to Spirit Island on Maligne Lake, and a visit to Butchart Gardens.
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Are there any optional activities available during the tour?
Yes, there are optional activities and excursions available at an additional cost. For example, on Day 9 in Banff, you can consider an optional flightseeing trip for a bird’s-eye view of the Rockies.
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What should I know about the train accommodations on VIA Rail's The Canadian?
During the day, your cabin for two offers armchairs, a toilet, and a picture window. By night, it transforms into upper and lower beds, with one guest required to climb a ladder to reach the upper berth. Single passengers have a cabin with couch-style seating, a toilet, and a sink, which transforms into a pull-down bed at night. Public restrooms are available on each coach. Train travel is subject to unforeseen delays.
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What are the highlights of the guided sightseeing tours included in the package?
Guided sightseeing tours are included in Toronto, Niagara Falls, Jasper, Banff, Kamloops, Victoria, and Vancouver. These tours cover major attractions and parks, such as Bow River and Falls in Banff, and the gardens of Beacon Hill Park in Victoria.
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Is travel insurance included in the tour package?
No, travel insurance is not included in the tour package. It is recommended for all travelers to ensure protection against unforeseen events.
-
Are airport transfers included in the tour package?
Airport transfers on arrival and departure days are not included unless specified.
-
What personal expenses are not covered by the tour package?
Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, mini-bar, room service, and other discretionary spending are not included in the tour package.
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Are gratuities included in the tour package?
No, gratuities for the tour director, drivers, and local guides are not included and are at your discretion.
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What should I know about the Niagara Falls sightseeing cruise?
The operation of the Niagara Falls sightseeing cruise is subject to favorable weather and/or river conditions, which usually exist from May to mid-October. When weather is unfavorable, a walking tour through the scenic tunnels will be substituted.
-
What is the Small-Group Discovery option?
Globus offers Small-Group Discoveries on select North America dates, limited to an average of just 24 guests per departure. This option includes all the features of a traditional Globus escorted tour, with extra space between travelers and a focus on health and safety.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
For over 90 years.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
The Globus Lighthouse Project - an illuminating initiative where we can all come together to tread lightly and give generously for the globe's greater good. Globus, along with sister companies Avalon Waterways and Cosmos, invite our travellers and partners to help us in supporting causes that provide for a more sustainable planet and a brighter tomorrow.
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Low Deposit
Globus requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of globus charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.