15 Day Canada East To West By Rail
This tour is categorised as 3 out of 5
Balanced exploration with walking tours: Our most popular style, this tour offers a good mix of planned activities and free time. Expect moderate daily walking tours, so pack comfortable shoes.
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
This tour is fully escorted by a dedicated tour leader who will accompany you throughout the tour. If your tour includes multiple countries, you will be met by a new tour leader in each country and any internal flights included will be unescorted.
Inspiring Vacations has been globally recognised and awarded for its handling of COVID-19 during the pandemic. The safety and wellbeing of our guests is our highest concern during this time of uncertainty, and we are continuously monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation.
We have adopted the advice of the WHO to ensure all customers can travel with the knowledge of how to travel safely and with confidence.
Australian owned and operated with 100% Australian Customer Service support
We are proudly 100% Australian owned and operated, with our head office located in Melbourne, Victoria. When you make your booking, you will receive dedicated and ongoing support from our team of travel professionals throughout your booking, up until you are due to depart.
✓ Incredible sightseeing including the iconic cities of Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver & Ottawa, witness the beauty and power of the Niagara Falls, journey across Canada on The Canadian train, explore the breathtaking Rocky Mountains and Banff National Park, and board a scenic rail journey from Jasper to Vancouver
✓ 11 nights accommodation in central 3-star accommodation
✓ 3 nights on board the VIA Rail
✓ Breakfast daily, 4 lunches and 4 dinners
✓ English-speaking Tour Director throughout the tour
✓ Baggage handling (1 piece per person)
✓ Dedicated transportation as outlined in the itinerary
✓ All entrance fees and activities mentioned in the itinerary
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Arrive at Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport, Montreal. Independently transfer to your centrally-located hotel. After checking in with your tour director, the remainder of the day is free.
Today we begin the day with a tour of Montreal’s downtown area, featuring views of the Olympic Complex, charming Old Montreal, McGill University, the residential streets of Mount Royal and the bustling shopping district. The colonial history of this city that is a national centre for arts as music is evident at the turn of every corner. Artist alley, hundreds of restaurants and a vibrant night scene make it one of the most dynamic destinations in Canada. Overnight in Montreal.
After breakfast, we depart Montreal and head inland to the provincial border, travelling through the townships of western Quebec enroute to the Canada’s capital. The interior of Quebec maintains strong tie with their agricultural past, evident by the many farms that can be seen along the route.
Arriving in Ottawa, we discover the wonders of Canada’s capital. On our tour, we view the Parliament Buildings, residences of the Prime Minister and the Governor General, the Rideau Canal (designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site), among our stops. Overnight in Ottawa
Today we travel westward towards Toronto. The road travels through the pleasant Eastern Townships including the dramatic waterways of the Gananoque region, historic Kingston and Prince Edward County. Arriving in Toronto, take the remainder of the day and evening to do some independent exploration of the downtown area.
This morning after breakfast we set out to discover the many identities of the Canada’s most cosmopolitan city. After seeing the provincial parliament buildings, the waterfront, the imposing CN Tower and lively Chinatown, we leave the city and head for the Niagara Peninsula. We pass through outlying communities and towns along the shores of Lake Ontario en route to Niagara Falls. Time is allocated to admire the falls and take part in some of Niagara Falls numerous activities, such as an optional helicopter sightseeing flight, or Hornblower boat tour at the base of the falls
This morning after breakfast, we transfer to Union Station in Toronto and board The Canadian VIA Rail trail for our cross-country, 2-night journey! Your welcoming onboard hosts for the next 3 days provide all the amenities of the train. The industrial centres of southern Ontario soon give way to the sparsely populated forests and wetlands of Manitoba as night falls to the sway of the train. Overnight onboard The Canadian.
The wide open spaces of Canada’s fertile prairies are your backdrop today as you enjoy your second day of rail passage across Canada. Between wellprepared meals and attentive service, take some time and explore the train, perhaps even visiting the Skyline Car and its arching domed windows for a full 180 degree view of the golden fields of wheat that are often referred to as the Breadbasket of the World. Overnight on board The Canadian.
The sway of the train gently wakes you as you begin the final leg or your rail adventure. Leaving behind the western reaches of the prairies, the tended fields give way to the rugged rolling wild plains of the Alberta heartland. Travelling midway up the length and width of the province , we arrive in the evening in the provincial capital of Edmonton. disembark and check into our hotel.
Today you leave behind the capital and delve into the Rocky Mountains! Enroute, get a taste of the wonders to come as you cross into Banff National Park, a world-famous protected park that is home to incredible wildlife, unforgettable vistas and magnificent mountain villages. Arrive in Banff and take some time to explore this iconic Canadian destination.
After breakfast, depart on a captivating tour of Banff, revealing the glorious natural wonders, fascinating history and the local sights that make it one of the must-see destinations in the country. Afterwards, the rest of the day is at leisure. Perhaps take an optional ride on the Banff Gondola for a ski-high view of the town and mountains.
Today’s journey through Jasper and Banff National Parks promises to be a highlight of your holiday! Shortly after leaving Banff, we travel through a rugged wilderness flanked by dramatic vistas. Arriving at the Columbia Icefield, we board a specially constructed Ice Explorer to ride on the surface of the ancient Athabasca Glacier. Afterwards, we continue on to the quiet village of Jasper where the rest of the day is at leisure.
This morning after breakfast, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Jasper and its surroundings. Afterwards, perhaps, take advantage of some free time to embark on an optional Jasper rafting excursion, racing down the river as a professional guide skillfully navigates the rapids.
Today we board VIA Rail for a full-day and overnight train journey to Vancouver. Travel through the mountain passes and along the valleys as some of the most spectacular landscapes in Canada roll by just outside your window! Overnight on board Via Rail.
Our final train journey ends as we arrive at the Pacific coast and the gleaming towers of Vancouver. After disembarking the train, we depart on a tour of Vancouver with its unique mix of historic British culture and modern Asian influences. Afterwards, you may choose to do an optional flight simulator tour of Canada.
A time for last-minute shopping and farewells. Individual transfer to Vancouver International Airport in time to check in for your return flight.
Booking Process
Booking On Request:
COVID-19
Due to COVID there maybe disruptions to standard operating schedules of particular components of this itinerary. Should a component be effected a substitute will be confirmed prior to departure.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard.
Single Supplement
Single supplement is $2,390.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price.
Triple Share
Available upon request
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is required to protect yourself against the unexpected.
Visa & Passport information
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return.
Visas may be required.
Please note that these details are subject to change without notice. We recommend visiting https://smartraveller.gov.au for up to date information in terms of entry requirements.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation including, e-tickets and hotel details, will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Group Size
Group size varies from package to package. Depending on the services provided, the group size might range from private 2 person experiences up to coaches of 60 people depending on your selected holiday.
Tour Type - Fully Escorted
This tour is fully escorted by an expert English-speaking guide who will accompany you throughout the tour.
Children
Children must share a room with parents at all times and are charged the same price as adults.