CANADA BY RAIL IN WINTER
CANADIAN ROCKIES, BANFF, JASPER,TORONTO AND NIAGARA FALLS
ACROSS CANADA ON VIA RAIL'S FLAGSHIP TRAIN 'THE CANADIAN'
Join us for a two week tour of Canada in winter. Visit Grouse Mountain in Vancouver, Jasper and Banff in the Canadian Rockies, Sunwupta Falls, Maligne Lake, Lake Louise and the Icefields Parkway, and enjoy the four night journey across Canada aboard Via Rail’s flagship train the Canadian to Toronto - stunning scenery, great rail journeys and wonderful nature. Our tour concludes with Niagara Falls (with ice and snow) and a warming wine tasting and luncheon at one of Niagara-on-the Lake’s best vineyard restaurants. The tour features first class hotel accommodation.
Date : Thursday 22 January to Thursday 5 February 2015
Highlights include:
* Enjoy the beautiful winter scenery from the lounge,
dining, observation and sleeping cars
* Rocky Mountains, Prairies and the Canadian Shield
* Famous Fairmont Hotels in Vancouver and Toronto
* Rimrock Resort Hotel and Hot Springs in Banff
* Icefields Parkway scenery, Lake Louise ice magic
* Jasper and Banff Gondolas to mountain peaks
* Niagara Falls with ice and snow
Day 1
Australia to Canada
Depart from Australia and fly direct to Vancouver, British Columbia. As you cross the International Date Line, you’ll arrive in Vancouver the morning of the same calendar day. Air Canada offers a direct service, however other options are possible via Japan with Japan Airlines, or through the USA with Qantas – we’ll discuss your travel preferences with you. On arrival in Vancouver we’ll transfer to our hotel (where we have arranged an early check-in to your room for you to freshen up), before setting out to explore. Vancouver is surrounded by stunning natural beauty – mountains, the ocean, rainforests and Stanley Park. With a warmer climate than eastern Canada, we’ll explore the city. Enjoy a late afternoon/ early evening stroll in the colourful and vibrant city foreshore, and then dinner at one of many excellent restaurants – the ethnic mix of Vancouver offers myriad variety, and pacific seafood is famous. Overnight the Fairmont Hotel, Vancouver. (L/D aboard the flight)
Day 2
Vancouver and aboard the Canadian
A day exploring the city of Vancouver, the harbour and North Vancouver. We’ll visit Granville Island, catch the cable car to Grouse Mountain for fine views over the city and harbour, and ride the sky train and sea bus. We enjoy an early dinner tonight (included) before transferring around 7.00pm to Vancouver’s Pacific Station to join the Canadian. Enjoy the comfortable sleeping compartments aboard, the skyline dome car, Park Car with its observation dome and lounge, and quality dining in the restaurant cars. Overnight aboard the Canadian to Jasper. (D)
Day 3
the Rocky Mountains and Jasper
A morning and early afternoon of sightseeing through the Rocky Mountains from the warmth and comfort of the Canadian. Enjoy sunrise shortly after departure from Kamloops, and the spectacular Rocky Mountains scenery whilst enjoying breakfast and then lunch. A mid afternoon arrival into Jasper, we transfer the short distance to the hotel. Enjoy an evening meal in Jasper at one of the many restaurants catering for the winter tourists. Overnight Jasper. (B/L)
Day 4
Jasper National Park and the Icefields Parkway to Banff
A mid morning departure as we head south along the Icefields Parkway towards Banff. We’ll visit Sunwupta Falls, Athabasca Glacier, Peyto and Bow Lakes, and travel between the mountain peaks. On arrival in Banff we check in to the excellent Rimrock Resort Hotel, perched on the edge of the Banff National Park, and adjacent to the excellent natural hot spring pools. Enjoy dinner at the hotel, or in one of the many restaurants in downtown Banff. Overnight Rimrock Resort, Banff. (B)
Day 5
Banff National Park and Lake Louise
After breakfast we’ll head out for sightseeing. We ride the Banff Gondola for views over the town and National Park. We will then drive to Lake Louise for lunch, visiting the famous Fairmont Lake Louise Chalet, for fine views over the frozen lake. We return to Banff, explore the township, then visit the hot springs opposite our hotel. Dinner is included tonight at the Rimrock Resort. Overnight at the Rimrock Resort, Banff. (B/D)
Day 6
The Icefields Parkway to Jasper and Maligne Lake
After breakfast we have a mid morning departure north back to Jasper. Jasper is the largest and most northerly of the
Canadian rocky mountain national parks, part of a spectacular World Heritage Site. Comprised of delicate and carefully
protected ecosystems, Jasper's scenery is none-the-less rugged and mountainous. Enjoy the serene beauty of Mount
Edith Cavell, and visit Maligne Lake and walk along the edge of the deep canyon carved by the Maligne River over
hundreds of thousands of years. Overnight Jasper. (B)
Day 7
Jasper National Park
A relaxing morning to explore the town of Jasper, visit the National Park Visitor’s Centre, some more local sightseeing,
including a ride on the Jasper Tramway for a spectacular view over the town and national park. It is the highest and
longest aerial tramway in Canada. Built in 1964 it ascends to a height of 2,277m above sea level, and offers
commanding views of the Whistler Mountains. In the mid afternoon join the Canadian for our three night journey east to Toronto. Settle in to your comfortable sleeping compartment for the next three nights, and explore the Skyline dome car, Park Car with its observation dome and lounge, and quality dining in the restaurant cars. The train staff will
prepare your bed each night, and in the morning refresh the cabin with fresh towels, linen and bathroom amenities. As the light fades departing Jasper you may see deer and elk, and watch the sun setting behind us over the Rocky
Mountains as we head east across Alberta and Saskatchewan to Winnipeg, Manitoba. Overnight aboard the Canadian.(B/D)
Day 8
On the Canadian towards Winnipeg
A relaxing day aboard the Canadian, as we cross the prairies and head to Winnipeg. If you rise early you’ll see the town of Edmonton, and then we head across the prairies towards Rivers, La Portage to Winnipeg. Depending on the train’s schedule, there may be the opportunity to stretch your legs in the stopover in Winnipeg. You can visit the nearby Fort Garry Hotel, another of the famous Canadian Pacific Hotels, located opposite the railway station. Alternatively remain aboard in the warmth of the train, with an evening drink after dinner in the lounge cars. Overnight aboard the Canadian. (B/L/D)
Day 9
Aboard the Canadian
We continue our transcontinental journey east aboard Via Rail’s flagship train – the Canadian. As the sun rises the train stops at Sioux Lookout, then continues east to Hornepayne in the mid afternoon for a stop to stretch your legs. The muskeg lakes are iced over, and trees covered in snow – creating a winter wonderland of colour and beauty. Enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner in the dining car, and the ambience of the Skyline dome car, the Park Car with its mural lounge and vista dome. Overnight aboard the Canadian. (B/L/D)
Day 10
Toronto and the Fairmont Royal York Hotel
In the mid morning the train arrives at Toronto’s Union Station. Alight and walk across the road to the former Canadian Pacific Hotel, now Fairmont’s Royal York Hotel. Today we’ll explore the city - whether you’re standing on the glass floor of the world’s highest public observation deck or venturing 13 storeys below a roaring waterfall, Toronto’s attractions are unique. Its cold winters have created an underground tunnel network that links almost the entire CBD. Its museums and art galleries are especially fine. Our accommodation features access to the hotel’s Club Lounge, with
complimentary evening drinks, canapés and morning breakfast. Overnight the Fairmont Royal York, Toronto. (B)
Day 11
Toronto
Toronto boasts a dynamic cultural life, and with the cooler months, special exhibitions and concerts are scheduled.
We’ll visit the fine Royal Ontario Museum, the Art Gallery of Toronto, as well as the shopping areas of Bloor and Yonge
streets. Overnight the Fairmont Royal York, Toronto. (B)
Day 12
Niagara Falls and Niagara Vineyards
After breakfast we head south to visit the spectacular Niagara Falls from the Canadian side – the best side to view this amazing site. In winter the falls present a spectacular combination of ice and water surging over the vast width of the falls. We’ll go behind the falls to feel the power of the water as well as, explore the historic hydro features at the falls. We’ll then visit the quaint Niagara-on-the-Lake township, and enjoy wine tasting and lunch in one of Niagara’s best vineyard restaurants. We return to Toronto for our last night together. Overnight the Fairmont Royal York, Toronto. (B/L)
Day 13
Toronto and to Australia
Our last day in Canada and a relaxing morning at the hotel. There’s the opportunity for some last minute shopping, and in the mid afternoon we depart for Toronto’s Pearson airport for departure to Australia. Overnight aboard the flight. (B/D)
Day 14
In flight
In transit crossing the International Date Line to Australia.
Day 15
Australia
A morning arrival to Australia. (B)
*On some days additional activities will be possible, some at no extra cost, others at additional own cost. Optional additions to the tour (at extra cost) when shown below are followed by (O). Meals included are shown as Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Dinner (D).
FARES
$ 5,650 (person (twin share), plus airfares from/to Australia)
$ 960 single supplement for hotels
(there is no additional charge for single accommodation
on the Canadian.)
For booking, any further details or information,
use the "BOOKING AND ENQUIRY" buttoms above or call us on
(02) 9326 9660
0418 585 838
or email at
