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The Great Trans-Canadian Journey

5.0/5 Based on 2 Reviews No Booking FeesDedicated Travel Advisor
Fully Guided Coach Group Rail Scenic VIA Rail
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 Trip Length
13 Days
 Trip Starts
Toronto
 Trip Finishes
Vancouver
13 Day The Great Trans-Canadian Journey Itinerary (Trafalgar)
Countries Explored: Canada
Trip Style
Discoveries
Accommodation
4 Star
Max. Group Size
48
Guide Level
Fully Guided
Trip Code
DTCA

Overview

Read 2 reviews and enjoy exclusive savings on Trafalgar's 13 Day The Great Trans-Canadian Journey. Connect with Canada's soul-stirring wilderness by road and rail. Forge an unforgettable trail west from Toronto to Vancouver through epic national parks, prairie landscapes and Canada's mighty Rockies.

Itinerary

Canada's favourite big-time city bids you a warm welcome and you'll have the day to ease into its laidback, friendly vibe before joining your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception this evening. (WR) Stay: Sheraton Toronto

Discover the city's most inspiring sights on an orientation tour this morning. A true reflection of the multi-cultural Canada, Toronto is wonderfully diverse, filled to the brim with lively restaurants, stylish bars, and quirky museums. Switch the sidewalks for the spray of Niagara Falls, stepping aboard a cruise to the base of Horseshoe Falls, the largest of the three waterfalls. (B)

This morning, board VIA Rail's The Canadian for our journey across Canada. The train works its way northbound reaching the rural and forested sections of northwestern Ontario. By early afternoon, the train makes its way onto the Canadian Shield and a terrain of granite rock dotted with thousands of lakes and covered with billions of trees. The rest of the day is spent making our way north and west through the Shield and past the small towns that make up the remote expanse of northern Ontario. Today's onboard activities include a presentation on the history of Ontario, wine and beer tasting and canapes before dinner is served in the dining car. (B/L/D) Stay: Via Rail

Today we continue our trek westward through northern Ontario before crossing into the prairie province of Manitoba with a distinctive change of scenery as we leave the lakes and forests of the Canadian Shield behind for the open expanses and never ending vistas of the prairies. Today's activities include a presentation on the province of Manitoba, a game of bingo and a presentation on Winnipeg. (B/L/D)

Today we continue travelling westbound making our way to Saskatoon for a brief one-hour stop, and then across the prairies into Alberta and Edmonton later in the evening. Small prairie towns dot the landscape mixed among rolling fields of wheat, barley, canola and other crops. Tonight, a three-hour stop will be made in Edmonton before we enter the Rocky Mountains. Activities today include a presentation on the Prairies and the town of Jasper and canapes will be served with beer and wine tasting before dinner. (B/L/D)

After arriving in Jasper in the morning, go from the iconic to the unexpected when you embark on a guided walk of Maligne Canyon. This narrow slot-like gorge is sculpted by an icy river flowing along its base, and is a true sight to behold. Enjoy a quiet moment to feel truly free in nature before continuing on to Maligne Lake for a lunch on its shores. This afternoon, you'll have an opportunity to cruise the waters of the lake to Spirit Island, the heart and soul of jasper National Park (in season). Please note that your arrival time in Jasper is subject to local rail traffic conditions which may result in service delays and disruptions. Your included activities in Jasper may need to be re-organized to accommodate such delays. (B/L) Stay: Chateau Jasper

Today will be full of possibilities and at your leisure. Why not enjoy an optional float trip down the Athabasca River, guided by a National Park licensed guide. Eat like a local, with a local on the Downtown Foodie Tour Optional Experience. Your culinary journey will begin 2:30 PM at the Visitor Information Center. From there, you will be travelling by foot to four of the best local eateries, taking in the history of Jasper as you walk the streets between restaurants. At each restaurant you will be sampling a top local dish served with a perfectly paired boozy drink, along with hearing the stories of the entrepreneurs behind each establishment, learn fascinating historical highlights and get an in-depth insight into Jasperites' way of life. Your excursion ends at 5:30 PM. Note that the tour includes four good size plates and four standard size alcoholic beverages and consists in a full progressive meal. (B)

We crunch across the glistening icefield of the iconic Athabasca Glacier this morning, stepping aboard an Ice Explorer to see its icy carpet first-hand. Leaving this majestic glacier behind, we'll continue our scenic drive along the Icefields Parkway, slicing through the heart of Banff and Jasper National Parks. Our final stop before continuing to Banff is the natural treasure you'll never forget-beautiful Lake Louise. (B) Stay: Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa

We have a full day of sightseeing ahead in Banff National Park, Canada's oldest National Park. Learn the art of playing the puck like a pro when you meet a real Canadian hockey player in Canmore. 'Dive into Culture' and embrace Canada's national sport, learning the secrets and superstitions of hockey players as a professional coach walks you through a day in the life of a player. Go inside the players' dressing room and put on the full hockey gear with help of a real coach. Grab your stick and it's off onto the ice where you'll soon find out whether you are a lefty or righty and learn how to score the big goal. Keep a keen eye out for brown bears as you explore the rugged wilderness of Banff before meeting a Royal Canadian Mountie Local Specialist who will share his story about life in the 'force'. You may then be tempted to take an optional helicopter flightseeing for stunning views of the Canadian Rockies. (B/RD)

A day of exquisite scenery awaits as we journey over Kicking Horse Pass, which straddles the Continental Divide of the Americas. You'll stop at Spiral Tunnels, which made the descent of this pass much safer for trains after they were built at the turn of the 20th century. Then pass Mount Revelstoke National Park and journey through the vineyard and orchard country of Okanagan Valley, where you'll 'Connect With Locals' at a local winery for a memorable 'Be My Guest' dinner and wine tasting. (B/BMG) Stay: Prestige Hotel Vernon

We wind our way through the beautiful wine country of British Columbia en route to Vancouver, one of the world's most livable cities. Delve into the heritage of the First Nations when you visit Stanley Park and see the totem poles that stand tall at Brockten Point. You'll have an evening at leisure to explore the city on your terms. (B) Stay: Sheraton Wall Centre

Your morning begins with a city tour of all the icons and hidden gems revealed through the eyes of your Travel Director. You'll have an afternoon and leisure to continue your exploration or simply relax after your epic trip. This evening, we'll visit Capilano Suspension Bridge Park and enjoy a memorable Farewell Dinner with new friends against the spectacular backdrop of the West Coast rainforest and Capilano Canyon. (B/FD)

Our dazzling encounter with the Canadian Rockies has come to an end. Transfer to Vancouver International Airport. (B)

Trip Inclusions

  • City tour in Vancouver and Banff
  • Cruise across Maligne Lake to iconic Spirit Island
  • Scenic drive along Icefields Parkway, Okanagan Valley
  • ICONIC BOAT RIDE to the base of Horseshoe Falls at Niagara Falls
  • Iconic train Journey aboard VIA Rail's The Canadian train
  • Orientation Toronto, Niagara-on-the-Lake
  • View Lake Louise, Athabasca Glacier, Athabasca Falls
  • Visit Niagara Falls, Jasper National Park, Banff National Park, Capilano Suspension Bridge

  • Audio Headsets for flexible sightseeing
  • Daily breakfast and an average of 50% of evening meals
  • Luxury air-conditioned coach with WiFi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
  • Cherry-picked hotels all tried and trusted
  • Handcrafted Highlights
  • Optional Experiences (Additional Cost) and free time
  • All porterage and local charges included
  • Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
  • An expert Travel Director and separate Driver
  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
  • Airport transfers on the first and last day of your guided holiday
  • VIP entry to many sights

  • 12 breakfasts
  • 4 lunches
  • 7 dinners

  • Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
  • Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included

Trip Reviews (2) Most Recent 'The Great Trans-Canadian Journey' Reviews

5.0
AVG. RATING 5.0 / 5
2 Reviews
5 Star
100%
4 Star
3 Star
2 Star
1 Star
Wonderful oversight of Canada   0 , NSW, Australia, Sep 2016
We have used Global Journeys before and find them very helpful and efficient. I will not hesitate to use them again for future Trafalgar tours. The Contrasts of Canada has all the highlights one would dream of seeing, what a wonderful experience. The VIA Canadian was a experience but this is a commuter train so it is a bit grubby, staff do not really ...read more have the interest of passengers. August/September is a good time of year to travel in Canada, temperature 25 degrees C. Pleasant temperature. All hotels are outstanding and beautiful and well located to towns. The fellow travelers were around the same age and easy going.
Great overview of Western Canada 1 , NSW, Australia, Sep 2016
Tour guide Marlene & Driver Bob were excellent. Hotels were excellent. Saw so much wonderful scenery throughout the whole journey. The trip on The Canadian (in prestige class) was a highlight of the trip. Was a relaxing way to end the tour and each day on the train the scenery was different.
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Brochure

Canada & Alaska

Trafalgar Canada & Alaska (2023-24)

Immerse yourself in authentic Canada & Alaska with Trafalgar. Unearth the vast wonders of this expansive nation, from the awe-inspiring Niagara Falls to the towering Rockies and myriad lakes. Encounter majestic moose, wild bears, and coastal whales. Delight in the azure beauty of Moraine Lake and Prince Edward Island's red sands. Trafalgar's holidays...more go beyond the landscapes, revealing First Nation heritage and family vineyards on Vancouver Island.

Prices & Dates

There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and will no longer continue. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view the general release dates for all destinations.

Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Trafalgar. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Trafalgar. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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