WESTBOUND ITINERARY
Day 1 - Arrive Toronto / Dinner at the CN Tower
Soon after your arrival at the Toronto International Airport you will be transferred by private limousine to your downtown hotel, the historic Fairmont Royal York. Built in the 1880's by the Canadian Pacific Railway the Royal York is reminiscent of the Grand Days of Rail and is conveniently located across the street from the VIA Rail station. The remainder of the day is at leisure for you to start exploring this world class destination.
Defining the Toronto skyline, the CN Tower is Canada's most recognizable and celebrated icon. At a height of 553.33m (1,815 ft., 5 inches), it is the World's Tallest Building. This evening you will be met by your driver and private limousine and be transferred to the CN Tower where you will dine at the 360 Restaurant, acclaimed for its exquisite cuisine, service and selection of over 400 International and Canadian wines. You will enjoy a panoramic tour of the city as the restaurant completes one revolution in 72-minutes. Your dinner consists of a choice of appetizer & main course, dessert of the day and tea/coffee. After your meal, you can explore the Lookout & Glass Floor levels.
Luxury: Overnight Fairmont Royal York Hotel - Fairmont Gold (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 2 & 3 - VIA Rail - Toronto to Jasper in a Romance by Rail Suite
The first part of your great Canadian train adventure begins early in the morning as VIA Rail's Canadian train rolls out of nearby Union Station. Your journey will take 3 days and 2 nights as you cross the provinces of Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta before finally arriving in the Canadian Rockies. Enjoy private bedroom accommodation, meals in the private dining car and relax in the Silver & Blue Lounge or Dome car.
For the ultimate in luxury, you will have a Romance by Rail suite aboard VIA Rail's Canadian. Enjoy a dream voyage in the intimacy of a private suite. You will be spoiled by: fresh flowers, chocolates on the pillow, top-quality sparkling wine as the train leaves! Your spacious suite, comprising of two converted regular bedrooms, will be the envy of other passengers. Crisp bed linen and an inviting down duvet await you. And if you have a quick word with your attendant before retiring, he will bring you breakfast in bed! Romance by Rail has been designed just for you and your significant other.
Luxury: Overnight VIA Rail in a Romance by Rail Suite
Day 4 - Arrive Jasper / Evening Miette Hot Springs & Wildlife Tour
Your journey will reach the Canadian Rockies by mid-afternoon today. You will arrive at the train station in the quaint mountain village of Jasper, the northern gateway to the Canadian Rockies. Upon arrival in Jasper, you will be met by your drive and Luxury SUV and be transferred to the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge for check-in.
Deep in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, on 1000 acres of pristine wilderness land, stands the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. The beauty and majesty of this area, combined with elegant surroundings and impeccable service, creates this grand Canadian Lodge experience. Accommodation at this world class resort is both historic and contemporary, in rustic cedar chalets and heritage log cabins arranged in the style of an alpine village. With a plethora of wildlife awaiting you just outside your cabin door, exceptional regional cuisine and an overabundance of outdoor adventure opportunities, The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge promises all guests an experience they won't soon forget.
Evening Miette Hot Springs & Wildlife Tour
Tonight enjoy a rare opportunity to participate in an evening wildlife viewing. This combination of Hot Springs and Animal viewing has proven to be very popular! This 1.5 hour trip passes quickly while you relax and enjoy the many stops for wildlife and the commentary of the guide. Possible wildlife including bear, bull elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, deer, coyotes, beaver, moose and birds. The variety of topics discussed includes the habitat and habits of animals seen, fire controls in the Park, railroad history and more. At the Springs, go for a short walk to the Source of the Springs, enjoy a soak in the Hot Springs Pool (pool admittance fee included) and/or enjoy a meal (on own) at the quaint restaurant at the Springs to fill out the 1.5 hour visit.
Luxury: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Lakefront Suite
Day 5 - Jasper to Banff Tour including Columbia Icefield
Today enjoy a narrated tour from Jasper, through the heart of the Canadian Rockies, to Banff along the Icefields Parkway. You will be inspired by rushing waterfalls, crystal-clear rivers, emerald lakes, alpine meadows and snow-capped peaks create an ever-changing montage of mountain wilderness. This tour along the Icefields Parkway takes you through Jasper and Banff National Parks, stopping at the Columbia Icefield. Included in your package is the Ice Age Adventure, a tour onto the icy slopes of the Athabasca Glacier. You will travel in a specially designed Ice Explorer to the middle of the glacier, on a 5-kilometre round- trip journey. Your driver-guide will explain how glaciers are formed and point out interesting geological features as you travel in comfort and safety. The trip affords many opportunities to see mountain wildlife and photograph the spectacular views. Late afternoon you will arrive in Banff where your accommodation in the castle-like Banff Springs Hotel awaits. Spectacular and historic, the Banff Springs Hotel was built just after the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1885. It was the first of a series of legendary resort hotels built across Canada by the Railroad. Enjoy its nooks and crannies and savour the history of this magnificent hotel.
Luxury: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - One Bedroom Suite
Day 6 - Day at Leisure / Evening Wildlife Safari
Today is a day of leisure. Take some time an explore Banff and the many sights and activities it has to offer. Some of the activities available include the Sulphur Mountain Gondola Ride, soaking in the heated waters of the sulphur springs, trail riding along the Bow River, fishing in an nearby mountain stream, rafting, hiking or golfing on the championship course at the Banff Springs
Evening Wildlife Safari
Discover the challenges of protecting animals and their habitat in Banff National Park. On this evening journey travel through a variety of landscapes and learn about wildlife, their needs, and their inter-relationships. Hopefully you will leave the Safari with a greater understanding of the land, and animals that you have seen.
Luxury: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - One Bedroom Suite
Day 7 - Banff to Calgary / Wine & Cheese Reception
This afternoon you will be chauffeured by private Luxury SUV from your Banff hotel to the dynamic city of Calgary only 90 minutes away. Your home for the night will be the historic Fairmont Palliser Hotel. This evening join your fellow rail travelers and the staff of the Royal Canadian Pacific for a private wine and cheese reception followed by dinner in the Rimrock dining room
Luxury: Overnight Fairmont Palliser Hotel - Fairmont Gold
Day 8 - Depart on the Royal Canadian Pacific Luxury Train / Banff Tour
This is the beginning of a truly magical rail experience. The Royal Canadian Pacific carries a maximum of 32 pampered guests on a classic train reminiscent of a past era when opulence, service and romance were synonymous with rail travel. After breakfast, the train departs from the Canadian Pacific Railway Pavilion in downtown Calgary and travels west through the Canadian Rockies en route to Banff. A brief stop in Banff includes a guided tour of the local historic sites. Next, travel to Lake Louise for an interpretive hike with naturalist Bruce Bembridge. The train continues west across the Continental Divide, through the famous Spiral Tunnels to Field, then along the Kicking Horse River Valley to Golden. Each evening the train will come to rest for the night at a scenic siding off the mainline. This will give the talented chefs the opportunity to weave their culinary magic and enable the guests to sleep comfortably in their vintage and spacious carriages.
Luxury: Overnight Royal Canadian Pacific Train - State room
Day 9 - Royal Canadian Pacific Luxury Train / Private tour of Canadian Museum of Rail Travel
A luxury motorcoach whisks you to the Kicking Horse Gondola for breakfast in the Eagle Eye's Restaurant, looking over a 360-degree view of the Rocky Mountains. After breakfast, the train continues south through the Columbia River Valley to Cranbrook. Enjoy a private tour of the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel. Travel by luxury motorcoach to the heritage town of Fort Steele, with a chance to view the Dunrobin Locomotive (1895) and Royal Coach, one of the finest privately owned sets in Europe in the late 19th century. After the tour, the train continues up the Elk Valley through the town of Fernie en route to your overnight stop at Crowsnest Pass, AB. Overnight on board beside Summit Lake.
Luxury: Overnight Royal Canadian Pacific Train
Day 10 - Royal Canadian Pacific Luxury Train / Visit Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
Leaving the Rocky Mountain Trench behind, visit Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to the train at Lethbridge to cross the High Level Bridge before reaching our final overnight stop on a discontinued CPR branchline in the heart of the Alberta prairies.
Luxury: Overnight Royal Canadian Pacific Train
Day 11 - Royal Canadian Pacific Luxury Train / Ranch Tour & Steak Pit Lunch
A Leisurely train journey takes you to Okotoks where a luxury motorcoach transfers you to Homeplace Ranch, family-operated since 1912 and located in the high cattle country. Enjoy a guided horseback tour or a scenic walk of the ranch and savour a western lunch. Return to the train for the final leg of the excursion, reaching Calgary by mid-afternoon. Your Royal Canadian Pacific journey comes to an end when you check into the Fairmont Palliser Hotel. Tonight you and your new rail companions will be the guests of the Royal Canadian Pacific for a grand farewell dinner.
Luxury: Overnight Fairmont Palliser Hotel - Fairmont Gold
Day 12 - Depart Calgary
After breakfast you will be chauffeured to the Calgary International Airport for your journey home.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- 6 nights hotel accommodation, any mandatory service charges and room tax
- 2 nights accommodation aboard VIA Rail in a Romance by Rail Suite including fresh flowers, chocolates, and top-quality sparkling wine and meals
- 3 nights on the Royal Canadian Pacific Luxury Train in a state room with private shower, sink, and toilet
- All meals during the Royal Canadian Pacific Luxury Train trip. (Table d'hote meals, including wine, all alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages)
- Gratuities during the Royal Canadian Pacific Luxury Train Tour
- 1 Three course dinner at the revolving restaurant on top of CN Tower, including tower admission & gratuities
- Round-trip limousine transfer between Toronto hotel & the CN Tower including gratuities
- Airport transfers by private limousine in Toronto & Calgary including gratuities
- Private Luxury SUV transfer between Jasper Train Station & Hotel and Banff & Calgary including gratuities
- Miette Hot Springs Tour & Wildlife Viewing tour
- Jasper to Banff tour including Ice Explorer ride
- Maligne Valley & Wildlife Safari
- Banff Tour
- Interpretive hike in Lake Louise
- Kicking Horse Gondola
- Canadian Museum of Rail
- Tour of Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
- Homeplace Ranch Tour with Steak Pit Lunch
- National Park Entrance Fee
- Personalized documentation package
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Meals not listed as included
- Activities not listed as included
- Gratuities not listed as included
- Goods and Services tax (GST)
- Trip Cancellation Insurance (Insurance can be purchased from your Vacation Specialist, ask for more details)