Cross-Canada Classic Rail Journey
West to East

10 days / 9 nights Independent Holiday Package

Departs Year Round

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Day 1 — Vancouver / VIA Rail

Tuesday / Sunday

A transfer within Greater Vancouver including the Vancouver International Airport is included. Arrive at Pacific Central station for an evening departure aboard VIA Rail's Canadian. As the train heads into the night, relax in your Silver & Blue class sleeping car accommodations in the lounges or the dome car. Overnight VIA Rail.

Your Holiday, Your Way …

Prefer to start in Toronto and conclude in Vancouver? Please see Cross-Canada Classic Rail Journey East to West.

Day 2 — VIA Rail / Jasper National Park

Wednesday / Monday

Breakfast is served in the dining car. Watch for wildlife and magnificent Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Late afternoon arrival in Jasper, with transfer to your hotel. Remainder of day is yours to explore this picturesque mountain resort. Overnight Jasper — breakfast & lunch in dining car included.

Day 3 — Icefields Parkway / Lake Louise

Thursday / Tuesday

Full-day sightseeing tour of Icefields Parkway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Breathtaking scenery, from soaring mountain peaks to broad valley vistas, greets you at every turn on this 142 mile (230 km) scenic highway. Includes Athabasca Falls, Columbia Icefields Center, Crowfoot Glacier, Peyto Lake, plus a once-in-a-lifetime ride aboard the Ice Explorer, a vehicle specially designed to traverse the glacier. Overnight Lake Louise.

Day 4 — Lake Louise / Banff

Friday / Wednesday

Mid-day pick up for Mountains, Lakes and Waterfalls Tour. Visit beautiful Yoho National Park, The Great Divide, and Takakaw Falls. Overnight Banff.

Day 5 — Banff / Icefields Parkway / Jasper

Saturday / Thursday

Discover Banff with morning half-day motor coach tour, including Cave and Basin National Historic Site. You'll also ride the Banff Gondola with panoramic 360° views of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Late afternoon departure for drive-transfer to your hotel in Jasper. (Approx 5 hours). Overnight Jasper.

Day 6 — Jasper National Park

Sunday / Friday

Discover the beauty of Jasper National Park with part-day sightseeing tour, including Maligne Canyon and Maligne Lake, one of the most photographed scenes in the Canadian Rockies. Remainder of day at leisure. Overnight Jasper.

Day 7 — Jasper / VIA Rail

Monday / Saturday

Your journey continues with transfer to Jasper VIA Rail Station. Mid-day departure on VIA Rail's Canadian. Once again, you'll travel in Silver & Blue sleeping car class, with scenic dome, lounge, and dining car privileges. As the train leaves the Rockies, it heads eastward across vast, wide-open prairies. Overnight VIA Rail — dinner in dining car included.

Day 8 — VIA Rail

Tuesday / Sunday

Glimpse out your sleeping accommodation's wide picture window for early morning panoramic views of Saskatchewan's Qu'Appelle Valley, followed by brief late evening stop in Winnipeg. Overnight VIA Rail — breakfast, lunch & dinner in dining car included.

Day 9 — VIA Rail / Toronto

Wednesday / Monday

As you continue eastward, you'll notice a dramatic change of scenery as the train enters Ontario and the rugged Canadian Shield. Take photos from the scenic dome, chat with friends old and new over meals in the dining car, and relax in comfort in your Silver & Blue sleeping car accommodations, all while Canada's grand wilderness passes by the train's large picture windows. Overnight VIA Rail — breakfast, lunch & dinner in dining car included.

Day 10 — VIA Rail / Toronto

Thursday / Tuesday

Landscapes transition from remote wilderness to the most populated region in Canada, with morning arrival in the nation's largest city, Toronto. Your classic Canadian holiday concludes with transfer to airport. Bon Voyage! Breakfast in dining car included.

Price includes

  • 5 nights' accommodation in hotels.
  • 4 nights in VIA Rail Silver & Blue sleeping car accommodation.
  • Transportation and transfers, as described.
  • Select sightseeing, activities, and admissions, as described.
  • 10 meals: 4 breakfasts; 3 lunches; 3 dinners.
  • Not included — any items not listed such as but not limited to 5% Goods & Services and/or Harmonized Sales Tax; meals (other than listed); baggage handling; gratuities; travel insurance; personal expenses; custom tour add-ons.
  • Please read Things To Know Before You Go for further information.

Info to know

  • Reservations are confirmed upon receipt of $250 CDN per person deposit.
  • A complete self-guiding itinerary and vouchers are provided after receipt of full and final payment, due no later than 60 (sixty) days prior to date of Day 1 of your itinerary. (VISA, Mastercard, AmEx, bank draft)
  • All monies paid are non-refundable. Ask your John Steel Tour Consultant about travel insurance, its coverages, conditions, and limitations
  • If applicable, pack an overnight bag for all overnight rail journeys. Safety rules limit carry-on luggage.
  • Please do not make closely connecting travel arrangements before &/or after tour. John Steel is not responsible for missed connections.
  • All products &/or services are subject to John Sharpe's Rail Tours Ltd., operating as John Steel Rail Tours' (JSRT), "General Conditions & Waiver."
  • Please ask your John Steel Tour Consultant for family pricing.

Prices and inclusions are subject to change without notice and vary by season. Prices shown have been adjusted where necessary to reflect seasonal availability of sightseeing and attractions.

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PRICE DETAILS: 2010 Canadian dollar prices — per guest, double occupancy in hotels • Senior prices available (60 years and better).

Winter Season
Jan 1 – Apr 30
Popular Category  
Upper Berth $1839
Lower Berth $1999
Bedroom (dblocc) $2299
Ensuite Bedroom (dblocc) $2999
Single Occ ADD $599
Premiere Category  
Upper Berth $1999
Lower Berth $2179
Bedroom (dblocc) $2479
Ensuite Bedroom (dblocc) $3179
Single Occ ADD $779
 
Spring Season
May 1 – May 31
Popular Category ADULT
Upper Berth $2199
Lower Berth $2359
Bedroom (dblocc) $2669
Ensuite Bedroom (dblocc) $3369
Single Occ ADD $719
Premiere Category ADULT
Upper Berth $2479
Lower Berth $2639
Bedroom (dblocc) $2949
Ensuite Bedroom (dblocc) $3649
Single Occ ADD $939
 
Summer Season
Jun 1 – Oct 21
Popular Category ADULT
Upper Berth $3249
Lower Berth $3529
Bedroom (dblocc) $4059
Ensuite Bedroom (dblocc) $5259
Single Occ ADD $889
Premiere Category ADULT
Upper Berth $4129
Lower Berth $4429
Bedroom (dblocc) $4989
Ensuite Bedroom (dblocc) $6269
Single Occ ADD $1399
 
Fall Season
Oct 22 – Dec 31
Popular Category ADULT
Upper Berth $1749
Lower Berth $1899
Bedroom (dblocc) $2219
Ensuite Bedroom (dblocc) $2899
Single Occ ADD $499
Premiere Category ADULT
Upper Berth $1869
Lower Berth $2029
Bedroom (dblocc) $2339
Ensuite Bedroom (dblocc) $3039
Single Occ ADD $599

mountains, lake, scenery, forest