Compare The Canadian at Christmas by Great Rail Journeys vs Canada (Western): See & Experience it ALL in 10 Days, 1st Class Custom Tours by Charlie The Traveler

DAY 1 - FLY TO TORONTO
Toronto
We depart from London Heathrow for Toronto, arriving late afternoon for a three-night stay at the centrally located Fairmont Royal York Hotel. A favourite of our customers, this magnificent hotel was built by the Canadian Pacific Railway. When it officially opened in 1929, it was the tallest building in the British Commonwealth.

DAY 2 - GUIDED SIGHTSEEING TOUR OF TORONTO
Ontario parliament
Our morning guided sightseeing tour is the ideal introduction to this friendly, multicultural city. Your afternoon is free to discover Toronto at your leisure. Perhaps take in Chinatown or Kensington Market, browse the hundreds of shops in the grand covered malls or visit the excellent Art Gallery of Ontario, with its wonderful collection by Canadian artists.

DAY 3 - AT LEISURE IN TORONTO
Toronto Downtown
Today you are free to spend the day at leisure, which gives you time to explore more highlights of Toronto, including Little India, Little Italy and Greektown. You could take a ride up the world famous CN tower, which has the world's highest public observation deck at 1,465 feet, as well as a revolving restaurant. Alternatively, you may wish to take a helicopter tour of the city.

DAY 4 - NIAGARA FALLS AND THE CANADIAN
Niagara Falls
A visit to the magnificent Niagara Falls is one of the highlights of any holiday to Canada. We enjoy lunch in the Falls View Restaurant of the Sheraton Hotel whilst admiring the views over the Falls. Niagara Falls are all the more dramatic in winter, when thick snow covers the ground and the water freezes into giant icicles. We then return to Toronto to board The Canadian and begin our unforgettable journey in Sleeper Plus Class through the majestic Rockies to Vancouver.

DAY 5 - THE CANADIAN SHIELD ON CHRISTMAS EVE
The Canadian
Our first full day on board is spent crossing the Canadian Shield - a wild land of frozen lakes, snow covered trees and isolated communities. Sleeper Touring Class guests enjoy use of the art-deco style Dome Car, its lounges and observation area. Here, you can relax with fellow travellers whilst taking in the passing scenery as you enjoy complimentary refreshments. During our journey, staff on board keep a watchful eye on the passing scenery, pointing out wildlife and points of interest.

DAY 6 - CHRISTMAS MORNING IN WINNIPEG
Winnipeg
We arrive in Winnipeg on Christmas Day, where the train stops for the morning, giving us the opportunity to explore this railway city and there is time for a festive stroll, known as the 'Gateway to the West'. Union Station was built in 1911 by the same architects as the famous Grand Central Station. The walls are faced with local limestone and studded with prehistoric fossils from the ancient seabeds that once covered the prairies. We continue westwards from Winnipeg where Christmas Dinner is served onboard the train, crossing the prairies and arrive in the province of Saskatchewan this evening.

DAY 7 - EDMONTON AND JASPER
The Rockies
After a brief stop at Edmonton in the morning, we begin the climb into the foothills of the Rockies, travelling through some truly spectacular scenery. Relax and enjoy the journey as we pass glaciers, lakes, plunging canyons, frozen waterfalls and soaring snow-covered peaks. The Rockies are not just a line of mountains, but the edge of the Western Cordillera, a complex array of plateaus and folded rock layers that stretch to the Pacific Coast. We make a short stop in Jasper, a quaint mountain town at the edge of the wilderness in the heart of the Rockies. The town is surrounded by tree covered mountains, blanketed in snow to create a fabulous setting. As you wander through the streets, past pretty houses and shops, it wouldn't be unusual to see a family of elk crossing the road.

DAY 8 - VANCOUVER
Vancouver
The Canadian arrives into Vancouver this morning. We leave the train after breakfast and transfer across the city by coach for a journey up Grouse Mountain by aerial tramway.

DAY 9 - AT LEISURE EXPLORING VANCOUVER
Vancouver
Vancouver enjoys a fabulous natural setting, with beautiful snow-covered mountains and deep fjords providing a dramatic backdrop to the urban landscape of modern skyscrapers. Today, we enjoy a guided tour of the city before a farewell dinner together at the 'Top of Vancouver', a revolving restaurant in a fabulous rooftop location with superb views of the city.

DAYS 10-11 - VANCOUVER TO LONDON
Flying home
You are free until the early evening to enjoy this fabulous city. We transfer to Vancouver airport for our overnight flight to London Heathrow, arriving early in the morning of Day 11.
PLEASE NOTE
Please note that while every departure of this tour will feature the same excursions, the order may differ from that shown above.

Day 1: Welcome to the Rocky Mountains

Through the city of Edmonton, we reach our first destination. This is none other than the resort town of Jasper. It is home to the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. Jasper National Park attracts those seeking vast wilderness, majestic peaks and lots of wildlife.

Note that if you cannot arrive at the Edmonton Airport by 2:00pm, you will need a ‘pre-tour’ day. You would sleep in Downtown Edmonton for that evening and would start our tour the following day. We would make all arrangements for you in the event you need to sleep in Edmonton.

Day 2: A Fantasy Boat Ride & Abundant Wildlife

As a daytrip from Jasper, we visit Maligne Canyon and Medicine Lake as well as do a boat cruise from Maligne Lake to Spirit Island. Maligne Canyon contains waterfalls, underground stream outlets, birds and plant life. Wildlife is surprisingly abundant along Medicine Lake. Grizzly bear, black bear, mule deer, wolves, moose, mountain sheep and bald eagles are some of the animals which frequent the lake area during the summer season. The lake cruise is scenic and is arguably the highlight of the day.

Day 3: A Monster Bus on a Glacier & One of the Most Scenic Drives on Earth

Although we are relocating from Jasper to the resort town of Banff, a lot of important stops are made along the way: Athabasca Falls, Columbia Icefield (ride on the actual glacier with a specially designed, stretched out monster bus!), Weeping Wall Waterfalls, Bow Lake, Crowfoot Glacier and Peyto Lake. Today is best described as one of the most scenic drives on Earth! Note that lunch is included on today’s tour.

Day 4: A Pilot’s View of Paradise & a Canyon Deservedly Displayed on Postcards

As a daytrip from Banff, our morning starts with a visit to the town of Canmore. It is from there we take a helicopter ride. The mountainous scenery is like no other. In the latter part of the day, after returning to Banff, we visit the nearby Johnston Canyon. Limestone rock eroding over thousands of years led to a picture-perfect creation combining sheer canyon walls, waterfalls, tunnels and natural pools.

Day 5: Instagram-Famous Photo Stops, a Lake Cruise & Thundering Waterfalls

As another daytrip from Banff, today we visit Bow Falls, Surprise Corner Lookout, Hoodoos Viewpoint, Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. We also go on an enjoyable boat cruise at Lake Minnewanka. The evening ends with a ride on Banff Gondola. We ascend Sulphur Mountain (2,281 meters or 7,484 feet) and then follow the well-designed skywalk.

Day 6: The Ultimate Seaplane Tour & an Ice Bar

After relocating by both land and air from Banff to the resort town of Whistler, we go on a seaplane ride: rugged peaks, majestic glaciers, lush alpine meadows and turquoise glacial waters. After this flightseeing tour, we return to town. Over two million people visit Whistler annually. Its pedestrian village has won numerous design awards. Whistler has been voted among the top destinations in North America by major magazines since the mid-1990s.

We encourage you to end the day with a visit to the town’s most famous ice bar. It is fascinating even to those who do not drink.

Day 7: The Outdoor Adventurist’s Favorite Day of All

As excursions from Whistler, we go off-roading, whitewater rafting and ziplining. These are three of the very most popular activities in Whistler…and we are doing them all in one day! Even if we ignore the thrill aspect, the nature we see today gives enough reason why not to miss out.

Day 8: Walking a Suspension Bridge, Touching Peak to Peak by Cable Car & Nightlife

Before relocating by land to the city of Vancouver, we go on the so-called ‘Peak 2 Peak’ Gondola. Until 2017, it held the world record for the longest free span between ropeway towers. Adding to the overall experience is the ski lift ride and a 425-foot suspension bridge called Cloudraker Skybridge.

Once in Vancouver, we head to another suspension bridge. It is called Capilano. It is 140 meters (460 feet) long and 70 meters (230 feet) above the river. Capilano draws over 1.2 million visitors per year. We recommend you end your evening in Downtown Vancouver, specifically in an area called Gastown. There you will find lots of restaurants, galleries, shops and places to party.

Day 9: Whales, Islands, Beaches & a Food Market

Before making a daytrip by seaplane to the village of Tofino, we visit Vancouver’s most famous public market. It is located on Granville Island. Established in 1979, Granville Island Public Market is located in an enclosed facility where customers can purchase fresh produce, meat, seafood, cheeses and other products, many of which are locally sourced. There are approximately 50 vendors in the market, some of which are food vendors. They sell a range of items from Mexican, Asian, Greek and deli food to candy and snacks. The market attracts both local residents and tourists.

The seaplane ride between Vancouver and Tofino is quite scenic. On a clear day, we can see whales as well as Clayoquot Sound. This is a body of water with many inlets and islands. While in Tofino, we have time to walk around town. A visit to Chesterman Beach is recommended for those who wish to swim.

Day 10: Our Tour Ends This Morning

Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport or port in Vancouver.