Year - 2024
Departure Date - may 2
Return Date - may 12
This Tour Is - sure go - sold out
Tour Type - tourist / railfan
$5,895 - double room occupancy
hotels and cabin for two on the canadian
$6,795 - single room occupancy
hotel and cabin for one on the canadian
$5,595 - single room occupancy
hotels and upper berth on the canadian
$5,795 - single room occupancy
hotels and lower berth on the canadian
$1,500 - Deposit To Hold Space
none - Early Bird Discount
Final Payment Due By - feb 2, 2024
Tour Includes:
* 18 meals
* fully escorted
* bc ferry tickets
* grouse mountain
* butchart gardens
* 3 railroad museums
* city tour of vancouver
* sleeper class on the canadian
* 6 nights lodging in first class hotels
* business class on amtrak's cascade
* business class on via rail's montreal-toronto train
* Access to Via Rail's First Class lounges at
Montreal & Toronto
Via Rail Canada's Canadian has the longest run of Budd built streamliner passenger cars in the World at 4,466 km (2,775 miles). It is the 2nd longest run in the world. This train inherited its name from a previous service operated by the Canadian Pacific Railway, which ran from Toronto to Vancouver. The current route is largely that used by the Canadian National Railway. From the bustle of Toronto to the majesty of the Rockies and the serene West Coast, The VIA Rail Canadian train gives you a rare opportunity to see Canada's diverse scenery in one amazing trip.
The Canadian provides an epic trans-continental journey which can be divided geographically (and scenically) into 3 distinct parts: (1) The lakes, fir trees and rocky outcrops of the great Canadian Shield from Toronto to Winnipeg, (2) the rolling Prairies from Winnipeg to Jasper, and (3) the Rockies from Jasper to Vancouver.
The Canadian operates using an assortment of cars used on the original Canadian and cars of the same era purchased from US railways. The cars, mostly built in the 1950s, have been rebuilt several times and while quaint, are functional and have been modernized to a limited degree. During the summer months, when demand is higher, the train will be longer than 20 cars. While the train is dominated by tourists, especially in the summer, one of its purposes is to provide transportation services to the remote communities between Capreol and Winnipeg, and thus it makes many stops in remote places along the line.
VIA Rail Canada is looking to replace the passenger equipment on its long-distance and regional trains. The railroad issued a “Notice of Market Consultation” to seek potential builders of new cars for trains outside its main corridor between Windsor, Ont., and Quebec City.
VIA has been investing heavily in updating its corridor trains with new locomotives and cars from Siemens, but the long-distance network is still using decades-old stainless steel cars built in the 1950s The “Notice of Market Consultation” would help gauge the interest of potential builders. The request comes as VIA works hard to keep what it has going. Yes, the classic Budd Built streamliner cars from the 1950's is on short time before retirement. This could be your last opportunity to ride on these cars.
Our group will be in the comfortable private cabins, where you can stretch out and watch the sunset (or sunrise, if you're an early bird). You'll have your own toilet and sink, plus a shower that is only shared with a handful of other people.
The perks of Sleeper Plus include:
* Three gourmet fine dining meals per day.
* Complimentary fruit and cookies between meals.
* Priority boarding and access to the station lounges in Vancouver and Toronto
* Access to the Panorama and Skyline viewing cars.
* Non alcoholic beverages included; alcoholic beverages available for sale.
* Cabins includes a toilet and sink, with access to a shared shower.
the private cabin for two persons
There's a skyline lounge/dome car for Sleeper Plus passengers next to the restaurant car, or next to each restaurant car when the train runs with two of them. The skyline car has a lounge at the forward end, tables & chairs at the rear end, an observation dome in the center with attendant's galley underneath. At one end of the tables area is a complimentary tea & coffee station, you'll also find juice, biscuits and pastries here in the morning. In the skyline you can buy Canadian red & white wine by the glass, spirits, beer, snacks & soft drinks, just ask the attendant.
Meet our guide at Penn Station in New York City prior to boarding Amtrak train No. 69 the Adirondack departing at 8:40am. The Adirondack travels from New York City, through the lush wine country of the Hudson Valley, into Montreal. Departing New York City you travel back in time as you pass dramatic geological features with origins 200 million years old. Feature attractions between the bombast of Broadway and the charm of Old Montréal include the magnificent Palisades; the Adirondack Mountains; the ruins of world famous Bannerman’s Castle; the iconic Academy at West Point; the gateway to Catskill Mountain resorts; and the Hudson River Valley that inspired an entire artistic genre with its visual jewel, Lake Champlain. Living history from your train window conjures images of Benedict Arnold delaying the British Fleet at the south end of the lake to prevent the fall of Fort Ticonderoga – an overlooked feat for which he is less remembered than for his infamous reputation as a turncoat. From your lookout for reputed lake monster “Champ” to the visual combination of history and modernity that defines Montréal, the Adirondack serves up a kaleidoscope of scenes upon which you will reflect for some time to come. So relax and enjoy this unique 381-mile view of eastern New York and Québec from your picture window arriving in Montreal at 8:16pm.
The Adirondack is the modern descendent of a service that originally carried the colors of the Delaware and Hudson Railway (D&H), which had its beginnings in the early 1820s as a canal company organized to transport coal from Pennsylvania to New York City. Now defunct, it once called itself “America’s oldest continually operating transportation company.” After Amtrak took over passenger operations in 1971, D&H inaugurated, in 1974, its New York-Montréal service under a funding agreement with Amtrak and the State of New York. Using rebuilt ALCO locomotives and refurbished 1950s passenger cars, this “streamliner” revival delighted fans in the Empire State. There is a Amfleet Dinette car on the train offering sandwiches, snacks and beverages. Upon arrival in Montreal check-in at the 5 Star Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Hotel which is right next to the Via Rail Train Station in downtown
🍽 none
In the morning we visit the Montreal Exporail Canadian Railway Museum. which contains more than 150 historic vehicles, ranging from locomotives, steam engines, old Montréal streetcars and passenger cars to snow plows. It’s widely acknowledged as one of North America’s most outstanding collections. Then rest of the day free for you to explore Montreal. Welcome to Canada dinner in the evening. Second night at the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Hotel
🍽 dinner
Check-out and take a short walk next door to the train station. You will be able to use the First Class Lounge since we are booked in Business Class. Food and drink are available in the lounge. Depart Montreal onboard Via Rail train No. 63 in Business Class at 8:50am arriving Toronto at 2:18pm. Our fast train will travel 335 miles in just 5 hours and 28 minutes. After arrival we visit the Toronto Railway Museum prior to hotel check-in at the 3 Star Holiday Inn Express which is a little less than 1/2 mile from the Via Rail Station.
🍽 lunch
Depart Toronto onboard train No. 1 The Canadian in Sleeper Plus Class at 9:55am. Prior to boarding the train you can enjoy the luxury of the First Class Lounge at the station. From just west of Toronto the train traverses the Great Canadian Shield, a sparsely-populated area of lakes and forests interspersed with outcrops of igneous rock
🍽 breakfast, lunch, dinner
Sudbury to Sioux Lookout, Ontario
🍽 breakfast, lunch, dinner
Winnipeg, Manitoba to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Passengers are given three hours to explore Winnipeg as the train is serviced and restocked. Via Rail offers a bus tour of the city if you like.
🍽 breakfast, lunch, dinner
Edmonton, Alberta to Kamloops, British Columbia through the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Passengers have three hours to to explore downtown Jasper.
🍽 breakfast, lunch, dinner
8:00am arrival at Vancouver, British Columbia on the Canadian passenger train. Be sure and get up early this morning so you can enjoy your last meal in the dining care before arrival in Vancouver. After we unload from the passenger cars we take the morning BC Ferry from Vancouver over to Vancouver Island. One of the fabulous Canadian travel experiences is to ride the BC Ferry across the Strait of Georgia, the body of water that separates Vancouver from Vancouver Island, 24 nautical miles away. The trip from the ferry terminal at Tsawwassen (15 miles south of Vancouver) to the terminal at Swartz Bay - on Vancouver Island (17 miles north of Victoria) - is a spectacularly scenic and enjoyable 90 minutes that winds through the Southern Gulf Islands as it nears Victoria. We first visit famous Butchart Gardens National Historic Site of Canada which is an internationally-known public attraction that has been open to visitors since 1904. It is located on the Saanich Peninsula. The gardens provide dramatic floral displays in a variety of garden settings and styles set against a backdrop of mature trees and shrubs and linked together by a network of paths and transition areas. Then we travel to Victoria, the charming capital city of British Columbia, Canada. This is one of the most picturesque cities on the Pacific Coast. Hosting the mildest climate in Canada, this fair weather city has many things to do year-round within walking distance of the downtown area, which straddles the Victoria harbor. One of the oldest cities in the northwest, Victoria has many charming brick buildings, colourful gardens and fantastic culinary experiences from all over the world. Being on the coast, seafood is both prevalent and incredibly fresh. The harbor-front walkway hosts local artists and draws crowds to watch the talented street entertainers perform during the afternoon and evening. Nighttime casts a magical glow as the water and walkway are lit up by the 3,300+ lightbulbs that adorn BC Parliament Buildings. Afternoon check-in at the 3 Star Best Western Plus Inner Harbour Hotel.
🍽 breakfast
Butchart Gardens National Historic Site of Canada
Butchart Gardens National Historic Site of Canada
Downtown Victoria
Downtown Victoria
This morning we ride the BC Ferry back to the mainland and visit Vancouver. Once in the city we will take a ride on the popular Skytrain which connects to the Sea Bus crossing over the bay to North Vancouver. Here we will visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge and then the market area. Hotel check-in at the 4 Star Lonsdale Quay Hotel located right at the the pier and Lonsdale Quay Market in North Vancouver. Originating as a carnival-style marketplace which opened for Expo ‘86 Vancouver, Lonsdale Quay Market has developed into a diverse, multi-use community anchor in the Lower Lonsdale area. Thirty-six years after opening its doors on April 12, 1986, The Quay celebrates the rich diversity boasted by the North Shore waterfront since the first settlers arrived here during the 1860’s. You can enjoy many shops, restaurants and open market.
🍽 breakfast
Vancouver's Sky Train
Vancouver's Sky Train
Vancouver-North Vancouver Sea Bus
Capilano Suspension Bridge
lonsdale quay market
Today we will go north of Vancouver for 40 miles to the town of Squamish to visit the Squamish Railway Museum of British Columbia. After our museum visit then we will pay a visit to the near-by Britannia Mine Museum. This was a functioning mine from 1904 until 1974. Ore was first discovered here in 1888. At one point, more than 60,000 people lived nearby and worked in what was once the largest copper mine in the former British Empire. Over seven decades, workers extracted more than 50 million tons of ore that produced copper, zinc, lead, cadmium, silver, and gold. Returning to our hotel in North Vancouver we then go up to the top of Grouse Mountain. Rising 1,250 metres (4,100 feet) above Vancouver and just 15 minutes from the city’s downtown core, is the vast alpine playground of Grouse Mountain. The iconic Red Skyride gives visitors and locals alike the opportunity to see the jaw-dropping majestic nature of B.C. unfold in front of them during the 8 minute ride from the Valley Station to the summit. As Vancouver’s most popular attraction, Grouse Mountain is the only truly four-season destination in the lower mainland and features a wildlife refuge, vast selection of dining options, thrilling outdoor adventure, summer activities galore, the best in local snow sports. Here we will have our “Farewell Dinner” over looking Vancouver over 4,000 feet below.
🍽 lunch, dinner
Squamish Railway Museum of British Columbia
Squamish Railway Museum of British Columbia
Britannia Mine Museum
Britannia Mine Museum
Grouse Mountain and Farewell Dinner
with a view of Vancouver
Grouse Mountain and Farewell Dinner
with a view of Vancouver
Morning check-out from ur hotel in North Vancouver. We take the Sea Bus over the bay to Vancouver connecting to the Sky Train where we ride it all the way to Surrey. Here we transfer by highway to the Fraser Valley Heritage Railway for a visit. Then by highway to the Burnaby Central Railway This is a unique 1/8 scale, ride-on miniature railway built and operated by the volunteers of the BC Society of Model Engineers. The trains pull multiple cars carrying 20 or more passengers on a 2-mile, outdoor ride through the woods, with bridges, tunnels, crossovers, and spirals. Finally mid afternoon we return to Vancouver to catch Amtrak's train number 519, Cascades departing at 4:45pm and arriving in Seattle at 10:10pm. Upon arrival in Seattle end of the tour.
🍽 lunch
TOUR CONDITIONS PRICING - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
Tour Pricing:
All tour prices are subject to change without notice, at any time. All prices based on double room occupancy. Those people that use a credit card for payments a 3% conveyance fee (The 3% fee has been suspended until further notice) will be added to the tour price. We reserve the right to change tour prices if necessary without prior notice.
