Marvel at the untamed beauty and breathtaking scenery of Canada and its national parks on this overland adventure from Vancouver to Toronto

Meeting the Tour Manager at London Heathrow, we board our flight to the west coast of Canada, arriving in Vancouver early evening local time. The city is regarded as one of the world's most desirable places to live, thanks to its charming atmosphere amid the incredible setting of mountains and the Pacific coast.

Our hotel is a short distance from both Downtown and the harbour. After check in your evening is free to unwind or head out to try some of western Canada's cuisine. Seafood, such as salmon, oysters and Dungeness crab can be found in many of the city's restaurants. With a multicultural population, you can also find local versions of Asian and Mexican dishes.

Our first full day in Canada sees us embark on a guided sightseeing tour of Vancouver's most characterful districts.

As Vancouver's original Downtown, Gastown is the city's most historic area. Redbrick Victorian buildings dot the tree-lined streets surrounding pretty Maple Tree Square. Many coffee shops, art galleries, upmarket fashion boutiques and the famous Gastown Steam Clock can be found in this area named after talkative Hull-born sailor and barman 'Gassy' Jack Deighton.

Crossing East Hastings Street, we arrive in Chinatown - the largest in Canada - where we experience the sights and sounds of the streets and squares. From leafy Stanley Park, where we view colourful totem poles celebrating the region's Native American history, we travel to Granville Island. Famous for its food markets, this is where our tour concludes.

The rest of the day is free to explore independently, and you could head to North Vancouver and find the Capilano Suspension Bridge hanging 450 feet above the forest floor. Alternatively, take the cable car to the top of Grouse Mountain for sweeping views of Vancouver.

Making the most of a full day on the wild Vancouver Island, we make our way by coach early this morning to Tsawwassen for the ferry over to Swartz Bay. Known for its population of black bears, this is Canada's 11th largest island and, while rugged in parts, is also dappled with charming towns and cities.

One of its most renowned manmade attractions is Butchart Gardens, where we head on arrival. These beautiful botanical gardens started as Robert Butchart's limestone quarry in 1904 before his wife Jennie spotted the potential to create a wonderful sunken garden. The grounds expanded to include a Japanese garden, an Italian garden and a fragrant rose garden.

After exploring this picturesque haven, we transfer by coach to British Columbia's capital, Victoria. There is free time to explore and get lunch independently. You could visit the Inner Harbour lined with grand buildings including the parliament, Royal BC Museum and Fairmont hotel, or wander the streets of Canada's oldest Chinatown. Later, we sail back to Vancouver where you can dine independently tonight.

Our trans-Canadian adventure gets underway today as we leave Vancouver by coach for a scenic journey along stunning valleys, with Canada's grand landscapes laid out before us.

Following the course of the Fraser Valley, we arrive in the historic trading post of Hope surrounded by huge mountains. Here, there is time to grab lunch independently before joining the Coquihalla Highway. Swathes of land blanketed in deep forests pass our windows as we climb through the Cascade Mountains to Sun Peaks.

On arrival in the early evening, there is free time to find dinner and explore the village which is a popular year-round mountain resort with a European feel.

Canada's iconic scenery becomes even more incredible today as we enter the Rocky Mountains. Joining the Yellowhead Highway after breakfast at the hotel, we follow the course of the North Thompson River to the small town of Clearwater. There is time to wander before continuing our journey deep into Canada's wilderness to the jaw-dropping Mount Robson.

With a summit at nearly 13,000ft, this rugged peak is often called the 'King of the Rockies' and its seemingly vertical southern face dominates views from miles around. The varied stratum of rock gives the impression of a road twisting around the mountain - a fact noticed by the indigenous Texqa'kallt people who call it the 'Mountain of the Spiral Road'.

Jasper is a beautiful enigma. Although it is a popular destination for visitors to the Rockies, it retains a calm, small-town feel. Charming buildings line its streets peppered with interesting shops and restaurants. After checking in to our hotel, you are free to explore this picture-perfect town this evening.

A free morning gives you a chance to unwind at our hotel or take a casual stroll around Jasper, admiring its location surrounded by imposing mountains.

Later, we board our coach for a scenic excursion deep into the UNESCO-listed Jasper National Park on a tour of the Maligne River valley. Travelling through some of Canada's grandest landscapes, we view snow-dusted mountains, plunging waterfalls, hot springs and crystalline lakes.

Visiting the otherworldly Maligne Canyon, we are greeted by year-round beauty as the rushing river squeezes dramatically through a narrow fissure rich with fossils. Continuing from Medicine Lake, we are treated to an array of staggering vistas on the approach to Maligne Lake - the largest glacier-fed body of water in the region.

Before returning to Jasper for a free evening, there is plenty of time to admire the azure waters and look out for some of the area's rare wildlife, including mule deer, moose, eagles and ospreys - as well as bears, caribou and wolves.

There is time to enjoy Jasper this morning before we transfer to the train station for one of the world's most epic train journeys.

Boarding the steel carriages of the Canadian, we settle into our semi-private berths for a three-night ride across Canada to Toronto. As we follow the Athabasca River, we wind down the Rocky Mountains into the verdant foothills. With dinner served onboard, we can enjoy views of glaciers, plunging canyons, soaring mountains and endless pine forests.

As we cross further into Alberta, the scenery changes with remote settlements and serene lakes dotting the landscape. Leaving Edmonton this evening, we can relax and look forward to a laid-back day as the Canadian continues its journey.

Waking up on the Canadian, we are welcomed to Saskatchewan's vast prairies which we can view while eating breakfast. The seemingly endless grasslands of the Great Plains stretch as far as the eye can see, with boundless farming communities passing by our windows as the Canadian rolls on.

With a population similar to that of Glasgow's and an area greater than France, Saskatchewan is ideal for sitting back and watching the world go by and the glass-roofed panoramic observation car is the perfect place to do this. We travel through the southern plains of Saskatchewan, home to deer, eagles and, in select areas, antelope, moose and bison. Dinner is also served on board.

We later cross into Manitoba, a province with more than 100,000 lakes stretching all the way up to the shores of Hudson Bay. Its capital is Winnipeg, considered the geographical centre of Canada. Late this evening, the train pulls into this city, home to more than 50 ethnic communities before continuing eastwards overnight.

Over breakfast on the Canadian train this morning, we cross the rocky ground of northwestern Ontario, a landscape pocked with primordial lakes and thick, verdant forests of ancient trees.

For the isolated communities we pass through, the Canadian Pacific Railway has been a lifeline for decades. While Ontario might be the most populous of Canada's provinces, the remote areas we travel through today are raw Canadian wilderness, with moose, lynx and black bears prowling its dense woodlands.

After lunch onboard, the Canadian changes direction, continuing its journey in a southeasterly direction towards the Great Lakes. Spend some time in the observation car or lounge as we travel through this evocative scenery before dinner is served. The Canadian continues overnight towards our destination.

Our final morning onboard the Canadian begins with breakfast as we travel south towards Toronto. The views change from the mountains and prairies of the past few days to more familiar suburban scenes as we make our way around Lake Simcoe into the Greater Toronto area.

After brunch on board, we arrive at Toronto's Union Station - Canada's largest and most elegant train station. Its Great Hall looks every bit like a temple to the railroad, while its resplendent limestone exterior is dominated by 22 Romanesque columns. Built in 1927, this glorious Beaux-Arts structure is actually the third incarnation of the station - a testament to the importance of railways in connecting Canada. Nearby is the iconic CN Tower built by the Canadian National Railway Company and the world's tallest free-standing structure from 1975 until 2007.

We transfer to our Downtown hotel where there is time to unwind or explore Canada's most populous city at leisure. There is no shortage of restaurants nearby for you to find somewhere to eat - from steak and seafood to European and Asian cuisine.

Today is a highlight of our trans-Canadian adventure. On our coach, we are joined by an expert local guide for a full-day trip to the incredible Niagara Falls.

Connecting two of the Great Lakes - Erie and Ontario - the Niagara River plunges down three astonishing waterfalls. When we arrive, we set sail on a cruise to get closer to one of the world's most impressive natural sights - with protective ponchos supplied. Marvelling at the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and the iconic Horseshoe Falls is an unforgettable experience as the clouds of spray and thunderous roar emphasise the awesome majesty of nature.

Back on shore, there is time for lunch independently in one of Niagara's restaurants before viewing the falls from above at Table Rock. Continuing our exploration, we reach the whirlpool where the river bursts out of the Niagara Gorge.

We conclude our excursion at the pretty town of Niagara on the Lake, where there is time to stroll its streets. Returning to Toronto this evening, you are free to dine independently tonight.

There is free time today to enjoy Toronto. You could head out early to get some food independently. You will find that Canadian breakfasts range from light cereals and pancakes to the hearty peameal bacon sandwich, invented in Toronto.

In the Distillery Historic District you will find coffee shops and bakeries and get a glimpse of Toronto in the 19th century as you wander its car-free cobbled streets lined with independent boutiques and stylish eateries.

If you have a head for heights, you could observe Toronto from the observation decks of the piercing CN Tower, where there is the option to experience the glass floor. Alternatively, to see the city from ground level, you could catch a ferry over to Ward's Island or Toronto Island Park.

In mid-afternoon, we regroup at our central hotel and transfer by coach to the airport for our overnight flight to London.

Our Canadian adventure concludes as we land at London Heathrow early this morning.

This spectacular expedition has seen us journey overland from the Pacific coast to the Great Lakes, witnessing many highlights of the world's second-largest country. Three nights aboard the Canadian provided a front-row seat to varied landscapes and a cruise into the Niagara Falls created unforgettable memories.

Our Classic range is what we're known for. Enjoy curated moments with plenty of inclusions. Centrally located hotels, premium travel options and engaging group tours with a seasoned expert are included. You'll be in groups with an average of 20-25 travellers and a maximum of 30*. *Scandinavian and Worldwide tours are on average 30-35 and a maximum of 40.

On The Canadian, we experience an epic journey through Canada, highlighting constantly changing landscapes and dramatic scenery. The train ventures between coastal Vancouver, the stunning Rocky Mountains and the modern city of Toronto on a 2,775-mile route, providing travellers with up to four nights of classic overnight rail travel.

The Canadian is a truly iconic train and transports us across the country in the comfort of restored carriages. Enjoy freshly prepared meals while onboard and beautiful, ever-changing views from the panoramic windows of the Sightseer's Lounge. Sleeper Plus travellers have access to the Park Car, including the Bullet Lounge, in the evenings, whereas Prestige Class guests have all-day access to the Park Car, including reserved seats in the dome area. We travel in semi-private curtained berths in Sleeper Plus Class on The Canadian; however, upgrades to private Sleeper Plus cabins with private restrooms and shared shower facilities and luxurious private cabins in Prestige Class, complete with en suite bathrooms, are available on request

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This 3-star mountain lodge and spa is nestled in the heart of Banff city centre. Facilities include a steakhouse restaurant and bar which serves dinner and drinks. The hotel's spa has several treatment rooms and residents can enjoy access to the hotel's hot pool, steam room and exercise facilities. Guest rooms feature a flat-screen television, mini-fridge, a safe, and free Wi-Fi. The centre of Banff is 10-minutes' walk from the lodge.

Set against the magnificent backdrop of Pyramid Mountain and inspired by the scarlet colour of the Canadian flag, the 3-Star Crimson Hotel in Jasper is an excellent place from which to explore the nearby Jasper National Park. Amenities include an indoor heated pool, fitness room and a restaurant. Air-conditioned guest rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, minifridge, tea & coffee-making facilities and hairdryer.

Conveniently located in the heart of downtown Toronto, the 4-Star Chelsea Hotel is Canada's largest hotel. It boasts a varied selection of restaurants and bars, as well as a fitness centre, heated indoor swimming pool, sauna and seasonal sundeck. The plush, air-conditioned guest rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, ironing equipment, tea & coffee-making facilities, hairdryer and complimentary toiletries.

In the heart of Vancouver, set between the friendly West End community and Vancouver's Downtown, the 4-star Blue Horizon Hotel offers great views across the city from its guest rooms, each of which has a balcony. An indoor pool and whirlpool offer a perfect opportunity to relax, while you can watch the world go by from the laid-back brunch restaurant. Rooms are equipped with free WiFi, coffee-making facilities and a safe.

Ideally located in Kamloops' historic downtown, this charming 3-Star hotel offers modern facilities in a heritage property retaining some original features. Due to its excellent positioning, there are many bars, restaurants, shops and attractions within a short walk, while an on-site restaurant/bar focuses on local cuisine. The guest rooms include free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, desk and tea & coffee-making facilities.

This 4-Star hotel within the Sun Peaks Resort features a mix of rustic comfort and luxury, surrounded by stunning mountain scenery. The hotel features a year-round heated outdoor pool, hot tubs, a fitness centre, and dining options that showcase local ingredients. The air-conditioned guest rooms have been inspired by the warm and luxurious mountain lifestyle and come equipped with free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, safe, minifridge, hairdryer and tea & coffee-making facilities.

Flight upgrades are available. For information regarding the types of upgrades offered by the various airlines we use, call our expert team for details.

Spending a night in London before your tour can make such a difference to the first day of your holiday - you can arrive in the capital in good time, relaxed and ready to join your Tour Manager the next morning. You may even want to take in a show on the West End or dine in one of London's famous restaurants. Perhaps on your return to London, you would like to break your journey with an overnight stay before continuing home.

We can book a wide range of hotels in central London or, for our holidays beginning with a flight, at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester Airport for the night before or after your holiday. If you require a quote for single occupancy at any of the hotels, please contact us on 01904 734 805.

Buying tickets for UK train services can be a tricky business - there are so many fares to choose from, each with different rules and restrictions. As you are connecting with an international departure, we strongly recommend that you book a fully flexible ticket to ensure that should the departure times for your holiday change, your rail ticket can allow for these changes.

We can book fully-flexible UK rail tickets from your local station to join your holiday whether this be a European holiday from St Pancras or a UK holiday. The prices are competitive and tickets are not restricted to a particular train or time of day, and in most cases offer you a free choice of routes.

For an up to date quote from your local station, please ask one of our Tour Advisors.

Enhance your experience on The Canadian train with an upgrade to the highest level of comfort: Prestige Class. With this upgrade, you enjoy the luxury of a private cabin with a modern modular sofa which converts to a full-size double bed, a private bathroom with a shower, and a flatscreen TV which includes a selection of films.

As a Prestige Class passenger, you also enjoy personal concierge services and unrestricted access to viewing cars. Additionally, Prestige Class gives you priority boarding, reserved seating in the Park car, and Dining car. Gourmet meals, snacks and bar service are included during your journey.

Upgrades to Prestige Class on The Canadian have limited availability - please call for details

ake your journey on the historic Canadian train even more enjoyable with an upgrade to a Sleeper Plus Class Cabin which provides more privacy including a private washroom.

The Sleeper Plus Cabin offers private, air-conditioned accommodation with upper and lower beds which convert to comfy sofa chairs, plus a window and blind. Features include a private washroom with a toilet and basin, access to shared shower facilities in the same carriage, a small closet, towels, bedding and drinking water. The Sleeper Plus Cabin also includes all-day access to the Skyline car, and evening access to the Park car, including the Bullet Lounge.

To reserve your Sleeper Plus Cabin, please call us on 1904 521 936.