The Great Trans-Canada Rail Tour
2008 GREAT TRANS-CANADA RAIL TOUR
Early Spring Season
Departures:
Every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, May 3-19
Main Season departures:
Every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, May
21-October 1
Autumn Season departures:
October 4, 6 and 8
Hosted land tour from $2849.00
All Prices Are in US Dollars 
For
2008, we again offer a greatly enhanced rail tour across Canada from
Vancouver to Toronto. This includes fine sightseeing programs in
Banff, Lake Louise and
Jasper and a day
for optional sightseeing in either
Vancouver or
Victoria at the
beginning of the trip. Included are two-night stays in Banff and
Jasper, a night at Lake Louise, and the wonderful train services of
both the all-daylight ROCKY MOUNTAINEER and VIA Rail Canada’s CANADIAN domeliner. We offer this tour only in the eastbound direction, as this
assures the best daylight running through the lovely scenery east of
Jasper. An optional “fly back” package offering air before or after
the tour between Toronto and Vancouver also is available.
This is a “Hosted Tour”. Although fully narrated sightseeing,
lodging, transportation and transfers are included, you will not
necessarily have the same host/driver/narrator each day. All
arrangements are fully prebooked/prepaid. You enjoy significant price
savings on a Hosted Tour in contrast with a Fully Escorted trip, since
you are not paying the travel cost of the same escort throughout.
Two classes of service are offered on the tour. In Moderate
accommodations, hotels are equivalent to a two or three diamond AAA
standard with private baths in all rooms. On VIA Rail Canada, Pullman
Section accommodations are included, with optional Roomette or Bedroom
upgrades possible at a higher cost, as noted under Tour Pricing. In
Deluxe accommodations, passengers enjoy four and five diamond hotel
rooms with private bath and Roomette (single) or Bedroom (double)
Pullman accommodations on VIA Rail Canada. For each hotel stay, we
note examples of hotels for both price categories. Actual hotel
assignments are made when the booking is confirmed.
All passengers travel in “Red
Leaf Class” coaches on the ROCKY MOUNTAINEER. A limited number of
“Gold-Leaf Dome”
seats are available for the surcharge noted under Tour Pricing below.
Details follow. All aboard!
Day One, Mondays, Wednesdays or Saturdays
Arrival into Vancouver,
airport transfers, hotel night. Independent arrivals today into
Vancouver. A transfer to
your downtown hotel and overnight hotel room are included. Moderate:
Pacific Palisades Hotel or similar; Deluxe: Hotel Vancouver or
similar.
Day Two, Tuesdays, Thursdays or Sundays (CB,L
in “Red Leaf”; B,L,D in “Gold Leaf”)
Rocky Mountaineer private train from Vancouver
to Kamloops through the spectacular Canadian Rockies. A transfer
is included this morning to the Canadian National Terminal to board
the ROCKY MOUNTAINEER. Reservations on this train for the next
two days are in reclining seat “Red Leaf” coaches with at-seat meals
and full on-board commentary service. Snacks and non-alcoholic
beverages also are included on the train. A limited number of upgraded
seats are available in the “Gold Leaf” dome car where passengers enjoy
full table service meals and reserved dome car seating.
Depart eastbound on the superbly scenic mainline
of the Canadian Pacific RY. After crossing the fertile Lower Mainland
region of British Columbia, we enter the 4,000-foot depths of the
Fraser Canyon, passing the rapids and fish ladders of Hells Gate.
Later we enter the more arid Thompson Canyon, passing the Jaws of
Death Rapids and running along the northern shore of beautiful
Kamloops Lake before arriving in Kamloops, where transfers and
overnight accommodations are included at a number of hotels as
assigned by the ROCKY MOUNTAINEER.
Day Three, Wednesdays, Fridays or Mondays (CB,
L in “Red Leaf”, B,L in “Gold Leaf”)
Rocky
Mountaineer through Yoho and Banff National Parks and famous Spiral
Tunnels; two nights in Banff.
Canada’s
“National Dream” railway, the Canadian Pacific, takes us east over the
Rockies! In succession we traverse Mount Revelstoke and Canadian
Glacier, Yoho
(the Cree word for “amazing”) and
Banff National Parks.
We cross the mighty Columbia River twice, gape at soaring
Stoney Creek Viaduct, and marvel at the
ascent through
Kicking Horse River Canyon. The legendary Spiral Tunnels take us
to the Continental Divide over Kicking Horse Pass, as we travel east
from British Columbia into Banff National Park, Alberta. A great sweep
of mountains rises above us as we follow the rapids of the Bow River
to a late-day arrival at Banff. Lodging is included in Banff for two
nights. Moderate: Mount Royal Hotel or similar. Deluxe:
Banff Springs
Hotel
or similar.
The Bow River Valley at Banff Photo by Ernst
Dieter-Boehme
Day Four, Thursdays, Saturdays or
Tuesdays
Touring in Banff area; free
time in Banff. The Discover Banff General Drive includes Tunnel
Mountain Drive, the Cave and Basin Hot Springs, a view of
Lake
Minnewanka, the unique Hoodoos, the Bow River Falls and the
gondola lift up Sulphur Mountain. The afternoon is free to visit
the hot springs or Natural History Museum, golf, shop, or just relax.
Day Five, Fridays, Sundays or Wednesdays
Motorcoach to stunning Yoho N.P.; overnight Lake Louise. We experience the remarkable
Mountain Lakes and Parks drive today (not available on May
departures), re-crossing the Continental Divide to see glorious Yoho
National Park in B.C. We visit deep blue-green
Emerald Lake and thousand-foot
Takakkaw Falls, with a stop at the overlook of the Spiral Tunnels.
The beautiful drive concludes at Lake Louise for an overnight. (May
departures feature a more direct transfer to Lake Louise.) Moderate:
The Deer Lodge (which is located one hundred yards from the shore)
Deluxe:
Chateau Lake Louise (lakeside). Please note
the Mountain Lakes and Parks Drive is offered only June 15-October 2.
On other dates the tour will not visit Yoho National Park.
Day Six, Saturdays, Mondays or Thursdays
Columbia Icefields
Parkway drive; SnoCoach ride on Athabasca Glacier; two-night stay
in Jasper. This morning we follow possibly the most scenic highway in
North America, the Columbia Icefields Parkway north to Jasper. We
climb rugged Peyto Summit past aquamarine
Peyto Lake and cross the
divide over Sunwapta Pass to the Columbia Icefields. Here we enjoy the
unique experience of a SnoCoach journey onto the face of the mighty
Athabasca Glacier. From this vast field of eternal ice rise rivers
that flow to the Pacific, Arctic and Atlantic Oceans! We pass
thundering Athabasca River Falls en route to Jasper for a two-night
stay. Moderate:
Lobstick Lodge or similar. Deluxe:
Jasper Park Lodge
or similar.
Day Seven, Sundays, Tuesdays or
Fridays
Tour in Jasper area;
free time in Jasper. This morning we enjoy the Jasper General
Drive to the shores of beautiful Pyramid and Patricia Lakes and
Maligne Canyon. New is a stop to cruise on exquisite
Maligne Lake, the
locale of the Jeanette MacDonald/Nelson Eddy film “Rose Marie”. Please
note that due to ice conditions on the lake the Maligne Lake cruise is
only offered from June 1-September 30. Other dates tour Jasper,
Pyramid and Patricia Lakes only. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Day Eight, Mondays, Wednesdays or
Saturdays (L,D)
Free morning
in Jasper; board VIA Rail Canadian to ride through balance of the
Rockies; overnight on train. The morning is free to relax and enjoy
the grandeur of Jasper National Park. Late this morning we board VIA
Rail Canada’s CANADIAN dome-liner. Accommodations for two nights are
included in Pullman sleeping cars, with choice of the menu dining car
meals and dome-car access during this rail journey. The great train
rolls east on the Canadian National RY mainline through the glories of
Jasper National Park, closely following the Athabasca River past
thundering rapids and crystalline lakes. At the Gates of the
Mountains, we come into the forested hills of northern Alberta,
pausing at Edmonton in late afternoon.
Day Nine, Tuesdays, Thursdays or Sundays (B,
L, D)
Ride through Saskatchewan and Manitoba on VIA Rail; overnight on
train. The
“Park Car” (a beautiful vista-dome observation-lounge) provides an
ideal venue to enjoy the great ascent of the escarpment out of
Saskatchewan’s Q’uapelle Valley. We race by the wheat fields and grain
elevators of Manitoba into Winnipeg. While the train is serviced, we
can see the museum in this landmark depot and view its great
rotunda/dome. This evening the plains transition into the lake country
of the Canadian Shield.
Day Ten,
Wednesdays, Fridays or Mondays (B, L, D)
VIA Rail through lakes and forests into Toronto; overnight
Toronto. The
train spends the day traversing the roadless wilderness of the
Canadian Shield, a vast sweep of fast-flowing rivers, uncounted
glacial lakes and stony outcroppings. At several points no paved road
intersects our route for a hundred miles. After dinner we arrive in
Toronto, Ontario’s great metropolis, for a one-night stay. Moderate:
Courtyard Inn by Marriott. Deluxe:
Royal York Hotel. Please note hotel
transfers in Toronto are not included in the tour price. The Royal
York is literally across the street from Toronto Union Station; the
Courtyard Inn by Marriott is about a half-mile away.
Toronto Skyline and the CN Tower
Day Eleven,
Thursdays, Saturdays or Tuesdays
Tour ends. Our
tour ends with independent departures from Toronto. Amtrak and VIA
Rail Canada trains depart from Toronto’s Union Station, and the
airport easily can be reached by frequent Airporter bus service.
TOUR PRICES include all rail fares; all
sightseeing as outlined above; luggage handling in hotels; transfers
on arrival at the Vancouver airport and during the tour; and meals
noted as included above. Red cap service is available in Toronto from
the train to the Royal York Hotel but cannot be prepaid. The customary
gratuity is $2.00 per bag handled by a VIA Red Cap. Tips, other meals,
alcoholic beverages and souvenirs are not included. Canadian Goods and
Services Tax must be added to all prices at the rates outlined below.
On the ROCKY MOUNTAINEER train all
passengers travel in “Red Leaf” reclining coach seats. A limited
number of “Gold Leaf Dome” class seats are offered on this train at
the surcharge noted below.
On VIA Rail Canada, the Moderate accommodations
are in Sections (an upper and lower berth). These are the largest beds
in any traditional Pullman accommodation. Sections provide a very
spacious daytime feeling, as there is no wall closing you off from the
aisle. A very heavy secured curtain encloses the area for nighttime
privacy. The three Sections in the car share two dressing rooms with
toilet, one for men and one for women. For an additional cost, those
with Moderate accommodations can upgrade to single occupancy Roomettes
or double occupancy Bedrooms on VIA. These private rooms include
in-room toilet facilities. Please note only two nights are spent on
this train.
Deluxe accommodations on VIA Rail Canada are in
single occupancy Roomettes or double occupancy Bedrooms with an upper
and lower berth. These have a toilet and sink in the room.
For all passengers, each VIA sleeping car
contains a locking single occupancy shower room with towels and soap
provided on-board.
All Prices Are in US
Dollars
MODERATE ACCOMMODATIONS
Early Spring Season (May 3-19)
$2849.00 per person, double occupancy in Sections
on VIA
$3549.00 single occupancy in a Section berth on
VIA
$3103.00 per person, double occupancy using two
Roomettes or a Bedroom on VIA
$3803.00 single using a Roomette on VIA
Main Season (May 21-October 1)
$4099.00 per person, double occupancy in Sections
on VIA
$5199.00 single occupancy in a Section berth on
VIA
$4515.00 per person, double occupancy using two
Roomettes or a Bedroom on VIA
$5615.00 single using a Roomette on VIA
Autumn Season (October 4, 6 and 8 )
$3459.00 per person, double occupancy in Sections
on VIA
$4249.00 single occupancy in a Section berth on
VIA
$3875.00 per person, double occupancy using two
Roomettes or a Bedroom on VIA
$4665.00 single occupancy using a Roomette on
VIA
DELUXE ACCOMMODATIONS
Early Spring Season (May 3-19)
$3899.00 per person, double occupancy using two
Roomettes or a Bedroom on VIA
$5349.00 single using a Roomette on VIA
Main Season (May 21-October 1)
$5499.00 per person, double occupancy using two
Roomettes or a Bedroom on VIA
$7549.00 single using a Roomette on VIA
Autumn Season (October 4, 6 and 8))
$4449.00 per person, double occupancy using two
Roomettes or a Bedroom on VIA
$5699.00 single occupancy using a Roomette on VIA
OPTIONAL GOLD-LEAF DOME
UPGRADE ON THE ROCKY MOUNTAINEER
$840.00 per person, single or double occupancy,
for all departures
FLY-BACK OPTION
As this is a one-way tour, we offer a one-way air
option between Toronto and Vancouver either before or after the tour.
2008 rates will be available in January, 2008. Flights and carriers
are assigned by Brewster Tours.
MANDATORY
CANADIAN GOODS AND SERVICES TAX
A 2.5% Canadian Goods and Services Tax must be
added to all rates above and is not subject to rebate under Canadian
law.
Conditions and Booking Information (the fine
print)
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