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Cosmos Canadian Train Odyssey with Alaska Cruise (8965)

22 days from Toronto to Vancouver 
This cross-country train adventure across Canada begins in Toronto, ends in Vancouver, and includes beautiful scenery and fun-filled activities in some of Canada’s most popular cities. A highlight of this Canada train tour is the 3-day, 3-night journey on VIA Rail’s® the Canadian—a premier continental train—from Toronto to Jasper. In refurbished art deco rail cars and domed observation cars, enjoy views of the ever-changing landscapes as you leisurely travel through Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. The spectacular landscapes on your train trip are not the only stunning scenery you’ll witness on this Canada rail tour. Marvel at hypnotic Niagara Falls on your boat cruise past the falls. In the Canadian Rockies, ride the Ice Explorer—an all-terrain vehicle—on Columbia Icefield, an expanse of ice that is 750-feet thick. Stop in breathtaking Lake Louise, where cold waters mirror the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Spend time in stunning Jasper National Park—with its rugged mountains, glaciers, alpine meadows, rivers, and abundant wildlife—and Banff National Park, home to majestic mountains and picture-perfect scenery. Also travel through Yoho National Park, with its famous fossils, and Glacier National Park, with its abundant wildlife. From the Pacific Coast, sail to Victoria through the scenic Gulf Islands, a diverse archipelago. In Victoria, visit world-famous Butchart Gardens with its 55 acres of floral displays. Plus, enjoy a 7-night Alaska cruise through the stunning Inside Passage, one of the world’s most picturesque sea lanes. Hear the roar as ice breaks off and “calves” into the sea—it’s spectacular! Your cruise stops include Juneau; Skagway, an important town during the Klondike Gold Rush in 1898; and Ketchikan. See Canada’s spectacular mountain scenery, stunning lakes, picturesque towns, gentle prairie fields, and exciting cities on this Canadian rail tour—with an Alaska cruise!

Itinerary (2023)

Day 1TORONTO
 Welcome to Toronto! Your Tour Director is on hand late this afternoon to answer any questions.
Day 2TORONTO. EXCURSION TO NIAGARA FALLS
 Leave bustling Toronto and travel along the shores of Lake Ontario to Niagara Falls. Sightseeing here includes the Niagara Falls sightseeing cruise past the world-famous falls. Return to Toronto and enjoy a sightseeing tour that includes City Hall, the downtown banking district, Rogers Centre, and stunning CN Tower—more than a third of a mile high. Spend the evening exploring the city sights on your own, or join the optional outing that combines dinner with the spectacular sight of Toronto’s skyline from the CN Tower.

NOTE:
Operation of the Niagara Falls sightseeing cruise is subject to favorable weather and/or river conditions. When unfavorable conditions exist, a walking tour through the scenic tunnels will be substituted.
Day 3TORONTO–VIA RAIL THE CANADIAN
 This morning, transfer to Union Station for a departure on The Canadian, VIA Rail’s premier transcontinental train. Spend the next three days and nights on this classic trip across Canada’s heartland. Your Sleeper-Plus class rail cars are refurbished art-deco cars from the 1950s. Domed observation cars let you enjoy views of the Canadian countryside as you roll past Ontario’s landscapes. Chef-prepared meals offer a tempting array of soups, salads, main courses, and desserts. (L,D)
Day 4VIA RAIL THE CANADIAN
 Today, watch the scenery as you whisk by the ever-changing Canadian landscape and travel the full length of the Canadian National Railway’s breathtaking mainline. (B,L,D)
Day 5VIA RAIL THE CANADIAN
 The Canadian glides through Winnipeg, before continuing the journey through Manitoba’s prairies and into Saskatchewan. (B,L,D)
Day 6VIA RAIL THE CANADIAN–JASPER NATIONAL PARK
 Arrive in Jasper this morning and enjoy an orientation tour of the townsite. The remainder of your day is free to enjoy the ambiance of this delightful mountain setting.
Day 7JASPER NATIONAL PARK
 Consider an optional trip to Maligne Lake for a narrated cruise to much-photographed Spirit Island. On the return journey, stop to view mighty Maligne Canyon. With free time this afternoon, maybe hike on the trails and watch for wildlife, or stroll the streets of Jasper. Perhaps an optional float trip on the Athabasca River to end the day?
Day 8JASPER NATIONAL PARK–COLUMBIA ICEFIELD–LAKE LOUISE–BANFF NATIONAL PARK
 Board your motorcoach this morning and journey through Jasper National Park, stopping along the way at the Columbia Icefield to experience the Ice Explorer, an all-terrain vehicle that travels on ice measuring 750 feet (250 meters) thick. Continue down Icefields Parkway to Lake Louise, where cold waters mirror the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Arrive in Banff National Park for a leisurely 2-night stay. An orientation tour includes Banff’s unspoiled beauty.
Day 9BANFF NATIONAL PARK
 This morning, consider an optional helicopter ride over the Canadian Rockies. The day is free to independently explore this resort town located within Banff National Park. Stroll Banff Avenue, the main thoroughfare of boutiques and souvenir shops. The surrounding 2,564 square miles of parkland are home to wildlife, including elk and grizzly bear. This evening, your Tour Director will suggest an optional horse-drawn wagon ride along scenic trails, followed by a BBQ Steak dinner.
Day 10BANFF NATIONAL PARK–YOHO NATIONAL PARK–GLACIER NATIONAL PARK–KAMLOOPS
 This morning, leave Banff National Park and travel over Kicking Horse Pass on the Continental Divide. Travel through Yoho National Park, where pre-Cambrian fossils were discovered, and Glacier National Park, where recreational mountain climbing was introduced to North America a century ago. Late this afternoon, arrive at the cattle-ranching center of Kamloops.
Day 11KAMLOOPS–FERRY CROSSING–VICTORIA
 As you travel through the Coast Mountain Range to its majestic Pacific coastline, the vegetation changes from desert landscape to lush alpine forest. Board your afternoon ferry for the spectacular crossing to Vancouver Island. Sightseeing in Victoria includes the world-famous Butchart Gardens, the Inner Harbour, Bastion Square, and Thunderbird Park. This evening, consider strolling along the Waterfront Promenade.
Day 12VICTORIA
 Be sure to discover some of the attractions this splendid city has to offer, including the Royal British Columbia Museum, Afternoon Tea at the Empress Hotel, a whale-watching cruise on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and fine shopping along Government Street.
Day 13VICTORIA–FERRY CROSSING–VANCOUVER
 This morning, set sail across the Strait of Georgia and through the spectacular Gulf Islands. After arrival in Vancouver, transfer to Canada Place and board your cruise ship. (D)
Day 14SCENIC CRUISING: INSIDE PASSAGE
 Spend the day cruising one of the world’s most spectacular waterways. Located along the coast of British Columbia, the Inside Passage is the longest sheltered inland waterway in the world. Watch the water for orcas and humpback whales. (B,L,D)
Day 15JUNEAU
 Located at the foot of grand mountain peaks on Gastineau Channel, Alaska’s capital city of Juneau has massive Mendenhall Glacier and the Juneau Icefield at its back door. Visit the rustic shops in town—or get out and kayak, raft, hike, whale watch, flightsee, or fish. There is no end to the adventure because of the long daylight hours. (B,L,D)
Day 16SKAGWAY
 In winter, the sidewalks are all but rolled up in Skagway, so you can imagine the frightful conditions endured by gold prospectors who passed through en route to the Yukon. Take your time and poke your head into every little shop, from the Trail Bench to Lynch & Kennedy’s Dry Goods. The Red Onion Saloon, with its honky-tonk piano and costumed barmaids, is a treasure trove of memorabilia featuring pictures of Klondike Kate, Peahull Annie, and other historic characters. To complete the picture of those rip-roaring days, visit the nostalgic Trail of ’98 Museum. (B,L,D)
Day 17SCENIC CRUISING: GLACIER BAY
 Glacier Bay has more actively calving tidewater glaciers than anyplace else in the world. How does it feel when a colossal chunk of ice splits off a glacier and crashes into the sea? The sound is like thunder. The impact shoots water hundreds of meters into the air. You hold your breath as you capture the moment on camera, then you wait for it all to happen again. (B,L,D)
Day 18KETCHIKAN
 Alaska’s “First City” of Ketchikan is so named because it is the first major landfall for most cruisers as they enter the picturesque fjords of the Inside Passage, where the town clings to the banks of the Tongass Narrows, flanked by green forests nurtured by abundant rain. An important hub of the salmon-fishing and -packing industries—visitors can try their luck on a sport-fishing excursion or simply savor the fresh seafood at one of the local restaurants. It is also one of the best spots along the Inside Passage to explore the rich cultural sights of Native Alaskan nations like the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian. (B,L,D)
Day 19SCENIC CRUISING: INSIDE PASSAGE
 Arguably one of the greatest cruising routes in the world, the Inside Passage stretches through stunning landscapes, from Misty Fjords National Monument to famed Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. Sailing the Inside Passage offers opportunities to spot some of Alaska’s most iconic wildlife, with humpback whales and orca plying the bountiful waters alongside the ships, bald eagles soaring overhead and brown bears lumbering on the shoreline. (B,L,D)
Day 20VANCOUVER (DISEMBARKATION)
 Your cruise ends this morning. Sightseeing in Vancouver, includes Stanley Park, Gastown, Chinatown, and many other famous landmarks. The remainder of the day is free to explore Robson Street and experience British Columbia’s premier shopping and entertainment location. (B)
Day 21VANCOUVER
 Today is at leisure for independent sightseeing. Maybe take a water taxi to lively Granville Island with its outdoor markets, street musicians, and waterfront cafés. Or, re-visit historic Gastown with its steam-powered clock, antique shops, art galleries, and street vendors.
Day 22VANCOUVER
 Your vacation ends this morning.

Included Cosmos Meals

9 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 10 dinners

Related Cosmos Tours

8960 - Canadian Train Odyssey

Cosmos Pricing Details

Gratuities for Tour Director and driver are available for pre-purchase.

Any applicable Goods and Service Tax (GST) and/or Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) for Canada are additional.

Taxes will be calculated and listed at the time of booking, prior to payment being collected. Cruise line non-commissionable fare, government taxes, and fees of $540 to $555 are included in cruise price.

Cosmos Notes

Cruise itineraries are provided by Holland America Line and are up to date at time of printing. Your travel documents will contain the most current information.

At least one member of the traveling party must be 21 years of age or older.

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Cosmos Tour Dates


Guaranteed Departure  indicates Guaranteed Departure
*Tour Land StartCosmos RetailRequest Quote
Guaranteed Departure 06/14/2024 $5,945.00
Guaranteed Departure 07/05/2024 $5,975.00
Guaranteed Departure 07/26/2024 $5,975.00
Guaranteed Departure 08/16/2024 $5,886.00
Guaranteed Departure 08/23/2024 $5,787.00
Guaranteed Departure 05/09/2025 $5,720.00
05/16/2025 $5,828.00
05/30/2025 $6,371.00
Guaranteed Departure 06/13/2025 $6,479.00
06/27/2025 $6,509.00
07/04/2025 $6,509.00
Guaranteed Departure 07/18/2025 $6,509.00
07/25/2025 $6,509.00
08/01/2025 $6,499.00
Guaranteed Departure 08/15/2025 $6,391.00
08/22/2025 $6,292.00
09/05/2025 $6,292.00
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