Vancouver • Jasper National Park • Saskatoon Winnipeg • Thunder Bay • Ottawa • Montreal

A legendary 3,200-mile expedition, climbing from the Pacific Coast into the Rockies and tall-grass prairies once inhabited by The First Nation’s People, to charming cities on Canada’s wild frontier.

OPTIONAL PRE-TOUR HOTEL
American Orient Express has negotiated special rates with the Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver for the evening before the train is scheduled to depart. Please call American Orient Express Reservations for information and pricing.

ITINERARY
DAY 1 — VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA /
BOARD THE AMERICAN ORIENT EXPRESS
In the early afternoon, we meet at the Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver for a welcome reception. We then board the American Orient Express and settle in for our first night on the rails. (D)

DAY 2 — KAMLOOPS TO JASPER, ALBERTA
The sun climbs into the sky as we forge northeast across trestles and through tunnels, passing the city of Blue River and the 300-foot Pyramid Falls. Vistas of the Rockies, magnificent purple mountains penetrating the clouds, are outstanding. Relax and indulge in the train's amenities, including a lecture and afternoon tea presented by our pastry chef, as we emerge from the rocky cliffs into uninhabited expanses of rolling hills, then the mountains. Near the Alberta border, we skirt snow-capped Mount Robson –– which at 12,972 feet is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies –– and cross over Yellowhead Pass to Jasper. (B,L,D)

DAY 3 — JASPER NATIONAL PARK, ALBERTA
The largest of Canada's national parks, Jasper's rugged and magnificent landscape invites us to play. Choose a Snocoach expedition across the Athabasca Glacier, part of the 130-square-mile Columbia Icefield. Lunch will be served on the train, followed by an excursion to Maligne Canyon. Or embark on an optional tour of Lake Louise, one of Canada's most photographed sites, with time to explore on your own. Later, we enjoy fine dining and overnight on board the train. (B,L,D)

DAY 4 — JASPER THROUGH ALBERTA & SASKATCHEWAN
This morning you are free to explore the mountain town of Jasper, or enjoy an optional boat tour of Maligne Lake with a guide. During the afternoon we complete our rail trek through the Rockies, following the routes of the region's earliest explorers and settlers –– people we learn about in today's lecture. In central Alberta we pass sprawling cattle ranches and begin our 900-mile journey across grassy prairies and Canada's richest agricultural lands. (B,L,D)

DAY 5 — SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN
The Saskatoon area, situated on the banks of the South Saskatchewan River, has been inhabited for some 6,000 years. The city itself was founded in 1883 as a temperance colony, and today it is a leader in biotech research. We devote part of our day to exploring Wanuskewin Heritage Park. The park and museum interpret the lives of The First Nation’s People on the plains, and their reliance on buffalo. Here archaeologists have unearthed a medicine wheel, teepee rings, evidence of an enormous buffalo jump, and other artifacts. (B,L,D)

DAY 6 — WINNIPEG, MANITOBA
Winnipeg was once a frontier trading post built at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers. Today, we tour the city and the Museum of Man & Nature, and enjoy lunch at the historic Hotel Fort Garry. Spend the afternoon browsing the shops and boutiques, or tour a small rail museum right in the train station. (B,L,D)

DAY 7 —THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO
Local fiddlers playing traditional tunes welcome us to Thunder Bay this morning. Situated on the northern shores of Lake Superior, Thunder Bay has a long history as a frontier town. In the 1800s, it played a central role in the booming fur trade, with its convenient access to the commercial routes of the Great Lakes. Today, costumed guides lead us through old Fort William, a settlement depicting life in 19th-century Canada. After a frontier-inspired lunch, you are free to explore the blacksmith's shop and other buildings in the fort. (B,L,D)

DAY 8 — ACROSS ONTARIO
Relax and enjoy the train amenities and an on board lecture today as we cross the Canadian Shield into Ontario and ride the rails toward the eastern edge of this thousand-mile stretch of water-pocked bedrock. It took 20,000 men to lay these tracks over this challenging landscape. This evening, we have a special farewell cocktail reception and dinner on board before we overnight en route to Ottawa. (B,L,D)
 

DAY 9 — OTTAWA, ONTARIO & MONTREAL, QUEBEC
This morning we see the majestic Parliament buildings and visit the Canadian Museum of Civilization as we tour Canada's capital city of Ottawa. This national museum of human history houses more than 3.75-million artifacts. This afternoon, lunch is served on board as the American Orient Express continues to our final destination of Montreal. The train arrives in Montreal in the late afternoon. Famous for its French flavor and Quebecois flair, Montreal is a great city to further explore on your own. You are free to sightsee or transfer to the airport for flights home. (B,L)