Duration: 14 nights
Best months: June–September
Country: Canada
Region: Toronto · Toronto Islands · Winnipeg · Gimli · Lake Winnipeg · Banff National Park · Icefields Parkway · Vancouver · Vancouver Island
A Journey From Skyline Nights to Mountain Mornings
This 14-night trans-Canada route is built for travelers who want the full sweep—vibrant cities, prairie culture, alpine scale, and Pacific coastline—without the fatigue of piecing it all together. Expect smooth transitions by plane and train, private guiding where it elevates the day, and a pace that keeps everyone present (kids included) while still leaving room for indulgent, adults-only moments.
At EscapeXperts®, your planning/design fee becomes deliverables: a discovery session, curated options for stays and experiences, iterations to refine the flow, and a final trip plan with checklists—plus support for changes as travel details evolve.
Toronto: Canoes, Markets, and a City That Shines After Dark
Arrive in Toronto and settle in before your first evening on the water. You’ll be driven to Queens Quay West, meet your professional canoe guide, and paddle toward the Toronto Islands for a sunset picnic. The route slips through a bird sanctuary and past sleek yachts before you step ashore for a gourmet spread—then return as the skyline lights up.
Your second day is pure Toronto energy: breakfast at Buca in Yorkville, a visit to the Royal Ontario Museum, time wandering Kensington Market, and a tasting-focused stop at St Lawrence Market—a perfect way to sample the city’s flavors and rhythm.
City lights, calm water, and a first chapter that lands softly
Winnipeg & Gimli: Prestige Rails, Inuit Art, and a Lakeside Escape
After two days in Toronto, you’ll board an overnight train to Winnipeg in a Prestige Suite—a rare kind of travel day where the journey is the experience. Wake rested, arrive with ease, and check in to The Fort Garry Hotel.
In Winnipeg, you’ll enjoy a private guided visit to the Winnipeg Art Gallery, home to the world’s largest collection of Inuit art, followed by time at Forks Market, a local hub with gourmet finds and an unmistakably community feel.
The next day shifts to “only-in-Canada” logistics: a private helicopter transfer to Gimli, a low-key lakeside town with distinctive Icelandic heritage. Here, you’ll tour the Crown Royal distillery, enjoy tastings straight from the barrel, and join a cocktail-making masterclass—then head to the sandy shores of Lake Winnipeg for a luxe picnic before your helicopter return to Winnipeg.
Alberta & Banff National Park: Helicopter Peaks and the Icefields Parkway
From Winnipeg, you’ll fly to Alberta, pick up your rental car, and drive to Banff to check in at the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs. The next morning, you’ll take to the skies on a private helicopter flight over Banff National Park, tracing the Three Sisters peaks and Marvel Pass, with a photo stop at 7,200 feet.
Then it’s boots-on: drive the Icefields Parkway—one of North America’s most scenic roads—pulling off for a lesser-known hike through alpine lakes and mountain viewpoints. It’s the kind of day that feels adventurous, but never frantic, when the timing is engineered properly.
The Rocky Mountaineer & Vancouver: Pacific Ease, First-Class Views, and a Final-Day Flight
Now for a legendary finale: board the Rocky Mountaineer from Banff to Vancouver, watching the Canadian Rockies unfold in comfort as you move from alpine drama to coastal calm.
In Vancouver, you’ll have three days to sink into the best of the city: wander Gastown, spend a full day in Stanley Park (beaches, totem poles, and wide green spaces), and browse the Granville Island public market.
For your ultimate send-off, take a float plane for sweeping aerial views before landing on Vancouver Island for a whale watching experience. Add a hike or bike ride if you’d like, then close with a standout sushi dinner at Nori, before flying back to the mainland for your final night.
Signature Experiences
- Guided canoe journey from Queens Quay West to the Toronto Islands for a sunset picnic
- Breakfast at Buca in Yorkville, plus Royal Ontario Museum, Kensington Market, and St Lawrence Market
- Overnight train to Winnipeg in a Prestige Suite
- Stay at The Fort Garry Hotel with a private guided visit to the Winnipeg Art Gallery
- Local time at Forks Market for food and culture
- Private helicopter to Gimli for a Crown Royal distillery tour, barrel tastings, and cocktail masterclass
- Lakeside picnic on Lake Winnipeg
- Fairmont Banff Springs, a private helicopter over Banff National Park, and a day on the Icefields Parkway
- Rocky Mountaineer from Banff to Vancouver, plus a float plane to Vancouver Island for whale watching
Ready for Something Extraordinary?
EscapeXperts® designs trans-Canada journeys with tranquility, access, and precision—private logistics, trusted local partners, and a pace that works beautifully for families and multigenerational groups. You’ll receive a refined itinerary with checklists and responsive support for changes, so every flight, rail segment, and “big moment” feels effortless from start to finish.
Why Travel to Canada with Escape Xperts
Canada is vast—and that’s exactly why design matters. EscapeXperts® curates the right sequence from Toronto to Winnipeg, Gimli, Banff, and Vancouver, then orchestrates flights, rail, private touring, and timing so the experience feels smooth rather than “cross-country complicated.” We balance kid-friendly highlights (markets, parks, wildlife) with elevated adult moments (private tastings, premium rail), while protecting privacy and downtime. The result is a polished, bespoke journey with impeccable logistics, local access, and a rhythm that keeps everyone connected to the experience—not the moving parts.
