American Orient Express
Great Trans-Canada Rail Journey
September 23-October 1, 2006
Montreal to Vancouver with IRT host Karl Zimmermann
DAY 1 –– MONTREAL, QUEBEC / BOARD THE AMERICAN ORIENT EXPRESS
In the early afternoon, we meet at The Fairmont Queen Elizabeth in
Montreal for a welcome reception. We then board the American Orient Express
and settle in for our first night on the rails. (D)
DAY
2 –– OTTAWA, ONTARIO
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 at a local restaurant, after which passengers
are free to browse the Byward Market or the National Gallery Art Museum. We
return to the train for dinner onboard. (B,L,D)
DAY 3 –– TORONTO, ONTARIO
Toronto is truly a global city. The capital of Ontario, it is Canada’s
largest city and one of the country’s most important cultural, financial
and health science centers. Home to the one of the world’s tallest buildings
(the CN Tower), Toronto is geographically as far south as the French Riviera
and, more people live in the city than in Canada’s four Atlantic Ocean
provinces combined! Today we visit the historic Casa Loma and enjoy a guided
tour. Known as Canada’s foremost castle, it is complete with beautifully
adorned suites, secret passages and tunnels, several towers, magnificent stables
and is surrounded by five acres of estate gardens. A few of the "conveniences"
of the castle include an elevator, an oven large enough to cook a steer and
three bowling alleys! We will also tour Toronto and enjoy lunch at a local
restaurant. (B,L,D)
DAY 4 –– THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO
Relax, enjoy the train amenities and an on board lecture today, as well as
afternoon tea presented by our onboard Pastry Chef. We cross the Canadian
Shield through Ontario and ride the rails toward the western edge of this
thousand-mile stretch of water-pocked bedrock. It took 20,000 men to lay these
tracks over this challenging landscape. (B,L,D) 
DAY 5 ––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. Take
a city tour of Winnipeg, spend the afternoon browsing the shops and boutiques,
or tour a small rail museum located in the train station. (B,L,D)
DAY 6 –– 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.
Tonight, in the observation car, enjoy our exclusive Society of IRT cocktail
party, hosted by Karl Zimmermann. (B,L,D)
DAY 7––
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 8 – RAIL TO VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA
This morning, you are free to explore the mountain town of Jasper,
or enjoy an optional boat tour of Maligne Lake with a guide. This afternoon
we complete our rail trek through the Rockies. Vistas of the Rockies, with
magnificent purple mountains penetrating the clouds, are outstanding. Relax
and indulge in the train's amenities, including a lecture. Near the Alberta
border, we cross over Yellowhead Pass and skirt snow-capped Mount Robson ––
which at 12,972 feet is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. As the sun
sets, we forge southwest across trestles and through tunnels, passing the
city of Blue River and the 300-foot Pyramid Falls. Enjoy dinner on board.
(B,L,D)
DAY 9 – VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA
After breakfast on board, enjoy a lecture before we arrive in Vancouver
in the early afternoon. Once in Vancouver, passengers are on their own to
explore the city or transfer to the airport for flights home. (B)
Tour Prices
| Retail Price | 90-179 Days Prior | 180+ Days Prior |
| Vintage Pullman | $5,490 | $5,190 | $4,990 |
| Single Sleeper | $6,490 | $6,190 | $5,990 |
| Classic Presidential | $7,190 | $6,890 | $6,690 |
| Grand Suite | $7,490 | $7,190 | $6,990 |
All rates are per person based on double occupancy except Single Sleeper.
If you’ve traveled on the train before, save an additional
$300 per person!
Sleeping Accommodations:
Vintage Pullman: Upper and lower beds, converted full-size couch,
private sink and water closet.
Single Sleeper: Lower bed, converted single sofa seat, private sink,
and water closet.
Presidential Suite: Double-size cabin with two lower beds, two converted
single sofa seats or a converted couch, private sink, water closet and shower.
Grand Suite: Larger cabin with two lower beds in an "L" configuration,
converted full-size couch and converted single sofa seat, pull-out table,
private sink, water closet and shower.
Click here for complete tour terms and conditions.
Click here to download our 2006 tour booking form.
To check availability, contact us at (800) 478-4881
toll-free in the U.S.
Outside the U.S.: (502) 454-0277.
Or e-mail us by clicking here.
The Society of International Railway Travelers
1810 Sils Ave., Louisville, KY 40205
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