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Peregrine Travel Centre

Eastern Canada by Rail

Eastern Canada by Rail

From $ 7,345 AUD

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Description

Take a rail journey through Eastern Canada and uncover the cultural highlights, historic landmarks, French influence and scenic beauty of the region over 10 days. Start your adventure in Toronto, taking a daytrip to Niagara Falls and raising a glass of wine to your fellow travellers. Stay in the small town of Gananoque and take a boat ride around the Thousand Islands, then see Ottawa on an e-bike through the city and parklands. Explore Quebec City’s bohemian atmosphere, take a historic funicular ride and taste some local snacks before a daytrip to Ile d’Orleans – home to the gorgeous national park. Get your fill of poutine, then end it all in Montreal.

Trip Name
Eastern Canada by Rail
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
10
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Travel between Toronto and Montreal like the locals do – by train! See this gorgeous part of Canada from a train window, soaking up the scenery along the way and enjoying a slower pace.
  • Visit the iconic Niagara Falls and tour the Canadian side with your local leader before taking on an optional boat ride to feel the mist of the thundering cascades on your face. Then, visit a winery in Niagra on the Lake for a tasting.
  • Stroll through the heritage-listed Old Town of Quebec City, try a classic snack at BeaverTails and take the historic funicular up the hill for excellent views across the city.
  • Daytrip to Ile d'Orleans – this scenic island is known as ‘the microcosm of traditional Quebec.’ Have a classic lunch of poutine, then take a hike through the beautiful Parc National de la Jacques-Cartier.
  • Explore the cities of Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa and get to know Canada’s famous landmarks, culture, history and people by bike, rail and on foot – all with a local leader by your side.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Toronto
Welcome to Canada! Your adventure begins in Toronto – the capital of Ontario along the lake’s northwestern shore. With soaring skyscrapers, this metropolis is known for the free-standing CN Tower, its green spaces and its sports culture. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight at your hotel to meet your local leader and fellow travellers. After, maybe head out for dinner with your group and get to know each other.
Day 2 - Niagara Falls / Toronto
Today you’ll take a day trip to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. Part of the UNESCO-listed Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve, the falls are also one of the honorary Natural Wonders of the World, straddling both Canada and the Unites States across three massive cascades. You’ll take an orientation tour with your leader, then you have free time to take on one of the optional cruises on offer. Feel the mist of the falls on your face, then this afternoon, head to a wine tasting in Niagara-on-the-Lake – this town on the Niagara Peninsula is home to some excellent wineries. Later, return to Toronto for the night.
Day 3 - Toronto / Gananoque
This morning, head out for an orientation walk of Toronto with your local leader, seeing some of the sites you may not have seen yet. Then, you’ll hop on the train to the small town of Gananoque – home to the Thousand Islands, known as the ‘Garden of the Great Spirit’ by the Iroquois Nation. Straddling the border, this archipelago sits at the outlet of Lake Ontario at the head of Saint Lawrence River. When you arrive, you have a free afternoon to relax or explore at your own pace. Maybe explore the parkway, visit the 1000 Islands History Museum or head to a theatre show at the Thousand Islands Playhouse.
Day 4 - Thousand Islands / Ottawa
Set out on a cruise through the Thousand Islands this morning and learn about this area’s history, wars and rebellions. See the 5th and 6th-generation family cottages as you cruise through the narrow channels to the Admiralty and Navy groups of islands, soaking up the scenery. This afternoon, take the train to Ottawa, Canada’s capital. When you arrive, you’re free to explore the city’s restaurant and bar scene – your leader will always have some great recommendations!
Day 5 - Ottawa
Set out on an e-bike tour of Ottawa. This city is a great spot to explore on two wheels, home to many bike paths through both the city centre and through nature, so you’ll spend half the day exploring downtown, both on foot and by electric bike. Visit Gatineau Park – this park focuses on conservation and is the largest green space in the region, occupying an area of over 362 sq km. A favourite for nature-lovers, this huge space celebrates its biodiversity, and you can look out for bats, frogs, raccoons, squirrels and even black bears (when the season’s right). After, you have a free afternoon to relax or visit one of the city’s 29 museums.
Day 6 - Quebec City
Today you’ll take a train to Quebec City – the largest province in Canada known for its French-speakers, European architecture, narrow streets and the Saint Lawrence River on which it sits. This is a bit of a long travel day, so soak up the views along the way, get stuck into a good book or play card games with your fellow travellers. When you arrive, you’re free to explore the city at your own pace. Maybe walk the cobblestone streets in the evening and find a warmly lit bistro for dinner or head to a comedy show.
Day 7 - Quebec City
Head out on a walking tour of Quebec City this morning with a local guide and get to know more about the city and its culture. Head to the popular chain BeaverTails and tuck into a delicious local pastry, then hop on The Old Quebec Funicular – a historic railway connecting the Upper and Lower Town, offering views across the city. The main entrance of the funicular is the House Louis Jolliet, in the heart of Old Quebec, which was built in 1683! This afternoon is free to explore this charming city however you like.
Day 8 - Ile d'Orleans / Jacques Cartier National Park / Quebec City
This morning you’ll take a private vehicle to Ile d’Orleans for a daytrip – this island and heritage site in the Saint Lawrence River was one of the first places in the province to be colonised by the French and has been described as ‘the microcosm of traditional Quebec.’ When you arrive, you’ll explore with your leader, then head to a local spot for some classic poutine (fries and cheese curds covered in brown gravy). When you’re justifiably full of carbs, you’ll head to the gorgeous Parc National de la Jacques-Cartier for a hike. This park is home to one of the most beautiful glacial valleys in Quebec, the Vallee de la Jacques-Cartier. Look out for moose and beavers as you walk through the scenic landscape, then later, return to Quebec City.
Day 9 - Montreal
Take the train to Montreal – the largest city in the province of Quebec named after Mt. Royal, the triple-peaked hill at its centre. The neighbourhoods here all offer unique draw cards, with French cobblestone streets and bohemian vibes. When you arrive, you’ll head out for an orientation walk to get your bearings. Known for its rich cultural history, art, theatre and music, there is plenty to explore here with your free afternoon and evening. If in doubt – just ask your handy local leader! Tonight, maybe join your group for dinner and toast to an excellent Canadian exploration.
Day 10 - Montreal
With no further activities planned after breakfast today, your trip comes to an end and you’re free to leave at any time after check-out.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
24-05-202602-06-2026AUD $ 7,345-
07-06-202616-06-2026AUD $ 7,345-
28-06-202607-07-2026AUD $ 7,640-
12-07-202621-07-2026AUD $ 7,640-
26-07-202604-08-2026AUD $ 7,640-
09-08-202618-08-2026AUD $ 7,930-
23-08-202601-09-2026AUD $ 7,930-
06-09-202615-09-2026AUD $ 7,930-
20-09-202629-09-2026AUD $ 7,640-
04-10-202613-10-2026AUD $ 7,345-

Accommodation

Hotels (9 nights)

Transport

Train,Private vehicle,Boat,E-bike

Map

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