Travel: Circumnavigation of Canada with One Ocean, Fairmont Hotels and Via Rail

Exploring Canada from coast to coast is a dream of mine! Having had a taste of Toronto and a love of Canadian art  the ‘Circumnavigation of Canada’ would be the trip of a lifetime. 

Canadian polar cruise specialist, One Ocean Expeditions, is celebrating its 10th birthday with the launch of an extraordinary Circumnavigation of Canada. This epic voyage explores Canada’s most iconic locations by sea, air and rail.  Over the course of 57 spectacular days travel from the Atlantic to the Arctic and Pacific Oceans on board the expedition cruise vessel, Akademik loffe and on board Via Rail across the Canadian Rockies to Jasper with stays in Toronto and Montreal en route.

David McEown

The ship Akademik Ioffe among icebergs in Illulssat Icefjord

Four consecutive cruises cover close to 60% of Canada’s coastline, with the first – Labrador and Torgat Explorer – departing from Louisbourg, Nova Scotia, on 24 July, and travelling northbound to Iqaluit, Nunavut.  The journey continues with the Baffin Island-Jewel of the High Arctic voyage, taking in deep fjords, soaring mountains, immense glacial systems and spectacular wildlife – sometimes even polar bears – en route to Resolute, one of Canada’s most northerly outposts.

The High Arctic Explorer cruise then travels through one of the last remaining pristine wilderness regions in the world, followed by the historically-charged Pathways to Franklin itinerary, taking in the Northwest Passage and ending on 1 September in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut.

Visits to National Parks, UNESCO and historic sites, remote fishing and Inuit communities are some of the trip’s highlights. In addition to witnessing abundant wildlife over the course of the voyage, guests are treated to daily educational seminars and lectures given by experts in marine science, geology, history, photography, as well as being offered a selection of soft adventure excursions such as zodiac cruises, sea kayaking, hiking and visiting local villages.

zodiac ice adventure

Zodiac Ice expedition

Following the cruise, guests fly from Cambridge Bay to Edmonton and on to Vancouver where they board Via Rail’s new Prestige Class Service, travelling across the Canadian Rockies to Jasper, with an overnight stay at the quintessential Canadian Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.

Robson

Via Rail Canada

Park car - Via Rail's new Prestige Class Service

Park car – Via Rail’s new Prestige Class Service

 

Via Rail's new Prestige Class Service

Via Rail’s new Prestige Class Service

The iconic rail journey leads across the plains and rolling hills to Toronto and an overnight at the Fairmont Royal York.  Guests embark on the final leg of the journey in Via Rail’s business class service to Montreal and lodge at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth for the voyage’s final night before returning to Halifax, Nova Scotia for the completion of the circumnavigation on 17 September.

 

Map_Circumnavigation of Canada

Map – Circumnavigation of Canada

For a detailed itinerary of the Circumnavigation of Canada, please visit: http://bit.ly/2zaNhSb

One can dream!

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