Introduction
A spectacular adventure packed with world-class resorts and a mosaic of landscapes awaits you as you travel from the towering mountains of the Rockies to the rugged coastline of the Pacific. From the urban cowboys of Calgary, the route heads for the Rocky Mountains and the wilderness of Banff National Park and the majesty of Lake Louise. The discovery tour of Canada’s national parks continues along the scenic Icefields Parkway with a visit to Jasper. The scenic splendours of Wells Gray Provincial Park and the Thompson River are next before enjoying two days in the relaxing setting of Tyax Mountain Lake Resort. After indulging in the outdoor paradise of Whistler your trail leads to the Pacific Rim National Park on Vancouver Island. Your adventure is completed with a visit to historic Victoria and cosmopolitan Vancouver.
Itinerary
Day 1 Calgary
Arrive at Calgary International Airport and independently transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Calgary.
Day 2 Calgary to Banff – 130 km
Collect your hire car and head for Banff in the Rocky Mountains to spend the day at leisure. Overnight in Banff.
Day 3 Banff National Park Banff
Today you could enjoy a gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain or, as part of the Activities Package, take a leisurely horse ride along the base of Sulphur Mountain. Overnight in Banff.
Day 4 Banff to Lake Louise – 75 km
Drive through Bow Valley to Lake Louise. From the village, you can take a chairlift up Whitehorn Mountain. Overnight at Lake Louise.
Day 5 Lake Louise to Jasper – 230 km
Drive to Jasper via Icefields Parkway. At Columbia Icefield, you can take the ‘Ice Explorer’ onto the massive glacier. Overnight in Jasper.
Day 6 Jasper National Park
Today you could ride the Jasper Tramway or, with our Activities Package, you can ride the Athabasca on a 3-hour introduction to whitewater rafting, ideal for apprehensive first-time rafters. Overnight in Jasper.
Day 7 Jasper to Wells Gray Provincial Park – 440 km
Drive the Yellowhead Highway to Wells Gray Park. A visit to Helmcken Falls is worth the detour. Overnight in Clearwater.
Day 8 Wells Gray Park to Gold bridge – 350 km
Why not visit Yellowhead Museum or Spahats Creek Park before passing through ‘Lakes Country’ region? Two nights at Tyax Mountain Lake Resort, described on page 11.
Day 9 Gold Bridge Tyax Mountain Lake Resort
Day at leisure; On our Activities Package go horseback riding, canoeing, guided hiking or try archery, take a rowboat or pan for gold.
Day 10 Gold Bridge to Whistler – 130 km
Watch the scenery change from an arid landscape to snowcapped mountains. Once in Whistler, you can enjoy a wide range of activities. Overnight in Whistler.
Day 11 Whistler to Pacific Rim National Park – 310 km (land only)
Travel the Sea-to-Sky Highway. Take a ferry to Vancouver Island (pay locally) and drive to the Pacific Coast. Overnight in Pacific Rim National Park.
Day 12 Pacific Rim National Park
The Activities Package takes in a whale-watching trip to seek the grey whale, puffins and sea lions. Overnight in Pacific Rim National Park.
Day 13 Pacific Rim National Park to Victoria – 325 km
Drive back to Vancouver Island’s east coast and make your way to Victoria, which has a fascinating maritime heritage and has careully preserved its colonial charm. Overnight in Victoria.
Day 14 Victoria to Vancouver 70 km (land only)
Visit Butchart Gardens before taking the ferry around the Gulf Islands to mainland British Columbia (pay locally). Overnight in Vancouver
Day 15 Vancouver
Today, with the Acitiviteis Package, you could take a guided coastal rainforest adventure walk and see spectacular views of the harbour, city skyline and mountains. Overnight in Vancouver.
Day 16 End of Tour
Return to Vancouver International Airport for your flight home.
Valid from 01 May - 17 October.
