Day 1
Arrive in Vancouver
Today you’ll arrive in the beautiful city of Vancouver. Settle in to your hotel and then meet with the rest of your group and the tour manager
Overnight hotel: Westin Wall Centre Vancouver Airport or similar
Day 2
Vancouver - Victoria
Begin your day with a sightseeing tour of Vancouver. You will explore historic Gastown which is the city’s oldest neighbourhood, and at Stanley Park to see the famous collection of totem poles and the lovely view from Propect Point. Then you will board the ferry to Vancouver Island – enjoy the picturesque crossing across the Strait of Georgia before docking at Swartz Bay. Continue your journey to Victoria which is the capital of the British Colombia province. Get your bearings with an introductory sightseeing tour along the waterfront district, past the Parliament Buildings and Government Street.
Overnight hotel: Days Inn Uptown Victoria or similar
Day 3
Victoria
In the morning you’ll be heading for Butchart Gardens, to view its beautiful conservatory with light flooding in and views of the gorgeous gardens as well as the chance to stroll through the gardens. An amazing 55 acres dating back over 100 years ago and one of the world’s greatest floral displays. You will then have free time to explore the charming city of Victoria. You could visit the Royal BC Museum or perhaps go whale watching, cruising the Haro Strait and the Strait of Juan de Fuca for the best views of whales.
Overnight hotel: Days Inn Uptown Victoria or similar
Day 4
Victoria - Whistler
First travel to Chemainus, a seaside community that is famous for its Mural Project – a series of giant outdoor murals. Then take the ferry back to the mainland across the Georgia Strait to Horseshoe Bay. Journey along the Sea-to Sky Highway offering stunning seascapes of Howe Sound, soaring mountains, plunging waterfalls and bustling communities. Pause at Shannon Falls Provincial Park to see the spectacular waterfalls, the third highest in the province. Arrive at the lovely mountain resort of Whistler, where you will spend two nights.
Overnight hotel: Crystal Lodge or similar
Day 5
Whistler
Enjoy a full day at leisure in the charming town of Whistler, co-host of the 2010 Winter Olympics, nestled between the stunning Blackcomb and Whistler Mountains. Perhaps join one of the optional excursions on offer, including zip-lining, white water rafting or riding the Peak-to-Peak Gondola – with the world’s longest unsupported span and the highest lift of its kind! Or you could choose a flightseeing tour over the lakes and glaciated peaks of Garibaldi Provincial Park.
Overnight hotel: Crystal Lodge or similar
Day 6
Whistler – Sun Peaks
Start the day with an iconic breakfast at Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre before you journey along the scenic Duffy Lake Road, by the shores of Duffy and Seton Lakes via Lilooet and follow the Cariboo Wagon Trail.
Overnight hotel: Sun Peaks Lodge or similar (Breakfast included)
Day 7
Sun Peaks - Jasper
Drive through white-fenced ranch lands and follow the Yellowhead Highway, with views of the snowcapped Columbia Mountains in the distance. See magnificent Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Rockies and enter Jasper National Park. Arrive in the laidback mountain resort of Jasper, and enjoy a brief tour of the town. This evening is at your leisure, how about treating yourself to the optional three-course dinner along the gorgeous Athabasca River at the award-winning Beckers Gourmet Restaurant followed by a beautiful twilight wildlife tour?
Overnight hotel: Lobstick Lodge or similar
Day 8
Jasper National Park
Enjoy a full day of leisure in the largest National Park of the Canadian Rockies. The Travel Director will help you choose from a wide range of optional activities such as a gentle float-trip on the Bow River or for the more energetic there is a glacier hike on Mount Edith Cavell. Or perhaps take a scenic cruise on Maligne Lake to iconic Spirit Island.
Overnight hotel: Lobstick Lodge or similar
Day 9
Jasper – Icefields Parkway – Lake Louise - Banff
Today you will experience a journey through stunning landscapes, travelling along the Icefields Parkway amidst stunning vistas of dense forests, towering mountains and magnificent glaciers. You will stop along the way to soak up some wonderful sights, such as the Athabasca Falls, the Columbia Icefield and Crowfoot Glacier. Stop at the Columbia Icefield for a ride on one of the impressively designed Ice Explorer vehicles. Wind your way along the Glacier Trail onto the surface of the massive Athabasca Glacier. Learn about the Columbia Icefield, the power of glaciers and the early explorers who discovered them. You will also stop at the “Jewel of the Canadian Rockies” – iconic Lake Louise, one of the most photographed lakes in the world. Continue along the scenic Bow Valley Parkway until you arrive at the charming town of Banff.
Overnight hotel: High Country Inn or similar
Day 10
Banff
This morning enjoy a sightseeing tour of the Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take in the sights of Bow Falls and Tunnel Mountain. The rest of the day is at leisure for you to explore at your own pace. Highly recommended is a trip up Sulphur Mountain on the Banff Gondola, to enjoy the new, state-of-the-art visitor centre and restaurant with stunning views of six mountain ranges. Or you could splash out on a helicopter ride over the Rockies for a birds eye view.
Overnight hotel: High Country Inn or similar
Day 11
Banff - Kelowna / Vernon
Drive right across the Continental Divide at Kicking Horse Pass. Stop at Spiral Tunnels, a feat of early engineering for one of the steepest railroad stretches in the world. Continue onto Yoho National Park and across Roger’s Pass in the Glacier National Park. Pass Mount Revelstoke National Park, winding your way down the mountains into the “fruit basket” of Canada – the Okanagan Valley. Stop at a local winery for a tour and tasting before arriving at your hotel in the town of Kelowna / Vernon.
Overnight hotel: Sandman Vernon or similar
Day 12
Kelowna / Vernon – Vancouver – fly home
Journey across the Cascade Mountains and through the scenic Fraser River Valley, arriving back in Vancouver where your Canadian adventure comes to an end. Please note that your tours ends at approximately 13.30 and therefore your return flight is recommended to be after 17.00
