Itinerary
- Day 1
Vancouver
You'll arrive in Vancouver and check into your hotel. There's a welcome meeting at 6 pm where you'll meet your tour leader and other travelers. If you get in early, head over to Gastown to see the historic Victorian buildings or take a walk through Stanley Park to get your bearings before the evening gathering.
Optional Activities
- Walk around Victorian buildings in historic Gastown neighborhood
- Explore Stanley Park urban forest
Landmarks/POIs Gastown Stanley Park - Day 2
Vancouver to Whistler
The drive from Vancouver to Whistler takes you along the Sea to Sky Highway, a route known for its scenery. You'll stop in Squamish where there's an optional short hike up to The Chief, a granite monolith that offers views of the surrounding area. Later you'll arrive in Whistler with time to look around before settling into the campground for the night.
Optional Activities
- Short hike to The Chief granite monolith
- Hiking in Whistler
- Mountain biking in Whistler
- Zip-lining in Whistler
- Kayaking in Whistler
- Explore Whistler Village
Landmarks/POIs The Chief Whistler Village - Day 3
Whistler
This day is free in Whistler, so you can choose how to spend it. There are zip-line tours over Fitzsimmons Creek if you want that rush, or you could hike on the local trails which get more challenging in the summer months. Mountain biking is another option with routes connecting to nearby lakes. If you prefer something quieter, walk through Whistler Village, which has a nice pedestrian-only area.
Optional Activities
- Zip-lining tours over Fitzsimmons Creek (CAD 129)
- Hiking on rugged mountain trails
- Bike rental and cycling to nearby lakes (CAD 40 half day, CAD 90 full day)
- Explore Whistler Village bars, cafes and restaurants
- PEAK2PEAK Gondola (CAD 64)
Landmarks/POIs Fitzsimmons Creek - Day 4
Whistler to Wells Gray Provincial Park
You've got a long drive ahead, about 6 to 7 hours, to reach Wells Gray Provincial Park. After arriving in the evening, you'll set up camp on a rustic cowboy ranch. Grab a cold drink at an authentic saloon, then settle in with dinner cooked over the campfire and make s'mores while you get to know the group.
Included Activities
- Visit to Wells Gray Provincial Park
Landmarks/POIs Wells Gray Provincial Park - Day 5
Clearwater Lake Canoe Trip
Today you'll head deeper into Wells Gray to Clearwater Lake. After packing your gear into canoes, you'll paddle for about 2.5 to 4 hours to reach a secluded beach campsite where guides will help you set up. The camp has tables, fire-pits, and tent sites. You'll have time to swim or explore before cooking dinner by the water.
Included Activities
- Overnight canoe trip on Clearwater Lake with guide instruction
Landmarks/POIs Clearwater Lake - Day 6
Clearwater Lake to Wells Gray
Wake up lakeside and either take a short unguided hike or have a relaxing breakfast by the water. After packing your gear, you'll paddle back across the lake, stopping at another beach for lunch. From there you'll return to the starting point, unload the canoes, and drive back to the ranch while passing some spectacular waterfalls along the route.
Optional Activities
- Short unguided hike from campsite
- Relaxing lakefront breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Clearwater Lake - Day 7
Wells Gray to Jasper National Park
The drive to Jasper National Park takes about 5.5 hours and you'll see Mt Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, along the way. You'll arrive in the afternoon with optional time for a walk to watch for moose, elk, deer, bears, and coyotes. If you arrive while it's still light, there's an optional gondola ride available.
Included Activities
- Jasper National Park entrance and access
Optional Activities
- Walk to spot wildlife (moose, elk, deer, bears, coyotes)
- Jasper SkyTram to 2300m elevation (CAD 50)
Landmarks/POIs Jasper National Park Mount Robson - Day 8
Maligne Lake
You'll head to Maligne Lake, which sits surrounded by jagged mountains and green pine forests around glacial waters. Hike around the area and decide if you want to take an optional cruise on the lake to visit Spirit Island, which is one of the most photographed locations in the Canadian Rockies.
Included Activities
- Visit to Maligne Lake
- Hiking around Maligne Lake area
Optional Activities
- Jasper bike rental (CAD 30)
- Cruise on Maligne Lake including Spirit Island (CAD 79)
Landmarks/POIs Maligne Lake Spirit Island - Day 9
Jasper to Banff National Park via Icefields Parkway
Today's drive along the Icefields Parkway connects Jasper and Banff National Parks and takes about 4 hours with stops at viewpoints and waterfalls. You'll visit Athabasca Glacier ice fields where you can either join a guided tour or view it from a distance. By afternoon you'll reach Banff campground and settle in for the next three nights.
Included Activities
- Travel on Icefields Parkway
- Access to Banff National Park
- Views of Athabasca Glacier
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Athabasca Glacier (CAD 110)
Landmarks/POIs Icefields Parkway Athabasca Glacier Banff National Park - Day 10
Lake Louise and Moraine Lake
You'll see Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, both with hiking options at each location. Banff is Canada's oldest national park with valleys and mountain chains that formed 55 to 80 million years ago. There's plenty of free time to explore, and you can do optional activities like gondola rides, soak in hot springs, hike various trails, or try water sports.
Included Activities
- Visit to Lake Louise
- Visit to Moraine Lake
Optional Activities
- Cable car ride up Sulphur Mountain (CAD 52)
- Natural hot springs (CAD 8)
- Canoe hire (CAD 50)
- Helicopter flight 25 minutes (CAD 275)
- Cruiser bike hire full day (CAD 38)
- Mountain bike hire full day (CAD 45)
- Horse riding 1 hour (CAD 60)
- Hiking trails in Bow Valley of varying lengths and difficulty
Landmarks/POIs Lake Louise Moraine Lake Sulphur Mountain Bow Valley - Day 11
Banff National Park
Another full day in Banff National Park gives you more time to explore. Whether you want to tackle additional trails, take a gondola ride, relax in the hot springs, or simply walk around and take in the scenery, this day is yours to use as you like.
- Day 12
Banff to Yoho National Park
Drive about two and a half hours to Yoho National Park, whose name comes from a Cree word meaning awe and wonder. You'll walk along the Kicking Horse River and visit Takakkaw Falls, Canada's second-highest waterfall at 384 meters. If time allows, check out Emerald Lake with its striking cyan color. You're staying two nights, so there's time to settle in and explore.
Included Activities
- Visit to Yoho National Park
- Walk along Kicking Horse River
- Visit Takakkaw Falls
- Visit to Emerald Lake (if time permits)
Optional Activities
- Kicking Horse whitewater rafting half day (CAD 109)
- Kicking Horse whitewater rafting full day (CAD 159)
- Hiking in Yoho National Park (Free)
Landmarks/POIs Yoho National Park Takakkaw Falls Emerald Lake Kicking Horse River - Day 13
Yoho National Park
Spend another full day in Yoho National Park exploring more of the terrain and pursuing any optional activities you missed the day before or want to do again.
- Day 14
Yoho to Kamloops via Glacier and Mt. Revelstoke
You'll travel through Rogers Pass high mountain clearing to reach Glacier National Park. Stop at Rogers Pass Discovery Center, then drive through Mount Revelstoke National Park which contains part of the world's only temperate inland rainforest. The full drive to Kamloops takes about 6 to 7 hours. Short hikes are available depending on time and conditions.
Included Activities
- Visit to Glacier National Park
- Stop at Rogers Pass Discovery Center
- Pass through Mount Revelstoke National Park
Optional Activities
- Short hike through old-growth cedar and hemlock forest near Rogers Pass (depending on time and conditions)
- Short hike in Mount Revelstoke National Park area (if time allows)
Landmarks/POIs Rogers Pass Rogers Pass Discovery Center Glacier National Park Mount Revelstoke National Park - Day 15
Kamloops to Vancouver
The return drive to Vancouver takes about 4 to 5 hours and you should arrive before 3 pm depending on weather. No activities are scheduled for arrival. If you're flying out this day, book your flight no earlier than 8 pm since the hotel shuttle to the airport takes 2 hours before departure. Otherwise, you have the option to stay longer and explore Vancouver more.
Optional Activities
- Explore Vancouver attractions and neighborhoods
