Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Vancouver
You'll fly into Vancouver and pick up your rental car. If you have time before checking in, head over to Gastown to walk around the Victorian brick buildings and cobblestones. The famous steam clock is right there and worth seeing in person. Settle in for the night and rest up for the days ahead.
Optional Activities
- Take SkyTrain into the city from airport
- Explore Gastown
Landmarks Gastown Steam Clock - Day 2
Vancouver City Exploration
Spend the day checking out Vancouver's waterfront. Start at Canada Place and watch the seaplanes come and go, then stroll along Coal Harbour. After that, head to Stanley Park where you can bike the peninsula loop and take in views of old-growth forest and water. Later, make your way to Granville Island to browse the shops and public market, grabbing some street food for dinner.
Optional Activities
- Bike rental in Stanley Park
- Visit Canada Place
- Stroll Burrard Inlet and Coal Harbour
- Explore Granville Island and Public Market
Landmarks Canada Place Coal Harbour Stanley Park Granville Island - Day 3
Chinatown to Grouse Mountain
Begin in Chinatown looking at street art and trying food from the stalls. Walk through the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden for some quiet time. Then drive to Capilano Suspension Bridge and walk across it (70 meters above the ravine). Finish by taking the gondola up Grouse Mountain where you'll get views across the skyline, ocean, and forests, plus you can see the grizzlies they keep there.
Optional Activities
- Explore Chinatown
- Visit Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden
- Walk Capilano Suspension Bridge
- Cliffwalk and Treetops Adventure Park
- Grouse Mountain gondola ride
- Trails and terrace at Grouse Mountain
Landmarks Chinatown Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden Capilano Suspension Bridge Grouse Mountain - Day 4
Vancouver to Kamloops via Coquihala Highway
Drive the Coquihala Highway toward Kamloops, stopping at Othello Tunnels near Hope to walk through old railroad tunnels carved into the gorge. Take a break in Merritt and continue into Kamloops by evening. Wander downtown, grab ice cream at Scoopz, and catch the sunset at Riverside Park.
Optional Activities
- Stop at Othello Tunnels
- Explore Merritt
- Visit Riverside Park for sunset
Landmarks Othello Tunnels Riverside Park - Day 5
Kamloops to Banff via Glacier National Park
Head toward the Rockies through Glacier National Park with its thick forests and high mountain passes. Once you reach Banff, you'll see how the whole town is full of hikers and outdoor people. End the day at Moraine Lake where the turquoise water reflects the surrounding peaks, and watch the sun drop behind the mountains.
Optional Activities
- Explore Glacier National Park
- Stroll Banff Avenue
- Visit Moraine Lake
Landmarks Glacier National Park Banff Avenue Moraine Lake - Day 6
Lake Louise to Johnston Canyon to Ink Pots
Set your alarm early to reach Lake Louise before sunrise. Have pancakes and maple syrup at Trailhead Café once the sun comes up. Drive the Bow Valley Parkway and stop at Johnston Canyon to see the waterfalls. Later, check out the Ink Pots with their shimmering green pools, then finish at Pilot Pond where everything is quiet and the water is clear.
Optional Activities
- Lake Louise sunrise visit
- Breakfast at Trailhead Café
- Johnston Canyon and Upper Falls
- Ink Pots hike
- Pilot Pond visit
Landmarks Lake Louise Johnston Canyon Ink Pots Pilot Pond 
- Day 7
Sulphur Mountain to Vermilion Lakes
Take the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain for views in all directions. You'll see mountains, valleys, and lakes spreading out below. After you head back down, relax at Vermilion Lakes where the water sits mirror-still with Mount Rundle reflected in it. Back in Banff village, you can bike along the Bow River if you feel like it.
Optional Activities
- Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain
- Visit Vermilion Lakes
- Bike rental and cycling along Bow River
Landmarks Sulphur Mountain Vermilion Lakes Mount Rundle Bow River - Day 8
Banff to Jasper via Icefields Parkway
Drive the Icefields Parkway, which ranks as one of Canada's most scenic roads. The landscape just keeps going with white peaks and pine forest on both sides. Watch for wildlife from your car and keep your distance. Stop at Glacier Skywalk for views 280 meters above the ground. By evening you'll arrive in Jasper National Park surrounded by incredibly blue lakes and massive ice fields.
Optional Activities
- Coffee at Tim Hortons
- Glacier Skywalk - 280 meters above ground with views of Sunwapta River
Landmarks Icefields Parkway Glacier Skywalk Jasper National Park - Day 9
Valley of Five Lakes to Maligne Lake
Hike the Valley of the Five Lakes Trail, a 4.5 kilometer easy walk through mountain lakes that glow in shades of green and blue. You'll spot red Muskoka chairs positioned for photos. If you want more of a challenge, tackle Bald Hills which climbs around 800 meters. End your day at Maligne Lake, the most photographed spot in the park, and watch the sunset.
Optional Activities
- Valley of the Five Lakes Trail hike
- Bald Hills hike
- Maligne Lake visit for sunset
Landmarks Valley of the Five Lakes Bald Hills Maligne Lake - Day 10
Athabasca Falls to Whistlers Mountain
Start at Athabasca Falls and walk the easy trail around it to feel the power of the falling water. Take the Jasper SkyTram up Whistlers Mountain for panoramic views of forests, lakes, and the landscape stretching out forever. Sprint to the summit for even better sightlines, then spend the evening at Pyramid Lake as the light turns gold.
Optional Activities
- Athabasca Falls hike
- Jasper SkyTram up Whistlers Mountain
- Run to Whistlers Mountain summit
- Pyramid Lake visit
Landmarks Athabasca Falls Whistlers Mountain Pyramid Lake - Day 11
Jasper to Clearwater via Yellowhead Highway
Drive the Yellowhead Highway toward Clearwater through dense forest and turquoise rivers. Keep an eye out for moose and bears from your car. Stop at Mount Robson, the tallest peak in the Rockies. Hike to Triple Decker Falls (short walk), then see Helmcken Falls in Wells Gray Provincial Park. Cap off the day with BBQ and craft beer at Hop 'n' Hog.
Optional Activities
- Stop at Mount Robson
- Blue River water safari
- Triple Decker Falls hike
- Helmcken Falls in Wells Gray Provincial Park
- Dinner at Hop 'n' Hog - BBQ and craft beer
Landmarks Mount Robson Blue River Triple Decker Falls Helmcken Falls Wells Gray Provincial Park - Day 12
Clearwater to Whistler via British Columbia
Drive through wild BC landscape with endless forest, rugged slopes, and valleys. Stop at Duffey Lake to see the clear water and mountain peaks around it. You'll arrive in Whistler by afternoon, a former Olympic village now buzzing with summer energy. Walk around the car-free village, check out the stylish cafés, and grab freshly baked goods from Purebread.
Optional Activities
- Stop at Duffey Lake
- Explore Whistler village
- Visit Purebread bakery
Landmarks Duffey Lake Whistler Village - Day 13
Whistler Adventures
Hike Lost Lake Trail through dense forest with glistening lake views the whole way. You can take a swim in the lake if the weather's nice. Then hike Train Wreck Trail and cross a suspension bridge between the trees to find old spray-painted train cars. Finish by riding the Peak 2 Peak Gondola between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountain for views of forests, mountains, and glaciers.
Optional Activities
- Lost Lake Trail hike
- Train Wreck Trail hike and suspension bridge
- Peak 2 Peak Gondola between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountain
Landmarks Lost Lake Train Wreck Trail Peak 2 Peak Gondola Whistler Mountain Blackcomb Mountain - Day 14
Return
Drive from Whistler back to Vancouver on the Sea to Sky route through the Coast Mountains one last time. You'll see forest, glimpses of ocean between the trees, and mountain scenery. Drop off your rental car at the airport and head inside to depart.
Landmarks Coast Mountains - Day 15
Arrival Home
You're heading home now with memories of wild road trips, crystal-clear lakes, and mountain sunsets filling your head. During the flight, think back on everything you did and saw. Soon you'll be sharing all these stories with friends and family.
