Canada’s Great Western Parks Road Trip

Day 1 Vancouver to Kelowna | 397 km/247 mi Today, travel into the Thompson Okanagan region; this region is famous for its orchards and vineyards as well as the wildly varied landscape. To the north of the central wine-and-fruit producing valley are vast boreal forests and to the south the desert of the Great Basin.

Day 2 Kelowna | Wine Tour Tour into the countryside combining the best of the Lake, the Valley and the Vines. Experience the wineries we call hidden treasures and sample the Okanagan’s finest wines.

Day 3 Kelowna to Banff | 482 km/301 mi Explore Canada’s majestic landscapes on a journey to Banff via the stunning Yoho National Park, featuring jewel-toned lakes, snowy peaks, and lush forests. Visit historic Craigellachie, marking the Canadian Pacific Railway’s completion.

Day 4 Banff | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 4 Excursions Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of four excursions Option 1. Banff Gondola Maximize your views of Banff National Park with minimal exertion on a round-trip gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain. Option 2. Lake Minnewanka Cruise Admire views of the Canadian Rockies by boat as you cruise across the turquoise-hued Lake Minnewanka and over to Devil’s Gap. Option 3. River Explorer Canoe Tour Enjoy the serenity of the Bow River and marvel at the surroundings. A fun & interactive way with your guide to explore the waterways of Banff National Park. Perfect for families. No paddling experience necessary. Option 4. Bow River Horseback Adventure Saddle up for a journey through the celebrated landscape of Banff National Park on this guided horseback riding adventure.

Day 5 Banff to Jasper | Ice Explorer + Skywalk | 292 km/182 mi Today, travel through the spine of the Canadian Rockies along the amazing Icefields Parkway and encompass the ultimate glacier exploration. From walking on ancient ice with the Ice Explorer ride, to standing on a glass platform almost one thousand feet in the air at the Glacier Skywalk (included), today’s experiences will leave you with a special appreciation for this treasured region of the Rockies

Day 6 Jasper | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 3 Excursions Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of three excursions Option 1. Maligne Lake Cruise Cruise Maligne Lake, where you can marvel at the magnificent shoreline and Spirit Island. Option 2. Jasper River Float Enjoy a gentle rafting tour on the Athabasca River for a unique perspective of Jasper National Park. Option 3. Jasper Nature Walk A guided nature walk featuring a spectacular array of rolling hills, jagged peaks, forests, meadows, marshes, streams, and stunning glacial lakes.

Day 7 Jasper to Sun Peaks | 444 km/276 mi Embark from Jasper National Park, traversing the ‘Yellowhead’ Route to admire Mount Robson’s majesty, highest in the Canadian Rockies. Journey beyond, via Thompson River, through snowy Monashee and Caribou Mountains, concluding at Sun Peaks Resort.

Day 8 Sun Peaks to Whistler | 357 km/222 mi Continue to Lillooet, known as the land of the Gold Rush Trail and ‘Mile Zero’ of the Old Caribou Wagon Road. Leaving Lillooet travel the Duffey Lake Road to Whistler. Be sure to stop at Joffre Lake for breathtaking views of Joffre Glacier.

Day 9 Whistler | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 4 Excursions You can personalize your day by choosing one of five excursions Option 1. Whistler Guided Lunch Tour There’s no better way to spend an afternoon in Whistler than exploring the eclectic culinary scene. Guests will enjoy a delicious multi-course lunch while visiting some of the best local lunch spots and indulge a sweet tooth at a couple of chocolate shops Option 2. River of Golden Dreams Canoe Tour This summertime paddle takes you on an enchanting canoe journey from Alta Lake to Green Lake. Wildflower-lined banks, old-growth forests and local wildlife are all part of your passing tableaux Option 3. Whistler Peak 2 Peak Gondola Experience the beauty via the Peak Adventure on Whistler Mountain as you soak in the unbelievable views of glaciers, extinct volcanoes and snow-capped peaks. Option 4. Upgrade Option: Bear Safari in Whistler Olympic Park Experience Olympic Park’s untouched wilderness, housing numerous black bears. Witness them forage from your vehicle amidst pristine landscapes. Drive up iconic Ski Jumps for breathtaking mountain panoramas.

Day 10 Whistler to Pacific Rim National Park | 310km/192mi + Ferry Travel the Sea-to-Sky Highway through a landscape carved out by glaciers and edged by craggy fjords. After a brief stop at Shannon Falls continue to Horseshoe Bay where you will board a ferry to sail across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver Island. Your drive to the Pacific Coast will take you through ancient rainforests and provincial parks. You are venturing into true wildlife territory here, and you might even catch a glimpse of bears, deer or wolves. The Pacific Rim National Park is a marvel of ecological and geographical diversity as you will see as you pass through dense rainforests, steep ravines and windswept beaches.

Day 11 Tofino | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 2 Excursions Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of two excursions Option 1. Coastal Bear Watch Cruise | Min age 5 yrs Search for foraging bears from the comfort and safety of a 24’ Zodiac vessel. Abundant on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, black bears roam the shores at low tide in search of their favorite delicacy, the Rock Crab. Option 2. Whale Watching Cruise | Min age 3 yrs Cruise through the pristine waters of Clayoquot Sound to view beautiful scenery and wildlife. Depending on the time of year, you may encounter gray whales, humpback whales, sea lions, sea birds and resident bald eagles.

Day 12 Tofino to Victoria | 313 km/194 mi Travel back to the East Coast of Vancouver Island and head south to Victoria. En route stops should be made at the artist community of Chemainus, where you can admire the giant murals which adorn the exterior walls throughout the town and Duncan the “City of Totems”. If time permits visit the Quw’utsun’ Heritage Village which provides you with an insight into the lives of the northwest coast people

Day 13 Victoria | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 4 Excursions Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of four excursions Option 1. Butchart Gardens Admission On its 100th birthday in 2004, the Butchart Gardens was named a National Historic Site of Canada. Explore 22 Hectares/55 acres of breathtaking gardens on the 53 hectare/130 acre estate. Option 2. Eat like a Canadian Food Tour Not many people can define exactly what Canadian food is. From local ingredients to historic dishes, this tour is the best way to experience Canadian culinary culture. Sip and savour local cuisine, explore the iconic Inner Harbour, and meet the chefs and owners that make Victoria such an exciting culinary hot spot Option 3. Whale Watch Cruise Get up close with the killer whales on the Salish Sea with this guided, 3.5-hour whale-watching cruise from Victoria. Climb aboard a covered or open boat equipped with hydrophones to hear the whales and bring the underwater experience to light. Option 4. High Tea at the Empress Hotel Enjoy High tea at the Fairmont Empress Hotel is a delightful, traditional experience. Indulge in a lavish array of tea, finger sandwiches, pastries, and scones, served in an elegant setting, enhancing the allure of this historic Victoria, British Columbia landmark.

Day 14 Victoria to Vancouver | 69 km/43 mi + Ferry Leaving Victoria drive north to Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal for a 90 min ferry ride to Tsawwassen. On-board BC Ferries enjoy the scenery of the Gulf Islands as you cross the Strait of Georgia. From Tsawwassen continue on to downtown Vancouver or airport.