Canadian Rockies & Vancouver Island Road Trip

Day 1 Vancouver to Victoria Leaving Vancouver drive south to Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal for a 90 min ferry ride to Swartz Bay. On-board BC Ferries enjoy the scenery of the Gulf Islands as you cross the Strait of Georgia. From Swartz Bay continue on to the charming city of Victoria.

Day 2 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 3 Victoria to Tofino/Ucluelet Travel to the rugged West Coast of Vancouver Island and head to Pacific Rim National Park. En route stops should be made at Duncan the ‘City of Totems’, where you may visit the Quw’utsun’ Heritage Village, which will provide you with an insight into the lives of the northwest coast people (admission not included). Make a stop in the artist community of Chemainus, where you can admire the giant murals which adorn the exterior walls throughout the town. Drive through majestic Sutton Pass and the Sawtooth Range of the Cascade Mountains to arrive in Tofino around mid-afternoon.

Day 4 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 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 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 5 Tofino/Ucluelet to Whistler Depart Tofino for your return journey to the East Coast. En route, picture stops should be made at Cathedral Grove to enjoy the splendour of 800-year-old Douglas Fir and Cedar trees, as well as the Mars Water Bombers at Sproat Lake, the world’s two largest water-bombers used for the sole purpose of putting out forest fires. From Departure Bay sail on BC Ferries to Horseshoe Bay. and continue along the scenic Sea-to Sky Highway to Whistler. Highlights along the way include the cascading Shannon Falls and the Stawamus Chief Rock where climbers from all over the globe migrate to climb the granite cliffs.

Day 6 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 7 Whistler to Sun Peaks Begin your spectacular drive on the Duffey Lake Road where you will see breathtaking views of Joffre Glacier. Continue on through Lillooet, known as the land of the Gold Rush Trail to Sun Peaks.

Day 8 Sun Peaks to Jasper Today, follow the Thompson River through rolling plateaus to the snowy peaks of the Monashee Mountains. View Pyramid Falls and the expansive glaciers of the Albreda Icefields. Pass by Mount Robson, at 3954 metres, which is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies.

Day 9 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 10 Jasper to Banff | Ice Explorer + Skywalk 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 11 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 during this round-trip gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain. Option 2. Lake Minnewanka Cruise Admire views of the Canadian Rockies as you cruise across the turquoise-hued lake and over to Devil’s Gap during this boat tour. Option 3. River Explorer Canoe Tour Enjoy the serenity of the Bow River and marvel at the surrounding. 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 12 Banff to Calgary It is time to say goodbye to Banff and your Canada adventure. Drive to Calgary to drop off your rental car and begin your journey home.

Day 1 Calgary to Banff Leave the Stampede City of Calgary for the short drive to Banff, where you will arrive to a picturesque resort town surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. Located within Banff National Park, Banff is renown for its scenic natural beauty and stunning wildlife.

Day 2 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 during this round-trip gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain. Option 2. Lake Minnewanka Cruise Admire views of the Canadian Rockies as you cruise across the turquoisehued lake and over to Devil’s Gap during this boat tour. Option 3. River Explorer Canoe Tour Enjoy the serenity of the Bow River and marvel at the surrounding. 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 3 Banff to Jasper | Ice Explorer + Skywalk 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 4 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 5 Jasper to Sun Peaks Leaving Jasper National Park, travel the ‘Yellowhead’ Route past the sprawling grandeur of Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Beyond Mount Robson Provincial Park, the highway follows the Thompson River through the snowy peaks of the Monashee and Caribou Mountains to the resort village of Sun Peaks where you will enjoy a night’s stay.

Day 6 Sun Peaks to Whistler 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 7 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 8 Whistler to Tofino/Ucluelet Depart Whistler along the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway to Horseshoe Bay. Highlights along the way highlights include the cascading Shannon Falls and the Stawamus Chief Rock. At Horseshoe Bay, board BC Ferries to Vancouver Island and continue on to. Tofino. En route, picture stops should be made at Cathedral Grove to enjoy the splendour of 800-yearold Douglas Fir and Cedar trees as well as the Mars Water-Bombers at Sproat Lake: the world’s two largest water-bombers used for the sole purpose of putting out forest fires. After the Mars Water-Bombers, drive through the majestic Sutton Pass and the Sawtooth Range of the Cascade Mountains to arrive in Tofino around late-afternoon.

Day 9 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 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 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 10 Tofino/Ucluelet to Victoria 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 11 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 12 Victoria to Vancouver 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 where your fabulous Western Canada self drive comes to an end.