Itinerary
- Day 1
Vancouver
You'll arrive in Vancouver and make your way to the hotel whenever works best for you. No activities are scheduled for today, so if you land early there's plenty to do on your own. The hotel sits in a convenient spot that puts you within reach of Stanley Park's rainforest trails or Granville Island's public market and waterfront if you want to get out and explore. Tomorrow morning your tour leader will be waiting at the hotel reception to get things started.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Century Plaza), Hotel (Century Plaza (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Airport transfer from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to hotel
- Explore Stanley Park rainforest
- Visit Granville Island public market and waterfront
Landmarks Stanley Park Granville Island Vancouver International Airport 
- Day 2
Vancouver to Victoria
Start with a quick tour showing Vancouver's main sights, then catch an afternoon ferry across to Victoria on Vancouver Island. Once you arrive, you'll have the rest of the day to walk around and see what interests you.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Huntingdon Manor Hotel), Hotel (Huntingdon Manor Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Brief city tour of Vancouver
- Ferry to Victoria
Optional Activities
- Visit Butchart Gardens (22 hectares with Sunken Garden, Rose Garden, and Italian Garden)
- Explore Victoria's shops, galleries, and historic sites
Landmarks Butchart Gardens Market Square 
- Day 3
Victoria to Ucluelet
Spend the morning on foot exploring Victoria at your own pace. After that, you'll drive toward Pacific Rim National Park to see totem poles made by First Nations artists. Keep going into the park and drive through to Ucluelet near Tofino for the night, which takes around 4.5 hours from Victoria.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Canadian Princess Resort), Hotel (Canadian Princess Resort (or similar))
Included Activities
- Visit totem poles of First Nations peoples
- Drive through Pacific Rim National Park
Optional Activities
- Explore Victoria's shops, galleries, and historic sites
Landmarks Pacific Rim National Park 
- Day 4
Pacific Rim National Park
Today offers several choices depending on what appeals to you. Kayaking along the wild coastline and coves is popular, or try whale watching from nearby villages. Black bear watching from a zodiac boat is another option, and there are park trails for hiking. You could also take a water taxi to Meares Island for a guided hike with a local Nuu-chah-nulth guide.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Canadian Princess Resort), Hotel (Canadian Princess Resort (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Kayaking along wild coastline and hidden coves
- Whale watching from coastal villages
- Black bear watching from zodiac boat
- Hiking park trails
- Water taxi to Meares Island with guided Big Tree Trail hike (old growth forest) with local Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations guide
Landmarks Pacific Rim National Park Meares Island - Day 5
Pacific Rim to Whistler
Leave Pacific Rim and drive to MacMillan Provincial Park for a short walk to Cathedral Grove, where Douglas Firs reach 70 metres tall and are around 1000 years old. Then head to Nanaimo and take a ferry across the George Strait to Horseshoe Bay. From there, follow the Sea to Sky Highway up to Whistler. The whole journey runs about 8 to 9 hours with the ferry included.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Aava Hotel), Hotel (Aava Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Walk to Cathedral Grove in MacMillan Provincial Park
- Ferry across George Strait to Horseshoe Bay
Landmarks Cathedral Grove MacMillan Provincial Park - Day 6
Whistler
Whistler is yours to explore however you want. Take the cable car up a nearby peak and hike, or just relax by the peaceful shores. If you're interested in learning more about the area's indigenous heritage, the Lil'wat Cultural Center in nearby Squamish offers that perspective.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Aava Hotel), Hotel (Aava Hotel (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Cable car to nearby peak and hiking
- Hike rugged mountain trails
- Walk peaceful shoreline trails
- Visit Lil'wat Cultural Center in Squamish
Landmarks Whistler Lil'wat Cultural Center - Day 7
Whistler to Clearwater
It's a long drive north to Clearwater, around 6 hours, but there are scenic stops along the way. You'll travel through the interior BC mountains with chances to stop at viewpoints like Seton or Kalamalka Lake. Later this afternoon, you'll get to Wells Grey Provincial Park and walk to Spahats Falls, a 61-metre waterfall that drops through pink-red volcanic rock.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Best Western Plus Gateway to the Falls), Hotel (Best Western Plus Gateway to the Falls (or similar))
Included Activities
- Stop at scenic viewpoints (Seton Lake or Kalamalka Lake)
- Walk to Spahats Falls in Wells Grey Provincial Park
Landmarks Wells Grey Provincial Park Spahats Falls Seton Lake Kalamalka Lake 
- Day 8
Wells Grey Provincial Park
Spend today in Wells Grey Provincial Park with stops at several waterfalls and lakes. Helmcken Falls at 127 metres is higher than Niagara Falls and you'll definitely see that one. Depending on what the tour leader decides, you might also visit Dawson Falls, Shadow Lake, and Clearwater Lake. Plan to be outside most of the day doing short walks.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Best Western Plus Gateway to the Falls), Hotel (Best Western Plus Gateway to the Falls (or similar))
Included Activities
- Visit Helmcken Falls
- Multiple walks and stops at waterfalls and lakes in Wells Grey Provincial Park
Optional Activities
- Visit Dawson Falls
- Explore Shadow Lake
- Walk around Clearwater Lake
Landmarks Helmcken Falls Dawson Falls Shadow Lake Clearwater Lake Wells Grey Provincial Park - Day 9
Mount Robson to Jasper
Drive northwest on Highway 16 through Mount Robson Provincial Park. Mount Robson, at 3954 metres, is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies and if the weather cooperates, you'll see it from top to bottom. Hike to Overlander Falls, a 1-kilometre walk taking about 45 minutes. Later, you'll reach Jasper National Park and settle in just outside town for two nights.
- Accommodation
- Chalet (Beckers Chalet), Chalet (Beckers Chalet (or similar))
Included Activities
- View Mount Robson
- Hike to Overlander Falls (1 kilometre, approximately 45 minutes)
Landmarks Mount Robson Mount Robson Provincial Park Overlander Falls Jasper National Park 
- Day 10
Jasper
Start with an easy short hike on the Moose Lake Loop, about 3 kilometres through woodlands that were shaped long ago by an ancient landslide. You'll see moss and lichen covering boulders and a natural rock garden created by that geological event. On the way back, if you're interested, Miette Hot Springs offers warm mineral-rich water for a quick soak.
- Accommodation
- Chalet (Beckers Chalet), Chalet (Beckers Chalet (or similar))
Included Activities
- Moose Lake Loop hike (approximately 3 kilometres, easy)
Optional Activities
- Bathe in Miette Hot Springs (warm, mineral-rich waters)
Landmarks Moose Lake Loop Maligne Lake Miette Hot Springs - Day 11
Jasper to Canmore
Drive south on the Icefield Parkway, which ranks among the world's best scenic drives. Stop at the Columbia Icefield to see Athabasca Glacier. A guided hike onto the ice is available if you book it at the start of the tour. There are more stops as you continue south before reaching Canmore, your base for three nights. The drive can take up to 10 hours.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Quality Resort Chateau Canmore), Hotel (Quality Resort Chateau Canmore (or similar))
Included Activities
- Drive Icefield Parkway
- Stop at Athabasca Glacier viewpoint
Optional Activities
- Guided hike onto Athabasca Glacier (must be booked at start of trip)
Landmarks Icefield Parkway Columbia Icefield Athabasca Glacier - Day 12
Canmore to Banff
Drive from Canmore to Banff and the Cascade Ponds meadows. You'll walk the Medecine Trail, about 1.5 kilometres and easy, with a local indigenous guide from the Cree Iroquois community sharing traditions and knowledge about local plants and wildlife. The afternoon is free to explore Banff. Optional activities include the Sulphur Mountain aerial tram if weather allows, the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, or hiking Tunnel Mountain.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Quality Resort Chateau Canmore), Hotel (Quality Resort Chateau Canmore (or similar))
Included Activities
- Medecine Trail walk with indigenous guide (approximately 1.5km, easy)
Optional Activities
- Sulphur Mountain aerial tram (weather dependent, views across Rockies)
- Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies (art and heritage collection)
- Hike Tunnel Mountain (self-guided, starts in town, views of town and forest)
Landmarks Cascade Ponds Medecine Trail Banff Sulphur Mountain Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies Tunnel Mountain 
- Day 13
Banff to Lake Louise
It's an hour's drive to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, both absolutely photogenic. Hike the Lake Agnes Trail, which starts steep going through forest and covers 7 kilometres or 4.5 miles, taking roughly 3 hours. You'll climb switchbacks with lake views and reach Lake Agnes Tea House at the top for refreshments before heading back down. If hiking doesn't appeal, relax on the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise terrace, stroll around the lake, or rent a canoe in summer after the ice melts.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Quality Resort Chateau Canmore), Hotel (Quality Resort Chateau Canmore (or similar))
Included Activities
- Lake Agnes Trail hike (7 kilometres, approximately 3 hours, steep ascent)
Optional Activities
- Relax on Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise terrace with drinks
- Stroll around Lake Louise perimeter
- Canoe rental (summer months, once lake defrosts)
Landmarks Lake Louise Moraine Lake Lake Agnes Trail Lake Agnes Tea House Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise - Day 14
Lake Louise to Calgary
Head into Kananaskis Country, an untouched 4,000 plus square kilometre wilderness area southwest of Banff with incredible mountain scenery. Hike either the Ptarmigan Cirque Trail or Grassi Lakes Trail, both around 4 kilometres taking 1.5 to 2 hours with a 250-metre rise and descent. In the afternoon, you'll drive to Calgary. You might have some free time to explore the city, which blends modern buildings with traditional western heritage.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ramada Plaza Calgary Downtown), Hotel (Ramada Plaza Calgary Downtown (or similar))
Included Activities
- Hike Ptarmigan Cirque Trail or Grassi Lakes Trail (approximately 4 kilometres, 1.5-2 hours)
Optional Activities
- Explore Calgary city
Landmarks Kananaskis Country Ptarmigan Cirque Trail Grassi Lakes Trail Calgary - Day 15
Calgary
The tour ends at your hotel in Calgary. There's nothing scheduled, so you're free to leave whenever you want. If your flight leaves later in the day, the hotel can store your luggage so you're not stuck with your bags.
