Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Vancouver
You'll land in Vancouver and grab your rental car at the airport. If time allows, wander through Gastown to see the Victorian brick buildings and cobblestone streets. Listen for that famous steam clock whistle going off, then head to your accommodation to settle in for the night.
Optional Activities
- Take SkyTrain into Vancouver city center (payable locally)
- Explore Gastown historic district
Landmarks Gastown Steam Clock 
- Day 2
Vancouver
Start by checking out Canada Place where seaplanes take off, then drive along Burrard Inlet and Coal Harbour for some nice water views. Spend a good chunk of the day in Stanley Park, Canada's largest city park, walking around and enjoying the greenery. After lunch, head to Granville Island where you'll find 300 shops and the Public Market with fresh salmon, food stalls, and local crafts to browse through.
Optional Activities
- Rent a bike and ride around Stanley Park (payable on site)
- Explore Canada Place and watch seaplanes
- Stroll along Burrard Inlet and Coal Harbour
- Visit Granville Island Public Market
Landmarks Canada Place Burrard Inlet Coal Harbour Stanley Park Granville Island Granville Island Public Market - Day 3
Vancouver to Kamloops
Take the legendary Coquihala Highway toward Kamloops this morning. Stop in Hope to walk through the Othello Tunnels, old railroad passages cut through a gorge that make for some unique photos. Drive through the Canadian wilderness, grab coffee in Merritt along the way, then arrive in Kamloops. Check out downtown, get ice cream at Scoopz, and catch the sunset from Riverside Park later.
Optional Activities
- Stop at Othello Tunnels in Hope for a walk through old railroad tunnels
- Coffee break in Merritt
- Explore Kamloops downtown
- Ice cream at Scoopz
- Watch sunset at Riverside Park
Landmarks Coquihala Highway Othello Tunnels Hope Riverside Park - Day 4
Kamloops to Banff
Drive through Glacier National Park where you'll see dense forests, alpine passes, and glaciers stretching across the landscape. Continue into Banff, the highest town in Canada with mountain scenery everywhere you look. Walk down Banff Avenue and explore the shops, then drive to Moraine Lake for turquoise water surrounded by massive peaks. Stay for the sunset if you can, it's worth the wait.
Optional Activities
- Explore Glacier National Park
- Walk along Banff Avenue
- Visit Moraine Lake
Landmarks Glacier National Park Banff Banff Avenue Moraine Lake 
- Day 5
Banff
Get up before sunrise and head to Lake Louise to catch the golden light hitting the water. Grab Canadian pancakes with bacon and maple syrup at Trailhead Café for breakfast. Then drive the Bow Valley Parkway and stop at Johnston Canyon to see the Upper Falls, then check out Ink Pots with its shimmering green pools, and end at Pilot Pond for a peaceful mountain moment before heading back.
Optional Activities
- Early morning sunrise viewing at Lake Louise
- Breakfast at Trailhead Café with pancakes and maple syrup
- Hike to Johnston Canyon Upper Falls
- Visit Ink Pots
- Stop at Pilot Pond
Landmarks Lake Louise Bow Valley Parkway Johnston Canyon Upper Falls Ink Pots Pilot Pond - Day 6
Banff to Jasper
Start with coffee at Tim Hortons, then drive the Icefields Parkway, widely considered Canada's most beautiful road. You'll pass endless mountain vistas, pine forests, and might spot wildlife along the way. If you're interested, take a detour to Glacier Skywalk for views from 280 meters up. Arrive in Jasper National Park by evening and decide whether to rest or do some exploring before bed.
Optional Activities
- Coffee at Tim Hortons (payable on site)
- Visit Glacier Skywalk (payable on site)
- Explore Jasper National Park
Landmarks Icefields Parkway Glacier Skywalk Sunwapta River Jasper National Park - Day 7
Jasper
Spend today exploring Canada's largest national park on foot. Start with the Valley of the Five Lakes Trail, a 4.5 km easy hike where you'll see five color-changing mountain lakes and those red Muskoka chairs for photos. If you want more of a challenge, tackle Bald Hills Trail with about 800 meters of elevation gain. Wrap up with snacks and drinks at Maligne Lake, the most photographed spot in the park.
Optional Activities
- Hike Valley of the Five Lakes Trail (4.5 km)
- Hike Bald Hills Trail (approximately 800 meters elevation)
- Visit Maligne Lake
Landmarks Valley of the Five Lakes Bald Hills Maligne Lake - Day 8
Jasper to Clearwater
Leave Jasper and drive Yellowhead Highway through dense forests with turquoise rivers running alongside. Stop at Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Rockies, and take some photos. You can do a wildlife safari in Blue River if you're interested. Arrive in Clearwater and take a short hike to Triple Decker Falls, then drive to Helmcken Falls in Wells Gray Provincial Park. End the day with BBQ and craft beer at Hop 'n' Hog restaurant.
Optional Activities
- Stop at Mount Robson viewpoint
- Wildlife safari on water in Blue River (payable locally)
- Hike Triple Decker Falls
- Visit Helmcken Falls in Wells Gray Provincial Park
- Dinner at Hop 'n' Hog (for a fee)
Landmarks Yellowhead Highway Mount Robson Blue River Triple Decker Falls Wells Gray Provincial Park Helmcken Falls - Day 9
Clearwater to Whistler
Drive through wild British Columbia countryside with endless forests and rugged slopes all around. Stop at crystal-clear Duffey Lake surrounded by peaks for some photos. Arrive in Whistler, the former Olympic village that's buzzing with summer energy. Walk through the car-free village and check out the stylish cafés and small stores, then stop at Purebread for fresh baked goods, brownies, and coffee.
Optional Activities
- Stop at Duffey Lake
- Explore Whistler car-free village
- Visit Purebread for baked goods and coffee
Landmarks Duffey Lake Whistler Purebread 
- Day 10
Whistler
Lace up your hiking boots for the Lost Lake Trail that winds through dense forests with views of a glistening lake and the option to swim. After that, hike the Train Wreck Trail which crosses a suspension bridge between treetops and leads to old, spray-painted train carriages. Take the Peak 2 Peak Gondola between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains for aerial views of the surrounding landscape. Head back to the village for iced coffee to cool down.
Optional Activities
- Hike Lost Lake Trail through forests
- Swim in Lost Lake
- Hike Train Wreck Trail with suspension bridge
- Ride Peak 2 Peak Gondola
Landmarks Lost Lake Lost Lake Trail Train Wreck Trail Peak 2 Peak Gondola Whistler Mountain Blackcomb Mountain - Day 11
Whistler to Victoria
Drive south from Whistler at a relaxed pace through mountains and forests. Pull into Horseshoe Bay to put your rental car on the ferry to Vancouver Island. The crossing takes about 90 minutes and you'll see small islands and water the whole way. Land at Swartz Bay and drive to Victoria. Explore the British Victorian architecture and iconic red double-decker buses around town. Visit Fisherman's Wharf to see colorful floating homes and seals, then have fish and chips by the water.
Optional Activities
- Ferry crossing to Vancouver Island
- Visit Fisherman's Wharf
- Fish and chips dinner by the water
Landmarks Horseshoe Bay Swartz Bay Vancouver Island Victoria Fisherman's Wharf 
- Day 12
Victoria to Tofino
Drive early toward the rugged west coast heading to Tofino with increasingly salty and fresh ocean air filling the car. Visit Pacific Rim National Park and walk the Rainforest Trail through moss-covered trees and mist. Walk Long Beach and watch the crashing waves with surfers riding them. Grab fish tacos from Tacofino food stand for lunch, then stroll through Tofino's small shops or watch the sunset from Chesterman Beach.
Optional Activities
- Hike Rainforest Trail in Pacific Rim National Park
- Walk Long Beach
- Fish tacos at Tacofino
- Explore Tofino village stores
- Sunset viewing at Chesterman Beach
Landmarks Pacific Rim National Park Rainforest Trail Long Beach Tofino Tacofino Chesterman Beach 
- Day 13
Tofino to Parksville
Explore the moss-covered rainforests and hidden waterfalls of Vancouver Island away from the coast today. Visit Cathedral Grove where 800-year-old Douglas firs tower through the mist and make you feel small. Hike to Qualicum Falls cascading through a gorge, then head to Englishman River Falls to see the roaring water from the viewpoint. Experience Pacific Northwest magic in a quiet forest setting without the ocean crowds.
Optional Activities
- Explore Cathedral Grove with old-growth Douglas firs
- Canoe tour on Cathedral Grove lake (payable on site)
- Hike to Qualicum Falls
- Visit Englishman River Falls viewpoint
Landmarks Cathedral Grove Qualicum Falls Englishman River Falls - Day 14
Parksville to Vancouver
Drive your rental car back to Swartz Bay this morning and board the ferry heading back to the mainland. Watch the waves and seagulls as the Vancouver skyline appears on the horizon. Return to Vancouver by car and drive straight to the airport for your departure flight, wrapping up your Canadian road trip.
Optional Activities
- Ferry crossing back to mainland
Landmarks Swartz Bay Horseshoe Bay Vancouver - Day 15
Arrival Home
You're home now with memories and a camera full of photos. Look back on the wild road trips, crystal-clear lakes, Rocky Mountain sunsets, and campfire moments you experienced. You've made some core memories on this journey through Canada.
