Itinerary
- Day 1
Vancouver
You'll arrive at Vancouver airport and pick up your rental car. Drive downtown to your hotel right in the heart of the city. Get settled and maybe grab a bite before heading out to explore the neighborhood on your own if you have energy left.
- Day 2
Vancouver
Today's all about getting to know Vancouver. Start in Stanley Park where you can see the totem poles and walk around the waterfront. Check out Canada Place, then head to Gastown to wander through the historic streets. End your day at Granville Island's public market, which is great for lunch or browsing local goods and food stalls.
Optional Activities
- Stanley Park and Totem Poles
- Canada Place Waterfront
- Gastown Historic Streets
- Granville Island Public Market
Landmarks Stanley Park Canada Place Gastown Granville Island Public Market 
- Day 3
Vancouver - Whistler
Head north towards Whistler, and you've got some flexibility with stops along the way. Capilano Suspension Bridge Park offers thrilling walks and views if you want that. Britannia Beach has English tea and is close to Shannon Falls and Stawamus Chief. Drive the scenic Sea to Sky Highway and arrive in Whistler by evening.
Optional Activities
- Capilano Suspension Bridge Park - suspension bridge walk
- Capilano Suspension Bridge Park - Treetops Adventure
- Capilano Suspension Bridge Park - Cliffwalk
- Traditional English Tea at Britannia Beach
- Shannon Falls
- Stawamus Chief granite monolith
Landmarks Capilano Suspension Bridge Park Sea to Sky Highway Shannon Falls Stawamus Chief 
- Day 4
Whistler
Spend the day in Whistler exploring the rainforest around you. Choose between hiking or bear watching expeditions if wildlife interests you, or take the gondola up for panoramic views. The coastal rainforest here is lush and worth your time, whether you're active or prefer relaxing viewpoints.
Optional Activities
- Hiking in coastal rainforest
- Bear watching expedition
- Gondola ride for panoramic views
Landmarks Whistler - Day 5
Whistler - Sun Peaks
Drive east from Whistler through Pemberton ranch country and head to Lillooet, which has Gold Rush history to explore. From there, move into the drier Thompson-Okanagan region and drive to Sun Peaks for the night. You'll notice the landscape change as you descend from the mountains.
Landmarks Pemberton Lillooet Thompson-Okanagan 
- Day 6
Sun Peaks - Blue River
Head north through Clearwater into Wells Gray Park. You'll see Spahats Falls and Helmcken Falls while you're there. Watch for mule deer, black bears, and birds as you drive through. Settle in Blue River for the night after a full day of natural scenery.
Optional Activities
- Wells Gray Park exploration
- Spahats Falls viewing
- Helmcken Falls viewing
- Wildlife watching
Landmarks Wells Gray Park Spahats Falls Helmcken Falls Clearwater 
- Day 7
Blue River - Jasper
Start early and drive east across Yellowhead Pass towards the Canadian Rockies. You'll pass Mount Robson on your route, then arrive in Jasper. Explore Lac Beauvert, Pyramid and Patricia Lakes, and the Maligne River Valley leading to Maligne Lake. The Jasper Tramway offers panoramic views if you want them.
Optional Activities
- Lac Beauvert viewing
- Pyramid Lake visit
- Patricia Lake visit
- Maligne River Valley exploration
- Maligne Lake visit
- Jasper Tramway ride
Landmarks Mount Robson Yellowhead Pass Lac Beauvert Pyramid Lake Patricia Lake Maligne Lake Maligne River Valley Jasper Tramway 
- Day 8
Jasper - Banff
Leave Jasper and drive south on the Icefields Parkway, which is one of the world's most scenic highways. Stop at Athabasca and Sunwapta Falls, then check out Athabasca Glacier. Drive past the turquoise waters of Bow and Peyto Lakes before pulling into Banff.
Optional Activities
- Athabasca Falls viewing
- Sunwapta Falls viewing
- Athabasca Glacier exploration
- Bow Lake viewing
- Peyto Lake viewing
- Lake Louise shuttle visit (book separately, additional cost)
- Moraine Lake shuttle visit (book separately, additional cost)
Landmarks Icefields Parkway Athabasca Falls Sunwapta Falls Athabasca Glacier Bow Lake Peyto Lake Lake Louise Moraine Lake 
- Day 9
Banff
Spend your day in Banff National Park exploring the townsite and seeing Bow River Falls. Drive Tunnel Mountain for views of the hoodoos and Surprise Corner. If you want more views, ride the Sulphur Mountain Gondola. Johnston Canyon via the Bow Valley Parkway is also worth your time if you have it.
Optional Activities
- Banff Townsite exploration
- Bow River Falls viewing
- Tunnel Mountain drive
- Hoodoos viewing
- Surprise Corner
- Sulphur Mountain Gondola ride
- Johnston Canyon via Bow Valley Parkway
- Banff Evening Wildlife Safari
Landmarks Banff Townsite Bow River Falls Tunnel Mountain Sulphur Mountain Johnston Canyon 
- Day 10
Banff - Revelstoke
Leave Banff for Revelstoke with a few route options. You can explore Glacier and Yoho National Parks, seeing the Natural Bridge, Emerald Lake, and Spiral Train Tunnels. Or take Highway 93 through Kootenay National Park to see the Paint Pots and Marble Canyon. Radium Hot Springs and Kicking Horse Resort near Golden are optional stops before Revelstoke.
Optional Activities
- Glacier National Park exploration
- Yoho National Park exploration
- Natural Bridge viewing
- Emerald Lake visit
- Spiral Train Tunnels viewing
- Rogers Pass
- Mount Revelstoke National Park exploration
- Kootenay National Park exploration
- Paint Pots viewing
- Marble Canyon visit
- Radium Hot Springs soak
- Kicking Horse Resort visit
Landmarks Glacier National Park Yoho National Park Natural Bridge Emerald Lake Spiral Train Tunnels Rogers Pass Mount Revelstoke National Park Kootenay National Park Paint Pots Marble Canyon Radium Hot Springs Golden Kicking Horse Resort - Day 11
Revelstoke - Kelowna
Explore Mount Revelstoke National Park, starting with the Giant Cedars Trail through rainforest and moving to wildflower meadows at higher elevation. Visit 3 Valley Gap Heritage Ghost Town and walk Crazy Creek Waterfalls and Suspension Bridge. Stop at historic Craigellachie, then head through Sicamous to Salmon Arm on Shuswap Lake before driving south to Kelowna.
Optional Activities
- Mount Revelstoke National Park exploration
- Giant Cedars Nature Trail hike
- Mount Revelstoke summit wildflower meadows
- 3 Valley Gap Heritage Ghost Town visit
- Crazy Creek Waterfalls viewing
- Crazy Creek Suspension Bridge crossing
- Craigellachie historic site visit
- Salmon Arm Shuswap Lake leisure activities
Landmarks Mount Revelstoke National Park Giant Cedars Nature Trail 3 Valley Gap Heritage Ghost Town Crazy Creek Waterfalls Crazy Creek Suspension Bridge Craigellachie Sicamous Salmon Arm Shuswap Lake 
- Day 12
Kelowna
Dedicate today to the Okanagan Valley, which is known for fruit and wine. Stop at local fruit stands to taste what the region produces. If wineries interest you, visit a local one for a tasting. You'll get a good feel for what makes this area special agriculturally.
Optional Activities
- Okanagan Valley exploration
- Local fruit stands visits
- Local winery tasting
Landmarks Okanagan Valley - Day 13
Kelowna - Vancouver
Head back to Vancouver with your choice of routes. The direct way is faster via the connector highway. Or take a scenic detour past Penticton through Manning Provincial Park and the farmlands of the Fraser Valley. Either way, you'll be back in the Vancouver area for your final night.
Optional Activities
- Scenic detour via Penticton and Manning Provincial Park
Landmarks Penticton Manning Provincial Park Fraser Valley - Day 14
Vancouver
Head to Vancouver Airport according to your flight schedule and return the rental car. You'll leave with memories of driving through the Canadian Rockies, exploring national parks, and seeing the diversity of British Columbia's landscapes and cities.
