3-Week West Coast Canada Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 3-week West Coast Canada tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaWest Coast Canada travel expert at TourRadar

• 20 Day Canadian Rockies & Alaska Itinerary, incl. Vancouver and Jasper

  Vancouver's Stanley Park opens this 20-day West Coast adventure, featuring Kelowna's wineries and Victoria's Butchart Gardens. Sandman Hotel Vancouver and Bow View Lodge serve as bases for Banff wildlife viewing before boarding Holland America's Alaska cruise.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Vancouver

    Start in Vancouver to get used to the time zone. Take a morning city tour through Stanley Park and Chinatown. A fellow traveler shared: "The Sea Wall walk in Stanley Park offers stunning mountain and ocean views - go early to avoid crowds and get the best photos." Take the water taxi to Granville Island in the afternoon when the market is busy but not packed.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Okanagan Valley to Banff

    Drive through British Columbia's wine country to Kelowna. The next day brings a scenic but long drive through several national parks. Start early since the journey through Rogers Pass (4,379 ft) often takes longer than expected. The road to Banff has some steep sections. Winter tires are a must if you're traveling early or late in the season.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Banff National Park

    Take a full day to explore Banff. Morning is prime time for wildlife spotting - you'll often see elk and bighorn sheep near town. Take the afternoon drive to Lake Louise and Columbia Icefield. Plan your Ice Explorer ride for mid-morning to beat the crowds. If weather looks good, try the Athabasca River float trip.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Jasper to Sun Peaks

    Jasper is great for seeing wildlife. Book the Maligne Lake cruise well ahead since it sells out fast. The drive to Sun Peaks past Mount Robson is beautiful but watch the weather. The mountain usually gets cloudy by afternoon.

    
  • Days 9-10

    Whistler

    You'll drive along the historic Cariboo Wagon Trail. One visitor noted: "Do the Tree Trek early morning when temperatures are cooler - the suspension bridges offer incredible views of the valley but it gets hot up there by midday."

    
  • Days 11-12

    Victoria

    The ferry ride can get rough so bring motion sickness pills if needed. Visit Butchart Gardens early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds. Look into whale watching - you can spot orcas from May through October.

    
  • Days 13-20

    Alaska Cruise

    The Inside Passage cruise rounds out your land tour perfectly. Book Juneau whale watching tours early. You can walk around Skagway's historic sites but expect crowds when multiple ships are in port. For the best views in Glacier Bay get a spot on the port side early.

    

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• 16 Days in Western Canada, incl. Calgary and Vancouver

  British Columbia's finest terrain unfolds over 16 days, from East Sooke Regional Park to Garibaldi Provincial Park's Elfin Lakes. Paddle through Cowichan Bay, scale The Stawamus Chief, and take in Whistler's High Note trail.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Waterton Lakes National Park

    Drive 3 hours south from Calgary to Waterton. Take on the Bertha Lake trail for your first Rocky Mountain experience. "The switchbacks are tough, but the views of the valley from the blue-green waters of Lake Bertha are worth every step." Bring hiking poles and dress in layers. Red Rock Canyon is best visited in late afternoon when it's less crowded.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Kananaskis Country

    Take the 3.5-hour drive north to Kananaskis. Stop in Longview to pick up their famous beef jerky for your hikes. Test yourself on the Ptarmigan Cirque trail up to Canada's highest paved pass. Follow up with Burstall Pass the next day, a full-day hike with optional scrambling. If hiking before July bring microspikes since snow often sticks around.

    
  • Days 5-7

    Lake Louise & Banff

    Spend three full days exploring these iconic spots. Start with an easy scenic float down the Bow River before climbing Fairview Mountain with its 1,000m elevation gain. The Iceline Trail in Yoho shows off stunning glacier views. Get an early start to avoid afternoon thunderstorms common in summer. Use your free afternoon to explore Banff on their free transit system.

    
  • Days 8-11

    Vancouver Island

    Fly to Vancouver then take the 4-hour ferry to Victoria. Stay in Sooke to explore the Juan de Fuca trail. "The coastal views are incredible but pack extra socks - stream crossings are frequent." Waterproof boots and hiking poles will help with muddy sections and suspension bridges.

    
  • Days 12-16

    Squamish & Whistler

    Return to the mainland via the Nanaimo ferry. Climb the Stawamus Chief in Squamish wearing shoes with good grip for the granite sections. Save energy for the 22km round trip to Elfin Lakes and Whistler's High Note Trail. A fellow hiker noted: "The aquamarine waters of Cheakamus Lake from the High Note Trail made the perfect finale."

    

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• 16 Day Western Canada Itinerary, incl. Vancouver and Vancouver Island

  A 16-day coastal getaway showcases 3 nights in Tofino's wild beaches, visits to Ucluelet Aquarium, and adventures at Malahat SkyWalk. The trip winds through Pacific Rim National Park trails, Victoria's historic sites, and BC Ferries crossings through the Gulf Islands.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Vancouver & Whistler

    Leave Vancouver around 8:45 AM to avoid traffic on your way to Whistler via the Sea-to-Sky Highway. The 2-hour drive includes stops at Shannon Falls and Brandywine Falls. Bring good walking shoes since the paths can be slippery in the morning. Take the Peak 2 Peak Gondola in early afternoon when visibility is best. If you're interested in a unique evening activity, try the Vallea Lumina night walk but pack warm clothes since mountain temperatures drop quickly after sunset.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Clearwater & Wells Gray Provincial Park

    The 5-hour drive from Whistler to Clearwater offers beautiful mountain views. Stop in Lillooet for the Indigenous Experience with Xwisten Tours but book ahead as spots fill up quickly. Visit Helmcken Falls (Canada's 4th highest) and Spahats Falls in Wells Gray Provincial Park. Get there early in the morning to beat the tour buses.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Jasper National Park

    Take the Yellowhead Highway to Jasper. Stop at Mount Robson in the morning when the summit is usually visible. Walk Maligne Canyon's six bridges spanning a 50-meter gorge. Visit Maligne Lake in late afternoon for great photos of Spirit Island. Join the Jasper Planetarium evening tour for stargazing and a good chance to spot grazing elk.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Banff & Lake Louise

    Drive the stunning Columbia Icefields route. Book an early Glacier Adventure tour to avoid crowds. In Banff take the Sulphur Mountain Gondola before 9 AM for clear views and shorter lines. Visit Bow Falls and relax in the Banff Hot Springs. Get to Lake Louise by 7 AM to see its famous turquoise water without crowds and find parking easily.

    
  • Days 9-10

    Kelowna & Victoria

    Travel through Rogers Pass to reach Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley. Try wine tasting at Mission Hill Winery for the best views. Take an afternoon ferry to Victoria for beautiful Gulf Islands scenery. Visit Butchart Gardens in early evening after most tourists leave. Book high tea at the Empress Hotel well in advance.

    
  • Days 11-13

    Tofino & Pacific Rim

    Start early on the 5-hour Pacific Rim Highway drive to Tofino. Stop at Cathedral Grove's ancient forest and various beaches. Visit Long Beach at low tide for the best experience. Book morning wildlife tours when the water is calm. A recent visitor shared: "The morning whale watching tours have the smoothest water and best light for photos of the coastline."

    
  • Days 14-16

    Northern Vancouver Island & Return

    Visit Campbell River, the "Salmon Capital of the World." See Elk Falls Suspension Bridge early before crowds arrive. Schedule your Nanaimo-Vancouver ferry for late afternoon to catch the sunset. Try the original Nanaimo bars at the Harbor Front location.

    

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