Coastal Canada & the Rockie

Day 1 – Arrive Vancouver

Arrive by scheduled non-stop flights from the U.K taking around 9 hours 30 mins.

On arrival at Vancouver Airport you will be met by one of our representative team and assisted to your waiting private car which will take you directly to your chosen hotel in downtown Vancouver.

Vancouver is set in spectacular surroundings, with the majestic Coastal Mountains, evergreen forests and Pacific Ocean as its background. After a long flight and with your body adjusting to the time difference, we suspect you will not want to do much the first evening but if the weather permits do have a walk – Vancouver is a very safe walking town. Overnight Vancouver

Hotels:
Standard: Blue Horizon Hotel
Superior: L’Hermitage
Deluxe: Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel

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Day 2 – Vancouver

Today you embark on a tour that showcases two of Vancouver’s most popular nature destinations Grouse Mountain and the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. First, you will visit the Capilano River Hatchery to witness the majesty of salmon leaping up the river on their way to their annual spawning beds. The trek along the Capilano Suspension Bridge will afford you an unforgettable perspective. Your amazement will continue as you soar above the clouds on North America’s largest aerial tramway, the Grouse Mountain Skyride. The tram will whisk you to the top of the mountain with breathtaking views of the city of Vancouver, the vast Pacific Ocean, and the towering mountains that provide the backdrop to the most memorable selfies you will take! During summer enjoy lumberjack shows, the Grouse Mountain Wildlife Refuge for endangered wildlife including Grizzly Bears and Timber Wolf, birds in motion demonstrations and so much more. The rest of the day back in Vancouver is at leisure. Overnight – Vancouver.

Hotels:
Standard: Blue Horizon Hotel
Superior: L’Hermitage
Deluxe: Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel

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Day 3 – Vancouver

Today we have included tickets for the hop-on hop-off 1 day Dual city and park pass to help you maximise your day of discovery in Vancouver. There’s such a variety of things to see and do in this stunning cosmopolitan city by the ocean – historic Gastown, colourful Chinatown, and the ultra modern financial district to name but a few. Discover the beauty of 1000-acre Stanley Park and English Bay as well as the bustle of Robson Street in the heart of the shopping district and Granville Island oozing character and atmosphere both night and day.

This flexible Dual Pass combination of the City and Park routes offers all the highlights of downtown Vancouver, including major attractions, and scenic points of interest. Choose to hop-off at any of the 28 stops, and hop-on again to continue the tour. Be sure to enjoy the incredible views from the top of the Harbour Centre Tower (Admission to tower included). Highlights include English Bay, Stanley Park, Granville Island, Yaletown, Gastown, Chinatown, Robson Street, and the Entertainment District. Commentary in English, French, Spanish, German, Japanese, Korean and Mandarin is provided on the clear top convertible Hop-On, Hop-Off busses. The San Francisco-style trolleys feature English commentary. Both bus types (clear top and trolley) will be travelling on all routes; there is no designated bus type per route. Overnight Vancouver.

Hotels:
Standard: Blue Horizon Hotel
Superior: L’Hermitage
Deluxe: Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel

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Day 4 – Vancouver to Victoria (Vancouver Island)
43 miles (Plus Ferry)

This morning collect your rental from a convenient downtown location before leaving Vancouver and driving south to Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal for a 90 min Ferry ride (Car Ferry Toll Included) 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 with its turn of the century architecture, British traditions such as high tea and shops full of woollens and china. Overnight Victoria.

Hotels:
Standard: Coast Victoria Hotel
Superior: Inn At Laurel Point
Deluxe: Magnolia Hotel & Spa

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Day 5 Victoria (Vancouver Island)

No visit to this part of the world is complete without taking the chance to see majestic whales in their natural environment.

Victoria is one of the best places to go whale watching in the world, whether you want to see Orca’s (Killer Whales) Humpbacks or Grays, just pack a good pair of binoculars as we have a magical trip included for you today. Our chosen tour company have a 95% sightings rate so you are almost sure to see these wonderful creatures.

This coastal excursion is an exhilarating round trip of 50 to 80 kilometres in search of orcas, humpback whales, minke whales, grey whales, porpoises, harbour seals and other marine wildlife. You will ride aboard a 14-metre ocean cruiser or a custom-built Zodiac boat that offers high speed with extraordinary stability giving you an exhilarating, safe and intimate whalewatching experience. Information on wildlife, landscapes, and answers for any questions are provided by certified marine biologists and naturalists. Full-length cruiser suits are provided on the Zodiac boat.

The tour takes 3-4 hours leaving you a good half day to explore Victoria. Victoria is where you will find the world famous Empress Hotel, Parliament buildings, Provincial Museum, the city centre and the attractions around the city Harbour. Overnight – Victoria

Hotels:
Standard: Coast Victoria Hotel
Superior: Inn At Laurel Point
Deluxe: Magnolia Hotel & Spa

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Day 6 – Victoria to Tofino (Vancouver Island)
195 miles

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, one of the best places to view bears in their natural environment from the safety of a boat. Overnight Tofino/Ucluelet.

Hotels:
Standard: Waters Edge Shoreside Suites
Superior: Black Rock Oceanfront Resort
Deluxe: Wickaninnish Inn

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Day 7 – Tofino (Vancouver Island)

Yesterday the whales, today it’s the bears!

We’ve included a 2-3 hour cruise in search of black bears. During the winter, local black bears are in semi-hibernation. Come May, they leave their dens and head for the closest food source – the ocean! At low tide the bears emerge from the forests to forage along the shores in search of rock crabs. While the bears forage in the intertidal zone, you can unobtrusively observe and photograph their behaviour. You will experience the tour aboard an open-air, rescue-style, 24’ rigid-hulled Zodiac suitable for this calm water program or if you prefer, a larger 45 foot covered vessel. The vessel’s shallow draft is especially good for manoeuvring in the small sheltered bays while you are watching for bears and learning about this unique environment

For the rest of the day we would suggest a walk along the famed Long Beach, with its miles of pristine sandy beach and pounding surf or explore the rain forests on a selection of well groomed trails. Overnight – Tofino.

Hotels:
Standard: Waters Edge Shoreside Suites
Superior: Black Rock Oceanfront Resort
Deluxe: Wickaninnish Inn

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Day 8 – Tofino to Parksville (Vancouver Island)
138 miles

Depart Tofino for Parksville 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 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.

Your destination is Parksville located on the sheltered eastern shores of Vancouver Island – with its spectacular natural setting, surrounded by beautiful beaches, mountains, lakes and rivers… Kick back & enjoy. Overnight – Parksville.

Hotels:
Standard: Beach Club Oceanview Room
Superior: Beach Club Ocean View Room
Deluxe: Tigh-Na-Mara Ocean View Room

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Day 9 – Parksville to Whistler
68 miles (Plus Ferry)

From Departure Bay sail for 1 hr 45 mins on BC Ferries (Ferry Toll Included) to Horseshoe Bay. This scenic cruise takes you through fjord like waters with mountains blanketed with virgin forests and glaciated peaks. Drive to Whistler 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.

At Whistler you have admission included to the five star TripAdvisor rated Lil’wat Cultural Centre.  The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre embodies the spirit of partnership between Whistler’s two First Nation cultures, the Squamish Nation and the Lil’wat Nation. Admission includes guided or self guided tours through the museum, interactive exhibits, contemporary galleries and a spectacular 15 minute film showcasing the nation’s traditional and modern cultures. Traditional song and dance ceremonies are on display, as well as traditional storytelling, craft making and demonstrations about Salish wool and cedar weaving. Visit the gift shop for one of the largest collections of indigenous art in Whistler or try indigenous inspired food in the Thunderbird café. Overnight – Whistler.

Hotels:
Standard: Pinnacle Hotel
Superior: Delta Hotels by Marriott Whistler Village Suites
Deluxe: Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler

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Day 10 – Whistler to Wells Gray Provincial Park
262 miles

Get an early start today for a longest drive of the tour. Travel north today from the mountain village via the upper elevations of the Duffey Lake Road. Enjoy breath-taking views of Joffee Glacier and snow capped Mount Currie that rises to a height of 2,596 meters (8,518 feet). Continue the journey north to Lillooet, known as the land of the Gold Rush Trail and was ‘Mile Zero’ of the Old Caribou Wagon Road during the Gold Rush Years. Now the area is home to the largest Canadian producers of the medicinal plant, Ginseng. Make a stop at 100 mile house to the gold rush town of Cache Creek, where you might want to stop and visit the historic Hat Creek Ranch (Not included), which literally takes you back to the days of the gold rush.

NOTE: You may wish to consider extending your stay in Clearwater to 2 nights for a number of reasons: To give you a break after quite a long drive to get to this area and to provide you an opportunity to explore Wells Gray Provincial Park – One of the most beautiful parks in Canada. Just let us know if you would like to consider this option. Overnight – Clearwater

Hotels:
Standard: Wells Gray Inn
Superior: Alpine Meadows Resort
Deluxe: Alpine Meadows Resort

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Day 11 – Wells Gray Provincial Park to Jasper
198 miles

Set out for Jasper along the scenic Yellowhead Highway and take in the breathtaking vistas of the steep-walled gorges and crashing falls of the North Thompson River. On your journey today, perhaps you will get a glimpse of Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Leaving British Columbia you enter Alberta and Jasper National Park. Jasper was originally a tent city serving the railway, and now a quaint mountain village. Overnight – Jasper.

Hotels:
Standard: Marmot Lodge
Superior: Crimson Hotel
Deluxe: Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

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Day 12 – Jasper

At this point in your tour it is worth considering purchasing an app based tour from our partners at GyPSy Guides. This outstanding app offer commentary and highlights as you drive around the Canadian Rockies, it really is like having a tour guide in the back seat so you are sure not to miss any important sights. Better still this works from your GPS location so does not need a data package. Feel free to ask a member of our team for guidance with this.

By now you will almost certainly have witnessed some of the amazing wildlife in Canada but keep your eyes peeled for bears, moose and the hundreds of elk that roam freely around Jasper. Jasper offers many terrific scenic highlights to explore… Why not take a tram ride up Whistlers Mountain or visit Medicine Lake, Cavell Road, Pyramid Lake Road and the ‘Old Banff/Jasper Highway’. We recommend a visit to Maligne Canyon and Maligne Lake where you can take a scenic boat tour or hire a canoe. The gift shops at these two attractions are excellent and also worth a visit.

Another option to consider is a visit to Athabasca Falls and Sunwapta Falls, both of which can be done in the same day from Jasper. There’s so much to see and do here – if you would like to extend your stay in Jasper just tell us and we can make it happen. Overnight – Jasper.

Hotels:
Standard: Marmot Lodge
Superior: Crimson Hotel
Deluxe: Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

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Day 13 – Jasper to Banff
180 miles

Your scenic drive today takes you through the spine of the Canadian Rockies. View a never-ending procession of mammoth mountains, jagged peaks, over 100 glaciers and pristine emerald colour lakes. As you head south along the Icefield Parkway, one of the world’s most spectacular journeys, you will eventually reach the Columbia Icefield, where we have yet another unique experience included for you. At the Athabasca Glacier, Brewster’s all terrain Ice Explorers will take you on a 75-minute ice age adventure to experience ancient ice and a moving glacier. In addition to exploring the glacier, visitors will take a shuttle from the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre 6.5km to the new Glacier Skywalk. The glass-floored platform extends 30 m out over the Sunwapta Canyon. Visitors can also enjoy the interpretive stations along the 500 m long Discovery Trail that leads to and from the viewpoint. Experience waterfalls, wildlife, fossils and more on an existing cliff-edge walkway that leads to a platform where glass is all that separates visitors from a 277 m drop.

Continue your journey south along the Icefield Parkway making stops the Sarbach Glacier, Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, with the Bow Glacier providing the backdrop, and Crowfoot Glacier before your arrival into Lake Louise. From Lake Louise choose the Bow Valley Parkway, beside the Bow River with an option for you to take a stop at Johnston Canyon and walk along the paved footway to either the lower or upper waterfalls before continuing to Banff. Overnight – Banff.

Hotels:
Standard: Banff Aspen Lodge
Superior: Moose Hotel
Deluxe: Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

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Day 14 – Banff

We’ve included tickets for the Banff Gondola & Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk so this would be a good first stop today. With six stunning mountain ranges and the sweep of the Bow Valley before you, views from the summit are nothing short of breathtaking. Start with a walk along the Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk to learn more about Canada’s first national park? Or perhaps go indoors to sample from three delicious restaurant menus. Then get hands-on in our world-class interpretive centre and theatre. And no matter where you go, the knowledgeable, friendly hosts are standing by to make sure you get the most out of your visit.

In the afternoon you might like to take a short walk, the Hoodoos or Two Jack Lake area offer numerous easy options or maybe stay around Banff town which is a lovely place with lots of shops, bars and restaurants, visit the hot springs that led to the creation of Banff National Park and  if you are feeling energetic head up to the historic Banff Springs Hotel built by the Canadian Pacific railway company and opened in 1888 where you can also see Bow Falls. Overnight Banff.

If you purchase the GyPSY Guide for Banff this also offers an excellent guided tour of the area. Overnight – Banff.

Hotels:
Standard: Banff Aspen Lodge
Superior: Moose Hotel
Deluxe: Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

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Day 15 Departure from Calgary Airport
72 miles

Most non-stop scheduled flights from Calgary do not leave until late afternoon or evening so you will have leisure time in Banff before you leave.

When the time comes depart the Rocky Mountains at your own leisure to the Great Central Plains that roll to the east for 2000 kilometres and extend as far south as Mexico. This is ‘cattle ranching country’ and the breadbasket of Canada.

Return your rental vehicle at the airport and boarding your flight back to the UK.