Value: Canadian Rockies

Day 1
Arrive Vancouver

Depart London Heathrow – 13:05
Arrive Vancouver – 14:30
Journey Time – 9 hours 25 minutes

Upon arrival at Vancouver airport we would suggest you take a metered taxi from the airport (Not included, approximately – C$25.00) to your downtown hotel located on fashionable Robson Street. Nestled between the timeless coastal mountains and the tides of the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver attracts travellers from around the world year-round. No wonder it’s strap line is ‘Spectacular by Nature’.

Overnight – Vancouver

Hotel:
Rosedale on Robson

---

Day 2
Vancouver

Vancouver has it all so step outside and discover… Take or stroll or hire a bike and explore the world famous 400 hectare Stanley Park, visit the sandy beaches, historic Gastown or wander around the mouth-watering markets at Granville Island. Walk Denham and Robson St. to soak up the throbbing cafe and shopping scene.

Overnight – Vancouver

Hotel:
Rosedale on Robson

---

Day 3
Vancouver

Another day to explore this fabulous city or perhaps you might want to head a little further afield. There are tours to take you out to Grouse Mountain and the Capilano Suspension Bridge or why not consider a sea plane ride to Victoria on Vancouver Island. Whale watching trips are widely available through the Gulf Islands, there are few better chances to see Killer Whales than here, and a visit to the ‘must see’ Butchart Gardens is also an option, probably the most impressive garden in the world – I kid you not! Vancouver abounds with opportunities so just talk to one of our team, most of us have been so we’ll be happy to offer some tips.

Overnight – Vancouver

Hotel:
Rosedale on Robson

---

Day 4
Vancouver to Whistler
76 miles

Today collect your car rental – your self drive adventure begins. This morning depart Vancouver 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. Arrive into Whistler by early afternoon.

Overnight – Whistler

Hotel:
Aava Whistler Hotel

---

Day 5
Whistler

This charming alpine resort is nestled between world-renowned Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Enjoy an extensive range of summer activities from golf on one of the 4 championship designer golf courses, water activities on any of the 5 lakes or numerous rivers, take a gondola ride to the mountain top restaurant, book on a bear viewing tour, take to one of the myriad of walking trails or just relax and enjoy some of the many fine café’s and restaurants in this European inspired alpine village.

Overnight – Whistler

Hotel:
Aava Whistler Hotel

---

Day 6
Whistler to Sun Peaks
183 miles

INCLUDED TODAY – Hat Creek Ranch admission

Begin your spectacular drive on the Duffey Lake Road where you will see breathtaking views of Joffee Glacier. Continue on through Lillooet known as the land of the Gold Rush Trail and onto Cache Creek where you stop at historic Hat Creek Ranch (included). From here travel a short distance to your overnight accommodation located in the stunning resort of Sun Peaks.

Overnight – Sun Peaks

Hotel:
Nancy Greene Cahilty Lodge

---

Day 7
Sun Peaks to Jasper
277 miles

Today, follow the Thompson River through rolling plateaus to the snowy peaks of the Monashee Mountains. View Pyramid Falls and the expansive glaciers of the Albreda Icefields. As you pass by Mount Robson, at 3954 metres (12,972 feet), which is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, you will really start to get the feeling you are entering the heart of the majestic Canadian Rocky Mountains. You should arrive in Jasper late afternoon.

Overnight – Jasper

Hotel:
Lobstick Lodge

---

Day 8
Jasper

Spend the day exploring Jasper where there is no shortage of sights and attractions such as Maligne Canyon and Lake and Pyramid and Patricia Lakes-all of which are magnificent. Take a cruise around Maligne Lake, this exquisite lake is the second largest glacier-fed lake in world, the cruise will take you past glacier-studded mountain peaks to world famous Spirit Island. Jasper is one of the best areas to see the wildlife of the Rockies, keep your eyes peeled for Elk, Mouse and of course bears!

Overnight – Jasper

Hotel:
Lobstick Lodge

---

Day 9
Jasper

Make no mistake, another full day in Jasper is exactly the right thing for you at this stage of the adventure. Today you may wish to travel the Jasper Tramway where enclosed gondolas whisk you to the top of Whistler Mountain for a spectacular view. Interpretive exhibits explain the high alpine environment and a hiking trail leads you to the summit of the mountain. Another way to relax is a visit to the Miette Hot Springs; these natural springs are the hottest in the Canadian Rockies. In the evening why not stop at the historic Jasper Park Lodge for a drink or dinner

Overnight – Jasper

Hotel:
Lobstick Lodge

---

Day 10
Jasper to Banff
182 miles

INCLUDED TODAY – COMPLIMENTARY – Ice Explorer Ride onto the Athabasca Glacier!

Today is likely to be one of the most scenic drives you are ever likely to undertake as you travel the spine of the Canadian Rockies. View a never-ending procession of mammoth mountains, jagged peaks, over 100 glaciers and pristine emerald colour lakes. Along the way see such sights as the Columbia Icefield and take an Ice Explorer ride out onto the glacier (included). Also watch for the Sarbach Glacier, Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, with the Bow Glacier providing the backdrop, and Crowfoot Glacier before your arrival into Lake Louise. Along the way you will have endless opportunities to pull off the highway to take in the full splendour of the scenery. 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.

Customer tip:
‘We soon became familiar with the term ‘Bear Jam’ whilst visiting the Canadian Rockies. It’s the term used by locals to describe the traffic chaos when a bear is spotted near to the road. It has to be seen to be believed as people pull over or just stop in the road to watch and photograph these awesome creatures. So whilst spotting a traffic jam ahead is a good indication your camera should be primed and ready, be careful not to take the risks many do by climbing out of your vehicle and getting far to close to the bears’ Terry – London.

Overnight – Banff

Hotel:
Irwin’s Mountain Inn

---

Day 11
Banff

Today we suggest a visit to the Cave and Basin National Historic Site where you will discover the origins of Banff National Park. Discovered in 1883 the site consists of a naturally occurring warm mineral springs found inside the cave and an emerald-coloured basin just outside. In the afternoon perhaps visit the Hoodoos – mushroom shaped pillars of glacial silt and clay or the Banff Upper Hot Springs for a relaxing dip in the natural pool.

Overnight – Banff

Hotel:
Irwin’s Mountain Inn

---

Day 12
Banff

Banff is a more substantial town than Jasper so you will want to spend time wondering along Banff Avenue and visiting some of the shops for a few gifts. They also have some lively pubs and great restaurants so have a walk in tonight! Take the gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain, ramble along the Bow Falls walk for great views of the Bow River and Banff Springs Hotel and be sure to drive to Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake. The drive around these parts is almost guaranteed to offer you some wildlife spotting opportunities so keep an eye out.

Overnight – Banff

Hotel:
Irwin’s Mountain Inn

---

Day 13
Banff to Kelowna
301 miles

Your journey today takes you through some of the most spectacular stretches of highway in Canada. Follow the Kicking Horse Pass, which takes you to Rogers Pass and onto the beautiful shorelines of Shuswap Lake, home to Canada’s largest sockeye salmon which spawn to the south fork of the Thompson River.

The highway follows the Thompson into the dry interior grasslands and the city of Kamloops. At this point the highway begins the long descent into the hot, dry interior, initially through ‘cattle country’ then down into the orchard country of the Okanagan Valley. Set on the shores of Lake Okanogan, over 90 kilometres long, Kelowna has become a large lakeside resort, with long, hot summers.

Overnight – Kelowna

Hotel:
Prestige Inn Kelowna

---

Day 14
Kelowna

INCLUDED TODAY – Wine Tour of the Okanagan Wine Region.

Visit the region where Okanagan’s first vines were planted and get a taste of the “Old World”. Featured wineries on your Kelowna Wine Tour will include the following: Cedar Creek Estate Winery, St. Hubertus Estate Winery, Little Straw Winery, Rollingdale Winery and Carmelis Cheese Farm. Includes: Full tour of one winery, tastings at a minimum of four wineries, hotel pick-up and drop-off included.

Overnight – Kelowna

Hotel:
Prestige Inn Kelowna

---

Day 15
Depart Vancouver

An amazing trip awaits you today, from Kelowna to Vancouver. Travel via the Okanagan connector to the Coquihalla Highway. Along the way stop at any of the roadside stalls offering for sale during the long summer day’s cherries, apples, apricots, pears, peaches, grapes and plums. Turning onto the Coquihalla Highway climb to an elevation of 1244 metres where over 10 metres of snow can fall in an average winter. You will witness incredible feats of engineering as you travel through the Great Bear snow shed, crossing the Dry Gulch Bridge (over 280 metres long and 175 metres high). Begin descending from the summit pass through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the province. This dramatic change of environment is always exhilarating, as you go from bright sunlight on the high rock faces to misty coastal cedars and tall firs in the space of half an hour. Approaching the Pacific coast, the canyon opens into the broad fertile Fraser Valley. A stop at Minter Gardens in the Fraser Valley is a must!

With late flights from Vancouver Airport as detailed below you have plenty of time to enjoy your day before returning your rental vehicle at the airport and boarding your non-stop flight back to the UK. Just imagine now as you take off bidding farewell to this magical part of the world how much you will be able to look back on and savour!

Depart Vancouver – 20:50
Arrive London Heathrow – 14:05 (Next Day)
Journey Time – 9 hours 15 minutes

---

Your holiday includes

• Scheduled Flights
• UK & US Airport taxes
• Accommodation – 14 nights
• Compact car rental based on Hertz – 14 day rental
• Exclusive travel documentation portfolio including personalised maps, itinerary and driver directions along with all applicable tickets and vouchers.

Additional Experiences

Our holidays are completely tailored to suit you. We would be happy to help you choose from a vast array of additional experiences that will enhance your North America holiday adventure.

These might include:

There are many more, often quite unique to your chosen destination so please do ask.