Day 1: Vancouver
Welcome to one of the most picturesque cities in the world, Vancouver. There’s plenty to fill your time today but we highly recommend a stroll around this cosmopolitan city to get a feel for the Canadian people and their outdoorsy way of life. Treat yourself to some moreish maple cookies in Stanley Park, a 400-hectare wonderland where you can see the authentic totem poles erected in the 1920s. Vancouver is a family-friendly city and once you’ve done some exploring, a welcome meeting will be held at 18:00 hrs in your hotel, where you’ll meet your tour guide and the other families in your group.
Accommodation – Hotel included
Meals – Meals paid locally
Optional Activities – Bike rental in Stanley Park CA$10-$65
Day 2-3: Whistler
After a scenic drive, set up camp near Whistler in the heart of British Columbia. Perhaps better known as a winter resort, Whistler is a fantastic destination all year round, with incredible scenery and loads of activities on offer. Why not take a leisurely gondola ride and see the views from above, rent bikes and wind your way along the trails, or even take to the tree tops with some adventurous zip lining? Whether you’re a family of adrenaline junkies or simply like to enjoy some leisurely time together surrounded by nature, there’s something for everyone in Whistler.
Accommodation – Camping included
Meals – Breakfast (x1), lunch (x2) and dinner (x2) included
Optional Activities – Extreme zip line course CA$119-$199, Mountain biking from CA$100, Gondola ride CA$27
Day 4-5: Wells Gray Provincial Park
Next up is Wells Gray Provincial Park – the fourth largest in British Columbia, covering the highest regions of the Cariboo Mountains. Take a walk and check out the impressive Helmcken Falls, one of the reasons for the creation of Wells Gray Provincial Park in 1939. You’ll stay in rustic guest ranch cabins for two nights and after each night’s dinner, you can kick back and experience authentic ranch hospitality. Take part in a BBQ cookout, where you’ll create a hearty meal of fresh meat and fish (plus a vegetarian option) for everyone to feast on after a busy day exploring.
Accommodation – Guest ranch cabins (multi share) included
Meals – Breakfast (x2), lunch (x2) and dinner (x2) included
Optional Activities – Walking and canoeing day excursion with lunch CA$105
Day 6-7: Jasper National Park
Jasper National Park is the largest national park in Canada, covering an area of 18,878 square km (4,200 square miles) and this is where you’ll camp for the next two nights. It’s much less developed than other areas of Western Canada and there are several options on offer. You may want to start your visit by taking the cable car up Whistler Mountain for a bird’s eye view of this wonderful park. There’s also the chance to experience mountain biking and hiking amidst fantastic lakeside scenery, or to visit Mount Edith Cavell for tremendous views of Angel Glacier, a beautiful hanging glacier in the shape of angel wings.
Accommodation – Camping included
Meals – Breakfast (x2), lunch (x2) and dinner (x2) included
Optional Activities – Mountain biking CA$15-$75, SkyTram cable car CA$45
Day 8-9: Icefields Parkway – Yoho National Park
The Icefields Parkway cuts through the heart of the Rockies, travelling for 360km (230 miles) past hanging glaciers, sheer rock walls and broad sweeping valleys. It’s been called one of the world’s most scenic drives, and you’ll want to keep your cameras at the ready for some stunning views. Visit Peyto Lake and be amazed by its incredible turquoise hues, before traversing a portion of the imposing Athabasca Glacier, on an included hike. The kids will be left speechless, for once!
Today’s adventure will take you to Yoho National Park. ‘Yoho’ is a native word for ‘awe’, and you’ll see why. Sometimes overshadowed by the neighbouring parks of Banff and Jasper, Yoho National Park is considered the hidden gem of the Canadian national parks system. If any of your family are budding photographers, exploring Yoho will provide them with ample opportunities to hone their skills as you wander through a pristine alpine landscape which includes mountains, lakes and waterfalls. In your free time, you can get up close and personal with the Kicking Horse River on an optional half-day white water rafting excursion, or you can choose to canoe or hike at the magnificent Emerald Lake. Walking the challenging trails overlooking Takakkaw Falls is an excellent alternative option. You’ll all sleep well tonight and for the next four nights, you’ll be at the same campsite in the Lake Louise area and won’t need to pack tents up.
Accommodation – Camping included
Meals – Breakfast (x2), lunch (x2) and dinner (x2) included
Optional Activities – Emerald Lake canoe rental (1 hr) CA$45
Day 10: Lake Louise – Banff National Park
With its snow-capped peaks, ancient pine forests and enchanting turquoise waters, Lake Louise is simply stunning. It’s always been a popular tourist destination, so there’s no surprise that it’s the most photographed destination in the Canadian Rockies! There are loads of walking trails to enjoy, so you can either wander around the lake or hike to a nearby tea house to be rewarded with some of the best chocolate cake in Canada!
Accommodation – Camping included
Meals – Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Optional Activities – Canoeing CAD$105 per hour (CAD$95 per additional hour)
Day 11: Banff National Park
Located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, Banff National Park was established in 1885 and is Canada’s oldest national park. Its mountainous terrain encompasses coniferous forests, alpine meadows, ice fields and glaciers. It’s an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise, with plenty of opportunity for walking and hiking. With an abundance of wildlife in the park, there’s always the chance of seeing bears from a safe distance. Alternatively, take a scenic ride on the gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain to take in a 360-degree view of the surrounding landscape. For a completely different perspective, another exciting optional activity is to fly overhead in a helicopter – an amazing experience that your family will never forget. Of course, there’s nothing better after a hard day of fun than a soak in the Sulphur Mountain hot springs, which is why we’ve included this for you!
Accommodation – Camping included
Meals – Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Optional Activities – Aerial gondola/tramway CAD$62, Scenic glacier flight CA$195 – $325
Day 12: Banff National Park – Calgary
After a free morning to absorb your last taste of the Canadian wilderness, you make the short journey to the city of Calgary. This one-time Mountie outpost is situated at the meeting of the Bow River and Elbow Rivers in the south of the Alberta province, with the epic Rocky Mountain Range forming the city’s backdrop. If you have some extra time to explore, the Calgary Zoo with its Botanical Garden and Prehistoric Park is recommended. Here, the kids can come face-to-face with life-sized dinosaurs or enjoy some of the city’s wide open green spaces.
This tour ends at our gateway hotel at approximately 17:00 hrs. We can book you post-tour accommodation at our gateway hotel if required. If you are planning to fly tonight, please do not book a flight that departs before 21:00 hrs.
Accommodation – None included. Tour ends at 17:00 hrs
Meals – Breakfast and lunch included
Optional Activities – Calgary Zoo CA$25 (CA$17 for under 16s)
