Canadian Rockies & National Parks

Canadian Rockies & National Parks

Discover glistening snow-capped mountain peaks, sparkling glacial lakes and dense rainforests; ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain for stunning views and on the surface of the Athabasca glacier for the thrill of a lifetime.

Stop at the Columbia Icefield for an Ice Explorer ride onto the glacier, and get ready to snap some great views on your camera as you gaze upon Athabasca Falls.

Stay in pretty mountain villages, lakeside resorts, and on the pacific coast with its crashing rollers. Watch for whales as you cruise on Clayoquot Sound and look out for bear, elk and mountain sheep as you drive the famous Icefields Parkway.

As you drive from Banff through the Rockies to the Pacific coast of Vancouver Island and on to cosmopolitan Vancouver you can do all this… and more.

What's Included:

• Return flights.
• 15 nights in hotels (accommodation as specified or similar).
• Self catering basis.
• Selected excursions, activities and entrance fees.
• 15 days car rental.
• 15 days GyPSy Guide rental.

Highlights:

• Amazing mountain scenery in the Rockies.
• Whistler, Olympic village and year round resort.
• Vancouver Island, home to great rainforests.
• Victoria, elegant with stunning gardens.
• Tofino, great for whale watching.

Day 1: London - Calgary - Banff (75 miles)

Arrive at Calgary Airport, collect your car and take the short drive to Banff on either the Trans-Canada Highway or the more scenic 1A Highway. Once in Banff proceed to your selected hotel to check in and the remainder of the day is yours to explore at your own leisure.
Overnight - Standard: Irwin’s Mountain Inn/ Superior: Banff Caribou Lodge/ Deluxe: Fairmont Banff Springs

Day 2: Banff Exploring

A full day to explore the Banff area. In town you’ll find lots of excitement - shopping, cafés, nightlife, museums. Check out the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, Banff Gondola (admission included) where you will see a panoramic view of the Bow Valley, and then take a dip in the hot mineral pools at the Upper Hot Springs.
Overnight - Standard: Irwin’s Mountain Inn/ Superior: Banff Caribou Lodge/ Deluxe: Fairmont Banff Springs

Day 3: Banff - Jasper (185 miles)

Take the short drive from Banff to 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 Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. From Lake Louise your scenic drive takes you through the spine of the Canadian Rockies along the Icefield Parkway. Stop at the Columbia Icefield for an Ice Explorer ride onto the glacier (included 01 May - 19 Oct). Leaving the Athabasca Glacier, your camera should be ready to capture the majesty of the Athabasca Falls prior to your arrival into Jasper.
Overnight - Standard: Lobstick Lodge/ Superior: Sawridge Inn/ Deluxe: Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

Day 4: Jasper

A free day to explore this charming mountain village close to many terrific scenic highlights. Perhaps take a tram ride up Whistlers mountain, or visit Maligne Lake, one of the most photographed lakes in the world, and enjoy a 90 minute cruise heading toward the south end of this postcard setting (Maligne Lake cruise not included).
Overnight - Standard: Lobstick Lodge/ Superior: Sawridge Inn/ Deluxe: Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

Day 5: Jasper - Wells Gray Provincial Park (195 miles)

Your drive today takes you to Wells Gray Provincial Park along the scenic Yellowhead Highway with breathtaking vistas of the steep-walled gorges and crashing falls of the North Thompson River.
Overnight - Standard: Clearwater Lodge/ Superior & Deluxe: Alpine Meadows Resort

Day 6: Clearwater - Whistler (265 miles)

Begin the day travelling via 100 Mile House to the gold rush town of Cache Creek, where you stop to visit the historic Hat Creek Ranch (included), which literally takes you back to the days of the gold rush. Continue south to Lillooet, known as the land of the Gold Rush and along the Duffey Lake Road to Whistler.
Overnight - Standard: Listel Hotel/ Superior: Hilton Whistler Resort/ Deluxe: Fairmont Chateau Whistler Meals - Breakfast

Day 7: Whistler

The day is free for you to enjoy some of Whistlers activities, from golf on one of the 4 championship designer golf courses, water activities on any of the 5 lakes or rivers, to mountain top dining or just relax and enjoy some of the fine café’s and restaurants of the village. The Peak to Peak gondola ride is included to the top of Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains (operates 23 May - 20 Sep; 21 Sep - 12 Oct weekends only).
Overnight - Standard: Listel Hotel/ Superior: Hilton Whistler Resort/ Deluxe: Fairmont Chateau Whistler

Day 8: Whistler - Parksville (70 miles + ferry)

Depart Whistler along the scenic Sea to Sky Highway to Horseshoe Bay and board the ferry to Vancouver Island. This scenic cruise takes you through fjord like waters with mountains blanketed with virgin forests and glaciated peaks.
Overnight - Standard: Quality Resort Bayside/ Superior & Deluxe: Tigh-Na-Mara Resort

Day 9: Parksville - Tofino/Ucluelet (140 miles)

Depart Parksville for Tofino on the rugged West Coast. En-route, picture stops should be made at Cathedral Grove to enjoy the splendour of 800 year old Douglas Fir and Cedar.
Overnight - Standard: Best Western Tin Wis Resort Tofino/ Superior & Deluxe: Black Rock Oceanfront Resort Ucluelet

Day 10: Tofino - Whale Watching

The morning is free to explore Tofino and Pacific Rim National Park. Walk along the famed Long Beach or explore the rain forests on a selection of well groomed trails. Mid afternoon enjoy a 3 hour whale watch cruise (included) through the Clayoquot Sound, revealing sensational scenery and wildlife such as Gray Whales, Sea Lions, Porpoises and Killer Whales.
Overnight - Standard: Best Western Tin Wis Resort Tofino/ Superior & Deluxe: Black Rock Oceanfront Resort Ucluelet

Day 11: Tofino - Victoria (195 miles)

Travel back to the East Coast of Vancouver Island and head south to Victoria. Stop at the artist community of Chemainus, where you can admire the giant murals which adorn the exterior walls throughout the town and Duncan the “City of Totems”.
Overnight - Standard: Chateau Victoria Hotel/ Superior: Inn at Laurel Point/ Deluxe: Fairmont Empress Hotel

Day 12: Victoria and Butchart Gardens

Today is free to explore Victoria, with its turn of the century architecture, British traditions such as high tea and shops full of woollens and china. Admission is included to the Butchart Gardens with it’s 50 acre display of magnificent colour.
Overnight - Standard: Chateau Victoria Hotel/ Superior: Inn at Laurel Point/ Deluxe: Fairmont Empress Hotel

Day 13: Victoria - Vancouver (45 miles + ferry)

Leaving Victoria drive north to Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal for a 90 minute ferry cruise (cost included) through the Gulf Islands as you cross the Strait of Georgia to Tsawwassen, then continue to downtown Vancouver.
Overnight - Standard: Rosedale on Robson/ Superior: Sheraton Wall Centre/ Deluxe: Fairmont Waterfront Hotel

Day 14: Vancouver

Today, experience Grouse Mountain Skyride and Capilano Canyon and Suspension Bridge (both included).
Overnight - Standard: Rosedale on Robson/ Superior: Sheraton Wall Centre/ Deluxe: Fairmont Waterfront Hotel

Day 15: Vancouver - Free Day

The day is free to discover the coastal city of Vancouver. Canada’s third largest metropolitan centre, Vancouver is a busy port with a multi-cultural ambiance. Be sure to also see such sights as, Chinatown, Historical Gastown, the markets of Granville Island, and the famous shopping district of Robson Street.
Overnight - Standard: Rosedale on Robson/ Superior: Sheraton Wall Centre/ Deluxe: Fairmont Waterfront Hotel

Day 16: Vancouver - London

Your tour ends with the check out of your hotel and then return your car to the airport rental office, ready for your return flight home.