Western Canada and The Rockies Escorted Tour Itinerary
Day 1 – Travel to Canada
Upon arrival in Vancouver, you will be met by a local guide and transferred to your hotel.
Day 2 – Vancouver
In the morning, take in the highpoints of Vancouver on a guided city tour. Visit the 1,001-acre Stanley Park with its collection of totem poles, the beach at English Bay, and the iconic Canada Place, an architectural landmark famous for its ship-like appearance. Explore trendy Robson Street with its many shops and cafes, experience the exotic smells of Vancouver’s Chinatown and visit the oldest part of the city in historic Gastown.
Day 3 – Vancouver’s North Shore
Visit Vancouver’s scenic North Shore and experience the famous Capilano Suspension Bridge, suspended high above the Capilano River and surrounded by lush rainforest. Return to Vancouver later in the day and enjoy your final evening in this vibrant coastal city.
Day 4 – Sea-To-Sky Highway to Whistler
Today, drive along the Sea-to-Sky Highway with its magnificent setting, surrounded by jagged fjords and glaciated mountain peaks. Arrive in Whistler and enjoy the afternoon at leisure in this picturesque mountain village, a skiing hotspot and home to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Consider taking a gondola ride with 360 degree views, or take in some contemporary and First Nations culture at one of the town’s many art galleries.
Day 5 – Clearwater
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and depart for your hotel in Clearwater. On the way, pass through the rolling ranch land of British Columbia’s “cowboy country” and the old fur-trading town of Kamloops on the Thompson River. You will spend the night in your hotel in Clearwater. (Distance covered to Clearwater : 480km includes comfort stops, sightseeing stops and free time for lunch).
Day 6 – Jasper
Begin the journey to Jasper through the vast Mount Robson Park, named for the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies. Don’t forget your camera for a striking photo opportunity of its snowy peaks. Continue through the incredible scenery along the Yellowhead Highway, finally arriving in the town of Jasper for the night. Set within Jasper National Park, the town boasts an appropriately scenic backdrop of striking mountaintops, meadows and lakes.
Day 7 – Icefields Parkway, Athabasca Glacier & Banff or Canmore
One of the world’s most scenic drives, the Icefields Parkway is bordered by jagged mountains, shimmering lakes, fresh mountain streams and deep forests. Along this spectacular route to Banff town, you will stop to take a Snowcoach ride on the Athabasca Glacier, the best way to experience this part of the Columbia Icefield in all its glory. Arrive in Banff or Canmore, where you’ll spend your next two nights.
Day 8 – Banff & Lake Louise
Banff became Canada’s first ever national park in 1885 in order to protect its natural hot springs. On today’s sightseeing tour, visit the grand and castle-like 19th century Banff Springs Hotel, Tunnel Mountain, impressive Hoodoo rock formations and the region’s famous Bow Falls. Later, travel to Lake Louise to marvel at its aquamarine waters, brightly coloured by rock flour carried by melt-water from the nearby glaciers.
Return to Banff or Canmore in the late afternoon to enjoy some free time soaking up the natural beauty of the Rockies.
Day 9 – Calgary
This morning, we travel east along the Trans-Canada Highway to Calgary, a vibrant city where modern urban life meets western heritage. Enjoy a city sightseeing tour featuring Calgary Tower, the Stampede Grounds, Stephen Avenue, and the site of the 1988 Winter Olympic Games (all viewed from the outside). Spend your final evening exploring Calgary, shopping for souvenirs, or enjoying dinner at one of the city’s many restaurants.
Day 10 – Calgary & Return Home
Today you will have the morning at leisure before getting a guide transfer to Calgary International Airport for your flight home.
Day 11 – Arrive Home
