Rate per person: CAD $5,775 based on double occupancy, peak season departure
This 16-day/ 15-night trip is a self-driving adventure that takes in the best of the Canadian Rockies and British Columbia. Beginning in Calgary and ending in Vancouver, you’ll also make stops at Banff, Jasper, Sun Peaks, Whistler, Tofino, and Victoria. Guided city tours ensure you make the most of each urban stay, while in the mountains and parks, you’ll discover wildlife and explore pristine wilderness on organized hikes, sea kayaking excursions, whale watching tours and more. Unscheduled time in most destinations lets you pick between literally dozens of activities, including river rafting, golfing, heli-hiking, fishing, ziplining, and sightseeing by floatplane or helicopter.
Road Trip from the Rockies to the Pacific Coast
Day 1
Upon arrival at Calgary International Airport, you’ll pick up your full-sized rental car and enjoy a scenic two-hour drive west to Banff through the Kananaski Region. If there’s time before dinner, explore such sights as Surprise Corner and Johnston Canyon, or simply wander around town, relax at the hotel, or take a soak in nearby hot springs. Accommodations are at the Rimrock Resort in a Premium Room.
Day 2
Take the gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain for unobstructed 360° views of six scenic mountain ranges and the incredible Banff Skywalk— an easy self-guided interpretive walkway that leads to the Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site and Sanson’s Peak Meteorological Station. Accommodations are at the Rimrock Resort in a Premium Room.
Day 3
Drive 4.5 hours from Banff to Jasper along the scenic Columbia Icefields Parkway—one of the most spectacular in the world. Plan to stop along the way for a “Snocoach” tour that takes you onto the icy slopes of the Athabasca Glacier. Accommodations are at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge in a Lakefront Suite.
Day 4
Enjoy a private half-day Eco Tour through Jasper National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Get your camera ready as you watch for bighorn sheep, black bears, bald eagles and osprey. Afternoon options include guided fishing, river rafting, and golf. Accommodations are at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge in a Lakefront Suite.
Day 5
Consider taking a final hike in Jasper before departing on your 5.5-hour drive to Sun Peaks, a charming Alpine Village in the striking Thompson Okanagan region of B.C.’s interior. Accommodations are at the Delta Sun Peaks Resort in a Delta Room.
Day 6
Enjoy a stunning drive, approx. 5 hours from Sun Peaks to your next hotel, in the heart of Whistler village. Wander out into the pedestrian zone to check out the myriad shops and cafés before dinner. Accommodations are at the Westin Resort in a Studio Junior Suite.
Day 7
Take the Peak 2 Peak gondola (it travels between the peaks of Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains) for exceptional views, alpine dining, and some of the most spectacular alpine hiking on the continent. Other options for the day include golf, flightseeing tours, and mountain biking. Accommodations are at the Westin Resort in a Studio Junior Suite.
Day 8
During a day at leisure in Whistler, options include a thrilling ziplining adventure, a rafting trip that combines big water and spectacular West Coast scenery, exploring some of the most pristine black bear habitat in North America on a guided 4×4 tour, or taking an ATV through backcountry. Accommodations are at the Westin Resort in a Studio Junior Suite.
Day 9
Drive and ferry approx. 7.5 hours from Whistler to Tofino, on Vancouver Island’s west coast. From your hotel on Cox Bay, you’ll find yourselves in a perfect west coast setting of old-growth forest trees, rugged coastline and a sandy beach with crashing surf. Accommodations are at Long Beach Lodge in a Deluxe Beachfront Room.
Day 10
Enjoy an exciting day’s zodiac excursion in search of Gray whales, sea lions, & seals. Travel through the pristine waters of Clayoquot Sound, stopping at a sea cave, viewing black bears, and visiting a seabird-nesting island. Continue to Hot Springs Cove for a magical soak overlooking the Pacific. Accommodations are at Long Beach Lodge in a Deluxe Beachfront Room.
Day 11
During your day “at leisure” in Tofino, options include sea kayaking, salmon fishing, coastal bear viewing, guided nature walks, beachcombing, surfing and horseback riding. Accommodations are at Long Beach Lodge in a Deluxe Beachfront Room.
Day 12
Drive approx. 5 hours from Tofino to Victoria and your hotel on the Inner Harbour. If there’s time, start exploring Victoria on your own. Highlights include Antique Row, Chinatown, the famous Butchart Gardens, and taking afternoon tea at the legendary Fairmont Empress Hotel. Accommodations are at the Inn at Laurel Point in a Studio Suite.
Day 13
Enjoy the exhilaration of racing through the seas in an open-air zodiac on a half-day whale watching tour. In the afternoon, continue exploring historic Victoria. Accommodations are at the Inn at Laurel Point in a Studio Suite.
Day 14
Between the drive and ferry, it will take you approx. 3 hours to make your way from Victoria to Vancouver. From your hotel, take a walk along chic Robson Street, or head to nearby Granville Island or the impressive Vancouver Aquarium. Accommodations are at the Four Seasons Hotel in a Deluxe City View Room.
Day 15
Enjoy a private tour of Vancouver, famous for its cultural diversity and spectacular parks. Explore downtown, Chinatown, and 1000-acre Stanley Park, plus experience a rain forest adventure in the Capilano River canyon. Accommodations are at the Four Seasons Hotel in a Deluxe City View Room.
Day 16
Drive to the Vancouver Airport and drop off your rental car in advance of your outgoing flight. Safe travels!
To learn more about this experience please contact one of our travel planners.
