When it comes to luxury travel in Canada, the sky’s the limit. From chartering private planes for extra luggage, buying out exclusive wilderness resorts in the middle of nowhere to arranging private jet trips showcasing the highlights of our great country-if you can dream it we can do it. Some Canadian attractions are best seen by the air, others from the comfort of your own vehicle or on foot. We’re outlining the most over the top, most luxurious ways to explore Canada, and why each one should be on your bucket list.
Seaplane Safari through Coastal British Columbia
Some of the best and most beautiful parts of British Columbia are not easily accessible for the average visitor. Upping the exclusivity ante, wilderness lodges such as Sonora Resort, Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort and Clayoquot Wilderness Resort are all fly-in or boat access only. Departing from downtown Vancouver, private charter seaplanes can deliver you dock-front to your wilderness lodge, fishing resort or yacht of choice, fetching you days later only to transfer you to the next stop in comfort and style. Soar above majestic waterfalls, lush temperate rainforests and the crashing surf of the Pacific Ocean.
Private Driver through Canada’s Rockies
West of Calgary lies the quaint resort town of Banff, an excellent starting point for an adventure in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper are all wildly impressive and quintessentially Canadian, from emerald lakes and rushing rapids to soaring mountain peaks and curious wildlife. What makes this region especially unique is that the journey itself rivals the destinations. Sit back and allow your private driver/guide to navigate the twists and turns of the iconic Icefields Parkway, while you keep your eyes peeled for Mountain Goats and ancient glacial formations. With an expert driver/guide at the helm, you’ll be treated to pit stops or drive-by’s at some of the lesser-known and most photogenic stops along the way.
Helicopter over Niagara Falls
The unofficial 8th wonder of the world, to say Niagara Falls is impressive is an understatement. Three separate waterfalls straddle the border between the United States and Canada, and the best vantage point to admire the rushing falls is without a doubt from the air. Your expert pilot will guide you over the wine producing region of Niagara-on-the-lake, and then over the majestic falls.
Ride the Rocky Mountaineer Gold Leaf Train to Vancouver
Trundling through Canada’s Rocky Mountains on the iconic Rocky Mountaineer train is an experience not to be missed. You’ll ride between glaciers and snow-capped peaks, rushing rivers and lush forests. Watch as the dramatic scenery slowly shifts from the steep mountains of the Rockies to the desert-like topography of Interior British Columbia to temperate rainforest and waterways of coastal BC, ending in dazzling Vancouver.
Dogsledding in the Yukon
In remote northern Canada, traveling by dogsled was the primary means of transportation for hundreds of years. While today most residents of Canada’s Yukon travel by car, the tradition remains. Mushing your very own team of sled dogs across frozen lakes and through snowy tundra offers a peek into how Canada’s original settlers commuted for hundreds of years. While it may not be as luxurious as a private heli, it’s a unique and exclusive adventure few people have actually experienced.
