Canadian Rockies and Pacific Coast

Land Tour

14 days

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Canadian Rockies and Pacific Coast
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  • Itinerary
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$AUD 681 per day

Departure: Vancouver, Canada

Arrival: Calgary, Canada

Journey across the rugged Rockies and along the wild Pacific Coast, soaking up majestic scenery, towering mountains, and glacial lakes. From the flora and fauna of Banff National Park to the lush rainforests of Vancouver Island, this tour whisks you through Canada's most iconic landscapes. Along the way, get closer to Canadian culture, stopping in quaint resort towns and bustling cities.

Vancouver Island - Experience a new way of island living by exploring Vancouver Island's verdant rainforest.

Banff National Park - Soak up the postcard-perfect vistas of this bucket-list National Park, including the unreal blue hue of Lake Louise.

Icefields Parkway - Take in the scenery along the famous Parkway, spotting the mighty Athabasca Glacier (and possibly moose, elk and bear) as we go.

Highlights
Discover the majesty of Canada's great outdoors, travelling between Vancouver and Calgary|Walk trails in Banff and Jasper National Parks and look for grizzly and black bear|Explore the wildly beautiful Vancouver Island and the Pacific Coast

Tour information
Transport: Ferry, Minibus
Tour staff: Explore Tour Leader
Meals :Breakfast 0, Lunch 0 & Dinner 0

Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 - Join tour in Vancouver
Our tour starts today in Vancouver. Quintessentially Canadian, Vancouver is a modern, cosmopolitan city set amidst some of the most breathtaking scenery on the west coast.

Due to the number of flights arriving into Calgary late in the day, our tour leader - who for the duration of the tour will also be our driver - will meet you in the hotel reception on the morning of day two.

There are no activities planned today, so you're free to arrive into Vancouver at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer, you'll need to arrive into Vancouver International Airport (YVC), which is a 40-minute drive from the hotel. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, our hotel is centrally located - perfect for exploring some of the city's highlights. The enormous rainforest in Stanley Park or the Granville Island public market and surrounding waterfront are both highly recommended.
Day 2 - Orientation tour of Vancouver, ferry to Victoria
This morning we'll take a brief tour of the city, discovering some of its treasures for ourselves, before we hop on an afternoon ferry to Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, on Vancouver Island. Although the island stretches almost 500 kilometres from norht to south, it has a population of just 500,000.

On arrival there'll be some free time to explore at your leisure. Based on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, the Hudson Bay Company originally established Victoria as a fur trading post in 1843 and today's old-fashioned tranquillity belies its lurid past. During the gold rush years of the 1850s the town was filled with thousands of prospectors, drinking at the 60 or so saloons that filled the Market Square.

You might like to take in the Butchart Gardens, with over 22 hectares of magnificent floral displays. Strolling through the gardens offers spectacular views as you walk along meandering paths and expansive lawns to the exquisite Sunken Garden, once a limestone quarry but now boasting a lake overhung with willows and blossom trees. There's also the charming Rose Garden, filled with hundreds of blooms, and the formal Italian garden with a lily pond and a fountain brought in Italy by the Butcharts in 1924.
Day 3 - Travel to Pacific Rim National Park
This morning we'll have some free time to explore the city on foot, visiting its shops, galleries and historic sites.

Afterwards, we'll drive out of the city towards the wilderness of the Pacific Rim National Park. We'll make stops to view the totem poles carved by the First Nations of the Northwest Coast. In 1884 the Federal Government outlawed 'pot latching' and this unique art form nearly died out. Fortunately, in recent times, there has been a revived interest in the tradition and the totems that can be found along this stretch of coast are strong reminders of the island's native people.

From here, we'll head into the Pacific Rim National Park, which stretches for 130 kilometres and is teeming with mountains, coastal rainforest, wild beaches and unkempt marine landscapes. We'll spend tonight in Ucluelet near Tofino, a drive of approximately 4.5 hours from Victoria.
Day 4 - Free day for optional whale watching or sea kayaking
Today we're free to choose from a variety of activities. The two most popular excursions are both out to sea. The more energetic amongst us might like to explore the wild coastline and hidden coves by kayak. Alternatively, there'll be the chance to go whale watching from one of the coastal villages in the park. There'll also be the opportunity to go black bear watching from a zodiac boat or take an optional walk along one of the park's many trails. For a chance to interact further with the island's First Nations peoples, there is the option to take a water taxi to Meares Island, and be guided by a local from the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations group along the Big Tree Trail, through old growth forest and past some of the largest trees in British Columbia.

Our local guide will be on hand to organise these trips.
Day 5 - Drive to Nanaimo, ferry to mainland, drive to Whistler
Departing Pacific Rim this morning, we'll drive to the MacMillan Provincial Park, where we'll take a short walk to the famous Cathedral Grove, a striking group of huge Douglas Firs. Some of these incredible trees reach up to 70 metres high, are two metres thick and are estimated to be up to 1000 years old.

We'll then continue to Nanaimo, once one of the richest cities in Canada, before the decline of its coal mining industry. A ferry will take us across the George Strait to Horsesh Bay and back to the mainland, from where we follow the 'Sea to Sky' Highway to Whistler.

Including time spent on the ferry, our journey today may take approximately eight or nine hours.
Day 6 - Free day in Whistler, walk or cable car ride
Today is free to enjoy Whistler and the variety of activities on offer here. You might like to take a cable car up one of the nearby peaks and hike a trail. There are plenty of trails in and around Whistler, taking in either the rugged mountains or the peaceful shores. Alternatively, a visit to the Lil' wat Cultural Center in nearby Squamish provides rich insight into the indigenous heritage of the Squamish and Lil' wat Nations.
Day 7 - Head to Clearwater via Spahats Falls
We'll have a long drive, around six hours, ahead of us today, as we travel north to Clearwater. En route, we'll make various stops to soak up the scenery. We'll travel through the mountains of interior British Columbia, the landscape changing with the shifting climate, stopping at viewpoints such as Seton or Kalamalka Lake to stretch our legs.

This afternoon, we'll drive the short distance into Wells Grey Provincial Park, and up to Spahats Creek from where we can take an easy walk to the 61-metre-high Spahats Falls. These impressive falls cascade down through layers of pink-red volcanic rock, and from the observation point you'll get some great views down Clearwater Valley.
Day 8 - Visit the Wells Gray Provincial Park, including Helmcken Falls
This morning, we'll head out to the nearby Wells Gray Provincial Park, home to Helmcken Falls, which (at 127 metres) is higher than Niagara Falls. There are unexpectedly spectacular views from all along the park entrance road and great opportunities for wildlife spotting.

We'll spend the day here travelling along the park road and making stops at the many waterfalls and lakes along the way, taking walks and exploring the area on foot. As well as Helmcken Falls, Wells Gray has an abundance of spectacular spots to enjoy, so the rest of our itinerary for the day will rely on our Tour Leader; we might visit the spectacular Dawson Falls, walking to its two viewpoints and feeling its mighty spray. We may also visit Shadow Lake, a peaceful wilderness that has some great birding opportunities, or Clearwater Lake, with its lakeshore trail and peaceful atmosphere. While our Tour Leader will make decisions on the spot, we can expect to be outdoors for much of the day with a variety of short walks on offer.
Day 9 - Drive to Jasper National Park via Mount Robson
This morning, we'll head northwest along Highway 16, through Mount Robson Provincial Park. Along the way, we'll get to see Mount Robson itself, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies (3954m). It's so tall that it has its own weather patterns and, if we're lucky, we'll be able to view it from top to bottom. From here, we'll enjoy a hike along Fraser Canyon to Overlander Falls (a one-kilometre/45-minute walk) before continuing to Jasper.

Jasper National Park is the largest of Canada's Rocky Mountain Parks, spanning nearly 11,000 square kilometres. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is glacier country, and the friendly mountain hospitality, peaceful low-key atmosphere and the promise of real adventure make any visit unforgettable. Our base for the next two nights is just outside Jasper town. This is elk and bear country and often elk are seen wandering down the main street, so if you do see one, keep a healthy distance. To the east of the town lies the Maligne Lake Valley, whilst the western fringes of the township lie in the shadow of the Monashee Mountains.
Day 10 - Search for wildlife in Jasper National Park
We'll start today with a short hike (approximately four kilometres) on an easy boardwalk in Maligne Canyon, taking in the stunning views over the water that leaps and pummels its way through the narrow canyon.

After our visit to the canyon, we'll drive to the enormous Maligne Lake where there is the option to take a boat trip, or to take an easy walk on one of the trails surrounding the lake. The rest of the day is free to explore the town of Jasper and the surrounding area. Keep your eyes peeled for the wildlife that roams freely here, including wapiti, elk, moose, and bear. There'll be the option to white water raft on the Athabasca River, or you might like to take the Jasper Tramway to the high alpine terrain of Whistlers Mountain - so named thanks to the whistling sounds made by the marmots that live there.
Day 11 - Drive to Canmore along the Icefields Parkway
Today, we'll drive along one of the world's top scenic highways, the Icefield Parkway. Spectacular scenery unfolds at every turn, and we'll likely encounter wildlife along the road too.

We'll be driving southwards to Canmore, passing alongside the Columbia Icefield where we'll stop to marvel at the Athabasca Glacier. For those feeling adventurous, there'll be the option to take a guided hike onto the glacial ice - this should be booked at the start of your trip, our tour leader will give you more information. Afterwards, we'll continue up the scenic highway towards Jasper, making more stops en route. If you're hoping to spot a grizzly, our eagle-eyed tour leader-driver will keep an eye out for bears while we travel.

Our base for the next three nights will be the small town of Canmore, situated in the picturesque Bow Valley. Described as the gateway to the Rockies, it's the perfect location for exploring the nearby Kananaskis Country and Banff National Park.

Our journey today may take up to 10 hours as we'll make a variety of stops along the route.
Day 12 - Walk on the Medecine Trail with an indigenous guide; optional aerial tram ride up Sulphur Mountain
We'll drive from Canmore to Banff this morning, towards the beautiful meadows of Cascade Ponds. Here, we set out on foot with a local and knowledgeable indigenous guide from the Cree Iroquois community, to explore the Medecine Trail, an easy walk of around 1.5km (one mile). Working with a female-owned indigenous organisation, this walk aims to connect travellers with the land, as the guide shares their traditions and knowledge of the plants and wildlife around them.

We're free this afternoon to discover Banff, a quaint resort town that exudes Canadian spirit. For those who want to explore further, there'll be an optional excursion by aerial tram to the top of Sulphur Mountain - if the weather is clear, the views across the Rockies are breathtaking. History fans might like to take a trip to the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, a small but fascinating collection of art and heritage materials that preserves and showcases the history and ideas of mountain cultures, For the more active amongst us, there's also the chance to hike up Tunnel Mountain, a popular self-guided hike that starts in the town itself and rewards walkers for their uphill efforts with spectacular views of the town and forest below.
Day 13 - Full day visit to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake
Today we'll take the hour-long drive to postcard-perfect Lake Louise and its next-door neighbour, Moraine Lake. Tom Wilson, the first white Canadian to see Lake Louise, when he was led there by a local native in 1882, wrote 'I never, in all my explorations of these five chains of mountains throughout western Canada, saw such a matchless scene… I felt puny in body but glorified in spirit and soul'. Despite the increasing number of visitors to the lake, it's still possible to experience the awe Wilson had when he first laid eyes on it.

At Lake Louise we plan to head out on foot along the Lake Agnes trail. This hike is steep, so be prepared for an initial ascent through dense forest. When the trees start to thin, we'll keep our eyes peeled for the dazzle of the lake below, as the path slows into switchbacks that lead us more gently to the summit. We're rewarded for our efforts with the promise of refreshments at the Lake Agnes Tea House, before returning the same way that we came up. The total length of the trail is seven kilometres (4.5 miles) and may take approximately 3 hours. If you'd prefer a less active option, enjoying a drink on the terrace of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise or taking a stroll around the perimeter of the lake offer a more leisurely way to soak up the views. During the summer months, once the lake is fully defrosted, cans are also available for hire.
Day 14 - Explore Kananaskis Country on foot, drive to Calgary
Lying to the southwest of Banff National Park is an area of unspoilt mountain scenery, rich in flora and fauna. This is Kananaskis Country, over 4,000 square kilometres of spectacular wilderness that boasts several provincial parks and one ecological reserve. We'll visit the area today, taking in the sumptuous grandeur of its mountains and valleys, perhaps taking a final opportunity to look out for some of the abundant wildlife that resides among these breathtaking landscapes. We'll look to take a hike on either the Ptarmigan Cirque Trail or the Grassi Lakes Trail - each one a well-marked path approximately four kilometres (2.5 miles) in length. Each hike involves a steady climb from the outset with a steady descent to return, with an average of 250 metres accumulated ascent and descent. We expect these trails to take between 1.5 - 2 hours.

This afternoon, we'll continue to our journey's end and the glittering city of Calgary, nestled in the foothills of the towering Rocky Mountains. Home to the world-renowned Calgary Stampede, this dynamic city is a rich fusion of modern architecture and traditional heritage, where the pioneering history of the Canadian west is woven into everyday life.

Depending on the time spent in Kananaskis, we may have a small amount of free time this afternoon to explore the city and soak up the friendly ambience of the community. This evening, we'll have an opportunity to enjoy the city at night.
Day 15 - Tour ends in Calgary
Our tour of the Rockies and Pacific Coast ends at our hotel in Calgary.

There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at the hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Calgary International Airport (YYC), which is approximately a 20-minute drive away from the hotel.
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