Canadian Rockies: National Parks Westbound
15 days, Calgary to Vancouver
Itinerary
Day 1Calgary
Arrive at any time.
Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Optional Activities - Day 1 HideShow
Welcome Dinner
You've arrived! Why not share a meal and a drink with your new travel mates?
Day 2Calgary/Banff
Discover the beautiful town of Banff; view wildlife, take a gondola ride, or hike up a mountain for spectacular views.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Your Discover Moment
Outdoor adventure enthusiasts can't get enough of beautiful Banff, a town in the midst of the Rocky Mountains, located in the province of Alberta. Meander through this charming resort town known as one of Canada's most popular tourist destinations, where mountains call out to hikers, bikers, skiers, and snowboarders alike. At the end of the day, relax in one of its natural hot springs or at one of the many spas in town.
Optional Activities - Day 2 HideShow
Tunnel Mountain Hike
FreeHike up the well marked trail for a central view of the town of Banff and the surrounding mountains.
Banff Gondola Ride to Sulphur Mountain
75-90CAD per personTake a gondola to the famous Sulphur Mountain and enjoy the spectacular view of the whole mountain range and the village below.
Canoeing
57.75CAD per personRent a canoe and leisurely enjoy the scenery on Vermillion Lakes.
Johnston Canyon Hike
FreeJohnston Canyon is certainly an area that shows the power of nature and time; rushing water carves a path through the limestone canyon and potholes form over the years from plunging waterfalls.
Meals included:
LunchDay 3Banff/Lake Louise
Gaze at the beauty of Lake Louise, and hike to the Agnes Lake Tea House or along the Six Glaciers Trail.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Lake Agnes Tea House Hike
Originally built in 1901 by the Canadian Pacific Railway, the Lake Agnes Tea House has been serving fine loose-leaf teas to visitors for over one hundred years. Hike along a forested trail as you make your way past Mirror Lake and cascading waterfalls, to the shores of Lake Agnes. This lovely log building serves up a great cup (over 100 loose-leaf teas!) as well as finger food. The hike to the Tea House is free, but it costs between 5-10 CAD if visitors wish to buy loose-leaf tea while there.
Optional Activities - Day 3 HideShow
Plain of Six Glacier Hike
FreeThis historic trail follows the shores of Lake Louise, eventually pushing out into a scenic assembly of peaks and glaciers. Stop and enjoy a cup of tea at the cozy, remote Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 4Lake Louise
Head into Yoho National Park and visit the mighty Tekakkaw Falls and Emerald Lake. Opt to go whitewater rafting in the afternoon.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Takkakaw Falls Visit
Get ready for an awesome sight: Takkakaw Falls is one of the highest waterfalls in Canada, with a free fall of 254m (833 ft)!
Emerald Lake Hike
Discover the beautiful wilderness setting of Emerald Lake and its surroundings, popular for sightseeing, canoeing, and hiking. Skirt around the lake and enjoy the incredible scenery.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Optional Activities - Day 4 HideShow
Kicking Horse River White Water Rafting
110-135CAD per personRaft on one of the most famous rivers in Canada. The Kicking Horse River is the ultimate whitewater rafting destination in the Rocky Mountains and is guaranteed to provide the thrill of a lifetime.
The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Visit
FreeVisit one of the most iconic hotels in Canada. This beautiful hotel was rebuilt after a fire in 1924 and stands looking out at the breathtaking Lake Louise and the Victoria Glacier.
Grizzly Bear Refuge Visit
40CAD per personVisitors are given the opportunity, as part of a one-of-a-kind interpretive tour, to watch a grizzly bear interacting much as it would in the wild: foraging, hunting, playing, swimming, and, of course, snoozing.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 5Lake Louise/Jasper
Make the stunning drive to Jasper via the Icefield Parkway. Visit beautiful Bow Lake, and stop at Columbia Icefield Centre before arriving in Jasper in the evening.
To travel the icefield parkway is to experience one of Canada's national treasures and most rewarding destinations. Stretching 230km (155 mi) between Lake Louise and the town of Jasper, the parkway offers easy access to one of the most spectacular mountain landscapes on Earth. This is a wonderful journey through the heart of the Canadian Rockies, a vast wilderness of magnificent peaks, pristine mountain lakes, and broad sweeping valleys. Stop at Columbia Icefield for an unforgettable experience. Continue on to Jasper. In the evening, set up your camp and enjoy a nice warm campfire.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Peyto Lake Visit
This astonishingly blue lake will truly take your breath away.
Columbia Icefields Center Visit
View one of the Rockies' largest and most accessible active glaciers. The Athabasca Glacier recedes at a rate of nearly 5m (16.4 ft) a year. See this natural beauty while you still can.
Optional Activities - Day 5 HideShow
Athabasca Glacier Ice Walk
112CAD per personAt the Columbia Icefields, enjoy a glacier walk with an expert guide on the lower Athabasca Glacier to explore and understand the life of this active glacier. Walking on this glacially carved landscape is an experience you won’t soon forget.
Glacier Adventure
99CAD per personTravel onto the glacier in an oversized ice rover. Get out and experience the stunning alpine glacial vistas at the mid-point of your journey. Afterwards, bask in the view of a lifetime on the epic Glacier Skywalk, a glass bottom viewing platform stretching out into the Rockies.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 6Jasper
Stroll through Maligne Canyon and explore the surrounding area of Jasper. In the afternoon, head back to check out the lively mountain town.
Maligne Canyon Hike
Malinge Canyon follows an interpretive trail with several bridges. Hover over the Malinge River that, over thousands of years, has eroded the canyon to over 60m (197 ft) in some spots.
Free Time
Stroll the streets of beautiful Jasper.
Optional Activities - Day 6 HideShow
Whitewater Rafting on Athabasca River
65-110CAD per personPass through many small sets of rapids and calm stretches, which allow your National Park Licensed guide to point out the natural and human history of Jasper. The Athabasca River is the same route that was used by the fur traders many years ago.
Boat Cruise to Spirit Island & Maligne Lake
75.60-109.20CAD per personGlide across the beautiful blue waters of Maligne Lake, the Canadian Rockies' largest glacial fed lake, on your way to the famous Spirit Island.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 7Jasper/Wells Gray Park
Stop at Mount Robson, the tallest mountain in the Rockies, en route to Wells Gray PP.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Mount Robson Visit
Stop at the visitor centre and, if it’s a clear day, see the top of the Mount Robson, the tallest peak in the Canadian Rockies.
Optional Activities - Day 7 HideShow
Spahats Creek Falls Visit
FreeVisit an impressive waterfall in Wells Gray Park. Spahats is the First Nations term for bear, which has is the name of the stream that flows to the falls.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 8Wells Gray Park
Head out for an exciting adventure canoeing in the Canadian wilderness. Stop at some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the park, including the world famous Helmcken Falls.
Canoeing in Wells Gray
Get in a boat and start paddling! Enjoy canoeing on beautiful Clearwater Lake with local guide and an included shore lunch.
Dawson Falls Visit
Enjoy a visit to this wide waterfall that spans the Murtle River. In spring and early summer, thousands of litres of water rush over the falls every second -- it's a spectacular sight.
Helmcken Falls Visit
Set in a lush canyon, the world famous Helmcken Falls is the most iconic in the "Waterfall Park" -- it's three times the height of Niagara Falls! Enjoy the spray and beautiful scenery on your visit here.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 9Wells Gray Park/Whistler
Drive through dense woods into the Canadian desert and finally to the beautiful coastal mountains.
Private Vehicle
Estimated Travel Time to Whistler: 10 hrs (including lunch stop in Marble Canyon Provincial Park)
Marble Canyon Visit
The clear waters of Turquoise Lake in Marble Canyon PP make it an ideal spot to stop for a swim in the summer.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 10Whistler
You can opt out of today's hike if you'd prefer to spend the whole day exploring other parts of Whistler.
Free Time
Get out and explore beautiful Whistler.
Whistler Hike
Hike on your own along one of the many beautiful trails in the Whistler area. The scenery here is stunning. You can also opt for the Train Wreck Trail or take the peak to peak gondola to hike one of the many alpine trails accessible from the summit. Your CEO will NOT be guiding you on this hike. You can opt to do it solo or with your group. Ask your CEO to point you in the right direction.
Optional Activities - Day 10 HideShow
Whistler Hike
FreeHike on your own along one of the many beautiful trails in the Whistler area. The scenery here is stunning. You can also opt for the Train Wreck Trail or take the peak to peak gondola to hike one of the many alpine trails accessible from the summit. Your CEO will NOT be guiding you on this hike. You can opt to do it solo or with your group. Ask your CEO to point you in the right direction.
Rafting
145.60-196.00CAD per personGet your adrenaline fix on on this exhilarating white water rafting trip. Enjoy the amazing scenery along the way, and keep your eyes peeled for bears.
Peak 2 Peak Gondola Ride
95.20CAD per personSoak up the scenery with 360-degree views of mountains, lakes, and glaciers. Hop out at the top and take a short hike or grab a coffee and snack at the mountaintop restaurant. Catch a glass bottom gondola to get an even better view.
Ziplining and Treetop Adventures
155.68CAD per personSpend the day in the sky, floating through Whistler's rainforest on one of Canada's longest ziplines.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 11Whistler/Tofino
Take a ferry across to Vancouver Island. Stroll the trails beneath ancient Douglas firs in MacMillan Provincial Park. Arrive in time for a gorgeous sunset.
In the morning, drive a short distance to the ferry terminal. Taking a ferry to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island is an exciting part of the adventure of getting here. BC Ferries offers an outstanding service that travels through some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. In the afternoon, continue to drive to Tofino, just in time for sunset.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Ferry
Hop on a ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
The Old Country Market
Come by this beloved Vancouver Island attraction near Parksville to grab a meal, explore the market, and watch the goats on the roof -- yes, really!
MacMillan Provincial Park Visit
Enjoy a visit to beautiful MacMillan Provincial Park. Cathedral Grove, located in the park, is one of the most accessible stands of giant Douglas fir trees on Vancouver Island. Stroll through a network of trails under the shadow of towering ancient Douglas fir trees, majestic pillars untouched by the modern world, some more than 800 years old.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 12Tofino
Search for orcas and other whales on a half-day whale watching tour by Zodiac. In the afternoon, enjoy free time and take in Tofino's unique blend of fisher-meets-surfer vibe.
Whale Watching Zodiac Tour
Your excursions take you through the pristine waters of Clayoquot Sound, revealing sensational scenery and wildlife, such as gray whales, sea lions, seals, porpoise and killer whales (orcas).
Free Time
Get out and leave no stone unturned.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 13Tofino/Victoria
Travel south down Vancouver Island to British Columbia's capital, Victoria. Take a stroll around the city and absorb the West Coast vibe.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Get out and explore Victoria.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 14Victoria/Vancouver
Take a ferry back onto the mainland. Spend the afternoon exploring beautiful, easy-going Vancouver.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Ferry
Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Don't waste any time -- get out and get exploring!
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 15Vancouver
Depart at any time.
If you are interested in exploring Vancouver and its nearby attractions, it is recommended you book additional post-trip accommodation nights.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.