Canadian Rockies: National Parks Eastbound
15 days, Vancouver to Calgary
Itinerary
Day 1Vancouver
Arrive at any time.
This tour departs Vancouver early on Day 2. If you are interested in exploring the city and its nearby attractions, it is recommended you book additional pre-trip accommodation nights.
Your Welcome Moment: 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 2Vancouver/Victoria
Discover Vancouver on a brief orientation with the CEO. In the afternoon, ferry over to the island and hit the pubs in Victoria.
Orientation Drive
Drive around to spot some of the main highlights of the area.
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.
Meals included:
LunchDay 3Victoria/Tofino
Move north up Vancouver Island. Take in the island scenery and make a stop at a local market. Arrive in time to watch the sunset in Tofino.
Private Vehicle
Travel time includes stops and lunch at Old Country Market in Coombs
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!
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 4Tofino
Search for orcas and other whales on a whale watching tour by Zodiac. In the afternoon, enjoy free time and witness 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 5Tofino/Whistler
Stroll the trails beneath ancient Douglas firs in MacMillan Provincial Park en route to the ferry. Once back on the mainland, enjoy a stunning drive to Whistler.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
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.
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.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 6Whistler
Wake up in one of Canada's greatest natural playgrounds. Go for a hike in the morning, then enjoy a free afternoon to relax or explore more of Whistler and surroundings.
Today's hike can be opted out of if you'd prefer to spend the whole day exploring other parts of 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.
Your Discover Moment
There's plenty to see and do in Whistler, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like rafting, hiking, and ziplining. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!
Optional Activities - Day 6 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.
Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre Visit
22.40CAD per personTake a trip back to a time of ancient traditions, and learn about the history and culture of two First Nations groups who have called this region home for centuries. Try playing drums, making traditional crafts, and listen to stories from members of the Squamish and Lil'wat communities for an authentic First Nations experience.
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 7Whistler/Wells Gray Park
Drive from the coastal mountains through the Canadian desert and into the densely wooded forests of Wells Gray PP.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
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 8Wells Gray Park
Head out for an exciting adventure canoeing in the Canadian wilderness. Stop at some of the most fascinating 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/Jasper
Stop at Mount Robson, the tallest mountain in the Canadian Rockies, en route to Jasper.
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 9 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 10Jasper
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
Check out the many shops in this mountain town. If you are looking for Canadian souvenirs, this is your chance!
Optional Activities - Day 10 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 11Jasper/Lake Louise
Make the stunning drive to Lake Louise via the Icefield Parkway, one of the world's most spectacular drives. Visit beautiful Bow Lake and stop at Columbia Icefield Centre before arriving in Lake Louise for the evening.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
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.
Peyto Lake Visit
This astonishingly blue lake will truly take your breath away.
Optional Activities - Day 11 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 12Lake Louise
Head into Yoho NP and visit the mighty Takakkaw 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.
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.
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)!
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Optional Activities - Day 12 HideShow
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.
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.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 13Lake Louise/Banff
Gaze at the beauty of Lake Louise, hike to the Agnes Lake Tea House, or along the Six Glaciers Trail. Make the short drive to Banff in the afternoon.
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.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Optional Activities - Day 13 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.
Canoeing
57.75CAD per personRent a canoe and leisurely enjoy the scenery on Vermillion Lakes.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 14Banff/Calgary
Spend the morning discovering the town of Banff. View wildlife, walk the streets, or hike up a mountain for spectacular views before continuing on to Calgary.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Optional Activities - Day 14 HideShow
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.
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.
Canada Olympic Park Visit
78.80CAD per personCalgary hosted the 1988 Winter Olympics, meaning you can still ride in a four-man bobsleigh reaching speeds of 120kph (85 mph) here. Luge down the track on a wheeled cart or soar across the zipline.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 15Calgary
Depart at any time.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.