Western Canada Circle

Day 1 – Arrive Vancouver

Arrive by scheduled non-stop flights from the U.K taking around 9 hours 30 mins.

On arrival at Vancouver Airport collect your rental car and proceed to your chosen downtown Vancouver hotel. Alternatively, we can arrange for you to be met by one of our representative team and assisted to a waiting private car which will take you directly to your chosen hotel in downtown Vancouver. You will then collect your rental car from a convenient downtown location on the day you leave Vancouver.

Vancouver is set in spectacular surroundings, with the majestic Coastal Mountains, evergreen forests and Pacific Ocean as its background. After a long flight and with your body adjusting to the time difference, we suspect you will not want to do much the first evening but if the weather permits do have a walk – Vancouver is a very safe walking town. Overnight Vancouver

Hotels:
Standard: Blue Horizon Hotel
Superior: L’Hermitage
Deluxe: Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel

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Day 2 – Vancouver

Today we suggest a city tour. We can pre-book the hop-on hop-off tickets for you if required, this helps maximise your day of discovery in Vancouver. There’s such a variety of things to see and do in this stunning cosmopolitan city by the ocean – historic Gastown, colourful Chinatown, and the ultra modern financial district to name but a few. Discover the beauty of 1000-acre Stanley Park and English Bay as well as the bustle of Robson Street in the heart of the shopping district and Granville Island oozing character and atmosphere both night and day.

This flexible Dual Pass combination of the City and Park routes offers all the highlights of downtown Vancouver, including major attractions, and scenic points of interest. Choose to hop-off at any of the 28 stops, and hop-on again to continue the tour. Be sure to enjoy the incredible views from the top of the Harbour Centre Tower (Admission to tower included). Highlights include English Bay, Stanley Park, Granville Island, Yaletown, Gastown, Chinatown, Robson Street, and the Entertainment District. Commentary is provided on the clear top convertible Hop-On, Hop-Off busses. There are also San Francisco-style trolleys. Both bus types (clear top and trolley) will be travelling on all routes; there is no designated bus type per route. Overnight Vancouver

Hotels:
Standard: Blue Horizon Hotel
Superior: L’Hermitage
Deluxe: Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel

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Day 3 – Vancouver

Today is a great day to choose from one of the many activities available which we have some of in the right-hand column. Choose a float plane trip, whale watching, cycling tours or just meander the streets of Vancouver – out team are experienced and happy to offer advice. An option many of our customers enjoy is a visit to Grouse Mountain and the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. Tours leave Vancouver crossing the bay to visit the Capilano River Hatchery to witness the majesty of salmon leaping up the river on their way to their annual spawning beds. The trek along the Capilano Suspension Bridge will afford unforgettable perspectives. Your amazement will continue as you soar above the clouds on North America’s largest aerial tramway, the Grouse Mountain Skyride. The tram will whisk you to the top of the mountain with breathtaking views of the city of Vancouver, the vast Pacific Ocean, and the towering mountains that provide the backdrop to the most memorable selfies you will take! During summer enjoy lumberjack shows, the Grouse Mountain Wildlife Refuge for endangered wildlife including Grizzly Bears and Timber Wolf, birds in motion demonstrations and so much more.

Hotels:
Standard: Blue Horizon Hotel
Superior: L’Hermitage
Deluxe: Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel

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Day 4 – Vancouver to Kelowna
247 miles

Collect your fully inclusive rental car from a convenient downtown location in Vancouver and travel into the Thompson Okanagan region; this region is famous for its orchards and vineyards as well as the wildly varied landscape. To the north of the central wine-and-fruit producing valley are vast boreal forests and to the south the desert of the Great Basin.

Hotels
Standard: Comfort Suites (1 bedroomed suite inc hot breakfast)
Superior: Best Western Plus (Inc hot breakfast)
Deluxe: Delta Grand Okanagan Resort

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Day 5 – Kelowna to Revelstoke
121 miles

If the weather is good this morning, it’s well worth considering a walk on Knox Mountain.  Located adjacent to the downtown area, Knox Mountain Park offers a variety of trails with breathtaking views of Okanagan Lake.  For those less interested in hiking you can take the rental car to the viewpoint and simply take a moment to take it all in.

You cannot come to Kelowna without taking a stroll downtown along the waterfront and the new Downtown Kelowna Marina.  Pick up an ice cream or a latte and enjoy the view.

The Okanagan region is famous for it’s wineries so you might like to consider a visit to one for some wine tasting as you head out of the Okanagan Valley, past spectacular waterfalls, towering peaks, beautiful lakes and on to your overnight stop at Revelstoke.

Hotels:
Standard: Coast Hillcrest Hotel
Superior: Best Western Plus Revelstoke (hot breakfast included)
Deluxe: The Sutton Place Hotel (Inc breakfast)

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Day 6 – Revelstoke to Banff
177 miles

Start your day early, it’s a long full day but an immensely rewarding one. Head first through Glacier National Park and through Rogers Pass, a National Historic Site. Continue an hour further through the towering mountains and into Yoho National Park. Here there are many waterfalls you might consider stopping at such as Laughing Falls, Wapta Falls, Twin Falls and one of Canada’s highest (254 metres / 833 feet), Takakkaw Falls. Be sure to call at Natural bridge on the way to Field where you can pop in to the visitor centre for any questions and to pick up a local map before calling to see Emerald Lake, no words needed for this view – just go see!

Continue towards Banff. Choose the Bow Valley Parkway, beside the Bow River with an option for you to take a stop at Johnston Canyon and walk along the paved footpath to either the lower or upper waterfalls before continuing to Banff.

Hotels:
Standard: Banff Aspen Lodge (Hot breakfast included)
Superior: Moose Hotel
Deluxe: Fairmont Banff Springs

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Day 7 – Banff

We’ve included tickets for the Banff Gondola & Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk so this would be a good first stop today. With six stunning mountain ranges and the sweep of the Bow Valley before you, views from the summit are nothing short of breathtaking. Start with a walk along the Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk to learn more about Canada’s first national park? Or perhaps go indoors to sample from three delicious restaurant menus. Then get hands-on in our world-class interpretive centre and theatre. And no matter where you go, the knowledgeable, friendly hosts are standing by to make sure you get the most out of your visit.

In the afternoon you might like to visit the Cave and Basin National Historic Site where you will discover the origins of Banff National Park. Discovered in 1883 the site consists of a naturally occurring warm mineral springs found inside the cave and an emerald-coloured basin just outside. If time permits visit the Hoodoos – mushroom shaped pillars of glacial silt and clay or the Banff Upper Hot Springs for a relaxing dip in the natural pool.

Another great option is a guided driving tour with our partners GyPSy Guides. Simply download the app, pay a few dollars and you will receive a guided tour of the Banff area, best of all data on your phone is not required, it works from GPS locations – This is a really great option for first time visitors and they offer guided tours of the Icefield Parkway which you might want to consider for your drive to Jasper making sure you miss absolutely nothing along the way. Overnight Banff.

Hotels:
Standard: Banff Aspen Lodge (Hot breakfast included)
Superior: Moose Hotel
Deluxe: Fairmont Banff Springs

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Day 8 – Banff

Try to rise and shine before the sun and head out in the car to enjoy the views around Banff, a good option is Lake Minnewanka, where you can rent a kayak and paddle around the cool, turquoise waters of the area. Wherever you find yourself the sweeping glacier views and sparking lakes with the mountain backdrops of the beautiful Canadian Rockies make this a spectacularly memorable experience.

In the afternoon maybe take a stroll around Banff town centre, it’s a great little town with lots of shops, bars and restaurants, visit the hot springs that led to the creation of Banff National Park and  if you are feeling energetic head up to the historic Banff Springs Hotel built by the Canadian Pacific railway company and opened in 1888 where you can also see Bow Falls. Overnight Banff.

Hotels:
Standard: Banff Aspen Lodge (Hot breakfast included)
Superior: Moose Hotel
Deluxe: Fairmont Banff Springs

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Day 9 – Banff

Today we suggest the short 38 mile drive to Lake Louise, known as the ‘Jewel of the Rockies’. The most famous glacial lake in the Canadian Rockies and one of the most beautiful in the Western Hemisphere.

Lake Louise offers a great opportunity to everyone to get out and walk. You could walk around the Lake Louise Shoreline Trail to the Victoria Glacier, which is a flat easy walk for anyone or if you are feeling a bit more energetic we can personally recommend the hike up to the famous Lake Agnes Tea House.

Head back to Banff for the evening, it’s a happening town so you are sure to find a bit of live music for your last night hear before you start your tour along the Icefield Parkway tomorrow.

Hotels:
Standard: Banff Aspen Lodge (Hot breakfast included)
Superior: Moose Hotel
Deluxe: Fairmont Banff Springs

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Day 10 Banff – Jasper (Icefield Parkway)
180 miles

Set your alarm, grab a quick breakfast and get started today as this is likely to be one of the most scenic drives you are ever likely to take, with lots of stops for stunning waterfalls, lakes and glaciers. We strongly recommend the GyPSy Guide for today which you can purchase for a small fee from the App store on your smart phone, it really is like having a tour guide in the back seat as you pass points of interest. Our team will be glad to assist with this if you need help. You will be heading north along the famed Icefield Parkway, one of the most scenic routes in the entire world.

We suggest a stop at Peyto Lake and a visit to Maligne Canyon in Jasper National Park, however there’s so many other well signposted pull-off’s to visit that you’ll be spoiled for choice. Once you reach the the Columbia Icefield, we have included ticket for the ‘Glacier Adventure’ Discover the power of nature on the Glacier Adventure, the must-do experience in the Canadian Rockies.

At the heart of the incredible Icefields Parkway is one of the largest non-polar ice fields in the world. Here, you’ll travel on a massive Ice Explorer to a place where you can walk on, feel and drink from the Athabasca Glacier. Then, take a jaw-dropping walk along the glass-floored Glacier Skywalk at the cliff’s edge. Take in views of the Sunwapta Valley on the 500 metre interpretive experience. Continue on after to Jasper.

Hotel:
Standard: Marmot Lodge
Superior: Crimson Hotel
Deluxe: Jasper Park Lodge

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Day 11 – Jasper

By now you will almost certainly have witnessed some of the amazing wildlife in Canada but keep you’re eyes peeled for bears, moose and the hundreds of elk that roam freely around Jasper. Take the full day to explore Jasper and the surrounding area. Be sure to visit Medicine Lake, Cavell Road, Pyramid Lake Road and the ‘Old Banff/Jasper Highway’. Another must is a visit to Maligne Canyon and Maligne Lake where we recommend you hire a canoe. The gift shops at these two attractions are excellent and also worth a visit. We also recommend a visit to Athabasca Falls and Sunwapta Falls, both of which can be done in the same day from Jasper.

Hotel:
Standard: Marmot Lodge
Superior: Crimson Hotel
Deluxe: Jasper Park Lodge

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Day 12 – Jasper

Today you may wish to travel the Jasper Tramway where enclosed gondolas whisk you to the top of Whistler Mountain for a spectacular view. Interpretive exhibits explain the high alpine environment and a hiking trail leads you to the summit of the mountain. Another way to relax is a visit to the Miette Hot Springs; these natural springs are the hottest in the Canadian Rockies. In the evening why not stop at the historic Jasper Park Lodge for a drink or dinner.

Hotel:
Standard: Marmot Lodge
Superior: Crimson Hotel
Deluxe: Jasper Park Lodge

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Day 13 – Jasper to Wells Gray Provincial Park
198 miles

Set out for Wells Gray Provincial Park along the scenic Yellowhead Highway and take in the breath taking vistas of the steep-walled gorges and crashing falls of the North Thompson River. Definitely plan to stop at Mt. Robin Provincial Park. Mount Robson today, the second oldest park in British Columbia’s park system, is truly one of the world’s crown jewels. The mountain for which the park is named guards the park’s western entrance. At 3,954 metres, Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, towers over the lesser surrounding peaks, this is one of the finest views in the Rocky Mountains. Just as the early trappers, hunters and explorers felt in awe at the mountain’s magnificence, today you will experience the same feelings. Be sure whilst in the park to stop and see Overlander Falls and Rearguard Falls. Soon the majestic mountains give way to the rolling hills and forest land as you continue on to Wells Gray Provincial Park and the town of Clearwater.

Hotels:
Standard: Wells Gray Inn
Superior: Clearwater Lodge (Continental breakfast)
Deluxe:  Alpine Meadows Resort (Continental breakfast)

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Day 14 – Wells Gray Provincial Park to Whistler
262 miles

Set out early today, it’s a full day’s drive to Whistler. We recommend you take Highway 24 at Little Fort west until you reach Highway 97, the Caribou Way where you head south. This is generally a quieter and more scenic route than the option via Kamloops. Continue the journey south to Lillooet, known as the land of the Gold Rush Trail and ‘Mile Zero’ of the Old Caribou Wagon Road during the Gold Rush Years. Now the area is home to the largest Canadian producers of the medicinal plant, Ginseng. Departing Lillooet travel the Duffey Lake Road to Whistler. On the upper elevations of the Duffey Lake Road enjoy breath-taking views of Joffre Glacier and snow-capped Mount Currie that rises to a height of 2,596 meters (8,518 feet). Continue on to the mountain village of Whistler for your 2-night stay.

Hotels:
Standard: Pinnacle Hotel
Superior: Delta Whistler Village Suites
Deluxe: Four Seasons Resort Whistler

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Day 15 – Whistler to Vancouver
76 miles

Depart Whistler at your own leisure along the scenic Sea to Sky Highway to Vancouver. Highlights along the way include the cascading Shannon Falls and the Stawamus Chief Rock where climbers from all over the globe migrate to climb the granite cliffs.

Flights to the U.K leave in the evening so there is no great rush but when the time comes return your rental car to the airport and check in for a 9 hour 15 minute non-stop flight back to the U.K.