Canadian Rockies

Welcome to Vancouver! Upon arrival at the Vancouver International Airport, you will pick up your rental vehicle and drive approximately 30-minutes into downtown Vancouver.

Simply a city like no other, Vancouver effortlessly combines the excitement and energy of a modern city with the invigorating appeal of the great outdoors. No day in this city is typical: start with a waterfront breakfast at Granville Island Public Market and end with a sunset cocktail on a mountain-top patio. In between, paddle out on a kayaking adventure, and shop a neighborhood or two. It’s truly a “city of nature,” with stunning views of temperate rainforest and majestic peaks reflected on glass skyscrapers; sparkling with sophistication and energy, yet relaxed and laidback. In Vancouver, you won’t have to choose between the city and nature. Some highlights include the Beaty Biodiversity Museum, Bloedel Conservatory, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, Flyover Canada, Grouse Mountain, the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site, the Museum of Anthropology, the Museum of Vancouver, Stanley Park, the UBC Botanical Garden, the Vancouver Art Gallery, the Vancouver Aquarium, the Vancouver Maritime Museum, the Vancouver Lookout, Van Dususen Botanical Garden, or enjoy a Vancouver Harbour cruise.

Today choose from an optional day tour to either Victoria or up the Sea-to-Sky Highway to Whistler. Victoria is poised at the southernmost tip of Vancouver Island and is surrounded by water. Downtown restaurants and shops pour into the Inner Harbour, which is a hive of activity. Dockside markets and pop-up concerts are flanked by the iconic Parliament Buildings and The Fairmont Empress. You could easily spend hours here, but for those who enjoy the water, this is just the start. Aquatic adventures stretch in every direction: white-sand beaches, breaching whales, and teeming tidepools are all within easy reach. Highlights not to be missed include the British Columbia Legislature, Butchart Gardens, Craigdarroch Castle, Royal BC Muesum, Tea at the Empress, or whale watching. Whistler is a compact, chalet-style pedestrian village at the base of Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. From the unmatched alpine terrain with adventure abound to the endless options of the village, it's a diverse offering of rugged West Coast beauty and an unrivaled selection of refined experiences that make every day unique. Whistler is a permanent fixture on bucket lists around the world with amenities for discerning travellers. A highlight not to be missed is the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola which travels 1430-feet above the valley floor.

Today you will drive approximately 5-hours from Vancouver to Kelowna. En-route stops may include Bridal Veil Falls Provincial Park to view the falls that tumble 197 feet over a smooth rock face, creating a “veil-like” effect, or the Othello Tunnels, a series of old train tunnels and bridges that cut through the solid granite walls and pass over the wild Coquihalla River; the tunnels are located just east of the town of Hope in Coquihalla Provincial Park. Kelowna is the largest city in the Okanagan region and sits astride 80-mile-long Okanagan Lake at the center of a vast fruit-, wine-, and vegetable-growing region. The city offers lots of sunshine and a resort lifestyle with watersports and golf as the main leisure activities; it is hard to imagine a better outdoor-oriented family-vacation spot with plenty of marinas and a beautiful beachfront park that flanks downtown. In Kelowna, be sure to dive into the local award-winning wines and farm-to-table food scene where chefs utilize the freshest local ingredients to bring you innovative creations to wow your senses.

Today you will drive approximately 6-hours, 15-minutes from Kelowna to Banff in Banff National Park. En-route stops may include various local wineries in the Okanagan Valley, Mount Revelstoke National Park, Rogers Pass National Historic Site, Glacier National Park, or the Northern Lights Wolf Centre.

Banff National Park is famous for its surreally colored lakes, majestic mountains, and endless outdoor adventures. Canada’s first national park and the world’s third, it has a rich heritage as one of the world’s most awe-inspiring mountain destinations. What makes Banff National Park so special is its easy access and close proximity to the vast unspoiled wilderness of the Canadian Rockies. The park spans 2,564 square miles of mountainous terrain, packed with spectacularly scenic valleys, peaks, glaciers, forests, meadows, and rivers. Adventurers can enjoy incredible alpine day hikes, great paddling, Via Ferrata, and much more. For those looking for a more relaxed pace, you can ride the Banff Gondola up Sulpher Mountain for spectacular 360-degree views, enjoy a cruise on Lake Minnewanak, enjoy a soak in the Banff Upper Hot Springs, visit the Cave & Basin or Banff Park Museum National Historic Sites, take in one of the many scenic drives or enjoy unique wildlife viewing.

Today continue your exploration of Banff National Park which may include Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, or the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre. Or visit nearby Kootenay National Park whose sights include Marble Canyon, Numa Falls, and the Paint Pots, or Yoho National Park whose sights include Takakkaw Falls, Emerald Lake, the Burgess Shale Fossil Beds, Wapta Falls, and Kicking Horse Pass National Historic Site and the Sprial Tunnels.

After breakfast, you will check out of your hotel and drive approximately 1-hour, 30-minutes to the Calgary International Airport where you will return your rental vehicle and check-in for your onward flight.