Spirit Island and Maligne Lake, Jasper National Park

Discover Whistler and the Rockies

from £1243 excluding flights

  • 7 nights
  • May-Oct
Home Destinations Americas Canada Discover Whistler and the Rockies

Highlights

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Take an unforgettable scenic drive along the Icefields Parkway

Views from Sulphur Mountain, Banff

View mountains, forests and lakes from the top of Sulphur Mountain

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Try river rafting, horse-riding, or a gentle cruise on Maligne Lake

Athabasca Glacier, Columbia Icefields

Set foot on the Athabasca Glacier with an Ice Explorer excursion

Howe Sound from the Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge

Take in superb views from the Sea to Sky Gondola

Why this trip...

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Explore at leisure

With the route, transport and accommodation sorted, each day offers the freedom to explore

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Activities included

This itinerary features a range of included activities

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Tailor made

This itinerary can be tailor made to suit you and is intended to give you a guideline of what is possible in a given timeframe

Overview

This compact self-drive itinerary focuses on two of Canada’s most beautiful areas – the charming alpine resort of Whistler, nestled between world-renowned Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains and the spectacular Rocky Mountain National Parks, with their turquoise lakes, rugged peaks and glittering glaciers.

With a number of excursions already included in the price, this short itinerary is both enjoyable and affordable, for couples and families alike.

Enjoy a 2-night stay in the alpine resort town of Whistler, with its extensive range of summer activities from hiking, golfing and mountain biking to water sports on any of the nearby lakes or rivers. Continue east to the majestic Rocky Mountains, where time is included in both Jasper and Banff National Parks. This itinerary allows for an easy exploration of the surrounding mountain landscapes, as well as the opportunity to take the ultimate scenic drive along the stunning Icefields Parkway, known for its many sparkling glaciers, towering peaks and thunderous waterfalls.

Included excursions along the way will ensure you take in the very best views, and a choice of activities in Whistler, Jasper and Banff will allow you to experience these stunning national parks in a way that suits you, whether you prefer a relaxing cruise or a more energetic horse-ride or rafting adventure.

Itinerary

This morning depart Vancouver along the scenic Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler. Highlights along the way include the cascading Shannon Falls and the Stawamus Chief Rock, where climbers from all over the world migrate to climb the granite cliffs. At Squamish a ride on the Sea to Sky Gondola is included – at the summit you’ll find interpretive hiking trails, the Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge, a restaurant and tea house, and sweeping views over Howe Sound. After exploring at leisure take the gondola back down to sea-level and continue your drive to Whistler, a charming alpine resort nestled between world-renowned Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains.

Howe Sound
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Whistler Village

Today you can enjoy your choice of included excursion from the following options:

Whistler Guided Lunch Tour – explore the town’s eclectic culinary scene with a delicious multi-course lunch taken at various food spots.
River of Golden Dreams Canoe Tour – take an enchanting paddle from Alta Lake to Green Lake, past wildflower-lined river banks and old-growth forests.
Guided Whistler Valley Bike Tour – tackle one of the scenic Valley Trail Bike Tours, learning about Whistler’s history, geography and natural highlights along the way with an experienced guide.
Whistler Peak 2 Peak Gondola – travel to the top of Whistler Mountain for spectacular views of glaciers, extinct volcanoes and snow-capped peaks.

Canoeing on Alta Lake, Whistler
Hiking near Whistler
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Begin your spectacular drive on the Duffey Lake Road where you will see breathtaking views of Joffre Glacier. Continue on through Lillooet known as the land of the Gold Rush Trail and onto Cache Creek where you stop to visit the historic Hat Creek Ranch (included). From here travel a short distance to your overnight accommodation located in a stunning resort of Sun Peaks.

Today follow the Thompson River through rolling plateaus to the snowy peaks of the Monashee Mountains. View Pyramid Falls and the expansive glaciers of the Albreda Icefields. Pass by Mount Robson, at 3954 metres (12,972 feet), which is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, to arrive in Jasper late afternoon.

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Pyramid Lake, Jasper National Park

Today you can enjoy your choice of included excursion from the following options:

Maligne Lake Cruise – enjoy a scenic boat trip on one of Canada’s most spectacular lakes, home to the much-photographed Spirit Island.
Jasper River Raft Float – take a gentle raft trip on the Athabasca River for a unique perspective of Jasper National Park.
Jasper Nature Walk – this guided walk offers spectacular views of jagged peaks, forests, meadows, marshes, streams, and stunning glacial lakes.

Set off on the famous Icefields Parkway, flanked by a never-ending procession of mammoth mountains, jagged peaks, over 100 glaciers and pristine emerald coloured lakes. Included today is the opportunity to brave the Glacier Skywalk, a glass platform suspended almost 1000 feet high over the valley, and to set foot on ancient ice with an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier itself. Other scenic attractions along the Parkway include Sarbach Glacier, Peyto Lake, Bow Lake and Bow Glacier, and the dazzling Lake Louise. From Lake Louise continue south on the Bow Valley Parkway to Banff, with an optional stop at Johnston Canyon for a scenic walk to the waterfall.

Lake Louise
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Chipmunk at Peyto Lake

Today you can enjoy your choice of included excursion from the following options:

Banff Gondola – enjoy impressive views over Banff National Park with a gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain.
Lake Minnewanka Cruise – take a scenic cruise across the turquoise-hued Lake Minnewanka to Devil’s Gap.
River Explorer Canoe Tour – pick up a paddle for a gentle exploration on the Bow River.
Bow River Horseback Adventure – saddle up for a horse ride along the shores of Bow River.

Lake Minnewanka
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Views over Banff from Sulphur Mountain

Make your way to Calgary, enroute you may wish to stop at the historic Cochrane Ranch before returning your rental car in Calgary.

Accommodation Options

With a wide choice of accommodation in Canada, we can mix and match different grades and styles to suit your personal preference – from motels and hotels to design properties and wilderness lodges in stunning locations.

  • alberta fairmont jasper park lodge king bedroom view
  • alberta fairmont banff springs deluxe room

Prices and Departures

Price from £1243 excluding flights

Airfares start from around £550 per person and are quoted separately to the holiday price. When enquiring, our Travel Specialists will provide the best fare possible from your preferred airline / airport.
Note: Airfares tend to be cheaper the earlier you book.

What's Included

  • Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom
  • Intermediate car hire including GPS, unlimited mileage, 2nd driver, loss damage waiver and third-party liability
  • Sea to Sky Gondola ride
  • Choice of excursion in Whistler: Guided Lunch Tour / River Canoe tour / Whistler Valley Bike tour / Peak 2 Peak Gondola
  • Choice of excursion in Jasper: Maligne Lake Cruise / River Raft Float / Jasper Nature Walk
  • Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier
  • Glacier Skywalk
  • Choice of excursion in Banff: Banff Gondola / Lake Minnewanka Cruise / River Explorer Canoe tour / Bow River Horseride
  • 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
  • No surcharge guarantee
  • Full financial protection

Prices

This itinerary starts from £1,243 per person, based on 2 sharing a room with private bathroom in standard hotels, and rental of an intermediate vehicle. Prices may vary depending on departure date. Please contact us for a detailed quote based on your preferred travel dates, vehicle category and style of accommodation, or to tailor this itinerary.

Please note a one way fee may apply, to be advised at time of quotation.

Tailor made trips

As independent destination specialists, we are able to tailor make holidays to suit you, be that customising the itineraries shown on this website or creating something bespoke.

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Travelling sustainably

We believe travel is about finding the right balance between minimising our impact on the environment and broadening minds through new experiences and cultural interaction.