Rockies and Rainforests

Rockies and Rainforests
from £1,603 excluding flights
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Highlights

Search for bears and whales along the Pacific Coast

Drive the scenic Sea to Sky Highway from Whistler to Vancouver

Take your pick of included activities, from scenic cruises to food tours.

Stroll through rainforests and endless beaches in Pacific Rim National Park

Explore the alpine village of Whistler and its surroundings

See lakes, glaciers and mountains along the Icefields Parkway
Why this trip...

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

Activities included
This itinerary features a range of included activities

Explore at leisure
With the route, transport and accommodation sorted, each day offers the freedom to explore
Overview
Explore the very best of Alberta and British Columbia on this 12-day self-drive holiday starting in Calgary and ending in the cosmopolitan city of Vancouver. Discover spectacular mountains, emerald lakes and charming mountain villages, and on Vancouver Island’s rugged West Coast enjoy sensational scenery and an array of wonderful wildlife.
You'll travel through the heart of the Rockies taking in vivid lakes, vast glaciers, alpine meadows and soaring mountains and then on to Wells Gray Provincial Park with its steep-walled gorges and crashing falls.
After your stay in the alpine resort of Whistler you’ll travel along the scenic Sea-to Sky Highway and journey across to Vancouver Island by ferry. World-famous Pacific Rim National Park is one of the best places in the world to see grey whales, as well as humpbacks, orca and minke whales, and can be reached from Tofino, a laid-back small town that cannot fail to charm.
Enjoy a couple of nights in the quiet, attractive city of Victoria with its turn-of-the-century architecture to conclude your self-drive adventure. Here you can take your pick of included excursions, to view the renowned Butchart Gardens or discover Canada's food scene.
Itinerary
The itinerary shown is an example of this self-drive holiday. We have many other hotels and route recommendations which can be tailored to your requirements. Please discuss with our Travel Specialists who can put together a bespoke itinerary for you.
Day 1 Calgary - Banff (115 km)
This morning begin your Rockies adventure. Collect your rental car and make the short (2-hour) drive from Calgary to Banff, where the remainder of the day is at your leisure to explore.
This morning begin your Rockies adventure. Collect your rental car and make the short (2-hour) drive from Calgary to Banff, where the remainder of the day is at your leisure to explore.
Day 2 Banff
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.
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.



Day 3 Banff - Jasper (289 km)
On the Icefields Parkway to Jasper, view a never-ending procession of mammoth mountains, jagged peaks, over 100 glaciers and pristine emerald coloured lakes. Along the way see such sights as the Sarbach Glacier, Peyto Lake, Bow Lake and Crowfoot Glacier, before your arrival at the Columbia Icefield. Here you will take an Ice Explorer ride out onto the glacier, and soak up the views from the glass-bottomed Glacier Skywalk (included). Leaving the Athabasca Glacier, keep your camera handy to capture the majesty of the Athabasca Falls prior to your arrival into Jasper.
On the Icefields Parkway to Jasper, view a never-ending procession of mammoth mountains, jagged peaks, over 100 glaciers and pristine emerald coloured lakes. Along the way see such sights as the Sarbach Glacier, Peyto Lake, Bow Lake and Crowfoot Glacier, before your arrival at the Columbia Icefield. Here you will take an Ice Explorer ride out onto the glacier, and soak up the views from the glass-bottomed Glacier Skywalk (included). Leaving the Athabasca Glacier, keep your camera handy to capture the majesty of the Athabasca Falls prior to your arrival into Jasper.



Day 4 Jasper
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.
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.



Day 5 Jasper - Sun Peaks (444 km)
Leaving Jasper National Park, travel the historic 'Yellowhead' route past the sprawling grandeur of Mount Robson and along the banks of the mighty Thompson River, before arriving in the alpine village of Sun Peaks Resort.
Leaving Jasper National Park, travel the historic 'Yellowhead' route past the sprawling grandeur of Mount Robson and along the banks of the mighty Thompson River, before arriving in the alpine village of Sun Peaks Resort.
Excursions
Prices and Departures
Price from £1,603 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.
What's Included
- Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom
- Car rental throughout
- Choice of excursion in Banff: Banff Gondola / Lake Minnewanka Cruise / River Explorer Canoe tour / Bow River Horseride
- Ice Explorer Ride & Glacier Skywalk
- Choice of excursion in Jasper: Maligne Lake Cruise / River Raft Float / Jasper Nature Walk
- Peak 2 Peak Gondola Ride, Whistler
- Choice of excursion in Tofino: Coastal Bear Watch Cruise / Whale Watching Cruise / Tofino Food Tour
- Choice of excursion in Victoria: Admission to Butchart Gardens / Eat Like a Canadian Food Tour
- Ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo
- Ferry from Victoria to Vancouver
- 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
- No surcharge guarantee
- Full financial protection
Prices
This itinerary starts from £1,603 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.You may also like
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.
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.
Find a holiday idea or suggested itinerary that inspires you, then send an enquiry or call us
Your dedicated travel specialist will create a quote based on your preferences
Together we’ll refine your itinerary until you’re happy and ready to book
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