Totem Discovery: Western Canada Explorer

Leave Vancouver behind and head to the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal for a scenic journey across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver Island. On arrival, continue to the charming harbour city of Victoria.

Pick one included experience from the options below:

Butchart Gardens Admission – this National Historic Site of Canada is renowned for its stunning floral displays set over 55 acres of gardens.
Whale Watch Cruise – search for orcas on the Salish Sea on a 3.5 hour guided whale watching cruise, complete with hydrophones to bring the underwater world to life.

High Tea at the Fairmont Empress Hotel – Indulge in a lavish array of tea, finger sandwiches, pastries and scones, served in the elegant setting of this historic landmark. The rest of the day is free to explore Victoria at your leisure, with its turn of the century architecture and strong British traditions.

Heading north on the Island Highway, you’ll pass through Duncan, known as the ‘City of Totems’. If time allows a visit the Quw’utsun’ Heritage Village offers an insight into the culture and traditions of the North West Coast People (admission not included). Pause at the artistic town of Chemainus, where impressive murals bring the town’s buildings to life before continuing to Campbell River.

Make the most of your day with a choice of included excursion from the options below:

Salish Sea Whale Watching Cruise – Enjoy an unforgettable cruise with an experienced marine wildlife guide to observe wildlife in their natural habitat. Watch for humpbacks, orcas, dolphins, sea lions and a variety of sea birds.

Please note The Great Bears of Bute requires an additional upgrade cost and is only available from  15 Aug – 25 Sep

Continue your adventure to the fishing community of Port Hardy, the furthest north you can drive on Vancouver Island. Along the way, you might like to stop near Port McNeill for an optional whale-watching cruise in the wildlife-rich waters of Johnstone Strait.

Embark on a full day of cruising the sheltered waters of Canada’s Inside Passage with BC Ferries. This scenic journey, lasting around 15 hours (weather dependent), takes you past a breathtaking backdrop of snow-capped mountains, dense coastal forests, and dramatic fjords. Look out for orca, grey whales, sea lions and playful porpoise which are often spotted in these waters. Arrive in the seaport of Prince Rupert late evening.

Follow the winding Yellowhead Highway as it weaves alongside the scenic Skeena River for much of the journey. Pass through the mining town of Terrace before continuing to Smithers. Nestled in the heart of the Bulkley Valley at the foot of the Hudson Bay Mountain, Smithers is perfectly placed for outdoor adventures.

Depart Smithers and continue along the Yellowhead highway. Travel through Houston, known as the Steelhead Capital and home to the world’s biggest fly rod – over 18 metres (59 ft) in length! Next you will pass through the fishing village of Burn’s Lake and the town of Vanderhoof. Your day ends in Prince George, the largest service hub in northern British Columbia, perfectly situated at the crossroads of two major highways and rail lines.

Enjoy another unforgettable day of scenic driving as you follow mountain passes and raging rivers winding your way to Jasper for a two-night stay.

Spend the day enjoying one of the following included experiences of your choice:

Jasper Nature Walk – this guided walk offers spectacular views of jagged peaks, forests, meadows, marshes, streams, and stunning glacial lakes.

Set off on a stunning drive through the heart of the Canadian Rockies, surrounded by towering mountains, jagged peaks, over 100 glaciers, and beautiful emerald-coloured lakes. Along the way, experience the Columbia Icefield with an included Ice Explorer ride out onto the glacier. Don’t miss the Glacier Skywalk, a glass-floored observation platform 280m over spectacular glacier-carved valleys and rushing waterfalls. Stop to admire Sarbach Glacier, Peyto Lake, Bow Lake and Crowfoot Glacier before you pause at the stunning Lake Louise. After soaking in the views, take the scenic Bow Valley Parkway alongside the Bow River. You may like to stop at Johnston Canyon and walk along the paved trail to either the lower or upper waterfalls before continuing to Banff. Please note: Mountain lakes in this region will be frozen through to mid-June

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

Leaving Banff National Park, travel to Yoho National Park where you cross the continental divide. Continue through Glacier National Park and ‘Rogers Pass’, where spectacular mountain views stretch out in every direction. Travel through the Monashee Mountain Range and past the breathtaking views of Shuswap Lake. Drive through Kamloops and start to head north to the ski resort town of Sun Peaks where you’ll spend the night.

Begin the day traveling along Logan Lake route to the gold rush town of Cache Creek. Continue your journey south to Lillooet, famously known as the land of the Gold Rush Trail and ‘Mile Zero’ of the Old Cariboo Wagon Road during the gold rush era. Leaving Lillooet travel the Duffey Lake Road to Whistler, making a stop at Joffre Lake for stunning views of Joffre Glacier.

This charming alpine resort is nestled between world-renowned Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Today, take your pick from one of five included experiences, each offering a unique way to experience the region at its best:

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.
Whistler Peak 2 Peak Gondola – travel to the top of Whistler Mountain for spectacular views of glaciers, extinct volcanoes and snow-capped peaks.

Ziptrek Eco Tour – Soar above Whistler’s stunning rainforest on a ziplining adventure blending thrilling heights with breathtaking nature and eco-education.

Bear Safari in Whistler Olympic Park (upgrade at additional cost) – watch wild black bears forage from your vehicle amidst pristine landscapes. Drive up iconic Ski Jumps for breath-taking, panoramic mountain views.

Depart Whistler at your own pace and follow the scenic Sea to Sky Highway to Vancouver. Along the way, be sure to stop the cascading Shannon Falls and the Stawamus Chief Rock, popular destination for climbers from around the world drawn to its towering granite cliffs. Another highlight is the Sea to Sky Gondola where you can enjoy incredible views of Howe Sound, explore interpretive walking trails and relax at the restaurant and tea house at the top. Continue to Vancouver where your self-drive journey ends.