Pacific Rim National Park

Ultimate Pacific Coast Experience

from £2635 excluding flights

  • 10 nights
  • May-Sep
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Highlights

Pacific Rim National Park

Discover endless beaches and rainforest in Pacific Rim National Park

Grey whale tail at sunset

Search for grey whales and orca in Clayoquot Sound

BC Ferry

Travel at leisure on the scenic BC Ferry network

Black bear

Go in search of black bears and marine wildlife in Desolation Sound

quebec fairmont chateau frontenac dining

Take an optional culinary tour in Victoria or Tofino

Butchart Gardens

Wander through Victoria's beautiful Butchart Gardens

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 self-drive journey travels through the wild magnificence of Canada’s Pacific Coast and is a great choice for nature enthusiasts. Explore the coastal landscapes and wildlife-rich habitats of the Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island, where you might witness black bears or encounter a pod of orca and other marine wildlife. The alpine resort of Whistler provides a dramatic contrast to Pacific Rim National Park, where the might of the ocean meets never-ending beaches backed by dense rainforest.

Utilising the excellent network of BC Ferries, you can sit back and relax whilst keeping your eyes peeled for the region’s abundant marine wildlife as you travel. From the spectacular mountain resort town of Whistler to the quintessential ‘Britishness’ of Victoria, via the Sunshine Coast and the many islands of the Strait of Georgia, this journey promises one memorable day after another, perfect for couples and families alike.

Along the way included excursions offer the chance to cruise with whales and spot bears foraging on the shore, tickle your taste buds with a culinary tour or explore the extensive Butchart Gardens. There’s plenty of time for independent exploration too, with 2-night stays allowing for a leisurely paced holiday. Spend a day hiking the trails near Whistler, pottering around local galleries on the Sunshine Coast or enjoying the laid-back lifestyle of Tofino on Vancouver Island’s stunning west coast. And don’t forget to have a glass in hand in time for those unforgettable Pacific Ocean sunsets.

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.

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.

Hiking near Whistler
Canoeing on Alta Lake, Whistler
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Return down the Sea to Sky Highway as far as Horseshoe Bay and enjoy a relaxing ferry journey to the Sunshine Coast. This scenic cruise takes you through fjord-like waters fringed by virgin forests and glaciated mountain peaks. At Langdale disembark the ferry and drive the leisurely and stunningly scenic route to your overnight accommodation.

The beautiful natural landscape of Canada’s Pacific Coast is the setting for your choice of outdoor adventures today, or you can choose to simply sit back, relax and enjoy the coastal views.

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Travel north to Earls Cove for a 50 minute ferry ride to Saltery Bay. Continue following the coast to Powell River to board another ferry service across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver Island. Continue north to the coastal town of Campbell River, gateway to the Discovery Islands.

Enjoy a memorable boat cruise among the Discovery Islands and observe local wildlife in their natural habitat. Watch for Stellar sea lions, seals, minke whales, orcas and pacific white-sided dolphins. You’ll see bald eagles swoop from the tree tops and majestic herons fishing in the tidal pools.

Black Bear
Sea otter
Bald eagle

Today you will head west to Pacific Rim National Park on the rugged West Coast. En route, you may wish to stop at at Cathedral Grove, to enjoy a walk amongst 800 year old Douglas fir and cedar trees. Continue through the majestic Sutton Pass and the Sawtooth Range of the Cascade Mountains to arrive in Tofino.

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

Coastal Bear Watch Cruise – search for foraging bears from the comfort and safety of a Zodiac. Black bears roam the shores here at low tide in search of their favourite delicacy, the Rock Crab.
Whale Watching Cruise – cruise through the pristine waters of Clayoquot Sound to view beautiful scenery and wildlife. Depending on the time of year, you may encounter grey whales, humpback whales, sea lions, sea birds and resident bald eagles.<br
After your excursion enjoy some time at leisure – you may wish to walk along the famed Long Beach, with its miles of pristine sandy beach and pounding surf, or explore the coastal rainforest on a selection of well-marked hiking trails.

Cox Bay, near Tofino
Grey whale near Tofino
Tofino Harbour

Make your way back to the eastern side of Vancouver Island and head south to Victoria. En-route you may wish to stop at the artist community of Chemainus, where you can admire the giant murals which adorn the exterior walls throughout the town, and at Duncan, the ‘City of Totems’. If time permits visit the Quw’utsun Heritage Village which provides you with an insight into the lives of the northwest coast people (admission not included).

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

Butchart Gardens Admission – this National Historic Site of Canada is renowned for its stunning floral displays set over 55 acres of gardens.
Eat like a Canadian Food Tour – from local ingredients to historic dishes, this tour is a great introduction to Canadian culinary culture. Sip and savour local cuisine, explore the iconic Inner Harbour, and meet the chefs and owners that make Victoria such an exciting culinary hot spot.

The rest of the day is free to explore Victoria at your leisure, with its turn of the century architecture and strong British traditions.

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Parliament Building, Victoria

Leaving Victoria drive north to Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal for your final ferry crossing to Tsawwassen. On board the ferry enjoy the scenery of the Gulf Islands as you cross the Strait of Georgia. From Tsawwassen continue back to Vancouver to return your rental vehicle.

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.

Discuss your options with our Travel Specialists
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Prices and Departures

Price from £2635 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
  • Car rental with GPS throughout
  • Ferry crossings (passengers and vehicle)
  • Sea to Sky Gondola Ride
  • Campbell River: Whale & Wildlife Watching Safari Cruise
  • Choice of excursion in Whistler: Guided Lunch Tour / River Canoe tour / Whistler Valley Bike tour / Peak 2 Peak Gondola
  • Choice of excursion in Tofino: Coastal Bear Watch Cruise / Whale Watching Cruise
  • Choice of excursion in Victoria: Admission to Butchart Gardens / Eat Like a Canadian Food Tour
  • 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
  • No surcharge guarantee
  • Full financial protection

Prices

This itinerary starts from £2,635 per person, based on 2 sharing a room with private bathroom in standard hotels, with 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.

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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.