| Starts | Vancouver, United States |
|---|---|
| Ends | Vancouver, United States |
| Region | Canada |
| Duration | 15 days |
| Tour Operator | Intrepid Travel |
Itinerary
Day 1 - Starting: Vancouver & Finishing: Vancouver
Welcome to Vancouver, Canada. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. Please ask the hostel reception where it will take place. If you're going to be late, please inform the reception as soon as possible. Your leader will be collecting your insurance details, food kitty contribution and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have all these details ready to provide. If you arrive early into Vancouver, take a walk around the city's historic Gastown site or wander through Stanley Park.
Day 2 - Starting: Whistler & Finishing: Whistler
Today, leave Vancouver behind and drive for around three and a half hours to the ski-resort area of Whistler. Once there, Whistler is a fantastic place to explore on foot with stunning mountain terrain. There are plenty of activities to take part in during your two days here, so if your trip falls in the summer months then try a spot of kayaking. After getting to know the area on your first day here, settle down in the campgrounds for the night.
Day 3 - Starting: Whistler & Finishing: Whistler
Today is free to explore and take part in optional activities. Skiing and snowboarding are always readily available, as the Rocky Mountains are the world's premier mountain playground. Zip lining tours are an amazing way of getting an aerial view over Fitzsimmons Creek - hopefully seeing some bears along the way. Spot wildlife on summer hikes or just relax in your surroundings. There are also some great cycle networks in Whistler, so perhaps hire a bike, ride around area and head to one of the nearby lakes.
Day 4-6 - Starting: Wells Gray Provincial Park & Finishing: Wells Gray Provincial Park
Today take the long drive to Wells Gray Provincial Park (approximately 6-7 hours), arriving in time to set up camp for the evening at a cowboy ranch. Relax with dinner by the campfire, roast marshmallows and assemble delicious s'mores. You'll spend the next three nights here, which gives you ample amounts of time discover British Columbia's third largest provincial park. The options to explore the region of this vast wilderness are completely varied. Canoe on Clearwater Lake or head out on the numerous hikes that are available. There will be plenty of optional activities to keep you entertained.
Day 7 - Starting: Jasper National Park & Finishing: Jasper National Park
Drive to Jasper National Park today, which should take around five and a half hours in total. As you'll arrive in the early/late afternoon, maybe go for a walk to spot the area's wildlife such as moose, elk, deer, bears and coyotes. If you have time in the afternoon, take the Jasper SkyTram that elevates 2,300 metres to a great vantage point in the Rocky Mountains. In the evening head out for dinner, as there are a variety of restaurants to choose from.
Day 8 - Starting: Jasper National Park & Finishing: Jasper National Park
Today is free to do as you wish. This area provides you with the option of hiking up Whistlers Mountain, biking in the Valley of Five Lakes or taking a cruise on Maligne Lake. If you're looking to take it a bit easier, head down to relax in the Miette Hot Springs and soak in the views of Fiddle River Valley. This will be your last night in Jasper National Park.
Day 9-11 - Starting: Banff National Park & Finishing: Banff National Park
This morning, take a scenic drive through mountain scenery on the famous Icefields Parkway, which connects Jasper and Banff National Parks (approximately four hours). As the journey is so picturesque, there will numerous opportunities to stop at viewpoints and waterfalls along the way. This includes visits to the ice fields of Athabasca Glacier and the emerald waters of Lake Louise. On arrival to your campgrounds in Banff, get your bearings with a brief walk as you'll be spending the next three nights here. Banff is Canada's oldest national park, with its valleys and mountain chains being formed 75 million years ago. Today its a veritable playground for outdoor enthusiasts. Take a gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain for a dip in its natural hot springs or explore the hoodoos and falls of Bow River valley by foot. There are many trails of different lengths, allowing you to hike for as long as you wish.
Day 12 - Starting: Yoho National Park/Golden & Finishing: Yoho National Park/Golden
Today take a drive for around two and a half hours through unspoiled mountainous terrain, to the town of Golden and finally to Yoho National Park. On arrival into the park, take a walk down the Kicking Horse River and maybe visit Takakkaw Falls (the second highest falls in Canada at 384 metres high). Yoho National Park and the Kicking Horse River are a lesser-known paradise in the Canadian Rockies, so use your time wisely and really get to know the area. You'll spend two nights here, which is a good amount of time to explore and take part in optional activities. Take to the river for some of the best whitewater rafting in Canada. The combination of wild whitewater, spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife makes rafting the Kicking Horse River a thrilling adventure. There's a range of rafting activities on offer including a full day, half day and a full river challenge. There's also an option to relax by the shore of this beautiful river setting.
Day 13 - Starting: Yoho National Park/Golden & Finishing: Yoho National Park/Golden
Today, perhaps take to the river for some of the best whitewater rafting in Canada. The combination of wild whitewater, spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife makes rafting the Kicking Horse River thrilling for its adventure and views. There's a range of rafting activities on offer, including a full day, half day and a full river challenge. If rafting isn't your thing, there's also the option of relaxing by the river with the ideal viewpoint. Maybe spend your last night in Yoho National Park by having dinner with the group.
Day 14 - Starting: Glacier National Park/Kamloops & Finishing: Glacier National Park/Kamloops
This morning, travel through the high mountain clearing of Rogers Pass to reach Glacier National Park. Stop at Rogers Pass Discovery Centre for a look around and possibly take a short hike through a old-growth area of cedar and hemlock. As one of the world's most active avalanche areas, most of the rugged, mountainous area of Glacier National Park is inaccessible for day hikes. Drive onto Mount Revelstoke National, which contains part of the world's only temperate inland rainforest. You'll drive straight through the rainforest and, if time allows, you'll also go for a short hike. The final destination of this drive is the town of Kamloops. Meaning 'meeting of the waters', the town is situated at the junction of the two branches of the Thompson River. Today's total driving time will take around 6-7 hours.
Day 15 - Starting: Vancouver & Finishing: Vancouver
This morning, you'll make the journey back to Vancouver (approximately four to five hours). The arrival time depends on each group, but you should expect a 3 pm arrival. Your Canadian Rockies adventure comes, as there are no more activities planned for today. If you decide to fly out this day please don't book a flight before 8 pm, which will give you enough time to catch a shuttle from the hotel to the airport and be there two hours before departure.
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