Highlights
This classic Western Canada self drive itinerary travels from Vancouver, through the stunning mountains and valleys of British Columbia, to the Rocky Mountains in Alberta. There are some long drives, but photo stops are never far away.
• Explore Vancouver’s legendary street food stalls, markets and parks.
• Take excursions with Indigenous guides to really get a feel for Canada’s history, culture and nature
• Whale watching from Vancouver: also spot porpoises, orca, sea lions, seals, & bald eagles.
• Take a 4WD Tour to look for Black Bears in Whistler
• Stunning Scenery of the Rocky Mountains: hike or cycle around glassy, turquoise lakes
• Be as active or relaxed as you like: hiking trails, white water rafting, zip lines, horse riding are available – or ride gondolas, rent a kayak/canoe, and soak up the hot springs.
Itinerary
Below is a suggested itinerary for self-drive trip in Western Canada, however, please get in touch as we can arrange completely bespoke itineraries based on your exact requirements.
Click here for a PDF downloadable day by day itinerary.
Days 1-3: Vancouver
Explore downtown Vancouver: people-watch at a pavement café, window-shop along Robson Street, then cut down to the waterfront for panoramic sea and mountain vistas. Hire bikes and cycle Stanley Park and the sea wall. Visit Granville Island. Visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park and spend some time exploring the walkways and forest. Or take a whale watching trip, looking for porpoises, orca, sea lions, seals, bald eagles.
Day 4-5: Whistler
Take a 4WD Tour along mountain tracks to look for black bears, take a thrilling half day white water rafting trip; the Peak 2 Peak Gondola will whisk you up to dizzy heights for spectacular views, do the exhilarating Whistler zip lining experience.
Day 6-8: Wells Gray
Wells Gray Provincial Park, where craggy mountains rise above evergreen forests, lakes and steaming waterfalls. Hike along one of the trails to one of the many waterfalls, looking out for moose, black and grizzly bears, elk and deer. Horse riding and boat trips are available too.
Days 9-10: Jasper
Drive the spectacular Icefields Parkway: photo opportunities at viewpoints of brilliantly coloured glacial lakes, gushing waterfalls, snow-topped mountains and wildlife. Ideas for stops include Lake Louise for gondola ride, canoeing or a hike, the spectacular teal waters of Moraine Lake, Herbert Lake, Bow Lake and Peyto Lake; Glacier Skywalk, the Sunwapta Falls with gorgeous mountain backdrop. Keep eyes peeled for mountain goats, elk, black and grizzly bears..
Day 11-13: Banff
The bustling town of Banff is a base for a multitude of outdoor activities. Enjoy a fantastic whitewater rafting experience – choose from exciting grade 3-4 rapids or gentler grade 2-3; bathe in the Upper Hot Springs; rent a canoe or bike on the Vermillion Lakes – a great place for wildlife spotting, or hike the Bow River Falls & Hoodoos Trail.
Photo credits: Paul Zizka, Destination Canada, Destination BC/Andrew Strain, Noel Hendrickson
Cost and pricing
Contact us for pricing for your bespoke itinerary.
