Best of British Columbia Self-Drive (Tour code: 13767)

Depart Vancouver and travel north along the spectacular Sea-to-Sky Highway, where the deep blue waters of Howe Sound meet towering coastal peaks. Enjoy scenic viewpoint stops along the way before reaching Shannon Falls, where water cascades from the granite cliffs. Continue to the Sea to Sky Gondola for elevated views over Howe Sound, coastal rainforest and surrounding mountain peaks, then pass the sheer granite face of the Stawamus Chief. Farther north, pause at Tantalus Lookout for striking views across the valley to the Tantalus Range and Rumbling Glacier on a clear day. Continue through the dramatic Cheakamus River corridor, where forested slopes, deep gorges and rugged mountain scenery lead toward Whistler. Just before arriving, look for the vivid turquoise waters of Green Lake, coloured by glacial runoff, before continuing into Whistler.

Overnight in Whistler at Listel Hotel (or similar)

Sea-to-Sky Highway | Credit: Destination BC

Personalise your day by choosing one of four Freedom of Choice options below.

Overnight in Whistler at Listel Hotel (or similar)

Freedom of Choice Options

• Whistler Guided Lunch Tour:

  Discover Whistler’s lively culinary scene on a guided lunch tour through the village. Enjoy a delicious multi-course experience at some of the resort’s favourite local dining spots, with sweet stops along the way for artisan chocolate and treats.

OR

• River of Golden Dreams Canoe Tour:

  Paddle one of Whistler’s most scenic waterways on a summertime canoe journey from Alta Lake to Green Lake. Drift past wildflower-lined banks, mountain views, old-growth forest and quiet wetlands, with the chance to spot local wildlife along the way.

OR

• Whistler Peak 2 Peak Gondola:

  Experience Whistler from above on the spectacular Peak 2 Peak Gondola, connecting Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. Take in panoramic views of glaciers, alpine valleys, extinct volcanoes and snow-capped peaks from one of the most iconic mountain gondola rides in the world.

OR

• Ziptrek Eco Tour:

  Soar above Whistler’s stunning rainforest on Ziptrek Eco Tours’ Bear or Eagle Tours - an unforgettable ziplining adventure blending thrilling heights with breathtaking nature and eco-education.

Peak 2 Peak Gondola | Credit: Destination BC / Blake Jorgenson

Depart Whistler and begin the spectacular drive along Duffey Lake Road, a dramatic alpine route of rugged peaks, turquoise lakes and glacier views. If time allows, pause near Joffre Lakes for striking views of the surrounding mountains and Joffre Glacier. Continue through historic Lillooet, an important landmark on the Gold Rush Trail, before travelling through canyon country, sunlit hills and ranchlands toward Cache Creek. Here, Historic Hat Creek offers a glimpse into British Columbia’s Gold Rush-era. From Cache Creek, continue south as the landscape gradually shifts from rugged interior scenery to the warmer, drier hills of the Thompson Okanagan. Vineyards, orchards, lake views and rolling hills welcome you into Kelowna, a relaxed lakeside city set on the shores of Okanagan Lake and known for its sunshine, wineries and outdoor lifestyle.

Overnight in Kelowna at Prestige Beach House

Historic Hat Creek | Credit: Destination BC / Blake Jorgenson

Set out on a half-day wine tour along the scenic West Kelowna Wine Trail, where vineyards, lake views and rolling hills create a beautiful introduction to Okanagan wine country. Visit a selection of local wineries, sample some of the region’s finest wines and hear stories from your guide about the people, landscapes and growing conditions that shape this celebrated wine region. With warm hospitality, relaxed touring and sweeping views over Okanagan Lake, this is an enjoyable way to experience the heart of Kelowna’s wine country.

Overnight in Kelowna at Prestige Beach House

Kelowna | Credit: Destination BC / Andrew Strain

Depart Kelowna and travel north through the Okanagan Valley, where orchards, vineyards and lake views gradually give way to the forested landscapes of the Shuswap region. Continue past Shuswap Lake, known for its remarkable shoreline, before reaching Craigellachie, where the Last Spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven in 1885. From here, the route becomes increasingly dramatic as you enter Glacier National Park and climb over Rogers Pass, surrounded by steep peaks, dense forest and rugged alpine scenery. Watch for wildlife such as mountain goats, bears and other native species as you continue through this spectacular mountain corridor. After crossing the Columbia River, travel into Yoho National Park, a landscape of towering waterfalls, ice-clad peaks, natural rock formations and the rushing Kicking Horse River. Arrive at Emerald Lake Lodge, set beside one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in the Canadian Rockies.

Overnight in Field at Emerald Lake Lodge

Yoho National Park | Credit: Destination BC / Dave Heath

Spend the day at Emerald Lake Lodge, set on the shores of one of the Canadian Rockies’ most famous alpine lakes. Surrounded by peaks and forest in Yoho National Park, the lodge offers a peaceful wilderness setting with inviting spaces and scenic verandahs overlooking the lake.

Overnight in Field at Emerald Lake Lodge

Emerald Lake | Credit: Destination BC / Dave Heath

Leave Emerald Lake Lodge and travel south toward Radium Hot Springs, a welcoming mountain community bordering Kootenay National Park and the mighty Columbia River. The Columbia River Valley is known for its striking natural beauty, with the Rocky Mountains rising to the east and the Purcell Mountains to the west. Golf courses, hiking trails, fishing opportunities and mineral hot springs make this region a relaxed and scenic place to unwind amid mountain and valley landscapes.

Overnight in Radium Hot Springs at Prestige Radium Resort

Radium Hot Springs | Credit: Kootenay Rockies Tourism / Mitch Winton

Depart Radium Hot Springs and travel south through the Columbia Valley toward Cranbrook, with an optional stop at Fort Steele Heritage Town or the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel. Continue west toward Nelson, with the option to detour via the Harrop-Procter Cable Ferry. Set on the shores of Kootenay Lake and surrounded by the Selkirk Mountains, Nelson is known for its charm, heritage buildings and scenic waterfront.

Overnight in Nelson at Prestige Lakeside Resort

Ktunaxa elder in Cranbrook | Credit: Destination BC / Kari Medig

Leave Nelson and travel west through the changing landscapes of southern British Columbia, where mountain valleys, forested slopes and lakeside scenery gradually give way to the warmer, drier climate of the South Okanagan. Arrive in Osoyoos, a unique desert-like lakeside town surrounded by orchards, vineyards, rolling hills and Canada’s warmest lake. Visit the Osoyoos Desert Centre to learn about this rare and fragile ecosystem, or explore the Osoyoos Museum for insight into the region’s local history. With swimming, boating, wineries and wide-open views, Osoyoos offers a sunny and scenic contrast to the mountain landscapes behind you.

Overnight in Osoyoos at Watermark Beach Resort

Osoyoos | Credit: Destination Canada

Spend the day exploring Osoyoos and the surrounding South Okanagan at your own pace. Discover the region’s rare desert-like ecosystem at the Osoyoos Desert Centre, or visit local wineries in Osoyoos and nearby Oliver, including those along the Black Sage Bench and Golden Mile Bench. With warm sunshine, lake views and rolling vineyards, this area offers a relaxed and scenic experience.

Overnight in Osoyoos at Watermark Beach Resort

Osoyoos Desert Centre | Credit: Destination BC / Hubert Kang

Depart Osoyoos and travel west through the dramatic changing landscapes of southern British Columbia. The route climbs into higher mountain terrain, where the Coquihalla Highway reaches an elevation of 1,244 metres and passes through one of the province’s most impressive engineered mountain corridors. Along the way, travel past steep rock faces, high bridges and rugged valleys shaped by winter snow, rushing water and mountain weather. As you descend toward the coast, the scenery shifts quickly from dry interior hills and open rock faces to misty coastal forest, tall cedars and lush green valleys. Nearing the Pacific Coast, the route opens into the broad and fertile Fraser Valley before continuing into Vancouver, where your journey ends after a scenic drive from desert-like landscapes, vineyards and mountain passes back to the coast.