Rainforest to Rockies - Self Drive

Upon arrival in Vancouver, you will be greeted at the airport and transferred by private car to your hotel located in the historic Downtown Vancouver.

The rest of your day is at your leisure to enjoy the sights.

Overnight stay in Vancouver at Listel Hotel in a Standard Room.

It's time to explore the city! Enjoy one pre-selected tours from our Freedom of Choice options:

• Vancouver City Tour
  This tour is a great introduction to the scenic and historic highlights of Vancouver.

OR

• Granville Island Market Food Tour 
  Granville Island is Canada’s second most-visited destination, behind Niagara Falls, and Vancouver’s destination for lovers of food, art and culture. During the tour, guests eat their way through the world-famous Public Market and hear the intriguing stories, culture, and history behind the tasty creations.

OR

• The Stanley E-Bike Tour
  Stanley Park is uniquely situated with incredibly scenic views of downtown Vancouver, the North Shore , the Lion’s Gate Bridge, as well as English Bay and the Westend. Your guide will weave you down the pristine forest trails that criss-cross through the park, and give incisive information about this amazing wilderness city. You will walk or ride away with a deeper understanding of both Vancouver and its green treasure.

OR

• Upgrade Option: Gastronomic Gastown Tour with alcoholic pairings ($60 per person)
  Eat and drink your way through Vancouver’s #1 foodie district, just like the locals love to do! Indulge in the boozey, foodie, historic neighbourhood with Canadian poutine, Vancouver’s best pizza, wicked desserts, cocktails, craft beer, wine and more!

Overnight stay in Vancouver at Hotel Listel in a Standard Room.

This morning pick up your rental car and drive south to Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal for a 90 min ferry ride to Swartz Bay. On-board BC Ferries enjoy the scenery of the Gulf Islands as you cross the Strait of Georgia. From Swartz Bay continue on to the charming city of Victoria.

Overnight stay in Victoria at Inn at Laurel Point in a Laurel Wing Guest Room.

Time to explore Victoria, with its turn-of-the-century architecture, and British traditions such as high tea and shops full of woolens and china. Today you can personalize your day by pre-selectiong one of two Freedom of Choice excursions:

• Butchart Gardens Admission
  On its 100th birthday in 2004, the Butchart Gardens was named a National Historic Site of Canada. Explore 22 Hectares/55 acres of breathtaking gardens on the 53 hectare/130 acre estate.

OR

• Eat like a Canadian Food Tour
  Not many people can define exactly what Canadian food is. From local ingredients to historic dishes, this tour is the best way to experience 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.

Overnight stay in Victoria at Inn at Laurel Point in a Laurel Wing Guest Room.

Travel to the rugged West Coast of Vancouver Island and head to Pacific Rim National Park. En route stops should be made at Duncan the ‘City of Totems’, where you may visit the Quw’utsun’ Heritage Village, which will provide you with an insight into the lives of the northwest coast people (admission not included).

Make a stop in the artist community of Chemainus, where you can admire the giant murals which adorn the exterior walls throughout the town.

Drive through majestic Sutton Pass and the Sawtooth Range of the Cascade Mountains to arrive in Tofino around mid-afternoon.

Overnight stay in Tofino at Black Rock Oceanfront Resort in a One Bedroom Lodge.

You may wish to walk along the famed Long Beach, with its miles of pristine sandy beach and pounding surf, or explore the rain forests on a selection of well groomed trails. Today you can personalize your day by pre-selecting one of three Freedom of Choice excursions:

• Coastal Bear Watch Cruise
  Search for foraging bears from the comfort and safety of a 24’ Zodiac vessel. Abundant on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, black bears roam the shores at low tide in search of their favorite delicacy, the Rock Crab.

OR

• 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 gray whales, humpback whales, sea lions, sea birds and resident bald eagles.

OR

• Tofino Food Tour
  Taste why Tofino is truly one of Canada’s best food scenes, combined with local stories & fascinating history. This tour includes 7 delicious tastings from some of Tofino’s best restaurants & food vendors.

Overnight stay in Tofino at Black Rock Oceanfront Resort in a One Bedroom Lodge.

Depart Tofino for your return journey to the East Coast. En route, picture stops should be made at Cathedral Grove to enjoy the splendour of 800-year-old Douglas Fir and Cedar trees, as well as the Mars Water-Bombers at Sproat Lake, the world’s two largest water-bombers used for the sole purpose of putting out forest fires.

From Departure Bay sail on BC Ferries to Horseshoe Bay. and continue 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 globe migrate to climb the granite cliffs.

Overnight stay in Whistler at Hilton Whistler Resort in a Hilton Room.

This charming alpine resort town is nestled between world-renowned Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Today you can personalize your day by pre-selecting one of the following Freedom of Choice excursions:

• Scandinavian Baths Experience
  Discover this spectacular 20 000 sq ft outdoor spa, spread over three acres of natural land and overlooking Whistler’s incredible landscape. The Scandinave Spa Whistler offers the Scandinavian baths experience, also known as hydrotherapy. This year-round refreshing activity cleanse the body and skin improving blood circulation and physical conditioning.

OR

• Peak to Peak Gondola
  Redefining the Whistler summer experience by creating limitless new ways to get up-close-and-personal with the mountains, this engineering marvel breaks three world records. Also, visit the Peak to Peak Viewing Gallery, a raised walkway that gives you the opportunity to see the gondola’s engineering and inner workings.

Overnight stay in Whistler at Hilton Whistler Resort in a Hilton Room.

Travel north today from the mountain village via the upper elevations of the Duffey Lake Road. Enjoy breath-taking views of Joffre Glacier and snow-capped Mount Currie that rises to a height of 2,596 metres.

Continue the journey north to Lillooet, known as the land of the Gold Rush Trail and ‘Mile Zero’ of the Old Caribou Wagon Road during the Gold Rush Years. Now the area is home to the largest Canadian producers of the medicinal plant, Ginseng.

Visit the Gold Rush Town of Cache Creek where we recomend a visit the Historic Hat Creek, which takes you back to the days of the Gold Rush.

Overnight stay in Clearwater at Alpine Meadows in a One Bedroom Chalet.

Set out for Jasper along the scenic Yellowhead Highway and take in the breathtaking vistas of the steep-walled gorges and crashing falls of the North Thompson River.

On your journey today, perhaps you will get a glimpse of Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies.

Leaving British Columbia, you enter Alberta and Jasper National Park. Jasper was originally a tent city serving the railway, and is now a quaint mountain village.

Overnight stay in Jasper at Sawridge Inn in an Outside Room with Balcony.

Time to explore all that Jasper has to offer! Today you can personalize your day by pre-selecting one of three Freedom of Choice excursions:

• Maligne Lake Cruise
  ​Cruise Maligne Lake, where you can marvel at the magnificent shoreline and Spirit Island.

OR

• Jasper River Float
  Enjoy a gentle rafting tour on the Athabasca River for a unique perspective of Jasper National Park.

OR

• Jasper Nature Walk
  A guided nature walk featuring a spectacular array of rolling hills, jagged peaks, forests, meadows, marshes, streams, and stunning glacial lakes.

Overnight stay in Jasper at Sawridge Inn in an Outside Room with Balcony.

Today, travel through the spine of the Canadian Rockies along the amazing Icefields Parkway and encompass the ultimate glacier exploration. From walking on ancient ice with the Athabasca Ice Explorer Ride, to standing on a glass platform almost one thousand feet in the air at the Glacier Skywalk (included), today’s experiences will leave you with a special appreciation for this treasured region of the Rockies.

Overnight stay in Banff at Banff Caribou Lodge in a Superior Room.

With easy access to pristine wilderness and endless outdoor adventures, in Banff National Park you feel truly immersed in nature. Today you can personalize your day by pre-selcting one of four Freedom of Choice excursions:

• Banff Gondola
  Maximize your views of Banff National Park with minimal exertion on a round-trip gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain.

OR

• Lake Minnewanka Cruise
  Admire views of the Canadian Rockies by boat as you cruise across the turquoise-hued Lake Minnewanka and over to Devil’s Gap.

OR

• River Explorer Canoe Tour
  Enjoy the serenity of the Bow River and marvel at the surroundings. A fun & interactive way with your guide to explore the waterways of Banff National Park. Perfect for families. No paddling experience necessary.

OR

• Bow River Horseback Adventure
  Saddle up for a journey through the celebrated landscape of Banff National Park on this guided horseback riding adventure.
   

Overnight stay in Banff at Banff Caribou Lodge in a Superior Room.

Today you will leave behind the fresh mountain air and colourful sights of the Rockies. Drive to downtown Calgary hotel, where you will spend a night before heading home. Evening is yours to explore the city.

Overnight stay in Calgary at Alt Hotel Calgary in a River View Room.

Drop off you rental car at Calgary airport and start your journey home.