The Coastal Way Self-Drive (Tour code: 11679)

Depart Vancouver and travel south to Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal for the scenic 90-minute BC Ferries crossing to Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island. As you sail through the Strait of Georgia, take in views of the Gulf Islands, forested shorelines and distant mountain peaks. Upon arrival, continue south to Victoria, British Columbia’s elegant capital city, set beside the sparkling Inner Harbour and known for its gardens, coastal scenery and historic charm.

Overnight in Victoria at Inn at Laurel Point

Vancouver | Credit: Albert Normandin

Today, you can personalise your day by pre-selecting one of four Freedom of Choice excursions below.

Overnight in Victoria at Inn at Laurel Point

Freedom of Choice Options

• Butchart Gardens Admission:

  Explore the world-famous Butchart Gardens, a National Historic Site of Canada and one of the most beautiful garden estates in the country. Wander through 22 hectares/55 acres of floral displays, landscaped pathways, sunken gardens and peaceful viewpoints spread across the 53-hectare/130-acre estate.

OR

• Eat like a Canadian Food Tour:

  Discover Victoria through its flavours on a guided culinary walking tour. Sample local ingredients, historic dishes and modern Canadian favourites while exploring the Inner Harbour and nearby neighbourhoods. Along the way, meet the chefs, makers and local food experts who help make Victoria one of Canada’s most enjoyable small-city dining destinations.

OR

• High Tea at the Fairmont Empress Hotel:

  Enjoy the timeless tradition of Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont Empress, one of Victoria’s most iconic landmarks. Settle into an elegant setting overlooking the Inner Harbour and savour fine tea, delicate finger sandwiches, pastries and freshly baked scones in a setting that reflects the city’s historic charm.

OR

• Whale Watch Cruise:

  Head out onto the Salish Sea for a thrilling 3.5-hour whale watching cruise from Victoria. Travel aboard a covered or open vessel in search of orcas, humpback whales, sea lions, porpoises and seabirds. Hydrophones may be used to bring the underwater world to life, adding another dimension to this remarkable marine experience.

Credit: Butchart Gardens

Leave Victoria and travel north along Vancouver Island’s scenic east coast, passing through rolling forests, rural communities and coastal landscapes as you make your way up the Island Highway. En route, stop in Duncan, the “City of Totems,” where carved poles reflect the stories and artistry of the region’s Indigenous cultures. If time permits, visit the Quw’utsun’ Heritage Village for insight into the traditions and history of the northwest coast people. Continue to Chemainus, an artist community known for its large outdoor murals, then stop in Coombs at the Old Country Market, famous for the goats that graze on its grass-covered roof during the warmer months. By late afternoon, arrive in Campbell River, historically known as the “Salmon Capital of the World” and set against the dramatic backdrop of Discovery Passage, Strathcona Provincial Park and the Coast Mountains.

Overnight in Campbell River at Coast Discovery Inn
 

Campbell River

The diversity of wildlife and awe inspiring scenery that exists so close to Campbell River is unparalleled! Today, you can personalise your day by pre-selecting one of two Freedom of Choice excursions below.

Overnight in Campbell River at Coast Discovery Inn

Freedom of Choice Options

• Whale Watching Cruise:

  Set out on a 4-hour marine wildlife adventure from Campbell River through the Salish Sea, Discovery Passage and the scenic Discovery Islands. Travelling with an experienced naturalist captain, choose between a comfortable covered boat or an open-air Zodiac as you search for humpback whales, orcas, dolphins, porpoises, seals, sea lions, bald eagles and other coastal wildlife in their natural habitat.

OR

• Bald Eagle Feeding Frenzy Tour | 27 May - 31 Jul:

  Witness one of Vancouver Island’s most dramatic seasonal wildlife spectacles on a 4-hour Zodiac excursion from Campbell River. Timed around powerful spring and early summer tidal currents near the Discovery Islands, this tour takes you safely within view of hundreds of bald eagles as they dive for hake at the ocean’s surface, with seals, sea lions and coastal seabirds often joining the feeding frenzy.

Campbell River | Credit: Destination BC Boomer Jerritt

Leave Campbell River and continue north along Vancouver Island’s rugged coastline, where dense coastal rainforest presses close to the road and glimpses of the ocean appear between rocky shores and quiet inlets. The journey winds through small communities and stretches of untouched wilderness, with towering evergreens and misty coastal views defining the landscape. Near Port McNeill, you may wish to join an optional orca watching cruise into Johnstone Strait, where calm waters are framed by forested islands and distant mountain silhouettes. Continue to Port Hardy, set against a backdrop of windswept shoreline, forested hills and open ocean horizons.

Overnight in Port Hardy at Quarterdeck Inn 

Port Hardy waterfront | Credit: Tourism Vancouver Island

Embark on a full day of cruising through the sheltered waters of Canada’s Inside Passage with BC Ferries. This remarkable 15-hour journey weaves between remote islands, narrow channels and steep-sided fjords, where dense forests spill down to the water’s edge and waterfalls cascade from hidden valleys. Reserved seating in the Aurora Lounge is included, providing a comfortable place to relax throughout the voyage. Snow-capped peaks rise in the distance as the ferry glides through calm, reflective waters, offering ever-changing views of one of British Columbia’s most pristine coastal wilderness regions before arriving in Prince Rupert.

Overnight in Prince Rupert at Prestige Oceanview Hotel

Cow Bay Harbour Prince Rupert | Credit: Destination BC

Depart Prince Rupert and follow the Yellowhead Highway east, tracing the Skeena River as it carves through a dramatic landscape of towering mountains and deep, forested valleys. The road follows the river’s winding course, with sheer rock faces, rushing water and dense stands of spruce and cedar creating a striking backdrop. As you travel inland, the scenery gradually opens into the broad Bulkley Valley, where rolling hills and distant peaks lead you to Smithers, set beneath the impressive slopes of Hudson Bay Mountain.

Overnight in Smithers at Prestige Hudson Bay Lodge 

Terrace | Credit: Destination BC

Leave Smithers and continue east along the Yellowhead Highway through expansive northern landscapes, where wide valleys stretch between low mountain ranges and forests of pine and spruce extend to the horizon. Lakes and rivers appear alongside the road, reflecting the sky and surrounding wilderness. Pass through Houston, known as the Steelhead Capital, before continuing through Burns Lake and Vanderhoof, where open farmland begins to mix with forest. Arrive in Prince George, where rivers converge amid a landscape of rolling hills and northern forest.

Overnight in Prince George at Sandman Signature Prince George Hotel

Smithers

Depart Prince George and travel east through increasingly dramatic terrain as the foothills rise toward the Canadian Rockies. The route follows winding rivers and forested valleys, with distant peaks gradually growing larger on the horizon. As you approach Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, its towering, glacier-clad summit dominates the skyline. Continue into Jasper National Park, where alpine forests, turquoise lakes and rugged mountain scenery create a striking introduction to one of Canada’s most iconic wilderness regions.

Overnight in Jasper at Forest Park Hotel

Jasper National Park

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

Overnight in Jasper at Forest Park Hotel

Freedom of Choice Options

• Maligne Lake Cruise:

  Cruise across Maligne Lake, one of Jasper National Park’s most photographed settings. Surrounded by mountain peaks, forested shoreline and brilliant alpine water, the journey includes views toward Spirit Island, one of the Canadian Rockies’ most iconic natural landmarks.(Operating season is weather dependent)

OR

• Jasper River Float:

  Enjoy a gentle rafting experience on the Athabasca River, offering a relaxed and scenic perspective of Jasper National Park. Drift through a wide mountain valley with views of forests, peaks and wildlife habitat while your guide shares stories of the area’s natural and human history.

OR

• Jasper Nature Walk:

  Explore Jasper National Park on a guided nature walk through a landscape of rolling hills, jagged peaks, forests, meadows, marshes, streams and glacial lakes. Along the way, learn more about the plants, wildlife and mountain ecology that make this region so remarkable.

Maligne Lake | Credit: Pursuit Mike Seehagel

Today, travel south along the Icefields Parkway, one of the most spectacular mountain drives in the world. This remarkable route follows the spine of the Canadian Rockies, passing glacier-fed lakes, sweeping valleys, waterfalls and towering peaks. At the Columbia Icefield, step aboard the Ice Explorer for a journey onto ancient glacier ice, then continue to the Glacier Skywalk, where a glass-floored platform extends high above the Sunwapta Valley. These included experiences offer a powerful perspective on the scale, beauty and geology of this treasured region before you continue to Banff.

Overnight in Banff at Moose Hotel & Suites

Glacier Skywalk | Credit: Pursuit

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

Overnight in Banff at Moose Hotel & Suites

Freedom of Choice Options

• Banff Gondola:

  Ride the Banff Gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain for sweeping views over Banff, the Bow Valley and the surrounding peaks of Banff National Park. At the top, enjoy viewing platforms, interpretive exhibits and time to take in one of the most impressive panoramas in the Canadian Rockies.

OR

• Lake Minnewanka Cruise:

  Cruise across the turquoise waters of Lake Minnewanka, surrounded by mountain peaks, forested shoreline and open alpine scenery. As you travel toward Devil’s Gap, enjoy a relaxed and scenic perspective of one of Banff National Park’s most beautiful glacier-fed lakes.

OR

• River Explorer Canoe Tour:

  Enjoy a gentle guided canoe tour along the Bow River, where calm waters, mountain views and riverside scenery create a peaceful way to experience Banff National Park. This fun and interactive excursion is ideal for families, with no paddling experience necessary.

OR

• Bow River Horseback Adventure:

  Saddle up for a guided horseback ride through the celebrated landscapes of Banff National Park. Follow scenic riverside trails, take in mountain views and experience the Rockies in a classic western style.

OR

• Banff Townsite E-Bike Tour:

  Explore Banff on a relaxed guided e-bike ride to some of the town’s most scenic highlights, including Bow Falls, Surprise Corner, downtown Banff and the Cave and Basin National Historic Site. Enjoy mountain views, local history and an easy-paced ride suitable for beginners and families.

Lake Minnewanka | Credit: Paul Zizka

Say goodbye to the fresh mountain air and majestic scenery of the Rockies as you leave Banff National Park and follow the Trans-Canada Highway east. Along the way, the dramatic peaks, forested slopes and glacier carved valleys gradually soften into rolling foothills and wide-open prairie landscapes. If time permits, consider a scenic detour to Cochrane, a western foothills town set above the Bow River, where ranching heritage, river pathways and wide views back toward the Rockies make a relaxed final stop before Calgary. Drop off your rental car at Calgary airport and start your journey home.