Day 1: Calgary
Transfer from the airport to the hotel. Pre-trip information and introductions with tour participants and guide. Overnight is at the Sandman Hotel at Calgary Airport.
Day 2: Calgary – Banff – Banff National Park
After a stroll through the Olympic city of Calgary, it is off to the Rocky Mountains. In the afternoon, you go on the first guided hike on one of the many trails in Banff. Three nights are spent at Brewster’s Mountain Lodge in Banff.
Day 3: Banff National Park
Today we head to Lake Louise where we hike the spectacular Plain of Six Glaciers Trail. In the afternoon, we drive to Banff where there is time for a relaxing soak in the hot springs and a stroll through the pretty town.
Day 4: Yoho National Park
This day is spent exploring the stunning Yoho National Park. One of the highlights will be a hike around the magnificent Emerald Lake. Also, the Natural Bridge over the Kicking Horse River and the spectacular Takakkaw Falls are well worth a visit.
Day 5: Banff – Icefields Parkway – Jasper
Today we travel along the Icefields Parkway, one of Canada’s most spectacular mountain roads. Beautiful lakes and stunning waterfalls invite us to stop and admire. At the Columbia Icefield, we will hike to the foot of the glacier for a close-up view of the icefields. In the evening, we arrive in Jasper where we spend two nights at the Whistler’s Inn.
Day 6: Jasper National Park
Our destination today is Mount Edith Cavell. Along Cavell Meadows Trail we hike to stunning views of the mountain, the glacier and beautiful alpine meadows. Later, there will be time to visit the impressive Maligne Canyon and explore the little town of Jasper.
Day 7: Jasper – Mount Robson Park – Clearwater
Beautiful views of Mount Robson, at 3,954 m the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, await us on our hike in Mount Robson Park. In Clearwater, the gate to Wells Gray Park, we spent two nights at Dutch Lake Motel on beautiful Dutch Lake.
Day 8: Wells Gray Park
The day is spent exploring this beautiful wilderness park. The Park is well-known for its impressive waterfalls - Helmcken Falls and Dawson Falls - and also for good opportunities to watch wildlife.
Day 9: Clearwater – Kamloops – Whistler
Today we will stop at the Hat Creek Ranch (optional) where we will get a first-hand experience of what it must have been like to have lived here during the Caribou Gold Rush. From there, our route leads us along Duffey Lake Road to Whistler. This summer and winter resort is a great place for all kinds of outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking, biking etc. We will spend two nights at the Blackcomb Springs Suites.
Day 10: Whistler Mountain/Garibaldi Provincial Park
Today it is off to the top of Whistler Mountain for a startling alpine hike in Garibaldi Park. This park is well-known for its wildflower meadows and amazing views. Then we will ride the Peak2Peak Gondola over to Blackcomb Mountain and back down to the village. The brave ones can walk over the sky bridge to the Raven’s Eye lookout for a stunning panoramic alpine view.
Day 11: Whistler – Vancouver – Nanaimo – Ucluelet
We follow the spectacular Sea to Sky Highway to North Vancouver. Here, we take the ferry to Vancouver Island. En route to Ucluelet, we will stop at Cathedral Grove Park to have a first look at the temperate rainforest with its 800-year-old and 5-metre-thick Douglas Firs! Two nights are spent at Canadian Princess Resort in Ucluelet on the West Coast of Vancouver Island.
Day 12: Pacific Rim National Park
Today we will explore Pacific Rim National Park. Everybody will love the long beaches, the fascinating rain forests and the wildlife. On a half-day whale-watching tour (optional) we will also have the opportunity to watch sea lions, sea otters and grey whales in their natural habitat.
Day 13: Tofino – Nanaimo – Vancouver
Today it is back to the mainland. In Vancouver, there is time to see the main sights, before it is off to our farewell dinner (optional). Overnight is at the Sandman Vancouver City Centre Hotel.
Day 14: Departure
Transfer to the airport and flight back home.
