The Experience

Stunning scenery and wildlife abound in Western Canada. This 12-day trip offers fresh air in Jasper, Banff and Wells Gray, a whale-watching tour off Victoria and a river safari through Grizzly Bear Valley. Do the region justice with comfort level accommodation, including a guest ranch stay, and stunning drives the Sea to Sky Highway and the Icefields Parkway. Whether you’re enjoying an ice walk on a glacier or strolling down Victoria’s charming downtown core, you’re going to want to bring your camera.

What’s Included

All park fees in Jasper and Banff National Parks and Wells Gray Provincial Park. Vancouver, Victoria and Calgary orientation tours. Scenic ferry to Vancouver Island. Whale and wildlife watching by Zodiac. Whistler and Banff orientation walks. 2 nights at a guest Ranch in the Caribou Mountains. Visit Helmcken Falls. River Safari tour through Grizzly Bear Valley. Visit Mount Robson visitor centre and Lake Louise. Excursion to the Columbia Icefields and ice walk on the Athabasca Glacier.
11 breakfasts, 2 dinners. (Allow CAD250-350 for meals not included.)
Comfort hotels/lodges (9 nts), guest ranch (2 nts).
Air-conditioned private touring van, hiking, walking, Zodiac, ferry, boat.
Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides.
Small group experience; Max 12, Avg 10.

Day 1 Vancouver
Arrive at any time.

Day 2-3 Victoria (2B)
Discover the Vancouver highlights of Stanley Park and Gastown before we board the scenic ferry to Victoria, enjoy an orientation walk. On Day 3, take a whale and wildlife tour by Zodiac in search of killer whales, sea lions and birds. Option to visit museums or have high tea in an historic hotel.

Day 4 Whistler (1B)
Catch the ferry back to the mainland and drive on the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway to the village of Whistler, home of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Take a walk through the village with options to ride the gondola up the mountain or go ziplining.

Day 5-6 Wells Gray Provincial Park (2B, 2D)
Pass through coastal mountains into the Caribou Mountains, enjoy stops at the emerald coloured Joffre Lake and Marbel Canyon and at Spahats Creek to walk to the waterfall. Arrive at the cowboy guest ranch and enjoy a barbecue dinner under the stars. On Day 6, explore the park and a visit to the world-famous Helmcken Falls. Opt to go canoeing or horseback riding.

Day 7-8 Jasper National Park (2B)
Head to Jasper National Park, stopping at Blue River where we enjoy a river safari tour through Grizzly Bear Valley and the world,™s only inland temperate rainforest. Wildlife can include grizzly bears, moose and eagles. Cross the Rockies and view the highest peak – Mount Robson – with a stop at the visitor centre. Day 8 is at leisure with the option to hike at Maligne Canyon, take a boat cruise or go whitewater rafting.

Day 9-10 Icefields Parkway/Banff National Park (2B)
Considered one of the most scenic drives in the world, we travel the Icefields Parkway to Peyto Lake with a stop at the Columbia Icefield. Embark on a glacier walk with an expert guide on the lower Athabasca Glacier to explore and understand the life of this active glacier. Continue to Lake Louise to view its emerald blue waters and Victoria Glacier. Orientation walk in Banff with options to go whitewater rafting, ride a gondola or go horseback riding.

Day 11 Calgary (1B)
Drive to Calgary for a short tour, opt to visit museums, cowboy bars and the Olympic Park.

Day 12 Calgary (1B)
Depart at any time.