Feel the excitement build as your flight arrives into Vancouver, where you have a two night stay in this city of world class shopping, gourmet meals, outstanding live entertainment, theatre and endless attractions. Make your way to your chosen Vancouver hotel to check in before heading out to explore the city.

Over the next couple of days you can experience the best the city has to offer. You could visit Stanley Park, Capilano Suspension Bridge and Granville Island Market, Canada’s second most-visited destination and Vancouver’s destination for lovers of food, art and culture.

Your chosen Vancouver hotel

After collecting your car this monring, depart Vancouver for Horseshoe Bay and sail for 1 hr 45 min on BC Ferries to Vancouver Island. Upon departing BC Ferries head north through Vancouver Island’s second largest city, Nanaimo, known as the Harbour City, and Parksville, the beginning of Beach Country and home of the annual International Sandcastle Competition.

Your destination today is the city of Campbell River, historically renowned as the ‘Salmon Capital of the World’, lying at the heart of neighbouring Strathcona Park, Desolation Sound, Mount Washington and Robson Bight. Surrounded by the backdrop of Strathcona Provincial Park to the west and the Coastal Mountain range to the east, massive cruise ships pass right by Campbell River’s doorstep, and their parade of lights is best viewed from world famous Discovery Pier as they venture up the Inside Passage for Alaskan destinations.

Vancouver > Campbell River | 170 kms

Comfort Inn & Suites

Today’s destination, Knight Inlet Lodge, is not accessible by road, so you’ll fly in by floatplane from Campbell River. A thrilling 30 minute flight brings you to the mouth of the Glendale River where Knight Inlet Lodge floats on large cedar booms. Bring your camera – you’ll be going on a bear watching and wildlife viewing tour in search of the grizzly bears that frequent this area. Overnight at Knight Inlet Lodge.

Knight Inlet Lodge

Lunch, dinner

Early this morning return to the Bear Viewing platforms for the last photo opportunity before departing for Campbell River by floatplane. Arrival time is between 10:30 and 11:00am. Collect your car and head south west to Tofino on the rugged West Coast. En-route, picture stops should be made at Cathedral Grove to enjoy the splendour of 800 year old Douglas Fir and Cedar and the Mars Water-Bombers at Sproat Lake, the world’s two largest water-bombers used for the sole purpose of putting out forest fires. After the Mars Water-Bombers, drive through the majestic Sutton Pass and the Sawtooth Range of the Cascade Mountains to arrive in Tofino around mid-afternoon.

Knight Inlet Lodge > Tofino | 225 kms

Water’s Edge Shoreside Suites

Breakfast

Today you have the freedom of choice. Personalise your day by choosing one of the activities below to include in your holiday. Simply let your consultant know which you would prefer when booking your trip.

Option 1: 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.

Option 2: 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.

Option 3: 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.

Water’s Edge Shoreside Suites

Travel back to the East Coast of Vancouver Island and head south to Victoria. En-route stops should be made at the artist community of Chemainus, where you can admire the giant murals which adorn the exterior walls throughout the town, and Duncan the ‘City of Totems’. If time permits visit the Quw’utsun’ Heritage Village which provides you with an insight into the lives of the northwest coast people (seasonal hours – admission not included).

Tofino > Victoria | 315 kms

Inn at Laurel Point

Today you have the freedom of choice. Personalise your day by choosing one of the activities below to include in your holiday. Simply let your consultant know which you would prefer when booking your trip.

Option 1: Butchart Gardens Admission
On its 100th birthday in 2004, the Butchart Gardens was named a National Historic Site of Canada. Explore 55 acres of breathtaking gardens on the 130 acre estate.

Option 2: 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.

After your experience, take the ferry to Vancouver.

Your chosen Vancouver hotel

Just minutes from downtown Vancouver, board the Rocky Mountaineer train. Pass through the rich fields of the Fraser River Valley and the towering peaks of the Coastal Mountains before entering the Fraser Canyon. Follow the Thompson River through spectacular landscapes to historic Kamloops.

SilverLeaf & GoldLeaf: Selected Kamloops hotel (comfortable, moderate standard)

Back on board the Rocky Mountaineer follow the Thompson River through rolling plateaus to the snowy peaks of the Monashee Mountains. View Pyramid Falls and the expansive glaciers of the Albreda Icefields. Pass by Mount Robson, which at 3954 meters is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Upon arrival into Jasper, collect your rental vehicle and proceed to your selected hotel.

Jasper Inn & Suites

Breakfast, lunch

Today you have the freedom of choice. Personalise your day by choosing one of the activities below to include in your Canadian Rockies holiday. Simply let your consultant know which you would prefer when booking your trip.

Option 1: Maligne Lake Cruise
Cruise Maligne Lake, where you can marvel at the magnificent shoreline and Spirit Island.

Option 2: Jasper River Float
Enjoy a gentle rafting tour on the Athabasca River for a unique perspective of Jasper National Park.

Option 3: Jasper Nature Walk
A guided nature walk featuring a spectacular array of rolling hills, jagged peaks, forests, meadows, marshes, streams, and stunning glacial lakes.

Jasper Inn & Suites

This morning depart on a scenic drive along the spine of the Canadian Rockies. View a never-ending procession of mammoth mountains, jagged peaks, over 100 glaciers and pristine emerald coloured lakes. Along the way see such sights as the Columbia Icefield and take an Ice Explorer ride out onto the glacier (included). Stop at the award-winning Columbia Icefield Skywalk (included) to experience a glass-floored observation platform 280 m over spectacular glacier-formed valleys and rushing waterfalls. Also watch for the Sarbach Glacier, Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, with the Bow Glacier providing the backdrop, and Crowfoot Glacier before your arrival into Lake Louise. Bear in mind that mountain lakes in this region will be frozen through to mid-June.

Jasper > Lake Louise | 210 kms

Lake Louise Inn

Take the short drive from Lake Louise to Banff. Choose the Bow Valley Parkway, beside the Bow River with an option for you to take a stop at Johnston Canyon and walk along the paved footpath to either the lower or upper waterfalls before continuing to Banff. This afternoon explore Banff and the surrounding area. In town, you’ll find lots of excitement including shopping, cafés, nightlife and museums.

Lake Louise > Banff | 60 kms

Banff Caribou Lodge

Today you have the FREEDOM of choice. Personalise your day by choosing one of the activities below to include in your holiday. Simply let your consultant know which you would prefer when booking your trip.

Option 1: Banff Gondola
Maximize your views of Banff National Park with minimal exertion on a round-trip gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain.

Option 2: 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.

Option 3: 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.

Banff Caribou Lodge

Leave Banff National Park behind today and drive to Calgary, along the 1A Highway. Drop off your hire car at Calgary International Airport before catching your scheduled flight back to the UK.

Banff > Calgary | 127 kms