With flights from £4194
Snowcapped peaks and cobalt lakes dot this Canadian adventure. Embrace the laid-back lifestyle of Vancouver before exploring the wilderness of the Rockies.
Highlights:
Tackle the ‘Great Outdoors’ on this effortlessly delivered adventure through Western Canada. Discover why Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most livable cities. Then, join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a welcome reception.
Hotel: Pinnacle Harbourfront
Meals: Dinner
This morning, delve into the historic neighbourhoods of Chinatown and Gastown before boarding a ferry to Vancouver Island. On arrival, visit a family-owned cider house for a tasting before continuing to Victoria.
Hotel: Grand Pacific
Meals: Breakfast
Embrace the Garden City status of Victoria as you greet the day with breakfast at Butchart Gardens, a 55-acre showcase of gorgeous floral gardens that have colourfully transformed a once unused quarry.
Later, experience the diversity of indigenous culture and get an in-depth look at how the natural environment and indigenous plants shaped the daily lives of the Lekwungen people. Hosted by Chef Gary at the Songhees Cultural Centre, lunch includes a tour and describes the harvesting process on the Rooftop Garden, cooking demonstration and Bannock making workshop – you will leave with a new understanding of what food means to the indigenous culture and the importance of it in our history, all ending with a delicious meal.
Hotel: Grand Pacific
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Optional: Victoria Whale Watching Excursion
Board your vessel to enjoy a three-hour whale-watching expedition in the waters off Victoria. While it can’t be guaranteed in advance which of the abundant marine wildlife you’ll see on your journey, chances are you’ll also spot magnificent bald eagles, porpoises or seals. Spring and summer are the best times of the year to see the resident Orca whales in all their glory. Approx. duration: 3 hours.
Set out for Chemainus, famous for its outdoor murals. Return to the mainland and drive the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway. Board the Sea-to-Sky Gondola and ride all the way to Summit Lodge, before travelling on to Whistler.
Hotel: Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa
Meals: Breakfast
Today offers a choice of experience. Learn about the First Nations at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre or visit the Audain Art Museum, a comprehensive Permanent Collection of the province’s most celebrated artists. Exemplifying the richness of cultural difference in Canada, the collection takes visitors on a transformative visual journey from the late 18th century to present. Tonight you will enjoy a regionally inspired dinner in Whistler Village
Hotel: Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Optional: Peak 2 Peak Gondola
From our ancient, volcanic peaks with their 360-degree views, to our vibrant and sophisticated village with its incredible vibe, Whistler Blackcomb has summer covered from top to bottom. Travel across BC’s rooftop on the world record-breaking PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, explore over 50 kms of high alpine hiking trails, then head to the valley for a bike ride on Whistler’s paved valley trail, or its renowned single-track network in the world-famous Whistler Mountain Bike Park. Approx. duration: 1 hour.
Continue towards the ski resort of Sun Peaks for an evening to do as you please. You’ll be close to the town so maybe head out for a little explore.
Hotel: Sun Peaks Lodge
Meals: Breakfast
Sample the best of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arrive at your mountain resort in Banff National Park where you will spend the night.
Hotel: Banff Park Lodge
Meals: Breakfast
Your morning is at leisure, perhaps do an optional gondola ride or explore on your own terms. In the afternoon you will have your orientation tour of Banff National Park. Later you’ll meet a retired ‘Mountie’ as you immerse in Banff’s soul-stirring natural surrounds, followed by dinner at the hotel.
Hotel: Banff Park Lodge
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
During your free afternoon, you can choose from a variety of optional experiences.
Optional: Royal Canadian Helicopter Tour
This journey will only enhance the Three Sisters Peaks Tour by exploring the Goat and Sundance Ranges of the Rocky Mountains. You will see mountain peaks, alpine meadows, waterfalls and untouched glacier lakes. Perhaps even a glimpse of some wildlife. It’s an extraordinary adventure not to be missed. Approx. duration: 25 minutes.
Optional: Mt. Assiniboine Helicopter Tour
You are in for something special as you are transported to Mount Assiniboine – ‘the Matterhorn’ of the Canadian Rockies. Our most popular adventure has all the fantastic scenery of the previous tours plus a fly by over top of the glacier. This photogenic peak rises majestically to 3,611 metres (11,870 feet) along the Great Divide. The Gloria and Assiniboine Glaciers will astound you. This is an experience you will never forget! Approx. duration: 30 minutes.
Optional: Three Sisters Peak Helicopter Tour
The most action-packed twelve minutes of your life. Get up close and personal with the world famous Three Sisters Peaks. Reach out and touch them as you whisk by before escaping into the Spray Valley where you will explore the extraordinary hues of the Spray Lakes. Your return flight travels along the Goat Range before following the pristine Bow River back to Canmore. Approx. duration: 12 minutes.
Optional: Brewster Banff Gondola
At the Banff Gondola, you’ll see more mountains in a moment than most see in a lifetime! Ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain to experience a bird’s eye view of six mountain ranges of the Canadian Rockies. Begin with an eight-minute journey to the summit in a fully enclosed four-passenger gondola cabin.
The views become increasingly spectacular as you climb to an elevation of 7,486 feet ( 2,281 meters) to the Summit Upper Terminal. Witness the breathtaking views in every direction or go to the restaurant area to enjoy the views inside or from its upper deck. You can also take the Banff Skywalk for a short self-guided interpretive walkway along the summit ridge leading to the Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site of Canada. Subject to weather conditions. Approx. duration: 2.5 hours.
Arrive at Lake Louise with a short lakeside talk. Then, climb aboard an Ice Explorer and drive on the massive Athabasca Glacier.
Hotel: Forest Park Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Enjoy a guided walk at Maligne Canyon. Then, embark on a narrated cruise on Maligne Lake (seasonal). Stop at Spirit Island before returning to Jasper for dinner this evening.
Hotel: Forest Park Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Optional: Jasper Float Trip
Join the fun and experience an easy rafting / scenic float trip down the Athabasca River, a designated Canadian Heritage River. A National Park licensed guide will provide commentary on the human and natural history of Jasper while navigating you along the same route used by the ‘fur traders’ over 2 centuries ago.
Lifejackets and the specially designed, 25 foot (7 meters) long, oar-powered rafts; offer a safe and comfortable ride through several small, easy sets of rapids and calm stretches that any first-time rafter will enjoy. Don’t worry the guides do all the rowing; you sit back and enjoy while exploring all the spectacular scenery drifting down a route that was used by fur traders many years ago. There is always a chance of seeing various wildlife including elk, deer, moose, coyotes, wolves, eagles, ospreys, mountain sheep and bears.
Tours will operate rain or shine, and a poncho will be provided when required. Approx. duration: 50-90 minutes.
Admire Mount Robson – the tallest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Then, stroll the ancestral grounds of the Shuswap people and view a traditional kekuli winter home built by the First Nations people.
Hotel: Doubletree by Hilton
Meals: Breakfast
Return back to Vancouver and visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park and spend time exploring Stanley Park. Tonight is free for you to enjoy however you wish.
Hotel: Pinnacle Harbourfont
Meals: Breakfast
Your dazzling encounter with the Canadian Rockies has come to an end. Transfer to Vancouver International Airport or to the Canada Place Cruise Terminal for those on the optional Alaska cruise.
Meals: Breakfast
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All prices are per person, based on 2 sharing a twin room, and include meals where shown. Seasonal variations may apply, please call Freedom Destinations for more information and availability. Itineraries may vary for tours departing from 1 April 2024 onwards.
Enjoy first class touring with the company of others. Our experienced guides will make sure you don’t miss a thing.
Your escorted tour includes:
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