Lodges of the West Self Drive

11 Night Canada self drive tour. A circle trip from Vancouver to Vancouver. Staying in in Moderate grade Lodge accomodation.

Day 1	Vancouver to Lac Le Jeune (315 km/195 miles)
	Early this morning depart Vancouver and travel East through the scenic and lush Fraser Valley. After the town of Hope, drive north along the Coquihalla Highway (toll highway) into the ranching country of Merritt. Your day ends at Lac Le Juene, a popular lakeside resort.
Day 2	Lac Le Jeune to Banff (530 km/330 miles)
	Departing Kamloops follow the South Thompson River to Shuswap Lake with its thousand miles of shoreline. Pass Craigellachie where the 'last spike' was driven, completing the Canadian pacific Railway in 1885. Enter Rogers Pass with its Tunnels, snow-sheds and glistening Glaciers. The Kicking Horse River leads you to Kicking Horse Pass, the Spiral Tunnels, then over the Continental Divide to to Lake Louise for a brief stop, before continuing on to Banff. *Included in your FlexiDrive package is the Parks Canada Discovery Pass allowing admission to:* Cave & Basin National Historic Site The birthplace of Canada's National Parks System. Visitors can walk into the Cave and learn the fascinating story of the springs' discovery. Historical exhibits, geological displays, and videos tell the park's history. Explore the effect of heated spring water on the surrounding marshes and the flora and the fauna. Interpretive displays, self-guided trails accessible year-round. Banff Park Museum One of Canada's oldest and grandest Natural History Museums. This turn of the century museum displays an extensive collection of birds, mammals, insects, and curiosities of Banff National Park. The site is well known for its fine wood architecture. It also offers a reading room plus a hands-on discovery room.
Day 3	Banff Exploring
	A full day to explore Banff and area. In town you'll find lots of excitement - shopping, cafes, nightlife, museums. Check out the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, Banff Gondola *(Included)* where you will see a panoramic view of the Bow Valley, and then take a dip in the hot mineral pools at the Upper Hot Springs.
Day 4	Banff to Jasper (292 km/182 miles)
	Take the short drive from Banff to Lake Louise. 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 footway to either the lower or upper waterfalls before continuing to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. From Lake Louise your scenic drive takes you through the spine of the Canadian Rockies. View a never-ending procession of mammoth mountains, jagged peaks, over 100 glaciers and pristine emerald colour lakes. Along the way see such sights as the Sarbach Glacier, Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, with the Bow Glacier providing the backdrop, and Crowfoot Glacier before your arrival at the Columbia Icefield for a snocoach ride out onto the glacier *(Included)*. Leaving the Athabasca Glacier, your camera should be ready to capture the majesty of the Athabasca Falls prior to your arrival into Jasper.
Day 5	Jasper Exploring
	Explore this charming mountain village close to many terrific scenic highlights. Take a tram ride up Whistlers mountain, or visit Maligne Lake, one of the most photographed lakes in the world, and enjoy a 90 minute cruise heading toward the south end of this postcard setting (Maligne Lake cruise not included). You will marvel at the magnificent shoreline with dense forest and glacial peaks rising abruptly from the water's edge. Stopping at Spirit Island, you will have the opportunity to take your own version of the world famous photograph of the lake.
Day 6	Jasper to Clearwater Region (340 km/212 miles)
	Leaving Jasper National Park, travel the 'Yellowhead' route past the sprawling grandeur of Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Beyond Mount Robson Provincial Park, the highway follows the Thompson River through the snowy peaks of the Monashee and Caribou Mountains to Blue River. Continue south along the Yellowhead highway to the town of Clearwater. The balance of the day is yours to spend exploring Wells Gray Provincial Park, home to Helmcken, Dawson and Spahats Falls. There are numerous hiking trails or try canoeing on Clearwater Lake

Day 7	Clearwater Region / Wells Gray Provincial Park
	A full day to enjoy all the wonders Wells Gray has to offer. Hike to thundering Helmcken Falls, explore the park on horseback, try river rafting or canoe the serene waters of Clearwater Lake.
Day 8	Clearwater to Goldbridge (398 km/247 miles)
	Begin the day traveling along Logan Lake route to the gold rush town of Cache Creek. Continue the journey south to Lillooet, known as the land of the Gold Rush Trail and was 'Mile Zero' of the Old Caribou Wagon Road during the Gold Rush Years. Now the area is home to the largest Canadian producers of the medicinal plant, ginseng. Departing Lillooet travel for 2 hours along a well maintained gravel road to Tyax Mountain Lake Resort nestled on the shores of Tyaughton Lake *(Dinner included)*.
Day 9	Tyax Mountain Lake Resort
	Tyax offers a wide array of optional activities for all ages including western horseback riding, guided fly fishing tours, fly casting and gold panning lessons, mountain biking on gentle rolling or challenging single track, floatplane adventures over the Chilcotin Wilderness and drop offs at remote alpine lakes; as well as ATV safaris along old mining trails leading to the wildflower carpeted alpine meadows. *(Breakfast & dinner included)*
Day 10	Goldbridge to Whistler (233 km/145 miles)
	Departing Goldbridge travel back to Lillooet and onto the Duffey Lake Road to Whistler. On the upper elevations of Duffey Lake Road enjoy breath-taking views of Joffee Glacier and snow capped Mount Currie that rises to a height of 2,596 meters (8,518 feet). Continue on through the mountain village of Whistler for your overnight stay *(Breakfast included)*.
Day 11	Whistler
	This charming alpine resort is nestled between world-renowned Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Enjoy an extensive range of summer activities from golf on one of the 4 championship designer golf courses, water activities on any of the 5 lakes or numerous rivers, to mountain top dining. Or just relax and enjoy some of the many fine cafes and restaurants in this European inspired alpine village. Experience the beauty of Whistler Balckcomb's alpine environment via the newly opened Peak Adventure on Whistler Mountain. Take the Whistler Gondola (included 15 Jun-15 Sep) to Whistler Mountain's sub-alpine and then rise to over 7,000 feet via Whistler's premier open chairlift. At the top of the Peak Chair, guests will be treated to unbelievable views of glaciers, extinct volcanoes, snowcapped peaks and more. *Gondola dates of operation: 14 Jun to 30 Sep. Summer dates are subject to change due to factors such as weather and snowpack. If Gondola is not operating a refund will be issued.*
Day 12	Whistler to Vancouver (122 km/76 miles)
	Depart Whistler at your own leisure along the scenic Sea to Ski Highway to Vancouver. Highlights along the way include the cascading Shannon Falls and the Stawamus Chief Rock where climbers from all over the globe migrate to climb the granite cliffs. Arrive into Vancouver and proceed to your selected hotel.

Features:

Accommodation including provincial taxes for 11 nights.
(See below for information on accommodation in each grade.)
Sulphur Mountain Gondola.
Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier.
Whistler Gondola & Peak Chair Ride (Mid Jun-Mid Sep)
Admission to either Banff Upper Hot Springs or Miette Hot Springs Jasper.
Exclusive travel documentation package including personalized maps, itinerary and driving directions.
2 breakfasts, 2 dinners at Tyax Mountain Lake Resort
Lodge Information
* Lac Le Jeune - Lac Le Jeune Resort
(Cabin)
* Banff - Buffalo Mountain Lodge
(Deluxe Room)
* Jasper - Pyramid Lake Lodge
(Run of the House)
* Clearwater - Helmcken Falls Lodge
(Standard Room)
* Goldbridge - Tyax Mountain Lake Resort
(Standard Room)
* Whistler - Summit Lodge
(Studio Room)
Not included:
* Rental Car
* Road Tolls
* National Park Entrance Fees