Western Parks Self Drive

19 Day / 18 Night Self Drive round trip Vancouver/Vancouver. Including The Rocky Mountains, West Coast & Vancouver island.

Day 1	Vancouver
	Upon arrival into Vancouver transfer (own cost) to your hotel. The day is yours to discover the coastal city of Vancouver. Canada’s third-largest metropolitan centre, Vancouver is a busy port with a multi-cultural ambiance. The spectacular setting invites you outdoors; explore the restaurants, shopping, galleries and museums, nightlife, entertainment and more.
Day 2	Vancouver Sightseeing (Grouse Mountain & Cap
	Today, experience Grouse Mountain Skyride (included) and Capilano Canyon and Suspension Bridge (included) at your own leisure. Be sure to see such sights as, Chinatown, Historical Gastown, the markets of Granville Island, and the famous shopping district of Robson Street
Day 3	Vancouver to Penticton (210 km)
	Travel through the Coastal Mountains and Manning Provincial Park. In the park, you can take a walk on the remnants of the Dewdney Trail or the Rhododendron Flats. The town of Penticton lies at the lower end of Okanagan Lake and the lush orchards and vineyards of the Okanagan Valley. The region is also renowned for its beaches and hot, dry climate.
Day 4	Kelowna/Penticton Exploring
	Spend the day exploring the Okanagan Valley, perhaps take a tour of vineyard, or spend the day on the beaches of Lake Okanagan.
Day 5	Penticton to Revelstoke (210 km)
	Morning is at leisure to enjoy the Okanagan Valley. Then drive past spectacular waterfalls, towering peaks and beautiful lakes en route to the Revelstoke area.
Day 6	Revelstoke to Banff/Canmore (285 km)
	Cross into Alberta over the Great Divide and enter Yoho National Park, whose name is derived from the Cree Indian language. Enjoy such sights 380 meters high Takakkaw Falls, Kicking Horse Pass, the Spiral Tunnels of the Canadian Pacific Railway and the emerald green waters of Emerald Lake on your way to Banff or Canmore.
Day 7	Banff Exploring (Banff Gondola)
	A full day to explore Banff and area. In town you’ll find lots of excitement - shopping, cafés, 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 8	Banff to Jasper (292 km)
	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 an Ice Explorer 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 9	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.
Day 10	Jasper to Wells Gray Provincial Park (318 k
	Set out for Wells Gray Provincial Park along the scenic Yellowhead Highway and take in the breathtaking vistas of the steep-walled gorges and crashing falls of the North Thompson River.

Day 11	Wells Gray Provincial Park Exploring
	Today is free to explore.
Day 12	Wells Gray Provincial Park to Whistler (421
	Begin the day traveling via 100 mile house to the gold rush town of Cache Creek, where you stop to visit the historic Hat Creek Ranch (included), which literally takes you back to the days of the gold rush. 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 the Duffey Lake Road to Whistler. On the upper elevations of the Duffey Lake Road enjoy breathtaking 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 2 night stay.
Day 13	Whistler Exploring (Peak to Peak Gondola Ri
	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 café’s and restaurants in this European inspired alpine village. Experience the beauty of Whistler Blackcomb’s alpine environment via the newly opened Peak Adventure on Whistler Mountain. Take the Whistler Gondola (included Jun 16 - Oct06) 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: Jun - Oct, 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 14	Whistler to Parksville (108 km+ Ferry)
	Depart Whistler at your own leisure along the scenic Sea to Ski Highway to Horseshoe Bay 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. At Horsehoe Bay sail for 1 hr 45 min on BC Ferries (Ferry Toll Included) to Vancouver Island. This scenic cruise takes you through fjord like waters with mountains blanketed with virgin forests and glaciated peaks.
Day 15	Parksville to Tofino (221 km)
	Depart Parksville for 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 as well as 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.
Day 16	Tofino (Pacific Rim National Park)
	You may wish to walk along the famed Long Beach, with its miles of pristine sandy beach and pounding surf, or explore the rain forests on a selection of well groomed trails. Mid afternoon enjoy a 3 hour whale watch cruise (included) through the Clayoquot Sound, revealing sensational scenery and wildlife such as Gray Whales, Sea Lions, Porpoises and Killer Whales. The area is also known for its variety of birds, including tufted puffins and resident bald eagles.
Day 17	Tofino to Victoria (313 km)
	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”. Here visit the Cowichan Native Village which provides you with an insight into the lives of the northwest coast people (admission included)
Day 18	Victoria Exploring (Butchart Gardens)
	Today is free to explore Victoria, with its turn of the century architecture, British traditions such as high tea and shops full of woolens and china. Admission is (Included) to the Butchart Gardens with it’s 50 acre display of magnificent colour.
Day 19	Victoria to Vancouver (69 km + Ferry)
	Leaving Victoria drive north to Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal for a 90 min Ferry ride (Ferry Toll Included) to Tsawwassen. On board BC ferries enjoy the scenery of the Gulf Islands as you cross the Strait of Georgia. From Tsawwassen continue on to downtown Vancouver or airport.

Features:

Moderate Grade
*
* Banff – Rimrock Resort Hotel (Deluxe Room)
* Jasper – Sawridge Inn (Deluxe Room)
* Clearwater – Clearwater Lodge (Standard Room)
* Whistler – Hilton Whistler Resort (Hilton Room)
* Parksville – Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort (Oceanfront Room)
* Tofino / Ucluelet – Black Rock Oceanfront Resort (One Bedroom)
* Victoria – Laurel Point Inn (Harbour View Room)
* Vancouver – Vancouver Marriott Hotel (Standard Room)
Deluxe Grade

Banff - Rundlestone Lodge (Standard Room)
* Jasper – Lobstick Lodge (Standard Room)
* Clearwater – Clearwater Lodge (Standard Room)
* Whistler - Listel Hotel (Standard Room)
* Parksville – Quality Resort Bayside (Standard Room)
* Tofino / Ucluelet – BW Tin Wis Resort (Standard Room)
* Victoria – Queen Victoria Hotel (Standard Room)
* Vancouver – Rosedale on Robson (One Bedroom Suite)* Banff - Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel (Deluxe Room)
Superior Grade
* Jasper - Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge (Deluxe Room)
* Clearwater – Clearwater Lodge (Standard Room)
* Whistler – Fairmont Chateau Whistler (Fairmont Room)
* Parksville – Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort (Oceanfront Room)
* Tofino / Ucluelet – Black Rock Oceanfront Resort (One Bedroom)
* Victoria – Fairmont Empress Hotel (Fairmont Room)
* Vancouver – Fairmont Hotel Vancouver (Fairmont Room)