Coast Discovery & the Rockies

Day 1 - Fly from UK to Calgary

Upon arrival into Calgary, pick up your rental car and begin your Rockies adventure. Take the short (2-hour) drive from Calgary to Banff on either the Trans-Canada Highway or the more scenic 1A Highway. Once in Banff proceed to your selected hotel to check in and the remainder of the day is yours to explore at your own leisure.

Day 2 - Explore Banff - take a gondola ride & relax at the Hot Springs

A full day to explore Banff and the surrounding area. In town you’ll find lots of excitement including shopping, cafés, nightlife and 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 (included).

Day 3 - Scenic drive from Banff to Jasper via Lake Louise & Icefields Parkway

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 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. Please note: Mountain lakes in this region will be frozen through to mid-June

Day 4 - Discover Jasper - Visit Maligne Lake & take a boat trip

Explore this charming mountain village close to many terrific scenic highlights. 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 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 5 - Travel on the Yellowhead route past Mount Robson to Clearwater

Leaving Jasper National Park, travel the ‘Yellowhead’ Route past the sprawling grandeur of Mount Robson, the highest peak in the CanadianRockies. 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.

Day 6 - Enjoy 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 7 - Drive to Williams Lake via Bridge Trail

Today drive along Highway 24, renowned for the many lakes dotted along the highway. Highway 24 follows the historic Bridge Trail, originally used by the Shuswap people as a trade route and later developed by the Hudson’s Bay Company in the early 1800s’ to bring furs from northern BC out to Fort Kamloops. Then onto Highway 97, following what was once the old Cariboo Wagon Road to 100 Mile House where you can see the original Barnard Express BX stagecoach, until you reach Williams Lake.

Day 8 - Williams Lake to Tweedsmuir Park Lodge

This morning depart Williams Lake and follow Highway 20 to Bella Coola Valley. Arrive at Tweedsmuir Park Lodge. Enjoy a stroll down to the river, visit the Wildlife Viewing Station or go for a short hike on the Esker Trail through old growth forests. (dinner included)

Day 9 - Wildlife Viewing

The day’s activities start with a Scenic Drift down the Atnarko River. Keep your eyes open for wildlife! The Atnarko is home to trout and 5 species of salmon, which sustain healthy populations of bald eagles, grizzly bears, river otters and black bears. After lunch your guide will take you for a hike on the Valley Loop Trail. (breakfast, lunch & dinner included)

Day 10 - Tweedsmuir Lodge to Bella Coola

Today drive from Tweedsmuir Park Lodge to Bella Coola. Take the scenic Highway 20 that lies along Bella Coola River and is surrounded with rugged terrain. (breakfast included)

Day 11 - Full day scenic cruise from Bella Coola to Port Hardy

Embark on a full day of cruising the sheltered waters of Canada’s Discovery Passage with BC Ferries (ferry tolls included). During the length of the 10- hour crossing, a wonderful array of snow capped mountains combined with rich forests provides a background for a series of dramatic fjords.

Day 12 - Traverse to Quadra island

Near Port McNeil you may wish to take an optional orca whale watching cruise into the waters of Johnson Strait. By late afternoon arrive into Campbell River to board BC Ferries (ferry tolls included) for a short ride to Quadra Island. Your destination is April Point Resort for a 2 night stay.

Day 13 - Wildlife Adventure Cruise

By Zodiac, cruise among the Discovery Islands and observe local BC wildlife in their natural habitat. Watch for Stellar sea lions, seals, Minke whales and Pacific white-sided dolphins. You’ll see bald eagles swoop from the tree tops and majestic herons fishing in the tidal pools. At low tide, there is an opportunity to see black bears. (included) 

Day 14 - Quadra Island to Sunshine Coast

Today, travel south from Quadra Island to Comox for a BC Ferries ride to Powell River (ferry tolls included), then continue following the coast to board another BC Ferries service (ferry toll included) to Earls Cove. Your destination is West Coast Wilderness Lodge.

Day 15 - Relax at West Coast Wilderness Lodge

The beautiful natural landscape of Canada’s Pacific Coast will allow you to take part in a host of outdoor adventures.

Day 16 - Scenic drive to Vancouver

Depart Sunshine Coast and sail for 45 minutes on BC Ferries to Vancouver (ferry toll included). This scenic cruise takes you through fjord-like waters with mountains blanketed with virgin forests and glaciated peaks. Your self-drive ends upon arrival in Vancouver. Enjoy at 2 night stay in Vancouver to end your trip.

Day 17 - Explore Vancouver

Today is yours to spend at your leisure exploring downtown Vancouver - take in Stanley Park, English Bay, Gastown and Granville Island. You may even opt to add on a full day tour to Whistler with a stop at Shannon Falls and a ride on scenic the Sea to Sky gondola.

Day 18 - Fly Vancouver to UK