Lakes & Lodges Self Drive

Day 1 - Fly UK to Vancouver

Arrive in to Vancouver Airport and make your own way to your downtown hotel.

(Transfer not included)

Day 2 - Vancouver Sightseeing

Spend today at your leisure sightseeing in Vancouver with your Hop on Hop off Sightseeing pass. We highly recommend taking a stroll down to Coal Harbour, around Stanley Park with views of Lions Gate before stopping off at English Bay. Perhaps even take the aquabus from downtown Vancouver to Granville Island, time it for lunch or an afternoon Galeto and/or cake.

Day 3 - Vancouver at leisure

Spend today at your leisure in Vancouver. Why not ask one of our Canada Experts for recommendations of pre-bookable excursions such as the Victoria & Butchart Gardens day trip or Whistler and the Sea 2 Sky Gondola day trip or Grouse Mountain and Capilano Suspension Bridge tour.

Day 4 - Vancouver to Whistler

Pick up your hire car from downtown Vancouver this morning and transfer to Whistler for 2 nights at the Nita Lake Lodge. 

Day 5 - Whistler

A full day to explore Whistler! This charming alpine resort is nestled between world-renowned Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Experience the beauty via the Peak 2 Peak Gondola on Whistler Mountain as you soak in the unbelievable views of Whistler Village, glaciers, lakes, forests and snow-capped peaks. 

Day 6 - Whistler to Clearwater (378 km/235) mi

Return through Lillooet, known as the land of the Gold Rush Trail and ‘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. Visit the Gold Rush Town of Cache Creek where you can visit the Historic Hat Creek, which literally takes you back to the days of the Gold Rush. 

Day 7 - Clearwater to Jasper (338 km/210 mi)

Set out for Jasper along the scenic Yellowhead Highway and take in the breathtaking vistas of the steep-walled gorges and crashing falls of the North Thompson River. On your journey today, perhaps you will get a glimpse of Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Leaving British Columbia, you enter Alberta and Jasper National Park. Jasper was originally a tent city serving the railway, and is now a quaint mountain village (breakfast included).

Day 8 - Jasper Exploring

Today, explore this charming mountain village close to many terrific scenic highlights. Take a tram ride up Whistlers Mountain or a boat cruise on Maligne Lake (not included), in the evening soak in the pools at Miette Hot Springs, and watch the sunset over Pyramid and Patricia Lakes (included). 

Day 9 - Jasper to Lake Louise

This morning depart on the scenic Icefields Parkway that takes you through the spine of the Canadian Rockies. You 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).Before arriving at Lake Louise.

Day 10 - Lake Louise to Emerald Lake

A short drive today through majestic mountain passes into Yoho National Park. This national park is filled with gem-coloured glacial lakes and waterfalls and dense forests of western red cedar and western hemlock. Historic railroads, spiral tunnels within mountain sides and steep rock faces where mountain goats roam are just some of the sights to be seen. Other Yoho marvels include a natural rock bridge over the Kicking Horse River, Hoodoos, some of Canada’s highest waterfalls and the Burgess Shale fossil find where over 120 marine animal species dating back as far as 530 million years were discovered. 

Day 11 - Emerald Lake Lodge

Built of hand-hewn timber and featuring massive stone fireplaces, the Lodge includes a formal dining room, quiet reading and sitting rooms. From the upper or lower large verandahs, enjoy the serene views of this wilderness landscape. 

Day 12 - Emerald Lake to Banff

Enjoy the leisurely drive 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 - shopping, cafés, nightlife and museums.

Day 13 - Banff Exploring

A full day to explore Banff. 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 14 - Banff to Calgary

Drive to Calgary today, along the 1A Highway. En route, you may wish to stop at the historic Cochrane Ranch (not included) before dropping off your rental car at the Calgary International Airport or downtown location.