Holiday Overview
The Wilderness Explorer is one of our best selling Western Canada road trip itineraries.
This 14 night holiday commences with a 3-night stay in the vibrant, cosmopolitan city of Vancouver. You then head for the wine region of the Okanagan Valley - Manning Park & Penticton and then on to Clearwater, exploring Wells Provincial Park, home to Helmcken, Dawson and Spahat Falls. Following onto Jasper, from which you will travel along the scenic Icefields Parkway, a never ending procession of mammoth mountains, jagged peaks, over 100 glaciers and pristine emerald coloured lakes before arriving at Emerald Lake Lodge for a 2-night stay before travelling onto Banff and Kananaskis. This itinerary can be done in reverse.
Wilderness Explorer Fly Drive includes:
- Return UK flights
- 14 nights accommodation
- Car Hire (We recommend adding Sat Nav)
- Vancouver Hop on Hop off Sightseeing Pass
- Discover Jasper & its Wildlife Tour
- Banff Gondola (admission)
Day 1 - Fly UK to Vancouver
On arrival in Vancouver make your own way from the airport to your downtown hotel.
(Transfer not included)
Featured accommodation
Sheraton Wall Centre
Enhance your experience
Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver
Fairmont Waterfront Hotel
Day 2 - Explore Vancouver
Spend today at your leisure, taking in the very best of this stunning coastal city. Some of the main highlights of Vancouver are Stanley Park, Granville Island, English Bay and the Steam Clock at Gastown.
Featured accommodation
Sheraton Wall Centre
Enhance your experience
Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver
Fairmont Waterfront Hotel
Unmissable Experiences
Vancouver Experiences
Day 3 - Explore Vancouver
Your final day in Vancouver is at your leisure. Why not pre-book an excursion in Vancouver or even a full day tour taking in Victoria or Whistler - ask one of our Canada Experts for details.
Featured accommodation
Sheraton Wall Centre
Enhance your experience
Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver
Fairmont Waterfront Hotel
Unmissable Experiences
Vancouver Experiences
Day 4 - Vancouver to Manning Park
Pick up your hire car this morning from downtown Vancouver for your drive to Manning Park. Depart Vancouver through the fertile farmland of the Fraser Valley bound for Manning Park,. This is one of the best provincial parks in BC to see wildlife nearby. This rugged mountain park is a staggering 65,880 hectares.
Featured accommodation
Manning Park Resort BC
Day 5 - Manning Park to Penticton
Today you will make your way from Manning Park to Penticton for your overnight stay at the Penticton Lakeside Resort.
Featured accommodation
Penticton Lakeside Resort
Enhance your experience
Sandman Hotel Penticton
Day 6 - Penticton to Clearwater
Make your way from Penticton to Clearwater for your tranquil 2 night stay at the Alpine Meadows Resort.
Featured accommodation
Alpine Meadows Resort
Day 7 - Explore Clearwater
Today is yours to explore the volcano-shaped wilderness of Wells Gray Provincial Park. Explore the park's mineral springs, serene lakes, dormant volcanoes and rushing falls. Not to be missed are the towering Helmcken Falls near the entrance to the park.
Featured accommodation
Alpine Meadows Resort
Unmissable Experiences
Clearwater Experiences
Day 8 - Clearwater to Jasper
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.
Featured accommodation
Chateau Jasper
Enhance your experience
Forest Park Hotel
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
Day 9 - Explore Jasper
Today is at your leisure to explore the uniquely beautiful landscape of Jasper National Park where serene lakes and gentle meadows stand in stark contrast to its jagged peaks and spectacular glaciers. We recommend a Maligne Lake boat cruse, a visit to Mietter Hot Springs, or a ride on the Jasper Tramway - the longest and highest aerial tramway in the Rockies.
Featured accommodation
Chateau Jasper
Enhance your experience
Forest Park Hotel
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
Unmissable Experiences
Jasper Experiences
Day 10 - Jasper to Emerald Emerald Lake
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 (not included). Also watch for the Sarbach Glacier, Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, with Bow Glacier proving the backdrop, and Crowfoot Glacier. From here you will then head arrive at your destination - Yoho National Park. The word Yoho is the Cree word expressing awe. This 1313sq. km (507 sq. miles) national park is filled with gem-coloured glacial lakes and waterfalls, snow-covered peaks 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.
Featured accommodation
Emerald Lake Lodge
Unmissable Experiences
Glacier Skywalk
Day 11 - Enjoy Emerald Lake
Built of hand-hewn timber and featuring massive stone fireplaces,the Lodgge includes a formal dining room and quiet reading and sitting rooms. From the upper or lower large verandhas, enjoy the serene views of this wilderness landscape.
Use today at your leisure to explore Yoho National Park, perhaps even hire a canoe on Emerald Lake.
Featured accommodation
Emerald Lake Lodge
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.
Featured accommodation
Elk+ Avenue Hotel
Enhance your experience
Fox Hotel & Suites
The Rimrock Resort Hotel
Day 13 - Explore Banff
A full day to explore Banff and the surrounding area. In town you'll find lots of excitment including shopping, cafes, nightlight and museums. Check out the Cave and Basin National Historic Site (not included), Banff Gondola (not 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.
Featured accommodation
Elk+ Avenue Hotel
Enhance your experience
Fox Hotel & Suites
The Rimrock Resort Hotel
Unmissable Experiences
Banff Experiences
Day 14 - Banff to Kananaskis
Today you will take a short drive from Banff to Kananaskis for your overnight stay.
Featured accommodation
Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge
Unmissable Experiences
Kananaskis Experiences
Day 15 - Fly Calgary to UK
Make your way from Kananaskis to Calgary Airport, where you will drop off your hire car before your flight back to the UK.
Sheraton Wall Centre
Located in the heart of downtown Vancouver, the Sheraton Wall Centre is a short walk from business and entertainment neighbourhoods, Robson Street shops and Yaletown restaurants.
Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver
Few hotels can rival the elegance, European charm and hospitality of The Sutton Place Hotel. One of Vancouver’s most beautiful boutique hotels, situated in the heart of downtown Vancouver. The spectacular setting allows guests to experience exceptional service and all the needed amenities within the cosmopolitan ambience of the city set against a majestic backdrop of mountains and sea.
Fairmont Waterfront Hotel, Vancouver
The Fairmont Waterfront luxury hotel showcases the best of Vancouver. Conveniently located, the hotel connects by covered walkway to the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre, the cruise ship terminal at Canada Place, and the Sky train. Situated on scenic Burrard Inlet, it has a central to sightseeing and shopping in Vancouver.
Manning Park Resort BC
Welcome to Manning Park Resort —located in the stunning E.C. Manning Provincial Park in the heart of the Cascade Mountains.
Penticton Lakeside Resort
Facing the spectacular Okanagan Lake, Penticton Lakeside Resort is where affordable luxury and the great outdoors come together to provide a once-in-a-lifetime stay.
Sandman Hotel Penticton
An ideal combination of location, value, amenities and exceptional service, Sandman Hotel Penticton is absolute perfection. With fresh water lakes, gentle rolling mountains and year-round events, Penticton is a lively, sunny city in the heart of BC's interior landscape.
Alpine Meadows Resort
Imagine a vacation retreat where your days are filled with endless recreational possibilities and your evenings are spent in a state of peaceful bliss under the stars, while basking in the evening glow of Hallamore Lake. Escape your everyday hustle and relax while you soak up the peaceful ambiance of Alpine Meadows Resort.
Clearwater Lodge
The Clearwater Lodge combines comfort, style and customer service to ensure a wonderful stay for you.
Chateau Jasper
The Chateau Jasper is an exceptional hotel with an excellent variety of accommodations and facilities. Situated in Jasper, this eco-friendly hotel is close to Jasper Activity Centre, Jasper National Park, and Jasper-Yellowhead Museum and Archives. Also nearby are Jasper Information Centre National Historic Site and Jasper Municipal Library. Athabasca Falls is 30 minutes' drive from the Chateau Jasper and the Miette Hot springs are 1 hour's drive away.
Forest Park Hotel
Offering cosy accommodations, eclectic dining, extensive resort style facilities, and a wide variety of exciting adventure and relaxation packages, The Forest Park Hotel is the hotel of choice when visiting the beautiful Jasper National Park. Located at the east end of the town's main street, this resort style property can accommodate all of your needs.
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
Located on the shores of Beauvert Lake in the magnificent Canadian Rockies in a UNESCO World Heritage Site, The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge resort invites you to experience the unique accommodations and Luxury Signature Cabins, sure to evoke memories of this Jasper Lodge that will last a lifetime.
Emerald Lake Lodge, Field
With its century-old fireplaces and an oak bar salvaged from an 1890’s Yukon saloon, there is no shortage of history within these walls. On the shores of the famous pristine lake in Yoho National Park, Emerald Lake Lodge has been given the location’s award-winning dining opportunities and rustic accommodations.
Elk+ Avenue
Just a few steps from the quaint streets and ample restaurants, shopping and nightlife of downtown Banff, Elk + Avenue Hotel brings an upscale twist to the classic mountain escape.
Fox Hotel & Suites, Banff
The Fox Hotel & Suites has a great location on Banff Avenue allowing you to be walking distance to downtown. The Banff Park Museum is 1.5 km away and the mineral springs of the Cave and Basin National Historic Site are within a 10-minute drive.
The Rimrock Resort Hotel, Banff
The Rimrock Resort Hotel is a AAA/CAA Four Diamond Hotel located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies and Banff National Park. The Rimrock Resort Hotel offers exceptional views of the Canadian Rockies, fine dining, a luxury spa, along with special accommodation packages to suit your holiday needs. With unmatched style, decor and superb hospitality, the Rimrock Resort Hotel is a very special place to visit for a truly remarkable experience.
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Alternative My Canada Trips Holidays That May Interest You
Below you will find a small selection of 2023, 2024 My Canada Trips holidays that may interest you. Remember, we tailor-make each holiday to your exact needs, so please call us on 0800 021 7732 and let one of our Canada Holiday experts design the perfect trip for you
Canada Fly Drive Holidays
Rockies & Rainforest East Bound Fly Drive
- 15 Nights
- Vancouver
- Victoria
- Tofino
- Parksville
- Whistler
- Clearwater
- Jasper
- Banff
- Calgary
Canada Fly Drive Holidays
Lakes & Lodges Self Drive
- 13 Nights
- Vancouver
- Whistler
- Clearwater
- Jasper
- Lake Louise
- Moraine Lake
- Emerald Lake
- Banff
- Calgary
Canada Fly Drive Holidays
Best of the East Fly Drive
- 14 Nights
- Toronto
- Niagara Falls
- Algonquin Park
- Ottawa
- Mont Tremblant
- Quebec City
- Montreal
- Kingston
Canada Fly Drive Holidays
Peaks & Grapes Fly Drive
- 12 Nights
- Vancouver
- Whistler
- Sun Peaks Resort
- Jasper
- Banff
- Kelowna
Canada Fly Drive Holidays
Vancouver, Bears & Whales
- 14 Nights
- Vancouver
- Whistler
- Campbell River
- Knight Inlet
- Tofino
- Victoria
Canada Wildlife Holidays
Vancouver Island & the Grizzlies Fly Drive
- 14 Nights
- Vancouver
- Victoria
- Tofino
- Parksville
- Desolation Sound
- Whistler
Yukon & Alaska
The Grand Prospector Fly Drive Holiday
- 17 Nights
- Whitehorse
- Haines
- Haines Junction
- Valdez
- Anchorage
- Talkeenta
- Denali National Park
- Fairbanks
- Tok
- Dawson City
Canada Fly Drive Holidays
Nova Scotia Delights Self Drive
- 7 Nights
- Halifax
- Baddeck
- Pictou
Canada Fly Drive Holidays
Whistler & Pacific Coast Fly Drive
- 6 Nights
- Vancouver
- Whistler
- Tofino
- Victoria