Great Parks of the West
This 2 week circular tour starts and ends in Vancouver. You will drive through some of the most beautiful scenery that the Canadian West has to offer. Okanagan Valley, Glacier, Banff and Jasper National Parks, Yellowhead Pass, Wells Gray and Garibaldi Provincial Parks to return to Vancouver.
Typical Itinerary
| Day 1 | Arrive in Vancouver. |
| Day 2 | Spend the day exploring Vancouver. Option to travel on a San Francisco style trolley, hopping on and off at various attractions. Overnight in Vancouver. |
| Day 3 | Drive through the Coastal Mountains and Manning Provincial Park where you can walk on the remnants of the Dewdney Trail, constructed by Edgar Dewdney in 1860 on the request of Governor Douglas.
Penticton lies at the southern end of Okanagan Valley, which has its own version of the Loch Ness Monster - a lake monster called Ogopogo! Lush orchards and vineyards can be found in the area thanks to its warm, dry climate. Overnight in Penticton. |
| Day 4 | Continue your journey through the Okanagan Valley then drive past waterfalls, peaks and lakes en route to Revelstoke, nestled beneath the Rockies.
Overnight near Revelstoke. |
| Day 5 | Drive through Glacier National Park and Rogers Pass to Banff.
Overnight in Banff / Canmore. |
| Day 6 | Spend the entire day around Banff where there is plenty to see and do. Visit the Banff Springs Hotel with the Bow Falls right behind, or ride the Sulphur Mountain Gondola for some great views of Banff and the surrounding area.
You may also try river rafting or a boat tour on Lake Minnewanka. Overnight in Banff / Canmore. |
| Day 7 | Drive to Jasper along the spectacular Icefields Parkway. Take a SnoCoach ride lasting 1 hour 20 minutes onto the glacier where you can walk and taste pure glacial water.
Peyto Lake, fed by runoff from the Peyto Glacier is also well worth stopping at for fantastic views. Overnight in Jasper. |
| Day 8 | Spend the day touring Jasper and surrounding area. You could take a boat cruise on Maligne Lake, one of the Rockies most picturesque lakes, ride on the Jasper Tramway or visit Miette Hot Springs. For the more adventurous there's the chance to do some whitewater rafting on the Athabasca river. Overnight in Jasper. |
| Day 9 | Continue through Yellowhead Pass beside Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Rockies, then south along the Thompson River to 100 Mile House.
On the way, stop off at Blue River, originally a logging town but now also attracting visitors to enjoy its environment of lakes, rivers, forests and mountains. This is one of the most pristine natural environments in the world. Overnight in 100 Mile House near Wells Gray Provincial Park. |
| Day 10 | 100 Mile House, founded during the Cariboo Gold Rush, was originally just a roadhouse built to provide a stopping point for travellers 100 miles on the journey from Lillooet on their way to the goldfields.
The area is now known primarily for prime cattle ranching and leisure activities. Overnight in 100 Mile House. |
| Day 11 | Drive south along the Cariboo Highway and Duffey Lake Road to the edge of Garibaldi Provincial Park and the resort of Whistler.
Overnight in Whistler. |
| Day 12 | Enjoy various outdoor activities such as an optional canoe trip down the River of Golden Dreams or just tour around the Whistler area.
Overnight in Whistler. |
| Day 13 | Stay around Whistler for the morning before taking the 2-hour scenic drive back to Vancouver.
Overnight near Vancouver airport. |
| Day 14 | Return flight from Vancouver International Airport. |
