Western Wonders
- Duration
- 14 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 2,779
FIRST-CLASS | SELF-DRIVE: Experience the "Best of the West" on this magnificent journey through the national parks of the Canadian Rockies. Among the iconic landmarks are the world-renowned regions of Banff and Jasper, Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Rockies and Harrison Hot Springs. The trip finishes at the Pacific Coast, with wonderful Victoria on Vancouver Island and the metropolitan splendour of fabulous Vancouver.
WESTERN WONDERS - WH
Overview
This 14-day first-class self-drive journey showcases the “Best of the West.” You will visit Calgary, Alberta, the tranquil Kananaskis Valley, Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, Sun Peaks resort, Harrison Hot Springs, sunny Vancouver Island, and cosmopolitan Vancouver, British Columbia.
Arrive at Calgary’s International Airport and transfer independently to your hotel. If time allows, visit Heritage Park Historical Village, Canada’s largest living history museum, or book a ticket for the 626-foot high Calgary Tower observation deck. Arrange dinner at the revolving Sky 360 Restaurant and Lounge or descend and dine at one of Cowtown’s famous steakhouses for a char-grilled Alberta beef tenderloin dinner.
Kananaskis Valley lies in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and boasts five provincial parks and a peaceful nature reserve. Spend a night and a full day in Kananaskis Country, where you can enjoy hiking, biking, swimming, horseback riding, or a round of golf. Drive onward the next day to the famous resort town of Banff, nestled in one of Canada’s most scenic national parks. Keep an eye out for elk along the roadside.
Day 4 and 5 are spent in the pretty town of Banff, and the beautiful park. Ride on the Banff Gondola to Sulphur Mountain for spectacular views of six mountain ranges, the Bow Valley, and the town. Book a thrilling Bow River rafting trip, hike the Bow River Trail, or take a boat tour on the magical, glacial Lake Minnewanka (“Lake of the Spirits”). Keep an eye out for deer and bighorn sheep.
Drive onward to Jasper via the spectacular Icefields Parkway with stops at Lake Louise, Peyto Lake or Maligne Canyon, the deepest canyon in Jasper National Park. Overnight in Jasper and take the next day to relax and tour the park. Enjoy a Maligne Lake boat cruise, Miette Hot Springs, or Jasper SkyTram. Point your rental car onto Yellowhead Highway which takes you past Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Rockies, and Wells Gray Provincial Park and its astounding 1.3 million acres of alpine wilderness. Climb the park’s Green Mountain Tower observation deck for photogenic forest views. Continue on to Sun Peaks year-round resort for an overnight stay and some pampering and fine dining.
From Sun Peaks, drive through Kamloops ranch country and into the breathtaking landscape of the Fraser Canyon. Stop at Hell's Gate for an exhilarating ride aboard the airtram, if time permits: these aerial trams descend 152 metres to give you a bird’s eye view of one of the most treacherous passages on the Fraser River. Drive on through the Fraser Valley to Harrison Hot Springs resort. Enjoy one of five hot mineral springs pools, book a therapeutic spa treatment at the Healing Springs Spa, or lounge by one of the resort’s pools.
Day 11 takes you westward to the coast where you will board a Tsawwassen ferry to Swartz Bay near British Columbia’s distinguished and historic capital city, Victoria. Overnight in Victoria and choose your dinner options: perhaps a crab dinner, Ferris’ Oyster Bar, Asian cuisine, a romantic dinner under the twinkling patio lights at Il Terrazzo, or linguine and mussels at Il Covo Trattoria near Fisherman’s Wharf.
Drive northward the next day for a taste of small-town island life, visiting the famous murals in Chemainus, or making an optional wine tasting stop at one of Cowichan Valley’s many wineries, or a cider tasting at Merridale Cider’s 20-acre Cobble Hill farm, complete with restaurant, distillery, and serene outdoor patios.
Take a ferry from Nanaimo’s Departure Bay, then enjoy the views of the Coastal Mountains and Stanley Park from the beautiful Lion’s Gate Bridge before checking into your Vancouver hotel. Take a full, final day to explore this fabulous multi-faceted city on the shores of the Pacific, with its many attractions, both natural and man-made.
Stop for a craft beer in Yaletown or enjoy lunch at one of the city’s many Asian noodle shops. Ride the Grouse Mountain Skyride high above towering Douglas firs for breathtaking views of the city, the Gulf Islands, and snowy mountain peaks. Picnic on sandy English Bay beach, walk the seawall at the 400-hectare urban Stanley Park, visit a gallery, or indulge in some shopping. Overnight in Vancouver, home to more than 700 downtown restaurants.
On your final day, make your way to Vancouver International Airport for your flight home (unless you are fortunate enough to extend your stay).
- Duration
- 14 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 2,779
Itinerary
Arrival in Calgary
Arrive at Calgary’s International Airport and transfer independently to your hotel. The Roadbook you received has all the information needed for your trip. Depending on your time of arrival, you might visit Heritage Park Historical Village, Canada’s largest living history museum or go up the Calgary Tower’s observation deck which offers a spectacular 360° view across the bustling city, the majestic Rocky Mountains, rolling foothills, and expansive prairie landscape. Alternatively, you can always browse the boutique shops and other attractions of the downtown area.
Overnight Calgary
| Duration | 1 Night |
|---|
Calgary to Kananaskis (75 km / 47 miles)
Leave Calgary for the Kananaskis Valley in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The amazing Kananaskis Country, named after the scenic Kananaskis River, includes five provincial parks, four wildland provincial parks and one ecological reserve.
Overnight Kananaskis
| Duration | 2 Nights |
|---|
Kananaskis Valley
Enjoy a full day as beautiful scenery surrounds you in Kananaskis, with numerous outdoor activities at your disposal. The list is endless, so you might want to plan your day carefully. Depending on your favourite outdoor pursuits and the weather, you can try hiking biking, swimming, tennis, horseback riding, even a round of golf.
Overnight Kananaskis
Kananaskis to Banff (144 km / 89 miles)
Today’s drive to the famous resort town of Banff is scenic in every respect. Travelling past Canmore and Harvey Heights, and depending on your time of arrival, you can consider a visit to the Banff Springs Hotel, Bow Falls or ride the Sulphur Mountain Gondola.
Overnight Banff
| Duration | 2 Nights |
|---|
Banff National Park
The entire day is free to tour Banff and the surrounding area. If you prefer to stay in town, we suggest a visit to the Luxton Museum. You should, however, consider the wonderful outdoor opportunities such as a gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain, river rafting on the Bow River or a boat tour on beautiful Lake Minnewanka.
Overnight Banff
Banff to Jasper (288 km / 179 miles)
Drive to Jasper via the spectacular Icefields Parkway, said to be one of the most scenic routes in all the world. We suggest stops at Lake Louise and Peyto Lake en route. A visit to Maligne Canyon in Jasper National Park offers more riveting views if time permits. Return to the road for the final stretch to the famous resort town of Jasper.
Overnight Jasper
| Duration | 2 Nights |
|---|
Jasper National Park
You have a full day to relax and tour Jasper and its surrounding area. For an unforgettable ‘postcard moment’ we suggest a Maligne Lake boat cruise. Alternatively, try visit Miette Hot Springs or treat yourself to an amazingly exhilarating view riding on the Jasper SkyTram, Canada’s highest guided aerial tramway.
Overnight Jasper
Jasper to Sun Peaks (430 km / 267 miles)
The Yellowhead Highway takes you on a route first explored by trappers and traders. Mount Terry Fox as well as Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Rockies, are prominently in view as you enjoy your drive. If time permits, we suggest exploring Wells Gray Provincial Park, a nature reserve priding itself on the untamed and pristine state of its wilderness. Continue to Sun Peaks, a year-round resort catering to families as well as sports enthusiasts.
Overnight Sun Peaks
| Duration | 1 Night |
|---|
Sun Peaks to Harrison Hot Springs (301 km / 187 miles)
Today’s drive continues to serve up stunning vistas as you drive past Kamloops and continue into the breathtaking landscape of the Fraser Canyon. Go past Hell's Gate, an abrupt narrowing of the Fraser River, and through the Fraser Valley to the resort of Harrison Hot Springs.
Overnight Harrison Hot Springs
| Duration | 2 Nights |
|---|
Harrison Hot Springs
Enjoy a relaxing day in the soothing waters of the mineral hot springs at Harrison Hot Springs. The village of Harrison Hot Springs famous for the healing properties of its hots springs but consider exploring other parts of the Harrison River Valley including gorgeous pristine, sandy beaches.
Overnight Harrison Hot Springs
Harrison Hot Springs to Victoria (170 km / 106 miles Land Only)
Today you head westward to the coast en route to Vancouver Island and British Columbia’s provincial capital, Victoria. After passing through the outlying Vancouver suburbs of Abbotsford and Surrey, board the ferry at Tsawwassen and cross over to Swartz Bay before driving south to Victoria. Perhaps make a short stop at world-famous Butchart Gardens and marvel at the thousands of ornamental flowers and plants that cover this former aggregate quarry.
Overnight Victoria
| Duration | 1 Night |
|---|
Victoria to Vancouver (70 km / 43 miles Land Only)
This morning you drive northward for a taste of small-town island life. The communities of Duncan and Chemainus are a mixture of ancient First Nations culture, colonial history, and a modern embracing of outdoor and eco-tourism. The Quw'utsun Cultural Centre in Duncan tells the story of the original inhabitants of the area, while the over 40 murals around the streets of Chemainus depict both modern life and a reverence of those that founded the community. Board the ferry in Nanaimo and arrive in Horseshoe Bay before continuing along the coast to Vancouver.
Overnight Vancouver
| Duration | 2 Nights |
|---|
Vancouver
This fabulous city on the shores of the Pacific effortlessly fuses British heritage with vibrant international flair, including Asian-influenced restaurants, spectacular urban parks, and near-endless local attractions Take the day and explore the city at your own pace, maybe neighborhoods such as Yaletown or Gastown, Grouse Mountain, the Capilano Suspension Bridge, world-renowned Stanley Park or follow the meandering pathways along the ocean, visit a gallery, or indulge in some shopping on Robson Street.
Overnight Vancouver
Vancouver
When it’s time, make your way to Vancouver International Airport for your flight home unless you plan to extend your stay.
Other Information
DEPARTURES:
Daily departures: May 1 - October 24, 2023
PRICE INCLUDES:
- 14 days Intermediate Car Rental with unlimited mileage (Toyota Corolla or similar)
- Customized Self-Drive Roadbook (Digital version)
- 1 night first-class accommodations in Calgary
- 2 nights first-class accommodations in Kananaskis
- 2 nights first-class accommodations in Banff
- 2 nights first-class accommodations in Jasper
- 1 night first-class accommodations in Sun Peaks
- 2 nights first-class accommodations in Harrison Hot Springs
- 1 night first-class accommodations in Victoria
- 2 nights first-class accommodations in Vancouver
- Ferry crossing: Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay
- Ferry crossing: Nanaimo to Horseshoe Bay
PRICE EXCLUDES:
- Car rental insurance
- Travel insurance
- International and domestic airfare & airfare taxes
- Entrances fees to sites not explicitly listed as included
- National Park Fees - All visitors to Banff and/or Jasper National Parks are required to obtain a National Park Visitor’s Pass. The pass can be obtained either at the airport or at the information centers in Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper. If arriving by car the passengers may obtain the pass at the park entrance gate.
- Meals and beverages not mentioned
- Road tolls
- Gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
- Visa fees if applicable
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Prices are "from" per person based on twin/double share accommodation and for travel in low season. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply. Limited seat/spaces and all pricing is subject to change and availability. Rates for single or triple travellers are available on request. Additional terms and conditions apply for car rental - please inquire.
15 Oct 2023
