Canadian Rockies
Tour Description
Day 1: Vancouver
Explore Canada’s Rocky Mountains on a thrilling 15-day adventure. Walk the streets of Vancouver, hike the trails of Jasper and Banff to Maligne Lake and Lake Louise, canoe along Clearwater Lake in Wells Gray Provincial Park and soak up the superb alpine scenery. Spot native moose and bears and unleash your inner daredevil with a range of potential escapades – mountain biking or river rafting, anyone? With a mixture of included activities and optional extras, you get to decide just how active or relaxed you want this adventure to be. Jump in feet first and immerse yourself in the beauty of Canada in this outdoor experience.
Itinerary
Day 1: Vancouver
O Canada! Home of ice hockey and maple syrup, and source of your soon-to-be fondest travel memories. It all starts in Vancouver. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 8 am tomorrow morning where you’ll meet your local leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early in Vancouver, why not take a walk around the Victorian buildings in the historic Gastown neighbourhood, or maybe wander through the behemoth urban forest that is Stanley Park.
Day 2: Whistler
At 8 am sharp, meet your fellow travellers and leader in the hotel lobby for a welcome meeting. Then, hit the road for the outdoorsy hub that is Whistler. Drive along the Sea to Sky Highway, widely considered one of the most scenic routes in the world, with a stop at Squamish along the way. Once you arrive in Whistler, join your leader for an orientation walk around the pedestrian-only town. Tomorrow’s a free day, so this could be a good chance to get a sense of what’s on offer. Have a chat to your leader about how to go about booking and taking part in hiking, mountain biking, zip-lining, kayaking and more. Then, settle into the campground for the night.
Day 3: Whistler
Stunning Whistler is ready to be explored, up the mountain or back down in the village. Perhaps buy yourself a ticket to ride the PEAK 2 PEAK gondola to enjoy unparalleled views of towering volcanic peaks and surrounding forest on the world’s longest and highest lift. Once at the top, check out the nearby scenic walking trails, mountaintop restaurants and indoor interpretive displays. Otherwise, you could hire a bike and ride along the Valley Trail to Lost Lake, or go for an easy hike along the Lost Lake Nature Trail. If you’re after something a little more cultured, perhaps hit the Audain Art Museum to see a selection of First Nations and British Columbian artwork.
Day 4: Wells Gray Provincial Park
Make sure you’ve got a book, a podcast or some sparkling conversation ready as you settle in for a long drive to Wells Gray Provincial Park. You’ll arrive in time to set up camp for the evening on a rustic cowboy ranch. Relax with dinner by the campfire. Complete the classic North American campsite by crafting s’mores (marshmallow, chocolate and graham crackers) and sharing stories over the crackle of the flames.
Day 5: Wells Gray Provincial Park
This morning you’ll travel deeper into Wells Gray Provincial Park, disembarking at Clearwater Lake. Pack your camping equipment into a canoe, then cruise into the water. On a sunny day the name of the lake is particularly apt, and if you work up a thirst while paddling you can drink the pristine water around you, no filter necessary. After some instruction from the canoeing guides, paddle to a secluded beach campsite. Set up camp for the night, then you can choose to head on a leader-led hike to Eagle’s View. Later, cook dinner and finish the day with some stargazing around the campfire.
Day 6: Wells Gray Provincial Park
For your second day in the backcountry, the agenda is up to the group! You can take on some more of the trails the park has to offer, do some more paddling around Clearwater Laker, swim – or all three. Your leader will be on hand to provide you with any recommendations you need. Return to your campsite in the evening and enjoy another meal under the stars.
Day 7: Jasper National Park
Wake up lakeside and pack up your gear to hit the water again. Back at the starting point, help unload and store the canoes and then hit the road bound for Jasper National Park. It’s a long drive, but you’ll break it up with a short hike to Helmcken and Spahats waterfalls. There’ll also be a stop in at Mt Robson Provincial Park, giving you a chance to stretch your legs on a short walk through the picturesque wildflower meadows. Arrive in Jasper in the early evening, and settle into your campsite.
Day 8: Jasper National Park/Maligne Lake
Today you’ll make a visit to of Maligne Lake. Make sure you’ve got a charged phone or camera ready to capture shots of the jagged mountains and bright green pine forests that surround these glacial waters. There’s an option to pay for a cruise around the lake, including a visit to Spirit Island. This tiny ‘tied’ island is one of the most photographed spots in the Canadian Rockies for a reason! If the lake cruise isn’t your thing, you might like to spend your time seeing the area while hiking either the Mary Schaeffer or the Moose Lake trails. This afternoon, you are free to explore Jasper – perhaps hire a bicycle or canoe to explore from a different perspective!
Day 9: Banff National Park
Take a scenic morning drive through mountain scenery on the famous Icefields Parkway, which connects Jasper and Banff National Parks. There will be numerous opportunities to stop at viewpoints and waterfalls along the way. This includes visits to the ice fields of Athabasca Glacier, where you can walk to the toe of the glacier with your leader or explore on an optional hike with a local guide (at own expense). Then, continue to your campground in Banff where you’ll be spending the next three nights.
Day 10: Banff National Park
Today you’ll begin exploring the many possibilities that Banff National Park provides. There’ll be an optional hike on the Plain of Six Glaciers trail around Lake Louise, which can also be extended to visit the Lake Agnes teahouse or the aptly named Big Beehive. There are plenty of other trails of different lengths to choose from, or you might like to take a gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain, a dip in the natural hot springs or exploring the hoodoos and falls of Bow Valley by foot. As always, your leader is there to help, so pick their brain for advice on which (if any) you wish to participate in.
Day 11: Banff National Park
Enjoy a free day to explore Banff National Park. You could head out on a steeper walk to the Fairview Lookout for some incredible views from above Lake Louise. There are opportunities for canoeing and mountain biking, as well as checking out the town of Banff itself. After exploring the area, why not make your way back to the Lake Louise Fairmont Hotel? Sitting right on the shores of the lake, it serves as the perfect spot to take in the scenery with some poutine or a cocktail in hand.
Day 12: Yoho National Park/Golden
Today drive to a place so beautiful its name comes from a Cree word that means awe and wonder – Yoho National Park. There nearby town of Golden will serve as your base for the next two nights, giving you ample time to explore the terrain and take part in the many activities the park provides. Be sure to ask your leader for a recommendation that matches your fitness level!
Day 13: Yoho National Park/Golden
There are a couple of ways to continuing explore Yoho National Park today. If you’d like to break in your boots (and don’t mind heights), there’ll be an optional walk to the Golden Skybridge, which’ll provide some incredible views of the Rockies from 426 feet in the air. Another option (not for the faint of heart) is to battle the wild waters of the aptly-named Kicking Horse River on a guided rafting tour. Please note, this is an optional activity booked through an outside company that will incur an extra cost. If you’d like to take things a little easier, perhaps book a canoeing activity on the calm waters of Emerald Lake. Floored by the scenery? You could always lie back on the riverbank and watch the world float by.
Day 14: Glacier National Park/Revelstoke/Salmon Arm
This morning, travel through the high mountain clearing of Rogers Pass to reach Glacier National Park. Stop at Rogers Pass Discovery Centre for a look around and (depending on time and conditions) take a short hike through an old-growth area of cedar and hemlock. As one of the world’s most active avalanche areas, most of the rugged, mountainous area of Glacier National Park is inaccessible for day hikes. Pause for lunch at Mount Revelstoke National Park which contains part of the world’s only temperate inland rainforest, then set up camp near Salmon Arm, BC.
Day 15: Vancouver
Make the journey back to Vancouver. The arrival time depends on a variety of factors such as weather, but you should expect to be back in the city before 3 pm. There are no activities scheduled upon arrival in Vancouver. If you are flying out on this day please don’t book a flight before 8 pm, as this will give you enough time to catch a shuttle from the hotel to the airport and be there two hours before departure. Vancouver is the largest city in western Canada and well worth some extra time to explore the city’s delights. Should you choose to stay longer in Vancouver we’ll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
Departure Dates
| Start Date | End Date | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 24, 2025 | Jun 7, 2025 | $5,475.00 | |
| May 31, 2025 | Jun 14, 2025 | $5,180.00 | |
| Jun 8, 2025 | Jun 22, 2025 | $4,810.00 | |
| Jun 15, 2025 | Jun 29, 2025 | $4,084.00 | |
| Jun 28, 2025 | Jul 12, 2025 | $4,356.00 | |
| Jul 2, 2025 | Jul 16, 2025 | $4,084.00 | |
| Jul 12, 2025 | Jul 26, 2025 | $5,724.00 | |
| Jul 13, 2025 | Jul 27, 2025 | $5,610.00 | |
| Jul 19, 2025 | Aug 2, 2025 | $5,485.00 | |
| Jul 20, 2025 | Aug 3, 2025 | $5,240.00 | |
| Jul 27, 2025 | Aug 10, 2025 | $5,240.00 | |
| Jul 30, 2025 | Aug 13, 2025 | $5,240.00 | |
| Aug 3, 2025 | Aug 17, 2025 | $5,240.00 | |
| Aug 6, 2025 | Aug 20, 2025 | $5,430.00 | |
| Aug 13, 2025 | Aug 27, 2025 | $5,430.00 | |
| Aug 16, 2025 | Aug 30, 2025 | $5,370.00 | |
| Aug 23, 2025 | Sep 6, 2025 | $5,475.00 | |
| Aug 30, 2025 | Sep 13, 2025 | $5,150.00 | |
| Aug 31, 2025 | Sep 14, 2025 | $5,040.00 | |
| Sep 7, 2025 | Sep 21, 2025 | $5,150.00 | |
| Sep 14, 2025 | Sep 28, 2025 | $5,150.00 | |
| Sep 20, 2025 | Oct 4, 2025 | $5,590.00 | |
| May 23, 2026 | Jun 6, 2026 | $5,290.00 | |
| May 30, 2026 | Jun 13, 2026 | $5,290.00 | |
| Jun 7, 2026 | Jun 21, 2026 | $5,500.00 | |
| Jun 10, 2026 | Jun 24, 2026 | $5,290.00 | |
| Jun 14, 2026 | Jun 28, 2026 | $5,715.00 | |
| Jun 24, 2026 | Jul 8, 2026 | $5,715.00 | |
| Jun 27, 2026 | Jul 11, 2026 | $5,715.00 | |
| Jul 1, 2026 | Jul 15, 2026 | $5,715.00 | |
| Jul 4, 2026 | Jul 18, 2026 | $5,715.00 | |
| Jul 11, 2026 | Jul 25, 2026 | $5,715.00 | |
| Jul 18, 2026 | Aug 1, 2026 | $5,715.00 | |
| Jul 26, 2026 | Aug 9, 2026 | $5,500.00 | |
| Jul 29, 2026 | Aug 12, 2026 | $5,500.00 | |
| Aug 2, 2026 | Aug 16, 2026 | $5,500.00 | |
| Aug 5, 2026 | Aug 19, 2026 | $5,500.00 | |
| Aug 12, 2026 | Aug 26, 2026 | $5,500.00 | |
| Aug 15, 2026 | Aug 29, 2026 | $5,290.00 | |
| Aug 19, 2026 | Sep 2, 2026 | $5,040.00 | |
| Aug 22, 2026 | Sep 5, 2026 | $5,290.00 | |
| Aug 29, 2026 | Sep 12, 2026 | $5,290.00 | |
| Aug 30, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | $5,290.00 | |
| Sep 6, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | $5,290.00 | |
| Sep 13, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | $5,290.00 | |
| Sep 16, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | $5,290.00 | |
| May 22, 2027 | Jun 5, 2027 | $5,290.00 | |
| May 29, 2027 | Jun 12, 2027 | $5,290.00 | |
| Jun 6, 2027 | Jun 20, 2027 | $5,290.00 | |
| Jun 9, 2027 | Jun 23, 2027 | $5,290.00 | |
| Jun 13, 2027 | Jun 27, 2027 | $5,290.00 | |
| Jun 23, 2027 | Jul 7, 2027 | $5,290.00 | |
| Jun 26, 2027 | Jul 10, 2027 | $5,290.00 | |
| Jun 30, 2027 | Jul 14, 2027 | $5,290.00 | |
| Jul 3, 2027 | Jul 17, 2027 | $5,290.00 | |
| Jul 10, 2027 | Jul 24, 2027 | $5,290.00 | |
| Jul 17, 2027 | Jul 31, 2027 | $5,290.00 | |
| Jul 25, 2027 | Aug 8, 2027 | $5,290.00 | |
| Jul 28, 2027 | Aug 11, 2027 | $5,290.00 | |
| Aug 1, 2027 | Aug 15, 2027 | $5,290.00 | |
| Aug 4, 2027 | Aug 18, 2027 | $5,290.00 | |
| Aug 11, 2027 | Aug 25, 2027 | $5,290.00 | |
| Aug 14, 2027 | Aug 28, 2027 | $5,290.00 | |
| Aug 18, 2027 | Sep 1, 2027 | $5,040.00 | |
| Aug 21, 2027 | Sep 4, 2027 | $5,290.00 | |
| Aug 28, 2027 | Sep 11, 2027 | $5,290.00 | |
| Aug 29, 2027 | Sep 12, 2027 | $5,290.00 | |
| Sep 5, 2027 | Sep 19, 2027 | $5,290.00 | |
| Sep 12, 2027 | Sep 26, 2027 | $5,290.00 | |
| Sep 15, 2027 | Sep 29, 2027 | $5,290.00 |