Western Canada Family Road Trip

Day 2-3 : Calgary - Banff (72 miles)

Collect your car this morning, then leave the Stampede City of Calgary for the short drive to the resort town of Banff, renowned for its scenic natural beauty and stunning wildlife.

Day 3 Banff 
Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of three excursions

Option 1. Banff Gondola
Maximize your views of Banff National Park with minimal exertion on a round-trip gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain.

Option 2. Cowboy Cookout Lunch or Dinner Wagon or Horseback
Enjoy a leisurely one-hour trail ride along the banks of the Bow River to the BBQ site, where your cook prepares your steak to order.

Option 3. River Explorer Canoe Tour
Enjoy the serenity of the Bow River and marvel at the surroundings. A fun & interactive way with your guide to explore the waterways of Banff National Park. Perfect for families. No paddling experience necessary.

Hotel for 2 nights: Banff Rocky Mountain Resort, Two Bedroom Wolf Condo

Day 4 : Banff - Jasper (182 miles)

Today, travel through the spine of the Canadian Rockies along the amazing Icefields Parkway and encompass the ultimate glacier exploration. From walking on ancient ice with the Ice Explorer ride, to standing on a glass platform almost one thousand feet in the air at the Glacier Skywalk (included), today’s experiences will leave you with a special appreciation for this treasured region of the Rockies

Hotel for 2 nights: Jasper Inn & Suites, Two Bedroom Suite

Day 5 : Jasper

Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of three excursions

Option 1. Maligne Lake Cruise
Cruise Maligne Lake, where you can marvel at the magnificent shoreline and Spirit Island.

Option 2. Jasper River Float
Enjoy a gentle rafting tour on the Athabasca River for a unique perspective of Jasper National Park.

Option 3. Jasper Nature Walk
A guided nature walk featuring a spectacular array of rolling hills, jagged peaks, forests, meadows, marshes, streams, and stunning glacial lakes.

Day 6 : Jasper - Sun Peaks (276 miles)

Leaving Jasper National Park, travel the ‘Yellowhead’ Route past the sprawling grandeur of Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Beyond Mount Robson Provincial Park, the highway follows the Thompson River through the snowy peaks of the Monashee and Caribou Mountains to the resort village of Sun Peaks where you will enjoy a night’s stay.

Hotel: Sun Peaks, Nancy Greene's Cahilty Hotel, Family Suite

Day 7 : Sun Peaks - Whistler (222 miles)

Continue to Lillooet, known as the land of the Gold Rush Trail and ‘Mile Zero’ of the Old Caribou Wagon Road. Leaving Lillooet travel the Duffey Lake Road to Whistler. Be sure to stop at Joffre Lake for breathtaking views of Joffre Glacier.

Hotel for 2 nights: Delta Whistler, Two Bedrrom Suite

Day 8 : Whistler

Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of three excursions

Option 1. TreeTrek Canopy Walk
Explore the magnificent old-growth rainforest and enjoy stunning vistas on this unique adventure. Perfect for all ages with no ziplining required.

Option 2. River of Golden Dreams Twilight Wildlife Viewing Canoe Trip
Enjoy a gentle evening paddle in search of wildlife along a slow moving, crystal clear river. Bears are a regular sight on the River of Golden Dreams, as are beaver, otter, eagles, osprey, fish, bats, birds, mink, raccoons and other wildlife

Option 3. Peak 2 Peak Gondola 
Ride the mountain’s network of chair lifts and gondolas to access trails that wind through a volcanic landscape. Enjoy jaw-dropping vistas, ancient glaciers, alpine lakes, wildflower-filled slopes and an abundance.
 

Day 9 : Whistler - Tofino/Ucluelet (206 miles and ferry)

Depart Whistler along the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway to Horseshoe Bay. Highlights along the way highlights include the cascading Shannon Falls and the Stawamus Chief Rock. At Horseshoe Bay, board BC Ferries to Vancouver Island and continue on to. Tofino. En route, picture stops should be made at Cathedral Grove to enjoy the splendour of 800-year old Douglas Fir and Cedar trees as well as the Mars Water-Bombers at Sproat Lake: the world’s two largest water-bombers used for the sole purpose of putting out forest fires. After the Mars Water-Bombers, drive through the majestic Sutton Pass and the Sawtooth Range of the Cascade Mountains to arrive in Tofino around late-afternoon.

Hotel for 2 nights: Water's Edge Shoreside Suites, Two Bedroom Suite

Day 10 : Tofino

Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of two excursions

Option 1. Coastal Bear Watch Cruise
Search for foraging bears from the comfort and safety of a 24’ Zodiac vessel. Abundant on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, black bears roam the shores at low tide in search of their favourite delicacy, the Rock Crab.

Option 2. Whale Watching Cruise
Cruise through the pristine waters of Clayoquot Sound to view beautiful scenery and wildlife. Depending on the time of year, you may encounter gray whales, humpback whales, sea lions, sea birds and resident bald eagles.

Day 11 : Tofino/Ucluelet - Victoria (195 miles)

Travel back to the East Coast of Vancouver Island and head south to Victoria. En route stops should be made at the artist community of Chemainus, where you can admire the giant murals which adorn the exterior walls throughout the town and Duncan the “City of Totems”. If time permits visit the Quw’utsun’ Heritage Village which provides you with an insight into the lives of the northwest coast people.

Hotel for 2 night: Oswego Hotel, Two Bedroom Suite

Day 12 : Victoria

Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of two excursions:

Option 1. Butchart Gardens Admission
On its 100th birthday in 2004, the Butchart Gardens was named a National Historic Site of Canada. Explore 22 Hectares/55 acres of breathtaking gardens on the 53 hectare/130 acre estate.

Option 2. Eat like a Canadian Food Tour
Not many people can define exactly what Canadian food is. From local ingredients to historic dishes, this tour is the best way to experience Canadian culinary culture. Sip and savour local cuisine,  explore the iconic Inner Harbour, and meet the chefs and owners that make Victoria such an exciting culinary hot spot.

Day 13 : Victoria - Vancouver (43 miles and ferry)

Leaving Victoria drive north to Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal for a 90 minute ferry ride to Tsawwassen. On board BC Ferries enjoy the scenery of the Gulf Islands as you cross the Strait of Georgia. From Tsawwassen continue on to downtown Vancouver and check in to your hotel.

Hotel for 3 nights:  Rosedale on Robson, Two Bedroom Suite
 

Day 14-15 : Vancouver

Two full days to explore Vancouver.  

Day 16-17 : Vancouver - UK

Your tour ends with the check out from your hotel.