Wild West
SELF DRIVE TOURING
Discover the fascinating landscapes and cultures on this 3-week itinerary that will take you through the backroads and off-the-beaten track to uncover the scenic treasures of Canada’s west coast and western interior. From the urban splendour of Vancouver, the trail leads to the picturesque tranquillity of British Columbia’s and Alberta’s national parks. You will experience first-hand the brilliant turquoise lakes and the rugged beauty of the Rocky Mountains. Returning to the Pacific Coast via Whistler your adventure continues as you cross to Vancouver Island and take in quaint Campbell River and cross the Pacific Rim National Park for a stay on the spectacular Pacific coast before a visit to Victoria with its maritime heritage and colonial demeanour. A wealth of activities are available throughout your trip from the thrill of rafting and canoeing to hiking and horseback riding.
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Your Itinerary
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Day 1
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Day 2
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Day 3
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Day 4
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Day 5
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Day 6
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Day 7
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Day 8
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Day 9
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Day 10
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Day 11
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Day 12
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Day 13
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Day 14
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Day 15
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Day 16
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Day 17
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Day 18
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Day 19
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Day 20
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Day 21-22
Day 1 : UK-VANCOUVER
Arrive Vancouver International Airport, collect your rental car and drive to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to create your own urban adventure amid the stores, parks, restaurants, theatres and other attractions of downtown Vancouver.
Overnight in Vancouver.
Day 2 : VANCOUVER TO KAMLOOPS (357 KM)
Leaving Vancouver behind you will drive out to the vast ranchlands of British Columbia’s interior. You will follow the Gold Rush Trail, alongside the mighty Fraser River. At Hell’s Gate or Boston Bar you may decide to briefly explore the imposing Fraser Canyon by airtram, or visit Lytton, one of the villages made famous by the Gold Rush. Passing through Merritt, you continue on to Kamloops - one of the main hubs of central British Columbia.
Overnight in Kamloops.
Day 3 : KAMLOOPS TO WELLS GRAY PROVINCIAL PARK (124 KM)
Your journey to the breathtaking vistas of Wells Gray Provincial Park leads you along the scenic Yellowhead Highway through the water and lava-shaped valley of the North Thompson River. You won’t want to miss a visit to Clearwater’s Yellowhead Museum for a taste of frontier life, or a stop at Spahats Creek Park where the volcanic origins of the area are still in evidence. Overnight in Wells Gray Provincial Park.
Day 4 : WELLS GRAY PROVINCIAL PARK
Enjoy your day at Wells Gray Ranch, a ranch that offers hiking, fishing and river rafting experiences. Overnight in Wells Gray Provincial Park.
Day 5 : WELLS GRAY PROVINCIAL PARK TO JASPER (318 KM)
Today, you will leave the peaceful delights of Wells Gray to head for the unforgettable splendour of the Rocky Mountains. En route to Jasper you will drive by the panoramic views of Mount Robson, the
highest peak in the Canadian Rockies.
Overnight in Jasper.
Day 6 : JASPER TO BANFF (288 KM)
Start your day with a ride on the Jasper Skytram, giving you a bird’s eye view of the town and the surrounding parklands. Afterwards, depart along the Icefields Parkway, meandering through a landscape of peaks and glaciers, before pausing to admire the picturesque alpine waters of Peyto Lake and Moraine Lake. The sparkling, turquoise colours and the impressive glacier of Lake Louise are next on your not-to-be-missed list. The Trans-Canada Highway leads you to Banff, a year-round resort region that will treat you to spectacular wilderness scenery, outdoor sporting activities and modern accommodation facilities.
Overnight in Banffttawa
Day 7 : BANFF NATIONAL PARK (155 KM)
Banff is yours to discover today. You can visit the Cave and Basin and Bow Falls, and take a thrilling gondola ride to the summit of Sulphur Mountain. Other activities offered in the park for your pleasure include river rafting, biking, horseback riding and hiking.
Overnight in Banff.
Day 8 : BANFF TO INVERMERE/RADIUM HOT SPRINGS (152 KM)
Today you will drive through Kootenay National Park, a landscape dominated by lofty peaks, glaciers, deep valleys and crystal-blue lakes. A visit to the park’s hot springs or the Radium Hot Springs Resort
which offers numerous activities and sights. Wildflowers decorate the alpine meadows, while grizzly bears, moose and mountain goats roam the park.
Overnight in Invermere/Radium Hot Springs.
Day 9 : INVERMERE/RADIUM HOT SPRINGS
Spend a full day in Invermere, a summer paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Enjoy a myriad of activities, such as hiking, fishing, bird watching, boating and windsurfing on Lake Windermere. You can also
visit Invermere’s museum housing pioneer artefacts and local archives.
Overnight in Invermere/Radium Hot Springs.
Day 10 : INVERMERE/RADIUM HOT SPRINGS TO NELSON (373 KM)
From fresh water to fresh air, today, you will advance through the Kootenays. Respected by backpackers as a wilderness oasis of towering mountains, fresh air and abundant wildlife, this remote area
is a traveller’s dream… no crowds and no pollution. The area has been shaped by gold-seekers, a heritage celebrated in historic Fort Steele. You will enjoy the vistas of the Purcell and Selkirk mountain ranges as you take the world’s longest free ferry ride across Kootenay Lake to Balfour. Your afternoon is free to explore Nelson, the reputed heritage
capital of Western Canada.
Overnight in Nelson.
Day 11 : NELSON TO OLIVER/OSOYOOS/PENTICTON (261 KM)
The scenic adventure continues outbound from Nelson, parallel to the American border, across Bonanza Pass and Gold Canyon. Boasting towering mountains, gentle valleys and sparkling lakes, this area is a haven for hikers and canoeists. Visit Grand Forks on the Kettle River reliving the period of Russian settlement or enjoying some excellent fishing.
Overnight in Oliver / Osoyoos / Pentiction.
Day 12 : OLIVER/OSOYOOS/PENTICTON
Take the day and explore the local area. Penticton boasts over 15 wide, sandy public beaches to relax and lounge on. If a day at the waterfront is not to your liking, perhaps a tasting tour at one of the 80
local wineries will provide a day of delectable indulgence!
Overnight in Oliver / Osoyoos / Penticton.
Day 13 : OLIVER/OSOYOOS/PENTICTON TO ABBOTSFORD (247 KM)
En route to the sub-alpine meadows in Manning Provincial Park, you will drop into Oliver Park, the only true desert in Canada. Alternately, you will enjoy a hike through pristine Cathedral Provincial Park.
Afterwards, you can explore Manning Provincial Park, known for its meadows and diverse vegetation. The day’s highlight comes after an extensive hike along the trail network — a picture-perfect view of
Three Brothers Mountain and Thunder Lake. ~
Overnight in Abbotsford.
Day 14 : ABBOTSFORD TO WHISTLER* (300 KM)
Today the road leads northward along a route less travelled, boasting some of the most stunning scenery of the province interrupted only by small communities that thrive on the forestry and eco-tourism
industries. Perhaps stop for a short time in the mountain village of Lilooet for a taste of small town western life. Turning westward, continue to Whistler where one of the great destinations of the
Canadian west awaits!
Overnight in Whistler
Day 15 : WHISTLER TO POWELL RIVER (222 KM
You will drive past the sweeping seascapes, rugged cliffs, broad beaches and serene inlets of the breath-taking Sunshine Coast this morning before boarding for the first of several BC Ferries rides. Powell River is set against the backdrop of the Coast Mountains and offers great opportunities for outdoor activities including sea-kayaking, sailing, hiking and mountain biking. The coastal waters boast a rich variety of marine wildlife.
Overnight in Powell River.
Day 16 : POWELL RIVER TO CAMPBELL RIVER (70 KM, land only)
This morning starts with a refreshing BC Ferries cruise across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver Island. Look closely and you may even encounter some orcas. From the ferry, you will drive north through Comox Valley and up to Campbell River, a salmon-fishing paradise. Campbell River is recognized as a hub for outdoor adventure, close to Strathcona Provincial Park and home to such attractions as the Discovery Fishing Pier and the Discovery Passage Aquarium.
Overnight in Campbell River.
Day 17 : CAMPBELL RIVER TO PACIFIC RIM NATIONAL PARK (256 KM, land only)
Today a panorama of scenic beauty is about to unfold before you. You will cross Vancouver Island to the Pacific Coast through ancient rainforests and provincial parks. You’re venturing into true wildlife territory here, and you might even glimpse bears, deer, wolves and cougars. Even if you don’t see them, you can be sure they’re watching you. The Pacific Rim National Park is a marvel of ecological and geographical diversity, as you will see as you pass through dense rainforests, steep ravines and windswept beaches.
Overnight in Pacific Rim National Park.
Day 18 : PACIFIC RIM NATIONAL PARK
You’re free to explore the rugged coastline along the network of hiking trails or walk the shoreline of Long Beach in search of shells and driftwood.
Overnight in Pacific Rim National Park
Day 19 : PACIFIC RIM NATIONAL PARK TO VICTORIA (194 KM)
This morning the spectacular winding road takes you back to the east coast of the island with visits to Horne Lake Caves or Cathedral Grove. Your itinerary will reveal many hidden gems including native rock carvings at Sproat Lake and the picturesque falls at Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park. Passing through Nanaimo, you continue along the scenic Malahat Drive where you may decide to visit the murals of Chemainus or, the Forest Museum. Alternately, you may wish to visit the Quw’utsun’ Cultural and Conference Centre in Duncan, scenically situated on six acres of landscaped
pasture land. Representatives of the museum recall the Great Deeds – an oral history and legends of the Quw’utsun’ people. The day’s journey ends in Victoria, where the city’s beautiful gardens and architecture celebrate its maritime heritage and colonial charm.
Overnight in Victoria.
Day 20 : VICTORIA TO VANCOUVER (70 KM, land only)
A final day on the island reveals the serene beauty of the Saanich Peninsula with its quiet beaches, meandering lanes and colonial-style architecture. Visit Butchart Gardens, located in a former stone quarry and renowned for its horticultural diversity, before enjoying a mini-cruise onboard BC Ferries back to Vancouver.
Overnight near Vancouver Airport.
Day 21-22 : VANCOUVER - UK
Return to Vancouver International Airport in time to check-in for your return overnight Flight to the UK
