Panoramic Canadian Rockies
12 Day Canadian Tour to Whistler, Banff & Jasper | Operated by CostSaver
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12 Days
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1 Country
Canada -
13 Cities
Vancouver, Victoria, Chemainus, Whistler, Sun Peaks, Hinton, Jasper National Park of Canada, Icefields Parkway, Lake Louise, Canmore, Banff, Banff National Park of Canada, Vernon -
1 Meal
1 Breakfast -
Pace: Active
Faster paces with mix of 1–2-night stays in each location. Typically features 4+ miles of walking on some days and may involve steep hills and uneven surfaces, such as cobblestones.
Trip Itinerary
Welcome to outdoorsy, nature loving Vancouver! Regarded as one of the world’s most naturally beautiful cities, Vancouver is framed by dramatic vistas on all sides and is the kind of place where, given its close proximity to nature, you can ski in the morning and swim in the ocean by early afternoon. After settling in to your hotel you’ll meet your Travel Director this afternoon, then you’re free to head out and uncover the city’s many delights. Take a stroll through Stanley Park, or alternatively explore Vancouver’s diverse culinary scene which boasts some of the best Asian cuisine in all of North America.
This morning’s sightseeing tour of lovely Vancouver will visit the city's oldest neighborhood, Gastown, which was designated a National Historic Site in 2009. You'll also visit buzzy Chinatown, and admire the famous collection of totem poles at Stanley Park, before jumping on the ferry bound for Vancouver Island, and drive into the capital of British Columbia, Victoria. After docking at Swartz Bay and making the short drive into the city, you’ll no doubt be struck by the distinctly English influence of Victoria. An orientation tour of the city will take you along the waterfront district and into the bustling downtown area, passing the Parliament Buildings, Government Street and through Beacon Hill Park so you can really get your bearings. This evening is yours to explore or dine out with new found friends.
Spend the morning amid the blossoms of world famous Butchart Gardens. This expansive estate is over a century old and offers sunken, rose, Japanese, Italian and Mediterranean gardens. Stroll through and find plenty of photo opportunities amidst moments of beauty. The rest of the day is yours to explore Victoria as you like. Learn about the surrounding waters on a whale watching cruise and keep a lookout for orcas, bald eagles, porpoises and seals.
First up on today’s agenda is Chemainus, a seaside community and former industrial town that is best known for its series of giant outdoor murals depicting local history. Hopping on board a ferry across the Georgia Strait and arriving into Horseshoe Bay, you’ll then travel along the iconic Sea-to-Sky Highway, one of the world’s most scenic drives. We challenge you not to keep your eyes to the horizon as you pass cascading waterfalls, jagged mountain peaks and the dreamy ocean vistas of Howe Sound, before stopping off at Shannon Falls Provincial Park, which boasts the third highest waterfall in all of British Columbia. Still in awe of the scenery offered by today’s drive, you’ll finish today in the alpine village of Whistler, which sits nestled in the shadows of the Blackcomb Mountains.
Enjoy your day in Whistler as you explore this stunning adventure playground. Go hiking or biking on one of the many trails or the labyrinth of lanes that make up Whistler Village. Or make the day your own with action-packed Choice Experiences, each one more exhilarating than the next! You could go bear viewing with a local wildlife photographer, whitewater rafting, zip lining at 100 km per hour amidst the stunning mountain wilderness, and many more options. When we said exhilarating, we weren't joking!
Fuel for another big day with a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® iconic breakfast at Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Center where you’ll get to know more about First Nations culture through food and music, treated to authentic tastes including blueberry and cheese and onion bannock (a kind of quick skillet bread) and a performance by cultural ambassadors dressed in traditional regalia singing, dancing, and sharing stories from Squamish and Lil’wat Nations. You will then leave Whistler behind as you venture along scenic Duffey Lake Road, spotting the freshwater fjord of Seton Lake, and the ominous sounding Mt. Rohr along the way. Following the once treacherous Cariboo Wagon Trail, which formed part of the Gold Rush Route, your final port of call for today is Sun Peaks, one of British Columbia’s best loved ski resorts. Winter time here sees ski and snowboard enthusiasts from across the globe flocking to this pretty little town to enjoy just some of the 135 ski runs that pepper the horizon. In the warmer months, the ski lifts stay open to provide access to more than two dozen hiking and mountain bike trails, making Sun Peaks yet another outdoorsy gem.
Fall in love with the gorgeous prairie provinces of Canada as you drive through the white fenced ranch lands that surround the Yellowhead Highway. Keeping an eye on the snow-capped peaks of the Columbia Mountains in the distance, catch a first glimpse of Mount Robson, the most prominent mountain in the North American Rockies and the highest point in the Canadian range. Stop in unpretentious, heart-warming Jasper, which sits in the heart of Jasper National Park, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, before ending the day in Hinton.
Stepping outside and smelling the fresh mountain air, let the prospect of a day exploration bring a smile to your face. After a guided walk in Maligne Canyon, your activity options are abundant in the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. Perhaps choose to explore the beautiful Maligne Lake? A boat cruise (seasonal) around the largest glacially fed lake in the Canadian Rockies is right for you. Next up in Jasper, foodies will want to join a Local Expert on a Jasper Food Tour downtown. If you’re looking to get active, choose to experience the majestic scenery of Jasper National Park on foot during a guided nature hike or take to the water on a Jasper Raft Tour.
First, you will be heading on to explore the magnificent Columbia Icefield. The Icefields Parkway features an abundance of jaw-dropping vistas at every turn. Here, you’ll ride the giant Ice Explorer across the Athabasca Glacier for a closer look at this ancient marvel of nature. Back on the Icefields Parkway, exit Jasper National Park and enter Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Prepare to be dazzled as we saved the best for last – Lake Louise, one of the most beautiful lakes and settings in North America before heading to Canmore for the night.
Make sure your camera’s in-hand today for optional helicopter flights (weather dependent) that will have you soaring over iconic sites including the Three Sisters Peak, the Sundance Ranges and the Gloria and Assiniboine Glaciers (weather dependent). Next up in Banff - famed for its world-class national parks, lakes and vistas - get a taste on a sightseeing tour along Tunnel Mountain Drive. Take in sights such as Cascade Mountain, Mt. Rundle, Bow Falls, and the surreal, hoodoos rock formations, which have gained their twisted shapes over years of erosion from water and wind. Venture into the stunning wilderness of Banff National Park to take advantage of a range of Choice Experiences to capture the best of the region. Enjoy golf with a view at Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course or join a Plant Medicine Walk with a First Nations Local Specialist. Or, join an optional experience in Canmore, including an E-bike food tour. As an evening option, book a Banff Gondola ride including dinner with a view.
It will be another incredible drive today as you climb higher and higher to cross the Continental Divide at Kicking Horse Pass, stopping at the Spiral Tunnels on the way to marvel at one of the steepest railroad stretches in the world. You’ll then travel through not one, not two, but three beautiful national parks, slowly descending from the mountains as the landscape changes from snowcapped peaks to sprawling wineries and fruit orchards, indicating that you’ve arrived in Canada’s ‘fruit basket’, the Okanagan Valley. Surrounded by so many grapes the temptation for a tasting will be hard to resist, so you’ll stop off at Larch Hills Winery for a tour and tasting before heading on to Vernon, the unofficial capital of the Okanagan.
On your final drive of the trip you'll pass through the Cascade Mountains, named for the staggering number of waterfalls tumbling off the peaks, before venturing into the Fraser River Valley and finally coming to a stop back in Vancouver, the place where it all began. Drop off at 3:30 PM at Vancouver International Airport. Please be aware when booking flights.
Price Includes
What's Included- - An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- - Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- - Audio Headsets provided throughout your holiday to enhance your included sightseeing experiences
- - Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries
- - City orientation tours
- - Extensive variety of Choice Experiences
- - On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.
- - 1 Breakfast (B)
Optional Experiences
Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.
Victoria Whale Watching Excursion (Available on Day 3)Ahh, the beautiful waters off of Victoria. This three-hour whale-watching cruise takes you through the home of abundant marine wildlife. Spring and summer are the best times of the year to see a number of different species of whales including Bigg’s killer whales (orca), humpback whales, South Resident orca, Minke, and grey whales, but all year long keep your eyes peeled for bald eagles, porpoises or seals playing in the water.
Adult Price: $157 Child Price: $131 Bear Viewing Safari in Whistler Olympic Park (Available on Day 5)Enjoy a visit to Whistler Olympic Park and 2.5 hours of educational information on black bears in a bear habitat. The park is home to a large population of black bears which can be viewed from a distance in the safety of the vehicle. We will search for bears foraging for their meals in spectacular back-country scenery. Experience the park like it’s your own private oasis. Drive to the top of the world famous Olympic Ski Jumps and brave the gatehouse for a gold-medal glimpse of a one-of-a-kind panoramic mountain and valley view. Other photographic stops include Alexander waterfalls.
Adult Price: $232 Child Price: $168 Wedge Rafting - The Green River (Available on Day 5)This whitewater rafting trip takes you just north of Whistler Village to Green River, which provides the perfect combination of fun bouncy rapids and picturesque scenery for first-timers or for those on a family adventure. The Class 2 and 3 rapids you will encounter are sure to jostle your raft and challenge you to break through the white water. Paddling through the waves as a team will no doubt be a bonding experience you won’t soon forget!
Adult Price: $149 Child Price: $149 Superfly Ziplines (Available on Day 5)Be a bird for a day. Why not? We’ve designed and custom-built one of the best adventures in the world – side-by-side ziplines located in stunning mountain wilderness. Our tour features a newly engineered and revolutionary braking system, West Coast inspired architecture and a network of paths and platforms designed to immerse you in the peace, quiet and freedom of the forest. Highlighted by two of Canada’s longest lines – a kilometer long, 600 feet high and reaching speeds of 100km hour – we take our name very seriously.
Adult Price: $189 Child Price: $189 Spectacular Glacier Tour (Available on Day 5)Our most popular tour! Experience British Columbia’s supernatural beauty with this eagle’s eye flight over the majestic glaciers, rugged peaks, unique volcanic formations and lush alpine meadows that surround the turquoise waters of mile-high Garibaldi Lake. Don’t forget your camera!
Adult Price: $220 Child Price: $220 Jasper Float Trip (Available on Day 8)What to expect on the Athabasca River? A fun rafting trip and the chance to see elk, deer, moose, coyotes, wolves, eagles, ospreys, mountain sheep and bears. On this designated Canadian Heritage River, a National Park licensed guide will provide commentary on the human and natural history of Jasper while navigating you down a route that was used by fur traders many years ago. The guides do all the rowing through several small, easy sets of rapids and calm stretches so you can sit back and enjoy.
Adult Price: $95 Child Price: $95 Ultimate Jasper Guided Hike (Available on Day 8)From snow-capped peaks to alpine meadows, Jasper National Park is an endless playground. Take a guided nature hike past hills, peaks, forests, meadows, marshes, streams and glacial lakes. Your licensed guide shares facts about the flora and fauna along the way. Whether you admire wildflowers in shades of red, blue, yellow and white, or the glow of the red, orange and golden Larch and Aspen trees, this hike is beautiful any time of year.
Adult Price: $76 Child Price: $76 Maligne Lake Cruise (Available on Day 8)Vibrant blue water surrounded by towering peaks; this can only be Maligne Lake. Tucked in a ring of mountains, Maligne Lake is the largest glacially fed lake in the Canadian Rockies. Your cruise takes you to the world-famous Spirit Island, one of the most photographed locations in the Rockies, accessible only by boat. You’ll love soaking in all the stunners of the lake as you delve into its history, ecology and geology.
Adult Price: $94 Child Price: $94 Jasper Food Tour (Available on Day 8)Hello, food fanatics. You’re in for a treat with the Jasper Downtown Foodie Tour. A Jasper local takes you on a guided walk that feels like dropping in for a catch-up with a series of food-loving friend. At each of the four stops you have a chance to sample handpicked dishes, each paired with a refreshing drink. Along the way you will learn about the towns history and listen to tales of this authentic mountain town. As they say, “What's on the menu? Not telling. It's all part of the adventure.” Note: In line with Alberta’s alcohol laws, you must be 18 or older to participate.
Adult Price: $136 Child Price: $136 Jasper E-Bike Food Tour (Available on Day 8)Hey food fanatics, you’re in for a treat with this guided food tour on two wheels. Tick off Jasper’s top sights including Maligne Canyon, rivers, beaches and lakes, while keeping your eyes peeled for wildlife and soaking up the stories about Jasper’s past from your Local Guide. As you pedal on the scenic back roads, you’ll stop to sample local dishes at three restaurants tucked away in the wilderness. Do it your way, pedalling yourself or letting the electrical assistance kick in for a welcome boost!
Jasper Harley Tour (Available on Day 8)Feel the thrill of riding a legendary Harley Davidson sidecar motorcycle with Jasper Motorcycle Tours. Your exciting open-air adventure in the Great Canadian Rockies begins as you’re kitted out with authentic motorcycle leather. Then you’re off! Your professional driver/guide will show you the amazing scenery of the Rockies on this bucket-list experience. After your hour-long ride, you’ll have time to explore downtown Jasper.
Mt. Assiniboine Helicopter Tour (Available on Day 10)It’s one blockbuster after another zipping in a helicopter to Mount Assiniboine - "the Matterhorn" of the Canadian Rockies. Get your camera ready to snap one pic after the next of this photogenic peak rising to 11,870 feet along the Great Divide. And just when you think you’ve seen it all, the Gloria and Assiniboine Glaciers will make your jaw drop. The duration of the flight is thirty-five minutes.
Adult Price: $423 Child Price: $423 Three Sisters Peaks Tour (25 min) (Available on Day 10)Gear up for the most action packed twenty minutes of your life. You won’t want to miss your chance fly past famous Three Sisters Peaks. Get up close to the peaks before escaping into the Spray Valley where you will explore the wild colors of the Spray Lakes. Return along the Goat Range before following the pristine Bow River back to Canmore.
Adult Price: $316 Child Price: $316 MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® EXPERIENCE - Plant Medicine Walk in Banff Boreal Forest with a First Nations Local Specialist (Available on Day 10)Don’t miss your chance to participate in the Mahikan Trails experience, a Guided Medicine Walk exploring the world of plant medicine through an Indigenous lens. Kick off the tour with a tobacco ceremony to greet the ancestors and ask permission to be in the dwelling of the standing people (plants). From there, your guide shares teachings from the land, including the historical medicines of the Boreal Forest and how Indigenous ancestors survived off the land for millennia. This experience directly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reducing Inequalities and Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Adult Price: $94 Child Price: $94 Hike to Consolation Lakes (Tuesdays) (Available on Day 10)This trail begins in the Valley of the Ten Peaks at stunning Moraine Lake. The drive alone to this location is worth it in itself. We’ll spend our time hiking leisurely along a old growth forest trail to Consolation Lakes, where you’ll see the Fay Glacier atop Mount Babel. Upon our return, explore around Moraine Lake, including a trip to the top of the Rockpile. Due to bear restrictions this is a great trip to do in a guided group. This hike is rated Easy. Return Distance: 5.8 kms (3.6 miles). Elevation Gain: 255m (837 ft).
Adult Price: $151 Child Price: $151 9- Hole Golfing at Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course (Available on Day 10)Golfers, this one’s for you! Renowned for its panoramic beauty, The Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course is a 9-hole course in the heart of Canada's Rockies. Amateurs and professionals are constantly amazed by its challenging layout from hole design to optical illusions created by the surrounding mountains. Included are green fee as well as club rental.
Adult Price: $159 Child Price: $159 Banff Gondola and unique dining experience (Available on Day 10)Itching for an incredible bird’s-eye view? Soar to the top of Sulphur Mountain for vistas of six mountain ranges at 360 degrees. Your adventure begins with an eight-minute ride to the summit in a modern, fully enclosed four-passenger gondola. Glide up over the treetops to the crest of a steep-sided Rocky Mountain peak and step out into a jaw-dropping mountaintop scene. Then take a seat and graze your way through a mouth-watering lunch with a side of stunning views.
Adult Price: $144 Child Price: $144 Canmore E-Bike Food Tour (Available on Day 10)Get ready for a two-wheel food adventure! Hop on an e-bike and cycle with your friendly tour guides to various local food destinations eating mouth-watering cuisines all while getting a VIP behind- the-scenes experience at Canmore’s foodie hidden gems.
Adult Price: $217 Child Price: $217