8 Day Western Canada Journey

On arrival in Calgary, you'll transfer independently to your Downtown hotel and check in with your Tour Director. The remainder of the day is yours at leisure, so you can explore the landmarks and hotspots of Calgary. Why not wander through Chinatown, along the Bow River and over to Prince’s Island Park? Alternatively, if you’re after a stunning view, take the elevator up the Calgary Tower and enjoy panoramic vistas of the city, across to the Rocky Mountains.

At breakfast you’ll meet your fellow travellers and then it’s time to begin your tour. Enjoy a short tour of the city, where you'll see Fort Calgary and the skyscrapers of the commercial district, Then you'll hit the road in your coach, leaving the city behind as you head to the Rocky Mountains. As the coach gets closer to the mountains and enters Banff National Park, you’ll be able to appreciate their true magnitude. You can tour Banff’s snow-capped peaks, sparkling glaciers and emerald-green lakes, plus famous places like Bow Falls and Tunnel Mountain.

Today is yours to spend however you wish. You can hit Banff’s boutique shops, bars and restaurants, or take the Banff Gondola up to the mountains to enjoy breath-taking views. If you'd prefer to head further afield, why not join the optional daytrip to the Columbia Icefield? En route, you'll stop off at the iconic Lake Louise, which is famous for its bright green waters. Then you'll continue up the rugged Icefield Parkway to Columbia Icefield. Here, you'll board an Ice Explorer and rumble across the ancient Athabasca Glacier. Return back to Canmore late afternoon and enjoy dinner in town, or head into Banff to try one of its many restaurants.

Travel along the famed Trans-Canada Highway today, as you follow the route charted by the railroad engineers of the mid 1800s. You'll leave the province of Alberta behind as the coach crosses the jagged Kicking Horse Pass into British Columbia, and on through Yoho National Park. Enjoy a dazzling display of vast icefields, deep canyons, dense forests, and glacier-fed streams. You'll continue through the Monashee and Selkirk mountain ranges, before reaching the town of Kamloops.

The scenery will change dramatically today. You'll see vast ranch land, followed by majestic coastal mountains as you travel to scenic Whistler. There's an optional tour on offer today. If you wish, you can enjoy a floatplane sightseeing tour over Garibaldi Park, where you can marvel at the volcanic peaks, alpine lakes and meadows. If you choose not to join the tour, then the afternoon is yours to spend in Whistler at your leisure. 

Today you'll head south along the Sea-to-Sky Highway, through a dramatic landscape of fjords and snowy peaks. Then you'll reach the coastal metropolis of Vancouver. Enjoy a city tour to see Stanley Park, Prospect Point, English Bay, the historic Gastown district, bustling Chinatown, and more. You’ll have the afternoon at your leisure to further explore this beautiful city.

Your last day in Western Canada is yours to spend however you please. You could go shopping on Robson Street, explore the markets of Granville Island, or relax in Stanley Park. In the afternoon, why not take a gondola ride to the summit of Grouse Mountain? And, in the evening, you can head to historic Gastown for a delicious meal.

There's also an optional full-day tour to Victoria, on Vancouver Island. In British Columbia's capital, you can see 19th-century landmarks, soak up the lively atmosphere, and admire the floral displays in the beautiful Butchart Gardens.

Make the most of your last few hours in Vancouver, before heading to the airport for your flight home.

Not ready to go home yet? Speak to our team about extending your time in Canada. Why not spend a few extra days on Vancouver Island, or catch a flight over to Toronto to break up the journey home? Whatever you're planning, our Travel Specialists can build you the perfect trip.