Grand Western Canada Self-Drive

22 days
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USTOA

Private Guided
Bear watching in coastal rainforests, glacier-strewn mountains, chasing the northern lights… On a tailor-made holiday to Canada with Audley, you’ll see the highlights — and much more — your way. We’ll design your ideal trip with you, paying close attention to your interests, your travel style and your budget. Our Canada specialists know the country inside out...
From$6,521
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Overview

Trip type
Private Guided
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

What's this trip about?

    Bear watching in coastal rainforests, glacier-strewn mountains, chasing the northern lights… On a tailor-made holiday to Canada with Audley, you’ll see the highlights — and much more — your way. We’ll design your ideal trip with you, paying close attention to your interests, your travel style and your budget. Our Canada specialists know the country inside out and can lead you to experiences you won’t find in a guidebook. Walk along lesser-trodden paths in the Rockies with local guides, or go heli-hiking on mountainsides. Take a food tour of Vancouver’s Granville Island Public Market and cycle around Stanley Park with a guide. Spot orcas off the coast of Victoria. Hop between lighthouses and drive the twisting Cabot Trail in the Maritime provinces. Visit lesser-known lakes that glow spearmint-green. Growl past mountains in the sidecar of a Harley Davidson. Rich First Nations heritage, Francophone culture in artsy Montréal, bosky islands explored by Zodiac boat or canoe, the cobbled streets of Old Québec… What excites you? Travel at your own pace, in your own style, with the confidence that we’ll show you the best options, wherever you go.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIntimate group - 12 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityVancouver
End CityCalgary Airport

Travel Themes

  • National Parks
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Train & Rail Journeys

Destinations

  • North America
  • Canada

Attractions

  • Jasper
  • Lake Louise
  • Vancouver
  • Victoria

Activities

  • Bird watching
  • Hiking
  • Historic sightseeing
  • Mountaineering
  • Nature
  • Relaxing Retreat
  • Trains & Rail

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Itinerary

Day 1 : Vancouver

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Vancouver. On arrival in Vancouver make your own way to your accommodation and relax for the remainder of the day.

Day 2 : Vancouver

Spend a day at leisure in Vancouver. There are plenty of sights to see in this cosmopolitan city including Stanley Park, Chinatown, historic Gastown, and the shops of Robson Street.

Day 3 : Vancouver

You have most of the day to explore under your own steam, before taking a thrilling seaplane flight from Vancouver's seaplane terminal over the Gulf Islands to Bowen Island, where you'll take in sunset views and enjoy a delicious three course meal. You'll then be transferred by ferry to Horseshoe Bay, where a car will be waiting to take you back into downtown Vancouver.

Day 4 : Victoria

Today you take a coach transfer, via the Tsawwassen ferry, to Vancouver Island. Once in Swartz Bay it is just a short distance by coach to Victoria, capital of British Columbia.

Day 5 : Victoria

This morning enjoy a three hour whale watching trip. The afternoon is free to discover this lovely city with its harbour, grand Victorian buildings and nearby Butchart Gardens.

Day 6 : Tofino

Collect your hire car and drive north from Victoria, through spectacular mountain scenery to Tofino on Vancouver Island's west coast.

Day 7 : Tofino

Spend the morning watching for black bears along the coast. The afternoon is free to explore this pretty little town with its fishing boats and art galleries.

Day 8 : Tofino

Spend a day at leisure in Tofino. You may wish to visit nearby Pacific Rim National Park, go whale watching or take a trip to the hot springs on Meares Island.

Day 9 : Campbell River

This morning drive from Tofino to Campbell River on the east coast of Vancouver Island. The afternoon is free to explore the area.

Day 10 : Port Hardy

Travel north from Campbell River to Port Hardy. You may wish to visit Telegraph Cove en route which offers excellent whale watching. Drop off your hire car upon arrival in Port Hardy.

Day 11 : Prince Rupert

Board the Inside Passage ferry for this full day journey to Prince Rupert. This 15 hour journey is on board a modern, comfortable ferry with a wide range of facilities. Entry to the Aurora Lounge is also included in your ticket, allowing additional comfort on this trip. The scenery is renowned and dolphins, whales and eagles are frequently seen.

Day 12 : Prince Rupert

The Khutzeymateen region is reknowed for its thriving population of grizzly bears - and today you'll embark on a full day guided tour to view this majestic creatures. Your expert guide will take you to the best viewing areas, and explain more about the bear's habitat and behaviours. You'll then return to Prince Rupert late this afternoon.

Day 13 : Prince George

This morning make your own way to the railway station in time for the departure of the Skeena train. Spend a full day on board enjoying the lovely scenery along the route. Make your own way to your hotel in Prince George on arrival.

Day 14 : Jasper

Make your own way back to the station for the departure of the Skeena to Jasper. Spend a second full day on board the train. On arrival in Jasper your hotel is just a short walk from the station.

Day 15 : Jasper

Collect your hire car from downtown Jasper. The day is yours to explore Jasper town and its surrounding national park.

Day 16 : Jasper

Explore Jasper National Park from a different perspective today - in the sidecar of a Harley Davidson motorcycle! On this two hour private tour you will see some of the national park's highlights, such as Medicine Lake and Maligne Canyon, stopping at the best viewpoints along the way. You are also likely to encounter plenty of wildlife so keep your camera close to hand!

Day 17 : Lake Louise

Drive for four hours (excluding stops) south along the spectacular Icefields Parkway from Jasper to Lake Louise. You may see ptarmigans, wolves, mountain goats and bighorn sheep en route, and there are lots of viewing points to stop at for photographs. En route you'll...

Day 18 : Lake Louise

Spend a day enjoying the glorious scenery around Lake Louise. Nearby Moraine Lake is also well worth exploring and the area offers lots of opportunities for seeing wildlife.

Day 19 : Banff

Drive from Lake Louise to Banff where you have the afternoon free to explore this bustling town.

Day 20 : Banff

Join a small group guided hike to one of Banff's scenic highlights - Sunshine Vistas. Consistently rated as one of Canada's best hikes, you'll pass through wildflower meadows and alpine lakes on this four hour hike. Returning to Banff this afternoon, you'll have time ...

Day 21 : International return flight

This morning drive to Calgary Airport to drop off your hire car prior to boarding your onward flight.

Day 22 : International return flight

Arrive home today to complete your journey.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $6,521
Price per day$296
Last Updated: 0/12/2022

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Audley Travel.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Our trips don’t come off the shelf. There’s no set recipe. Each itinerary is tailor-made down to the finest detail, built around your tastes and interests. Quite simply, we listen to what you want and then carefully design an individual trip to match, working to your budget and with an absolute commitment to quality.

We have experts for each and every one of our destinations, with the knowledge that comes from having visited many times or even lived there. Our specialists will design a trip around you, show you the highlights from a different angle, and introduce you to places and experiences that others might miss.

Our flexibility promise

As the world adjusts to travel in times of uncertainty, we want you to be able to look ahead to your next trip knowing you can change your plans if needed. And, with specialists who are experts in their destinations and remain your single point of contact before and while you travel, we promise you can book with us in absolute confidence.

Our flexibility promise

Change your plans free of charge up to 30 days before departure

We’ll move your travel dates or switch the value of your booked trip to another destination at no expense to you up to 30 days before you’re due to depart. You’ll receive a 100% travel credit equivalent to the amount you paid toward your original booking.

Valid for new bookings made on or before October 31, 2020, for travel by Dec. 31, 2021. Travel dates may be moved to departures up to December 31, 2022. Excludes select cruises and airfare. Additional charges may be incurred based on changes to your trip such as accommodation and/or seasonality.

Full-refund guarantee on trips close to home

14-day cancellation policy for trips to the US, Canada or Caribbean

We want to help you navigate the uncertainty that remains around travel by giving you the flexibility to book a trip to any of our destinations in the United States, Canada or the Caribbean this year in complete confidence. With our 14-day cancellation policy, you can cancel your trip up to two weeks before you’re due to depart for any reason and receive a full refund, when you book your trip on or before October 31, 2020 for travel before December 14, 2021**.

Valid on new bookings within the US, Canada or Caribbean made on or before October 31, 2020 for travel by December 14, 2021. Certain policy variations may apply dependent on property selection and dates. Specific details will be provided by your specialist. Any portion of a new booking paid with an existing travel credit will be refunded in the form of a travel credit. Excludes flights and select properties.

 

Set your travel plans in motion with a video appointment

 

Talking face to face with your specialist can be an invaluable starting point for sharing thoughts and ideas as you begin to imagine your next trip. You can take as much time as you need to speak to your specialist and discuss all your plans with one of our video appointments. Just think of it as your own personal webinar — your specialist will share a wealth of insight, aided by images, maps and other visuals, to inspire you and provide advice for your trip, based on what you want to experience.

It's easy to arrange

  • Book a video appointment (we’ll ask you for a few details about your travel plans).
  • One of our specialists, who’s an expert in your chosen destination, will get in touch to arrange a time and date to suit you. If your travel companions are in different households, we’ll invite them to join, too, so you can all chat together.
  • Your specialist will send you a link to your video appointment by email. We suggest using a computer or laptop, which means there’s no software to download.
  • Settle down with a drink, click on the link to join the appointment and your specialist will be there to welcome you.
 

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Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
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Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Trip ID
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