Jewels of Western Canada Self-Drive

16 days
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USTOA

Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Spend two full days exploring cosmopolitan Vancouver, visiting Stanley Park, Chinatown and its many shops and museums. Drive through some of North America’s most spectacular landscapes, passing snow-covered mountains and glittering lakes. Immerse yourself in the great outdoors, whether on foot, mountain bike or kayak. Admire the frothing waterfalls of Wells G...
From$3,801
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Overview

Trip type
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

What's this trip about?

    Spend two full days exploring cosmopolitan Vancouver, visiting Stanley Park, Chinatown and its many shops and museums. Drive through some of North America’s most spectacular landscapes, passing snow-covered mountains and glittering lakes. Immerse yourself in the great outdoors, whether on foot, mountain bike or kayak. Admire the frothing waterfalls of Wells Gray Provincial Park. Spot wildlife such as black and grizzly bears, moose, bald eagles, deer and elk.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIntimate group - 12 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityVancouver
End CityBanff

Travel Themes

  • High Adventure
  • National Parks
  • Nature & Wildlife

Destinations

Attractions

  • Banff National Park
  • Jasper
  • Jasper National Park
  • Lake Louise
  • Vancouver

Activities

  • Canoeing
  • Cycling
  • Hiking
  • History
  • Kayaking
  • Mountain Biking
  • Nature
  • Wildlife viewing

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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 downtown hotel by taxi. The remainder of the day is free to relax after your flight or begin to explore the city. You could browse the shops on Robson Street or simply enjoy a meal in one of the many gourmet restaurants.

Day 2 : Vancouver

Spend a day at leisure in Vancouver. There's plenty to see in this cosmopolitan city. Some of our suggestions include; walking or cycling around Stanley Park, which has a collection of replica totem poles, an aquarium and views over English Bay and Vancouver Harbour; ...

Day 3 : Vancouver

Today you're booked on the 'Mail Run' - a seaplane that departs from Vancouver and acts as a shuttle between the city and the Gulf Islands that dot the Strait of Georgia. You'll join locals on this scenic flight and take in fantastic views of downtown Vancouver and th...

Day 4 : Whistler

Collect your hire car from downtown Vancouver this morning. Your car hire package includes insurance and a GPS navigation system. On your way out of the city, you drive past Stanley Park and over the Lion's Gate Bridge before continuing along the scenic Sea to Sky Hig...

Day 5 : Whistler

Spend a full day exploring Whistler. You may wish to take the cable car up to the summit of Whistler Mountain and then the Peak-to-Peak gondola over to Blackcomb Mountain - the views from here over the town and the surrounding mountains and lakes are incredible. Furth...

Day 6 : Clearwater - Wells Gray Provincial Park

Today you depart Whistler and drive for around seven hours (excluding stops) through the arid ranch lands of British Columbia's interior, passing the small towns of Pemberton and Lillooet, as well as the mighty Fraser River. This is the Cariboo area, and was once reno...

Day 7 : Clearwater - Wells Gray Provincial Park

Spend today exploring the striking Wells Gray Provincial Park, where craggy mountains rise above evergreen forests, lakes and steaming waterfalls. You can hike along some of the many trails, looking out for wildlife such as moose, black and grizzly bears, elk and deer...

Day 8 : Jasper

Travel east along the North Thompson River and into the Rockies - the drive will take around four and a half hours (excluding stops). En route you may wish to stop at Blue River for a one hour jet boat trip with a guide to spot some of the river's wildlife, which may ...

Day 9 : Jasper

Spend the day in Jasper National Park. You may wish to visit Maligne Lake and Canyon - a boat trip to Spirit Island presents one of the best views in the Rockies, taking in the distinctive blue lake fringed by mountains. There are many walking trails to follow; we can...

Day 10 : Jasper

This morning take a two and a half hour guided float trip along the beautiful Athabasca River. The route follows that of fur traders who ventured here around 200 years ago, and your guide provides a commentary on the area's history and wildlife. You may encounter smal...

Day 11 : Lake Louise

Drive for four hours (excluding stops) south along the spectacular Icefields Parkway from Jasper to Lake Louise. The route climbs from the low forested valley up to the treeline, passing all three life zones of the Rockies - the Montane, Sub-Alpine and Alpine. You may...

Day 12 : Lake Louise

Spend a day enjoying the glorious scenery around Lake Louise. Many walking trails offer hours of wildlife viewing and varied scenery to enjoy - one of the best leads you uphill towards Mirror Lake and Lake Agnes for some fantastic alpine views. Alternatively, take the...

Day 13 : Banff

Drive from Lake Louise to the town of Banff, about an hour away. We recommend following the scenic Bow Valley Parkway, where you can drive at a leisurely pace and pause for photographs. You may encounter wildlife such as bears and deer, which can sometimes block the r...

Day 14 : Banff

Spend today exploring Banff and the surrounding area. You may wish to visit the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, where Canada's National Park system began in 1885. Naturally occurring hot springs are found both in the cave and outside in an emerald basin, with a...

Day 15 : International return flight

This morning you depart Banff and drive the two hours to Calgary Airport. Watch as the mountainous landscape gives way to flat prairie lands dotted with ranches. You eventually reach the city and, after dropping off your car at the airport's car depot, board your onward flight.

Day 16 : International return flight

Arrive home today to complete your journey.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,801
Price per day$238
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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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.

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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**.

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Age Requirements
No age restrictions
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Trip ID
audley-audley-travel-39706

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