This non-camping adventure combines the remarkable scenery of the Canadian Rockies with the wildly beautiful Vancouver Island and Pacific Coast. The itinerary is designed to minimise driving distances so there's plenty of time for exploring and walks in the magnificent national parks and the chance to try canoeing, sea kayaking or go whale watching.

Banff & Jasper
The Rockies rear up like a tidal wave from the plains around Calgary and we spend our first few days exploring the highlights of Banff National Park on the eastern side of these incredible mountains. Following well-marked trails we will discover cascading waterfalls, stunning vistas and the picture-postcard Lake Louise and Lake Moraine. Our journey then takes us to Jasper along the famous Icefields Parkway with regular stops to explore the lakes and glaciers that line this stunning route. In Jasper we plan to explore the park's canyons and waterfalls on foot and there is the option to try canoeing on Maligne Lake.

Clearwater & Whistler
We continue our journey westwards via Mount Robson to our ranch in Clearwater. During our two days here in the "high-country" we will walk to the nearby Sapahats Creek Falls and there is the chance to try canoeing or, if you really want to get in the spirit of things, saddle-up and go horse riding! Our next stop is the vibrant and cosmopolitan town of Whistler, where the options for exploration and activities are endless.

Vancouver Island
From Whistler we go west to Horseshoe Bay where we take a ferry across to Vancouver Island. Here will walk in the Pacific Rim National Park, stare in awe at the towering Douglas Firs and have the chance to go sea-kayaking or whale watching. We also explore the small colonial town of Victoria before finally taking a ferry to Vancouver - one of the world's most beautifully located cities.

Itinerary:

Day 1 Join Calgary. 2 Calgary city tour, drive Canmore and visit Emerald Lakes. 3 Drive to Banff, aerial tram up Sulphur Mountain (optional) and trail walks. 4 Walks around Lake Louise and Morraine Lake. 5 Drive along Icefields parkway, visit Columbia Glacier and Athabaska Falls. 6 Visit Maligne canyon and lake; optional walk in Opal Hills. 7 Drive to Clearwater via Mount Robson; walk to Sapahats Creek Falls. 8 Explore Wells Gray, visit Helmkin Falls; afternoon canoeing or horse riding (optional). 9 Drive to Whistler, visit Cheakamus Lake. 10 Free day in Whistler; optional cable car or cycling. Drive Horseshoe Bay and ferry to Nanaimo. 11 Drive to Pacific Rim NP via McMillan Provincial Park. 12 Free day in Pacific Rim NP; optional sea kayaking or whale watching. 13 Drive to Victoria, free afternoon for sight-seeing. 14 Ferry to Vancouver, guided city tour. 15 End Vancouver.
Reverse itinerary (Ref. RKR): Certain departures operate in reverse: Day 1 Join Vancouver. 2 City tour, ferry to Vancouver Island. 3 In Victoria, drive to Pacific Rim NP. 4 In Pacific Rim NP. 5 McMillan Park, drive Nanaimo. 6 Ferry and drive to Whistler. 7 AM in Whistler; afternoon Drive Clearwater. 8 In Clearwater. 9 Drive Jasper. 10 In Jasper. 11 Drive Canmore. 12 In Banff NP. 13 In Banff NP. 14 Morning Emerald Lakes drive Calgary. 15 End Calgary.

** The following tour dates operate on a reverse itinerary so start tour in Vancouver and end in Calgary.

07 Jun 08 - 21 Jun 08
05 Jul 08 - 19 Jul 08
26 Jul 08 - 09 Aug 08
02 Aug 08 - 16 Aug 08
23 Aug 08 - 06 Sep 08
30

Accommodation: 14nts hotel/motel.
Transport: Maxi-wagon/Ferry/On foot.
Comment: A non-camping adventure taking in some of the finest scenery of western Canada. All walks are optional, however, if you are a keen hiker your tour leader can recommend longer walks.
Group: Approx. 9 to 12.
Staff: Explore Tour Leader/driver.
Trip Reference: RK