The below itinerary reflects our recommendations for this specific trip. We also offer tailored private excursions, allowing you to personalize the itinerary to match your custom preferences.
Day 1 Vancouver to Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge | Floatplane
Depart Vancouver by floatplane for a spectacular journey over the Strait of Georgia, Vancouver Island and the wild coastal scenery of Clayoquot Sound. Touch down on the sheltered waters of Bedwell Sound, then continue by horse-drawn wagon through the estuary to the lodge. On arrival, enjoy a warm wilderness welcome with champagne and hors d’oeuvres before settling into your luxury safari-style tent. The rest of the day is yours to explore the lodge, meet the activities team, enjoy the peaceful waterfront setting or simply relax before dinner. (Dinner included today)
Day 2 Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge | Coastal Wilderness Adventures
Wake to the sounds of Vancouver Island’s remote west coast and enjoy your first full day of guided wilderness experiences. Choose from activities such as marine wildlife viewing, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, rainforest walks, horseback riding, mountain biking or fishing, depending on your interests and seasonal conditions. Watch for bears, whales, sea otters, eagles and other coastal wildlife as you explore a remarkable landscape of ocean, rivers, mountains and old-growth rainforest. Between adventures, return to the lodge for chef-prepared meals, time to relax on the waterfront, or a soak in the cedar hot tubs surrounded by nature. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included today)
Day 3 Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge | Wildlife, Wellness & Lodge Life
Enjoy another unforgettable day immersed in the natural beauty of Clayoquot Sound. Set out on a guided bear or marine wildlife excursion, explore rainforest trails, join a wellness experience, or simply slow the pace and take in the rare stillness of this remote coastal retreat. With wilderness at your doorstep and the comforts of the lodge waiting between activities, today can be as active or relaxed as you wish. This evening, return to the lodge for another memorable dinner and time to enjoy the sauna, outdoor hot tubs and relaxed luxury of your west coast wilderness escape. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included today)
Day 4 Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge to Vancouver | Floatplane
Enjoy a final morning in the wilderness, with time for breakfast and one last activity or quiet moment beside the water. Take in the stillness of Bedwell Sound, the rainforest-covered mountains and the fresh coastal air before transferring back to the floatplane dock. Your scenic flight returns you to Vancouver, bringing this extraordinary west coast wilderness escape to a memorable close. (Breakfast & lunch included today)
Day 5 Vancouver | Day at Leisure
Today is free to experience Vancouver's vibrant blend of stunning natural beauty and urban flair. Explore Stanley Park's expansive trails, enjoy breathtaking views from the Capilano Suspension Bridge, and dine in diverse Gastown. Visit the bustling Granville Island market, appreciate First Nations art at the Museum of Anthropology, and soak in panoramic city and ocean vistas from Grouse Mountain. Vancouver: a captivating mix of culture and adventure.
Day 6 Vancouver to Kamloops | Rocky Mountaineer
Board Rocky Mountaineer this morning and begin your unforgettable journey east from Vancouver through the ever-changing landscapes of British Columbia. Travel through the fertile Fraser Valley before following the mighty Fraser River into the dramatic Fraser Canyon, where steep rock walls, rushing whitewater and remarkable railway engineering create one of the most memorable stretches of the route. Highlights along the way include the thundering waters of Hell’s Gate and historic Cisco Crossing, before the scenery opens to the rolling hills, sagebrush country and wide lake vistas of the Interior on approach to Kamloops. (Breakfast & lunch is included today)
Day 7 Kamloops to Jasper | Rocky Mountaineer
Rejoin Rocky Mountaineer this morning and continue northeast through the vast landscapes of British Columbia, following the North Thompson River past forested valleys, deep river canyons and increasingly dramatic mountain scenery. Today’s highlights include the climb over Yellowhead Pass, the striking cascade of Pyramid Falls and magnificent Mount Robson, rising 3,954 metres as the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. By evening, arrive in Jasper surrounded by soaring peaks and alpine wilderness. (Breakfast & lunch is included today)
Day 8 Jasper | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 6 Excursions
Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of these excursions.
Option 1. Morning Maligne Valley with Medicine Lake Tour
Experience the most incredible sights in Jasper National Park’s Maligne Valley during this guided excursion to the region’s most scenic lakes & majestic canyons, enjoy a gentle guided walk along the shores of this pristine lake.
Option 2. Evening Discover Jasper & its Wildlife
Admire diverse animal life in the Canadian wilderness on this evening wildlife tour. Delve into Jasper National Park with your guide. Travel through the mighty Athabasca Valley and marvel at the park’s beautiful landscapes by twilight.
Option 3. Gentle Raft Float on the Athabasca River
Experience Jasper National Park's natural beauty with a small group float trip on the Athabasca River. Cover several miles on Class II rapids, offering mild excitement with a few splashes. Enjoy your guide's engaging storytelling about local history and wildlife throughout this gentle adventure.
Option 4. Maligne Canyon Hiking Tour
Embark on a stunning hike in Jasper National Park, exploring the deepest accessible canyon in the Canadian Rockies. Learn about the Maligne Valley, Karst topography, and the mysterious disappearing Medicine Lake. Enjoy breathtaking views of rushing rapids and waterfalls along the canyon's five bridges. An added bonus is the shuttle service back to the top, saving you from a steep uphill hike.
Option 5. Upgrade Option: Maligne Valley Sightseeing + Boat Cruise
This Jasper tour starts with a brief town overview before crossing the Athabasca River to Maligne Lake. Discover the majestic Maligne Canyon's waterfalls and the enigmatic "disappearing" Medicine Lake. The highlight is a trip to stunning Maligne Lake, including an interpretive boat cruise to Spirit Island. Experience firsthand the beauty that captured adventurer Mary Schaeffer's heart a century ago, and has since become world-renowned.
Option 6. Personalised Tailor-made Excursion
Talk with one of our local specialists to tailor your day in Jasper to your preferences. Choose from a variety of experiences, including a Maligne Valley tour & lake cruise, an exhilarating Harley-Davidson motorcycle sidecar tour of Jasper National Park, a Jasper food tour to experience the local cuisine, hiking and cooking tour in the backcountry, or a selection of private tours of the region. Alternatively, you can spend the day relaxing and enjoying the fresh mountain air, and we'll credit the cost of your excursion.
Day 9 Jasper to Lake Louise Tour | with picnic lunch
Includes Ice Explorer Ride onto the Athabasca Glacier + Glacier Skywalk
Travel along the breathtaking Icefields Parkway today, one of North America’s most spectacular mountain highways. This full-day sightseeing journey showcases jagged peaks, turquoise lakes, glacier-fed rivers, hanging glaciers, deep valleys and cascading waterfalls, with possible stops including Athabasca Falls, the Weeping Wall, Bow Lake and Crowfoot Glacier. At the Columbia Icefield, board the Ice Explorer for an unforgettable ride onto the ancient Athabasca Glacier, then step out over the Sunwapta Valley on the glass-floored Glacier Skywalk. Continue through dramatic mountain passes and glacier-carved scenery toward your overnight destination. (Picnic lunch included today)
Day 10 Lake Louise to Banff with Moraine Lake Tour
Enjoy a relaxed morning at Lake Louise. This afternoon, depart Lake Louise, where turquoise waters sit beneath rugged peaks and the Victoria Glacier, and continue to Moraine Lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks. Walk up the Rockpile for the classic viewpoint once featured on Canada’s historic $20 bill. Then travel to Banff via the scenic Bow Valley Parkway, with stories along the way about how local landmarks got their names.
Seasonal note (May 1-31): Moraine Lake Road is closed during this period, and the tour is replaced with a mid- or late-afternoon scheduled coach transfer to Banff. You will have free time to canoe, hike to the Lake Agnes Teahouse, or enjoy afternoon tea at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Private transfers are available at an additional cost.
Day 11 Banff | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 6 Excursions
Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of these excursions.
Option 1. Discover Banff & Its Wildlife Tour + Banff Gondola
Discover Banff's natural wonders on this half-day, small-group tour. Marvel at sights like Bow Falls, Hoodoos rock formation, and Lake Minnewanka. Conclude your exploration with a relaxing gondola ride to Sulphur Mountain's peak, maximizing your views of Banff National Park effortlessly. Enjoy the enchanting beauty of these landmarks with minimum exertion.
Option 2. Banff National Park Explorer Moraine Lake & Lake Louise | Small Group Tour with Picnic Lunch
Join this small group tour for a curated experience of Banff National Park's highlights, with the added chance to spot wildlife through expert local guidance. Enjoy unhindered access to Moraine Lake & Lake Louise, spending over 1½ hours at each, discovering hidden gems and serene trails. The final phase of the tour is tailor-made in Banff by your guide, considering recent wildlife sightings and your interests, ensuring the day concludes on a high note.
Option 3. Rockies Hidden Gems Yoho & Kootenay National Parks | Small Group Tour with Picnic Lunch
Avoid the crowds with this full-day adventure in the Kootenay and Yoho National Parks, featuring picturesque waterfalls and Canadian Rockies views. Start with a relaxing stroll in Kootenay National Park's Marble Canyon, marveling at turquoise glacial waters and striking canyon walls. Enjoy Emerald Lake's neon blue waters, where optional canoe rentals, hiking trails, and lakeside picnics are available. The day concludes with a visit to Canada's 2nd tallest waterfall, Takakkaw Falls, accessible through backroads offering mountain vistas and wildlife sightings.
Option 4. Cowboy Horseback Cookout BBQ Lunch or Dinner
Saddle up for a ride along the Bow River in Banff and a Western style cookout. Choose from riding on horseback or in a covered wagon through the beautiful Rocky Mountain terrain.
Option 5. Signature Guided Hike | Small Group Hike with Picnic Lunch
Experience the best of Rocky Mountain National Parks' backcountry with our curated hiking tours. Revel in spring's wildflowers, summer's clear glacier views, and the golden hues of fall's larch trees. Our passionate local guides will lead you on classic hikes in the Banff and Lake Louise area, including Stanley Glacier, Larch Valley, Kootenay National Park Trails, and Plain of 6 Glaciers. Immerse yourself in nature's beauty across seasons in the Rockies.
Option 6. Personalised Tailor-made Excursion
Talk with one of our local Canada specialists to tailor your day in Banff to your preferences. Choose from a variety of experiences, including guided hikes, evening wildlife e-bike tours, river explorer canoe tours, a foodie tour at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, or upgrade to a selection of private tours of the region. Alternatively, you can spend the day relaxing and enjoying the fresh mountain air, and we'll credit the cost of your excursion.
Day 12 Banff to Calgary | Coach
Today you will leave behind the fresh mountain air and colourful sights of the Rockies. We will schedule a transfer to bring you to downtown Calgary, or to the Calgary Airport to connect with your flight home.
