Compare Canada's Western Wilderness & Wildlife Self-Drive by Audley Travel vs Canadian Rockies by Train by Tours of Distinction
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 19 days | 7 days |
| Price From | $ 4,141 | $ 3,700 |
| Price Per Day | $ 218 | $ 529 |
| Highlights |
N/A
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| Trip Style | Private guided tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Premium |
| Physical Level |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
6 Breakfasts, 5 Dinners |
| Description |
A vast and sparsely populated country of magnificent mountain ranges, ice-blue glacial lakes, remote coastal settlements and diverse cities, Canada offers a wealth of things to see and do. Wildlife is abundant with a healthy population of grizzlies, black and polar bears and plenty of places you can observe them in their natural habitat. Across the country you'll find diverse experiences on offer from white water rafting and heli-hiking to haunted hikes and whale watching tours, while the country’s buzzing metropolises can be explored in unusual ways from fine food tours in Quebec to food cart tours of Vancouver. |
A leisurely journey that traverses the dramatic beauty of the Canadian Rockies – tour snow covered mountain peaks glisten amid glacier blue lakes where ever present wildlife roams free. Ride a “snow coach” to a glacier, cruise on a crystal clear lake, and take a quiet water raft trip to watch the pristine landscape glide by. Alpine villages, ice-fields, pounding waterfalls, and the great outdoors… await. |
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. The remainder of the day is free to relax or begin exploring the city.
Day 2 : Vancouver
On your first full day in Vancouver, get your bearings with a bicycle tour of the city. Your local guide will take you through Stanley Park (including a stop to see its famous totem poles), Granville Island Market, Chinatown and historic Gastown.
Day 3 : Vancouver
Spend a day at leisure exploring the many sights this vibrant city has to offer. You could board a float plane for a scenic flight over the city, sample some street food or visit the Museum of Anthropology to learn about the area's First Nations culture.
Day 4 : Victoria
Collect your hire car from downtown Vancouver. Your car hire package includes a sat-nav and all insurance. You then drive 40 minutes south to the ferry port at Tsawwassen. Board the B.C. Ferry for the hour and a half journey over to Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island. There's a restaurant and comfortable lounge areas on board. It's then a 45 minute drive to downtown Victoria, British Columbia's capital city. After settling into your accommodation, spend the rest of the day relaxing or head out to explore Victoria's quaint old town with its market square and boutique shops.
Day 5 : Victoria
Join an exciting three hour whale watching trip from Victoria. The area is renowned for being home to resident pods of orca whales so you should be rewarded with some great sightings. The afternoon is free to explore the city. You could visit the former home of renowned artist Emily Carr or the Gothic-style Craigdarroch Castle.
Day 6 : Tofino
Drive from Victoria to Tofino on the Pacific coast of Vancouver Island. The five hour route (not including stops) takes you through mountains covered in old growth rainforest and past clear lakes in the island's interior before descending to the charming small town of Tofino on the coast. En route you could stop at the Quw'utsun' First Nations Cultural Centre to learn more about the region's First Nations culture. Once you enter the Pacific Rim National Park you could stop at the Wickaninnish Visitor Centre and take a stroll on boardwalks through the forest, looking out for black bears.
Day 7 : Tofino
Spend a thrilling few hours exploring Clayoquot Sound's remote islands by sea kayak. As you paddle through rugged outcrops and islets your guide will explain more about the area's history, flora and fauna. You may also encounter porpoises, seals, eagles and orcas, or - if you're lucky - black bears who comb the shoreline at low tide, searching for clams. This afternoon you're free to explore Tofino's art galleries or go for a walk along the secluded driftwood-strewn beaches.
Day 8 : Campbell River
Leaving Tofino, drive for around four and a half hours (not including stops) east over the central mountains to the small town of Campbell River on the island's east coast. You pass through the Pacific Rim National Park before winding up through the interior mountains. We suggesting making a stop at Cathedral Grove en route, where you can follow a walking trail to admire the ancient cedar trees.
Day 9 : Campbell River
Take a wildlife journey through the Discovery Islands today, home to a range of wildlife such as and whales as well as eagles and other marine birdlife. Throughout the three hour trip, your guide will tell you interesting facts about each of the species you encounter. Spend the rest of the day exploring the town, perhaps enjoying fresh salmon for lunch or heading out on a coastal walk.
Day 10 : Whistler
After an hour and a half scenic drive to the ferry port at Nanaimo, take the two hour ferry crossing to Horseshoe Bay on the B.C. mainland. You then drive for around two hours along the Sea to Sky Highway, which winds between mountains and the sea, before reaching the mountain resort of Whistler. The remainder of the day is free to relax or begin exploring.
Day 11 : Whistler
Spend a full day exploring Whistler. You may wish to take a gondola to the summit of Blackcomb or Whistler Mountain, go walking in the mountains, or go kayaking, mountain biking, zip lining or white water rafting.
Day 12 : Clearwater - Wells Gray Provincial Park
Today you depart Whistler and drive for around seven hours through the arid ranch lands of British Columbia's interior. Passing the mighty Fraser River, continue to Clearwater, the nearest town to Wells Gray Provincial Park.
Day 13 : Clearwater - Wells Gray Provincial Park
Join a four hour guided hike through Wells Gray's pristine mountain scenery. Your guide will point out interesting flora and fauna and tell you about the area's flora, fauna and geology. You also come across some of the park's waterfalls and, in July and August, pretty wildflower meadows. The afternoon is free to try out other outdoor activities, such as horse riding, fishing or white water rafting.
Day 14 : Jasper
Your four and a half hour drive today takes you past mighty Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Shortly afterwards you will cross into the province of Alberta and arrive at the small town of Jasper. You may wish to stop en route at Blue River, where you can view wildlife aboard a speed boat, accessing areas unreachable by road.
Day 15 : Jasper
Jasper National Park awaits your discovery today. You may wish to visit Maligne Lake and Canyon, take a boat trip to picturesque Spirit Island or explore one of the park's many scenic walking trails.This evening you'll join a small group tour and head off into Jasper National Park in search of wildlife with your expert local guide - keep your camera closer as you may encounter elk, moose, bald eagles, black bears and grizzly bears.
Day 16 : Canmore
Drive four and a half hours (not including stops) south from Jasper, along the spectacular Icefields Parkway, to Canmore. There are many beautiful lakes and glaciers to admire en route, including Lake Louise and Castle Mountain. On the way you'll make a stop at the Athabasca Glacier, where you will don crampons and join a guided ice walk onto the glacier itself. On this three hour tour you'll escape the crowds while your guide explains the geological features of the area. From here, continue on to Canmore.
Day 17 : Canmore
Spend the day exploring Canmore and Banff National Park, which lies just a few minutes' drive away from the town. You could go white water rafting on the Kananaskis River or join a guided caving trip deep within Grotto Mountain. There are many walking trails in the area, or you can take a relaxing stroll around the town.
Day 18 : International return flight
This morning is free for last minute shopping or sightseeing before your hour and a half drive to Calgary Airport. Drop off your hire car prior to boarding your onward flight.
Day 19 : International return flight
Arrive home today to complete your journey.
Day 1 - Arrive Vancouver, Canada
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Vancouver. Upon arrival, we check into our hotel for an overnight stay, then enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (D)
Day 2 - Vancouver - Kamloops, BC
We begin our day with a city tour of Vancouver which includes the beautiful Stanley Park, Chinatown, Gastown including the world famous steam-powered clock, the 2010 Olympic torch and village. In the Afternoon we journey to Kamloops, BC and check into our hotel for the night. (B, D)
Day 3 - Rocky Mountains
This morning its all-aboard VIA Rail Canada as we depart Kamloops bound for Jasper. Our relaxing daytime journey will take us past snowcapped mountains, glacial lakes, rushing rivers, and perfectly pristine Canadian wilderness, “oh what a journey!” Our train arrives in Jasper late afternoon, we check in our hotel for a two night stay. (B, D)
Day 4 - Jasper
Oh! What a day we have today! To start- we begin with a very mild float/rafting tour on the Athabasca River, the same route once used by “Fur Traders” years ago. Our adventure continues, this afternoon as we take a walk into Maligne Canyon to enjoy its natural beauty. Then it’s on to Maligne Lake for a relaxing cruise and a brief stop at “Sprite Island”. This evening after dinner we embark on a wildlife safari in search of Moose, Bear and Caribou. (B,D)
Day 5 - Jasper - Banff, AB
Our journey today will take us south on the Columbia Icefields Parkway…with snowcapped mountains and rushing rivers, impressive cliffs – this is truly one of Canada’s most scenic motorways. We stop at Athabasca Falls to wonder at the sheer beauty and power. Then we to board our special “snowcoach” for a ride onto the glacier where you will be able to get out and walk around atop a glacier. After our snow coach ride we continue on the Icefields Parkway always being on the lookout for wildlife as we make our way to visit Bow Falls and Peyto Lake. Today’s journey ends as we check into our hotel for a 2-night stay. (B)
Day 6 - Banff
Banff and the best of Yoho National Park . Today we will visit Moraine and Emerald Lakes both beautiful and different. We take a walk to the Lower Johnson Canyon Waterfall - what a sight! No visit would be complete without a stop at Lake Louise where we will have the opportunity to walk the paved path along the edge of the lake, relax on one of the many benches and savior the peaceful beauty. Return to Banff by mid-afternoon remainder of the day to explore on your own. This evening we gather for our farewell dinner. (B, D)
Day 7 - Depart Banff
Our adventure comes to a close this morning as we transfer to Calgary Airport for our homebound flight. The tour is over but the memories are yours to keep! (B)
