Today, your adventure to Canada begins. You’ll depart from your selected airport, with a connecting flight along the way, arriving later today in Vancouver, situated in the province of British Columbia.

Upon arrival, you’ll go through immigration, collect your luggage and continue to the arrivals hall. Here, simply follow the signs to the car rental office, located just outside the arrivals hall at Vancouver Airport. Details regarding your collection time can be found on your voucher*.

Once you’ve collected your car, it’s just a short drive to your hotel in the heart of Vancouver. After checking in, you can choose to unwind after your long journey or head out to explore Vancouver’s charming streets.

Today you’ll need to collect your Parks Canada Discovery Pass at reception. This is required for entry into the national parks, allowing you to skip the long queues.

Today’s driving distance: approx. 12 km / 15 min.

You have the option to upgrade your hire car. If you’d like to hear more, contact your travel specialist.

*If you’d prefer to pick up your car when you leave Vancouver for your road trip, please enquire with your travel specialist.

Today, the adventure begins in the vibrant city of Vancouver, where culture and nature are perfectly balanced and waiting to be explored.

You’re free to spend the day as you choose, but an easy way to discover the main highlights is by hopping aboard one of the city’s renowned hop-on hop-off buses. Alternatively, make the most of Vancouver’s excellent public transport, or simply stroll or cycle your way around the sights.

We highly recommend a visit to Stanley Park, the city’s lush urban oasis. Meandering through the park are dedicated paths for walkers and cyclists, known collectively as the Vancouver Seawall. Here, you’ll truly feel the harmony between city and nature, with spectacular views of towering trees, the glittering ocean, and the iconic Vancouver skyline. Don’t miss the famous totem poles, some dating back to the 1880s; their intricate designs and vivid colours tell of the achievements and legends of the local First Nations peoples.

Head to Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhood, Gastown, where you’ll find one of the world’s only steam-powered clocks – the Gastown Steam Clock, built in 1977 and still signalling the hour with a whistle. With its cobblestone streets and old-fashioned gas lamps, Gastown oozes charm and is the perfect place to seek out cosy eateries with real local character.

If you have a head for heights, don’t miss one of Vancouver’s most popular attractions: the Capilano Suspension Bridge, located just outside the city. Spanning 137 metres in length and suspended 70 metres above the forest floor, it’s a thrilling experience. As nearly 1.2 million people cross the bridge each year, we recommend booking your ticket in advance. Your ticket also includes complimentary return transfers from a specific pick-up point in downtown Vancouver.

Round off your stay in Vancouver with a visit to the charming Granville Island. Here, let your taste buds roam free at the extensive food market and browse independent shops brimming with locally made arts and crafts. It’s best to visit during the day while the shops are open, as the cafés and restaurants usually close early in the evening.

Today, your Canadian self-drive tour truly begins. Start your morning in Vancouver with an early breakfast, pack up the car, and set off towards the city of Kelowna, stopping wherever takes your fancy along the way. You’ll quickly realise that driving here is so much more than simply sitting behind the wheel. The Canadian landscape delivers breathtaking scenery in every direction, and through your window, the majestic wilderness unfurls like a cinematic masterpiece right before your eyes.

We highly recommend making a stop after about an hour and a half’s drive at the small beach in Harrison Hot Springs. It’s the perfect spot for a coffee break, and in the warm summer months, you can enjoy a refreshing swim in Harrison Lake.

From here, continue your drive to Kelowna, a city located at the southern tip of British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley—a renowned wine region, counted among Canada’s top three wine producers.

Upon arrival in this sun-drenched city, you’ll soon feel the holiday atmosphere in the air, and it’s the ideal place to round off your drive with a chilled glass of locally produced ice wine, gazing out over Lake Okanagan and the surrounding vineyards in the Cultural District.

Today’s driving distance: approx. 400 km / 4.5 hours

Rolling valleys and vineyards mark the transition to a landscape of snow-capped peaks and deep forests, as you embark on today’s journey from Kelowna to the town of Revelstoke.

It’s entirely up to you when you leave Kelowna, but we recommend setting off for Revelstoke after breakfast, giving you the whole afternoon to explore Mount Revelstoke National Park, which lies right on the edge of town.

Mount Revelstoke National Park is unique in Canada, being the only national park where you can drive all the way to the summit. The route follows the scenic Meadows in the Sky Parkway. Please note, vehicles longer than 7.9 metres are not permitted. The road is typically open from late May until early October, depending on the snow.

The Meadows in the Sky Parkway will reward you with breathtaking views and wildflower meadows that burst into a riot of colour during August. You can also try some popular hiking trails, such as the Giant Cedars Nature Trail, wandering among 500-year-old cedar trees, and the Skunk Cabbage Nature Trail, which leads you through a lush, bird-rich wetland.

Your accommodation is located just outside the main town in a picturesque setting overlooking Three Valley Lake. In the same area, you’ll find the tiny ghost town of 3 Valley Gap, home to a collection of buildings dating from the late 1800s, when the gold rush brought thousands of hopeful prospectors to the region (entrance tickets can be purchased locally).

Today’s driving distance: approx. 176 km / 2 hrs 15 mins.

We recommend setting off early from Revelstoke today, as your route will take you through several national parks before you arrive at the big one: Banff National Park, where you’ll be spending the next two nights.

About a 40 minutes’ drive from Revelstoke brings you to the first gem of the day: Glacier National Park. This park is a true paradise for walkers, who come here to enjoy beautiful waterfalls, glaciers, and an abundance of wildlife, including cougars, grizzly bears, lynxes, and eagles.

Your journey towards Yoho National Park takes you over the highest point on the Trans-Canada Highway: Rogers Pass. Here, you can visit the Rogers Pass Discovery Center to discover the remarkable feats of engineering that enabled the railway to pass through the rugged Selkirk Mountains in the late 1800s—a pivotal achievement in creating the transcontinental railway.

From Rogers Pass, your journey continues to Yoho National Park—the smallest of the national parks in the Canadian Rockies. Small in size, but vast in natural beauty.
You can look forward to seeing the iconic Emerald Lake, the very definition of natural splendour with its vivid emerald waters, snow-capped peaks, forested shores, and the charming Emerald Lake Lodge log cabin. You’d be hard pressed to find anywhere more picturesque!

At the end of the day, you will arrive at the welcoming mountain town of Banff, nestled in the heart of the Bow Valley in Banff National Park. Here, you’re free to unwind in the little shops, restaurants, wine bars, and local breweries.

Today’s driving distance: approx. 305 km / 3.5 hrs.

Please note that today you’ll leave British Columbia and enter the province of Alberta. You’ll also cross into a new time zone—Alberta is one hour ahead of British Columbia.

You will have a full day at your own pace to enjoy. With Banff town as your base, you’re perfectly placed to explore the area’s outstanding natural scenery, quite literally on your doorstep. If you’d like tailored advice on the best walking or cycling routes for your abilities, head to the Banff Visitor Centre for recommendations.

Banff National Park offers a wealth of natural treasures well worth visiting. Two of the most popular spots are Moraine Lake and Lake Louise. These highlights are especially busy during peak season from May to October, and advance reservations are required for transport to Moraine Lake. You can park at Lake Louise, but spaces are limited—so we recommend arriving early in the morning or later in the evening, when you’re more likely to find a spot. Please also note that Moraine Lake opens from June 1st*.

Explore the local area on foot or by bike. Practically on your doorstep, you’ll find the rushing Bow River and the beautiful Bow Falls. Alternatively, hop aboard the famous Banff Gondola, which whisks you up 700 metres to the summit of Sulphur Mountain in just 8 minutes. At the top, you’ll be rewarded with unforgettable views over the Bow Valley, Banff town, and no fewer than six mountain ranges.

Round off your day in true Canadian style with a soak in the natural hot springs at Banff Upper Hot Springs. Just imagine ending an active day relaxing in 37–40°C water with stunning views of the Rundle and Cascade Mountains. You can drive directly to the car park, and tickets for the hot springs can be purchased locally at the reception.

*You can pre-book the excursion when you book your tour. Should you wish to use another provider or the national park’s shuttle system, you’ll need to reserve your own ticket as soon as they are released. For more information, see our practical info.

Make sure to set off from Banff early so that you have plenty of time for today’s journey, which will take you along one of the world’s most scenic routes: the Icefields Parkway. Officially known as Highway 93 North, it’s named after the largest glacier in the Canadian Rockies – the majestic Columbia Icefields. Stretching for 230 km, this spectacular mountain road runs almost parallel to the glacier, winding its way through the heart of the Rockies. Need we say more? Be sure to pause at one of the route’s most stunning sights, Peyto Lake. From the car park, it’s about a 15-minute walk to reach the iconic viewing point overlooking the lake.

But that’s not all – today’s itinerary includes an excursion that’s truly out of the ordinary. Around a 2½ hours’ drive from Banff,you’ll make a stop at the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre, where your adventure begins (allow extra time for breaks along the way). From the car park, you’ll soon spot the gigantic off-road buses – the so-called “Ice Explorers” – and in the distance, you can see the destination: the Athabasca Glacier*. 
Together with your fellow travellers, you’ll be transported up onto the vast glacier, while your guide shares fascinating insights into the area’s geological history. You’ll have the chance to step out of the bus and stand on the glacier itself on ice that’s around 400 years old. And there you are – standing atop the Athabasca Glacier in the Rocky Mountains; that’s a memory that speaks for itself.

Before or after your glacier excursion, why not take on the exhilarating Columbia Icefield Skywalk – a glass walkway towering around 280 metres above the valley floor (optional extra).

The final stretch of today’s drive covers just under 100 km, taking you to yet another highlight of your tour: Jasper National Park. Once you’ve arrived in the friendly town of Jasper, it’s time to unwind – and what better way to round off such an eventful day than by heading out to enjoy a delicious meal before tomorrow’s adventures await.

Today’s driving distance: approx. 290 km / 3.5 hours.

*Excursion to the Athabasca Glacier: Please check the meeting time and place on your voucher. You’ll need to redeem your voucher inside the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre, and we recommend you arrive about one hour before your tour departure. Warm clothing is strongly recommended.

We recommend filling up your tank before leaving Banff.

You’ll have most of the day to yourself to explore Jasper National Park. Among the park’s highlights is the stunning Maligne Lake, renowned for its striking azure waters, snow-capped mountain peaks, and glaciers. Maligne Lake is particularly popular during the summer months, so we recommend visiting first thing in the morning. The journey from Jasper town to Maligne Lake is just under 48 km, and there are several interesting stops along the way. En route, you’ll encounter Maligne Canyon—the deepest gorge in the Rockies—and the scenic Medicine Lake.

Jasper is reputedly one of the most wildlife-rich parks in the Canadian Rockies. This evening, you might be lucky enough to spot some of its famous residents on a dusk excursion with a small group*. You’ll be picked up in a minivan from your hotel—or a nearby one—and whisked away to the spots your guide believes offer the best opportunities to spot the stars of the evening: bears, moose, eagles, and mountain goats. As you eagerly keep an eye out for wildlife, your local guide will introduce you to parts of the park that few travellers get to see. While sightings of wild animals can never be guaranteed, you’ll almost certainly return with memories of an unforgettable experience. After around three hours, you’ll be dropped off at the meeting point and can make your way back to your hotel. 

*Evening safari tour in Jasper: Check your voucher for the meeting time and location details.

Today, you’ll be heading southwest towards Clearwater – a drive of around 3½ hours. Your journey from Jasper takes you along another spectacular scenic route: the Yellowhead Highway.

About an hour after leaving Jasper, you’ll spot an unmistakable peak dominating the horizon: Mount Robson, the tallest mountain in the Canadian Rockies. Why not pause at Mount Robson Café for a memorable coffee break? Settle in and savour a moment of tranquillity with a breathtaking view of this majestic giant.

Roughly 3½ hours from Jasper, you’ll arrive in the town of Clearwater, which borders Wells Gray Provincial Park. In Clearwater itself, you’ll find the Wells Gray Provincial Visitor Centre, where you can pick up advice about suitable walking routes and maps of the park. Some waterfalls are accessible by car, while others call for you to lace up your walking boots.

The park is renowned for its powerful waterfalls, volcanic craters, and glaciers. Prepare for a truly awe-inspiring moment as you stand before Canada’s fourth-highest waterfall, Helmcken Falls, plunging 141 metres into a dramatic gorge (about 45 minutes from Clearwater). Other highlights include Spahats Creek Falls, canoeing on Clearwater or Azure Lake, whitewater rafting, and guided horse riding. The park is also home to many black bears, which are most often seen along the roadside of Clearwater Valley Road in May and June, as well as in the autumn, when they’re searching for berries, fruit, and bark to eat.

Today’s driving distance: approx. 320 km / 3½ hrs.

We recommend leaving Jasper with a full tank of fuel.

*Please note that today you’ll be leaving Alberta and entering the province of British Columbia. You’ll also be crossing into a different time zone: British Columbia is one hour behind Alberta.

Anything you missed in Wells Gray Provincial Park yesterday, you can discover today. There’s no rush this morning – you can comfortably spend the first part of the day in the park as you only have a short 1½-hour drive to your next overnight stop in the charming little town of Sun Peaks.

The choice is yours: spend the day soaking up the beautiful scenery of Wells Gray, or head straight for Sun Peaks.

In the winter, Sun Peaks is Canada’s second largest ski destination, but come summer, the mountain town is alive with activities. The streets fill with market days and open-air concerts, and in the evening, you can enjoy a delicious meal at one of the many local restaurants. Sun Peaks is an ideal spot for hiking in the surrounding hills, which burst into colourful wildflowers in July – a sight celebrated at the annual Alpine Blossom Festival. Other activities available include outdoor yoga, paddleboarding, golf, spa treatments, fly fishing, and more (to be booked locally).

Today’s driving distance: approx. 135 km / 1.5 hours

Please note there is no petrol station in Sun Peaks. You can refuel in Kamloops, roughly a 40-minute drive away.

Today, your journey takes you to the famous Olympic city of Whistler. The most scenic and direct route is via Cache Creek and Lillooet, inviting you to quite literally follow in the footsteps of the old gold prospectors.

Just under an hour’s drive from Sun Peaks, you’ll reach the western-style town of Kamloops. Here, join the Trans-Canada Hwy: 1 West towards Cache Creek.

The former gold rush town of Cache Creek was a pivotal hub during the gold fever of the 1860s. Here, you can visit the town’s historic landmark, Historic Hat Creek Ranch, located on the original trading route, the Cariboo Wagon Route. The area has hosted Indigenous Shuswap peoples, fur traders, gold prospectors, ranchers, and settlers throughout its history, and the beautifully preserved buildings and artefacts at the ranch truly bring this past to life.

After your fascinating stop in Cache Creek, continue along the Cariboo Highway and Hwy 99, following the historic tracks to Lillooet, which was one of North America’s largest towns in the 1860s. Known as “Mile Zero”, Lillooet marked the start of the original Cariboo Wagon Road—a trail once used by mules, horses, even camels, and hopeful gold-diggers over 150 years ago.
Set beside the Fraser River, Lillooet was an epicentre of the Fraser River gold rush and is part of the renowned Gold Rush Trail. From Lillooet, your route continues along a dramatic stretch of Highway 99, also called Duffey Lake Road.

Later in the day, you’ll arrive in Whistler. Why not round off your day with a meal at one of the inviting local eateries, all conveniently close to your accommodation?

Today’s driving distance: approx. 360 km / 4 hrs 45 mins.

Whistler hosted the Winter Olympics in 2010 and is best known as Canada’s leading ski destination. During the summer months, the slopes turn into a paradise for those keen on trying out mountain biking at its finest.

The town is nestled between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains and is best experienced from the Peak 2 Peak Gondola—the world’s longest unsupported cable car. It takes you 436 metres above ground on a thrilling 11-minute ride. How about canoeing, rafting, or trying Canada’s longest zipline, The Sasquatch?

If you prefer to stay on solid ground, a multitude of hiking trails caters to all skill levels, and there is plenty of shopping available in town if you fancy a break from nature.

Your journey today takes you back to Vancouver, and from Whistler, it’s around a 1½ hour drive. This gives you plenty of time to make the most of your morning in Whistler’s stunning natural surroundings before heading off to the city later in the day.

Although you’ve already travelled along several iconic roads, today’s route is certainly another memorable one. From Whistler, you’ll follow another famous stretch of Highway 99, known as the ‘Sea to Sky Highway’. As the name suggests, you’ll experience the striking contrast between the sea and the lofty sky today, travelling from Whistler’s mountain peaks down to dramatic fjords.

Just fifteen minutes after leaving Whistler, you’ll reach Brandywine Falls Provincial Park, where you can admire the impressive Brandywine Falls, which plunges 70 metres down.

As well as enjoying wonderful scenery from the comfort of your car, you’ll have the chance to experience one of the highlights of the route – the renowned Sea to Sky Gondola (tickets can be purchased locally or online). From the summit, you’ll be treated to a breathtaking panorama of the Howe Sound fjord – part of UNESCO’s biosphere programme. Although the gondola ride itself only lasts about 10 minutes from base to summit, you’ll climb high enough that, in early spring, there’s often plenty of snow at the top. Warm up with a hot chocolate or tuck into a delicious lunch at one of the several eateries you’ll find up here.

Later in the day, you’ll arrive back in Vancouver – and no doubt you’ve already got a few ideas for enjoying your last visit to this vibrant city.

Today’s travel distance: approx. 122 km / 1.5 hours

You’ll check out of your hotel and head to Vancouver airport, depending on the time of your return flight. Don’t forget to return your hire car first; your car hire voucher will specify exactly where and when the vehicle must be dropped off*. The process is straightforward, and you can bring your luggage with you into the airport afterwards. You’ll then board your flight to Europe, with connecting flight(s) along the way.

If you wish to extend your stay in Canada or visit a major US city, you’ll continue on to your chosen destination.

*It is your own responsibility to arrive at the airport on time, even if your car hire return time is scheduled close to your flight departure. Treat the time stated for car drop-off as the latest possible – but do aim to return it a little earlier if you can.

Today’s drive: Approx. 12 km / 15 mins

You will return home after an unforgettable encounter with western Canada.