This exciting and newly updated trip from Vancouver to Calgary uncovers the natural splendours of Canada's finest national and provincial parks. From the rugged west coast mountains, across Vancouver Island, over the inland plateau of British Columbia and finally to the dramatic heights of the Rocky Mountains, we discover a vast wilderness of countless alpine lakes and pristine forests set beneath a backdrop of high peaks and tumbling glaciers. It is a land of elk, moose, bighorn sheep, black and grizzly bears.
At night we stay in comfortable hotels or mountain lodges and during the day our fully supported walks reveal the diverse landscapes that this area is famous for. Time in the beautiful Canadian cities of Vancouver, Victoria, and Calgary round off this superb touring and walking adventure.
Parks and Mountains of Western Canada
Itinerary at a Glance
DAY 1 Arrive Vancouver
DAY 2 Explore Vancouver including Stanley Park, and Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge.
DAY 3 Ferry across the Straits of Georgia to Vancouver Island the city of Victoria
DAY 4 Drive to Pacific Rim National Park and visit Cathredral Grove Forest.
DAY 5 Explore Pacific Rim and Tofino. Optional whale watching and hiking.
DAY 6 Ferry to Vancouver and along "Sea to Sky" Highway to Whistler.
DAY 7 Peak to Peak gondola, easy alpine hiking and mountaintop BBQ
DAY 8 Northwards, to Wells Gray Park and a 2 night stay at a guest ranch
DAY 9 Explore Wells Gray Park on foot, or by horseback.
DAY 10 Towards the Rockies and Jasper stopping at Mt. Robson, highest peak in the Rockies
DAY 11 Maligne Canyon, and hiking the Bald Hills at Maligne Lake.
DAY 12 Jasper to Banff along the Icefields Parkway including walk to Parker Ridge.
DAY 13 Walking and exploring Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, Banff's most famous landmarks
DAY 14 Transfer after breakfast to Calgary. Time to explore Calgary, flight times permitting.
DAY 1 Arrive Vancouver
Arrive on own in Vancouver with self arranged transfer to hotel. (Transfer to hotel can also be booked through White Mountain Adventures.) In the evening you’ll meet your guide and go through a short group briefing where you’ll meet other participants and details of the itinerary will be discussed. Overnight Vancouver.
DAY 2 Explore Vancouver including Stanley Park, and Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge.
One of the most amazing things about Vancouver is that within the city limits you can very quickly enter a stunning wilderness of old growth forest – of towering Douglas Firs, huge ferns, and hanging mosses. We’ll explore part of this today as we visit Stanley Park, only minutes from downtown, and then make our way over the Lion's Gate Bridge and to Lynn Canyon Park located in North Vancouver. Lynn Canyon is a great park to learn and experience the magic of a west coast rain forest and comes complete with a Suspension Bridge walk over Lynn Canyon! Overnight Vancouver. (BL) Walking: 5 kms, elev. gain: 100m.
DAY 3 Ferry across the Straits of Georgia to Vancouver Island the city of Victoria
Today we'll take an early morning ferry to Victoria. It's beautiful 1.5 hour sailing across the Strait of Georgia and through the Gulf Islands to the ferry terminal on the Saanich Peninsula. From there it is a short drive to the city. Our walk today leads to the summit of Mt. Douglas for an excellent view of the city, Cordova Bay and across the Strait to Olympic National Park in Washington State USA. Later in the afternoon or evening we can walk around the downtown inner harbour. Overnight Victoria. (BL) Walking: 5 kms, elev gain: 250 m.
DAY 4 Drive to Pacific Rim National Park and visit Cathedral Grove Forest.
You'll have the morning free to explore the inner harbour of Victoria or do a little shopping before we head north towards Pacific Rim National Park. Along the way we'll stop for lunch and an easy walk into Cathedral Grove Provincial Park. Canada's largest and tallest trees are found here. As you explore the park you'll walk among Douglas Fir Trees that are over 800 years old and have circumferences of up 9 metres! Arrival at our incredible seaside lodge in Tofini is in the late afternoon. Overnight Tofino (BL) Walking: 2 kms. elev gain: minimal.
DAY 5 Explore Pacific Rim and Tofino. Optional whale watching and hiking.
Our choices today include going on an optional whale watching tour, walking the beaches of Long Beach or exloring some of the easy walks in the National Park such as the Rain Forest Trail and the Schooner Beach Trail. Overnight Tofino (BL) Walking: 2-6 kms. Elev. gain: 100 m.
DAY 6 Ferry to Vancouver and along "Sea to Sky" Highway to Whistler.
We'll leave Tofino early today and make our way back across the island to the city of Nanaimo where we will catch a ferry taking us to the mainland and to Horseshoe Bay on the northern outskirts of Vancouver. From here it's a beautifully scenic drive along the aptly named Sea to Sky Highway to the resort town of Whistler. Stops along the way will include Bridal Veil Falls and the loop trail to Brandywine Falls. Overnight Whistler (BL) Walking: 4 kms. Elev. gain: 100 m
DAY 7 Peak to Peak gondola, easy alpine hiking and mountaintop BBQ
Whistler is best known as a world famous ski village and as the site of many of the events of the Vancouver Winter Olympics. Summer is the off season giving hikers and explorers lots of room to adventure. Our itinerary today will include a gondola ride up the mountain, some superb alpine hiking, followed by the Peak to Peak gondola and a mountain top buffet dinner. The Peak to Peak gondola is a breathtaking gondola ride between Whistler Mtn and Blackcomb Mt. and is worth the visit by itself! Overnight Whistler (BLD) Walking: 4 kms. Elev gain: 100-200 m.
DAY 8 Northwards, to Wells Gray Park and a 2 night stay at a guest ranch
Our adventure across British Columbia continues today as we drive north and eastwards along the Sea to Sky Highway and through some of western Canada's most interesting landscapes. This area between the Coast Mountains (Whistler) and the Rockies (Jasper) is very dry and is surprisingly desert like. (Prickly Pear cactus grow here!) We will drive through the city of Kamloops and then north to the edge of Wells Gray Provincial Park where we will still at a cowboy guest ranch for one night. The accommodation will be more rustic but will be perfect character with the location. Overnight Wells Gray (BL) Walking: casual.
DAY 9 Explore Wells Gray Park on foot, or by horseback.
Today's options include a 2 hour horseback ride from the lodge, casual relaxation at the ranch, or joining the guide for some touring and hiking in Wells Gray Provincial Park. Wells Gray is best known for its brilliant wildflower meadows and stunning waterfalls. Walks today could include the Helmcken Falls Rim Trail and/or the Trophy Meadows Trai. Overnight Wells Gray (BLD) Walking: 4-8 km. Elev. gain: 100 - 300 m
DAY 10 Towards the Rockies and Jasper stopping at Mt. Robson, highest peak in the Rockies
Into the Rocky Mountains we go! As we continue eastward towards Jasper we'll pass Mt. Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. At 3,950 m what makes this mountain so impressive is that its base elevation is only 900m thus giving its south face a vertical relief of over 3,000 m - as impressive as any Himalayan peak. As we walk to Kinney Lake, we'll have lots of time to look upon this impressive wall of rock! From Mt. Robson, we will then cross the border and the continental divide and enter the province of Alberta and Jasper National Park. Overnight Jasper (BL) Walking: 9 kms. Elev. gain: 100 m.
DAY 11 Maligne Canyon, and hiking the Bald Hills at Maligne Lake.
Maligne Canyon and Maligne Lake are our destinations today. Maligne Canyon makes for a short stop to look down into an impressive 50 m deep deep gorge that is sometimes only a few metres across. The power of water to carve through rock is most impressive. Our main goal though is to reach Maligne Lake, largest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies, and then hike up to the Bald Hills for commanding views of mountain ranges in all directions. Overnight Jasper (BL) Walking: 10 kms. Elev. gain: 300 m.
DAY 12 Jasper to Banff along the Icefields Parkway including walk to Parker Ridge.
Today's drive south towards Banff National Park takes us on one of North America's most spectacular roads, the Icefields Parkway. Not only are there hundreds of glaciers to view along the way, there will also be time for some short but spectacular walks to Parker Ridge, Mistaya Canyon and a the almost secret trail to Panther Falls! Late afternoon arrival in Banff. Overnight Banff. (BL) Walking: 8 kms. Elev. gain: 300 m.
DAY 13 Walking and exploring Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, Banff's most famous landmarks
We've saved the best hiking for the conclusion as today we will explore both Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. The choice of hikes is quite varied and our selection will depend on how able we are as group to go further and pursue new goals. Whatever we choose, superb hikes at both lakes await us! We'll wrap things up with a farewell dinner where we can share stories of our 2 week adventure in western Canada. Overnight Banff (BLD) Walking: 8-16 kms. Elev. gain: 300-600m.
DAY 14 Transfer after breakfast to Calgary. Time to explore Calgary, flight times permitting.
After breakfast we drive to Calgary where you may have some free time to explore the city, should your flight schedule permit. (B)
Arrival and Departure Information
Vancouver: Executive Hotel Vancouver. A late afternoon transfer to the hotel from Vancouver International Airport will be scheduled and available to you at a cost of $25 per person. If your schedule does not fit this transfer time, the best way to get to your hotel will be by taxi which will cost approximately $35.
Calgary. A morning departure to Calgary will be scheduled after breakfast.
Guides and Group Size
Yamnuska Mountain Adventure guides are certified through the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides. Our professional guides have extensive experience in Western Canada and the Canadian Rockies. Guides also have advanced wilderness first aid training and heritage interpretation accreditation. Guides carry emergency equipment including a first aid kit, bear spray and radio.
There will be a maximum of twelve guests and a minimum of six.
Accommodations
There is a variety of different accommodation on this tour. With the exception of Vancouver and Victoria, our accommodations are all in small towns or villages and so, are dependant on what is available. At each location we select the best combination of quality and value that we can find. All properties are between 2 and 4 star properties.
Meals
Each day during the tour, breakfast will be included. Picnic lunches will be provided daily. The lunches include bread, spreads, cheese, cold cuts, fruits and vegetables which you assemble yourself into sandwiches or salad plates. These are a fast and easy way to create lunches just the way you like them. 3 dinners are included in this itinerary but for other evenings you will be on your own to choose a dinner location. In all locations except Nakiska Ranch at Wells Gray there is a wide range of choices. Dinner prices range C$15 to C$40 or more.
Climate
This trip operates during the main months of summer, though snow can linger at high elevations until well into the season. Weather is unpredictable at any time of year, but is generally quite warm in July and August. Daytime highs range from 15-25 C and nighttime temperatures can drop to 5-10 C. Temperatures in June and September can be cooler with nighttime temperatures occasionally dropping below freezing. As with alpine environments throughout the globe, the higher you go, the lower the temperature becomes. Ensuring that you have the correct clothing for an alpine environment is crucial. Please see below for information on clothing and equipment requirements.
Clothing and Equipment
We supply all group equipment plus a full emergency and first-aid kit. You will need to bring personal equipment (day pack, camera, etc.) and clothing.
Your guide will be carrying a full emergency and first-aid kit. You will need to bring your own daypack and personal clothing. Cotton clothing is NOT recommended as an insulating layer as it causes rapid heat loss when wet.
- HIKING BOOTS/SHOES: These should be 'broken-in' and have good ankle support and tread. Your boots will make or break your holiday so some time spent getting used to them is time well spent.
- DAYPACK: Large enough to carry extra clothing (rain jacket & pants, sweater, gloves, hat), lunch and snack food, water bottle and camera plus accessories (rental available).
- SUNGLASSES
- WATER BOTTLE (1 Litre)
- SMALL BLISTER & FIRST AID KIT
- SUN BLOCK & LIP BALM
- INSECT REPELLENT
- Wool or fleece HAT
- SUNHAT
- 3 TO 4 WARM LAYERED TOPS (1.Light weight polypro top. 2. medium or expedition weight polypropylene top. 3. fleece jacket or sweater
- T-SHIRT for warm, dry sunny days
- RAIN JACKET with HOOD (sufficient to withstand a day of rain or snow)
- Light GLOVES or MITTS
- SOCKS, several changes. We suggest a wool blend for comfort.
- SHORT PANTS can be very comfortable for hiking; they should be quick drying, and preferably not cotton.
- HIKING PANTS (comfortable and quick drying, not cotton)
- RAIN PANTS (sufficient to withstand a day of rain or snow) (Rentals available)
- RUNNING SHOES OR OTHER LIGHT WEIGHT FOOTWEAR (backup in case you get blisters).
Optional Gear
- TREKKING POLES
- CAMERA
- BINOCULARS
Contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
Please book as early as practical to avoid disappointment. Up to 8 weeks before the trip, we require a 35% deposit, after that, full payment is required. Should Yamnuska Mountain Adventures cancel a program your entire payment will be refunded. Should you cancel your booking for any reason the following penalties apply:
- If cancelling up to 8 weeks before the program start, $200 per person will be withheld. Between 8 and 6 weeks before program start deposit is forfeited.
- Cancellation less than 6 weeks before program start or during program will result in loss of entire amount paid.
- Cancellations must be received in writing (letter, fax or email). Cancellations are only effective once your notification is received by Yamnuska Mountain Adventures.
For detailed Booking Instructions and Conditions, click here.
Please note that you will be required to sign our waiver before commencing the trip. Click here for waiver copy.
There are two basic types of insurance that most travelers need to consider: Medical and Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance. We offer our guests coverage for both and highly recommend you purchase it.
Emergency Medical Expenses Insurance:
In some Provincial Park you may have to pay for evacuation should you hurt yourself or fall ill (not astronomically expensive). However, it is wise to ensure that your health plan will cover you in case of illness or accident while here.
Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance:
We recognize that our guests’ schedules may change for many reasons; business, family, flight delays, injuries and other unplanned events. For these eventualities the Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance is a great way to protect your investment.
For all your travel insurance requirements we recommend the Simpson Group. This agency offers a wide range of travel insurance options including Trip Cancellation/Interruption, Travel Medical and Personal Effect Loss for Canadian and International Travelers. We highly recommend purchasing this insurance. For more information and to purchase a plan, visit the Simpson Group’s website.
