Best of the West - 15 Days

Day 1 Arrive Calgary

Arrive Calgary International Airport, collect your car and drive to your downtown hotel. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore this Stampede City. Overnight in Calgary

Day 2 Calgary to Banff (72 miles)

Today you begin your Rockies adventure. Take the short (2-hour) drive from Calgary to Banff on either the Trans-Canada Highway or the more scenic 1A Highway. Once in Banff proceed  to your selected hotel to check in and the remainder of the day is yours to explore at your own leisure. Overnight in Banff

Day 3 Banff (Free Day)

A full day to explore Banff and area. In town you’ll find lots of excitement - shopping, cafés, nightlife, museums. Check out the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, Banff Gondola  (Included) where you will see a panoramic view of the Bow Valley, or take a dip in the hot mineral pools at the Upper Hot Springs. Overnight in Banff.

Day 4 Banff to Jasper (182 miles)

Take the short drive from Banff to Lake Louise. Choose the Bow Valley Parkway, beside the Bow River before continuing to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. From Lake Louise your scenic drive takes you through the spine of the Canadian Rockies. View a never-ending procession of mammoth mountains, jagged peaks, over 100 glaciers and pristine emerald coloured lakes. Along the way see such sights as Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, with the Bow Glacier providing the backdrop, and Crowfoot Glacier before your arrival at the Columbia Icefield for an Ice  Explorer ride out onto the glacier (Included). Leaving the Athabasca Glacier, your camera should be ready to capture the majesty of the Athabasca Falls prior to your arrival into Jasper. Overnight in Jasper.

Day 5 Jasper (Free Day)

Explore this charming mountain village close to many terrific scenic highlights. Perhaps take a tram ride up Whistlers mountain, or visit Maligne Lake, one of the most photographed lakes in the world, and enjoy a 90 minute cruise heading toward the south end of this postcard setting (Maligne Lake cruise not included). You will marvel at the magnificent shoreline with dense forest and glacial peaks rising abruptly from the water’s edge. Stopping at Spirit Island, you will have the opportunity to take your own version of the world famous photograph of  the lake. Overnight in Jasper.

Day 6 Jasper to Wells Gray Park (197 miles)

Set out for Wells Gray Provincial Park along the scenic Yellowhead Highway and take in the breathtaking vistas of the steep-walled gorges and crashing falls of the North Thompson River. Overnight in Clearwater.

Day 7 Wells Gray Park to Whistler (261miles)

Begin the day travelling via 100 Mile House to the gold rush town of Cache Creek, where you stop to visit the historic Hat Creek Ranch (included), which literally takes you back to the days of the gold rush. Continue the journey south to Lillooet, known as the land of the Gold Rush Trail and was ‘Mile Zero’ of the Old Caribou Wagon Road during the Gold Rush Years.  Now the area is home to the largest Canadian producers of the medicinal plant, Ginseng. Departing Lillooet travel the Duffey Lake Road to Whistler. On the upper elevations of the Duffey Lake Road enjoy breath-taking views of snow capped mountains. Continue on through the mountain village of Whistler for a 2 night stay.

Day 8 Whistler (Free Day)

This charming alpine resort is nestled between world-renowned Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Here you can enjoy an extensive range of summer activities (not included) from golf on one of the 4 championship designer golf courses, water activities on any of the 5 lakes or numerous rivers, to mountain top dining or just relax and enjoy some of the many fine café’s and restaurants of this European inspired alpine village. A gondola ride is included to the top of Whistler or Blackcomb Mountain. Overnight in Whistler.

Day 9 Whistler to Parksville (87 miles + ferry)

Depart Whistler along the scenic Sea to Sky Highway to Horseshoe Bay. Highlights along the way include the cascading Shannon Falls. At Horseshoe Bay board a ferry to Vancouver Island (ferry costs are included). This scenic cruise takes you through fjord like waters with mountains blanketed with virgin forests and glaciated peaks. Overnight in Parksville.

Day 10 Parksville to Victoria (93 miles)

From Parksville head south to Victoria. En-route stops should be made at the artist community of Chemainus, where you can admire the giant murals which adorn the exterior walls throughout the town and Duncan the “City of Totems”. Overnight in Victoria

Day 11 Victoria (Free Day)

Today is free to explore Victoria, with its turn of the century architecture, British traditions such as high tea and shops full of woollens and china. Admission is included to the Butchart Gardens with it’s 50 acre display of magnificent colour. Overnight in Victoria.

Day 12 Victoria to Vancouver (43 miles + Ferry)

Leaving Victoria drive north to Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal for a 90 min Ferry ride to the port of Tsawwassen (Ferry costs are included). On board BC ferries enjoy the scenery of the Gulf Islands as you cross the Strait of Georgia. From Tsawwassen continue on to downtown Vancouver. Overnight in Vancouver.

Day 13 Vancouver 

Today, experience Grouse Mountain Skyride (included) and Capilano Canyon and Suspension Bridge (included) at your own leisure. Be sure to see such sights as, Chinatown, Historical Gastown, the markets of Granville Island, and the famous shopping district of Robson Street. Overnight in Vancouver.

Day 14 Vancouver (Free Day)

A free day to explore Vancouver. Revisit some of your favourite sights from yesterday’s tour or simply relax and do some last minute shopping.

Day 15 Vancouver 

Return your car to Vancouver Airport where sadly your tour comes to an end.

 TOUR BONUS

As an added bonus this tour includes a GyPSy Guide – a tour guide in your car. This is a small device that plugs into your car stereo and as you arrive at points along your route it automatically plays a commentary.

Tour Departs Daily

1 May to 20 October 2012

Hotels - Choose from Value, Superior of Deluxe Grade*

Value Hotels

Calgary - Sandman Hotel (Standard Room)

Banff - Spruce Grove Inn (Standard Room with Continental Breakfast)

Jasper- Lobstick Lodge (Standard Room)

Clearwater - Alpine Meadows Resort (One Bedroom Chalet with Continental Breakfast)

Whistler - Listel Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Parksville - Quality Resort Bayside (Oceanview Room with Continental Breakfast)

Victoria - Queen Victoria Hotel (Standard Room)

Vancouver - Rosedale on Robson (One Bedroom Suite)

Superior Hotels

Calgary - International Hotel (Standard Room)

Banff - Banff Caribou Lodge (Superior Room)

Jasper - Sawridge Hotel (Standard Room)

Clearwater -Alpine Meadows Resort (One Bedroom Chalet with Continental Breakfast)

Whistler - Hilton Whistler Resort (Hilton Room)

Parksville - The Beach Club Resort (Studio Ocean View)

Victoria - Inn at Laurel Point (Laurel Wing Guest Room)

Vancouver - Sheraton Wall Centre (Standard Room)

Deluxe Hotels

Calgary - Fairmont Palliser Hotel (Fairmont Room)

Banff - Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Jasper - Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge (Deluxe Room)

Clearwater - Alpine Meadows Resort (One Bedroom Chalet with Continental Breakfast)

Whistler - Fairmont Chateau Whistler (Fairmont Room)

Parksville - The Beach Club Resort (One Bedroom Ocean View)

Victoria - Fairmont Empress Hotel (Fairmont Room)

Vancouver - Fairmont Waterfront (Portside Deluxe Room)

* Please note: Should any of the above hotels be unavailable when you make a booking an alternative of similar standard will be offered.  Also, should you prefer a different hotel to the one listed, please let us know and we can switch the hotels for you.

Cost Per Person

Children aged 2-10 pay £95 when sharing with their parents.

*A surcharge of £59 per person applies to all tours commencing 7-9 June & July 5-15, details will be advised when booking.

Prices Include

• Accommodation as selected for 14 nights (see Tour Details & Hotels tab for more information).

• Intermediate car rental with Avis for 15 days including unlimited mileage, LDW & all taxes

• Gypsy guide for 15 days (see information on page 15)

• Admission to Hat Creek Ranch (01 May - 30 Sep)

• Admission to Sulphur Mountain Gondola in Banff

• Ice Explorer Ride (Athabasca Glacier)

• Whistler Peaks Adventure Ride (01 June - 30 Sept)

• Return BC Ferries Fare (passenger & vehicle)

• Butchart Gardens Admission

• Grouse Mountain Admission

• Capilano Suspension Bridge Admission

• Comprehensive documentation pack

Not Included

• Flight to/from Canada.  Whilst flights aren't included in the prices above, we can arrange them for you.  If you would like us to book your flights from the UK just let us know your preferred UK airport when sending your holiday enquiry to us.

• Fuel & parking charges (including hotel parking)

• One way car rental fee of $75+taxes (pay locally)

• Meals & attractions unless stated in itinerary

• National Parks admission fees

Upgrade your vehicle

The prices above include the rental of a Compact car.  If you need or would prefer a larger vehicle, the below supplements apply.

Fullsize car - £ 90

Minivan - £376

Sports Utility - £376

GPS / Sat Nav Rental - All vehicles - £ 98

Navigating in Canada on this route is quite easy, and you will be given full driving directions in your documentation pack, however if you would like the additional help of a SatNav unit in your car, just let us know and we can get it added onto your booking request.