Explore British Columbia at your own pace with this fully-packaged self-drive itinerary.
Starting in Vancouver, your itinerary will see you head north to the alpine town of Whistler, where we've included a pass to the iconic Peak to Peak Gondola Ride. You'll have three days to yourself before carrying onto the beautiful Banff, which straddles the British Columbia-Alberta border. After that you'll slowly turn back towards Vancouver, stopping off in Osoyoos to sample some of Canada's finest wines.
All of our packages can be tailor-made, so if something doesn't quite suit then our Travel Consultants will happily re-arranged something for you.
Upon arrival in Vancouver transfer (not included) to your downtown hotel. The remainder of your day is at leisure to explore Vancouver on your own. Canada’s third-largest metropolitan centre, Vancouver is a busy port city with a thriving multi-cultural ambience. The city is located in a spectacular setting with the Coast Mountains across Burrard Inlet to the north, and the waters of the Strait of Georgia to the west. Restaurants, shopping, nightlife, a mild climate and a cosmopolitan atmosphere make Vancouver a favourite tourist destination.
This morning you’ll depart Vancouver along the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway to Whistler. Highlights along the way include the cascading Shannon Falls and the Stawamus Chief Rock where climbers from all over the globe migrate to climb the granite cliffs. Arrive into Whistler by early afternoon.
his charming alpine resort is nestled between world-renowned Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Enjoy an extensive range of summer activities from golf on one of the 4 championship designer golf courses, to 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 cafés and restaurants in this European inspired alpine village. Experience the beauty of Whistler Blackcomb’s alpine environment via the Peak Adventure on Whistler Mountain. Take the Peak 2 Peak Gondola (included) to Whistler Mountain’s sub-alpine and then rise to over 7,000 feet via Whistler’s premier open chairlift. At the top of the Peak Chair, guests will be treated to unbelievable views of glaciers, extinct volcanoes, snow-capped peaks and more. Gondola dates of operation: end-May to end-Sep. Summer dates are subject to change due to factors such as weather and snowpack, and if the gondola is not operating a refund will be issued.
Begin your spectacular drive on the Duffey Lake Road where you will see breathtaking views of Joffre Glacier. Continue on through Lillooet, known as the land of the Gold Rush Trail, and on to Cache Creek where you stop to visit the Historic Hat Creek (included). From here travel towards the sun & vineyards of Vernon. Over 2,000 hours of sunshine and only 13” of precipitation annually allows for a wide range of outdoor activities and grape growing for various wines.
Today is yours to experience serenity and well-being at Sparkling Hill Resort, a European-style BC resort spa and world-renowned wellness destination, or tour around the Okanagan Valley visiting some of the vineyards that the valley is becoming quite famous for; most are open to the public and do sell wines on the spot. They can arrange shipment home for you too. If you prefer a little more activity, try one of the many golf courses this region has to offer.
Your destination today is Yoho National Park. The word Yoho is the Cree word expressing awe. This 1313 sq. km national park is filled with gem coloured glacial lakes and waterfalls, snow-covered peaks and dense forests of western red cedar and western hemlock. Historic railroads, spiral tunnels within mountain sides and steep rock faces where mountain goats roam are just some of the sights to be seen. Other Yoho marvels include a natural rock bridge over the Kicking Horse River, Hoodoos, some of Canada’s highest waterfalls and the Burgess Shale fossil find where over 120 marine animal species dating back as far as 530 million years were discovered.
Built of hand-hewn timber and featuring massive stone fireplaces, the Lodge includes a formal dining room and quiet reading and sitting rooms. From the upper or lower large verandas, enjoy the serene views of this wilderness landscape.
Today your destination is Invermere, which borders Kootenay National Park and the mighty Columbia River, and offers guests a recreational playground unparalleled in beauty and amenities. The Columbia River Valley is home to dozens of golf courses, endless hiking and fishing opportunities, and the breathtaking scenery of both the Rocky Mountains to the east and the Purcell Mountains to the west. Situated along the shores of one of the warmest lakes in the valley, the town of Invermere is all about sun and fun. People come here to relax, spend summer afternoons at the beach, go boating, river rafting and golfing. There are spectacular parks in the area, offering hiking, fishing and even wild hot springs.
Highway 95 will lead you to Cranbrook, the ‘Key City to the Rockies’. Along the way visit Fort Steele Heritage Town, a local settlement whose name was changed in 1888 to honour Superintendent Samuel Benfield (Sam) Steele of the North-West Mounted Police. He peacefully reduced tensions between the people of the Ktunaxa First Nations and the settlers who were relatively new to the area. In Cranbrook, the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel is famous for the restored complete set of the TransCanada Limited, a million-dollar train set built-in 1929. Continuing on the way into Nelson, take a short detour over to Harrop and back to experience the Harrop Proctor Cable Ferry. Surrounded by the Selkirk Mountains, set on the shores of Kootenay Lake and clustered with some 350 heritage buildings, Nelson’s storybook charm and stunning scenery create the quintessential small-town setting. Perhaps enjoy an evening cruise on the S.S. Moyie paddle wheeler.
Today continue travelling westward to Osoyoos, Canada’s only desert town. Visit the unique Osoyoos Desert Centre to experience this phenomenon, and check out the Osoyoos Museum, winner of the “best small town museum” in BC. With expanses of orchards and vineyards, lake swimming and boating, this area has all the amenities a visitor could ever want.
Today enjoy a winery tour of the Osoyoos and Oliver region and visit wineries along the Black Sage bench and the Golden Mile. This tour will include 5 of the following wineries: Adega on 45th, Burrowing Owl Vineyards, Cassini Cellars, Castoro de Oro Estate Winery, Church & State Wines, Desert Hills Estate Winery, Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery, Hester Creek Estate Winery, La Stella, Maverick, Mooncurser, Nk’Mip Cellars, Oliver Twist Winery, Road 13 Vineyards, Silver Sage Winery, Stoneboat Vineyards, Tinhorn Creek Vineyard. Gourmet lunch is included.
An amazing trip awaits you today, travelling via the Okanagan Connector to the Coquihalla Highway. Along the way stop at any of the roadside stalls offering cherries, apples, apricots, pears, peaches, grapes and plums for sale during the long summer days. Turning onto the Coquihalla Highway climb to an elevation of 1244 metres where over 10 metres of snow can fall in an average winter. You will witness incredible feats of engineering as you travel through the Great Bear snow shed, crossing the Dry Gulch Bridge (over 280 metres long and 175 metres high). Begin descending from the summit and pass through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the province. This dramatic change of environment is always exhilarating, as you go from bright sunlight on the high rock faces to misty coastal cedars and tall firs in half an hour. Approaching the Pacific Coast, the canyon opens into the broad, fertile Fraser Valley.
Your journey through British Columbia ends today to check into your hotel for you last night in Vancouver.
Enjoy our day at leisure before heading to the airport for your return flight to the UK
