This independent journey combines cosmopolitan cities with the wild beauty of the Canadian Rockies, where turquoise lakes, mountain lodges and alpine towns create an unforgettable adventure.
Stay lakeside at Moraine Lake and Emerald Lake, where still waters reflect towering peaks in two of the Rockies’ most breathtaking settings.
Drive the Icefields Parkway, passing ancient glaciers and skywalks suspended above vast valleys carved by ice, wind and time.
Unplug at Tyax Lodge in remote Gold Bridge, where pristine lakes, forested trails and alpine peaks invite both rest and adventure.
Ride Whistler’s Peak2Peak Gondola, explore Olympic slopes, or simply relax with mountain views at one of Canada’s finest resorts.
End in cosmopolitan Vancouver, where Stanley Park, floatplane flights, markets and mountain-fringed beaches invite exploration.
Arrive in Calgary, the gateway to the Rocky Mountains and take advantage of one of the cities newest luxury hotels with a night at The Dorian, Autograph Collection. While there, take the lift to the top of Calgary Tower for stunning views over the Bow Valley and see snow capped peaks in the distance.
Leave the Stampede City behind and drive for a couple of hours to the stunning mountain town of Banff for a two night stay at Fairmont Banff Springs. Located just within Banff National Park, the town is located at the foot of Sulphur Mountain, which creates an imposing backdrop to the quaint main street in downtown. Choose an excursion included in the trip from a choice of four; Take the gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain for some amazing views, take a trip on Lake Minnewanka or maybe explore the Bow River by canoe or horseback.
Enjoy a leisurely drive from Banff, taking a little over an hour, as you first take in more of Banff National Park and Alberta before crossing over into British Columbia and enter Yoho National Park for a two-night stay at Emerald Lake Lodge. Located on the shores of the famous pristine lake, surrounded by some of the Rockies most impressive peaks.The lodge built of hand-hewn timber and featuring massive stone fireplaces and includes a formal dining room and quiet reading and sitting rooms.
Yoho National Park is over 1,300sq km in size and offers a multitude of glacial lakes of stunning blue, snow-covered mountain peaks and dense forests. Choose to explore the park at wide or stay close to the lodge where you can canoe on the lake or hike the trails around it.
Return back through scenic mountain passes to Alberta and Moraine Lake Lodge for a one night stay. Famous for its iridescent turquoise colour, Moraine Lake has become known as The Jewel of the Rockies and is set within the Valley of the Ten Peaks, all over 3000 meters in elevation, forming the stunning backdrop to this picture postcard lake. Kayak across the perfect surface, hike the banks or just take in the views, however you choose to spend your time the views will stay with you forever.
Travel through the spine of the Canadian Rockies along the amazing Icefields Parkway and enjoy the ultimate glacier experience. From crossing the ancient ice with the Ice Explorer ride, to standing on a glass platform almost one thousand feet in the air at the Glacier Skywalk, today’s experiences will leave you with a special appreciation for this treasured region of the Rockies. After the views and excitement of Columbia Icefield, arrive in Jasper for a two night stay at the iconic Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.
A day in Jasper gives you a choice of excursions, with one of the following three to take pick from. Cruise Maligne Lake, with more azur blue waters surrounded by towering peaks and dense forests. Jasper River Float offers you the chance to take a gentle raft trip down the Athabasca River or take a guided nature walk featuring a spectacular array of rolling hills, jagged peaks, forests, meadows, marshes, streams, and stunning glacial lakes.
Leaving Jasper National Park, travel the ‘Yellowhead’ Route past the sprawling grandeur of Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Beyond Mount Robson Provincial Park, the highway follows the Thompson River through the snowy peaks of the Monashee and Caribou Mountains to Sunpeaks Resort, where you will stay for a night at the Sun Peaks Grand Hotel.
Begin the day traveling to the Gold Rush Town of Cache Creek. Continue the journey south to Lillooet, known as the land of the Gold Rush Trail and ‘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 for 2 hours along a well maintained gravel road to Tyax Lodge nestled on the shores on Tyaughton Lake, and home for two nights.
The lodge delivers whether you want to be active or do a lot of nothing. Choose from world-class mountain biking, horseback riding, paddling, fishing or spectacular hiking, or just chill with your favourite beverage on the dock taking in Tyaughton Lake.
Departing Gold Bridge, travel back to Lillooet and onto the Duffey Lake Road to Whistler. On the upper elevations of the Duffey Lake Road enjoy breath-taking views of Joffre Glacier and snow-capped Mount Currie that rises to a height of 2,596 meters. Arrive in stunning Whistler for a two night stay at Fairmont Chateau Whistler.
The famous ski resort, home to the 2010 Winter Olympics, is just as spectacular during the summer months, with amazing weather and so many attractions to enjoy in the outdoors. World class golf is on the doorstep, the slopes become some of the worlds most exhilarating mountain bike runs or travel to the mountain tops and experience the Peak2Peak Gondola connecting Blackcomb and Whistler Mountains. The ride is over 3 km in length and is over 400 meters above the valley floor at its highest point.
It’s rare a drive can be classed as a true highlight, but the Sea to Sky Highway connecting Whistler to Vancouver surely is. Follow the valley south to Squamish, where the mountains make way for Howe Sound, the highway hugs the waters edge down to Horseshoe Bay, just north of Vancouver. Cross over the Burrad Inlet via the famous and spectacular Lions Gate Bridge, drive through the middle of Stanley Park and arrive for a two night stay at Sutton Place Hotel in downtown Vancouver.
A full day to explore amazing Vancouver. Take a bike ride around the seawall of Stanley Park, shop the boutiques and stores of Robson Street, see the city from above on a float plane sightseeing flight, visit Granville Island Market for a stroll and a bite to eat or just relax in the city.
On the final day, drop the car off at Vancouver airport before flying home.