ITINERARY |
01 |
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Rental car pick up and check in at your downtown hotel. The vibrant city of Calgary is nestled beside the Rocky Mountain foothills and famous for the "Calgary Stampede" Rodeo in July. Tour the city and take an elevator to the top of the Calgary Tower – which offers unparalleled views of the city, mountains and prairies beyond.
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02 |
Calgary - Banff National Park
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Today drive on the Trans-Canada-Highway towards the Rocky Mountains. Stopover at Kananaskis - home to the 1988s Winter Olympics. Arrive in Banff and check in your hotel. Banff is part of the UNESCO Rocky Mountain Park Heritage Site and offers many attractions. Take the Gondola to the Top of the Sulphur Mountain and enjoy the amazing 360-degree mountain scenery.
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03 |
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Spend your day to visit the sights including Upper Hot Springs, Bow Falls and the Hoodoos or play a round of golf in front of the Banff Springs Hotel. Hike along Johnstone Canyon, one of the most popular hikes in the Canadian Rockies. In the evening you might just stroll along Banff Avenue with its many unique shops.
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04 |
Banff Nat'l Park - Icefields Parkway
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One of the world's most scenic mountain highways - the Icefields Parkway - offers picture perfect mountain views and outstanding wildlife viewing. Arrive at famous Lake Louise, the 'Jewel of the Rockies'. Explore the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and don't forget to take picture of stunning emerald green lake. Overnight in a lodge along the Icefields Parkway - the perfect gateway for hiking tours and sightseeing day trips.
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05 |
Icefields Parkway - Jasper
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Abundant scenic masterpieces unfold around every corner, making this highway of towering peaks, sparkling glaciers and waterfalls among the most impressive drives in the world. Enjoy a stop at the Columbia Icefields Centre for an interpretive Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier (optional). Continue to Jasper for your overnight stay.
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06 |
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Jasper National Park is located amidst the most beautiful wilderness of the Rocky Mountains. Visit Maligne Canyon and glacier-fed Maligne Lake. From here take a cruise to Spirit Island. The top of Whistlers Mountain promises the best views of the rockies.
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07 |
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Leave Jasper and follow the Miette River to Mt. Robson, the tallest mountain of the Canadian Rockies. At Tete Jaune Cache hike to the Rearguard Falls where salmon attempt to leap the falls. Continue your journey through scenic mountain ranges south to Blue River and Clearwater.
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08 |
Clearwater (Wells Gray Park)
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Wells Gray is known as the waterfall park as there are over 250 waterfalls located within the area. Take a day trip into the pristine beauty of Wells Gray Park and hike to Dawson Falls and the spectacular Helmcken Falls - Canada's fourth highest waterfall. If you are here in July/August don’t miss the flower meadows of the Trophy Mountain region.
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09 |
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Travel through real Cowboy Country with large cattle ranches, pine trees and sagebrush to 100 Mile House. While crossing through the coast mountains along the Duffy Lake Road you will leave the dry interior and enter the wet coastal forests. Whistler will be the host of the 2010 Winter Olympics.
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10 |
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Spend the day in Whistler. The area offers many outdoor activities: try the Mountain Bike Park, take the tram into the alpine area and hike a variety of trails, how about glacier skiing, fishing, wildlife viewing or shopping?
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11 |
Whistler – Ferry to Nanaimo - Parksville
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Drive on the Sea-to-Sky Highway past islands and mountain ranges to West Vancouver. From here enjoy the 1.5-hour ferry cruise from the mainland to Nanaimo. Drive along the coastline north to Parksville.
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12 |
Parksville - Campbell River
(or Quadra Island)
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Continue your journey along the coastline of Vancouver Island and arrive in Campbell River – also known as the salmon fishing capital of BC. Your choice to overnight in Campbell River or on Quadra Island (a 10-minute ferry ride from Campbell River). Overnight then at a native operated lodge overlooking the Inlet. Visit the Cape Mudge Lighthouse, one of the many art galleries and beautiful Rebecca Spit.
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13 |
Campbell River
(or Quadra Island)
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Today you have the opportunity to enjoy a whale watching cruise or attend a bear viewing tour. The wildlife viewing tours take you along the shorelines of the narrow waterways and past abandoned villages. Watch killer whales, porpoises, seals, sea lions, deer and eagles and other birds and marine wildlife on your journey through the Discovery Islands. The bear viewing is done from viewing platforms that provide a safe area to wait and watch for the Bears of Bute.
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14 |
Campbell River - Ucluelet / Tofino
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Cross the island and arrive at Pacific Rim National Park - one of BC's most prized nature reserves. Experience the pristine wilderness first hand by walking along famous Long Beach or on the Wild Pacific Coastal Trail.
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15 |
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Take a whale observation cruise through the pristine waters of Clayoquot Sound (optional), revealing sensational scenery, and wildlife such as gray whales, sea lions, seals, porpoise and killer whales. The area is also home to a variety of sea birds. Saltwater fishing is generally excellent for King/Silver Salmon.
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16 |
Ucluelet / Tofino - Victoria
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Leave the Pacific Rim area and drive to the southern tip of Vancouver Island. The "Garden City" Victoria sparkles in one of Canada's mildest climates and still shows it's unique British character. Stroll along Inner Harbour where the impressive Empress Hotel is presiding.
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17 |
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Victoria boasts a fascinating history and many famous landmarks like the Empress Hotel, Chinatown, the Parliament Building, Helmcken House or the Antique Row. East Sooke Park attracts hikers looking for challenging hikes in a wilderness setting.
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18 |
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On the way to the ferry terminal you may stopover at famous Butchart Gardens. The Gardens have several feature areas including a japanese Garden, a Rose Garden, and a Sunken Garden. Take the ferry from Swartz Bay to Vancouver and check in your downtown hotel.
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19 |
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Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and nestled alongside the Coast Mountain Range, the cosmopolitan city of Vancouver is home to spectacular natural scenery and many sightseeing attractions. Visit Stanley Park, Granville Island or the historic Gastown area. Try some of the excellent prepared seafood specialties in one of the many restaurants.
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20 |
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Morning: optional 4 hr sightseeing tour including - Stanley Park and its Totem Poles, English Bay Beaches, the famous Robson Street shopping areas, Granville Island, Chinatown, The Lookout, historic Gastown, the Prestigious Shaughnessy and Queen Elizabeth Park. Drive across Lions-Gate-Bridge and visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge or take the tram on top of Grouse Mountain. At an elevation of 1200 m you'll enjoy incredible views of the city.
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21 |
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Your tour ends with the check out of the hotel. Return your rental car at the airport.
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