DAY 1 Calgary
Welcome to Calgary, cowboy capital of Canada, in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies. Be sure to take in Calgary’s most interesting tourist attractions: enjoy a spectacular 360° view of the city from the top of the Calgary Tower, do some shopping on 8th Avenue, visit Glenbow Museum to learn about the Aboriginal peoples and the colonization of the West, and take a stroll through the National Historical District of Stephen Avenue Walk.
DAY 2 Calgary to Banff (128 km / 01h30)
You have the morning off in Calgary. You can pick up your motorhome between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. And let the adventure begin! Your first destination is Banff, in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. At an elevation of 1380 metres, this small resort town is known for its superb alpine setting. Banff is also a renowned national park whose spectacular glaciers, mountain lakes and mountain peaks make it one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world.
DAY 3 Banff
Today you will go hiking on Sulphur Mountain. The mountain trails will take you up through picture-postcard landscapes, and the summit provides a stunning view across the entire region. A gondola also goes up to the summit. Be sure to take a relaxing break at the Cave and Basin Hot Springs. After all, you are on holiday! Before leaving the area, pay a visit to the famous town of Banff for a bit of shopping. The town’s streets are lined with an assortment of boutiques where you are sure to find that something special.
DAY 4 Banff to Jasper (288 km / 03h33)
This morning you set out for Jasper via the Icefields Parkway, considered to be one of the most beautiful roads in the world. In addition to the breathtaking scenery, you may well have the opportunity to see some wildlife beside the road: black bears, grizzly bears, elk, mountain goats, moose and bighorn sheep are common in the area. Plan for a stop at Athabasca Glacier. Along the way, the Sunwapta Falls and Canyon are a typical example of the geological formation known as a ”hanging valley”.
DAY 5 Jasper
You have an entire day to spend in Jasper National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site. Visit the most beautiful attractions, including the picturesque Maligne Lake and Spirit Island, the most photographed island in the world. Take a hike along the spectacular trails of Maligne Canyon and Mount Edith Cavell.
DAY 6 Jasper
For families with children or visitors looking for a less strenuous activity, the Peyto Lake trail offers an easy 15-minute walk to spectacular vistas. Visit the charming village of Jasper where elk wander the streets. And finally, don’t miss watching the sunset from the top of Whistler’s Mountain, a vision of breathtaking beauty.
DAY 7 Jasper to Wells Gray Provincial Park (348 km / 03h53)
This morning you set out for Wells Gray Provincial Park. Opportunities to see wildlife along the Yellowhead Highway between Jasper and Mount Robson are excellent, and are considerably higher during the two hours after sunrise. Along the way, stop for a break at the foot of Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Wells Gray Provincial Park is one of British Columbia’s most spectacular wilderness parks, famous for its impressive waterfalls.
DAY 8 Wells Gray Provincial Park
You will marvel at Helkmen Falls, cascading in a straight drop of 141 metres into an immense canyon. In July and August, hiking trails lead to incredible sub alpine meadows of wildflowers on the slopes of Trophy Mountain. And swimming enthusiasts are sure to want to cool off in the limpid waters of Clearwater Lake.
DAY 9 Wells Gray Provincial Park to Whistler (451 km / 05h47)
The adventure continues in the direction of Whistler. Nestled in a beautiful natural mountain setting, Whistler is a vibrant and lively resort town with a wide assortment of restaurants, boutiques and sidewalk cafes. It is no wonder that Whistler, North America’s number one ski resort, was chosen to host the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.
DAY 10 Whistler
Spend the day discovering the many attractions of Whistler. If you look up, you will see the “Peak 2 Peak” gondola connecting Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, offering the ultimate alpine experience. With a maximum height of 436 metres over Fitzsimmons Creek, Peak 2 Peak is the highest lift in the world.
DAY 11 Whistler to Qualicum Beach (219 km / 04h21)
Today you will take the panoramic ”Sea to Sky” highway to the Pacific coast. Its stunning views will take your breath away. A ferry will take you across to Vancouver Island. Today’s destination is Qualicum Beach, a haven of peace with a magnificent view of the Straight of Georgia and the snowy peaks of the Coast Mountains. Enjoy a walk along one of Qualicum Beach’s many waterfront or beach trails and drink in the peace of your surroundings.
DAY 12 Qualicum Beach to Pacific Rim (142 km / 02h10)
This morning you set out for Ucluelet. Along the away, be sure to stop at Cathedral Grove, a sacred place for the First Nations people and a magical place where you will find enormous 800 year old Douglas firs. Ucluelet is on the edge of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, where you will find the most beautiful beaches in Canada, bordered by lush temperate rainforest.
DAY 13 Pacific Rim
Today will be dedicated to exploring Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. The Long Beach section, a long stretch of fine sandy beach pounded by the Pacific surf, is definitely a must-see. Discover this magical place with the help of several easy hiking trails. You won’t want to miss watching the sun set over the ocean from Radar Hill: the view is just incredible! Finally, why not pay a visit to Tofino, a picturesque fishing village along the Pacific coast.
DAY 14 Pacific Rim to Victoria (265 km / 03h37)
Today you head for the southern tip of Vancouver Island to reach Victoria, the capital of British Columbia. Along the way, you could stop in the village of Duncan. Also known as the ”City of Totems”, Duncan is a real Indian village, with more than 80 totem poles lining its streets. The Wharf Street Visitor Centre’s Art Deco walking tour offers a stunning architectural perspective of Victoria: an excellent way to start to get to know the city.
DAY 15 Victoria
In Victoria, be sure to take a scenic tour through the historic part of the city, with a view of the ocean. If you’re lucky, you may even spot a whale. The Capital is also a good point of departure for a whale watching tour. The Royal British Columbia Museum and the Butchart Gardens are two of Victoria’s most renowned attractions.
DAY 16 Victoria to Harrison Hot Springs (239 km / 04h22)
The adventure continues in the direction of Harrison Hot Springs. After an enjoyable ferry ride, you reach the lovely and cosmopolitan city of Vancouver. Why not stop to visit Canada’s most beautiful metropolis, ranked as one of the best cities in the world in which to live. Feel free to explore some of the city’s main attractions such as Stanley Park and Gastown or do some shopping on Robson Street and Broadway Avenue. You then head for Harrison Hot Springs at the end of the day.
DAY 17 Harrison Hot Springs
Take advantage of your visit to Harrison Hot Springs to relax in the famous hot springs. After all, you are on holiday! Harrison Lake and Sasquatch Park offer a multitude of activities for those who are looking for some outdoor fun and adventure.
DAY 18 Harrison Hot Springs to Okanagan Valley (292 km / 03h25)
This morning you head for the warmest region in Canada, the Okanagan Valley, a lush valley lined with fruit trees, vineyards and a large lake. Be sure to take in a vineyard tour and wine-tasting: a classic activity for visitors to the region. Spend the day exploring the charming town of Kelowna or the region’s many well-known vineyards. You can pick fruit from June to September (cherries, peaches, apples, pears…)
DAY 19 Okanagan Valley to Revelstoke (330 km / 04h31)
Your next destination, Revelstoke, is known as a real photographers’ paradise. You can’t leave Mount Revelstoke National Park without taking the road that winds up to the summit of Mount Revelstoke. The view is simply breathtaking! Be sure to stop at Rogers Pass Discovery Centre, where you can admire the magnificent scenery and learn about the region’s fascinating history.
DAY 20 Revelstoke to Lake Louise (232 km / 02h43)
Today’s route to Lake Louise will take you through Yoho National Park with its many attractions including the Emerald Lake trails and Takakkaw Falls. And for the “cherry on top”, you find yourself in the famous Lake Louise. The nearby hike to the Plain of Six Glaciers is one of the most spectacular hikes in the region.
DAY 21 Lake Louise to Calgary (184 km / 02h00)
This is the last morning of your Canadian RV vacation. You return your motorhome in Calgary before 10 a.m. and then head for the airport, where you board your return flight. It’s time to leave the land of lakes and rivers, with your heart full of beautiful memories that will last a lifetime!