The Wild Wild West

Arrive Vancouver International Airport, transfer independently to your downtown hotel. Pick up your Jonview Canada Roadbook at the front desk and check in. The rest of the day is yours to  create your own urban adventure amid the stores, parks, restaurants, theatres and other attractions of downtown Vancouver. Overnight in Vancouver.

Leaving Vancouver behind you will drive out to the vast ranch lands of British Columbia’s interior. You will follow the Gold Rush Trail, alongside the mighty Fraser River. At Hell’s Gate or Boston Bar you may decide to briefly explore the imposing Fraser Canyon by airtram, or visit Lytton, one of the villages made famous by the Gold Rush. Passing through Merritt, you continue on to Kamloops - one of the main hubs of central British Columbia. Overnight in Lac Le Jeune.

Your journey to the breathtaking vistas of Wells Gray Provincial Park leads you along the scenic Yellowhead Highway through the water and lava shaped valley of the North Thompson River. You won’t want to miss a visit to Clearwater’s Yellowhead Museum for a taste of frontier life, or a stop at Spahats Creek Park where the volcanic origins of the area are still in evidence. Overnight in Wells Gray Provincial Park. Stay at Helmcken Falls Lodge or Nakiska Ranch

Enjoy your day at Wells Gray Ranch, a ranch that offers hiking, fishing and river rafting experiences. Overnight in Wells Gray Provincial Park. Stay at Helmcken Falls Lodge or Nakiska Ranch

Today, you will leave the peaceful delights of Wells Gray to head for the unforgettable splendour of the Rocky Mountains. En route to Jasper you will drive by the panoramic views of Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Overnight in Jasper.

Start your day with a ride on the Jasper Skytram, giving you a bird’s eye view of the town and the surrounding parklands. Afterwards, depart along the Icefields Parkway, meandering through a landscape of peaks and glaciers, before pausing to admire the picturesque alpine waters of Peyto Lake and Moraine Lake. The sparkling, turquoise colours and the impressive glacier of Lake Louise are next on your not-to-be-missed list. The Trans-Canada Highway leads you to Banff, a year-round resort region that will treat you to spectacular wilderness scenery, outdoor sporting activities and modern accommodation facilities. Overnight in Banff.

Banff is yours to discover today. You can visit the Cave and Basin and Bow Falls, and take a thrilling gondola ride to the summit of Sulphur Mountain. Other activities offered in the park for your pleasure include river rafting, biking, horseback riding and hiking. Overnight in Banff

Today you will drive through Kootenay National Park, a landscape dominated by lofty peaks, glaciers, deep valleys and crystal-blue lakes. A visit to the park’s hot springs or the Radium Hot Springs Resort which offers numerous activities and sights. Wildflowers decorate the alpine meadows, while grizzly bears, moose and mountain goats roam the park. Overnight in Panorama Mountain Resort.

Spend a full day in Invermere, a summer paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Enjoy a myriad of activities, such as hiking, fishing, bird watching, boating and windsurfing on Lake Windermere. You can also visit Invermere’s museum housing pioneer artifacts and local archives. Overnight in Panorama Mountain Resort.

From fresh water to fresh air, today, you will advance through the Kootenays. Respected by backpackers as a wilderness oasis of towering mountains, fresh air and abundant wildlife, this remote area is a traveller’s dream...no crowds and no pollution. The area has been shaped by gold-seekers, a heritage celebrated in historic Fort Steele. You will enjoy the vistas of the Purcell and Selkirk mountain ranges as you take the world’s longest free ferry ride across Kootenay Lake to Balfour. Your afternoon is free to explore Nelson, the reputed heritage capital of Western Canada. Overnight in Nelson.

The scenic adventure continues outbound from Nelson, parallel to the American border, across Bonanza Pass and Gold Canyon. Boasting towering mountains, gentle valleys and sparkling lakes, this area is a haven for hikers and canoeists. Visit Grand Forks on the Kettle River reliving the period of Russian settlement or enjoying some excellent fishing. Overnight in Osoyoos.

En route to the sub-alpine meadows in Manning Provincial Park, you will drop into Oliver Park, the only true desert in Canada. Alternately, you will enjoy a hike through pristine Cathedral Provincial Park. Afterwards, you can explore Manning Provincial Park, known for its meadows and diverse vegetation. The day’s highlight comes after an extensive hike along the trail network — a picture-perfect view of Three Brothers Mountain and Thunder Lake. Overnight in Harrison Hot Springs.

This morning, you will drive to the Gold Rush town of Hope before continuing along the rushing Fraser River to the rugged Pacific Coast. The route meanders along the spectacular Sea-to-Sky Highway to Whistler, one of the world’s principal resorts, located at the foot of Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. En route, you will admire Shannon Falls and explore the dramatic canyons, ravines and lofty peaks of Garibaldi Provincial Park. Overnight in Whistler.

You will drive past the sweeping seascapes, rugged cliffs, broad beaches and serene inlets of the breathtaking Sunshine Coast this morning before boarding for the first of several BC Ferries rides. Powell River is set against the backdrop of the Coast Mountains and offers great opportunities for outdoor activities including sea-kayaking, sailing, hiking and mountain biking. The coastal waters boast a rich variety of marine wildlife. Overnight in Powell River.

This morning starts with a refreshing BC Ferries cruise across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver Island. Look closely and you may even encounter some orcas. From the ferry, you will drive north through Comox Valley and up to Campbell River, a salmon-fishing paradise. Another short ferry ride brings you to Quadra Island, where you can immerse yourself for a few hours in rich native heritage and culture. Take to the hiking trails and you will uncover many fascinating sites including a native village, authentic totem poles and mysterious native rock carvings. Overnight on Quadra Island.

Today a panorama of scenic beauty is about to unfold before you. You will cross Vancouver Island to the Pacific Coast through ancient rainforests and  provincial parks. You’re venturing into true wildlife territory here, and you might even glimpse bears, deer, wolves and cougars. Even if you don’t see them, you can be sure they’re watching you. The Pacific Rim National Park is a marvel of ecological and geographical diversity, as you will see as you pass through dense rainforests, steep ravines and windswept beaches. Overnight in Pacific Rim National Park.

You’re free to explore the rugged coastline along the network of hiking trails or walk the shoreline of Long Beach in search of shells and driftwood. Overnight in Pacific Rim National Park.

This morning the spectacular winding road takes you back to the east coast of the island with visits to Horne Lake Caves or Cathedral Grove. Your itinerary will reveal many hidden gems including native rock carvings at Sproat Lake and the picturesque falls at Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park. Passing through Nanaimo, you continue along the scenic Malahat Drive where you may decide to visit the murals of Chemainus or, the Forest Museum. Alternately, you may wish to visit the Quw’utsun’ Cultural and Conference Centre in Duncan, scenically situated on six acres of landscaped pasture land. Representatives of the museum recall the Great Deeds – an oral history and legends of the Quw’utsun’ people. The day’s journey ends in Victoria, where the city’s beautiful gardens and architecture celebrate its maritime heritage and colonial charm. Overnight in Victoria.

A final day on the island reveals the serene beauty of the Saanich Peninsula with its quiet beaches, meandering lanes and colonial-style architecture. Visit Butchart Gardens, located in a former stone quarry and renowned for its horticultural diversity, before enjoying a mini-cruise onboard BC Ferries back to Vancouver. Overnight near Vancouver Airport.

Return to Vancouver International Airport in time to check-in for your return flight.