West Canada and Wine Country

Arrival at Vancouver International Airport. Transfer to the hotel for a two-night stay. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

This morning will feature a sightseeing tour of Vancouver with a local guide. Highlights will include Stanley Park, the Lions Gate Suspension Bridge, Gastown, Chinatown, Canada Place, Queen Elizabeth Park, the University of British Columbia and many other points of interest. The afternoon is at leisure to explore Vancouver independently. Overnight in Vancouver.

Depart from Vancouver this morning and travel to the B.C. ferry terminal at Tsawwassen for our scenic crossing to Vancouver Island through the Gulf Islands. Upon arrival at the Swartz Bay ferry terminal, we continue the short distance to the world famous Butchart Gardens for a visit. We continue into Victoria, the capital of the province of British Columbia, for a sightseeing tour featuring the University of Victoria, the Inner Harbour, Beacon Hill and Thunderbird Parks, the impressive Empress Hotel, the Parliament Buildings, the financial and shopping district and much more. Overnight in Victoria.

This morning will feature a whale watching cruise from Victoria’s Inner Harbour in search of the Orca whales better known as the Killer Whale. Many other species of aquatic life and water fowl will also be seen. The afternoon is at leisure to explore Victoria independently. We recommend a visit to the Royal B.C. Museum. Overnight in Victoria.

Today we travel along the coastal highway to Cobble Hill and Duncan and tour two wineries including some wine tasting. In Duncan a stop will also be made to view the collection of totem poles. We will also visit Chemainus to view the life-size mural depicting the traditional way of life in the region. From here we travel to Port Alberni to tour a winery complete with wine tasting and to visit Cathedral Grove for a walk among the giant Douglas Fir Trees before ending the day Nanaimo. Overnight in Nanaimo.

This morning we board the B.C. ferry at Nanaimo for the crossing back to the mainland. Upon arrival at Horseshoe Bay, we travel along the scenic Sea to Sky Highway through Howe Sound and Squamish with a stop at Shannon Falls before arriving at the resort town of Whistler, home of the 2010 Winter Olympics. The afternoon is at leisure to independently explore Whistler. Overnight in Whistler.

Today’s journey will be along the Duffey Lake Road to the town of Lillooet, once a very important town during the day of the Gold Rush. We continue along the Cariboo Highway, better known as the Gold Rush Trail to highway 24 for the scenic drive to Little Fort before arriving in Clearwater - the gateway to Wells Gray Provincial Park. Overnight in Clearwater.

This morning we will visit Wells Gray Provincial Park to view Helmcken and Dawson Falls. Afterwards we travel along the Yellowhead Highway through Blue River, Tete Jaune Cache and other small towns en route to Mount Robson, the highest point in the Canadian Rockies. Our journey takes us into Jasper National Park and the town of Jasper. Overnight in Jasper.

Today’s journey will take us along the Icefields Parkway - the most spectacular route through the Canadian Rockies. A stop will be made at Athabasca Falls, and later at the Columbia Icefields for an “optional” ride on the Ice Explorer across the Athabasca Glacier. Afterwards we travel into Banff National Park featuring beautiful mountain vistas and glaciers on both sides of the road. Stops will be made at Peyto Lake and the Crowfoot Glacier before arriving in the town of Banff. Overnight in Banff.

Today we will enjoy a tour of Banff National Park, Canada’s first national park. The tour will feature the Banff town site, Tunnel Mountain, a spectacular view of the Banff Springs Hotel, the Hoodoos, Johnston Canyon, the Bow River, Moraine Lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks and world famous Lake Louise. There will be some free time in the afternoon to independently explore Banff. Overnight in Banff.

This morning we depart from Banff and travel into Yoho National Park via the Kicking Horse Pass. We stop in Field to see Emerald Lake, Natural Bridge and the Spiral Railway Tunnels. Our journey takes us through Golden into Glacier National Park, over Rogers Pass and into Mount Revelstoke National Park. We continue on to the Shuswap Lakes District, the rich and fertile Okanagan Valley and arrive in Kelowna in the afternoon. Overnight in Kelowna.

Today we will explore the lush farms the Okanagan Valley. There will be a tour of one of the many orchards in the valley, as well as a tour of three wineries in the Okanagan complete with wine tasting. There will also be the opportunity for a walk along the lake in Kelowna. Overnight in Kelowna.

Today we leave the Okanagan Valley and travel along the scenic Coquihalla Highway through the Nicola Valley and the town of Merritt to Hope. We continue along the Trans Canada Highway through the rich and fertile Fraser River Valley and arrive in the seaside city of Vancouver. Overnight in Vancouver

The day is at leisure until transfer to Vancouver International Airport for your return flight.