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Compare Vancouver Island & Northern Rockies by G Adventures vs Charms of Charlevoix: Québec Self-Drive by Audley Travel

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Duration 11 days 11 days
Price From $ 3,697 $ 2,894
Price Per Day $ 336 $ 263
Highlights
  • Spot whales and sea lions on a ferry ride through the inside passage
  • Immerse yourself in first nations culture in smithers
  • View the tallest peak of the canadian rockies
  • Dip into the miette hot springs
  • Catch postcard-perfect views along the icefields parkway
N/A
Trip Style Small group tour Private guided tour
Lodging Level Standard Standard
Physical Level
  • 3- Moderate
  • 2- Easy
Travel Themes
  • Cultural
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • National Parks
Countries Visited
Cities and Attractions
  • Calgary
  • Canadian Rockies
  • Canmore
  • Jasper
  • Jasper National Park
  • Vancouver
  • Quebec
Flights & Transport Ground transport included Ground transport included
Activities
  • Homestays & Cultural Immersion
  • Bird watching
  • History
  • Mountaineering
  • Nature
  • Relaxing Retreat
  • River cruise
  • Whale watching
  • Wildlife viewing
Meals Included 10 breakfasts N/A
Description

Discover the many landscapes, animals, and ways of life in the Canadian Rockies through an engaging 11-day tour. Venture to Vancouver Island and embark on the Inside Passage ferry, which takes you through glacial fjords to spot orcas and porpoises. Visit a collection of totem poles and immerse yourself in First Nation cultures. After all of these incredible encounters, you'll soon agree that the west coast is the best coast.

Bear watching in coastal rainforests, glacier-strewn mountains, chasing the northern lights… On a tailor-made holiday to Canada with Audley, you’ll see the highlights — and much more — your way. We’ll design your ideal trip with you, paying close attention to your interests, your travel style and your budget. Our Canada specialists know the country inside out and can lead you to experiences you won’t find in a guidebook.

Walk along lesser-trodden paths in the Rockies with local guides, or go heli-hiking on mountainsides. Take a food tour of Vancouver’s Granville Island Public Market and cycle around Stanley Park with a guide. Spot orcas off the coast of Victoria. Hop between lighthouses and drive the twisting Cabot Trail in the Maritime provinces. Visit lesser-known lakes that glow spearmint-green. Growl past mountains in the sidecar of a Harley Davidson.

Rich First Nations heritage, Francophone culture in artsy Montréal, bosky islands explored by Zodiac boat or canoe, the cobbled streets of Old Québec… What excites you? Travel at your own pace, in your own style, with the confidence that we’ll show you the best options, wherever you go.

Itinerary: Vancouver Island & Northern Rockies

Day 1 Vancouver

Arrive at any time.

Day 2 Vancouver/Victoria

Catch a ferry to Vancouver island, and travel to the city of Victoria. Opt to visit a museum, Butchart Gardens, or explore the city.

Day 3 Victoria/Port Hardy

Take in the scenery while travelling to Port Hardy at the northern tip of Vancouver Island. Known locally as the Island Highway this gorgeous drive follows the eastern coastline of Vancouver Island connecting Victoria to Port Hardy. Enjoy impressive views of coastline and lush forests while you drive by quirky towns along the way.

Day 4 Port Hardy/Prince Rupert

Embark on a ferry through the famous Inside Passage. The glacial fjords provide spectacular scenery along the route and a safe haven for all types of wildlife, including orcas and porpoises.

The ride is long, but spectacular. With a full day to relax, enjoy the scenery, read a book, or dine at the onboard restaurants. Reach Prince Rupert late in the evening.

Due to ferry schedules, there may be layovers at certain stops along the route. If this occurs, your CEO will arrange to visit nearby local towns (time permitting).

Day 5 Prince Rupert/Smithers

Discover the First Nations cultures of Northern BC on a day tour around Smithers.

Day 6 Smithers

Enjoy a free day to explore the wilderness around Smithers. Opt to visit Moricetown Canyon or hike one of many trails in the area.

Day 7 Smithers/Prince George

Enjoy a free morning for activities around Smithers before travelling to Prince George, the largest city in Northern British Columbia.

Day 8 Prince George/Jasper

Travel to Jasper National Park. En route, stop at the tallest mountain in the Canadian Rockies, Mount Robson. Visit the Interpretation Centre, and go for a short hike to take in the views.

Day 9 Jasper

Enjoy a free day to explore Jasper National Park. Opt to hike at Maligne Canyon, go for a boat cruise, or get the adrenaline pumping with whitewater rafting. In the evening, visit the Miette Hot Springs.

Day 10 Jasper/Canmore

Travel to Canmore via one of the most scenic drives in the world, the Icefields Parkway. Stop at the Columbia Icefield en route.

Along the 300km (186.4 mi) ride, a spectacle unfolds before our eyes: lush coniferous forests, immense mountains, turquoise lakes, high-falling cascades, and humbling glaciers. We stop a number of times along the way to take in the scenery and search for wildlife.

Day 11 Canmore/Calgary

Travel to Calgary, a modern city that honours its cowboy roots. Tour ends on arrival to Calgary.

Itinerary: Charms of Charlevoix: Québec Self-Drive

Day 1 : Québec City

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Québec City. On arrival in Québec City make your own way to your downtown hotel. The remainder of the day is free to relax.

Day 2 : Québec City

Begin your day with a small group guided walking tour of Québec City's highlights, including its walled Old Town, Citadel and Place Royale. You'll have the rest of the afternoon at leisure to continue exploring the city's winding cobbled streets and scenic viewpoints.

Day 3 : Québec City

Enjoy a full day at leisure in Québec City; we recommend taking a scenic cruise along the St Lawrence River, learning more about Québec's history at the Plains of Abraham, or visiting the impressive Musée national des beaux-arts.

Day 4 : Baie St Paul

Make your own way to Québec City airport, where your hire car will be ready and waiting for you. Your car hire package includes all insurances and a GPS navigation system.Departing the city, pass the mighty Montmorency Falls as you follow the ever widening St. Lawrence River towards welcoming Baie St Paul, in the heart of Québec's picturesque Charlevoix region. You may wish to stop and admire the magnificent Basilica at Ste. Anne de Beaupré en route.

Day 5 : Baie St Paul

Enjoy the day exploring the delightful town of Baie St Paul, or drive out to the nearby Parc National des Hautes Gorges de la Riviere Malbaie.

Day 6 : Tadoussac

Travel from Baie St Paul northwards to Baie Sainte Catherine, where you take the short ferry crossing the mouth of the Saguenay Fjord to Tadoussac.

Day 7 : Tadoussac

Join a thrilling 2 and a half hour whale watching trip in the St. Lawrence River - this is one of the best places in Canada to observe humpback, minke, beluga and blue whales. Watch and listen as these magnificent mammals spout water and breech the surface.

Day 8 : Chambord

Leaving the mighty St. Lawrence River behind, travel inland following the beautiful Saguenay Fjord. You may wish to visit the Site de la Nouvelle France, the place where Samuel de Champlain first landed in 1509. Your destination is Chambord, a little village that lies on the shores of Lac Saint Jean.

Day 9 : Chambord

The claim to fame of this little village is the reconstruction of the 1920s village of Val Jalbert. Here you can wander around the reconstructed houses, village shops, church and school and learn about the former inhabitants and the lives they led here. You may also wish to drive along the shore of Lac Saint Jean to visit the highly reputed zoo at Saint Felicien.

Day 10 : International return flight

Today, drive through the large expanse of the Laurentides Wildlife Reserve, keeping a look out for moose, black bears and white tailed deer. This route takes you past the beautiful Jacques Cartier National Park which is a great place to break your journey back to Québec City. Drop off your hire car at the airport prior to boarding your onward flight.

Day 11 : International return flight

Arrive home today to complete your journey.

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"Two roads diverged in a wood and I - I took the one less traveled by."
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