Compare Grand Western Canada Self-Drive by Audley Travel vs Canada (Western): See & Experience it ALL in 10 Days, 1st Class Custom Tours by Charlie The Traveler

Day 1 : Vancouver

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Vancouver. On arrival in Vancouver make your own way to your accommodation and relax for the remainder of the day.

Day 2 : Vancouver

Spend a day at leisure in Vancouver. There are plenty of sights to see in this cosmopolitan city including Stanley Park, Chinatown, historic Gastown, and the shops of Robson Street.

Day 3 : Vancouver

You have most of the day to explore under your own steam, before taking a thrilling seaplane flight from Vancouver's seaplane terminal over the Gulf Islands to Bowen Island, where you'll take in sunset views and enjoy a delicious three course meal. You'll then be transferred by ferry to Horseshoe Bay, where a car will be waiting to take you back into downtown Vancouver.

Day 4 : Victoria

Today you take a coach transfer, via the Tsawwassen ferry, to Vancouver Island. Once in Swartz Bay it is just a short distance by coach to Victoria, capital of British Columbia.

Day 5 : Victoria

This morning enjoy a three hour whale watching trip. The afternoon is free to discover this lovely city with its harbour, grand Victorian buildings and nearby Butchart Gardens.

Day 6 : Tofino

Collect your hire car and drive north from Victoria, through spectacular mountain scenery to Tofino on Vancouver Island's west coast.

Day 7 : Tofino

Spend the morning watching for black bears along the coast. The afternoon is free to explore this pretty little town with its fishing boats and art galleries.

Day 8 : Tofino

Spend a day at leisure in Tofino. You may wish to visit nearby Pacific Rim National Park, go whale watching or take a trip to the hot springs on Meares Island.

Day 9 : Campbell River

This morning drive from Tofino to Campbell River on the east coast of Vancouver Island. The afternoon is free to explore the area.

Day 10 : Port Hardy

Travel north from Campbell River to Port Hardy. You may wish to visit Telegraph Cove en route which offers excellent whale watching. Drop off your hire car upon arrival in Port Hardy.

Day 11 : Prince Rupert

Board the Inside Passage ferry for this full day journey to Prince Rupert. This 15 hour journey is on board a modern, comfortable ferry with a wide range of facilities. Entry to the Aurora Lounge is also included in your ticket, allowing additional comfort on this trip. The scenery is renowned and dolphins, whales and eagles are frequently seen.

Day 12 : Prince Rupert

The Khutzeymateen region is reknowed for its thriving population of grizzly bears - and today you'll embark on a full day guided tour to view this majestic creatures. Your expert guide will take you to the best viewing areas, and explain more about the bear's habitat and behaviours. You'll then return to Prince Rupert late this afternoon.

Day 13 : Prince George

This morning make your own way to the railway station in time for the departure of the Skeena train. Spend a full day on board enjoying the lovely scenery along the route. Make your own way to your hotel in Prince George on arrival.

Day 14 : Jasper

Make your own way back to the station for the departure of the Skeena to Jasper. Spend a second full day on board the train. On arrival in Jasper your hotel is just a short walk from the station.

Day 15 : Jasper

Collect your hire car from downtown Jasper. The day is yours to explore Jasper town and its surrounding national park.

Day 16 : Jasper

Explore Jasper National Park from a different perspective today - in the sidecar of a Harley Davidson motorcycle! On this two hour private tour you will see some of the national park's highlights, such as Medicine Lake and Maligne Canyon, stopping at the best viewpoints along the way. You are also likely to encounter plenty of wildlife so keep your camera close to hand!

Day 17 : Lake Louise

Drive for four hours (excluding stops) south along the spectacular Icefields Parkway from Jasper to Lake Louise. You may see ptarmigans, wolves, mountain goats and bighorn sheep en route, and there are lots of viewing points to stop at for photographs. En route you'll stop at the Athabasca Glacier, don crampons and join a guided walk out onto the glacier itself. This is a fantastic opportunity to escape the crowds and learn more about the geography of this dramatic, frozen landscape from your expert guide.

Day 18 : Lake Louise

Spend a day enjoying the glorious scenery around Lake Louise. Nearby Moraine Lake is also well worth exploring and the area offers lots of opportunities for seeing wildlife.

Day 19 : Banff

Drive from Lake Louise to Banff where you have the afternoon free to explore this bustling town.

Day 20 : Banff

Join a small group guided hike to one of Banff's scenic highlights - Sunshine Vistas. Consistently rated as one of Canada's best hikes, you'll pass through wildflower meadows and alpine lakes on this four hour hike. Returning to Banff this afternoon, you'll have time at leisure to continue exploring the area. You may wish to visit the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, take a horseback ride through the forests or take the gondola to the stunning summit of Sulphur Mountain.

Day 21 : International return flight

This morning drive to Calgary Airport to drop off your hire car prior to boarding your onward flight.

Day 22 : International return flight

Arrive home today to complete your journey.

Day 1: Welcome to the Rocky Mountains

Through the city of Edmonton, we reach our first destination. This is none other than the resort town of Jasper. It is home to the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. Jasper National Park attracts those seeking vast wilderness, majestic peaks and lots of wildlife.

Note that if you cannot arrive at the Edmonton Airport by 2:00pm, you will need a ‘pre-tour’ day. You would sleep in Downtown Edmonton for that evening and would start our tour the following day. We would make all arrangements for you in the event you need to sleep in Edmonton.

Day 2: A Fantasy Boat Ride & Abundant Wildlife

As a daytrip from Jasper, we visit Maligne Canyon and Medicine Lake as well as do a boat cruise from Maligne Lake to Spirit Island. Maligne Canyon contains waterfalls, underground stream outlets, birds and plant life. Wildlife is surprisingly abundant along Medicine Lake. Grizzly bear, black bear, mule deer, wolves, moose, mountain sheep and bald eagles are some of the animals which frequent the lake area during the summer season. The lake cruise is scenic and is arguably the highlight of the day.

Day 3: A Monster Bus on a Glacier & One of the Most Scenic Drives on Earth

Although we are relocating from Jasper to the resort town of Banff, a lot of important stops are made along the way: Athabasca Falls, Columbia Icefield (ride on the actual glacier with a specially designed, stretched out monster bus!), Weeping Wall Waterfalls, Bow Lake, Crowfoot Glacier and Peyto Lake. Today is best described as one of the most scenic drives on Earth! Note that lunch is included on today’s tour.

Day 4: A Pilot’s View of Paradise & a Canyon Deservedly Displayed on Postcards

As a daytrip from Banff, our morning starts with a visit to the town of Canmore. It is from there we take a helicopter ride. The mountainous scenery is like no other. In the latter part of the day, after returning to Banff, we visit the nearby Johnston Canyon. Limestone rock eroding over thousands of years led to a picture-perfect creation combining sheer canyon walls, waterfalls, tunnels and natural pools.

Day 5: Instagram-Famous Photo Stops, a Lake Cruise & Thundering Waterfalls

As another daytrip from Banff, today we visit Bow Falls, Surprise Corner Lookout, Hoodoos Viewpoint, Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. We also go on an enjoyable boat cruise at Lake Minnewanka. The evening ends with a ride on Banff Gondola. We ascend Sulphur Mountain (2,281 meters or 7,484 feet) and then follow the well-designed skywalk.

Day 6: The Ultimate Seaplane Tour & an Ice Bar

After relocating by both land and air from Banff to the resort town of Whistler, we go on a seaplane ride: rugged peaks, majestic glaciers, lush alpine meadows and turquoise glacial waters. After this flightseeing tour, we return to town. Over two million people visit Whistler annually. Its pedestrian village has won numerous design awards. Whistler has been voted among the top destinations in North America by major magazines since the mid-1990s.

We encourage you to end the day with a visit to the town’s most famous ice bar. It is fascinating even to those who do not drink.

Day 7: The Outdoor Adventurist’s Favorite Day of All

As excursions from Whistler, we go off-roading, whitewater rafting and ziplining. These are three of the very most popular activities in Whistler…and we are doing them all in one day! Even if we ignore the thrill aspect, the nature we see today gives enough reason why not to miss out.

Day 8: Walking a Suspension Bridge, Touching Peak to Peak by Cable Car & Nightlife

Before relocating by land to the city of Vancouver, we go on the so-called ‘Peak 2 Peak’ Gondola. Until 2017, it held the world record for the longest free span between ropeway towers. Adding to the overall experience is the ski lift ride and a 425-foot suspension bridge called Cloudraker Skybridge.

Once in Vancouver, we head to another suspension bridge. It is called Capilano. It is 140 meters (460 feet) long and 70 meters (230 feet) above the river. Capilano draws over 1.2 million visitors per year. We recommend you end your evening in Downtown Vancouver, specifically in an area called Gastown. There you will find lots of restaurants, galleries, shops and places to party.

Day 9: Whales, Islands, Beaches & a Food Market

Before making a daytrip by seaplane to the village of Tofino, we visit Vancouver’s most famous public market. It is located on Granville Island. Established in 1979, Granville Island Public Market is located in an enclosed facility where customers can purchase fresh produce, meat, seafood, cheeses and other products, many of which are locally sourced. There are approximately 50 vendors in the market, some of which are food vendors. They sell a range of items from Mexican, Asian, Greek and deli food to candy and snacks. The market attracts both local residents and tourists.

The seaplane ride between Vancouver and Tofino is quite scenic. On a clear day, we can see whales as well as Clayoquot Sound. This is a body of water with many inlets and islands. While in Tofino, we have time to walk around town. A visit to Chesterman Beach is recommended for those who wish to swim.

Day 10: Our Tour Ends This Morning

Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport or port in Vancouver.