Compare Rockies Explorer 4 Days by Discover Canada Tours vs Rockies Trail by Omega Tours

Day 1: Vancouver to Valemount

It’s an early start this morning, but as they say, the early bird catches the worm! You will need to arrive at Canada Place at 7:00 am for a 7:15 am departure. Please don’t be late as we will not wait for you to arrive. As you leave Metro Vancouver and travel through the Fraser Valley, you will be greeted with some of the most beautiful sights of our coastal rainforest. The area is steeped in history; the history of Simon Fraser, the famous annual salmon runs up the Fraser River and the importance of the river and valley to the logging industry. Along the way, about two hours from Vancouver is the tiny town of Hope. You will then cross from the coastal mountain range, up the Coquihalla Highway and into the Okanagan Valley, Canada’s desert region, famous for its wine and fruit farms. You will stop for lunch in downtown Kamloops. Your last sightseeing stop of the day is at Spahats Falls in Clearwater. This waterfall is an idyllic venue for a photo opportunity. The cut in the mountain that the water has created over millennia is the funnel point for this gushing waterfall as it cascades down into the bowl below. The adventure then carries onto Valemount, where you will be spending the night. You will have free time for dinner, and then we can organize some Hockey in the Rockies, or you can enjoy a scenic nature walk along the nearby river.

Day 2: Valemount to Banff

Day two begins with a continental breakfast at your hotel before we head towards the Rockies. You will get the opportunity to stop at Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, topping out at an altitude of 3,954m. On a clear day, this is one of the more impressive sights of the tour. That being said, even if there is some cloud around, it makes that photograph all the more mysterious. As you cross into Alberta, you will then carry onto the town of Jasper, where you will stop for lunch. The second part of the day is possibly the highlight of the tour. You will travel down the Icefields Parkway with some of the most beautiful landscapes of the Rocky Mountains. Upon leaving the Icefields, you will have a stop at Bow Lake, the first of many glacial lakes in the region. There is the famous Polar Bear Swim if you are brave enough! You will then carry onto the stunning Town of Banff, deep in the heart of the Rockies. You will be centrally located in Banff. There is an option this evening taking the famous Banff Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain, where you will be greeted by a 360° view of the Rocky Mountains in all their glory. If you time it right, you will arrive just as golden hour arrives, transforming the region into a magical haven of beauty. You will be able to take the Banff Gondola back down free of charge. You will have time for dinner in town, and then you can join your guide for a few drinks at one of the many local bars in town.

Day 3: Banff to Golden

So much to do, so little time. Today you will be having breakfast on the go. That is because today is lake day! We will do a drive through the highlights of the Town of Banff before heading to our first lake of the day, Lake Louise. It’s probably one of the most famous glacial lakes in the world, and for a good reason. Here you will have roughly four-hours to explore the area. There are several hikes in the area for adventurers of any skill. If you don’t want to hike, you also have the option to go to Lake Louise Mountain Resort and take the chairlift up with a lunch at the top. This carries an extra fee. Once you have taken in the beauty of the area, you will be taken through to Moraine Lake, possibly the deepest turquoise of all the lakes in the region. Framed by steep, imposing cliffs, Moraine Lake is one of the most beautiful places in Canada. Your overnight accommodation is in Golden tonight, an interesting roadside town. We will have our group dinner here, a Canadian BBQ, burgers, hotdogs and salads. After dinner, there will be a bonfire, and you will learn the art of making the perfect s’more, a Canadian classic.

Day 4: Golden to Vancouver

It’s the last day, but that doesn’t mean that we are going to leave you wanting. Start the day with a continental breakfast in your hotel. Then it is time for the final hike of this adventure; the stunning Cedar Trails Boardwalk. After the trek, it is the last leg of the trip as we head back to Vancouver. We will pass through the historic Roger’s Pass, a region steeped in history. Our first stop will be at Craigellachie and the Last Spike. This is the historic landmark of the Canadian Pacific Railway, where the east and west lines joined. After leaving Craigellachie, we will take a scenic drive along the shores of Shuswap Lake and through the Coquihalla Valley. We will have you safely back in Vancouver by 7:30 pm a little richer in experience from the memories you have of your exploration of the Rocky Mountains.

Optional Extras

Banff Gondola

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN CALGARY

Arrive at Calgary International Airport. Individual transfer to your centrally located hotel. After check-in the remainder of the day is free. The tour director will contact you in the late afternoon to give details about joining the tour. Explore the Old West at the Glenbow Museum or Fort Calgary on your own, browse through the Eau Claire Market, ride up the Calgary Tower for a great view and savor the great restaurants and dynamic nightlife. Overnight in Calgary.

Accommodation at the Delta Hotels by Marriott, Calgary, or similar

DAY 2: CALGARY TO BANFF NATIONAL PARK

We begin the day with a city tour of Calgary. Leaving the city, we travel west on the Trans-Canada Highway into the rolling foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The majestic peaks of the Canadian Rockies soon fill the horizon as we approach Banff National Park, our first of several in the Canadian national parks system. We soon arrive in the charming resort town of Banff. Overnight in Banff. Meals: B

Accommodation at the Mount Royal Hotel or Banff Aspen Lodge, Banff, or similar

DAY 3: BANFF NATIONAL PARK

Today we will enjoy a tour of the region around Banff. The area became Canada’s first national park in 1885 to protect its natural hot springs. An optional Helicopter Sightseeing Tour will give you the chance to see the eastern ranges of the Rocky Mountains. Alternatively, you can take an optional gondola ride to spectacular Sulphur Mountain. Bring your camera! The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the surroundings of Banff, stroll along Banff Avenue, or relax and enjoy the scenery. Meals: B

Accommodation at the Mount Royal Hotel or Banff Aspen Lodge, Banff, or similar

DAY 4: BANFF NATIONAL PARK TO JASPER NATIONAL PARK

Today’s journey through Banff and Jasper national parks promises to be a highlight of our Rockies Trail program. Shortly after leaving Banff, we visit the famous scenery of Lake Louise, one of the most photographed lakes in Canada. Afterward, we travel north on the famed Icefields Parkway through a rugged wilderness flanked by dramatic mountain ranges. At the Columbia Icefield, we board a specially constructed Ice Explorer to ride on the surface of the ancient Athabasca Glacier. Close to Jasper, you have the chance to go on an optional raft trip on the Athabasca River. Your experienced guide will point out the natural and human history as you raft through short rapids and stretches of calm waters. Overnight in Jasper. Meals: B

Accommodation at the Lobstick Lodge, Jasper, or similar

DAY 5: JASPER NATIONAL PARK TO SUN PEAKS

Before leaving Jasper National Park this morning, you can take part in an optional Spirit Island Cruise on Maligne Lake, the most picturesque and largest glacier-fed lake in the park. You may alternately take an optional motorcycle tour of Jasper, riding in the comfortable sidecar with an unmatched view of the forests and mountains. Then, we travel west along the Yellowhead Highway and into the heartland of British Columbia. Breathtaking, unspoiled vistas await visitors in every season of the year. The route takes us along the Thompson River through the picturesque Shuswap Highlands. Overnight in Sun Peaks. Meals: B

Accommodation at Sun Peaks Grand, Sun Peaks, or similar

DAY 6: SUN PEAKS TO WHISTLER

We can expect a day of dramatic scenery changes when we drive through the ranch lands and head for the coastal mountains. A journey along the Duffey Lake Road exposes new vistas at every turn. An optional Floatplane Sightseeing Tour over Garibaldi Park gives you an inspiring view of a natural preserve of volcanic peaks, alpine lakes, and meadows. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Whistler. Meals: B

Accommodation at Delta Hotels by Marriott Whistler Village Suites, Whistler, or similar

DAY 7: WHISTLER TO VICTORIA

The Sea-to-Sky Highway leads us south through spectacular coastal scenery today. You will visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge suspended high above a magnificent canyon. From Horseshoe Bay, we cruise by ferry across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver Island and continue by coach to Victoria, British Columbia’s capital city. Arriving in Victoria, we embark on a city tour of this former British enclave. Overnight in Victoria. Meals: B

Accommodation at the Coast Victoria Hotel & Marina by APA, Victoria, or similar

DAY 8: VICTORIA

Proud of her maritime heritage, Victoria has retained a quaint, colonial demeanor evident in the many 19th-century landmarks throughout the city. Today we treat ourselves to a tour of the world-famous Butchart Gardens, one of the world’s great floral displays set in a reclaimed stone quarry. Time will be allocated here for browsing through the regal gardens. You can take part in an optional Floatplane Sightseeing Tour over downtown Victoria and the Strait of Juan de Fuca with the Olympic Mountains in the distance. You can also go on an optional Whalewatching Excursion aboard a Zodiac or a regular vessel. Watch for the magnificent orcas and the abundance of marine wildlife. The remainder of the day is at leisurely exploring the city’s delights. Overnight in Victoria. Meals: B

Accommodation at the Coast Victoria Hotel & Marina by APA, Victoria, or similar

DAY 9: VICTORIA TO VANCOUVER

We continue through the resort region of the Gulf Islands to the oceanside city of Vancouver. Upon arrival in Vancouver, we enjoy an interesting tour of the city, including Stanley Park, English Bay, Gastown, Chinatown, and much more. The remainder of the day is free for independent exploration or simple relaxation. This evening features our farewell dinner. Meals: B, D

Accommodation at the Sutton Place Hotel, Vancouver, or similar

DAY 10: VANCOUVER DEPARTURE

A time for last-minute shopping and sad farewells. Individual transfer to Vancouver International Airport in time to check in for your return flight. Meals: B