Western Canada Explorer

Experience a wide variety of quintessential western landscapes and lifestyles, unforgettable wildlife viewing and personal adventure. This comprehensive 15-day itinerary stretches from the world-famous Banff and Jasper National Parks into the interior British Columbia highlands, boasting incredible hiking trails around sparkling lakes. Continue into the heart of the Rocky Mountains for a stay at a peaceful lakeside cottage retreat. Continuing through the Coastal Mountains to the temperate and sheltered valleys of Bella Coola, this wondrous experience comes to an end at the placid coastlands and dazzling cities of Victoria and Vancouver.

Calgary 
Arrive at Calgary International Airport and transfer independently to hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to discover how this modern, chic city at the foothills of the Rockies has not forgotten its cowboy frontier heritage!

Banff  
The road westward to Banff leaves the towers of glass and steel behind, replaced with the rolling grasslands of Kananaskis horse country on the way to the mountains. The journey through the valley offers beautiful vista after vista as you make your way to the Bow Valley and the iconic parkland town of Banff. 
The Rockies most famous town deserves its grand reputation! Nestled in protected lands of Banff National Park, magnificent elk casually walk the local pathways and parks to the delight of visitors. Shoppes and restaurants boast menus from around the world, while offerings of outdoor adventure are around every corner. 

Jasper 
Today you drive to Jasper via the spectacular Icefields Parkway. We suggest a stop at Peyto Lake en route for a stretch and a short walk. Dozens of incredible photo opportunities of ancient forests and crisply outlined mountain peaks present themselves around every bend of the road. Abundant small roadside waterfalls and alpine meadows delight travellers along this route, considered one of the most scenic drives in the world. 

100 Mile House 
Today embark on your journey westward over the provincial border into the wilds of the British Columbia interior enroute to the Cariboo Region – an area famous for its bountiful precious mineral deposits. This rugged land drew prospectors and adventurers alike during the Gold Rush period, many who stayed on to found the small communities that flourish there today. 

Anahim Lake 
Today you continue westward through the pristine wilderness of the British Columbia interior. Travelling along the Chilcotin – Bella Coola Highway you arrive at Eagle’s Nest Resort on the shores of Anahim Lake. A true Canadian vacation resort, the property is surrounded by water on three sides, the deep waters of the lake reflecting the ancient forests and rising volcanic rock escarpments. 
Enjoy the beautiful outdoors today at the resort. Relax on the wide decks and soak up the sun, or perhaps embark on a hike along the nearby Rainbow Ridge trail along the top of a sheer volcanic rock wall overlooking the forest below. 

Hagensborg (Bella Coola Area) 
Today you depart Anahim Lake and travel further north through the British Columbia Mountain ranges before turning west and journeying into the southern arm of Tweedsmuir National Park. The largest protected park in the province, this area boasts a near untouched wilderness where visitors can observe the rugged landscape as it has been for hundreds of centuries. Leaving the park, you travel into the peaceful Bella Coola valley, home to the Nuxalt First Nations people and situated at the headwaters of a 100 km inlet leading to the Pacific Ocean. 

Hagensborg (Bella Coola Area to Port Hardy -Cruise) 
Enjoy a full day ocean cruise on board BC Ferries through a long and winding inlet waterway carved into the mountainous landscape. This placid, meandering cruise comes to an end in Port Hardy. 

Campbell River 
Today you travel south along the eastern shore of Vancouver Island. After following the shores of Nimpkish Lake, the road turns inland, giving you a roadside view of the rugged landscape of the island’s interior. You arrive at Campbell River, known as a centre for some of the world’s best sport fishing. 

Victoria 
Following the Strait of Georgia separating the island from the British Columbia mainland, you continue along the coast past quaint villages of Parksville, Nanaimo, and Chemainus. Proceeding along the scenic Malahat Drive, you arrive in beautiful colonial Victoria. 
Today, explore this elegant capital city. We suggest a visit to Beacon Hill Park and the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. You may decide to drop in for afternoon tea at the Fairmont Empress Hotel and experience a taste of British charm. 

Vancouver 
Traverse the charming landscape of Victoria one last time before enjoying a mini-cruise on BC Ferries back to Vancouver through the Strait of Georgia. Arriving in Vancouver, take advantage of one of the many fine eateries available in this cosmopolitan jewel on the Pacific. 
You will have the entire day to tour Vancouver and the surrounding area.Some suggestions: MacMillan Planetarium, Chinatown, Gastown, Granville Island, Grouse Mountain and Stanley Park. 

Please find our suggested length of stays below:

Calgary - 1 Nights 
Banff – 2 Nights 
Jasper - 1 Night 
100 Mile House – 1 Night
Anahim Lake – 2 Nights
Hagensborg – 1 Night
Port Hardy – 1 Night
Campbell River – 1 Night
Victoria – 2 Nights 
Vancouver -1 Night