Peaks & Grapes Fly Drive

Day 1 - Fly to Vancouver

Fly to Vancouver and transfer to your downtown hotel.

Day 2 - Vancouver Sightseeing

This morning we have included the 3.5 hour Vancouver City Highlights tour. Prepare to experience the unique history and unfolding splendour as you tour through the modern streets of Vancouver. Drive by the most renowned sights and learn how Vancouver became the city it is today. Situated on the edge of the Pacific Ocean and framed by British Columbia's imposing mountains, it's easy to fall in love with this astonishing city. Drive through historic neighbourhoods such as Gastown, Chinatown, scenic English Bay and the picturesque Vancouver Harbour. Stops in Stanley Park feature Indigenous Peoples' Totem Poles, spectacular views of the mountains and the Lions Gate Bridge. Also includes the opportunity to wander through the charming farmer's market at Granville Island.

Day 3 - Vancouver to Whistler (122 km/76 mi)

Your self-drive holiday begins today as you pick up your rental car. Depart Vancouver along the scenic Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler. Highlights along the way include the cascading Shannon Falls and the Stawamus Chief Rock where climbers from all over the globe migrate to climb the granite cliffs. Arrive into Whistler by early afternoon.

Day 4 - Whistler Exploring

This charming alpine resort is nestled between world-renowned Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Enjoy an extensive range of summer activities from golf on one of the 4 championship designer golf courses, water activities on any of the 5 lakes or numerous rivers, to mountain top dining or just relax and enjoy some of the many fine cafes and restaurants in this European inspired alpine village.  We have included the Peak 2 Peak Gondola to help you take in the best of Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, not to mention the spectacular birds eye scenery.

Day 5 - Whistler to Sun Peaks (293 km/183 mi)

Begin your  drive on the Duffey Lake Road where you will see  stunning views of the Joffre Glacier. Continue on through Lillooet known as the land of the Gold Rush Trail and onto Cache Creek where you stop to visit the historic Hat Creek Ranch (included). From here travel a short distance to your overnight accommodation at the Cahilty Lodge, located in a stunning resort of Sun Peaks.

Day 6 - Sun Peaks to Jasper (444 km/277 mi)

Today, follow the Thompson River through rolling plateaus to the snowy peaks of the Monashee Mountains. View Pyramid Falls and the expansive glaciers of the Albreda Icefields. Pass by Mount Robson, at 3954 metres (12,972 feet), which is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Arrive in Jasper late afternoon.

Day 7 - Jasper Sightseeing

Explore this charming mountain village close to many terrific scenic highlights. Take a tram ride up Whistlers mountain, or visit Maligne Lake, one of the most photographed lakes in the world, and enjoy a 90 minute cruise heading toward the south end of this postcard setting (Maligne Lake cruise included). You will marvel at the magnificent shoreline with dense forest and glacial peaks rising abruptly from the water’s edge. Stopping at Spirit Island, you will have the opportunity to take your own version of the world famous photograph of the lake.  We offer many excursions in Jasper, one of our best sellers is the Discover Jasper and its Wildlife Evening tour, please ask one of our Canada Experts for details.

Day 8 - Jasper to Banff (292 km/182 mi)

Your scenic drive today takes you through the spine of the Canadian Rockies. View a never-ending procession of mammoth mountains, jagged peaks, over 100 glaciers and pristine emerald colour lakes. Along the way see such sights as the Columbia Icefield and take an Ice Explorer ride out onto the glacier and take in the Glacier Skywalk (included). Also watch for the Sarbach Glacier, Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, with the Bow Glacier providing the backdrop, and Crowfoot Glacier before your arrival into Lake Louise. From Lake Louise choose the Bow Valley Parkway, beside the Bow River with an option for you to take a stop at Johnston Canyon and walk along the paved footpath to either the lower or upper waterfalls before continuing to Banff.

Day 9 - Banff Sightseeing (Banff Gondola)

A full day to explore Banff and area. In town you'll find lots of excitement - shopping, cafes, nightlife, museums. Check out the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, Banff Gondola (included) where you will see a panoramic view of the Bow Valley, and then take a dip in the hot mineral pools at the Upper Hot Springs. Optional Add-On Sundance Loop Horse Back Trail Ride (Duration 2 hrs) Departing from Warner Stables, your cowboys will lead you through the Cave & Basin-the original hot springs-along the Bow River. Fantastic scenery surrounds as you climb up Sulphur Mountain around the Windy Knoll viewpoint. The ride loops around the marsh, following the Bow River, bringing you back to the Stables

Day 10 - Banff to Kelowna (482 km/301 mi)

Your journey today takes you through some of the most spectacular stretches of highway in Canada. Follow the Kicking Horse Pass, which takes you to Rogers Pass and onto the beautiful shorelines of Shuswap Lake, home to Canada's largest sockeye salmon spawn to the south fork of the Thompson River. Optional Add-On House Boating on Shuswap Lake (4 Days / 3 Nights) Countless kilometers of pristine shoreline on Shuswap Lake await your exploration. Sun drenched beaches, beautiful waterfalls and awesome fishing are yours to discover from the comfort of your home away from home. The highway follows the Thompson into the dry interior grasslands and the city of Kamloops. At this point the highway begins the long descent into the hot, dry interior, initially through 'cattle country' then down into the orchard country of the Okanagan Valley. Set on the shores of Lake Okanogan, over 90 kilometres long, Kelowna has become a large lakeside resort, with long, hot summers.

Day 11 - Kelowna Wine Lovers Tour

Sit back and enjoy as you tour some of the great wineries in the beautiful Okanagan. Enjoy a private tasting at Sandhill, a delicious lunch at one of two wineries Summerhill Pyramid Winery or Cedar Creek depending on availability. Experience a bit of the history of the wine industry here in the Okanagan and enjoy some of the newer boutique-style wineries that are recent additions to the wine industry.

Your visit includes private virtual tastings at Sandhill Winery, Tantalus Vineyards, Summerhill Pyramid, Cedar Creek and finally The View, and/or Vibrant Vines.

Day 12 - Kelowna to Vancouver (371 km/232 mi)

An amazing trip awaits you today, from Kelowna to Vancouver. Travel via the Okanagan connector to the Coquihalla Highway. Along the way stop at any of the roadside stalls offering for sale during the long summer day's cherries, apples, apricots, pears, peaches, grapes and plums. Turning onto the Coquihalla Highway climb to an elevation of 1244 metres where over 10 metres of snow can fall in an average winter. You will witness incredible feats of engineering as you travel through the Great Bear snow shed, crossing the Dry Gulch Bridge (over 280 metres long and 175 metres high). Begin descending from the summit pass through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the province. This dramatic change of environment is always exhilarating, as you go from bright sunlight on the high rock faces to misty coastal cedars and tall firs in the space of half an hour. Approaching the Pacific coast, the canyon opens into the broad fertile Fraser Valley. A stop at Minter Gardens in the Fraser Valley is a must before continuing to downtown Vancouver, where you will drop of your hire car.

Day 13 - Fly Vancouver to UK

Morning at leisure before transfering to Vancouver Airport for your overnight flight back to the UK.