Ultimate West Fly Drive

Day 1 - Fly UK to Vancouver

Upon arrival into Vancouver transfer (not included) to your hotel.

Day 2 - Vancouver

The day is yours to discover the coastal city of Vancouver. Canada’s third largest metropolitan centre, Vancouver is a busy port with a multi-cultural ambiance. Use your Hop on Hop off pass today to get around Vancouver and sightsee at your leisure.

Day 3 - Vancouver to Kelowna (397 km/247 mi)

Today, travel into the Thompson Okanagan region; this region famous for its orchards and vineyards as well as the wildly varied landscape. To the north of the central wine-and-fruit producing valley are vast boreal forests and to the south the desert of the Great Basin.

Day 4 - Full Day Kelowna Wine Lovers Tour

Sit back and enjoy while touring some of the great wineries in the beautiful Okanagan. Experience a bit of the history of the wine industry and enjoy some of the newer boutique-style wineries that are recent additions to our wine industry.

Your visit includes two top tier sit down tastings at Sandhill Winery and Cedar Creek and depending on availability a charcuterie platter at Spearhead Winery. Visit a total of 5 wineries including but not limited to Tantalus Vineyards, Summerhill Pyramid, The View, and/or Vibrant Vines.

Inclusions: • Tastings at 5 wineries • 20-25 small tastings • Private sit down tasting experience • Charcutier Platter to enjoy at one of the wineries • Snacks on the bus (water, cheese and crackers) • Driver guide • Return transfers from Kelowna & Vernon Hotels, Sparkling Hill and  Predator Ridge

Day 5 - Kelowna to Emerald Lake Lodge (405 km/252 mi)

Today drive by spectacular waterfalls, towering peaks and beautiful lakes towards Revelstoke. A short drive beyond Revelstoke you will find Craigellachie, where the 'last spike’ was driven completing the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1885. The mountains that were the curse of railway workers are responsible for the park’s many waterfalls including Laughing Falls, Wapta Falls, Twin Falls and one of Canada’s highest (254 metres / 833 feet), Takakkaw Falls.

Day 6 - Emerald Lake Lodge

Built of hand-hewn timber and featuring massive stone fireplaces, the Lodge includes a formal dining room, quiet reading and sitting rooms. From the upper or lower large verandahs, enjoy the serene views of this wilderness landscape.

Day 7 - Emerald Lake Lodge to Banff (81 km/50 mi)

Enjoy the leisurely drive to Banff. 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 8 - Banff

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.

Day 9 - Banff via Lake Louise to Jasper (262 km/163 mi)

Drive to Jasper via the spectacular Icefields Parkway. We suggest a stop at Peyto Lake on route. Enjoy glorious photo opportunities of snow-capped peaks, waterfalls and alpine meadows as you travel this route considered one of the most scenic drives in the world. We have included an Ice Explorer ride on the Athabasca Glacier enroute to Jasper.

Day 10 - Jasper National Park

Today is at your leisure to explore the uniquely beautiful landscape of Jasper National Park where serene lakes and gentle meadows stand in stark contrast to its jagged peaks and spectacular glaciers. This evening we have included the popular Discover Jasper & its Wildlife 3 hour tour. The Wildlife Discovery Tour is a driving tour with minimal walking. Photos of wildlife are usually taken from the inside the vehicle or on the ground at a safe distance from the animals. While the natural habitat around Jasper is conducive to animal sightings, animal viewing is not guaranteed and depends largely on the season, the time of day, and the weather.

Day 11 - Explore Jasper National Park

We highly recommend spending the day exploring the Maligne Valley and Lake, even taking a cruise on Maligne Lake to Spirit Island (not included). Pyramid Lake is also well worth a visit.

Day 12 - Jasper to Wells Gray Provincial Park/Clearwater (317 km/196mi)

Drive the scenic Yellowhead Highway to Wells Gray Park. Before leaving the Rocky Mountains you will encounter one of its most spectacular sights, the mist-shrouded peak of Mount Robson. The highest peak in the Rockies can be seen for miles as you wind your way south through a vast unspoiled landscape. A visit to the volcano-shaped wilderness of Wells Gray Provincial Park is worth the detour. Not to be missed are the towering Helmcken Falls near the entrance to the park.

Day 13 - Wells Gray Provincial Park

Explore Wells Gray Provincial Park and enjoy the activities on offer at Alpine Meadows Resort.

Day 14 - Clearwater to Whistler (421km/262mi)

Begin the day traveling via 100 Mile House to the Gold Rush Town of Cache Creek, continue the journey south to Lillooet, known as the land of the Gold Rush Trail and ‘Mile Zero’ of the Old Caribou Wagon Road. Departing Lillooet travel the Duffey Lake Road to Whistler. On the upper elevations of the Duffey Lake Road enjoy breath-taking views of Joffre Glacier and snow-capped Mount Currie that rises to a height of 2,596 meters (8,518 feet)

Day 15 - Whistler Exploring

Experience the beauty of Whistler Blackcomb’s alpine environment via the newly opened Peak Adventure on Whistler Mountain. Take the Whistler Gondola to Whistler Mountain’s sub-alpine and then rise to over 7,000 feet via Whistler’s premier open chairlift. At the top of the Peak Chair, guests will be treated to unbelievable views of glaciers, extinct volcanoes, snow-capped peaks and more. Gondola dates of operation: May - Oct, Summer dates are subject to change due to factors such as weather and snowpack, if Gondola is not operating a refund will be issued.

Day 16 - Whistler to Pacific Rim National Park (310 km/192 mi)

Travel the Sea-to-Sky Highway through a landscape carved out by glaciers and edged by craggy fjords. After a brief stop at Shannon Falls continue to Horseshoe Bay where you will board a ferry to sail across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver Island. Your drive to the Pacific Coast will take you through ancient rainforests and provincial parks. You are venturing into true wildlife territory here, and you might even catch a glimpse of bears, deer or wolves. The Pacific Rim National Park is a marvel of ecological and geographical diversity as you will see as you pass through dense rainforests, steep ravines and windswept beaches.

Day 17 - Coastal Bear Watching

Today you have a Coastal Bear Watching tour included.  

This tour features black bears and explores the fjord inlets of Clayoquot Sound. During the winter, local black bears are in semi-hibernation. Come May, they leave their dens and head for the closest food source - the ocean! While the bears forage in the intertidal zone, you can unobtrusively observe and photograph their behaviour. You will experience the tour aboard an open-air, rescue-style, 24' rigid-hulled Zodiac suitable for this calm water program. The vessel's shallow draft is especially good for manoeuvring in the small sheltered bays while you are watching for bears and learning about this unique environment.

Remote Passages provides Mustang Floater Suit, toque and gloves and complimentary hot drinks on return. Participants should dress warmly, bring a camera, binoculars, sun glasses and sunscreen. 

Day 18 - Pacific Rim National Park to Victoria (325 km/201 mi)

This morning’s drive will take you back to the east coast of Vancouver Island. En route you might want to visit Horne Lake Caves or Cathedral Cove. The coastal road winds through quaint seaside towns and the murals of Chemainus and the quaint Quw’utsun’ Cultural and Conference Centre in Duncan are well worth the visit. The day winds down in Victoria, the capital of British Columbia.

Day 19 - Whale Watching

Today we have included a 3 hour Whale Watching tour. 

This coastal excursion is an exhilarating round trip of 50 to 80 kilometres in search of orcas, minke whales, grey whales, porpoises, harbour seals, and other marine wildlife. You will ride aboard a comfortable custom-built zodiac that offers high speed with extraordinary stability giving you an exhilarating, safe and intimate whale watching experience. Comments by a certified marine biologist and naturalist are provided. 

ZODIAC TOURS: The open zodiacs are for the adventurous at heart. The 12 passenger vessels are recommended for an exhilarating experience complete with sea spray! Designed for high speed these vessels are known around the world for durability, safety, seaworthiness and performance. The zodiacs are equipped with Yamaha 4-stroke engines, world renowned for their quiet operating and low emission levels. Passengers will be provided full body cruiser suits for the tour.

Day 20 - Victoria to Vancouver (70 km / 43 mi + Ferry)

Before you leave Vancouver Island we recommend you visit Butchart Gardens, a magnificent display of flowers and shrubs set in an old stone quarry. Enjoy a mini-cruise on B.C. Ferries guiding you around the many Gulf Islands through the Strait of Georgia to mainland British Columbia. The rest of the day is at your leisure to enjoy the stores, parks, restaurants, theatres and other attractions of downtown Vancouver.

Day 21 - Fly Vancouver to the UK

Check out of your hotel and make your own way back to Vancouver Airport for your overnight flight.