Vancouver Trip Overview
The perfect tour to see and enjoy the best of Western Canada. Starting in Vancouver you’ll head east to Osoyoos in the Okanagan, Canada’s lone desert. Continue east for a stay in the charming town of Nelson, in the heart of the Kootenays. You’ll fall in love with this charming lakeside town with its boutique shops and breweries! Next head into Alberta for a 2-night stay in the spectacular Waterton Lakes National Park. Relax in the park and indulge in the spectacular scenery (lake cruise included). Finally, you’ll visit Calgary with a stop at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump National Historic Site (UNESCO approved) to learn more about the indigenous culture of the area. After 1 night and a city highlights tour of Calgary, you’ll spend two nights in Banff to explore the Rocky Mountains and glacier-fed turquoise lakes before travelling over Rogers Pass for a night in the Okanagan town of Vernon.
Please note that aspects of the itinerary are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.
Additional Info
Duration: 10 days
Starts: Vancouver, Canada
Trip Category: Outdoor Activities >> Nature & Wildlife
Explore Vancouver Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
The perfect tour to see and enjoy the best of Western Canada. Starting in Vancouver you’ll head east to Osoyoos in the Okanagan, Canada’s lone desert. Continue east for a stay in the charming town of Nelson, in the heart of the Kootenays. You’ll fall in love with this charming lakeside town with its boutique shops and breweries! Next head into Alberta for a 2-night stay in the spectacular Waterton Lakes National Park. Relax in the park and indulge in the spectacular scenery (lake cruise included). Finally, you’ll visit Calgary with a stop at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump National Historic Site (UNESCO approved) to learn more about the indigenous culture of the area. After 1 night and a city highlights tour of Calgary, you’ll spend two nights in Banff to explore the Rocky Mountains and glacier-fed turquoise lakes before travelling over Rogers Pass for a night in the Okanagan town of Vernon.
Please note that aspects of the itinerary are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.
Itinerary
Day 1: Vancouver to Osoyoos
Stop At: Canada Place Building 780-999 Canada Pl, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3C1 Canada
9:00am: Depart Vancouver from Canada Place
Head along the lesser travelled Highway 3 through Manning Park and into the Southern Okanagan Valley
Along the way stop for little hikes, fascinating landscape and an abundance of orchards.
Stop at Spotted Lake for an amazing photo opportunity of a unique natural phenomenon
Upon arrival at your hotel, make yourself comfortable by the lake and enjoy the unique landscape of Canada’s only desert.
Duration: 6 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Holiday Inn Osoyoos
Day 2: Discover the Okanagan Valley
Stop At: Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Breakfast at your hotel
Visit the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre to learn more about (pronounced in-ka-meep) fascinating stories of Canada’s only desert and share in the rich living culture of the Okanagan people.
Enjoy a wine tasting at Nk’Mip Cellars
The evening at leisure to enjoy your hotel and the lake.
Duration: 10 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Holiday Inn Osoyoos
Day 3: Osoyoos – Nelson
Stop At: Kootenay Lake, British Columbia, Canada
Breakfast at your hotel
Stop at Anarchist Mountain Lookout for amazing farewell views over Osoyoos and the mountain range
Head into the Kootenay Region of British Columbia – mountains, valleys and hot springs await
Visit Kokanee Creek Provincial Park, bordering the West arm of Kootenay Lake
Explore the charming town of Nelson on a tour of the city
The remainder of the day is at your leisure
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Prestige Lakeside Resort Nelson
Day 4: Nelson – Waterton Lakes National Park
Stop At: Waterton Lakes National Park, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta
Breakfast included at your hotel
Travel through the Purcell Mountains before entering the vast landscape of the rolling prairies
Arrive in Waterton Lakes national Park where you check-in to your hotel
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Waterton Lakes Lodge Resort
Day 5: Waterton Lakes National Park
Stop At: Waterton Lakes National Park, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta
Breakfast included at your hotel
Enjoy a scenic cruise on Upper Waterton Lake through the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park
This afternoon, join your guide for a short hike of the area
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Waterton Lakes Lodge Resort
Day 6: Waterton Lakes – Calgary
Stop At: Calgary, Calgary, Alberta
Breakfast included at your hotel
Visit Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site that preserves and interprets over 6,000 years of Plains Buffalo culture
City Tour of Calgary upon arrival
Visit Calgary Tower to marvel at the stunning city views and Rocky Mountains in the distance
Check-in to your hotel where the remainder of the day is at your leisure
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Hilton Garden Inn Calgary Downtown
Day 7: Calgary – Banff
Stop At: Banff National Park, Banff National Park, Alberta
Depart Calgary from the Hilton Garden Inn Calgary Downtown at 9:00am
We are leaving the city behind us and are heading straight for the crown jewel of Western Canada – The Canadian Rockies
Before checking into Banff, we will continue on for a tour of the area including Peyto Lake and Moraine Lake
The remainder of the afternoon and evening is at your leisure
Duration: 7 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Mount Royal Hotel
Day 8: Banff National Park
Stop At: Banff National Park, Banff National Park, Alberta
Breakfast included at your hotel
Enjoy a Gondola Ride up Sulphur Mountain followed by a scenic drive to Lake Minnewanka & Two Jack Lake Loop and enjoy a tour of Banff townsite
The rest of your day is at leisure for some optional activities, to relax at your hotel, stroll along Banff Avenue for some souvenir shopping
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Mount Royal Hotel
Day 9: Banff – Vernon
Stop At: Vernon, Vernon, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Breakfast included at your hotel
Marvel at the vistas at Lake Louise and Emerald Lake before heading back to the Okanagan Valley
Enjoy a wine tasting in Vernon
The remainder of the day is at your leisure to explore the many murals that can be found in the town of Vernon, highlighting the cities heritage and culture
Duration: 7 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Prestige Vernon Lodge
Day 10: Vernon – Vancouver
Stop At: Vancouver, Vancouver, British Columbia
Breakfast included at your hotel
We are heading back to Vancouver
Before we arrive back in Vancouver, we will include a stop at Othello Tunnels
Return to Vancouver approx. 7pm. Please note that due to traffic and other unforeseen circumstances, we cannot guarantee arrival times.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
