Western Canada Rockies to Pacific Road Trip - 9 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Calgary (Alberta), Dinner at Calgary Tower

Welcome to Canada! After landing at the Calgary International Airport, swing by the rental car desk to grab the keys to your set of wheels for the next nine days. You'll be slowly making your way over 600 miles (972 km) through the Canadian Rockies, winding through mountainous national parks, but first, it's time to explore Calgary and its rich cowboy culture. Home to the largest outdoor rodeo in the world, you'll soon see why it's nicknamed "Stampede City." Drop your bags off at your hotel and get ready to see the sights.

Spend the afternoon however you'd like, walking around the outside of the famed Stampede Park or heading out on an adventure like spelunking in the Rat's Nest Cave. Tonight, it's time to get gussied up and enjoy dinner at Sky360, a revolving restaurant at the top of Calgary Tower. Enjoy 360-degree panoramic views while you dine on delicious courses created with seasonal ingredients. After dinner, head up to the observation deck to see the city twinkle by night.

Day 2: Self-Guided Tour of Calgary, Drive to Banff

Calgary has rapidly expanded since the 1988 Olympics. Explore more of this modern-day boom town on your second morning in Canada. Although there are so many things to do, you can't go wrong with some retail therapy on 8th Avenue, known for its great restaurants and shopping. Foodies will want to go in search of bison burgers or Saskatoon berry pie, while history buffs can learn more about Calgary's past at the Heritage Park Historical Village. Outdoorsy types will love snowboarding at Canada Olympic Park or walking around Prince Island Park.

After exploring the city this morning, you're headed for the mountain paradise of Banff this afternoon. Make your way west along the famed Trans-Canada Highway, passing through gradually winding hills and deep into the snowcapped peaks of the Canadian Rockies. The two-hour drive will fly by, and you'll soon be walking through Banff's charming downtown, surrounded by towering mountains. If there's enough time left in the day, don't miss your chance to witness the incredible beauty of nearby Moraine Lake or Lake Louise.

Day 3: Visit Upper Hot Springs, Ride the Banff Gondola

Kick off your first morning in the mountains with a visit to Banff's Upper Hot Springs. These historic thermal pools have been a favorite therapeutic remedy for visitors for hundreds of years. They also happen to be the highest-operating hot springs in all of Canada. Soak away your morning with mountain views peeking through the clouds of geothermal steam. Water temperatures vary from 81°F (27°C) to 116°F (47°F) depending on the season. 

After your rejuvenating morning in the hot springs, head for a different kind of cloud this afternoon while ascending Sulphur Mountain on the Banff Gondola. Enjoy breathtaking views of both the mountain scenery and the city of Banff below during the eight-minute ride. Once you reach the top, stroll along the Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk and admire the panoramic views. You can also grab a delicious dinner at the Sky Bistro and stay for a memorable sunset. 

Day 4: Drive to Jasper, Columbia Icefields Glacier Adventure

Keep the gorgeous mountain views going today as you make the drive from Banff to Jasper via the Icefields Parkway. The drive takes around 3.5 hours, passing through incredible scenery along the way—this route is widely considered one of the most picturesque in the world. Make your way along the Columbia Icefields, the largest in the Canadian Rockies, before making a pit stop for the star of the show today—the Athabasca Glacier.

Nestled between Mount Athabasca and Mount Kitchener, the Athabasca Glacier is one of only a few glaciers that visitors can access in North America. You'll get to jump on an all-terrain Ice Explorer on the Glacier Adventure Tour, where you'll learn more about the environmental effects on the glacier and fascinating facts about it, and you'll even get the chance to walk across it! Afterward, take the time to walk across the Glacier Skywalk, suspended 918 feet (280 m) above the Sunwapta Valley. Afterward, you'll get back on the road and continue to the town of Jasper. 

Day 5: Wildlife Safari in Jasper National Park, Visit the Planetarium

Someone else will take over the driving this morning as you set off on a wildlife safari in Jasper National Park. Climb aboard a comfy bus at your accommodation and head deep into the park as you search for the park's animal inhabitants like grizzly bears, caribou, wolves, and mountain goats. Your trusty guide will be there to help spot wildlife, provide interesting information on the park and its various species, and take you on the best routes based on seasonal animal migration patterns. Take the opportunity to snag some pictures from the safety of the bus or on short walks.

This evening, head over to the Jasper Planetarium and Telescope, where you'll see the cosmos up close. Jasper National Park is a certified Dark Sky Preserve and a wonderful place to look skyward at night. Start the experience at the Planetarium Dome Theatre, where you'll learn about constellations important to the region's Indigenous peoples and see the Milky Way. Then, you'll get to look through a powerful telescope to witness swirling galaxies, shooting stars, and even the northern lights if you're in season.

Day 6: Drive to Kamloops (BC), Self-Guided Tour of Kamloops, Hoodoo Trail Hike

Day six begins with a heftier drive than previous days, with a 5.5-hour journey to Kamloops. You'll continue through striking mountain landscapes, over rushing rivers, and into deep valleys that will beckon you to stop and stare along the way. Wave goodbye to the Alberta Province today as this drive officially marks your entrance into British Columbia. Detour to the small town of Valemount for views of Mount Robson and a quick break en route.

Kamloops is one of Canada’s outdoor adventure capitals and you'll get to experience it firsthand today. After settling in and maybe grabbing a nap, don your hiking boots and head out on a 20-minute drive west to reach the short Cinnamon Ridge Hoodoo Trail. Take a self-guided hike through this otherworldly landscape, observing rock formations that are billions of years old. Continue further to the South Thompson Silt Bluffs for more beautiful views, then make your way back to the trailhead and return to Kamloops for a well-earned dinner.

Day 7: Drive to Whistler, Peak 2 Peak Gondola

Today is another day of driving, this time to Canada's premier ski destination, Whistler. The route offers up more dramatic mountain landscapes, and you'll reach this winter sports resort within four hours. You can break up the trip with stops at Nairn Falls or Seton Lake. 

Upon arrival, get your bearings with a ride up the mountain on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola. Watch as Whistler Village disappears and you glide above the rugged wilderness. You can go one of two ways, to the top of Blackcomb or Whistler Mountain. Once you reach the top, you'll see glaciers, dense forests, and mountain peaks that stretch far past the horizon line. Take off on a hiking trail or go skiing and snowboarding in the winter months. You can also enjoy a meal with a view at either the Roundhouse Lodge on Whistler Mountain or the Rendezvous Lodge at Blackcomb.

Day 8: Drive to Vancouver, Flyover Canada Experience, Walking Food Tour of Gastown

Today is the last leg of your journey, driving from Whistler to Vancouver. Make the 1.5-hour drive along the Sea-to-Sky Highway, and don't miss the chance to stop in Squamish to ride the Sea-to-Sky Gondola for views of Howe Sound and Burrard Inlet and grab lunch at the Summit Lodge. Once you reach Vancouver, drop your bags and explore this seaside city—you've made it all the way from the Canadian Rockies to the Pacific Ocean.

Get your first taste of Vancouver this afternoon at the FlyOver Canada Experience, which combines virtual visuals, an amusement park ride, and sensory effects like mist, wind, and scents to guide you over Canada's incredible landscapes and scenery from coast to coast. Then, it's time to dive headfirst into Vancouver's renowned food scene on a walking food tour of Gastown. Stroll through the city's oldest neighborhood as you munch on seven dishes, from poutine to "Japadogs," a Japanese take on a classic hot dog. You'll also take a twirl around the Shipyards Night Market for more street eats and live music.

Day 9: City & Seal Boat Tour, Depart Vancouver

Mark the final morning of your great western Canadian adventure with one last sightseeing experience. Hop on the City and Seal Boat Tour, where you'll cruise along English Bay, beneath the Lions Gate Bridge, and right up to the local seal colony, happily barking on the rocks. 

Before you know it, it will be time to wave goodbye to Canada from your plane window. Head to the Vancouver International Airport to drop off your rental car and catch your departing flight. See you next time!

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