11 Days in Canada - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Road Trip Across Ontario & Québec: From Niagara Falls to Baie-Saint-Paul

This road trip across Ontario and Québec takes you from thundering Niagara Falls to the charming city of Baie-Saint-Paul. Perfect for nature lovers and history buffs, it includes a city tour of Toronto, a helicopter ride over Niagara Falls, a Thousand Islands boat cruise in Gananoque, a walking tour of historic Montréal, and a hike in a national park in the Charlevoix region. A drive along the King's Road, constructed under the reign of King Louis XIV, leads you into Québec City for historical walking tours and an opportunity to go whale watching.

Your adventure starts in Toronto, Ontario, Canada's largest and most multicultural city, where you can ride up the elevator of the iconic CN Tower, stroll along Lake Ontario, enjoy shopping in Kensington Market, or go on a boat to enjoy Toronto's iconic skyline from another vantage. Continue to Niagara Falls and hop on the Hornblower to feel the spray and sheer power of the rushing falls, stopping in Victorian-era Niagara-on-the-Lake along the way. Then, ride a helicopter for a bird's-eye view of the falls. Drive to Gananoque, known as the "Gateway to the Thousand Islands," and enjoy a boat cruise across the St. Lawrence River.

The next week sees you in Québec. Once in Montréal, you'll visit the Atwater Market and cobblestoned Old Montréal on a guided walking tour, stopping in Place d'Armes to see the Notre-Dame Basilica. From there, drive to Baie-Saint-Paul to explore the lush Grands-Jardins National Park and hike in the scenic Hautes‑Gorges-de-la-Rivière‑Malbaie National Park. Continue to Québec City to admire the 272-foot-tall (83 m) Montmorency Falls and board a boat to Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park for a whale watching excursion. Return to Montréal to hike in Parc du Mont-Royal and browse the Jean-Talon Market. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Road Trip Across British Columbia & Alberta: Vancouver, Whistler, Kamloops, Jasper & Banff

Take in the natural beauty of the Canadian Rockies on this road trip of British Columbia and Alberta. Discover cities and national parks from Vancouver to Jasper, Banff, and Calgary at a relaxed pace. Ideal for travelers who appreciate the great outdoors, this itinerary includes a walk along swinging suspension bridges, a wine trail tour in Kamloops, and an exploration of ancient glacial ice. Don't miss the exhilarating ride on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola or the relaxing soak in the Miette Hot Springs.

Starting in coastal Vancouver, you'll have the day to discover its arts scene and Granville Island Public Market. Next day, you'll visit the impressive Capilano Suspension Bridge Park to explore the rainforest and treetop trails. Then, on Day 3, drive east to Whistler via the Sea-to-Sky Highway and experience the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, which connects Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain. Head to Kamloops to follow the scenic Wine Trail to sample local wines while taking in the grasslands scenery, then enjoy a Mara Canyon Trail trek or see if you can spot wildlife at Lac Du Bois Grasslands before turning north to Jasper amid towering mountains.

Unwind in the Miette Hot Springs and cruise Maligne Lake, the Canadian Rockies' largest natural lake. On Day 9, you'll drive south toward Banff, stopping to ride an all-terrain vehicle across, as well as step onto, the 10,000-year-old Columbia Icefield on a guided excursion. Take the Banff Gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain for sweeping panoramas and enjoy a guided tour of Bow Falls and the glacial Lake Minnewanka before a sunset and stars evening walking tour in Banff National Park. The tour culminates with a drive to the airport in Calgary, possibly stopping in the charming mountain town of Canmore. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Ultimate British Columbia Road Trip: Vancouver, Whistler, Ucluelet, Tofino & Victoria

Cover the British Columbia highlights, including touching Vancouver Island with this ultimate road trip. Highlights include hiking, skiing, or snowboarding Whistler's Blackcomb Mountain, a scenic seaplane ride in Victoria, seeking whales off the coast of Tofino, and a gondola ride up Grouse Mountain for panoramas of Vancouver's skyline, surrounding mountains, and the ocean beyond.

Begin your road trip in Vancouver, backed by towering coastal mountains, and wander the Shipyards Night Market for local eats. Then, you'll drive to Whistler to experience Vallea Lumina, a trail illuminated by light installations, and ride the Peak 2 Peak gondola from Whistler to Blackcomb Mountain, followed by hiking, skiing, or snowboarding. After bear-watching in Olympic Park, drive back west the next day to Horseshoe Bay to catch a ferry to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, where you'll drive to Ucluelet to follow the Rainforest Trail amid old-growth forests. Spend a day whale watching in Tofino and explore its beaches, parks, or trails.

Continue south to Victoria, the provincial capital, stopping first to see the Coast Salish people's totem poles in Duncan. Here, you'll sample local specialties on a guided food tour and board a seaplane for epic views of the island. Following a ferry to Salt Spring Island, known for its farm-to-table dining, and a tour of the colorful floral displays at Butchart Gardens, you'll return to Vancouver to wander historic Gastown. On your last full day, see lumberjacks, visit a wildlife refuge, and zipline through the treetops on Grouse Mountain, and wander the Cliffwalk cantilevered walkways in Capilano. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Self-Drive Eastern Canada Highlights: Montréal, Ottawa, Mont-Tremblant & Québec City

Discover the nature and customs of Eastern Canada on this self-drive highlights tour, beginning and ending in Montréal and visiting Ottawa, Mont-Tremblant, and Québec City. Perfect for travelers wanting a mix of city life, natural beauty, and cultural activities, this itinerary offers a guided food tour in Montréal's laid-back Mile End, an "amphibus" tour in Ottawa and the Rideau Canal, a gondola ride and hot springs experience in Mont-Tremblant, and a walking tour in historic Québec City. Additional highlights include wildlife expeditions and visits to national parks. 

In Montréal, you'll join a food tour in the artsy Mile End neighborhood and take an evening river cruise on the St. Lawrence River. The following day, switch gears and climb atop a bike to pedal around Old Montréal and if there's interest post lunch, check out the Space for Life museum complex. Ottawa's next on Day 3. As Canada's capital, a good place to start is at the Canadian Museum of History, followed by a boat cruise down the Rideau Canal. Then, hop aboard an "amphibus" for a unique city and river tour before observing animals like caribou at Parc Oméga. 

Enjoy two days in Mont-Tremblant with gondola rides and spa visits, as well as explore Parc National du Mont-Tremblant by e-bike. 

On Day 7, drive to Québec City and wander through the Petit-Champlain district to learn the city's history on your walking tour of charming Old Québec. Afterward, learn about the Huron-Wendat First Nations community at its living museum, then cross the suspension bridge above Montmorency Falls as you explore Québec's countryside the next day. With only two days left, you'll venture amid the rugged peaks and pristine rivers in Jacques-Cartier National Park, and once back in Montréal, take a spin on La Grande Roue, a very large Ferris wheel. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Winter Adventures in Québec: Montréal, Mont-Tremblant, Québec City & Mauricie

Opt for this winter adventure for an alternative Québec experience, suited to the active with an interest in experiencing Québécois culture. You'll ride on La Grande Roue observation wheel in Montréal, ski and snowshoe in Mont-Tremblant, tour the Hôtel de Glace ice hotel, and dogsled in the Québec countryside. Highlights also include a cable car ride over (potentially) frozen Montmorency Falls near Québec City and cross-country skiing in La Mauricie National Park.

Your winter adventure in Québec begins in Montréal, Canada's second-largest city. Here, you'll explore the historic district of Old Montréal, admire the Gothic Revival architecture of Notre-Dame Basilica, and cap off your day with a ride on La Grande Roue, Canada's largest observation wheel. The following day, head to Montréal's downtown ice rink, browse the Jean-Talon Market, and sample local specialties in Little Italy. Next, you'll drive northwest to Mont-Tremblant, a charming ski resort town in the Laurentian Mountains, where you'll spend three days skiing, snowshoeing, and relaxing in the Scandinave Spa.

Head to Québec City on Day 6, stopping to visit the impressive Montmorency Falls first. In the city, you'll explore the UNESCO-listed Old Québec, grab a cold drink at the ice bar in Hôtel de Glace, North America's only ice hotel, and learn to dogsled in the snowy countryside. In Mauricie, a region renowned for its dense forests, winding rivers, and pristine lakes, strap on your skis and set off down a cross-country skiing trail in La Mauricie National Park. Your last day sees you back in the cold to follow (or try) one of your passions: snowshoe, ride a snowmobile, skate, ski/snowboard, or, if you're an angler, try ice-fishing. Learn more

More Great Canada Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Canada? Check out these other Canada itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.