13 Days in Canada - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Road Trip Across Ontario & Québec: Toronto, Niagara Falls, Montréal, Québec City & Ottawa

You'll move at a fairly quick pace and experience urban and outdoor adventures on this Ontario and Québec road trip. As you travel from Toronto to Ottawa, you'll learn about First Nations culture at the Royal Ontario Museum, soar over Niagara Falls in a helicopter, visit the Notre-Dame Basilica and other historic landmarks in Montréal, whale watch in Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park, and observe wildlife in Québec's Parc Oméga.

Your trip begins in Toronto, Ontario, where you can browse First Nations artifacts at the Royal Ontario Museum before dining at the revolving restaurant atop the CN Tower. Then, you'll hit the road to Niagara Falls and witness the power of the thundering water on a Journey Behind the Falls tour followed by a helicopter flight. You'll also try local ice wine on a Niagara wine tour before continuing to Gananoque, where you'll view historic landmarks like Boldt Castle on a Thousand Islands cruise. At your next stop, Montréal, Québec, you'll stroll cobblestone streets and sample maple syrup at Atwater Market.

Your road trip continues to Québec City, your base for a visit to the 272-foot (83 m) Montmorency Falls (yes, it's taller than Niagara Falls!) and a whale watching tour in Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park. Spend a day nibbling local cheeses and pastries as you explore the villages of Île d'Orléans, an island 15 minutes from downtown. Afterward, you'll travel back into Ontario to Ottawa for an amphibious bus tour along the river, then head to Parc Oméga (Québec) to observe elk and other wildlife. Lastly, you'll return to Toronto and try the famous peameal bacon sandwich at the St. Lawrence Market before departure. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Alberta Road Trip Highlights: National Parks, Wildlife & Active Adventures

Active travelers and nature lovers will enjoy the abundance of outdoor activities on this Alberta highlights adventure in Western Canada. You'll join a walking tour in Calgary, get your heart pumping with a whitewater rafting excursion on the Athabasca River, canoe across Lake Louise, ride horseback near Bow River, hike to the falls at Johnston Canyon, and take a wildlife walk along Cameron Lake.

Kick off your trip in Calgary, Alberta, with a walking tour that includes a stroll on Plus 15, a network of elevated walkways offering views of the surrounding architecture. The following day, you'll drive to Jasper, stopping for an ice hike on the Athabasca Glacier en route. Your time in Jasper will be filled with outdoor activities such as whitewater rafting the Athabasca River and a soak in the Miette Hot Springs. After this, drive to Lake Louise for a canoe paddle across the glacial waters and a hike through nearby Yoho National Park. Then, you're off to Banff on Day 7 for a dinner with mountain views at Sky Bistro. 

Banff is also your base for a horseback ride through the forest near Bow River and a hike to the falls at Johnston Canyon. Following this, you'll venture to Waterton Lakes National Park, where you can tackle the steep track up Bear's Hump or admire colorful cliffs on a hike in Red Rock Canyon. Enjoy some free time to walk the trails along Cameron Lake, keeping an eye out for elk, bears, and bald eagles. Finally, you'll drive back to Calgary for souvenir shopping at the Calgary Farmers' Market (Alberta honey is a great choice!) and a celebratory dinner at Sky 360, a revolving restaurant atop Calgary Tower. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Western Canada Road Trip: From the Rockies to the Pacific

This Western Canada itinerary is another excellent choice for outdoor enthusiasts, this time touching on British Columbia in addition to Alberta. Highlights include a trek along the Myra Canyon Trail, a glacier tour at the Columbia Icefield, a hike amid unique rock formations on the Cinnamon Ridge Hoodoos Trail, bear spotting on a Jeep safari in Whistler Olympic Park, and the chance to trek through temperate rainforests or surf at Vancouver Island. Foodies will also appreciate opportunities to taste local favorites such as dim sum in Vancouver, Okanagan wine in Kelowna, freshly shucked oysters on Granville Island, and sockeye salmon in Kamloops.  

Grab your rental car on arrival in Vancouver and head to Chinatown for dim sum, then enjoy coastal views on a walk in Stanley Park. In the morning, drive to Kelowna where you can hike near Kalamalka Lake or join a vineyard tour. The next day, you'll cross restored wooden bridges while trekking the Myra Canyon Trail, then hop back in the car and drive into Alerbta and to Banff. A guided tour will introduce you to Bow Falls and other sites around Banff before you board a gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain for views of nearby lakes and peaks. Then, you're off to Jasper for a glacier tour aboard the all-terrain Ice Explorer.

Your next stop is Kamloops to spot hoodoos (rock spires uniquely shaped by millions of years of erosion) as you hike along the Cinnamon Ridge Hoodoos Trail. From there, you'll move on to Whistler, where you can ride the 2.7-mile (4.4 km) Peak 2 Peak Gondola or walk on the Cloudraker Skybridge, one of the world's highest and longest suspension bridges. You'll also have the opportunity to search for bears on a Jeep safari in Whistler Olympic Park before catching a ferry to Vancouver Island. Here, you'll wrap up your trip with your choice of whale watching, surfing, or a rainforest hike. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Self-Drive Eastern Canada Highlights: Toronto, Montréal, Québec City & Charlevoix

Experience a mix of history, culture, cuisine, and outdoor activities on this alternative Eastern Canada road trip that spends more time in French Canada. Join a tasting tour of Montréal's Mile End, relax in the hot springs and hike the trails of Mont-Tremblant, visit galleries and cafés on a walking tour in Québec City, learn about Huron-Wendat culture at the Huron Traditional Site of Wendake, sample artisanal cheese and chocolates on a bike ride around Île d'Orléans, and go whale watching in Charlevoix. 

On your first evening in Toronto, you'll view the city lights from the water on your Lake Ontario dinner cruise. The following day, you'll take a day trip to Niagara Falls for a zipline ride alongside the falls, followed by a winery tour in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Next, you'll drive to Montréal, Québec, to shop for souvenirs at Bonsecours Market, then ride La Grande Roue de Montréal, Canada's largest observation wheel. You'll also sample poutine (fries topped with cheese curds and gravy) and other local favorites during a food tour in Mile End. After this, you'll drive to Mont-Tremblant and relax in the hot springs.

Enjoy free time to hike the forests of Parc National du Mont-Tremblant before joining an e-bike tour (or snowshoeing if you're here in the winter). Next, drive to Québec City and go gallery-hopping around the Quartier Petit Champlain neighborhood. Then, a tour of the traditional longhouses and sweat lodge at the Huron Traditional Site of Wendake, just 30 minutes away, provides insight into Huron-Wendat culture. Following that, you'll bike around Île d'Orléans, pausing to taste artisanal cheeses and chocolates in the local shops. Round out your trip with whale watching on the Saguenay River. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Northern Lights Adventure in Northern Canada: Whitehorse & Yellowknife

Travelers eager to immerse in a winter wonderland should opt for this Northern Canada itinerary. You'll go snowshoeing in Whitehorse, warm up in the Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs, ice climb frozen waterfalls, ski Mount Sima, search for Arctic fox at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, learn about First Nations heritage, observe the aurora borealis from your glass chalet at the Northern Lights Resort & Spa, spend a morning ice fishing with a local guide, and get your heart pumping on a snowmobile ride through Yellowknife's backcountry. With just two destinations on the itinerary, you can slow down and fully enjoy each. 

Toast the start of your journey with a craft beer at Winterlong Brewing Co. in Whitehorse, the capital of the Yukon province. After a good night's rest, set off on a snowshoe excursion through the forest (keep an eye out for snowshoe hare!), then warm up in the Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs. The next day, you'll ski the slopes of Mount Sima and tackle ice climbing on frozen waterfalls. If you haven't spotted any wildlife yet, don't worry; you'll have a chance to search for caribou, Arctic foxes, and other animals on a tour of the Yukon Wildlife Preserve. Then, you'll learn about First Nations heritage at Kwanlin Dün Cultural Center. 

After a dogsled ride, you'll head to the Northern Lights Resort & Spa, where you can unwind in the sauna and witness the northern lights from your glass chalet. In the morning, your guide will take you ice fishing on a frozen lake where you might catch trout or cod before flying to Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories. Here, you'll try the famous fish and chips at Bullock's Bistro, then zip through the backcountry on a snowmobile. You'll also have time to cross-country ski, learn about local culture and landscapes at Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Center, and watch for the aurora borealis each evening. 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.