Western Canada Circuit From Vancouver to Banff: Food, Mountains, Lakes & Wildlife - 8 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Vancouver (BC), Granville Island Food Tour

Welcome to Canada! Your very first stop is the beautiful seaside metropolis of Vancouver. Affectionately referred to as "Rain City" or "Raincouver," you'll fall in love with this modern city tucked at the sea's edge, surrounded by verdant hills and mountains of British Columbia. Your private driver will be waiting to whisk you from the airport to your accommodation, and then it's time to start exploring the city.

Seek out Vancouver's dynamic mix of cultures through food and iconic landmarks. Depending on when you arrive in Vancouver, consider going for a stroll through Stanley Park to see colorful totem poles representing the Salish peoples, or pop into the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia (UBC) for a deeper dive into Vancouver's First Nations. Explore the cobbled streets of Gastown, check out its famous steam clock, and enjoy a little boutique shopping. End the day with a walking food tour of buzzy Granville Island, a culture and food hub with more than 300 businesses. You'll sample everything from local cheese to candied salmon.  

Day 2: Transfer to Golden, Pit Stop at Last Spike

Today begins with a private transfer through the picturesque scenery of British Columbia. The journey to Golden will take over eight hours, but there will be plenty of spellbinding stops along the way, and you'll get to choose when and where. Watch as the landscape turns from dense, temperate rainforest to alpine terrain. Pull over in the charming village of Meritt or the adventure-seeking hotspots of Kamloops and Revelstoke. The most memorable pit stop of the day is the Last Spike, where the Canada Pacific Railway's final spike was laid. 

Finally, you'll drive into the Yoho National Park, where the town of Golden sits. The pristine wilderness comes right up to the edge of town, and there's a good chance you'll see wildlife, sometimes even strolling through downtown. Because you'll be spending the night in the national park, you're also at the doorstep of hiking trails like the captivating Emerald Lake Loop. But if hiking isn't quite your thing, seek out suspended views of the wilderness on the Golden Skybridge or grab a delicious craft beer at Whitetooth Brewing Company.

Day 3: Transfer to Banff (Alberta), Wildlife Safari

This morning, hop on the shuttle between Golden and its sister park, Banff, in the next province over, Alberta. If you thought Golden was a stunner, get ready to be wowed: this is Canada's most-visited national park! Kick back and relax as panoramic views of spiny mountain ridges, groves of pine trees, and turquoise lakes pass by your car window. The transfer only takes two hours, and you'll explore Banff and the surrounding wilderness before you know it.

In the evening, you'll join a wildlife safari in Banff National Park. The abundance of wildlife here is rarely matched, and this tour has a 95% success rate. There's a chance you'll see everything from grizzly bears to elk, along with nocturnal creatures like owls. Your tour is on a comfy coach and requires little walking, although you'll still get to stroll around at a few stops. A trusty guide will 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. Don't forget to bring your camera!

Day 4: Helicopter Tour Over the Canadian Rockies, Self-Guided Tour of Banff

If you thought the Canadian Rockies looked picture-perfect from the ground, imagine getting a bird' s-eye view! Today, you'll do just that on a helicopter tour over Banff and the snowcapped peaks surrounding this charming town. Meet up with your expert pilot and have your camera ready; the views are epic! See the Goat Mountain Range and soar through the Spray Valley, picking out iconic landscape features and possibly even wildlife below.

The morning's excitement will be hard to beat, but spend the rest of your day exploring Banff. Adventurous types might want to try out Mount Norquay Via Ferrata or a local non-guided hike—no trip to Banff is complete without seeing Moraine Lake or Lake Louise. If you'd rather chill out and relax, cruise along Lake Minnewanka or grab a beer at the Three Bears Brewery. If it's a night on the town you're after, you could also take a twirl around Wild Bill's Legendary Saloon, known for teaching visitors how to line dance.

Day 5: Transfer to Jasper, Soak in the Miette Hot Springs

Today, you'll meet your driver for a private four-hour transfer north from Banff to Jasper along the famous Icefields Parkway, stopping en route to break up the drive. As you navigate the striking landscape, keep your eyes peeled for glimpses of glaciers and dense wildlife, like bighorn sheep, elk, moose, deer, and black bears. Nearing Jasper, you'll pass the reflective lakes of Bow and Peyto before entering the official gateway to Jasper National Park, the largest park in the Canadian Rockies. 

In the afternoon, treat yourself to a long soak in the Miette Hot Springs, the hottest mineral water in the whole of the mountainous region, accompanied by beautiful views. The water temperature varies between 98°F(37°C) and 104°F (40°C), depending on which pool you're soaking in. You can even walk along the paved Source of the Springs Trail, where you'll learn more about how this geothermal hotspot formed, walk through the original pool building, and see where the water rushes out from the earth! 

Day 6: Transfer to Kamloops (BC), Self-Guided Kamloops Adventure & Hoodoo Hike

Day 6 begins with a 5.5-hour drive to Kamloops. You'll wave goodbye to Alberta today and continue through striking mountain landscapes, over rushing rivers, and into deep valleys, beckoning you to pile out of the car and stare. Pit stop in the tiny town of Valemount for views of Mount Robson and stretch your legs. 

Kamloops is one of Canada's outdoor adventure capitals, offering expansive parks and wineries. Though just a 20-minute drive west, you'll pick up the short Cinnamon Ridge Hoodoo Trail to hike through this otherworldly landscape, observing rock formations that are billions of years old. Continue to the South Thompson Silt Bluffs for more beautiful views. Keep your self-guided adventures going with a ride on the Kamloops Heritage Railway, horseback riding, or even a wine tasting—Kamloops is nestled in the Thompson Valley wine region, known for its riesling and pinot noir.

Day 7: Return Transfer to Vancouver, Helicopter Tour, Explore the Night Market

Today is the last leg of your journey from Kamloops to Vancouver. Make the 3.5-hour transfer farther west along the famed Sea-to-Sky Highway, stopping briefly 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 at your hotel and get back out to explore.

Your first taste of Vancouver is at the FlyOver Canada Experience. Combine 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 rich food scene at the Shipyards Night Market on a self-guided foodie adventure. You'll find delicious eats that span the globe and are often a fusion of two cuisines, like Asian-inspired hot dogs. The atmosphere is lively with live music, artisans selling handmade goods, and other entertainment. Don't miss stopping by the Beer Garden for a craft beer.

Day 8: Depart Vancouver

Your private driver will be waiting outside your accommodation this morning to take you to the Vancouver International Airport. Wave goodbye to the Pacific Ocean and the glittering metropolis down below. See you next time!

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