4-Day Canada West Coast, Banff, Alpine Explore Tour from Vancouver

Your two-day journey through western Canada starts with a morning departure from the sights and sounds of downtown Vancouver. The first leg of travel today travels from cityscape, through the lush Fraser delta region, and over the Coquihalla Pass. Start along the mighty Fraser River (named after Simon Fraser, a fur trader who explored the area in 1808), a major salmon spawning route. Up to 10 million fish a year travel up to this waterway each fall to the exact stream bed of their birth where they will complete their life cycle by spawning and dying. This act, in turn, will attract and feed many predators such as eagles and bears who depend on this yearly feast to build body fat that will sustain them during the lean winter months ahead. After lunch (included), continue your trek on the Coquihalla Highway up into the heart of ranching country. A brief stop at the Merritt Visitor Centre allows time to stretch and learn about this historic territory, one of the premier ranching settlements in British Columbia from 1880.

Turning east, the road takes you into the famed wine region of the Okanagan Valley. The last stop of the day is at a local winery for an exclusive tour and educational wine tasting. Sample a variety of hand-crafted Okanagan wines in this unique and authentic setting, surrounded by the actual vineyards where the fruit is produced on site. Kelowna is the cosmopolitan and cultural centre of the Okanagan Valley, including five pristine golf courses, white sand beaches, orchards and Big White ski area, in addition to over a dozen local wineries. An evening arrival at your Kelowna hotel allows time for dinner (meal not included) and exploration of the lakefront.

After a hearty breakfast (included), embark on another day of exploration that leads north through the Okanagan Valley, through the town of Vernon, home of Silver Star ski area. Driving further north, after a quick stop in either Armstrong or Sicamous, you reconnect with the Trans Canada Highway #1, where the road winds its way into the Monashee Mountains and travels past Craigellachie, which is the site of the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1885. This railway system connects Canada from coast to coast. A lunch stop (included) is made in the alpine town of Revelstoke, founded in 1880 when the CP Railroad was built through the area. Today, it’s a growing favorite destination among outdoor enthusiasts for golf, hiking, skiing and heli-skiing. Ascending Roger’s Pass, the summit of Glacier National Park, this route follows the Canadian Pacific rail line all along the way.

As you enter Banff National Park, make the last stop of the day at world famous Lake Louise, one of the most stunning emerald green lakes in the Canadian Rockies. It was originally named “Emerald Lake” by Tom Wilson (former member of the North West Mounted Police and CP Rail employee), before being renamed for Princess Louise, the 4th daughter of Queen Victoria. There will be enough time to walk to the lakeshore for your own photo shoot of this famous scene and explore the magnificent Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise on your own. Continue to the town of Banff for your overnight.

Today’s journey travels north along the famous Icefields Parkway, one of the most spectacular highways in North America. Travel through Banff and Jasper National Parks with stops at the Columbia Icefield & the newly opened Glacier Skywalk. At the Columbia Icefield, enjoy lunch (included) at the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre. After, board a Brewster Ice Explorer and travel onto the icy slopes of the Athabasca Glacier. This excursion allows you to travel in a specially designed Brewster Ice Explorer to the middle of the glacier while the driver/guide explains how the glaciers are formed and points out interesting geological features (Ice Explorer included). The ice is 365 metres (1,200 feet) thick - about the height of the Empire State Building. At the icefall below the glacial headwall, take the option of stepping out onto the ice formed from snow that fell 400 years ago. Only a few minutes from the Athabasca Glacier is the Glacier Skywalk, Jasper National Parks’ newest attraction (admission included). Winner of the 2011 World Architecture Future Projects award, the Glacier Skywalk consists of a 400 metre interpretive boardwalk and a glassfloored observation platform extending 30 metres out over the Sunwapta Valley. The walkway contains interpretive stations highlighting the ecology, geology, glaciology, Aboriginal history and social history of the area. The return to Banff is once more along the Icefields Parkway.

This morning’s excursion tours through the town of Banff and its environs. Ascend Tunnel Mountain Drive to view Bow Falls and the hoodoos, followed by a visit to Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake. Then take a ride (included) on a gondola car to the top of Sulphur Mountain. Early this afternoon, depart Banff and travel to Calgary. Upon arrival, you will be dropped off either at your downtown hotel or the Calgary Airport.