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Couples/Family 6 Stops Contact us 13 Summer
CANADA
With long warm sunny days, summer is the season to make the most of Canada's incredible outdoor activities; hiking mountain, trails in the Rockies, white water rafting, kayaking or even surfing!
Day 1
Welcome to Vancouver! What do you think of a little run in Stanley Park for your first morning in Canada?
Stanley Park is a vast, must see park with some more than impressive features. It measures at a whooping 1,000 acres (yep, that's even larger than Central Park in New York) and is home of beaches, totem poles, an aquarium, playgrounds, a pool and slash park, botanical gardens, a par-54 golf course, 17 tennis courts, lawn bowling and a rowing club.
Not only does Stanley Park look spectacular, but you can easily spend a day within its parameters. If you prefer two wheels to two legs, try biking the exterior Seawall or venture inside 40 miles of trails to get oh-so-merrily lost amongst glorious ferns and centuries-old cedars .
and firs. Eager to spot some of Canada's flourishing wildlife? Keep an eye out for beavers, raccoons, great blue herons, bald eagles, coyotes, the occasional harbor seal and, sometimes, even whales.
Running is one of the most popular activities in Stanley Park. You can run completely around Stanley Park on the Seawall loop which is 9 kilometers.
If you prefer swimming, Vancouver is the perfect place to do so!
While there are indoor public swimming pools open year-round in Vancouver, there are five outdoor public pools that open just for summer.
If you can only visit one swimming pool in Vancouver, it should be Kits Pool. It is the zenith, the sight to see, THE pool!
At 137 meters (150 yards), it’s North America’s longest pool—almost three times longer than an Olympic pool—and it's Vancouver’s only heated salt water pool.
With its white bottom and turquoise water and its spectacular views — of the ocean, the mountains, Kits Beach, and the skyline of Vancouver’s West End glittering across English Bay — Kits Pool is a vacation destination unto itself, and just stepping through the gates feels like an escape.
To accommodate every type of pool-goer, the pool is divided into three sections, each running lengthwise: a shallow section for families and small children, a middle section of roped-off lanes for lap swimmers and exercises (the lifeguards are tenacious in keeping the lanes clutter — and kid—free), and a deep end for more casual adult and teen bathers.
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Day 2
Wake-up early and drive to Tofino. The Car ferry + drive will take you approx. 5h40min in total.
The drive to the car ferry at Horseshoe Bay will take approx. 30min. The car ferry is at 8.45am and the crossing will take approx. 1h40min. Then add another 3 hours driving to arrive at Tofino Resort & Marina.
Check-in at Tofino resort & marina and enjoy the resort and the surrounding. If you still have some energy, maybe you’ll want to kayak around the archipelago. A beautiful trail is also possible!
Tofino area has the Cathedral Grove trail (on the way to Tofino) which is a must-do. There is also the Rainforest Trail closer to Tofino itself. Nearby in Ucluelet there is the Lighthouse Loop/Wild Pacific Trail which is worth driving to.
Day 3
Today is whale & bear watching!
They dive, spout, breach, spyhop and lobtail! These are all typical maneuvers you may expect to see while whale watching off the west coast of Vancouver Island.
Board a 24’ Zodiac vessel, or one of the high speed covered family cruisers to enjoy some of the most spectacular scenery in the world! Because much of this coast is uninhabited and accessible only by boat or floatplane… it remains a pristine wilderness. This rich and nutrient filled ocean is loaded with a variety of marine wildlife including many different species of whales as well as harbour seals and sealions, sea otters, porpoises and a myriad of birdlife including puffins, blue herons and bald eagles.
Thanks to Mother Nature, her ever changing cycles always prove to be unique. Clayoquot Sound is very popular with gangs of transient killer whales that are on the hunt for food. Annually you can also enjoy record numbers of humpback whales and the summer resident gray whales.
Tofino’s Clayoquot Sound also offers the most incredible coastline for viewing black bears. The bear watching tours cruise through the protected and calm waters surrounding Meares Island and other scenic small islands throughout the Sound.
Clayoquot Sound’s resident bears come down to the beaches at low tide to forage for such beach delicacies as rock crab, starfish and even a bit of kelp. They are an absolute pleasure to watch from the boat and thanks to their poor eyesight they are usually unaware of our presence so long as we keep quiet and a respectable distance up wind. You will also have grand opportunities on this tour to view an eagle aerie, harbour porpoises, seals, river otters, blue herons and other species of wildlife!
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Day 4
Wake-up early today and drive to Fairmont Chateau in Whistler. The drive to Nanaimo Departure Bay will take you 3h. The Ferry leaves at 12.15pm. The crossing will take 1h40min and then another drive of 1h30min to Whistler.
Check-in at Fairmont Chateau Whistler and relax for the rest of the day!
Offering hot tubs, saunas, and Eucalyptus steam rooms, heated lap pool with underwater music, this luxury hotel is a perfect place to relax.
Would you prefer swimming in a Lake? The Lost Lake, 4 minutes’ drive away from Fairmont Chateau Whistler is the perfect place for a summer swim.
Guests of Fairmont Chateau Whistler can choose from casual fare to fine dining in the hotel's various restaurants. After dinner, enjoy live entertainment and a classic cocktail in the Mallard Lounge and Terrace.
Day 5
Today is trail day!
Whistler has a number of trails all around the village, but a really cool option is the Train Wreck trail. Make sure you drive to the Parking Lot for Train Wreck Trail (easily found on GPS/google maps) and go from there. In this same general area is the Brandywine Falls Provincial Park which lets you get up close to a beautiful waterfall.
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Day 6
No need to get up early today! Take a yoga class and enjoy a nice breakfast before hitting the road to Kamloops. The total drive will take +/-4h30.
Set on 55 acres of countryside surrounded by mountains and the South Thompson River, your hotel today features mountain bike and hiking trails.
The South Thompson Inn offers a seasonal outdoor pool and a year round 24h hot tub with a river view. Horseshoes, bocce ball and an outdoor fire pit provide entertainment options outdoors as well as a library indoor for relaxation. So take it easy today!
Day 7
Let the excitement begin on an exhilarating BC river rafting adventure on the pristine Clearwater River in Wells Gray Park! The Clearwater River is part of this UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s great whitewater rivers known far and wide. It’s the best of the best that British Columbia has to offer and it’s here, right by the town of Clearwater.
You will leave the hotel at 8am and drive (1h30) to Clearwater.
The departure is scheduled at 10am for 4 hours of fun!
After this refreshing experience, it is time to hit the road again until your next destination, the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. The drive will take you 3h30min.
Day 8
Early morning run, yoga and chill! How does it sound?
Situated in Alberta's magnificent Jasper National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the iconic Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge resort invites you to experience the Great Canadian Lodge, surrounded by nature and abundant wildlife.
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is a 700 acre year-round luxury mountain resort which wraps around the shores of the pristine lake "Lac Beauvert" and Canada's #1 Golf Resort Course. The Jasper resort's charming village of cedar chalets and Luxury Signature Cabins, all connected by picturesque paths, offer guests unique access to explore the natural environment of the hotel in Jasper National Park.
If you feel like swimming today and if the weather is hot enough you can swim at Lake Annette (3.5km from Fairmont Jasper Park)
Day 9
Today is hiking day!
Jasper has so many great activities to do and places to see! Maligne Canyon is a nice walk/easy hike, taking a cruise on Maligne Lake with a stop at Spirit Island would also be a great idea. The Jasper SkyTram is a cool experience, which takes you up Whistler Mountain. On a clear day the views up there are spectacular. The Sulphur Skyline hike also offers amazing views, and is a great option for a decent day of hiking. Round trip will take 4 – 6 hours (this is not a walk along a trail, so get ready for proper hiking!)
Day 10
Today is a to-go breakfast! The total distance to the next destination will take you 4h hours today and a stop at the Columbia Icefield Glacier (1h30min drive from the Fairmont Park Lodge) is a must!
Ancient stories, astounding scenery and a deep sense of wonder are at the heart of this unforgettable experience.
You’ll explore the ancient Athabasca Glacier on a giant Ice Explorer, discovering glaciology and stepping right on to the glacier itself. Then, history comes alive as you walk out on the glass-bottomed Skywalk. Starting and ending at the Glacier Discovery Centre, the entire experience is a seamless journey of wonder.
Hit the road again (2h30) to your next destination, the Emerald Lake Lodge.
Day 11
Today is hiking day!
Hamilton Lake is a fantastic Yoho hike that is a bit of a secret. This high alpine lake is tucked away in a spectacular hanging valley.
This 7’5-mile round trip is one of the most difficult routes in Yoho National Park. It gains an elevation of nearly 3000 feet, with a never-ending slope. It is essential to wear high-top boots so you protect your ankles.
On the way, you will pass by the Hamilton Falls, just 0’6 miles from Emerald Lake and with hardly any elevation. From here the climb is steep until you reach the Hamilton Lake.
It usually takes about 3 hours to get to the lake, and from there you will have incredible views of Mount Vaux and Mount Goodsir. The best time to do this route is in July and August. In other months it is possible that you will find snow and that the lake will still be frozen.
Another beautiful option is the Takakkaw falls. From Yoho Lake, you can follow the path until you reach the Takakkaw falls. It’s just a 1’8-mile trek, but we could not do it since the snow cover increased from that point. These waterfalls are among the most impressive natural wonders in the Yoho National Park. Both are possible to do in one day!
Day 12
Another way to enjoy the lake is merely running around the shoreline. There is a very accessible and straightforward path, even for wheelchairs. The Emerald Lake Trail goes around the lake on a 3-mile route that you can do in about two hours.
From this trail, you will have views both of the lake, as well as the mountains and glaciers surrounding the lake.
Canoe around Emerald Lake or just relax at the hotel.
If you are looking for more options you can always venture into Lake Louise (35min drive) and Banff (1h20) for some great hikes in that area. Banff’s Sunshine Meadows is a really great (and easy) walk through gorgeous meadows. Banff itself also has Tunnel Mountain for a small mountain to climb or Sulphur Mountain for a fun challenge, with the option to take the Gondola back down. Lake Louise has several popular hikes all originating from the front of the lake: Lakeshore Stroll, Lake Agnes Tea House, Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House, Little Beehive and Big Beehive.
Would you rather go swimming? If the weather is hot enough you can swim at Lake Edith (4.5km from Emerald Lake)
Day 13
Today is the last day in beautiful Canada…
But don’t worry you still have time to share a lovely breakfast before hitting the road to Calgary airport.