Arrive in Vancouver.  After you have cleared immigration and picked up your bags, proceed to rental car desk at YVR Airport.  Pick-up your prepaid rental car and drive to your hotel in downtown Vancouver.

Rest of the day free to explore Vancouver.

Explore Vancouver on your own.  Spend the day exploring Chinatown, and Grenville Island.  Visit Canada Place and spend time on Robson Street with its multitude of shopping, pubs, and restaurants. Spend time in Gastown and watch the Steam Clock whistle the hour.  Drive through the beautiful Stanley Park, a magnificent 400-hectare natural West Coast rainforest green oasis amid the urban landscape of Vancouver. Get great city views from lookouts like Prospect Point. Later cross the Lions Gate Bridge and visit the world famous Capilano Bridge, a 450 feet suspension bridge spanning the Capilano Bridge, 230 feet above the river.  You may also want to pay a visit to the Grouse Mountain to have a face-to-face view of our grizzlies Kola and Grinder. 

Driving Distance: 218 KM | 4 hours

Manning Park Resort is a four-season resort packed with all kinds of activities.  The resort offers you easy access to the area’s breathtakingly beautiful mountains, lakes, rivers, and forests. This is your chance to reconnect with nature.  Have the time of your life out in nature with hiking, camping, fishing, boating, and swimming in the warmer summer months. In winter, take advantage of some of the best Alpine and Nordic skiing in BC, as well as snowshoeing, tubing, skating and more. 

 

Leaving Manning park behind, this morning we will get on the Crowsnest Hwy (Hwy 3) and along the Simikameen River (part of the way) to arrive in Osoyoos, in Canada's only desert and home to the warmest Lake in Canada - Osoyoos Lake. Immerse yourself in our valley of stunning beauty with unlimited vistas. 

Located in South Okanagan, in the Thompson Okanagan region of British Columbia, and just 4km north of the Canada - USA border, this resort town is surrounded by desert, vineyards and mountains. Osoyoos Lake is known for its warm water, beaches and water sports facilities. Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre and Osoyoos Desert Centre have hands-on exhibits and trails exploring the local desert ecosystem. The Osoyoos Museum traces the town’s history with aboriginal and pioneer artifacts.

Our drive today will take us on Hwy 3 A, crossing the Columbia River and along the Kootney River to Nelson. One of Canda's hidden gems, Nelson is nestled in the Selkirk Mountains in the in the southeast corner of British Columbia, along the magical shores of Kootenay Lake.  

The region is an inspirational mecca for foodies, art-goers, and nature lovers. The town's mountain-backed, lakeshore setting and Victorian architecture  exude a quiet charm.  Nearby, the Kokanee Mountain is the place to go for a rainforest hike. If you are the more adventurous kind, there’s the Kokanee Mountain Zipline with six ziplines that soar above Kokanee Creek Canyon.

This morning, we will make an early morning start for our drive ti Field in the Canandian Rockies. Your drive will you take you along Hwy 23 and on to Rvelstoke in the Mt. Revelstoke National Park where you will merge with the Trans Canada Hwy 1 for your drive through Mt. Revelstoke National Park, Glacier National park and through Yoho National Park to the town of Field.  

Field is a cozy vacation town of about 300 inhabitants in the Yoho National Park Field has some spectacular scenery to see. You will be staying at the famous Emerald Lake Resort.  The setting of the lodge is spectacular- you can see Emerald Lake through the trees through out the property. The vistas at sunrise and sunset are stunning. 

Spend the day exploring Yoho National Park.  The park is famous for its mountain lakes and water falls.  Make sure to visit the Natural bridge, the confluence of the Yoho Rive and the LKicking Horse River and the Takakkaw Falls.  At a height of 373 metres, making the Falls the second tallest waterfall in Canada. 

If you like some really great river rafting, head to Golden, about 50 minutes east of Field, on the Trans-Canada Hwy.  There are a number of outfitters in Golden who offer great river rafting at every level of experience, from the basic to the Level 3 river rafting.

After spending your day in the Yoho National Park, head to Lake Louise for a glimpse of sunset at the iconic Lake Louise.

Devote the day exploring Banff and the Banff National Park.  Begin your day with a ride on the famous Banff Gondola to the peak of the Sulphur Mountain.  The Banff Gondola delivers fantastic panoramic views from the city of Banff along with the Canadian Rockies.  The Gondola Ride is included in your Self-Drive package. Visit the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Lookout Point, Bow Falls, the Tunnel Mountains & the Hoodoos. 

Explore Johnston Canyon or spend your day in some of the interesting activities Banff offers. These include a cruise on Lake Minnewanka, hiking, Horseback Riding with a Cowboy Cookout, River Rafting in Kicking Horse, Via Ferrata on Mount Norquay and much more. 

Today you will leave the town of Banff to drive north to Jasper at the top of the Icefield Park.  We recommend an early morning start so you have plenty of time to stop by at all the great viewing spots along the highway and you can escape the crowds at Lake Louise as the day progresses. 

 

With the stops you will make enroute, it will take up your entire day, arriving at Jasper closer to dinner hour.  Your first stop this morning will be at Lake Louise, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The shimmering turquoise green waters of Lake Louise will leave you speechless.  

It will be hard to tear away from the stunning beauty of Lake Louise.  But, north along Icefields Parkway (Highway 93), a wide stretch of breath-taking country awaits you.  Renowned for the Columbia Icefield off this Hwy, the parkway winds through green meadows and forested river valleys cradled by walls of dazzling peaks. You will frequently spot elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, black and grizzly bears, wolf, or caribou. 

You will see some interesting sights along the highway, such as, Bow Lake with majestic views of the Crowfoot Glacier, Saskatchewan River Crossing, Sunwapta River and Athabasca Falls.

We recommend a visit to the Columbia Icefield.  Admissions to the world-famous Ice Explorer and Glacier Skywalk Experience at the Columbia Icefield should be pre-booked to avoid disappointment.

On the northernmost point on Hwy-93, Jasper is a small mountain town tucked away in the Jasper National Park. You can do two different tours of Jasper.  A short leisurely drive that visits all the best locations that are close to the town.  The second tour you can take is a longer drive to the best corners of the Park. 

Closer to town, drive out to Pyramid and Patricia Lakes for some stunning views. Take a ride up onto Whistlers Mountain on the Jasper Sky Tram and have a great chance of sharing excellent views with big horn sheep at the top of the stairs at Old Fort Point.

 

Further out, drive to the Maligne Lake for a Cruise to the Spirit Island. Enroute, stop to see the historic Jasper Park Lodge, Edith, and Annette Lakes.  Pay a visit to the narrow and deep Maligne Canyon and the fast disappearing Medicine Lake.  We recommend a Spirit Island Cruise.  You must book ahead or you will be sorely disappointed.

If you still have time on hand, drive east to visit Miette Hot Springs for the hottest soak in the Rockies.

Leave Jasper this morning for Sun Peaks in BC.  Leaving Jasper National Park, this 7-hour or so drive including stops enroute will take you down on the 'Yellowhead Hwy'.  Originally explored by trappers and traders, you will drive past the sprawling grandeur of Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies.  Beyond Mount Robson Provincial Park, the highway follows the Thompson River through the snowy peaks of the Monashee and Caribou Mountains to Kamloops where you will turn on to Hwy 97 to arrive in Kelowna early evening.

   

There are many scenic stops you can make on the route including the beautiful Helmcken Falls and the Spahat falls in the Wells Gray Provincial Park.  There are also interesting wildlife safaris offered at Blue River, BC, 2 ½ hours out of Jasper on the drive to Sun Peaks.  If you would like to see some spectacular waterfalls, turn off the Hwy at Clearwater and drive to Helmcken Falls in the Wells Gray Provincial Park.

The Village of Ashcroft is located in Gold Country in the Thompson Okanagan region of British Columbia. It lies along the magnificent Thompson River in a unique desert setting. Steeped in history from the days of the Gold Rush, the community is surrounded by rolling hills that rise steeply in the east and extend to the west to form the Highland Valley Plateau.  

You will ne staying at the Sundance Guest Ranch, just 10 minutes outside Ashcroft.   A herd of around 100 happy, well-cared-for horses await you at this ramh to make your stay a fun filled experience.  Whether you're a seasoned rider who loves that adrenaline rush of galloping over the countryside on a spirited, responsive horse, or a first-timer who is quite content taking it easy.... it doesn't matter; relax, you're going to love it! 

Spend the day riding horses, and all the other fun things the ranch has to offer.

Today, we will leave Sundance Guest Ranch to drive to Whsitlker.  Part of this trip will be on the Sea-to-Sky, one of the most scenic drives in Canada.  We would recommend drivong off the highway for a visist to the village of Horseshie Bay.  You can rent a motorised boat here and sail across the Howe Sound to Bowen Island.  In case you would like to do this, keep at least two hours aside. Leaving Horseshow Bay behind, you may want to stop off at Shannon Falls. rising 335 metres above Highways 99, making it the third highest falls in the province of British Columbia.

Whistler is the activity capital of Canada.  The Alpine Village offers you just about every activity you can wish for from hiking and mountain biking to canoeing, river rafting, ziplining and a rainforest through on a all terrain RZR. You must not miss the Peak-to-Peak Gondola. This Guinness World Record-breaking Gondola spans the distance between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains and provides an unparalleled perspective of British Columbia's rooftop and incomparable views of towering volcanic peaks, coastal rainforests, and ancient glaciers. Disembark and the experience is far from over.   

DMCi offers several Summer, Fall and winter activities in Whistler.  These include Ziplining, Rainforest RZR Tour, Whitewater Rafting, Vallea Lumina, Scandinave Spa Experience, Snowmobiling, Dog Sledding, Snowtubing, Skiing, etc.

This morning, you will depart Whistler for the town of Tofino on the west coast of Vancouver Island.  Sprawling on a peninsula within Clayoquot Sound, Tofino and its surroundings are characterised by wild natural scenery including lakes, inlets and ancient rainforest. Tofino also offers sandy beaches with year-round surfing facilities include Cox Bay, Chesterman Beach and popular Long Beach, part of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.  

Whatever your pace, there are a plethora of ways to engage with Tofino’s great outdoors from surfing and cycling to cycling, nature walks, fishing trips, wildlife watching and much more.  And in winter, Tofino offers “Storm Watching”, a unique experience watching 40 foot wavs that originated off the coast of Japan, 4,000 miles away to crash on the shores of Tofino.

Spend the day indulging in all the fun things Tofino has to offer.

This morning, depart Tofino for your drive down to Victoria.  Enroute, take some time to visit the beautiful old growth forest of Cathedral Grove - MacMillan Provincial Park  with its 800-year-old Douglas Firs.

Driving down to Victoria, you will pass Parksville, Ladysmith, Duncan, drive through the Malhat Valley with its great vineyards set in picturesque settings. 

Arrive early evening in Victoria.

This morning, check out of your hotel and drive to Vancouver International Airport (YVR).  This journey would take at least five hours taking into account taffic as well as a 90 minute ferry crossing.  So, start sufficiently early.

On arrival at Vancouver International Airport (YVR), drop your rental car off and check in for your flight.