Canadian Experience for Solos

This morning after breakfast we take a sightseeing tour of Vancouver. Highlights will include Stanley Park to see the collection of totem poles, English Bay, trendy Robson Street, Canada Place and the Cruise Ship Pier, Gastown, and Chinatown. We will also venture to Vancouver’s North Shore, visiting the region’s best attractions including Grouse Mountain and the famed Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. In the park appreciate nature from three breathtaking perspectives – the world famous Capilano Suspension Bridge spanning 137m (450 ft) and 70m (230ft) high above the Capilano River, the seven bridges of Treetops Adventure and the thrilling Cliffwalk, a heart-stopping 700ft journey along the granite cliffside offering panoramic views of the rainforest and canyon below. We return the hotel after lunch and have the afternoon and evening at leisure.

This morning enjoy breakfast and a full day at leisure. Our Tour Manager will be on hand for all that would like company throughout the day or assistance with how to spend your day. Early evening we meet for dinner.

Today, after breakfast, we board the coach and leave the vibrant seaside city framed by the Coastal Mountains and follow the Coquihalla Highway north. Our destination is Kamloops which is situated in the dusty, rolling ranch land of “cowboy” country. To the local native band, the Secwepemc, the site was known as kamloopa, meaning “where the rivers meet”. Founded as a fur trading depot in 1812, and later becoming a supply centre for the Cariboo Gold Rush, the city today serves as the transportation, retail and service centre for the cattle and sheep ranching industries in the southern interior of British Columbia and also as the northern gateway to the Okanagan vacation region. Arriving at our accommodation this afternoon, we’ll check in and have time to refresh before meeting for dinner in the hotel.

Accommodation – Coast Kamloops Hotel or similar (1 night)

This morning enjoy breakfast before we check out and leave Kamloops to travel north via the Yellowhead Highway and Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, to Jasper. A stop will be made in the Wells Gray Park to view the 135 metre high Helmcken Falls. A year-round recreational centre for tourists, the town of Jasper is set in Jasper National Park, among awesome mountain peaks, centuries old glacial ice, flower-carpeted meadows and mirror-like lakes. We arrive and check in to our accommodation with time to freshen up before we meet for dinner.

Accommodation – Maligne Lodge or similar (2 nights)

Following breakfast we’ll depart on a full day sightseeing tour of Jasper National Park. Jasper National Park is a sweeping expanse of scenic beauty. We explore Maligne Canyon before reaching Maligne Lake weather permitting, the largest lake in the Canadin Rockies. Sightseeing today will include visits to Patricia Lake and Pyramid Lake. Time permitting, we may be able to enjoy some leisure time in Jasper upon our return. We will come together this evening for dinner.

Check out after breakfast and board coach – the journey today promises to be a highlight of our program! We travel south along the Icefield Parkway to experience a wealth of breathtaking scenery. Crystal blue-green lakes, fresh mountain streams, deep forests and snow-capped mountain peaks are the order of the day. We will pass through the Columbia Icefield where the glaciers are sure to provide an incredible photo opportunity. We then continue on our journey to Banff, and take a ride on the Banff Gondola in the afternoon. After we check in to our accommodation, freshen up and then meet for dinner.

Accommodation – Banff Ptarmigan Inn or similar (2 nights)

This morning following breakfast we tour the region around Banff. The area became Canada’s first national park in 1885 to protect its natural hot springs. We visit the landmark Banff Springs Hotel, Tunnel Mountain, and Bow Falls. We then travel to Lake Louise – one of the most photographed scenes in Canada – where we enjoy an afternoon tea at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, with stunning views of Lake Louise. Returning to our accommodation we have the evening at leisure.

We board our coach this morning, after breakfast, and follow a route chartered by the railroad engineers and fur traders of the mid 1800’s. Kicking Horse Pass leads us from the Rockies into the Columbia River Valley before we climb through Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park. The Selkirk Mountains receive massive amounts of winter snow and are home to over one hundred active avalanche zones. We pass the Monashee Mountain range and travel south into the fertile Okanagan Valley. Arriving into Kelowna we will check into our hotel, freshen up and meet for dinner.

Accommodation – Prestige Beach House or similar (2 nights)

Following breakfast we will enjoy the morning in Okanagan Valley, where wineries and vineyards abound. We will visit Okanagan Provincial Park, and Lake Okanagan, home to Ogo Pogo, the famous lake monster, Western Canada’s own version of the Loch Ness Monster. The afternoon sees us take a visit to the Grizzli Winery, for a wine tasting treat. Grizzli Winery is one of the largest wineries on West Kelowna’s Wine Trail and welcomes visitors year-round. The 9-acre estate property and 60,000 sq./ft. building features the impressive Grizzli Winery tasting room, art gallery, wine lounge, and state-of-the-art production facility. Their architecturally award-winning building showcases stunning west coast-style architecture, luxurious cedar beams, 60-foot ceilings, lush foliage and cozy seating nooks with vineyard views. Returning to our accommodation, there will be time to refresh before dinner.

Check out after breakfast, board the coach and we’ll journey through the Nicola Valley, home to extensive cattle ranching operations and modern day cowboys. Travelling west, our route clings to the steep canyon walls of the Fraser River. Lillooet was the supply centre for the Cariboo Gold Rush of 1860 and we follow a breathtaking route through the wilderness mapped by the gold seekers. In the afternoon, we arrive at the mountain village of Whistler Resort, an internationally acclaimed ski station and home to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games which is equally popular in summer. Upon arrival we will check into our rooms and freshen up before meeting early evening for dinner.

Accommodation – AAVA Whistler or similar (1 night)

This morning following breakfast we drive south to Horseshoe Bay, through spectacular coastal scenery, on the Sea-to-Sky Highway. We cruise by ferry across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver Island and continue by coach to Victoria, British Columbia’s capital city. Back then a Gold Rush town, its pioneering heritage and traditions are well preserved in museums, art galleries, pioneer homes and great mansions. Victoria is known as the “Sunshine City of Gardens”, because of an abundance of green spaces and spectacular floral gardens. The hanging flower baskets, the buskers along the Inner Harbour, ocean vistas and the relaxing pace captivate all visitors. Arriving at our accommodation, we’ll check in and have some time at leisure before meeting for dinner.

Accommodation – Hotel Grand Pacific or similar (2 nights)

Enjoy breakfast before this morning’s sightseeing tour of Victoria including highlights such as the Beacon Hill Park, Thunderbird Park, the Empress Hotel and Oak Bay. We will spend the afternoon at Butchart Gardens famed for the thousands of species of floral plants and trees that are found in a vast Amphitheatre of rock creating a wonderland of colour in a former rock quarry. Returning to accommodation we will have the evening at leisure.

After a leisurely morning in Victoria, we check out and return to Vancouver. Our trip includes a pleasant cruise through the Gulf Islands resort region, a summer retreat for residents of both – British Columbia and Washington State. We check into our accommodation upon arrival and finish our day with a scenic Farewell Dinner overlooking Vancouver at the Top of Vancouver revolving restaurant.

Accommodation – Listel Hotel Vancouver or similar (1 night)

Our time in Canada is coming to end. Enjoy a full day at leisure before we check out early evening and have dinner enroute to the airport. We farewell our Sydney and Melbourne passengers in Nadi as we all return to our home states with fabulous memories of our Canadian Experience.