Real Canada

O Canada! Home of ice hockey and Drake, and source of your soon-to-be fondest travel memories. It all begins in Vancouver. Make sure you’re at the hotel for 6 pm so that you can attend the welcome meeting, where you can greet your tour guide and fellow travellers. If you arrive with time to spare maybe pick up a donut and a 'double-double' (that’s coffee with two cream and two sugars) from Tim Hortons.

Say goodbye to Vancouver this morning and hit the road for Kamloops. You've got a long drive ahead today, but you’ll also get your first glimpses of Canada’s incredible scenery along the way. Stop in at the town of Hope for the chance to stretch your legs and grab some lunch, then carry on to the hills of the Kamloops region for a night of camping. Settle into your peaceful surroundings and enjoy a night of swapping stories beneath the stars.

Rise and shine for your first real taste of Canada’s great outdoors. Visit Mt Revelstoke National Park, home to the world’s only inland temperate rainforests. What does that mean? Evergreen woodland with ancient trees and moss-covered ground, just like the forests in fairy tales. The park is home to a small herd of woodland caribous plus grizzly bears and moose, along with a population of banana slugs. Get your fill of bush and beasties and then travel over Rogers Pass to Glacier National Park. Stop at the visitor centre and take in the panoramic views from lookouts along the way. Continue to Golden where you’ll spend the night.

This morning, head out to the Rocky Mountain Buffalo Ranch for a tour with the owner of the property. You'll get to learn about the history of the area and buffalo behaviours as you watch the incredible animals roam pastures backdropped by mountains. Then, return to Golden for a free afternoon. If you’d like to break in your boots (and don’t mind heights), there’ll be an optional walk to the Golden Skybridge, which’ll provide some incredible views of the Rockies from 426 feet in the air. Another option (not for the faint of heart) is to battle the wild waters of the aptly-named Kicking Horse River on a guided rafting tour.

Say goodbye to Golden, then drive through the stunning mountainous landscape of Yoho National Park. There are a couple of ways to explore the terrain. If you’d like to wander, your leader can point you toward the best trails to tackle. You could also choose to battle the wild waters of the aptly named Kicking Horse River on a guided rafting tour. To take things a little easier, perhaps book a canoeing activity on the calm waters of Emerald Lake, or simply lie back on the riverbank and watch the world float by. Later, reconvene with the group and head to Takkakaw Falls for a quick stop before continuing to Banff National Park.

Today's your chance to explore Banff at your own pace, as there are no formal activities planned. Established in 1885, Banff is the oldest national park in the country, and contains over 1600 kilometres (995 miles) of hiking trails. Chat to your leader about the optional activities on offer today, which – depending on your enthusiasm and budget – can range from shopping on Banff Avenue or Bear Street to unwinding in Banff Hot Springs’ steamy waters or renting a bike to explore the Vermillion Lakes. Don’t forget that some of the best walking in the country can be done in Banff, so ask your leader about what’s right for you.

Today you’ll visit two of the west coast’s most picturesque glacier-fed lakes. First is lovely Lake Louise. Nestled between two blue mountains, the lake is beautiful no matter the season. Next up is Moraine Lake where depending on the time of year the water ranges from clear to aquamarine. Located in a rocky valley and rimmed by verdant spruce trees, Moraine Lake is sure to knock you off your feet. Spend time exploring both lakes and their surrounding areas, then return to camp.

Ready for even more spectacular scenery? Today’s drive takes us along the famous Icefields Parkway past the Rocky Mountains. We’ll stop at a few lookouts, lakes and waterfalls along the way, so there will be plenty of opportunities to take the perfect photo. Stop at Athabasca Glacier for a chilly stroll before continuing to Jasper National Park. Today’s drive is just under 300 kilometres (186 miles), which will ideally mean about 4 hours on the road. Because we travel with a small group in a private vehicle, we can make detours and stop along the way according to the group’s interests. Driving times are also affected by weather and other conditions, so make sure to pack a good book or download some podcasts just in case.

Today is as clear as the air in the Canadian Rockies. Choose how you’d like to pass the time in one of the most photographed places in Canada. Your leader will be taking whoever is willing to Lake Maligne (optional but free), where you can hike and explore on arrival. If you like, you can pay extra for an optional cruise on the lake and check out the famous Spirit Island. If you’d prefer to strike out on your own, you may wish to stay behind and head out on one of the many trails in the area. Jasper National Park is famous for its wildlife such as elk, moose, deer, bears and mountain lions, and if you’re lucky you’ll spot some of these wild animals. Just remember to admire them from afar.

Another long day of travel ahead, though broken up with some stops to sightsee. Travel under the watchful eye of Mt Robson (3954 m/12,970 ft), the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Arrive in Wells Gray Provincial Park after around 2 hours. As always, driving time will depend on how many stops are made, and will cover 125 kilometres (77 miles). Mt Robson is the tallest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Continue through the beautiful Cariboo Mountains to Wells Gray Provincial Park (around 4 hours). In the afternoon, there’s time for a hike or optional canoe ride in the park.

Whistler awaits as the perfect place to stretch your legs after a day on the road (about 9 hours). Named after the unusual call of the equally unusual hoary marmots, which live in the area, Whistler is a mecca for lovers of all things outdoors. While there won’t be much time to explore today, you might want to gather a group and hit Whistler Village. You can find awesome restaurants and bars in the pedestrian-only village. Just remember that getting up early tomorrow is a good idea if you want to make the most of your time here, and plan your cocktails accordingly.

Enjoy a free day checking out the best Whistler has to offer. There are plenty of optional activities available, so chat to your leader to decide what you’d prefer. During the warmer months, hiking is a great (and inexpensive) way to get the lay of the land, just keep in mind that the rugged terrain can make for challenging trails. Zip-lining tours are an amazing opportunity to get an aerial view of Fitzsimmons Creek and, if you’re lucky, see some bears along the way. There are also some great cycle networks in Whistler, so you have the option of paying for bike hire and riding to one of the nearby lakes. Don’t forget to spend some time exploring Whistler Village, a charming pedestrian-only town with plenty of bars, cafes and restaurants.

Famous for its coast-meets-mountains setting, Vancouver is the largest city in western Canada. After a short drive (around 2 hours), arrive back in the city and set out on a quick orientation tour with your leader. After the walk, bid farewell to your leader and your fellow travellers, as your tour has come to an end.