Canadian Discovery (Family)

Day 1: Seattle - Paul Lake Provincial Park

Our tour starts at 7:30 am at the Clarion Hotel Seattle International Airport in Seattle. As this is an early start we recommend that you book a night's pre-tour accommodation at this hotel, which can be booked at the same time you book this tour. After leaving Seattle, we drive over the border to Canada and continue northeast past the city of Kamloops to our large campground at Paul Lake Provincial Park. Meals included: 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 2 & 3: Yoho National Park

Continuing by road we make our way to Golden and Yoho National Park. ‘Yoho’ is a native word that means ‘awe’. Overshadowed by the neighbouring parks of Banff and Jasper, Yoho National Park is the hidden gem of the Canada national parks system. It is a photographer’s dream with several hiking opportunities that take us amongst Yoho’s pristine alpine landscape that includes mountains, lakes and waterfalls. In our free time here we can experience the raging Kicking Horse River first-hand with an optional exhilarating half-day white water rafting excursion or choose to canoe and hike at magnificent Emerald Lake. An excellent alternative option is walking the challenging trails overlooking Takakkaw Falls. Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

Day 4 & 5: Banff National Park

Located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, Banff National Park was established in 1885 and is Canada’s oldest national park. Its mountainous terrain encompasses coniferous forests, alpine meadows, icefields and glaciers. It is the veritable outdoor enthusiast’s paradise with opportunities for canoeing on Bow River, mountain biking or a ride up the gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain. Another exciting optional activity is to view all this scenic grandeur from a helicopter. Outstanding hikes are available and, with the abundant wildlife, there is always a good chance of seeing bears from a safe distance. There is nothing better after a hard day of fun than a soak in the Sulphur Mountain Hot Springs. Banff’s nightlife offers great live music and a fine selection of restaurants. Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

Day 6: Lake Louise

With its snow-capped peaks, ancient pine forests and aquamarine waters, Lake Louise is ‘the gem of the Canadian Rockies’. Lake Louise has always been a popular tourist destination, so it is no surprise that it is the most photographed destination in the Canadian Rockies! There are also many walking trails to enjoy. We can wander around the lake and be mesmerised by the turquoise waters and also hike to a teahouse to be rewarded by the chance to eat chocolate cake! Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 7: Icefields Parkway - Jasper National Park

We travel on the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93), a scenic road that cuts through the heart of the Rockies and offers surely one of the world’s most spectacular drives. It links Banff National Park with Jasper National Park. We have a chance to traverse a portion of the imposing Athabasca Glacier on a guided glacier hike. Peyto Lake's turquoise hues are sure to startle us with their brilliance. We end our day by continuing to Jasper National Park and setting up camp for a two-night stay. Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 8: Jasper National Park

Jasper National Park is the largest national park in Canada, covering an area of 18,878 square kilometres (4200 square miles). It is much less developed than other areas of western Canada and offers a true wilderness feel. There are several options on offer in Jasper. We can start by taking the cable car to Whistler Mountain for a bird's eye view of this splendid park. There are also opportunities for mountain biking or hiking amidst glorious lakeside scenery, or visit Mount Edith Cavell for tremendous views of Angel Glacier and various other hiking options. Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 9: Wells Gray Provincial Park

We make our way from Alberta back to British Columbia. Travelling on the scenic Yellowhead Highway we continue to the edge of large Wells Gray Provincial Park – the fourth largest in British Columbia covering the highest regions of the Cariboo Mountains. If you ever wanted to try dining on a bison burger, this is the place for it! Another option is to hop onto a horse for an optional afternoon ride or taking a walk to check out the impressive Helmcken Falls, named after a guy who never saw the falls himself! Tonight we get to spend the night in a local hotel. Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 10: Vancouver

On the edge of the Canadian wilderness lies the cosmopolitan city of Vancouver. With a metropolitan population of over 2.3 million, this is one of the most attractive cities in the world, surrounded by water on many sides. Native American culture is very much alive here as evident by totem poles in the famous Stanley Park. We enjoy a short orientation tour of the city that takes in the popular Gastown area as well as Stanley Park, where we view the totem poles and pay homage to the indigenous heritage of this region. Time permitting, you may wish to pay an optional visit to the fascinating Vancouver Aquarium – home to playful sea otters. Our evening is free to sample the excellent dining options and nightlife that this vibrant city has to offer. Perhaps time for an optional farewell meal together?

Day 11: Seattle

We make our way back to USA and Seattle (the ‘Emerald City’) where there's time to enjoy the lively Pike's Place Market and also the stunning views from the Space Needle observation tower (optional), which is 184 metres (605 feet) high! Our tour concludes upon arrival back at the Clarion Hotel Seattle International Airport at approximately 5 pm. Optional post-tour accommodation is available at the Clarion Hotel Seattle International Airport. Please inquire when booking your tour. If you are planning to fly out of Seattle tonight, please do not book a flight that departs before 9 pm (21:00 hrs).