Unlimited Adventures

An adventure packed self-drive encompassing the mesmerising scenery and famous highlights of the Rocky Mountains with a chance to stay in world class resorts and the principle cities of Calgary, Vancouver and Victoria. Choose either three star or five star hotels and why not add an optional activity package including horseriding and whale watching to enhance your stay.

Tour overview
•   Collect your rental car and day-by-day driving kit in Calgary
•   Two nights in Banff to explore the wilderness and perhaps enjoy a gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain
•   Short drive to Lake Louise - the 'Jewel of the Rockies'
•   Drive one of the most scenic and dramatic roads in the world from the Icelands Parkway to Jasper
•   Optional 'Ice Explorer' ride onto a huge glacier at the Columbia Icefield
•   Day at leisure in Jasper National Park - visit Miette Hot Springs or take a boat cruise on Maligne Lake
•   Encounter the mist-shrouded peak of Mount Robson in the Rocky Mountains
•   Experience activities from wildlife watching to mountain biking and gold panning
•   Browse Whistler's town centre
•   Travel along the Sea-to-Sky highway
•   Visit the Pacific Rim National Park, full of ecological and geographical diversity
•   Explore Vancouver Island and its colonial town of Victoria
•   Time at leisure in British Columbia and Vancouver

MEAL PLAN
No meals are included.

ACCOMMODATION
Is in three star hotels. In remote areas such as National Parks or small towns, this standard may not exist and accommodation may be more simple and rustic. Hotels will be confirmed with final itineraries.

TOUR INCLUDES
Prices include an Alamo rental car on a rental only basis including unlimited mileage and size depending on the number of people in your party - please call for details of allocated cars and Alamo’s rental packages. A C$300 one way drop off charge is payable locally on the Unlimited Adventures self-drive. A comprehensive step-by-step self-drive holiday guide with maps, driving instructions and sightseeing information is included in your Unlimited Adventures self-drive. Ferry crossings are also included on Day 11 from Horseshoe Bay (Vancouver) to Nanaimo (Vancouver Island) and Day 14 from Swartz Bay (Vancouver Island) to Tsawwassen (Vancouver).

GRATUITIES
Tipping is common practice in Canada. We recommend between 10-15% for waiting staff, barmen and guides and smaller amounts for doormen and porters.

TRAVEL TIPS
Please note that most of Canada’s National Parks charge entrance fees for visitors, so we recommend that you carry sufficent amounts of cash when driving.

NB
Children under 6 years are not accepted on the Unlimited Adventures & Activity Package.

DAY 1 - CALGARY
On arrival in Calgary collect your rental car and make your way to your downtown hotel. Your day-by-day driving kit will be waiting for you at your hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the day and evening at leisure.

DAY 2 - CALGARY TO BANFF NATIONAL PARK
Leave the cowboy city of Calgary and set your sights on the magnificent Rocky Mountains as you arrive in Banff ahead of a two night stay. Offering lots of charm and activities there is plenty to keep you busy during your stay. During your stay, perhaps explore the wilderness of Banff National Park, enjoy a gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain, visit the Cave and Basin or hike along one of the groomed trails (approx. 79 miles).

DAY 4 - BANFF NATIONAL PARK TO JASPER NATIONAL PARK
This morning head out on a short drive to the ‘Jewel of the Rockies’, Lake Louise for a chance to experience its mesmeric emerald beauty. Continue along the spectacular Icefields Parkway, said to be one of the most dramatic and scenic drives in the entire world. A stop at Peyto Lake and a visit to Maligne Canyon in Jasper National Park are recommended. At the Columbia Icefield perhaps take a thrilling ride on the unique Ice Explorer onto the Athabasca Glacier and experience the thrill of walking on centuries old glacial ice. Arrive in Jasper for a two night stay. The next day is at leisure to explore the National Park at your own pace, why not visit Miette Hot Springs or take a boat cruise on Maligne Lake (approx. 180 miles).

DAY 6 - JASPER NATIONAL PARK TO CLEARWATER
Drive along the picturesque Yellowhead Highway to Clearwater for a two night stay. Crossing the spine of the Rocky Mountains you will encounter one of its most spectacular sights, the mist shrouded peak of Mount Robson. As your base for the next two nights, Clearwater is your gateway to spectacular Wells Gray provincial Park where you can be amazed at mineral springs, serene lakes, dormant volcanoes and the towering Helmcken Falls (approx. 197 miles).

DAY 8 - CLEARWATER TO GOLD BRIDGE
This morning perhaps visit the Yellowhead Museum for a taste of frontier life before travelling through the ‘Lakes Country’ region. Carry on along the Cariboo Highway past towns and villages that echo the past, as this route was travelled by gold seekers and traders during the famous Cariboo Gold Rush of the late 1800’s. Your stay for the next two nights is in the largest lodge in the west, Tyax Wilderness Resort. Any adventurers dream, the resort offers everything from bird and wildlife watching, horseriding, mountain biking, gold panning and hiking, whilst the lodge also benefits from great standards of accommodation and facilities (approx. 250 miles).

DAY 10 - GOLD BRIDGE TO WHISTLER
Head off early today to allow yourself the maximum time in the premier resort town of Whistler. The winding road leads through an arid landscape that gradually changes to lush forests lined with snow-capped mountain ranges. During your time in Whistler browse around the town centre, play a round of golf, hike along the endless trails or whitewater raft down one of the turbulent rivers (approx. 85 miles).

DAY 11 - WHISTLER TO TOFINO
Travel along the Sea-to-Sky Highway through a landscape carved out by glaciers and edged by craggy fjords. After a brief stop at Shannon Falls continue to Horseshoe Bay to board your ferry across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver Island. Driving west across the island you will travel through ancient rainforests and provincial parks where there is also the possibility of spotting wildlife too, including bears, deers or wolves. Your destination is Tofino, a small village at the head of a remote peninsula in spectacular Pacific Rim National Park - a marvel of ecological and geographical diversity with dense rainforests, steep ravines and windswept beaches. The next day explore the rugged coastline, walk the many hiking trails or along Long Beach in search of seashells and driftwood (approx. 230 miles).

DAY 13 - TOFINO TO VICTORIA
Today’s journey will take you back to the east coast of Vancouver Island, en route you may want to visit Horne Lake Caves or Cathedral Grove. Your drive will take you past quaint seaside towns and the murals of Chemainus before you arrive in the warm and colonial town of Victoria. This beautiful city has a fascinating maritime history, a picturesque harbour, interesting museums and a must see attraction, Butchart Gardens (approx. 195 miles).

DAY 14 - VICTORIA TO VANCOUVER
Leave Victoria behind and embark on your short cruise back to mainland British Columbia and Vancouver where your journey ends. Perhaps extend your stay in this attractive and sociable city allowing time to explore the city and nearby sights such as the Capilano Suspension Bridge or for a birds eye view of the city and beyond head to Grouse Mountain (approx. 46 miles).

ACTIVITY PACKAGE UPGRADE

An optional Activity Package is available to enhance your self-drive and includes:

DAY 3
Two hour Sundance Loop horseback ride from Banff which includes a leisurely ride along the base of Sulphur Mountain where you will take in views of the Bow River.

DAY 5
A 2½ hour river raft trip on the Athabasca River. A fun way to take in the views of Jasper National Park whilst learning about the park's history.

DAY 12
A 2½ hour whale-watching zodiac cruise from Tofino. A thrilling whale watching expedition where you will cruise the waters in search of sea lions, puffins and the grey whale.


Upgrade price from £170 per person.