Travel Kuoni

Wines & Wilderness of BC & Alberta

Share the love between neighbouring provinces, Alberta and British Columbia, on this 14-night road trip

Two provinces, two weeks and not far off 2000 miles of open road: this is a round-trip from Vancouver to the Rockies (and back) of unreal proportions. The landscapes it covers are wildly varied; you’ve got oceanside cityscapes and mighty mountains as well as the somewhat surprising rolling desert of the Okanagan Region where grape vines grow in their regimented lines. We’ve hit the spots you shouldn’t miss like Banff and Jasper but also diverts a little off the well-trodden trail to Waterton Lakes, the Kootenay Rockies and the Cariboo Mountains

Self drive
14 nights

From £3,225 - £4,450 per personAn additional CAD 42pp (approx £23pp) in local taxes and fees is payable locally at your resort(s)

Itinerary overview

Days 1-2

It all begins in ‘Vancity’, BC’s largest metropolis and the gateway to adventure. Every view’s a ...

Day 3

The first leg takes you halfway to the Rockies, across the Interior Plateau to Sun Peaks. This is...

Days 4-5

The backdrops get steadily more impressive as you continue north eastwards towards Jasper. You’ve...

Day 6

While many visitors travel from Jasper to Banff in just one day, we’ve chosen a steadier, more re...

Days 7-8

The poster child national park of Banff is your oyster for the next couple of days. First complet...

Days 9-10

Swap the well known for the off track as you journey south. Waterton Lakes National Park sits rig...

Day 11

It’s back to BC but not time to leave the Rockies just yet. To break up the drive back west, you’...

Day 12

Next up: Nelson. Days here are best spent outside, whether you're tackling scenic hikes such as P...

Days 13-14

During your two nights in British Columbia’s wine producing region you need to make a choice. In ...

Day 15

Make your way back to the city. Your flight is in the evening, so you have time to enjoy the jour...

Days 1-2

Vancouver

It all begins in ‘Vancity’, BC’s largest metropolis and the gateway to adventure. Every view’s a stunner here – you have the glitter of the skyscrapers, the many shades of green of Stanley Park, the North Shore mountains and the harbour which buzzes all day with sea planes, ferries and cruise ships. We recommend packing your first full day with city escapades like walking the park’s sea wall and trying the stone’s throw produce from Granville Island market. For a taste of the nature to come, you could head over to North Vancouver and try your head for heights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park or the top of Grouse Mountain

Granville Island market tour
Vancouver

Granville Island is Canada's second most visited destination and Vancouver's destination for lovers of food, art and culture. Offering fresh, local seasonal produce, it's where you might see Vancouver's chefs shopping for their menus. During the tour, you'll savour a variety of foods from independent farmers and food artisans from Vancouver and beyond. Award-winning charcuterie, local cheeses, artisan bread, melt-in-your-mouth donuts, and world-class coffee and chai.

Walking tour Indulge in more than 20 food and drink tastings Tour the market with the expertise of a friendly local guide Soak up the vibe of the market, filled with artisans, musicians and performers

Whistler & Sea to Sky Gondola Tour
Vancouver

This is a classic West Coast road trip, doable as a day trip from Vancouver, without the stress of driving it yourself. Leaving Vancouver behind, you’ll travel north along the Sea to Sky Highway, a stretch of road that manages to be genuinely distracting in the best possible way. One minute you’re skirting the edge of Howe Sound fjord with ocean views, the next you’re climbing into forested mountains. It’s a constant swap of scenery and one of the most scenic drives in Canada.

The first stop is Shannon Falls, dropping 335 metres down a sheer rock face and proving very quickly that British Columbia doesn’t do things by halves. From there, you continue to the Sea to Sky Gondola. A ten-minute ride lifts you up to the top of Habrich Ridge, where the perspective shifts dramatically. 

Back on the road, the journey continues towards Whistler, with views of the Tantalus Glacier appearing as the landscape opens up. Whistler itself is a purpose-built mountain resort with a pedestrian-only village, making it easy to explore on foot. You’ll have free time to browse the shops, grab a coffee, head out on an easy trail or simply sit back and enjoy the fresh alpine air.

The return journey is part of the appeal. As the coach winds south, the mountains slowly give way to the ocean, the forest thins, and the skyline of Vancouver comes back into view. It’s a full-circle day that shows off just how close serious wilderness sits to the city.

• Duration: full day
• Daily departures 
• Operates 1 May - 31 October
• Group experience

National Hockey League (NHL) Tickets
Florida

The National Hockey League (NHL) is something of an institution across North America. Established in 1917, 32 teams compete against each other in ice hockey from October to June. Subject to availability, we can arrange tickets so that you can be rink side to witness the power and speed of the players as they attack and defend across the ice.

Hop-on hop-Off Sightseeing Vancouver - 48hr Classic Pass
Vancouver

The Classic Pass is a fun and flexible way to see the best of Vancouver. This ticket gives you unlimited access to all of the highlights and stops available along the route - 14 in total. The tour will provide you with commentary, lending a local's authentic take on the magic that makes Vancouver great. The clear-top buses are equally special. Your view of the city will be like no other as you tour the streets with the wind in your hair.

Hop-on-hop-off bus A flexible way to take in the sights of Vancouver Stops include Granville Island, Queen Elizabeth Park, and Chinatown Explore Vancouver with a guide's commentary for genuine local insight.

Vancouver Scenic Seaplane Flight (Classic Panorama)
Vancouver

Harbour Air Seaplanes' most popular tour of the North Shore Mountains. This ideal introduction to seaplane aviation departs from downtown Vancouver's bustling Coal Harbour and includes a complete aerial view of the city. Photographers will especially enjoy a bird's eye view of Horseshoe Bay, English Bay and Deep Cove. The sensation of landing on water is always a memorable.

Sightseeing tour 20 minute seaplane flight Aerial views of the downtown skyline, Stanley Park, English Bay, the Lions Gate Bridge and the North Shore Mountains

Victoria Day Trip by Floatplane
Vancouver

Depart Vancouver Harbour by seaplane for an exciting flight over the Gulf Islands to beautiful Victoria. A coach tour to the Victoria Butterfly Gardens, and the famous Butchart Gardens, a privately owned 55-acre floral display garden, is included in your trip. While you're in Victoria, you can also take time for shopping and visiting museums. After returning to downtown Victoria, depart on the flight of your choice back to Vancouver.

Sightseeing tour Fly to Victoria via seaplane Coach tour to Victoria Butterfly Gardens and Butchart Gardens Take time to explore Victoria at your leisure

Day 3

Sun Peaks

The first leg takes you halfway to the Rockies, across the Interior Plateau to Sun Peaks. This is a wonderfully scenic stop off where we have included a night’s rest – we recommend getting out onto the hiking or biking trails once you arrive to stretch your legs and take in the fresh air.

Days 4-5

Jasper

The backdrops get steadily more impressive as you continue north eastwards towards Jasper. You’ve got the whole day to make the journey so plan some stops on the way: Wells Gray (just off the Yellowhead Highway), Rearguard Falls and Mount Robson Provincial Parks are a couple of our favourites. The next full day is all about Jasper National Park, its forests, lakes, waterfalls and wildlife.

Columbia Icefield Adventure
Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise & Jasper

Discover Canada's most scenic mountain roadway, the Icefield's Parkway, featuring over one hundred visible glaciers, turquoise lakes and rushing waterfalls. Venture onto the surface of the Athabasca Glacier in a specially designated Ice Explorer for a spectacular Ice Age adventure. Experience Jasper National Park's Glacier Skywalk as you step out onto a glass-floored observation platform extending 30 metres out over the Sunwapta Valley.

• Departs daily from the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre
• Operates 4 May to 14 October
• Group experience

Good to know
You will need to make your own way to the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre.

Explore Jasper with Maligne Cruise
Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise & Jasper

Exchange life’s hectic hustle and bustle for a slice of pure serenity on our Maligne Lake Cruise. Voyage from Jasper to the Maligne Canyon, Medicine Lake and beyond, uncovering a melting pot of hidden treasures along the way. Channel your inner Robinson Crusoe as you explore the neverending wonders of the Canadian Rockies’ largest national park and take a moment to truly appreciate the majestic mount that surrounds you.

Get snap-happy at Maligne Canyon, where spectacular views of the rushing waterfalls are the jewel in the crown, and discover the mystery of the disappearing water at Medicine Lake. The slow shores of Maligne Lake serve up a postcard-perfect spot for a leisurely stroll, while Jasper’s rocky terrain welcomes animal lovers to delight in some truly magnificent wildlife watching.

• Duration: Six hours
• Daily departures
• Operates year-round
• Group experience

Good to know
Maligne Lake Cruise and a hot lunch are included. Light snacks & refreshments supplied for all guests. Please note that the Maligne Lake Cruise is seasonal. Additional programming will be provided when Maligne Lake is closed.

Jasper Planetarium & Telescope Combo
Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise & Jasper

Jasper National Park is the world's largest Dark Sky Preserve meaning that on clear nights, it is one of the best places to view the stars, planets, galaxies and any passing satellites. On this evening adventure, head to the town's planetarium where you'll learn about the universe and hear tales of indigenous Canadian constellations and the aurora borealis in the 40-seat dome theatre. It's then time to head outdoors to witness the night sky in more detail as you watch instant live footage captured through one of the most powerful telescopes in the Rockies (weather dependent).

• Times and departure days are different depending on the time of year; please call for details
• Operates year-round
• Group experience

Good to know
Clear skies for live telescope viewing cannot be guaranteed;be sure to dress warmly.

Day 6

Icefields Parkway

While many visitors travel from Jasper to Banff in just one day, we’ve chosen a steadier, more rewarding approach. Pause for a night at Glacier View Lodge which is perfectly positioned along the Icefields Parkway. With extra time to soak up the scenery, you can soak up views of the Athabasca Glacier and surrounding peaks after most visitors have gone for the day (and before they arrive the next day). You’ll get an after-hours tour of the spectacular Glacier Skywalk and a journey onto the glacier itself aboard the Ice Explorer vehicle.

Days 7-8

Banff/Lake Louise/Canmore

The poster child national park of Banff is your oyster for the next couple of days. First complete your Icefields Parkway drive and check out spots like the Weeping Wall, the Saskatchewan River Crossing and Mistaya Canyon are a few of our top stops. You’ve got the option to make your base in Lake Louise, the town of Banff itself or Canmore – a more ‘local’ town away from the crowds. No matter where you lay your hat, the canyons, lakes and mountain viewpoints of the national park are all within easy reach. A few of our top picks are Johnston Canyon, the iconic Moraine Lake and the Banff Gondola which whisks you up to the top of Sulphur Mountain for the finest views.

Discover Banff & its Wildlife & Banff Gondola
Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise & Jasper

Discover the town of Banff and its unspoiled natural surroundings. Tour highlights include Bow Falls, the hoodoos that are curiously shaped by centuries of erosion, Surprise Corner, Tunnel Mountain Drive overlooking the beautiful scenery of the Bow River Valley, and the magnificent Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake. Also included are tickets for the Banff Gondola, check-in assistance and return transportation to your hotel. Maple cookies and refreshments are provided.

Sightseeing tour See the top sights of Banff and view wildlife in their natural habitat Learn about Banff and its wildlife from your experienced guide Ascend to the summit of Sulphur Mountain in Banff Gondola, offering amazing panoramic views

Banff Gondola Ride
Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise & Jasper

This gondola ride is one of the easiest ways to get high above Banff for wide mountain views without a long hike. You’ll ride up Sulphur Mountain in a matter of minutes, spend time exploring the summit at your own pace, and enjoy panoramic scenery across the Bow Valley and surrounding peaks. It’s accessible, flexible, and easy to fit into a day in Banff.

Most visitors spend around an hour and a half to two hours at the top, wandering the well-maintained interpretive boardwalks that run along the ridge. They’re ideal for a gentle walk with big views and just enough context to deepen your appreciation without slowing things down. The gondola operates year-round, with hours varying by season. Clear days offer the widest views, but even when the weather rolls in, watching clouds drift through the peaks below the viewing platforms can be just as memorable.

• Duration: 2 hours
• Daily departures 
• Operates May to 13 October
• Group experience

Lake Louise & Moraine Lake
Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise & Jasper

Drift away and delve deeper into Canada’s awe-inspiring natural beauty as we set sail to two of the Canadian Rockies’ most beautiful lakes. Cruise to the Jewel of the Canadian Rockies, Lake Louise, and the world-renowned Moraine Lake and savour each and every second spent voyaging the sparkling waters. This immersive experience welcomes you to watch, wander and explore, with a serving of moreish maple cookies thrown in for good measure! Be sure to snap plenty of souvenir photos, especially from the viewpoint at Moraine Lake and treasure moments and memories you’ll look back on for years to come.

• Duration: Four hours
• Daily departures
• Operates June to October
• Group experience

Good to know
Please note that the road to Moraine Lake is weather dependent. If the road is closed, passengers will spend extra time in Lake Louise.

Mountains, Lakes & Waterfalls from Banff or Lake Louise
Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise & Jasper

Take a journey deep into the Rocky Mountains, seeking out glacier and snow-fed lakes backed by towering peaks. You'll visit Banff and Yoho National Parks and stop off at Lake Louise (except if you have booked the tour to start from here), Moraine Lake*, the Valley of the Ten Peaks and Takakkaw Falls**.

As well as a barbecue lunch on the edge of Emerald Lake, you'll visit a view point that overlooks the Spiral Tunnels - an epic feat of engineering; see if you can follow the train tracks (or even a train if the timing is right) as they twist and turn and sporadically disappear into the mountain.

• Daily departures
• Operates from 4 May to 14 October
• Group experience

Good to know
*The road to Moraine Lake opens in late May (depending on snow conditions) and **the road to Takkakaw Falls opens in mid-June (depending on snow conditions). Alternative stops will be used before this date. Potential visits include Johnston Canyon, Marble Canyon, Field Visitor Centre, and Natural Rock Bridge. The itinerary will be at the driver's discretion on the day.

Days 9-10

Waterton Park

Swap the well known for the off track as you journey south. Waterton Lakes National Park sits right down next to where Canada meets the USA (you can take a boat trip and land on US soil without the need for your passport) and Montana’s Glacier National Park. A whole day has been set aside here to chase waterfalls, hike the trails and/or get out on the water.

Day 11

Fernie

It’s back to BC but not time to leave the Rockies just yet. To break up the drive back west, you’ll pause in Fernie, an Alpine resort and haven for lovers of the outdoors. There’s a bike park and trails, viewpoints galore and hikes from easy to advanced.

Day 12

Nelson

Next up: Nelson. Days here are best spent outside, whether you're tackling scenic hikes such as Pulpit Rock or venturing further afield to Lyon’s Bluff. If a slower pace is more your style, the lakeside beaches give you the chance to relax beside the water. After dark, the town’s craft beer scene takes centre stage, with taprooms serving up local brews.

Days 13-14

Kelowna/Osoyoos

During your two nights in British Columbia’s wine producing region you need to make a choice. In the northern Okanagan, outside the towns of Kelowna and Vernon, cold climate varieties like Pinot Gris and Rieslings are grown. Down in Osoyoos, a desert surrounded town in the south, the focus flips to more warm climate grapes such as mid-weight Merlots and Cab Savs. There’s no wrong answer really, but if you don’t want to choose, you could always stretch out your holiday and spend a couple of nights in each destination.

Day 15

Depart Vancouver

Make your way back to the city. Your flight is in the evening, so you have time to enjoy the journey.

Personalise your trip

Get in touch with one of our travel experts and we'll help plan your perfect holiday.

Call our North America experts on

01306 744 988

Available until 5pm

Other Itineraries

Call our North America experts on

01306 744 988

Available until 5pm

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