Canadian Rockies & Vancouver IslandCanada’s finest National Parks, wildlife, trails and Rockies vistas. This holiday runs from Calgary to Vancouver or you can choose the holiday in reverse from Vancouver to Calgary. _w=730_h=400_pjpg.jpg)
Leisurely
Tour code: 44050 Last Modified: 20th January 2021 _w=622_h=622_pjpg.jpg)
_w=690_h=545_pjpg.jpg)
Holiday HighlightsSee what's planned
Trip InformationImagine a place where soaring snow-capped mountains rise above lush valleys, where bears and moose roam wild and where glacial lakes sparkle. This is the Canadian Rockies. Incredible walking trails, wildlife experiences and tremendous views await. Some people spend their lives searching for the perfect mountain escape; we are sure you will find it in Canada. Throughout this trip we have the services of a full qualified national guide, local rangers in several parks and an RWH leader for extra support. Learn all about the strange plants and wildlife that call the Canadian parks network home. When you’re having supersize experiences, it's great to have someone who understands the lay of the land and can share their experiences with you. Beginning in the buzzing metropolis of Vancouver, everyone’s favourite city, we tour Stanley Park with a view of the city skyline and to observe the totem poles. Next we board the scenic ferry to Vancouver Island where we hit the trails around Sooke and join an Orca-viewing boat trip in search of these magnificent mammals. It has been said that Victoria is the finest place to see them. Back on the mainland, we take a gondola to the peak of Whistler Mountain for walks with immense views. In lesser explored Revelstoke we enjoy a walking programme and vineyard wine tasting before reaching Lake Louise, our home for exploring both Glacier and Yoho National Parks. No trip to the Rockies is complete without driving the Ice Fields Parkway. You’ll need your camera fully charged for this day as every twist and turn of the road serves up unforgettable views. Our last main stop is the town of Banff, which draws in the visitors and for good reason. Here we have a series of walks planned so we make the best use of our time here. On the final day we have some free time in Banff before transferring to Calgary Airport for our flight home. What's included?
What's not included?
Holiday GradeThis is a Grade 3 holiday which includes half and full day walks with generally, low to moderate amounts of ascent and descent. You are unlikely to walk more than 6 miles and the cumulative ascents and descents will be gradual and range from minimal to 400m. Most walks are well within the advertised grade for the holiday, although the High Note Trail in Whistler, and the Stanley Glacier walk in Banff are towards the top end of the grade. But taken at a leisurely place and with the support of our tour leader and guide, should be more than achievable. See the Walks & Excursions section for more information Our bottom line is happy travellers, and to that end we trust our tour leaders to use the itinerary below as a basis for providing you with a great holiday. We expect our leaders to make adjustments to the itinerary if the weather, group ability or other local conditions make that necessary. There are normally more options available to our leaders than those listed below and one or more of these options may well be chosen. All distances, heights & timings are approximate. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we may unfortunately need to withdraw a tour that is currently confirmed to operate and we therefore reserve the right to cancel your booking. We would always do our utmost to give you plenty of notice should we have to do this. Selected elements of this tour, including local attractions and restaurants, may change at late notice. Please ensure you have valid insurance cover before you travel. Proposed ItineraryDay 1Proposed ItineraryDay 1VancouverAccommodation Best Western Plus Sands HotelOur journey begins once we arrive in Vancouver in the evening and transfer to our hotel. Transfer Time = 30 Day 2Day 2Vancouver IslandMeals Breakfast & DinnerAccommodation Prestige Ocean Front ResortToday we explore Vancouver, surely one of the most beautifully located cities in the world. We start with a visit to Gastown and the vibrant harbour area before arriving at the verdant Stanley Park. Here we will disembark our bus to get a better view of the city’s skyline and see the magnificent totem poles. Later we will drive south of Vancouver to take the ferry to Vancouver Island. We will be based for the next few days in Sooke. It is an attractive little town with a couple of good art galleries and a museum. On arrival at our hotel we can relax and enjoy its magnificent setting by the ocean.
Day 3Day 3Vancouver IslandMeals Breakfast & LunchAccommodation Prestige Ocean Front Resort
We travel to Botanical Beach where we will walk a section of the Juan de Fuca trail to Payzant Creek and return the same way. This walk leads us along the rugged Pacific coastline with wonderful coastal views across to America on the south side of the straits. We will take our time so that we can observe the marine and wildlife along the way. Day 4Day 4WhistlerMeals Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerAccommodation Pinnacle HotelOur final morning on Vancouver Island is dedicated to the one thing you must do while in Canada - whale watching! Our excursion takes around 3 hours on a semi-covered cruiser giving us the opportunity to spot orcas and humpback whales as well as an assortment of seabirds and other species of marine wildlife with a specialist guide on board. Afterwards, we transfer to Swartz Bay to board the ferry back to the mainland and then take the scenic drive along the coast north to Whistler. Day 5Day 5WhistlerMeals Breakfast & LunchAccommodation Pinnacle Hotel
Ancient Cedars trail Today we explore the alpine wilderness of Whistler, and in particular the Garibaldi Provincial Park. We have a couple of walk options today, either the Ancient Cedars trail; which follows a scenic, forested route that ends in a grove of an old-growth cedar tree; or the Cheakamus Lake trail, a scenic trail offering beautiful views of the turquoise Cheakamus Lake surrounded by towering mountains and lush forests, with minimal ascent / descent. Day 6Day 6WhistlerMeals Breakfast & LunchAccommodation Pinnacle Hotel
For our final day in Whistler we will take the gondola to the top of Whistler Mountain, and walk the High Note trail. There are sections where the walk has some narrow, rocky and relatively steep ups and downs, but taken at a leisurely pace and with the help of our leader and local guide these sections can be undertaken with ease. This walk rewards us with some wonderful views of Cheakamus Lake and the valley below. Please note that this walk is at the top end of the grade. Day 7Day 7RevelstokeMeals Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerAccommodation Coast Hillcrest HotelToday en route to Revelstoke we stop at Kamloops, travelling along Highway 99, a winding mountain road. Once at Kamloops, we will stop to look around. We continue to Revelstoke, stopping for a wine tasting session at Larch Hills Winery on the way. Day 8Day 8RevelstokeMeals Breakfast & LunchAccommodation Coast Hillcrest Hotel
We take a scenic drive up the “Meadows in the Sky road” to the alpine heights. Here we will walk through alpine meadows in the Eva Lakes area of Mount Revelstoke National Park. Day 9Day 9Lake LouiseMeals Breakfast & LunchAccommodation Lake Louise Inn
This morning we walk in the Glacier National Park where the choice of excellent walking trails is endless. We plan to walk the Great Glacier Trail which takes us up a sloping bedrock below the Illecillewaet Glacier. ,Views of this particular Glacier are unfortunately blocked by bedrock, however, we are compensated by an excellent panorama of Mount Sir Donald and the Vaux Glacier to the East. Day 10Day 10Lake LouiseMeals Breakfast & LunchAccommodation Lake Louise Inn
Wapta Falls
Emerald Lake We drive to Yoho National Park and, on arrival, visit the Takakkaw Falls; one of Canada’s highest waterfalls. After we will either walk to the Wapta Falls; this short walk leads you through a relatively level forest to a spot on the Kicking Horse River where the water crashes off a river-wide cliff, producing almost a guaranteed rainbow at the bottom. Or we can walk to the Emerald Lake, circling the lake and offering beautiful vantage points to the slopes and glaciers beyond. This lake is an important water source for a variety of wild animals, which are often encountered along the trail. Day 11Day 11BanffMeals Breakfast & LunchAccommodation Banff Caribou Lodge
It is now time to head to our final centre of Banff. Our route will be along the Icefields Parkway, one of the classic Canadian road journeys with so many panoramic views to see along the route. We will stop to walk the Parker Ridge trail. This walk ascends to the top of Parker Ridge, an exposed, treeless tundra, offering wonderful views of the Saskatchewan Glacier, the longest outflow glacier from the Columbia Icefield. Day 12Day 12BanffMeals Breakfast & LunchAccommodation Banff Caribou Lodge
Today we will walk the Consolation Lakes Trail. The walk takes us from Babel Creek to Consolation Lakes, which are surrounded by stunning, glacier clad mountains. Day 13Day 13BanffMeals Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerAccommodation Banff Caribou Lodge
After two weeks walking some magnificent trails fitness levels will have improved dramatically. This is just as well, as we have saved our toughest walk for today: the Stanley Glacier walk in Kootenay National Park, another of Banff’s beauty spots. This varied trail has burnt forest with captivating wildflowers, alpine meadows, cascading waterfalls and finally the scenic Stanley Glacier. Day 14Day 14In FlightMeals BreakfastThe late flight home means that there is plenty of free time in Banff. There are several short trails to follow, museums to visit and, of course, plenty of shops for those last minute souvenirs for loved ones. It is even possible to hire canoes for a trip up the Bow River. We then travel by road to Calgary Airport for the return overnight flight to London.
Day 15Day 15TravelArrive back in the UK. Walks & ExcursionsThe walking involved on this holiday will be at a reasonably leisurely pace on moderate terrain. Most routes take only a few hours, (average 3-4 hours). Climbs are not usually excessive, and walking is normally on good paths. The emphasis is on sightseeing in Vancouver and Vancouver Island. It is from Kamloops onwards where the walking content really picks up especially as we enter the Rockies at Jasper and Banff, both world-renowned with outdoor enthusiasts. Local Transport CostsAll local transport costs in conjunction with the advertised activity programme are included in the holiday cost. There may be occasions where additional visits or excursions are added to enrich your experience, these will be paid for locally by you if you choose to participate. Local transport can be a mix of private hire coaches, taxis, local buses and ferries depending on the itinerary. Optional ExcursionsA range of local excursions and activities may be available to book at your destination through a local operator. We have no involvement in such activities or excursions which are not run, supervised or controlled in any way by us. Your contract will be with the local activity supplier and we accept no responsibility for their actions or omissions. Spending MoneyHoliday BudgetingWhen budgeting for your holiday, you will need to consider drinks, any meals not included in the holiday price, non-included entrance fees, optional excursions you may choose to participate in locally and any souvenirs or additional services such as laundry. A general guideline for lunches and drinks is £10-£20 per person per day. Currency in CanadaThe currency in Canada is the Canadian Dollar. Banks and ATM machines are widely available and most hotels accept credit cards in Canada. TippingTipping is widespread, and expectations are fairly high. The drivers accompanying the tour on transfers and excursions tend to be mines of information relating to all aspects of local life and the country, and are also excellent travelling companions. Should you wish to tip our Canadian colleagues, you may wish to consider an allowance of C$3 per day for each of our drivers. In restaurants it is customary to add a 15% tip to the bill throughout North America. Tour Leaders & Local GuidesTour LeadersYour tour leader makes the world of difference to your holiday and ours are as passionate about discovering the world on foot as you are. They're resourceful, organised and widely travelled. They will handle all the local administration and other needs that might arise to ensure that you don't have to worry about planning your days and you can enjoy your holiday. Although leading group holidays, they won't forget that every group is made up of individuals. Each tour leader has their own individual style, talents and professional backgrounds and all are trained, qualified, experienced and dedicated to making your holiday as enjoyable, interesting and inspiring as possible. Leader's Evening BriefingEach evening, your tour leader will discuss with you the programme for the following day. This will be your opportunity to discuss the details and ensure the planned activities suit your walking ability. If you have concerns on clothing or equipment, this can be discussed then also. If you do not wish to join the organised group programme, please let the leader know. Your Travel DetailsWe fly from London Gatwick to Vancouver and return from Calgary with WestJet. Travel within Canada will be by road and by ferry. The transfer times to and from airports and between centres are as follows:
If you are joining and leaving in Canada it is assumed, unless you have advised us otherwise, that you will meet the party at the hotel in Vancouver and leave the party at the hotel in Banff. If this is not your intention please let us know, in writing, at least five weeks before departure. Booking Your Own Travel Arrangements?If you wish to organise your own flights from a non-UK or provincial airport or travel by rail or car to your holiday destination, 'land only' reductions are often available. Please contact us for details. Before finalising any independent travel arrangements, please check with us first - especially if doing so 12 weeks or more before your intended date of travel. If you do intend to join your holiday locally please do tell us at least 14 weeks in advance. If you are joining and leaving your holiday overseas we assume, unless you advise us otherwise, that you will join and leave the holiday at your hotel. Although airport transfers are not included for those making their own independent travel arrangements, if you wish to join the group at the overseas airport, depending on your flight arrival time, you may be able to be included on the group's transfer. Please contact us at least 5 weeks before departure for more details. Please note that your flight must arrive within 30 minutes of the group flight to be able to join the group transfer. We also need your flight number, arrival time and departure point so that the group leader is able to meet up with you. Luggage Allowance & Travel DocumentsFor all those booking a flight or rail inclusive holiday, details of your travel arrangements and baggage allowance will be confirmed in your travel documents, sent to you approximately 10 days prior to departure. Personal Details CheckTo ensure that we can accurately administer your holiday arrangements, please confirm that the personal details we hold for you are up to date and that you have provided the information we need to secure your holiday travel and accommodation arrangements. Please check your passport details, date of birth and any other important details necessary for us to properly manage your holiday booking. You can view and update information already provided, and add details not yet asked for, by using the Manage My Booking facility on our website www.ramblersholidays.co.uk, or by calling our Sales and Reservations team on +44 (0)1707 331133. When you receive your booking confirmation please check the details as soon as possible. Passports and VisasGeneral Passport AdviceIt is a good idea to carry photocopies of the personal details pages of your passport. Should you lose your passport, this may assist with the issue of replacement documents and your return to your home country. Passport and visa requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements. General travel and destination advice for UK nationals is available from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office at www.fco.gov.uk/travel and at www.gov.uk/travelaware. Passport Information for CanadaBritish Citizens don’t usually need a visa to visit Canada for short periods. If you have a different type of British nationality or intend to travel for a longer period, check entry requirements with the Canadian High Commission. When you arrive you will need to be able to show that you have enough funds available to support yourself during your stay. Under Canada’s Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) program, citizens from countries other than the United States (U.S.) who do not need a visa to enter Canada, will need to obtain an online authorization before flying to Canada, unless otherwise exempted. |THE ETA IS ONLY CURRENTLY REQUIRED IF YOU ARE FLYING INTO CANADA| - IF YOU ARE ARRIVING OVERLAND THEN IT IS NOT A REQUIREMENT. AccommodationWhere are we going to stay?Best Western Plus Sands Hotel1755 Davie St Vancouver BC V6G 1W5 Canada 001 604 682 1831 The Hotel is only a three minute walk from English Bay beach, and one mile from Robson Street's shopping and dining. Furnished with cherry wood or mahogany, the contemporary rooms come with en suite bathrooms, complimentary WiFi, cable TV, minifridge and coffeemaker. The hotel facilities include a steak and seafood restaurant, a bar with a TV and local craft beers, a lounge that overlooks the bay, and a fitness room with sauna. Prestige Ocean Front Resort6929 West Coast Road Sooke V9Z 0V1 British Columbia, Canada (001) 2506420805 The Prestige Oceanfront Resort is, as the name suggests, right on the waterfront of the Pacific Ocean and offers breath-taking views of Sooke Harbour, Sooke Basin, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic Mountains in the USA. The hotel enjoys a swimming pool, hot tub, restaurant, sports lounge, a spa, and complimentary WIFI throughout. Rooms are equipped with a mini refrigerator and HD TV. Pinnacle Hotel4319 Main Street Whistler V8E 1B1 British Columbia 001 604 938 3218 A 4-minute walk from Whistler Olympic Plaza, this contemporary all-suite hotel offers comfortable accommodation and a great location. All rooms have free WiFi, flat-screen TVs and DVD players. Dining options include a cosy bistro and a Venetian-themed Italian restaurant. There's an outdoor pool and hot tub, plus an exercise room. Coast Hillcrest Hotel2100 Oak Dr Revelstoke BC V0E 2S0 Canada 001 250 837 3322 Nestled at the base of the spectacular Selkirk and Monashee Mountains, here we can enjoy being in the natural wilderness, while only a few minutes drive from Revelstoke’s city centre. The hotel facilities include two superb restaurants. The Begbie Dining Room showcases local and international cuisine, and the Mountain Guides Lounge for a more casual, hearty fare. The hotel has an outdoor jacuzzi and fitness centre. Rooms offer two queen beds, room safe, air conditioning, complimentary in room coffee and tea, alarm clock radio, fridge, TV, hair dryer, iron and ironing board. Complimentary WIFI internet is included throughout the hotel. Lake Louise Inn210 Village Road T0L 1E0 Lake Louise Alberta Canada 001 4035223791 The Lake Louise Inn combines the comfort and convenience of modern amenities with a beautiful rustic lodge style accommodation in a majestic mountain setting. This wonderful hotel provides guests with a fitness centre, indoor heated pool and whirlpool, three restaurants, complimentary bike hire, and complimentary WI-FI is available in the lobby and guestrooms. Rooms are equipped with flat-screen TV, tea and coffee making facilities, clock radio and some room types have kitchens, balconies, a fireplace and Jacuzzi tubs. Banff Caribou Lodge521 Banff Avenue Banff T1L 1H8 Alberta, Canada 001 8005638764 Located in Banff National Park and a short walk from the centre of Banff, the Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa is a beautiful mountain lodge hotel, with an excellent steakhouse restaurant and a full service spa, all in an outstanding mountain location. The hotel also has a 26 person jetted hot pool, a fitness room and complimentary WIFI. Rooms are equipped with a king size or queen size twin beds, tea and coffee making facilities, mini fridge, safe, TV, clock radio, hairdryer, electric fan, and iron and ironing board. MealsAll your breakfasts and lunches are included along with four evening meals which will be in local restaurants in Vancouver Island, Revelstoke and Banff. On other evenings there is the opportunity to dine out yourselves and your leader will be happy to suggest a restaurant for these evenings. You can expect to pay around £25-£30 including tax and 15% service charge for three courses. Hotel ChangesThe hotel(s) listed within this document are examples of standard only. Whilst we strive to deliver the hotel(s) listed within this Holiday Information Sheet, there will be times throughout the year when they change. If this occurs, we will advise you as such. From time to time hotels will change near to departure and you will not be advised until after arriving into the destination. We always aim to provide a replacement of similar standard and location, although we cannot guarantee similar facilities such as pool or bar. Footwear & Kit ListFootwearGood quality waterproof walking shoes or trail shoes with a thick, moulded sole with a good tread and a low heel are likely to be all that is required for these holidays. If you are a frequent walker and are comfortable in good quality hiking sandals, these may be adequate for some walks. You can wear lightweight walking boots if you prefer. General Kit ListOutdoor activities are always safer and more enjoyable if you are prepared. If you have not travelled with us before the following list might be of use:
This list is not exhaustive and every walker is different and may have their own preference. Travel Documents ChecklistDocuments and Information to take with you:
Electricity in CanadaElectricity in Canada is supplied at 110 Volts at 60Hz. If you wish to use electrical equipment you will need a two pin North America style adaptor with flat pins. More information can be found at https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/ Water To GoAn alternative to bottled water from single-use sealed water bottles is filtered water from a refillable bottle containing its own water filter such as a Water-to-go bottle available from www.watertogo.eu. Just fill up from any water source and save the environment from disposable plastic bottles. We have negotiated an exclusive 15% discount with our partners Water-to-Go for you as a thank you for helping the environment. Please go to their website at www.watertogo.eu and enter the code RWH17 when ordering. In addition, Water-to-Go will match the discount with a donation to our charity, Heart & Sole, which will allow us to continue to make a difference in the countries you visit on our holidays. The Map ShopMaps and guidebooks relating to the areas you will be walking in may be bought before your holiday from The Map Shop at www.themapshop.co.uk WeatherVisit the following websites for an idea of the climate in your destination:
Useful InformationFind out moreCanada
Visas and Passports Visa Required
|
01707 331133
Explore buzzing Vancouver before stepping into the Canadian wilderness where wildlife and views are unrivalled.
Average weather
Print Trip Information
Close