Grand Canadian Rockies
10 Days Starting in Vancouver and ending in Calgary
Visiting: Vancouver, Whistler, Sun Peaks, Jasper, Banff National Park, Lake Louise / Banff National Park, Calgary
Tour operator:
Tour code:
SSKK
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
15-99 years
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Tour Overview
Canada’s Rocky Mountains provide a stunning landscape of craggy, towering rock faces, snow-capped mountains, thick forests and picturesque lakes. Wander the streets of Vancouver and admire the views each direction you turn. Hike or bike the breathtaking trails of Whistler, Sun Peaks, Jasper, and Banff. Experience the renowned expanse of Lake Louise, or wrap your hands around a mug of hot chocolate while admiring the superb alpine scenery of the Rockies. Ready for a grand adventure? Jump aboard and witness the sheer beauty of this exceptional part of the world.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Vancouver
Location: Vancouver
Accommodation: Hotel
Welcome to Canada! Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you do arrive early, perhaps explore the happening neighbourhood of Yaletown, or head to Granville Island to visit the colourful markets full of fresh produce and handcrafts. Vancouver’s coastal setting is beautiful, bordered by an ocean harbour to the north and a river to the south. The majestic Coastal Mountains, often snow-capped, provide the eastern horizon, making it a picturesque place to spend a few days before the tour begins.
Day 2: Whistler
Location: Whistler
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: lunch
On your way out of Vancouver today, check out Stanley Park’s carved totem poles, representing the historical crests of First Nations families and their clans. During the drive to Whistler you’ll stop at the beautiful Shannon Falls, then learn more about First Nations art, history and culture at Squamish Lil'Wat Cultural Centre. Refuel with a late lunch at the onsite cafe, serving a modern take on traditional First Nations food. Once you arrive in Whistler Village, your leader will take you on an orientation walk through the bustling hub of shops and award-winning restaurants, all surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery. Later, you may like to join in on the Whistler nightlife by sampling one of the town’s lively bars.
Included Activities:
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Day 3: Whistler
Location: Whistler
Accommodation: Hotel
Stunning Whistler is ready to be explored, up the mountain or back down in the village. Perhaps buy yourself a ticket to ride the PEAK 2 PEAK gondola to enjoy unparalleled views of towering volcanic peaks and surrounding forest on the world’s longest and highest lift. Once at the top, check out the nearby scenic walking trails, mountaintop restaurants and indoor interpretive displays. Otherwise, you could hire a bike and ride along the Valley Trail to Lost Lake, or go for an easy hike along the Lost Lake Nature Trail. If you're after something a little more cultured, perhaps hit the Audain Art Museum to see a selection of First Nations and British Columbian artwork.
Optional Activities:
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Day 4: Sun Peaks
Location: Sun Peaks
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals Included: dinner
Say goodbye to Whistler and drive through the mountains to Sun Peaks. The Sun Peaks township is set on one of many peaks along the mountain range and the views from the top are incredible. On arrival you’ll have the choice to see those views for yourself by doing a hike along the Sunburst Loop. Or, you might like to take a shorter walk along the Shuswap Medicine Trail and learn about local flora, fauna and traditional First Nations medicines. This evening, rejoin your group for dinner together.
Optional Activities:
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Day 5: Jasper
Location: Jasper
Accommodation: Inn
This morning head to Jasper National Park, one of the most photographed places in Canada. Jasper is the largest of Canada's Rocky Mountain parks, famous for wildlife such as elk, moose, deer, coyotes, grizzly bears and mountain lions, as well as smaller mammals and birds. Along the way you’ll stop in at Mt Robson Provincial Park, stretching your legs on a short walk through the picturesque wildflower meadows. Once you arrive in Jasper, you’ll have options to explore the village of Jasper and its surrounds.
Included Activities:
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Day 6: Jasper
Location: Jasper
Accommodation: Inn
Meals Included: lunch
Today is a free day in Jasper. Join the group on a visit to Maligne Lake for some hiking, and perhaps book yourself a cruise on the lake’s shimmering blue waters past the much-photographed Spirit Island. If the lake cruise isn’t your thing, you might like to spend your time seeing the area while hiking either the Mary Schaeffer or the Moose Lake trails. There’s also the option hike or bike around Beauvert Lake, or a ride on the Jasper SkyTram is highly recommended if you didn’t do it yesterday!
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Optional Activities:
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Day 7: Banff National Park
Location: Banff National Park
Accommodation: Lodge
Buckle up for Banff. Today is a long day, with many scenic stops and visits along the way. In the morning, travel towards Banff, stopping off at the Columbia Icefields Centre and Sunwapta Falls. You'll have the chance to join an optional glacier hike with a professional guide (at own expense). Then head into Banff National Park in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Banff is considered the oldest national park in Canada, showcasing the Rockies’ valleys and mountain chains which began forming up to 75 million years ago.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 8: Lake Louise / Banff National Park
Location: Lake Louise / Banff National Park
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals Included: lunch
Today, pay a visit to Lake Louise. You can get your bearings on optional walks along the easy Waterfront Trail, or take the steeper trail to the Fairview Lookout for some incredible views from above. After, you might like to check out the interior of the luxury mountain resort, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. This afternoon, don an old-fashioned swimsuit and soak in the hot mineral waters of the Banff Upper Hot Springs. If there is extra time today, you may like to take part in one of the many adventure activities available within the park. With its coniferous forests, alpine meadows, icefields and glaciers, the park is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise. There are opportunities for canoeing, mountain biking, hiking or riding the gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain.
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Day 9: Calgary
Location: Calgary
Accommodation: Hotel
Before leaving Banff this morning, join a guide from Yellowstone to Yukon (Y2Y). Y2Y is an initiative to create wildlife corridors spanning from Yellowstone to Yukon, and you’ll learn about how the US and Canada have come together to support the animals whose habitats span both countries. Then, complete your crossing of the Rockies today on a drive to Calgary. Along the way, make a stop in the cosy little town of Canmore, the perfect place to grab some lunch and soak in some final mountain views. Arriving in Calgary the afternoon. Home to the famous Calgary Stampede, the city is growing at a rapid rate, largely thanks to oil and mining. While it may not be the most picturesque of cities, Calgary makes up for it with a budding dining and nightlife scene. In the evening perhaps head for dinner at one of the city's great restaurants.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 10: Calgary
Location: Calgary
There are no activities planned for today and you can depart the accommodation at any time, though please be sure to comply with any hotel check-out times.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Hotel (4 nights), Lodge (3 nights), Inn (2 nights) -
Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre Visit
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Jasper National Park - Entrance Fee
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Visit to Maligne Lake
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Banff Upper Hotsprings
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Visit to Lake Louise
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Meals
3 lunches, 1 dinners
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Whistler - Leader-led orientation walk
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Mt. Robson Provincial Park - Wildflower walk
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Icefields Parkway - Sightseeing Stops including Athabasca Falls
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Banff - Walk and talk with Y2Y Wildlife Conservation guide
Included Activities
Complimentary Airport Arrival TransferSquamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre VisitSun Peaks - 4 Course Fur Trader's Feast & Voyageur Canoe experienceJasper National Park - Entrance FeeVisit to Maligne LakeBanff Upper HotspringsVisit to Lake Louise
Transport
AIRPORT TRANSFERS IN THE USA & CANADAWe recommend taxis and rideshare services like Lyft and Uber when traveling to and from hotels in the USA and Canada. These services are widely available across North America, offering convenient and accessible transportation options. Private transfers in North America incur high costs and present an increased risk of missed connections due to their fixed schedules. In contrast, taxis and rideshares offer both cost-effectiveness and flexibility, ensuring a smoother journey. With transparent pricing, GPS tracking, and on-demand availability, we believe that taxis and rideshare apps not only offer a reliable alternative to private transfers but also provide a secure, trustworthy, and budget-friendly transportation option for our customers.NORTH AMERICA VEHICLESOur large fleet of 15-passenger vans are fully equipped with air-conditioning system, V8 engines and any camping or cooking equipment needed for your trip. Most have cloth-upholstered seats and carpeted interior with radio or CD players. Your luggage is typically transported in a trailer which is towed behind the van.The vans are regularly serviced by a well-established network of maintenance and service facilities throughout the continent. However, unforeseen maintenance problems can still occur while on the road and we appreciate the patience of our travellers as we make necessary repairs as quickly as possible.While your group will have a van for all included activities on the trip, the services of the van and leader may not be available for your use during free time, or after you have arrived for the day. If you need a special trip into town you may need to arrange transport or a taxi.
Accommodation
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
Important Information
1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm on Day 1 in Vancouver. This trip ends in Calgary on the morning of Day 10.2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.3. Please note that the legal drinking age in the US is 21 and in some parts of Canada it's 19.4. We are not able to book airport shuttle service for North America trips. North America has convenient taxi and rideshare options from all airports, as well as public transport systems in major hub cities. Please check the joining and finishing point instructions listed in the Essential Trip Information.
Mode of Transport
FLEETOur large fleet of vans are fully equipped with dual air-conditioning system, V8 engines and any camping or cooking equipment needed for your trip. Most have cloth-upholstered seats and carpeted interior with radio/tape or CD players. Your baggage is transported in a trailer which is towed behind the van.The vans are regularly serviced in our own maintenance facility and continuously checked and serviced by a well established network of maintenance and service facilities throughout the continent. However, unforeseen maintenance problems can still occur while on the road and we appreciate the patience of our travellers as we make necessary repairs as quickly as possible.DRIVING TIMESAll driving times mentioned in our itinerary are intended as a guide only and represent an estimated driving time - not including lunch stops, fuel stops, photo stops, traffic congestion, adverse weather conditions or any last minute alterations to the itinerary for any unforeseen circumstances. Please note that there are some long driving days on this tour - we'll have some starts as early as 7am and late arrivals at our final destination, sometimes after dark). As always, your group leader will make stops for viewpoints, short walks and lunch
est breaks to help break up the journey.We recommend you are fully prepared for these long travel days by reviewing our notes and indicated drive times. Some travellers prefer to bring pillows on board for added comfort, others prefer reading material or games and puzzles. The reality is that to get from one fabulous location to another, the distances are great and we like to think at least some of the adventure is in the journey - not just the destination. You'll be on board with up to 12 other passengers plus your group leader so patience and cooperation goes a long way in making this journey a comfortable one.SEAT BELT POLICYSafety is our priority and therefore our travellers are asked to sign a document on Day 1 of the itinerary indicating your understanding of our seat belt policy.
Check out our Q&As
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Is this trip right for you
This trip covers a lot of ground, as Canada is a huge country. Please be prepared for some long days of driving. The drive between Sun Peaks and Jasper, for example, takes around six hours.
It is not uncommon for snow to remain on the ground in higher elevations until the end of May. The presence of snow may impact certain activities such as scenic gondolas, boat trips or mountain hikes in late spring. Your trip leader will have a range of suggestions for alternative activities to do in your free time no matter the season.
As we're travelling through the mountains, the weather can be unpredictable. We advise wearing layers at all times of the year in case conditions change during the day. At night the temperature can really drop, so make sure you have warm clothing with you.
In summer, especially in July and August, be prepared for insects. This is mosquito and black fly season so it's important to bring insect repellent, which will help prevent you from being bitten.
Jasper experienced significant wildfires that impacted the region in 2024. Jasper is ready to welcome back visitors, and many of the town’s stunning landscapes and exciting activities remain untouched and waiting to be explored. However, you will see signs of the wildfire’s impact in certain areas. Your visit will directly support local businesses as they continue to recover, and right now, they are especially in need of your support. -
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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