This 21-day road trip offers stunning scenery, wilderness experiences and cozy little towns in British Columbia and Alberta. You travel through the Rocky Mountains with Banff, Jasper and Yoho) and go make the amazing Inside Passage by boat to Vancouver Island. See map of Canada on directoryaah.
A classic journey of incredible scenery that starts in Vancouver and takes you east through the Okanagan Valley and Glacier National Park to the world-famous Banff and Jasper National Parks. Via Mount Robson, Wells Gray Provincial Park and the Cariboo region, you head north to the Pacific coast. From here you take the spectacular Inside Passage by boat to Vancouver Island. Above is British Columbia’s charming capital Victoria and you then end your round trip with a ferry ride back to Vancouver.
Day 1: Departure from Scandinavia and arrival in Vancouver
You travel from Scandinavia and land in Vancouver the same day. After picking up your rental car, drive to your hotel in Vancouver. The reception then contains materials and information for your road trip in British Columbia and Alberta.
Day 2: Vancouver
You have all day to explore Vancouver. Vancouver consists of several neighborhoods, each with its own unique charm that together make Vancouver such a special place. There is plenty to see and do, some suggestions are Stanley Park, MacMillan Planetarium, Chinatown, Gastown, Granville Island, Capilano Suspension Bridge and Grouse Mountain.
Day 3: Vancouver to Penticton (397 km)
Enjoy the beautiful drive to Penticton through the dense forests of Manning Provincial Park. Once in the park, you can hike on parts of the old 19th century trail Dewdney Trail or Rhododendron Flats. The town of Penticton is located at the end of Okanagan Lake surrounded by lush orchards and vineyards in the Okanagan Valley. The area is also known for its beaches and its warm, dry climate.
Day 4: Penticton to Revelstoke (260 km)
You are free in the morning and can enjoy the Okanagan Valley, this popular resort known for its great skiing in winter and water sports in summer. The journey to Revelstoke then takes you through the park with its impressive waterfalls and beautiful lakes.
Day 5: Revelstoke to Banff (260 km)
Today you drive through Glacier National Park, a true Rocky Mountain Park with high mountain peaks, deep forests, rivers and glaciers combined with varied flora and rich wildlife. You then pass Rogers Pass on the way to the lively resort of Banff. If there is time left, feel free to pay a visit to Lake Louise.
Day 6: BanffNational Park
The whole day is earmarked for exploring Banff and its surroundings. We highly recommend a visit to the Banff Natural History Museum. You can also spend the day outdoors with rafting or maybe a boat trip on Minnewanka.
Day 7: Banff to Jasper (285 km)
Now you go on to Jasper via the spectacular Icefields Parkway. Take your time because there are lots of great stops to make for photography. Why not make your way past Peyto Lake and take an Ice Explorer Excursion at Columbia Icefield.
Day 8: JasperNational Park
You have all day to take it easy in Jasper and its surroundings. The city of Jasper itself is beautifully situated in the national park of the same name, surrounded by giant mountains – many with snow-capped peaks all year round. We recommend a boat trip on Lake Maligne, maybe a nice dip at Miette Hot Springs or a trip with the Jasper Tramway.
Day 9: Jasper to Clearwater (345 km)
Now continue on the scenic Yellowhead Highway to Wells Gray Park. Among other things, you drive past Mount Robson, the highest mountain in the Rocky Mountains.
Day 10: Clearwater / WellsGrayProvincialPark
There are lots of fun outdoor activities here. In addition to beautiful hiking trails, you can ride, go rafting or canoe.
Day 11: Clearwater to 100 Mile House (150 km)
From Wells Gray Provincial Park it is not far to the Cariboo regions. 100 Mile House was built in the 19th century to help the gold diggers as they traveled along the Cariboo Wagon Road.
Day 12: 100 Mile House to Prince George (325 km)
We recommend a stop at Barkerville, a restored settlement from the days of the gold rush before driving on to Prince George.
Day 13: Prince George to Smithers (375 km)
Today, the journey through the wilderness between mountain ranges and forest returns to the coast. This is also a region with strong cultural and historical ties with the country’s indigenous people.
Day 14: Smithers to Prince Rupert (350 km)
Follow the beautiful Skeena River Valley to the bustling port city of Prince Rupert in Hazelton. Here it is time to visit Ksan Native Village and see traditional houses, the museum and the totem pole made by Gitksan – “The First Nation” on Kaien Island. Prince Rupert was home to the Tsimshisk and Haida tribes 5,000 years ago and its heritage can be seen in the totem poles at Park Service, Roosevelt Park and Sunken Gardens.
Day 15: Prince Rupert to Port Hardy (40 km)
Today, one of the world’s most beautiful boat trips awaits you; Inside Passage from Prince Rupert to Port Hardy on Vancouver Island. Out in the sea among rugged cliffs and wooded islands you can see whales, killer whales and seals. In the trees along the coast you can see bald eagles. The ferry docks at picturesque, isolated small towns that are only connected to the outside world by boat and plane.
Day 16: Port Hardy to Campbell River (235 km)
Back on the mainland, the road takes you to the eastern part of Vancouver Island and the Campbell River, the road takes you to the eastern part of Vancouver Island to the Campbell River, the hub of the region’s salmon fishing.
Day 17: Campbell River to Victoria (265 km)
The last long day trip of the trip is along the coast, past Nanaimo and Chemainus there on the route Malahat Drive.
Day 18: Victoria
Today you have time to explore British Columbia’s elegant capital Victoria. We recommend a visit to Beacon Hill Park and “The Art Gallery of greater Victoria”. Enjoy Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont Empress Hotel and take a stroll in the famous Butchart Gardens. You can also just relax and sit down by the harbor and watch the small seaplanes take off and land outside.
Day 19: Victoria – Vancouver (70 km)
Today you drive across the charming Saanich Peninsula to Vancouver by ferry across the Georgia Strait.
Day 20: Departure from VancouverVancouver
So it’s time to leave Canada for now. You drive to the airport and return the rental car to go back to Scandinavia.
Day 21: Arrival Scandinavia
Arrival in Scandinavia. Time depends on which airline you have chosen to fly with.
