Explore Western Canada
Iconic Western Canada: Vancouver’s coastal buzz, Okanagan wine country, and the soaring Rockies of Banff & Jasper.
This classic Western Canada loop pairs the big-hitting Rockies with British Columbia’s laid-back west-coast lifestyle. Start in vibrant Vancouver, then slip into the sunshine of the Okanagan Valley—orchards, beaches and vineyard-dotted hills—before climbing into the Selkirks for Revelstoke’s mountain scenery and adventure spirit. From here, the journey levels up as you cross into Alberta and the heart of Banff National Park, Canada’s first national park, where glacier-fed lakes and dramatic peaks steal the show.
Next comes the Icefields Parkway—regularly hailed as one of the world’s most scenic drives—leading to Jasper’s vast wilderness, wildlife watching and famously dark night skies. After a restful pause in Sun Peaks, you’ll finish with Whistler’s alpine playground and the Sea-to-Sky corridor back to Vancouver—an unforgettable mix of mountains, lakes, and coast in one perfectly paced holiday.
Remember: We’re UK-based, and every holiday we create is fully flexible – you can add nights, upgrade hotels, or enhance your itinerary. We love designing tailor-made self-drive adventures just for you!
14 night self drive holiday from £2,599pp including flights
Highlights
Drive the legendary Icefields Parkway through glaciers, waterfalls and jaw-dropping Rocky Mountain viewpoints.
Soak up Banff’s alpine charm with gondola views, hot springs and iconic turquoise lakes nearby.
Explore Jasper’s wide-open wilderness by day, then enjoy extraordinary stargazing after dark.
Finish with Whistler’s Peak 2 Peak views and Vancouver, with Stanley Park, Gastown and coastal mountain views on your doorstep.
Your itinerary
Day 1: arrive in vancouver, bc
Pacific gateway city framed by ocean, rainforest and mountains, setting the tone for Western Canada
Arrive in Vancouver and transfer to your hotel for your first night in British Columbia. Today is all about settling in, adjusting to the time difference and easing gently into your Canadian adventure. After your journey from the UK, take time to relax, stretch your legs with a short walk nearby if you wish, and enjoy an early dinner before a well-earned rest. Tomorrow your self-drive holiday truly begins as you collect your car and set off into the spectacular landscapes of Western Canada.
1 Night in
Vancouver, BC
Arrival
Day
Days 2–3: Okanagan Valley, BC
Sun-soaked lake country, vineyard-lined hills and relaxed wine towns in British Columbia’s interior
This morning collect your car in Vancouver and begin your journey east, leaving the coastal skyline behind as you climb into the Coast Mountains. Follow the spectacular Coquihalla Highway or the more scenic Fraser Canyon route, where dramatic river gorges and towering peaks create a thrilling introduction to interior British Columbia. As the landscape softens, vineyards, orchards and shimmering lakes announce your arrival in the Okanagan Valley.
Over the next two nights, you’ll base yourself in this sun-drenched region famed for its wineries, warm climate and laid-back lakeside lifestyle. Spend the afternoon strolling Kelowna’s waterfront, sampling local wines, or simply unwinding beside Okanagan Lake as your Western Canada adventure truly begins.
2 Nights in
Okanagan Valley, BC
240 miles
Day 4: Revelstoke, BC
Dramatic Selkirk Mountain scenery, alpine adventure and a classic mountain town stopover
Today the scenery turns seriously mountainous as you climb into the Columbia and Selkirk ranges. Revelstoke is a brilliant one-night stop: a proper mountain town with big views and plenty to do in a short window—ride a gondola, stroll the riverfront, or simply enjoy the cosy après-style feel downtown. It’s also a natural break between the Okanagan and Alberta, setting you up perfectly for the Rockies.
1 Night in
Revelstock, BC
125 miles
Days 5–7: Banff, AB
Iconic Rocky Mountain landscapes, turquoise lakes, soaring peaks and Banff National Park highlights
Cross into Alberta and arrive in Banff National Park—Canada’s original national park—where the Bow Valley’s peaks and pine forests make every viewpoint feel cinematic. With three nights, you can balance headline sights with unhurried exploration: soak in the Banff Upper Hot Springs, ride the Banff Gondola, and plan time for Lake Louise and the Icefields Parkway corridor for show-stopping viewpoints like Peyto Lake. Evenings are made for Banff Avenue’s restaurants, cosy lounges and that fresh mountain-air feeling.
3 Nights in
Banff, AB
175 miles
Days 8–9: Jasper, AB
Legendary Icefields Parkway drive into vast wilderness, glaciers and wildlife-rich Jasper National Park
Travel north via the Icefields Parkway—one of the world’s most scenic drives—past glacier viewpoints, tumbling falls and wild valleys that feel beautifully remote. Jasper brings a quieter, wilder energy than Banff, with big hiking country, wildlife spotting opportunities and a wonderfully relaxed town centre. After dark, Jasper’s Dark Sky Preserve status makes stargazing a genuine highlight—on clear nights the sky can be breathtaking.
2 Night in
Jasper, AB
180 miles
Day 10: Sun Peaks, BC
Peaceful alpine resort escape offering scenic lifts, forest trails and a gentle mountain reset
Head into British Columbia again for a restful overnight in Sun Peaks—a pretty alpine resort that’s ideal for recharging between the Rockies and the coast. Take an easy gondola ride, enjoy a gentle lakeside walk, or simply lean into the “mountain village” atmosphere with a relaxed dinner and early night. It’s a calm, comfortable pause before the next scenic leg.
1 Night in
Sun Peaks, BC
275 miles
Days 11–12: Whistler, BC
World-famous mountain resort, alpine gondolas and breathtaking scenery along the Sea-to-Sky corridor
Arrive in Whistler, Canada’s headline mountain resort with a lively pedestrian village and serious scenery in every direction. The must-do is the Peak 2 Peak Gondola for sky-high views, plus forest trails and lakes that are perfect for easy exploration. If you’d like an extra wow factor, the Sea-to-Sky corridor is packed with stops—waterfalls, viewpoints and gondola rides—making this a brilliant two-night base.
2 Nights in
Whistler, BC
185 miles
Days 13–15: Vancouver, BC
Spectacular Sea-to-Sky finale returning to Vancouver’s waterfront neighbourhoods, culture and cuisine
Drive back to Vancouver on the spectacular Sea-to-Sky route, then drop your car and enjoy two final nights in the city—perfect for shopping, galleries, waterfront walks and one last “pinch me” dinner.  Use day 14 to dive deeper into neighbourhoods like Kitsilano, Yaletown or Gastown, or take a relaxed harbour cruise if you fancy. On your final morning, enjoy brunch, pick up any last souvenirs, then head to the airport for your flight home.
2 Nights in
Vancouver, BC
75 miles
Optional Add-On: add vancouver island (4 nights)
Historic Victoria charm and wild Pacific coast landscapes in Tofino and Ucluelet, rich with wildlife and rainforest
If you’d like to turn your finale into something truly special, add four nights on Vancouver Island—Victoria’s harbour elegance, then the wild surf-and-rainforest coast around Tofino or Ucluelet, before returning to Vancouver.
4 Nights on
Vancouver Island
+360 miles
June - mid Sept: Many lodgings and transport links are only open during the Summer. Amazing wildlife including bears, bald eagles, whales, sea otters and seals can be spotted.
Daytime temperatures are usually cool but very comfortabl, generally in the 15-20°C range and even into the high 20s. Days are long during the with July being the peak month.
You’ll need a connecting flght from the UK, probably via Seattle or Vancouver, we highly recommend a couple of days to explore the connecting city. Alaska is 8 or 9 hours behind the UK.
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