Best Tour of the West

Day One:

After meeting our travelling companions, we enjoy a scenic drive to Sault Ste. Marie, beginning with the Chi-Cheemaun cruise from Tobermory to Manitoulin Island.

Day Two:

We visit Wawa this morning on our way to Thunder Bay, stopping at the Terry Fox Memorial, located where Terry was forced to end his Marathon of Hope.

Day Three:

A visit to the hauntingly beautiful Kakabeka Falls is a lovely way to start our day as we travel through Kenora and into Manitoba. We spend the next two nights in Winnipeg.

Day Four:

Today we visit the Assiniboine Zoo, where we'll experience their attraction, "Journey to Churchill", which will get us up close to Arctic fox, snowy owls, muskoxen, and polar bears. This afternoon, we'll visit the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. The first national museum to be built outside the National Capital Region, this facility is dedicated to the evolution, celebration, and future of human rights.

Day Five:

A local guide joins us for a tour of Winnipeg, followed by the short drive to Regina.

Day Six:

This morning we visit the RCMP Museum, followed by the fascinating Moose Jaw Tunnels and learn about the rum-runners during the prohibition era. Enjoy an included lunch, followed by a visit to the Western Development Museum. We spend the night in Medicine Hat.

Day Seven:

We soon see the foothills of the Rockies in the distance as we approach Calgary, our home for the next two nights. Visit the incredible Dinosaur Provincial Park. Witness some of the most important fossil discoveries ever made, dating back some 75 million years.

Day Eight:

We spend the day at the Calgary Stampede. Enjoy hundreds of exhibits, entertainment and events and reserved seats for the afternoon Rodeo!

Day Nine:

This morning we visit spectacular Lake Louise, where we stop for pictures and see Victoria Glacier reflected in the lake before continuing on to Banff. We take a ride up Sulphur Mountain on a gondola, for glorious views of the mountains and the town below. Take some time to walk the well-maintained boardwalk trails, or just sit and enjoy the view. Enjoy the evening on your own in the beautiful and scenic town of Canmore.

Day Ten:

Today we see the interesting Spiral Tunnels of the railroad and visit the memorial where the Last Spike was driven in to complete the Trans Canada Rail line. We spend the night in the Revelstoke areas at a fascinating resort complex on an inland lake, where we enjoy a ghost tour and barbecue dinner for a unique experience.

Day Eleven

A gorgeous drive today takes us from the peaks of the Rockies into the gentle hills and valleys of the Okanagan Valley, and into the charming city of Kelowna. On arrival, we visit one of the many fantastic wineries that make the Okanagan Valley famous.

Day Twelve

Enjoy a scenic drive, travelling south of Vancouver where we'll take a ferry from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island. Spend the next two nights in Victoria, British Columbia's stunning capital city.

Day Thirteen

A local guide joins us for a tour of Victoria, known as the "City of Gardens". Spend the afternoon at Butchart Gardens, a National Historic Site of Canada, and home to some of the most spectacular gardens you will ever see. Enjoy free time taking in the sights of downtown Victoria this evening

Day Fourteen

Travel through Vancouver Island today, stopping in Duncan to see the famous totem poles, and Chemainus for their famous murals which cover most of the exerior walls in town. In Nanaimo, board a ferry to Vancouver, home for the next two nights.

Day Fifteen

This morning we have a guided tour of Vancouver to see all the city's highlights. This afternoon is spent on Granville Island for free time for lunch and exploring. Featuring a public market, renowned restaurants, shops and more, this unique attraction is one of the most popular places to visit in Vancouver.

Day Sixteen

We drive the famous Sea to Sky Highway this morning, with scenic vistas delivering us to Whistler. Here, we have free time to wander the village, full of memories from the 2010 Olympics. This afternoon, we make our way to Kamloops for the night.

Day Seventeen

The scenery continues as we make our way northeast today. The mountains are incredible in this area, and we'll pass right by Mount Robson, the Rocky Mountains' highest peak. We spend the next two nights in the Jasper area.

Day Eighteen

We visit the Jasper Yellowhead Museum and Archives this morning. This fascinating exhibit showcases the life of the people who built this part of Canada, and gives us a glimpse into what it must have been like settling an area so geogrphically unforgiving. This afternoon, you may choose to enjoy a beautiful hike in the area, board the Jasper Sky Tram for a bird's eye view from atop Whistlers Mountain (extra cost), or enjoy exploring in the town.

Day Nineteen

The scenery today is beyond compare! With magnificent mountains on both sides, we wind our way through the Icefields Parkway to the Columbia Icefields and Athabasca Glacier aboard the coach. Take a unique snowcoach ride right up the glacier and experience walking on it. Continuing along the Parkway, we arrive in Calgary this evening

Day Twenty

We board a flight for a convenient return to Ontario, where we are met by Great Canadian shuttle drivers for a worry-free drive back home.