15 breakfasts

All included meals will be prepared from goods bought en route from supermarkets, local shops and markets. Breakfasts will generally consist of breads and cereals, if time allows a warm breakfast may be prepared. Many lunches will be provided en-route and will be light meals such as sandwiches and/or salads. All evening meals will be freshly-prepared hot meals, and will consist of a variety of continental and local dishes.

You must be 18 to travel unaccompanied on a G Adventures tour. For minors travelling with a guardian over 21 years old, the minimum age is 12. Minimum age of 18 years for this trip. You must be 18 to travel unaccompanied on a G Adventures tour. For minors travelling with a guardian over 21 years old, the minimum age is 12.

1. TRAVEL DAYS

In order to cover the vast distance in Noth America to be able to visit several different parks and cities along our trip, we will have a couple of long driving days.

2. HIKES AND WALKS

All walks and hikes proposed by our CEO will be easy to moderate level. You may choose to participate or not, but exploring our national parks on foot is part of our way of travelling. It’s a healthy way to discover North America’s beauty and landscape.

3. COMBO TRIP

Please note that some trips could be a combination of multiple G Adventure tours. You should expect some group members to join or leave the tour between tour segments.

4. LEGAL DRINKING AGE

Please note that the legal drinking age in the United States is 21 and in Canada, 19 (with Alberta and Quebec at 18). Many bars and clubs will ask for ID at the door, therefore listening to live music in certain bars or spending a night out is not possible when you are under the legal age, even if you don’t plan on consuming alcohol. Drinking laws in both countries are strictly enforced and our CEOs are unable to help those under age obtain alcohol of any kind.

While this should not stop those under legal drinking age from booking a tour, it is important to note that if a traveller is under-age there are certain optional nighttime activities that they may not legally be able to participate in. When trying to book the right trip, we recommend that travellers under legal drinking age take this into consideration when booking a tour that visits several big cities.

5. ACCOMMODATION NOTE:

Please be aware that properties we stay in with only two stories may not have elevators installed and climbing the stairs with your luggage will be necessary.

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout.

This trip uses comfortable 3 star hotels, lodges and inns, well located in cities or near park entrances. Our chosen hotels vary in size, character, and amenities, but are of a very good standard, and the rooms are double occupancy with a private bathroom.

You will be on the move a lot, so our advice is to pack as lightly as possible.

For days in the outdoors, we recommend the use of lightweight, breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics made of wool or synthetic fibers. Cotton is not recommended for days spent hiking as it does not allow for heat or moisture to enter or escape, and it will not dry easily once wet.

We recommend using a backpack for your convenience, or a medium-sized suitcase if you prefer. Heavy luggage is not recommended for the health of the CEO, who will take a lead in loading the storage trailer. Due to space in the trailer, we will not be able to accommodate more than one piece of main luggage per person. A good size day-pack (20-35L) is also essential to carry your personal gear for the day, as access to luggage between destinations will be limited. This daypack will be used to carry your personal gear for the day, your lunch and a water bottle.

It is important to pack clothes for warm days and cool evenings, as well as a light jacket. A set of smart casual clothes is also advisable.

NOTE: Mountains in the Canadian Rockies can have unpredictable weather with snow and heavy rain even in Summer time. Spring time could be snowy (until end of June) and fall season could start as soon as mid-August. Make sure you have equipment and clothing for all conditions!

Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.

Zipline above the forest canopy across the Fitzsimmons Valley, streaking between platforms anchored to old-growth cedars. Expect fast lines, mountain views, and a healthy dose of adrenaline.

This optional excursion is at additional cost and bookable on tour. Professional guides handle safety briefings and outfitting so you can focus on the rush and the scenery.

Ride the ferry to Alert Bay on Cormorant Island and step into a cultural stronghold of the Kwakwa_ka_’wakw. Pause by one of the world’s tallest totem poles before continuing to the renowned U’mista Cultural Centre.

Inside, learn about the community’s repatriated potlatch collection and the meaning woven into cedar carvings, dance regalia, and crest imagery. The centre safeguards language, ceremony, and identity—powerful context for the art you’ll encounter across the North Coast.

Visit the Museum at Campbell River to explore exhibitions devoted to the region’s Indigenous cultures and salmon-fishing heritage. View carved masks and potlatch regalia, archival films, and evocative displays that illuminate life along the northern Salish Sea.

Contextual exhibits honour the Kwakwaka’wakw and Lig_wildax_w peoples while tracing Campbell River’s evolution from cannery town to gateway for wilderness travel. The museum’s storytelling connects living traditions with the rugged shoreline just outside.

Cruise the Inside Passage along glassy channels framed by misty fjords and steep, cedar-clad slopes. Keep watch from open decks to look for orcas and porpoises as seabirds wheel overhead and waterfalls ribbon down the rock.

This storied marine corridor threads past remote coves and First Nations territories—an unforgettable perspective on British Columbia’s wild coast, where tides, storms, and forest shape both landscape and livelihood.

Explore the Skeena and Bulkley valleys on a powerful cultural circuit. Stand at Gitwangak Battle Hill (a National Historic Site), admire the forest-lined avenue of the Gitanyow Totems, and tour the ‘Ksan Historical Village with its longhouses and crest poles.

Guides explain clan histories, carving traditions, and potlatch law—stories that bind land, salmon, and cedar. The remarkable density of poles here makes this one of Canada’s most striking open-air cultural landscapes.

Walk to Twin Falls beneath snow-streaked Hudson Bay Mountain, where two ribbons of water plunge into a mossy amphitheatre. Feel the cool mist on your face and listen for the boom of meltwater cascading over ancient rock.

Short, well-marked paths lead to prime viewpoints and photo spots. Seasonal wildflowers and the scent of damp cedar add to the sensory charm of this beloved Smithers recreation site.

Pause at the Mount Robson Visitor Centre for sweeping views of the Rockies’ highest peak. On clear days, the snow-capped summit of Mount Robson (3,954m) looms above braided rivers and spruce forest—an irresistible scene for photographers.

Interpretive exhibits reveal the mountain’s climbing lore and geology. Pause for photos and reflection on a short stroll along the valley, near the headwaters that feed the Fraser River system.

Drive the Icefields Parkway, a high-mountain highway lined with glacier-clad peaks, waterfalls, and turquoise lakes. Pullouts reveal classic viewpoints where ancient ice, subalpine forest, and wild valleys meet in dramatic relief.

Stop at the Columbia Icefield to learn how the Athabasca Glacier has shaped—and retreated from—the landscape. Interpretive panels and lookouts invite contemplation of deep time and the delicate balance of the alpine environment.

Soak in mineral-rich pools at Miette Hot Springs, nestled in a quiet valley of Jasper National Park. Warm waters and quiet mountain air ease trail-weary legs as peaks rise like sentinels around the facility.

First embraced by early backcountry travelers, these springs remain a restorative pause amid wilderness. Evenings can bring alpine glow to the ridgelines and a canopy of stars once the sky darkens.

Visit Lake Louise to admire its emerald waters framed by spruce forest and the Victoria Glacier. Follow the flat lakeshore path for shifting angles on the amphitheatre of peaks and that iconic, mirror-smooth surface when the wind calms.

The scene that launched a thousand postcards also holds rich stories—railway exploration, pioneering mountaineers, and the grand Chateau that introduced alpine glamour to the wild heart of Banff National Park.

Picnic at Kaloya Regional Park on Kalamalka Lake, where the water shifts from jade to sapphire under the Okanagan sun. Spread out on the grass or beach and, weather permitting, swim in the clear lake beside willow shade.

The lake’s distinctive hues come from suspended limestone—nature’s palette at work in a warm valley scented with orchards and ponderosa pine. A relaxed interlude pairs perfectly with the region’s food-and-wine culture.

Tour the vineyard and cellar at a local estate before you sample regional wines shaped by sunny days and cool lake nights. Expect crisp Riesling and Pinot Gris alongside plush Merlot and Syrah—varietals that thrive in the Okanagan’s varied terroir.

Guides unpack soil, slope, and climate while sharing the valley’s rise from orchard country to Canada’s premier wine region. Swirl, sniff, and sip with panoramic rows of vines as your backdrop.

Join a guided interpretive tour at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, meeting Cultural Ambassadors who share living traditions of the S?wx_wú7mesh and Lil?wat7úl peoples. See carvings, weaving, and the forms of longhouse and istken (pit house) architecture.

This Planeterra-supported visit helps fund youth training and community programs. Stories of cedar, salmon, and mountain territory bring Whistler’s landscape into sharper cultural focus.

Enjoy a free afternoon to hike forested trails, rent a bike, or simply pause for photos and reflection beside Pyramid or Annette Lakes. Dark-green peaks and big Alberta skies invite unrushed exploration.

As the Rockies’ largest park, Jasper rewards curiosity—glacial valleys, waterfalls, and excellent chances to spot elk along quiet roads. Pick the pace that suits you and soak in the lakeside atmosphere.

Enjoy a free afternoon to wander Banff Avenue boutiques, stroll to Bow Falls, or rent a bike to cruise Vermilion Lakes. Cafés, galleries, and soak in the mountain town vibe await between trail forays.

Canada’s first national park blends conservation history with alpine drama. Whether you window-shop or lace up your hiking boots, pause for photos and reflection as peaks frame every turn.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Whistler’s pedestrian village, where cafés, galleries, and gear shops line lively plazas. Walk forest paths to Lost Lake or simply linger over coffee with alpine views on every side.

Built for year-round adventure and polished by the 2010 Winter Games, Whistler rewards both adrenaline seekers and relaxed flâneurs. Set your own rhythm and savour mountain air between optional activities.

Enjoy a free afternoon to cycle the Stanley Park Seawall, browse Granville Island Public Market, or explore Gastown with its heritage brickwork and steam clock. Ocean light and mountain silhouettes shape the city’s mood.

Vancouver’s neighbourhoods promise easygoing urban discovery—Indie coffee, dim sum, sushi bars, and seawater breeze. Choose a waterfront stroll or gallery fix; either way, the Pacific sets the tempo.

Cruise Maligne Lake over luminous, glacier-fed water to the photogenic Spirit Island. Glide past cliffs and spruce stands while learning how rock flour paints the lake’s turquoise waters.

This optional excursion is at additional cost and bookable on tour. A guide shares geology and park lore as you step onto the island viewpoint—one of the Rockies’ most celebrated panoramas.

Join a scenic river rafting tour along the Athabasca River, floating past gravel bars and pine forest as glacier-fed currents carry you through wide mountain vistas. Expect gentle Class II waves suitable for most abilities.

This optional excursion is at additional cost and bookable on tour. Guides handle the oars while you scan for elk and osprey and learn about the river’s role in Indigenous travel and fur-trade routes.

Hike Maligne Canyon along catwalks and bridges above a narrow slot carved by rushing water. Peer into limestone depths where underground streams reappear as thunderous cascades.

This optional excursion is at additional cost and bookable on tour. Learn about karst geology, fossils, and winter ice formations that transform the gorge into a cathedral of blue and white.

Ride the Banff Gondola to Sulphur Mountain for panoramic Rockies views, then follow the Sanson’s Peak boardwalk across a windswept ridge. Peaks, valleys, and the Bow River unfurl below.

This optional excursion is at additional cost and bookable on tour. Interpretive panels recall the mountain’s early meteorological station and the science that once measured weather on this lofty perch.

Look for wildlife in the soft alpenglow as you travel the Bow Valley with a naturalist guide. Learn how elk, bears, and bighorn sheep use the landscape and why dusk is prime time for movement.

This optional excursion is at additional cost and bookable on tour. Ethical viewing guidelines are followed—binoculars out, cameras ready, and plenty of space between you and the animals.

Hike to a historic tea house on forest switchbacks that open to lakes, larches, and far-flung glacier views. Choose the Lake Agnes route or the longer Plain of Six Glaciers path—both reward effort with timeless alpine charm.

This optional excursion is at additional cost and bookable on tour. Trail conditions vary by season; your CEO will help match the route to the day’s weather and group energy.

Ride the Peak 2 Peak Gondola between Whistler and Blackcomb for sweeping coastal range panoramas and views down into deep U-shaped valleys. Consider a glass-bottom cabin for a thrill over the treetops.

This optional excursion is at additional cost and bookable on tour. Trails, cafés, and viewing platforms at the summits make it easy to linger in the high alpine air.

Visit Calgary’s museums—from frontier heritage to contemporary culture—then head to Canada Olympic Park to see facilities shaped by the city’s 1988 Winter Games. It’s a compact snapshot of Calgary’s frontier-to-modern story.

This optional excursion is at additional cost and bookable on tour. Exhibits, city views, and Olympic legacy venues reveal the energy that powers Alberta’s biggest city.

Wet your whistle at a cowboy bar where Western hospitality meets boot-stomping music. Pull up a stool, try a local craft brew or whisky, and soak up the city’s rodeo spirit beyond Stampede season.

This optional nightlife experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour. Age restrictions apply; bring valid ID if you plan to sample the scene.

Cruise the Strait of Georgia from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo, gliding past rocky islets and forested headlands with coastal mountain backdrops. Step out on deck to feel the sea breeze and scan the water for bald eagles and harbor seals riding the currents.

This classic BC Ferries crossing links the mainland to Vancouver Island and hints at the province’s maritime lifeblood—ferries, fishing boats, and tug-and-barge traffic that keep remote communities connected along the Pacific coast.

Meet your travel companions and meet your CEO and group for a friendly introduction to the journey ahead. Get an overview of the route, safety, and local customs, plus insider suggestions for dining and downtime so you can enjoy a free afternoon with confidence.

Learn how small-group travel works on this itinerary, what to expect in national parks, and how to make the most of your time in western Canada’s mountain towns and coastal cities. This conversational briefing sets the tone for relaxed exploration and shared discovery.