11 breakfasts, 1 dinner

Some of the meals on this tour are included in the tour price. When a meal is not included, this is because there are often many options available – we would like to give you the opportunity to explore a bit and taste the local cuisine yourself. In these cases, your Expedition Leader will be able to suggest some good local restaurants or options for you to choose from.

Vegetarian meals and other dietary requirements need to be specified prior to arrival.

National Geographic Journeys

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 North 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 Expedition Leader 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. 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 in Las Vegas or New Orleans 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 Expedition Leaders 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.

4. 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.

National Geographic Expedition Leader throughout, local guides.

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 Expedition Leader, 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.

Continue on day 9 along the cliff-hugging Sea-to-Sky Highway, where Howe Sound’s fjord waters sparkle beneath glacier-capped ridges. Descend to the village of Horseshoe Bay and board the scenic ferry across the Strait of Georgia toward Nanaimo.

From the outer decks, watch for cormorants, harbor porpoises, or seals as islands slip by and the Coast Mountains recede. This maritime crossing links British Columbia’s alpine spine to the gardens and Georgian facades of Vancouver Island—a shift in light, scent, and pace you can feel as you roll ashore.

On arrival in Victoria on day 9, join a short orientation walk around the postcard-pretty Inner Harbour. Your CEO points out the ivy-draped Fairmont Empress, the domed Parliament Buildings, and pathways along the waterfront where buskers and boat taxis animate the scene.

Pick up suggestions for tea rooms, museums, and evening strolls as you learn how this former Hudson’s Bay Company outpost became the provincial capital. With bearings set, enjoy a free evening to dine by the harbor lights or wander to Fisherman’s Wharf for casual seafood and floating homes.

On day 11, head into Vancouver’s green heart to walk the Seawall and forest paths of Stanley Park. Hear the stories behind the Brockton Point totem poles, breathe in cedar and hemlock, and watch harbor traffic move between the Lions Gate Bridge and Burrard Inlet.

Continue to Gastown, the city’s cobblestoned birthplace, to wander brick warehouses reborn as galleries, cafés, and boutiques. Pause by the Gastown Steam Clock as it whistles on the quarter hour, then enjoy a free afternoon exploring neighborhoods from Chinatown to the waterfront.

On day 3, opt to hike to the Lake Agnes Tea House on a classic alpine trail above Lake Louise. The path climbs through spruce forest past Mirror Lake and a lacework of waterfalls to a cirque cradling Lake Agnes, where a rustic tea house built in 1901 serves loose-leaf teas and simple snacks.

Enjoy views back to Victoria Glacier and the Chateau far below as you warm your hands around a mug and listen to the wind off the peaks. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour; trail conditions and weather guidance will be provided by your CEO.

Choose on day 5 to walk the rim of Maligne Canyon, peering into a limestone chasm where waterfalls roar through narrow slots and footbridges span turquoise torrents. Continue into the glacier-fed Maligne Valley to board a boat and cruise Maligne Lake to Spirit Island, one of the Rockies’ most storied vistas.

Guides share tales of karst geology, wildlife corridors, and the Stoney Nakoda name for the valley. Photographers love the shifting reflections of peaks on the lake’s calm surface. This combined activity is at additional cost and bookable on tour; durations may vary with weather and lake conditions.

On day 8, opt to ride the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, linking Whistler and Blackcomb over a deep valley with far-reaching views. From the summits, wander signed alpine trails through meadows and heather, pausing to watch ravens wheel and glaciers glow against the skyline.

Interpretive displays reveal how ice carved these U-shaped valleys and how marmots gave Whistler its name. Clear days may offer 360-degree panoramas extending to Garibaldi Provincial Park. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour; your CEO can suggest routes matching your pace and weather.

Prefer more adrenaline on day 8? Join guides to tackle rolling rapids on the Green River (class II–III) or the wilder Elaho–Squamish run (class III–IV). Paddle beneath towering canyon walls, past old-growth forest and glacial side streams, as you learn river commands and teamwork.

Spring snowmelt brings splashy waves; summer flows reveal sculpted boulders and clear pools. Wetsuits and safety gear are provided. This activity is at additional cost and bookable on tour; river choice depends on conditions and desired intensity.

Use day 10 to savor Victoria’s gentler side. Wander Butchart Gardens through sunken beds and rose alleys where perfumes mingle with birdsong, then return downtown to explore the Royal BC Museum, renowned for immersive exhibits on Pacific Northwest cultures and ecosystems.

Round things out in classic style by enjoying afternoon tea at the Fairmont Empress, where tiered trays and fragrant blends meet harbor views. This curated trio is at additional cost and bookable on tour; your CEO can help time entries and transport so your day flows smoothly.

Traverse historic routes on day 7 as grasslands and sagebrush of the Thompson Okanagan give way to the Coast Mountains. Stretch your legs at Kamloops Lake, an inland oasis where arid hills meet shimmering water, then continue through canyons toward Lillooet.

Follow a dramatic corridor of peaks to the turquoise expanse of Seton Lake, a freshwater fjord pinned between steep slopes. Guides share stories of the Cariboo Gold Rush, ranching heritage, and communities shaped by river and rail. With each stop, the air cools and forests thicken—signs you’re nearing alpine Whistler and the edge of the Pacific weather systems.

Arriving on day 7, follow your CEO on a brief orientation walk along the pedestrian Village Stroll. Learn where to find trailheads, bike rentals, and local cafés, and see the Olympic rings at Whistler Olympic Plaza with views toward Whistler Blackcomb.

Hear how a logging settlement evolved into a world-class mountain resort and enjoy a free evening to sample craft beers, stroll between galleries, or relax beneath cedar-lined peaks. Your bearings set, tomorrow’s choices—gondolas, hikes, or rivers—are an easy step away.

On day 9, step inside the award-winning Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre for a deeper connection to place. Join an indigenous guide on an interpretive forest walk, learning how plants were used for food, medicine, and weaving, and how protocols of the Squamish and Lil’wat Nations shape life on these lands.

Return to the Great Hall to view cedar carving, weavings, and canoes before a traditional tea and bannock sampling. As you listen to ancestral stories, you’ll sense how language, craft, and territory interlace across the Coast Mountains—an enriching perspective carried forward by community-led training at the centre.

Also on day 10, suit up for a fast-paced marine excursion and scan for orcas and humpbacks in the Salish Sea. A sturdy zodiac boat zips between kelp forests and rocky islets where sea lions haul out and seabirds wheel overhead.

Naturalists interpret migration patterns and the region’s intertwined First Nations and maritime history. Dress warmly; coastal winds can be brisk even under bright skies. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour; sightings vary with season and sea conditions.

On day 4, trace the legendary Icefields Parkway past Bow Lake, wind-scoured passes, and valleys carved by ancient ice. Snow-cloaked summits frame turquoise tarns as wildlife-rich forests open to stark, glacier-polished rock. Frequent stops allow time to soak in the mountain scenery and capture the shifting light on high peaks.

At the Columbia Icefield, step onto the Athabasca Glacier with a professional guide to learn how crevasses, moraines, and millwells shape this living river of ice. Feel the chill underfoot, listen to the soft crackle of ancient snow, and consider the glacier’s retreat and what it tells us about mountain climates. It’s a rare chance to walk on a glacier in complete safety.

As day 5 fades, travel through forested foothills to the Miette Hot Springs, tucked above the Fiddle River Valley. Slip into steaming mineral pools while mountain air cools your cheeks and silhouettes of ridgelines deepen against the sky.

These natural springs, once reached by rough trail, became a beloved wellness stop for travelers exploring Jasper’s wild valleys. Settle into an easy rhythm, soak in the mineral pools, and share the day’s stories with fellow travelers. The lingering scent of pine and the hush of evening make this a restful close to your Jasper day.

On day 6, float the Athabasca River with a licensed guide, drifting through calm reaches and a few gentle riffles as you learn about Indigenous travel routes and fur-trade history. Scan gravel bars and spruce treetops to spot wildlife—bald eagles, elk, or bighorn sheep—as the current carries you past cliffs and braided channels.

Continue west to the Mount Robson Visitor Centre for postcard views of the Rockies’ highest summit. When the sky is clear, the mountain’s vast south face rises above the Fraser River headwaters, a magnet for climbers since the early 20th century. It’s an ideal moment to pause for photos and reflection before crossing into British Columbia’s interior.

On day 2, join an expert-led walk through charming Banff to trace the town’s frontier beginnings. Stroll past St. George’s-in-the-Pines Anglican Church, the former Luxton home and garden, and early outfitting sites near the Bow River while hearing stories of guides, trappers, and hot-spring seekers.

Discover how the Canadian Pacific Railway sparked tourism and conservation, transforming a rugged valley into Canada’s first national park. Your guide helps decode mountain architecture, local lore, and the blend of wilderness and resort life. Conclude with orientation pointers so you can enjoy a free afternoon exploring Banff Avenue, galleries, and scenic viewpoints at your own pace.

On day 3, stand on the shores of Lake Louise and watch the emerald water mirror the serrated peaks and the shimmering Victoria Glacier. Follow the lakeside path from the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise as alpine breezes carry the scent of spruce and the soft hiss of distant meltwater.

Hear how glacial flour tints the lake such a vivid hue and why this cirque has long inspired mountaineers and painters. Pause to pause for photos and reflection amid sheer cliff walls and hanging icefields, then consider a café stop with glacier views before the onward drive through Banff National Park.

Arrive in Alberta’s dynamic metropolis and meet your CEO on day 1 for a friendly briefing on the journey ahead. Stretch your legs on a short stroll downtown as you walk Stephen Avenue, glimpse the Calgary Tower, and get tips on nearby cafés and convenience stops. It’s a relaxed way to shake off the journey and tune into Western Canada’s rhythm.

Hear how Calgary grew from railroad outpost to energy hub, balancing cowboy heritage with a progressive arts scene. Learn local etiquette, money matters, and how the tour runs, then enjoy a free evening to sample Alberta beef or wander the Bow River pathways at sunset.