Road to the Rockies

Days 1 - 3: UK to Vancouver

On arrival in Vancouver you'll take a transfer to your centrally-located hotel. The cosmopolitan city of Vancouver sits right on the edge of nature, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and crammed with delightful green space. Choose to explore the city on foot or take a hop-on/hop-off bus which will include stops at key sights around the city, including Canada Place, Jack Pool Plaza and Stanley Park. You'll also see the famous Totems and Prospect Point, English Bay, Yaletown, Chinatown and the historic Gastown.

Be sure to spend time on Granville Island, a peninsula famed for entertainment, artwork and food. Stroll the fresh-food market, checking out the artisan workshops, or enjoy a coffee overlooking the ocean. 

Day 4: Manning Provincial Park

Distance: 200 km / 124 miles

Today you'll take a transfer to the depot to collect your motorhome and stock up on supplies, then you'll leave the city for Manning Provincial Park. The park is home to an array of wildlife including black bear and coyote, plus more than 190 species of birds. The pristine forests are lined with hiking trails and in the summer the alpine meadows are awash with colourful wildflowers.

Days 5 - 6: Penticton

Distance: 180 km / 111 miles

Admire the spectacular scenery as you drive through the valleys of the Cascade Mountains before arriving in the warm Okanagan Valley, famous for its wineries and fruit orchards. There are more than 60 wineries in the region for you to explore, so there’s plenty of opportunities to pick fresh fruit and stroll around colourful farmer’s markets. If you're feeling adventurous you could cycle the Kettle Valley Railway, otherwise there are plenty of beautiful lake beaches to relax on.

Day 7: Christina Lake 

Distance: 208 km / 129 miles

Drive south alongside beautiful lakes and over rolling hills, enjoying the spectacular views as you follow the Crowsnest Highway to Christina Lake, the warmest lake in Canada.

Days 8 - 9: Nelson 

Distance: 116 km / 72 miles

Follow the Crowsnest Highway to the historic town of Nelson in the West-Kootenays. Nelson has many galleries and historic buildings and is the cultural centre of the region. Make sure you take the free, self-guided walking tour of 350 restored heritage buildings and homes and stroll down Baker Street.

Days 10 - 11: Revelstoke 

Distance: 270 km / 167 miles

On the drive to Revelstoke, stop off at the steaming caves of Ainsworth Hot Springs and visit Kaslo and the silver mine of Sandon, now a ghost town. Continue via the Arrow Lakes to the alpine city of Revelstoke, where you’ll spend the next two nights. From Revelstoke you’ll have the chance to explore the Selkirk and Monashee Mountains and the Revelstoke Dam. You can also go canoeing or drive the Meadows in the Sky Parkway to the top of Mount Revelstoke for some great views.

Days 12 - 13: Clearwater, Wells Gray Provincial Park 

Distance: 276 km / 171 miles

Follow Highway 1 and perhaps make a stop in Salmon Arm, the ‘Gem of the Shuswap’. You could walk the short trail to Margaret Falls in Herald Provincial Park for a look at old growth cedars and follow the shoreline of the Adams River in Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park.

Wells Gray Provincial Park is famous for its waterfalls, wilderness and its wildlife, including grizzly bears and moose. Make sure you visit both Dawson Falls and Helmcken Falls and watch the water plunge down into mist-filled gorges.

Days 14 - 15: Jasper

Distance: 318 km / 197 miles

Look out for black bears as you drive north over the Caribou Mountain roads and visit the Rearguard Falls. If you’re feeling adventurous, why not take an exciting raft trip on the mighty Fraser River. Continue through Mount Robson Provincial Park, named after the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies, to Jasper, home for the next two nights.

You won't be short of things to see and do around Jasper. From a cruise on Maligne Lake to the Jasper SkyTram (taking you to the summit of Whistler Mountain), you're in for an action-packed few days. For a quieter break, relax in the Miette Hot Springs or visit the flowered meadows and glaciers of Mount Edith Cavell. Here, you may even see mountain lions!

Days 16 - 18: Banff

Distance: 288 km / 179 miles

Today you will drive the Icefields Parkway, one of the the world’s most scenic highways, with its snowy peaks and ice-blue lakes. Make a stop at the famous Athabasca Glacier for a ride on the Ice Explorer, where you can walk on, feel and even drink from the glacier. See the Athabasca and Sunwapta Falls, walk on air on the Glacier Skywalk, visit Peyto Lake and see the famous azure blue waters of Lake Louise.

Head south and discover downtown Banff. From Banff, you'll be able to see Lake Minnewanka, Vermilion Lakes, Bow Falls and the impressive Banff Springs Hotel. A dip in the hot pools is a must as is the gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain.

Days 19 - 20: Radium Hot Springs

Distance: 135 km / 84 miles

From Banff, it's a relatively short drive to Radium Hot Springs. Along the route you’ll find many short and easy interpretive walks, scenic viewpoints, hot springs, picnic areas, and roadside interpretive exhibits.

Once at the Radium Hot Springs, there’s plenty to discover. From the natural hot springs to golf, skiing and fine dining, it’s surrounded by the most beautiful scenery you can imagine. Being located on the 'warm' side of the Canadian Rockies, it offers odourless mineral pools that are surrounded by natural rock walls and which are guaranteed to soak away your worries.

Days 21 - 22: Waterton Lakes National Park 

Distance: 381 km / 236 miles

The wetlands near Radium support a huge concentration of wildlife and are well worth a visit as you make your way south. Around half an hour from the Radium Hot Springs are the Fairmont Hot Springs - it's worth a stop here as the mountain scenery is truly stunning. Wasa Lake Provincial Park is also a great stop; the lake is warm and is great for summer swimming. For those seeking some history, a visit to the Fort Steele Heritage Town is a must as here you can step back in time to another era.

You're free to explore Waterton Lakes National Park at your leisure; consider a drive to Redrock Canyon to walk to Blakiston Falls. On the drive to the canyon make sure you keep your eyes open for bears as they are often seen along the road. Alternatively, take the Shoreline Cruise along the lake or drive the Akamina Parkway and hire a canoe on Cameron Lake.

Days 23 - 25: Calgary
Distance: 259km / 162 miles

Drive through the rolling prairies hills and cattle country as you make your way to Calgary for the last night in your motorhome. On day 24 you’ll return your motorhome and transfer to a centrally-located hotel in Calgary for a 2 night stay. 

Days 26 - 27: Calgary to UK

Transfer to the airport for an overnight flight back to the UK.