Self-Drive Discover Whistler & The Rockies

Day 1

Calgary to Banff (72 miles)
Upon arrival into Calgary, pick up your rental car and begin your Rockies adventure. Take the short (2-hour) drive from Calgary to Banff on either the Trans-Canada Highway or the more scenic 1A Highway. Once in Banff proceed to your selected hotel to check in and the remainder of the day is yours to explore at your own leisure.
Included in your FlexiDrive package is the Parks Canada Discovery Pass allowing admission to:
• Cave & Basin National Historic Site
The birthplace of Canada’s National Parks System. Visitors can walk into the Cave and learn the fascinating story of the springs’ discovery. Historical exhibits, geological displays, and videos tell the park’s history. Explore the effect of heated spring water on the surrounding marshes and the flora and the fauna. Interpretive displays, self-guided trails accessible year-round.
• Banff Park Museum
One of Canada’s oldest and grandest Natural History Museums. This turn of the century museum displays an extensive collection of birds, mammals, insects, and curiosities of Banff National Park. The site is well known for its fine wood architecture. It also offers a reading room plus a hands-on discovery room
Overnight Banff
Standard: Brewster Mountain Lodge (Standard Room)
Superior: Rimrock Resort (Deluxe Room)

Day 2

Banff
A full day to explore Banff and area. In town you’ll find lots of excitement - shopping, cafes, nightlife, museums. Check out the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, Banff Gondola (Included) where you will see a panoramic view of the Bow Valley, and then take a dip in the hot mineral pools at the Upper Hot Springs.
Overnight Banff
Standard: Brewster Mountain Lodge (Standard Room)
Superior: Rimrock Resort (Deluxe Room)

Day 3

Banff to Jasper (182 miles)
Take the short drive from Banff to Lake Louise. Choose the Bow Valley Parkway, beside the Bow River with an option for you to take a stop at Johnston Canyon and walk along the paved footway to either the lower or upper waterfalls before continuing to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. From Lake Louise your scenic drive takes you through the spine of the Canadian Rockies. View a never-ending procession of mammoth mountains, jagged peaks, over 100 glaciers and pristine emerald colour lakes. Along the way see such sights as the Sarbach Glacier, Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, with the Bow Glacier providing the backdrop, and Crowfoot Glacier before your arrival at the Columbia Icefield for an Ice Explorer ride out onto the glacier (included). Leaving the Athabasca Glacier, your camera should be ready to capture the majesty of the Athabasca Falls prior to your arrival into Jasper.
Overnight Jasper
Standard: Lobstick Lodge (Standard Room)
Superior: Sawridge Inn (Standard Room)

Day 4

Jasper
Explore this charming mountain village close to many terrific scenic highlights. Take a tram ride up Whistlers mountain, or visit Maligne Lake, one of the most photographed lakes in the world, and enjoy a 90 minute cruise heading toward the south end of this postcard setting (Maligne Lake cruise not included). You will marvel at the magnificent shoreline with dense forest and glacial peaks rising abruptly from the water’s edge. Stopping at Spirit Island, you will have the opportunity to take your own version of the world famous photograph of the lake.
Standard: Lobstick Lodge (Standard Room)
Superior: Sawridge Inn (Standard Room)

Day 5

Jasper to Sun Peaks (277 miles)
Leaving Jasper National Park, travel the ’Yellowhead’ route past the sprawling grandeur of Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Beyond Mount Robson Provincial Park, the highway follows the Thompson River through the snowy peaks of the Monashee and Caribou Mountains to the resort village of Sun Peaks where you will enjoy a night’s stay.
Overnight Sun Peaks
Standard: Coast Sundance Lodge (Standard Room)
Superior: Delta Sun Peaks Resorts (Delta Room)

Day 6

Sun Peaks to Whistler (183 miles)
Begin the day traveling along Logan Lake route to the gold rush town of Cache Creek, where you stop to visit the historic Hat Creek Ranch (included), which literally takes you back to the days of the gold rush. Continue the journey south to Lillooet, known as the land of the Gold Rush Trail and was ’Mile Zero’ of the Old Caribou Wagon Road during the Gold Rush Years. Now the area is home to the largest Canadian producers of the medicinal plant, Ginseng. Departing Lillooet travel the Duffey Lake Road to Whistler. On the upper elevations of the Duffey Lake Road enjoy breath-taking views of Joffee Glacier and snow capped Mount Currie that rises to a height of 2,596 meters (8,518 feet). Continue on through the mountain village of Whistler for your 2 night stay.
Overnight Whistler
Standard: Listel Hotel (Standard Room)
Superior: Hilton Whistler Resort (Hilton Room)

Day 7

Whistler
This charming alpine resort is nestled between world-renowned Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Enjoy an extensive range of summer activities from golf on one of the 4 championship designer golf courses, water activities on any of the 5 lakes or numerous rivers, to mountain top dining or just relax and enjoy some of the many fine cafes, and restaurants if this European inspired alpine village.
Overnight Whistler
Standard: Listel Hotel (Standard Room)
Superior: Hilton Whistler Resort (Hilton Room)

Day 8

Whistler to Vancouver (76 miles)
Depart Whistler at your own leisure along the scenic Sea to Ski Highway to Vancouver. Highlights along the way include the cascading Shannon Falls and the Stawamus Chief Rock where climbers from all over the globe migrate to climb the granite cliffs. Arrive into Vancouver and proceed to your selected hotel.

What's Included

• Hotel accommodation in your chosen category for 7 nights.
• Car rental (economy) for the duration of the trip
• Admission to Hat Creek Ranch.
• Sulphur Mountain Gondola.
• Ice Explorer Ride onto the Athabasca Glacier.
• Exclusive travel documentation package including personalized maps, itinerary and driving directions