Canada Adventure with Teens

Arrive in Vancouver and make your way to the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre, where you'll spend the next two nights in a Family Room. Perfectly positioned between the city's vibrant downtown and picturesque waterfront, it's an ideal base from which to explore. The remainder of the day is free to settle in, stretch your legs along the seawall or wander through nearby cafés and restaurants as you begin your Canadian adventure.

Start the day with an exhilarating Zodiac tour along Vancouver's spectacular coastline. Skimming across the water provides a unique perspective of Stanley Park, the city's skyline and the surrounding mountains, while seals are often seen resting on rocky outcrops and bald eagles soar overhead. Later, collect your bikes for an afternoon exploring Stanley Park's famous seawall and forest trails. Cycling offers a relaxed way to experience one of North America's most beautiful urban parks, with plenty of opportunities to stop at viewpoints overlooking English Bay and Burrard Inlet before returning to your hotel.

Collect your hire SUV this morning before driving around 40 minutes to Horseshoe Bay, where you'll board the ferry to Langdale (approximately 40 minutes). As you cross Howe Sound, steep forested mountains rise directly from the water, offering your first glimpse of British Columbia's dramatic coastal scenery. Continue with a scenic drive of around 1 hour 45 minutes to the West Coast Wilderness Lodge, where you'll spend two nights Half Board in an Ocean View Suite overlooking Jervis Inlet. Surrounded by ancient forest and peaceful waterways, the lodge offers an authentic taste of Canada's coastal wilderness and provides the perfect setting to unwind after your journey.

Today's included boat excursion takes you deep into the spectacular Princess Louisa Inlet, one of British Columbia's most beautiful natural landscapes. Passing through the narrow Malibu Rapids, you'll emerge into a breathtaking fjord enclosed by towering granite cliffs, with countless waterfalls tumbling hundreds of metres into emerald-green waters. Keep watch for seals, eagles and other wildlife as your guide shares the history and geography of this remarkable wilderness. Returning to the lodge later this afternoon, there's time to relax on the terrace overlooking the inlet or enjoy one of the short walking trails before dinner.

Following breakfast, continue your journey north via a series of scenic ferry crossings from Earl's Cove to Saltery Bay and Powell River to Comox, before driving approximately 45 minutes to Campbell River. Allow around 5½ to 6 hours in total including ferry crossings, making today as much about the journey as the destination. The ever-changing coastal scenery, forested islands and mountain backdrops make this one of the highlights of travelling through British Columbia. On arrival, check in for a two-night stay at Painter's Lodge in a Garden View Loft Room. Set beside Discovery Passage, the lodge is well placed for tomorrow's wildlife adventure and offers wonderful views across the water towards Vancouver Island's rugged coastline.

This morning, head out on an included wildlife cruise through the sheltered waterways of Discovery Passage and Johnstone Strait, one of the best places in British Columbia to encounter marine wildlife. Travelling aboard a covered vessel with an experienced naturalist guide, you'll search for humpback whales, orcas, Pacific white-sided dolphins, porpoises and playful sea lions, while bald eagles are often spotted soaring overhead. Every trip is different, making each sighting feel even more special. Return to Painter's Lodge for a second evening overlooking the water, with time to relax before continuing inland tomorrow.

Take the ferry from Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay (approximately 1 hour 40 minutes) before joining the legendary Sea to Sky Highway, widely regarded as one of the world's most spectacular coastal drives. Allow around 5½ to 6 hours in total including the ferry crossing and stops. As the road hugs the shoreline beneath towering granite peaks, there are endless opportunities to pause at viewpoints overlooking Howe Sound. En route, ride the spectacular Sea to Sky Gondola, where panoramic views stretch across forested mountains, islands and the sparkling waters below. Continue to Whistler and check in for a two-night stay at Delta Whistler Village Suites in a Two Bedroom Suite. With restaurants, cafés and walking trails all within easy reach, the remainder of the evening is yours to enjoy at leisure.

Today offers one of Canada's most memorable wildlife experiences as you head into the forests surrounding Whistler Olympic Park on a guided bear viewing excursion in a soft-top 4x4. Accompanied by an expert guide, you'll explore the bears' natural habitat while learning about their behaviour and the conservation work that helps protect them. Black bears are regularly seen feeding in alpine meadows or wandering between the trees during the warmer months, while the surrounding mountain scenery makes the experience equally rewarding even before the wildlife appears. Return to Whistler later this afternoon with time to browse the village's independent shops or enjoy dinner at one of its many restaurants.

Leave Whistler behind this morning and journey east towards Clearwater, travelling approximately 430 km in around 5½ hours. As you leave the lush coastal forests behind, the scenery gradually changes to wide river valleys, rolling hills and the drier landscapes of British Columbia's interior, making the drive feel like part of the adventure itself. On arrival, check in for a two-night Bed & Breakfast stay at Alpine Meadows Resort in a Two Bedroom Family Log Home overlooking peaceful Hallamore Lake. Surrounded by forest, it's a wonderfully tranquil base for exploring Wells Gray Provincial Park.

Spend today discovering the spectacular landscapes of Wells Gray Provincial Park, an area renowned for its dramatic waterfalls, volcanic plateaus and abundant wildlife. Scenic drives and short walking trails make it easy to reach many of the park's highlights, including the impressive Helmcken Falls, where water plunges more than 140 metres into a deep canyon below. Depending on the season, you may see spawning salmon fighting their way upstream at Bailey's Chute, while black bears are regularly spotted feeding beside the roadside and moose can sometimes be seen grazing in the quieter wetlands. With fewer visitors than Canada's national parks, Wells Gray offers a wonderful sense of wilderness and space before you continue into the Rockies.

Begin the day with an unforgettable River Safari through the waterways of the Grizzly Bear Valley. Combining the comfort of a catamaran with the excitement of a jet boat, the excursion takes you deep into a remote wilderness where moose, black bears, bald eagles and osprey are regularly spotted along the riverbanks. Your guide will share insights into the area's wildlife and ecosystem, making this far more than simply a scenic boat trip. Later, continue east into the Canadian Rockies, driving approximately 320 km in around 4 hours to Jasper National Park. As the mountains grow ever higher, you'll begin to appreciate the immense scale of this UNESCO-listed landscape. On arrival, check in for a two-night stay at The Crimson Jasper in a Studio Room, ideally located for exploring the relaxed mountain town.

Enjoy a gentler pace today with a guided float trip along the Athabasca River. Travelling through Jasper's broad valley beneath snow-capped peaks, you'll gain a unique perspective of the park while your guide points out its fascinating geology, history and wildlife. Keep an eye on the riverbanks for elk, bighorn sheep, deer and the occasional moose as you drift downstream. The remainder of the day is free to explore Jasper at your leisure. Browse the independent shops, relax in one of the cafés or simply soak up the atmosphere of one of Canada's most picturesque mountain communities.

Today's journey is one of the highlights of the entire holiday as you travel south along the world-famous Icefields Parkway, widely considered one of the most scenic drives on the planet. Covering approximately 290 km in around 4 hours without stops, you'll want to allow much longer to pause at spectacular viewpoints, turquoise lakes, waterfalls and glaciers along the way. Visit the impressive Columbia Icefield, where an Ice Explorer vehicle carries you onto the surface of the ancient Athabasca Glacier before you step out onto the dramatic Glacier Skywalk, suspended high above the Sunwapta Valley. These remarkable experiences bring the scale of the Rockies vividly to life. Continue to Banff and check in for a three-night stay at the Elk + Avenue Hotel in a Loft Room, your base for exploring Canada's oldest national park.

Ride the iconic Banff Gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain, where sweeping views extend across the Bow Valley and the surrounding Rocky Mountains. Walking the summit boardwalk offers an even better appreciation of the spectacular landscape that has made Banff famous around the world. Later this afternoon, experience a taste of Alberta's ranching heritage on a guided horseback ride through the forest before arriving at a traditional cowboy cookout beside the river. Surrounded by mountain scenery, it's a memorable way to spend your final evenings in the Rockies.

Today is yours to enjoy Banff National Park at your own pace. Perhaps stroll beside the Bow River, take a cruise on the deep blue waters of Lake Minnewanka or visit Johnston Canyon, where walkways lead through a dramatic limestone gorge to a series of impressive waterfalls. Alternatively, simply spend time wandering Banff Avenue, browsing boutique shops and enjoying the lively atmosphere of this charming mountain town. Having a free day also allows the flexibility to revisit favourite viewpoints or simply relax after two weeks of adventure.

Leave Banff this morning and drive approximately 130 km to Calgary, a journey of around 1½ hours. As the dramatic peaks of the Rockies gradually give way to the wide-open plains of Alberta, you'll have one final opportunity to reflect on the incredible variety of landscapes and experiences you've enjoyed throughout your journey.
If your flight schedule allows, a short stop in Canmore or Cochrane provides the perfect opportunity for a final coffee or souvenir before continuing to Calgary Airport for your onward flight home.