Across the Rockies

Day 1 Arrival in Calgary and Banff
On arrival into Calgary you’ll pick up your rental car and on either the Trans-Canada highway or the more scenic 1A highway that takes you from Calgary up to the beautiful town of Banff. On arrival check in to your hotel and enjoy an evening of relaxation.

Day 2 Banff
Today you have a full day to explore Banff and the surrounding area. Located in the National Park there’s a wealth of activities on your doorstep. In the town itself you’ll find lots of things to do – shopping, cafes and museums. It’s well worth a visit to the Cave and Basin National historic site, and we’ve included a ticket on the Banff Gondola where you’ll see an incredible panoramic view of the Bow Valley. You can then relax and soak in the hot mineral pools set in a splendid historic spa and bath house at Banff Upper Hot Springs.

Day 3 Banff to Jasper
View a never-ending procession of mammoth mountains and jagged peaks with over 100 glaciers and pristine emerald coloured lakes on a drive through the magnificent Rockies. Along the way see such sights as the Sarbach Glacier, Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, with the Bow Glacier providing the backdrop. You’ll also see the Crowfoot Glacier before your arrival at the Columbia Icefield where we’ve included an Ice Explorer ride out to the glacier. As you leave the Athabasca Glacier, your camera should be ready to capture the majesty of Athabasca Falls prior to your arrival into Jasper.

Travel: 182 Miles / 292 Km

Day 4 Jasper
Enjoy a full day exploring this charming mountain village. Nestled in the heart of the Rockies it offers terrific mountain scenery and a plethora of activities. Take a tram ride up Whistler Mountain for spectacular views, or visit pristine Maligne Lake, one of the most photographed lakes in the world, where there is the option to take a cruise across the waters.

Day 5 Jasper to Sun Peaks
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.

Travel: 277 Miles / 444 Km

Day 6 Sun Peaks to Whistler
Begin the day travelling along the Logan Lake route to the gold rush town of Cache Creek, where we’ve included a stop to visit the historic Hat Creek Ranch which takes you back to the days of the gold rush. You’ll continue the journey south to Lillooet, known as the land of the ‘Gold Rush Trail’ and which was the ‘Mile Zero’ of the old Caribou Wagon Road during the gold rush years. Departing Lillooet, you’ll travel the Duffey Lake Road to the mountain resort of Whistler.

Travel: 183 Miles / 294 Km

Day 7 Whistler
This charming alpine resort is set in a spectacular location between the Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. An extensive range of summer activities are available, from golf in one of the four championship courses, water activities on any of the five lakes or numerous rivers. Experience the beauty of Whistler Blackcomb’s alpine environment via the newly opened Peak Adventure on Whistler Mountain with an included trip on the Whistler Gondola from where you can enjoy views of glaciers, extinct volcanoes and beautiful snow-capped peaks.

Day 8 Whistler to Vancouver
Depart Whistler at your own leisure this morning taking the scenic Sea to Sky Highway to Vancouver. Highlights along the way include the cascading Shannon Falls and the Stawamus Chief Rock where climbers from all over the world migrate to climb the granite cliffs. You’ll arrive into Vancouver and check-in to your selected hotel.

Travel: 76 Miles / 122 Km

Day 9 Vancouver
Today you’ll drive back to the coast, zigzagging across California. You might want to stop in Sacramento, the state capital or head on the more direct route through Oakland and across the Bay Bridge, or even detour through Marin County to travel over the famous Golden Gate Bridge. You’ll stay for 2 nights in San Francisco.

Day 10 Depart Vancouver
After a leisurely morning, you’ll drive to the airport to drop off your rental car and take the overnight flight home.

Day 11 Arrive UK
Morning arrival into the UK.

Tour includes:

Rental cars from small compact automatics to convertible sport cars and minivans
Accommodation as detailed

On a Journey of Distinction, you are not merely a bystander. They believe that the wonders, customs and cultures you experience will live on in the core of your being. They even go so far as to say that one of their holidays will change your life forever.

Their combination of Tour Managers and Local Guides is what makes Journey of Distinction so distinctive. When you’re embarking on a voyage of discovery, it’s reassuring to know that a seasoned traveller is with you every step of the way; planning, organising, checking details and offering their advice and support. Their groups all depart from the UK, and no one joins us along the way, so you have the reassuring constancy of always knowing your travelling companions.

Our Opinion
“Limited to just 25 travellers per departure, every Journeys of Distinction escorted tour has an intimate, personal feel that makes for a more enjoyable experience.”