Get your binoculars at the ready! We’ll begin our adventure with a little marine life spotting as we take a scenic ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. From there we will explore the lush rainforests, cascading waterfalls, and giant trees of Vancouver Island. Then we’re off to Sproat Lake to observe one of the finest panels of prehistoric Indigenous petroglyphs. Our day ends by settling into the quaint little fishing village of Tofino, and feasting on fish & chips (don’t worry, they have non-seafood options too!)
Meal Inclusions: Dinner
Moose Accommodation: HI Tofino - Whalers on the Point
Today is yours to do as you please! Cruise through the Pacific Ocean and go whale watching, soak in one of Tofino’s hot springs, or jump right into kayaking or surfing. Explore on foot, by bike, or go hiking - Tofino has lots on offer for your free day! As the evening draws in and the stars start to appear, we’ll be setting up a beach campfire (weather permitting) where we’ll toast some marshmallows and share each other’s stories of the day.
Moose Accommodation: HI Tofino - Whalers on the Point
We’ll start our day at Wickanninish Beach in Pacific Rim National Park, which was named after Chief Wickanninish who ruled Clayoquot Sound in the 1700s! Then we’ll be heading to the village of Coombs for a chance to spot the famous goats on the roof of the Old Country Market. Then, it’s the East Coast for us as we head down to Chemainus with its 39 giant outdoor murals for a little Al Fresco art appreciation. You’ll also get a chance to snap the world’s largest (ice) hockey stick! (only in Canada, eh?) This evening we’ll be staying in the BC provincial capital, Victoria, where you can enjoy the buzzing Inner Harbour night scene.
Moose Accommodation: Ocean Island Inn or HI Victoria
Today’s a day for history! We will begin our day with a walking tour starting in Victoria’s Chinatown, then make our way along the Inner Harbour to see the Empress Hotel, Parliament Buildings and learn about the Black Pioneers that arrived from San Francisco in 1858. Then we’ll head to Beacon Hill Park - known as the crowning jewel in Victoria’s park system, to gaze at the Terry Fox Memorial, and the world’s tallest free-standing totem pole. After that, the day is yours to explore Victoria as you wish, although we highly recommend checking out the vibrant Fisherman’s Wharf. We’ll then congregate to take another scenic ferry through the Gulf Islands, across the Salish Sea and back to Vancouver.
Moose Accommodation: HI Vancouver - Jericho Beach
Have your camera ready for an amazing journey today! We’ll travel the breath-taking Sea to Sky Highway, past mountain peaks, glaciers, and stunning lakes, stopping off at two waterfalls, Shannon Falls and Brandywine Falls. Upon our arrival in Whistler, we’ll take a guided tour of the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre including a forest walk with a Cultural Ambassador, to learn about the Indigenous cultures of the Whistler Valley. We bet you’ll be hungry after this jam-packed day, so we’ll be dining together this evening. After that, check out Whistler’s nightlife scene or give axe throwing a go! (And yes, Canada hosts a World Axe Throwing League.)
Activity Inclusions: Guided tour of Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre
Meal Inclusions: Dinner
Moose Accommodation: HI Whistler
Ziplining, bungee jumping, mountain biking and hiking; these are just some of the things you could be doing today! We don’t leave until the afternoon, giving you plenty of time to explore Whistler village or the mountains. Alternatively, find a quiet spot in one of the beautiful parks and take in some raw unadulterated nature, before we head back to Vancouver, stopping en route for another photo opportunity!
Moose Accommodation: HI Vancouver - Jericho Beach
The desert is calling! To begin our adventure, we’re going east through the Fraser Valley, where we’ll take a short walk through a West Coast rainforest to Bridal Veil Falls. Then, we’ll traverse the Coastal Mountains, stopping at Lightning Lake in Manning Park at lunchtime. The semi-arid desert grasslands of the Okanagan are next on our itinerary, where we’ll go paddle boarding on the beautiful Skaha Lake. We’ll be replenishing ourselves with a special dinner at Kekuli Café in Westbank, where you’ll get to try Indigenous cuisine, before settling in for the night on Lake Okanagan in Kelowna.
Activity Inclusions: Paddle boarding on Skaha Lake
Meal inclusions: Indigenous cuisine dinner
Moose Accommodation: Samesun Kelowna
Being a little greedy with mountain ranges today, crossing not one, not two - but three of them, as we travel through four National Parks towards Banff! We’ll stop in Revelstoke where you can go lake kayaking or simply enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery. Finally we’ll enter the Rocky Mountains and cross over the Kicking Horse Pass into Alberta and Banff National Park, spending the night in the historic town of Banff itself, right in the heart of the mountains.
Note
During May and from mid-September onwards, we will cross over the Vermillion Pass to enter Alberta and Banff National Park.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast at Samesun Kelowna
Moose Accommodation: HI Banff
It’s time to visit those famous blue lakes! Lake Louise is calling, as is Moraine Lake (seasonal) before heading onto the Icefields Parkway for breath-taking views of jagged mountain peaks, glaciers, raging rivers and more turquoise lakes. Keep your eyes peeled for large furry animals as we make stops at the Crowfoot Glacier, Peyto Lake (our favourite) and Mistaya Canyon before arriving at our rustic wilderness hostel alongside Rampart Creek. We invite you to really take in your surroundings with a dip and a sauna, and perhaps a campfire under the stars.
Moose Accommodation: HI Rampart Creek.
Rampart Creek offers a truly rustic wilderness experience and is the only accommodation available - we’re sure you’ll love it!
Jasper National Park today! But first we’ll stop at Big Bend lookout for a great view of the U-shaped North Saskatchewan River Valley. Get your legs ready because next up is the Columbia Icefield, the largest ice field in the Rocky Mountains at 325 square kilometres, where we’ll hike to the toe of the Athabasca Glacier (conditions permitting.) Then on to Maligne Canyon, the deepest canyon in Jasper National Park, for a hike that crosses several bridges over the canyon with jaw-dropping views. Jasper townsite is our destination, and if you’re seeking an adrenaline rush, there is an option to take a guided mountain bike tour on arrival.
Moose Accommodation: HI Jasper
Our first stop: Athabasca Falls, one of the most powerful and picturesque in the Rockies! This is followed by a bit of mountain goat spotting (we’re still amazed at how they hold on) at the Goats and Glaciers viewpoint. Then on to Waterfowl Lakes to soak in the backdrop of Mount Chephren, which was named after the 4th Dynasty Egyptian Pharaoh. Our tour ends after a group dinner back in Banff.
Meal inclusions: Dinner at Samesun Banff
Moose Accommodation: There is no accommodation included tonight. You will need to make your own arrangements. We recommend that you do not book onward travel on this day in case of traffic or weather delays.
- 10 nights mixed gender, hostel dormitory style accommodation
- Moose Bus transportation
- 2 scenic ferry rides to and from Vancouver Island
- Services of a professional & fun tour guide/driver
- Guided tour of Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre
- Walking tour of Victoria
- Paddleboarding on Skaha Lake
- 4 dinners, including an Indigenous cuisine meal
- 1 breakfast (at the Samesun hostel)
- National Park fees
