British Columbia: the Inside Passage & National Parks
DAY 1: Arrival in Calgary
In the early afternoon, arrived in Calgary and after collecting your rental car, you will reach the Hotel recommended in our Road Book, received upon arrival. Later, if you like, you can visit the Farmer Market or have dinner in one of the restaurant in downtown area.
DAY 2: Calgary and Banff
After a brief tour of Calgary, in the early afternoon, you will move to Banff in order to start your trip towards the Canadian Rocky Mountains. You will go trough Canmore and then stop for a visit to the Minnewanka lake and later Lake Louise. You will spend the night in a wonderful Lodge at Banff National Park. Yoho and Banff National Park are both designed as World Heritage Sites and are the main attractions of this area. Here, you can also go for a gondola tour on the Sulphur mountain at 3000mt. On the top of this spectacular natural terrace you will have lunch in a nice restaurant, famous for being the highest one of the Rockies. In the evening, you will go back to your Lodge and have dinner in a restaurant suggested in your Road Book.
Distance from Calgary to Banff: 80 Km.
DAY 3: From Banff to Jasper
Today, you will move to Banff where you will visit the most incredible park in the world. Along your way to Jasper you will find the Yoho National Park, Kootney Park and the biggest North American glaciers, the Columbia Icefield. You can take a glaciery tour on an Ice-Bus and then stop by two wonderful lakes. Here, you will be free to go canoeing, enjoy amazing landscapes and relaxing walks. Without doubt, the greatest area’s attraction will be the number of wild animals you can come across this area which is four time larger than the Yellowstone Park. At dinner, you can enjoy delicious buffalo steaks and/or Canadian roast beef and then reach Jasper where you will spend the night. Distance from Banff to Jasper: 280 km.
DAY 4: Fraser Valley, Skeena River and Prince George
Early in the morning, you will drive along the road that will take you to three different sites in the West side. After passing through the Fraser valley and Skeena river, the most important water system, you will arrive at Prince George in the late afternoon where you will spend the night. Distance from Jasper to Prince George 370 Km.
DAY 5: Babine Mountain Park
Today, you will take the Highway 16, the Yellowhead Highway, to reach your next destination: Smithers. The Yellowhead Highway which connects the Rocky Mountains to the Western Pacific Coast, will allow you to enjoy interesting sites, rich in terms of native Indian culture. Along your way to Smithers you will be able to visit the Babine Mountain Park. Arrived in Smithers, a nice town along the Bulkley river valley, known for its Stellhead trouts and salmon International fishermen, you will visit the Hatchery and the Anthropology Museum. Beautiful Ranches will allow you to enjoy some exciting horseback excursion as well. Night at your Hotel.
Distance Prince George