Western Canada family self-drive tour

For your first full day in Vancouver, we’ve arranged a small group guided bike tour into Stanley Park, the city’s natural heart. This gentle ride takes your family along the seawall on dedicated bike paths, passing views of the North Shore, Lions Gate Bridge and English Bay. The paths then venture into the forested interior of the park past towering trees to Beaver Lake and Lost Lagoon, where you can try and spot the local wildlife. Your guide will travel at a relaxed pace with plenty of stops, and you can upgrade to e-bikes to make the ride even easier.

For your second day in Vancouver, we’ve included admission to Capilano Suspension Bridge on the North Shore, including a free shuttle from the waterfront. A range of activities await on the other side, including a treetop adventure in the rainforest through a maze of suspended footbridges swaying between hemlocks, red cedars and Douglas fir trees. The rest of the day is free to explore at your leisure. We particularly recommend the food stalls and boutiques of Granville Island Market, and a visit to FlyOver Canada for a thrilling virtual flight across the country.

Enjoy a leisurely morning in Vancouver before making your way to the downtown car hire depot. Your car will be an SUV that comfortably fits the whole family, and will include an additional driver and all necessary insurance. You then begin your drive along the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway with towering mountains on one side and the Gulf Islands and ocean on the other. On arrival in the mountain town of Whistler, get your bearings by taking a walk through the pedestrian zone that makes up the village centre.

You have the morning to explore Whistler independently. We recommend taking the Peak2Peak gondola that crosses between Blackcomb and Whistler mountains for fabulous mountain views. We also suggest renting bikes to cycle along the Valley Trail, passing calm lakes that make excellent picnic spots. This afternoon you all have a zip-line trip through the forests of Whistler. On the course, your guides will teach you about the ecology and wildlife of the area. They also encourage you to have fun on the lines — even turning upside down if you want.

Your journey today takes you through the arid midlands of British Columbia, home to several ranches. The journey into the Rockies is a long one, so we’ve arranged an overnight stop in the small town of Sun Peaks in the mountains just past Kamloops. Similar to Whistler, Sun Peaks attracts fewer tourists but remains an outdoor lover’s playground. You’re able to take your time today with no constraints for arrival times, and settle into your hotel for the evening.

Continue north today for about two hours to Wells Gray Provincial Park, home to 41 named waterfalls, earning it the nickname of ‘Canada’s Waterfall Park’. You're staying in a private family cabin with breakfast and dinner included. The lodge is located in the wilderness of the park, allowing for a true escape into nature. They also host family survival skills sessions where you can learn to build fires, what plants are safe to eat, and even knife skills.

Wells Gray is also known for some excellent white-water rafting opportunities, and you have a guided half-day family trip on Clearwater River today. Let the river carry your raft along and feel the splash from the gentle rapids as you pass over rocks and boulders. About halfway into the trip, you take a short hike up to the top of a waterfall where parents and children alike can jump through the falls into the natural pool below. End the trip with water games and a splash in the calmer waters.

As your family drives to Jasper today, you get your first glimpse of the Rocky Mountains, passing the lofty peak of Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Your base for the next three nights, Jasper, is a small town surrounded by the eponymous national park and is full of wildlife, hiking trails, lakes for a gentle paddle, and First Nations history. On arrival, settle into your family suite with a kitchenette and explore the easily walkable town.

You have most of the day at leisure in Jasper to explore at your own pace. We recommend a visit to Maligne Lake to take a boat onto the turquoise waters to Spirit Island, hearing the folklore and why the island is culturally significant. This afternoon, you have a private wildlife tour with a Métis First Nations guide. Your family will hear Métis stories and all about the wildlife that calls the area home as you go in search of it. Keep your eyes peeled for black and grizzly bears, elk, moose and coyote.

This morning you will be kitted out in classic motorbike clothes including bandanas, sunglasses, leather jackets and chaps to form your very own biker gang. Your private guides will drive you all by motorcycle sidecar through Jasper National Park to some of the best viewpoints. Feel the wind in your hair on the open roads as you enjoy the mountain vistas around you. You have the rest of the day at leisure, and we suggest the gentle hike through Maligne Canyon’s lush, mossy forest along the rushing river.

The drive south through the Rockies along the Icefields Parkway is likely to be your most scenic. The highway is flanked by snow-capped mountains on both sides and is scattered with glittering lakes. Halfway, we suggest a stop to see the Athabasca Glacier and learn more about its formation at the interpretation centre. There are many places to stop on this route, and we recommend allowing the whole day to make the drive. Your destination is the lesser-visited Kootenay National Park for a stay in a private cabin as part of an educational site.

Today, your family will learn from First Nations elders in a wild craft and skills half-day session, creating your very own souvenirs to take home. Your creations may include dream catchers, bracelets, or even leather crafts. The rest of the day is at your own leisure and the centre offers plenty of other experiences, like camouflage, building fairy houses and goblin dens, forest games, and organic art workshops. They can also arrange guided hikes and white-water rafting in the national park.

You have a short journey today into Banff National Park. As the journey is shorter, we recommend a stop at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake on the way. You can pre-book a shuttle from Lake Louise ski resort which takes you to the lake shore and then onto Moraine Lake. Here, we recommend taking a canoe out onto the bright turquoise waters, and making the short walk to the top of The Rockpile for a postcard photo of the lake and mountains. End your journey in Banff in a family suite just a short walk from the main downtown area.

It’s your final full day in the Rockies, and it’s yours to explore together at your leisure after a busy journey. We’ve included admission to the Banff Gondola for some of the best views of Bow Valley and its soaring mountains. At the top, take a stroll along the boardwalk and head to the discovery centre to learn about Canada’s first national park. If you’re after more adventure, we recommend taking a horse ride along the Bow River, getting a glimpse at Canada’s cowboy way of life.

You have a leisurely morning for some last-minute sightseeing in Banff. If time allows, we suggest a boat trip on Lake Minnewanka where families can take a specially designed 60-minute cruise complete with a treasure hunt and tales of lake monsters and local legends. You then make the 90-minute journey to Calgary Airport to return your car and take your onward flight.

Arrive home today to complete your journey.