2008 FLY DRIVE TOURS WESTERN CANADA
Day 1: Calgary - Banff (128km) or Calgary - Emerald Lake (220 km)
Pick up the rental car in Calgary and depart westwards into the spectacular Rocky Mountains of Banff National Park (4 day park pass not included, payable on site). Upon arrival in Banff check in to hotel (Buffalo Mountain Lodge 3 star option) or optional sightseeing of Banff before continuing west to Yoho National Park for check in at Emerald Lake Lodge (4 star option).
Day 2: FREE DAY Banff / Yoho National Park
Banff offers scenic drives to Bow River Falls, Vermilion Lakes and Tunnel Mountain Drive as well as museums, hot springs, hikes and other soft adventure options.
Emerald Lake Lodge offers a variety of on site activities and a spectacular setting for hiking or relaxing. Yoho National Park highlights include Takakkaw Falls, the unique Spiral Train Tunnels and the natural stone bridge.
Days 3: Banff Jasper (285 km) or Yoho Jasper (200 km)
Depart
for Lake Louise and the Icefield Parkway, driving past some of Canada's highest
mountains and most magnificent glaciers. Highlights are Lake Louise and the
Columbia Icefield, one of the largest accumulations of ice south of the Arctic
Circle. Continue into Jasper National Park and check in at Sunwapta Falls Resort
(3 star option) or continue to Jasper for check in at Jasper Park Lodge (4 star
option).
Featured Activity: Columbia Icefield Explorer
Enroute to Jasper facing the Columbia Icefield Visitors' Centre lies the Athabasca Glacier - a tongue of ice 6 kilometres long and one kilometre wide. Take time for Brewster's Ice Age Adventure, a tour onto the icy slopes of the Athabasca Glacier. You will travel in a specially designed Brewster Ice Explorer to the middle of the glacier, on a 5 kilometre round trip journey. Your driver/guide will explain how glaciers are formed and point out interesting geological features as you travel in safety and comfort. At the mid-point, you will have the option of stepping out onto ice formed from snow falling as long as 400 years ago.
Day
4: FREE DAY Jasper National Park
Jasper highlights are scenic drives to Maligne Canyon and Maligne Lake, Jasper Tramway up Whistlers Mountain (additional cost) and wide range of activities from rafting to hiking. Overnight Jasper National Park.
Featured Activity: Maligne Lake Boat Cruise
Walk at Maligne Canyon to a special viewpoint then you will enjoy a gorgeous drive up the Maligne Valley past the disappearing Medicine Lake to Maligne Lake where you can join the Maligne Lake Boat Cruise. For over 70 years no trip to the Canadian Rockies has been complete without a cruise to Spirit Island on Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park. At Spirit Island the boat lands to allow for a short walk to the viewpoint overlooking the mountain ringed southern shores of Maligne Lake; the equally famous backdrop of Spirit Island.
Day 5: Jasper Wells Gray Park (350 km)
Drive
west via Mount Robson, highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, and south west to
Clearwater and the beautiful Wells Gray Park. Highlights of Wells Gray are
Helmcken Falls, Spahats Falls and Clearwater Lake. Overnight Wells Gray Ranch.
Day 6: FREE DAY Wells Gray Park
Bounded on the north and east by the Cariboo Mountains, and on the west by an upland plateau, the Wells Gray Park encompasses a broad spectrum of mountain scenery. The area is abundant in flora and fauna. Caribou, moose, black bear, beaver and wolf freely roam the park, and local streams are well stocked with trout. Guided Canoeing, Horseback riding and hiking are available on site (additional costs) Overnight Wells Gray Ranch.
Day 7: Wells Gray Park Goldbridge / Tyax (380 kms)
Depart for Kamloops in the heart of ranch country, then head west via Cache Creek to Lillooet on the Fraser River renowned for its spectacular canyon scenery and Gold Rush history. A wilderness road (mostly unpaved) leads to Goldbridge and Tyax Mountain Lake Resort located deep in the heart of the Coast Mountains overlooking a lake. Overnight for a 2 night stay.
Day
8: FREE DAY Tyax Mountain Lake Resort 
Canoes, rowboats, paddleboats, volleyball and tennis courts are free of charge for guests to use. Fishing, horse riding, mountain biking, ATV tours, flight seeing, gold panning, trap shooting and archery are available at additional cost. Overnight Tyax Mountain Lake Resort.
Day 9: Tyax Whistler (219 km)
Drive to Lillooet then via the scenic Duffy Lake Road to Pemberton and the mountain resort of Whistler.
Whistler offers the full range of outdoor activities from Zip trekking to paragliding or more gentle hikes and gondola rides (additional costs). Overnight Whistler.
Day 10: Whistler Egmont (180 km plus ferry)
Drive south on highway 99 to Squamish and along the shore of Howe Sound to Horseshoe Bay.
Featured Activity: SEWELL'S SEA SAFARI 2 Hours Departures: 10am, 1pm, 4pm - May to Oct
With
an experienced guide at the helm, you won't miss a thing on your Guided Nature
Tour. Discover
spectacular Howe Sound, our Ocean Playground, a 2 hour adventure to the
spectacular scenery and wildlife
which make coastal British
Columbia world famous! Points of interest are Pam Rocks, a Harbour Seal haul
out, normally complemented by majestic bald eagles soaring overhead. We'll
cruise out into The Strait of Georgia to see awesome views of Vancouver. On our
return to Horseshoe Bay we'll view spectacular waterfront homes around West
Vancouver.
Board the BC Ferry to Langdale on the Sunshine Coast (ferry fare not included payable on site) and drive along the coast through Gibsons and Sechelt to the small village of Egmont dating back to early European settlement, and has an older First Nations history. Check in to the Westcoast Wilderness Lodge for a 2 night stay. Tucked amidst majestic cedars and firs, and spectacular views of the Pacific Coast offers fine dining, and adventures in the wild.
Day 11: FREE DAY Westcoast Wilderness Lodge
Near Egmont are the tidal rapids at Skookumchuck Narrows, one of the most exciting sights on the Coast. As tidal waters are forced through the narrow, shallow channel between Jervis and Sechelt Inlets, the difference in water levels can exceed two metres, causing currents of more than 30 km per hour. Several unwary vessels have been lost in the cavernous whirlpools. The word "skookum" is the Sechelt Natives' term for strong, "chuck" means water - an apt name for this impressive natural phenomenon. Skookumchuck Narrows Park is just past Egmont. Follow the easy 4-km trail in from the parking lot to this spectacular sight. You may also wish to try some of the activities offered by the lodge (additional cost): sea kayaking, fishing, canoeing, heli hiking, hiking, mountain biking or a boat tour to Princess Louisa Inlet. Overnight Egmont.
Days
12: Egmont - Parksville (104 km plus ferries)
Take a short drive from the lodge to the Earls Cove ferry terminal to board the ferry over to Saltery Bay. Then drive on to Powell River and board the ferry to Comox on Vancouver Island (ferry fares not included payable on site). Head south along the coast to Parksville for overnight at Tigh-Na-Mara Resort a beachfront resort on the east coast of Vancouver Island. Known for The Grotto Spa (additional costs).
Day 13: Parksville Tofino (321 km)
Depart westwards from Parksville to Cathedral Grove for a walk through a towering stand of 800 year old trees. Continue west once you reach the west side of the Island, a marked junction leads south to Ucluelet or north to Tofino travelling through the Pacific Rim National Park with its long rugged beaches and rainforest. Overnight Tofino Tin Wis (3 star option) or Long Beach Lodge (4star option) both properties located on the sandy white beaches of the west coast.
Day
14: FREE DAY Tofino 
Explore Long Beach (Pacific Rim National Park pass not included, payable on site) or take an optional black bear viewing tour by boat or a grey whale watching boat tour. Overnight - Tofino.
Featured Activity: Bear Watch (2.5 hours) May to October
A quiet-water excursion travel is along fjord inlets; stops in sheltered bays. Black bears come out of the rainforest to feed on crunchy crab, clams & barnacles. Observe wildlife on shore from the comfort and safety of a 24 Zodiac vessel. Your knowledgeable guide shares information about Black bears and other inlet wildlife, including seals, eagles, porpoise and heron. Plan for a relaxed outing, and be sure to bring your camera!
Day 15: Tofino Vancouver (235 km plus ferry)
Morning departure for Port Alberni. At nearby Stamp Falls Provincial Park nearly half a million salmon pass through the fish ladder each year beginning in August. Drive east to Nanaimo to board the BC Ferry to Horseshoe Bay (ferry fare not included payable on site). Overnight Vancouver.
Day
16: FREE DAY Vancouver 
Vancouver enjoys a spectacular setting located on the Pacific Ocean against the backdrop of the Coast Mountains. Highlight attractions: Granville Island market, UBC Museum of Anthropology with displays on native culture, Vancouver Aquarium, Capilano Suspension Bridge and Grouse Mountain (additional costs). Overnight Vancouver.
Day 17: Vancouver [Departure] Make your way to Vancouver International airport for the return flight.
This tour visits some of the most attractive parts of western Canada plus it gives the opportunity to add a number of excellent activities such as a trip on the Athabasca Glacier, a sea safari and bear watching trip. The tour takes you right over to Tofino on Vancouver Island. Theres a range of Three or Four Star hotels. Prices here include accommodation and room tax only plus your voucher pack at the first hotel.
Day 1: Calgary - Banff (80mls) or Calgary
Day 2: FREE DAY Banff / Yoho National Park
Day 3: Banff Jasper (178mls) or Yoho Jasper (120mls)
Day 4: FREE DAY Jasper National Park
Day 5: Jasper Wells Gray Park (218mls)
Day 6: FREE DAY Wells Gray Park
Day 7: Wells Gray Park Goldbridge / Tyax (237mls)
Day 8: FREE DAY Tyax Mountain Lake Resort
Day 9: Tyax Whistler (137mls)
Day 10: Whistler Egmont (112mls plus ferry)
Day 11: FREE DAY Westcoast Wilderness Lodge
Day 12: Egmont - Parksville (62mls plus ferry)
Day 13: Parksville Tofino (200mls)
Day 14: FREE DAY Tofino
Day 15: Tofino Vancouver (147mls plus ferry)
Day 16: FREE DAY Vancouver
Day 17: Vancouver [Departure]
2007 prices below (for 2008 please add approximately 26% due to exchange rate - or click on our e mail quote form below to confirm this years prices). Call : 01404 881777 American Round-Up
3 Star Hotels Twin Location Nts Hotel
8 20 May £629 Banff 2 Buffalo Mountain Lodge
21 30 May £673 Jasper 2 Sunwapta Falls Lodge
31 May 17 June £747 Clearwater 2 Wells Gray Guest Ranch
18 June 19 Sept £876 Goldbridge 2 Tyax Mountain Resort
20 Sept 3 Oct £650 Whistler 1 Listel Whistler
Egmont 2 Westcoast Wilderness Lodge
Parksville 1 Tigh-Na-Mara
Tofino 2 Tin Wis Resort
Vancouver 2 Empire Landmark
Not included in this tour
Featured Activities package: Columbia Icefield Explorer, Jasper Maligne Lake Boat Cruise,
Sewells Sea Safari, Tofino Bear Watch - £114 per adult or £70 children 4-12 years
Car parking at hotels - Meals - Return ferry fare between the mainland, Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island
(approx $ 160 for car with 2 passengers)
Suggested sightseeing or activities in the itinerary
National Park fees, admission charges or day use parking at parks.
Car rental (please see separate car rental rates)
Personal expenses and insurance
Flight information:
There
are numerous scheduled flights on both Air Canada and British Airways from the
UK to
western Canada. Air Transat also flies on a more regular basis in partnership
with Thomas Cook Airlines and My Travel from Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow.