Itinerary

Day 1: Vancouver - Whistler

Meet and greet at hotel this morning before leaving the coast via the Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler! Accommodation: Hotel with private or ensuite bathroom Meals: On own

Day 2: Whistler - Gold Bridge (Tyax Resort)

Free morning to enjoy refreshing coast mountain air and explore the resort town of Whistler, famous for its skiing, mountain biking and two-legged wildlife. Take a gondola ride for a view of endless peaks, glacier, paddle a canoe on a serene lake or just go walk about. Lots of interesting shops, cafes and people to watch in this well-known mountain resort. We travel North after coffee/lunch and leave the paved road and highway to work our way to Gold Bridge in the Coast Mountain Range. Along the way we will look out for deer, bears and eagles; to arrive at the deluxe mountain lodge, Tyax Lodge. We spend two nights here, giving us enough time to hike and explore the Coast Mountains, and its historic Gold and Silver mining past. We will have all meals at the Lodge. Accommodation: Tyax Lodge Meals included: Picnic lunch and dinner

Day 3: Gold Bride (Tyax Resort)

Today we have the chance to take some exploratory walks into the mountains where we can find remnants of the Gold and Silver Bonanza days of boom and bust miners and their small operations. Other options at the lodge are canoeing, cycling, scenic glacier fights, and horse riding. Accommodation: Tyax Lodge Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic lunch and dinner

Day 4: Tyax - Clearwater

We bid farewell to our mountain hideaway and cross through to Seton Portage, through the Coast Mountains into the semi-desert region of Kamloops. We'll stop along the way to explore features that tell the jaw dropping tale of British Columbia's silver mining history. As you ponder the tenacity of these brave explorers we'll Continue North, through farm country, following the North Thompson River to Clearwater. Accommodation: Hotel/B&B lodge with private or ensuite bathroom Meals included: Breakfast, picnic lunch

Day 5: Clearwater

There's a reason Wild Goose Tours makes its home here. Clearwater is the gateway to Wells Gray Provincial Park, also known as the "waterfall park". This small, friendly town is named after one of Canada's premier kayaking and whitewater rafting rivers. We will spend the day exploring the Park with its many features with short walks and hikes. Accommodation: Hotel with private or ensuite bathroom Meals included: Picnic lunch

Day 6: Clearwater - Jasper

In the morning have the option of going Whitewater rafting on the Clearwater River, or a scenic Float Cruise on the North Thompson River, or head to Blue River and go on a Bear Watching River Safari. Then head out later in the day to Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Rockies. We travel North through Valemount, stopping then at Mt Terry Fox, Mt Robson and Overlander Falls. Today is a good day for picnics, if the weather cooperates! Accommodation: Hotel with private or ensuite bathroom Meals included: Picnic lunch

Day 7: Jasper - Banff

This morning we spend in and around the well-known Rocky Mountain railway town of Jasper. How we spend it will be determined by the weather and your inclination, but there is lots to see! Your Wild Goose Tour guide will design your day to ensure you don't get caught up in all the big bus traffic. Continuing on to Banff we travel the famous Ice Fields Parkway stopping to capture the sights and sounds of placid lakes, rushing glacier water and the local wildlife! See Athabasca and Dome Glaciers as well as Peyto and Bow Lakes. End the day exploring the iconic Rocky Mountain railway village of Banff. Wild Goose Tours small groups benefit from some of the exclusive dining offered in Banff that is not available to large tour groups. Accommodation: Hotel with private or ensuite bathroom Meals included: Picnic lunch

Day 8: Banff

Enjoy the beauty of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake with a stroll along their shores or take a mountain walk to the famous Lake Agnes Tea House. Return to Banff for free time or optional tours (included) of the Banff Springs Hotel, the Cave and Basin. Or try out Banffs shopping and art scene! The art galleries here have a unique Rocky Mountain flare. Accommodation: Hotel with private or ensuite bathroom Meals included: on own.

Day 9: Waterton - Banff

Today we head south, watching for wildlife as we go. We will travel on the back road out of Canmore and continue South along the dry, east side of the Rocky Mountains to the southern end where it meets Waterton Lakes National Park. We stop along the way to watch the wildlife (mountain goat, deer, elk, bears), and end up in the Bison National Park to see the small remaining heard of Woodland Bison. Continue on through the famous Alberta beef ranch lands and rest for the night in Waterton National Park. Accommodation: Hotel with private or ensuite bathroom Meals included: Picnic lunch

Day 10: Waterton

Waterton Lakes National Park, this is a lesser visited park due to its remoteness – which is why we are here. Spend the day enjoying wildlife, spectacular vistas and take the Waterton Lake Boat Tour (weather permitting) to explore some of the less accessible walks and sites. Accommodation: Hotel with private or ensuite bathroom Meals included: Picnic lunch

Day 11: Waterton - Kimberley

Travel westwards, past historic Fort Steele and some natural hot springs. Overnight at the magnificently located hotel, run by the First Nations, that was formerly a residential school run by nuns. It has since been beautifully converted into an elegant casino hotel. Relax in the sumptuously converted bar and enjoy the irony. Overnight St. Eugene Mission Casino Hotel in Kimberley. Accommodation: Hotel with private or ensuite bathroom Meals: Picnic lunch

Day 12: Kimberley - Nelson

Winding our way through beautiful southern British Columbia we'll visit charming little towns and learn more of Canada's unique cultural history. History and culture buffs are sure to love Nelson - a town of heritage buildings and a friendly local population of musicians and artisans. Nelson was once the bustling regional centre of a gold boom and made an unsuccessful bid to become British Columbia's capital city. The town now is a mix of music, art, dining and shopping. You can enjoy live music in a variety of restaurants and bars. Accommodation: Hotel with private or ensuite bathroom Meals included: Breakfast

Day 13: Nelson

Nelson sits in the valley among soaring mountains. Today we'll take a scenic flight tour and fly high above the jagged granite peaks, glaciers and azure alpine lakes of Kokanee Glacier Provincial Parks – This will take your breath away. Then continue exploring the mining history of the Kootenay region, with the option to head further into the interior to explore some of the older ghost towns, and then we end the day with a soak in Ainsworth Hot springs. Accommodation: Hotel with private or ensuite bathroom Meals included: Breakfast

Day 14: Nelson - Penticton

We’ll continue navigating the effervescent landscape and explore some of the historic sites of Western Canada. Gold and silver exploration and mining paved the way for development of these older towns along the rural southern border of British Columbia. At the southern end of the Okanagan Valley we will sample some of the expertly crafted wines from the First nations vineyards in the Okanagan Valley. Accommodation: Hotel with private or ensuite bathroom Meals included: Breakfast

Day 15: Penticton

This area is steeped in history of pioneers, Gold and Silver miners, and the battle between the USA and Canada to get the ore! We will take some time to trek into some of the old original Kettle Valley Steam Railway trestles, still standing from these disastrous financial train ventures! We also will have time to visit some of the best wineries in Canada, renowned for their wines and scenery. Accommodation: Hotel with private or ensuite bathroom Meals: On own

Day 16: Penticton - Vancouver

Continuing westwards back to Vancouver we will follow the Fraser river through the fertile farmlands of the Fraser River Delta. Arrive into Vancouver around 5.30 (depending on the traffic and the day! Have a great evening enjoying the downtown core of Vancouver. Accommodation: Hotel with private or ensuite bathroom Meals: On own

Day 17: Vancouver - Lund

Your guide will meet you at your hotel in the morning then we’ll head over the Lions Gate Bridge to the Sea to Sky Highway and Horseshoe Bay. Today is ferry day, as we hop on and off a couple of daily ferries that ply the waters of the Inside Passage you might want to stay on deck to share the sites that greeted Captain Vancouver and his seamen as they charted the Inside Passage, undaunted by vertical mountain faces soaring out of these waters rich with sea life. Working our way North through the many small coastal towns and Saltry Provincial Park we will see what still remains of the majestic coastal forest that greeted the early fortune seekers from Europe. In our approach to Lund, where the main highway across Canada ends, we can enjoy the magnificence of the sun beginning to set beyond the Pacific Ocean. Accommodation: Hotel with private or ensuite bathroom Meals included: Breakfast

Day 18: Lund

Today we take a boat tour into the heart of wilderness, though Desolation Sound, up Hum- phray Channel, and into Toba Inlet. The farther you go, the more stunning the surroundings and wildlife become. A trip of a lifetime, for serious adventurers! Our aim is to get up to the Brem River in the Toba Inlet, and there are many wonderful stops along the way. Join the sailing fraternity, back in Lund, at the Laughing Oyster, for some very classy dining on the wharf and, possibly, live music. Accommodation: Hotel with private or ensuite bathroom Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 19: Lund - Quadra Island

Enjoy a seaside coffee before saying farewell to the friendly little sailing village of Lund and an hour's drive south to catch the ferry to Comox, on Vancouver Island. Originally called "Quadra and Vancouver" Island after Spanish navigator Juan de la Bodega y Quadra and British naval officer George Vancouver, the island was the subject of much economic dispute between the British and Spanish crowns during the 18th and 19th centuries. Throughout the late 19th century, many Royal Navy war ships anchored in Comox Bay, prompting the con- struction of the Comox Wharf in 1893. The Comox Valley today is an agricultural and culinary hot spot combining more than 445 farms and dozens of restaurants and food producers We continue on to Campbell River and the ferry out to Quadra Island. We will be on Quadra for two nights. Accommodation: Hotel with private or ensuite bathroom Meals included: Breakfast

Day 20: Quadra Island

Today we go on a Grizzly Bear Safari with our Indian Homalco Band guides, with a boat trip into the Inside Passage to the far coast; here we travel up the shoreline to various viewing locations to view the Grizzly Bears catching and feasting on the Fall salmon run. We will have ample time to get acquainted with these fascinating creatures who are quick enough to catch a salmon, robust enough to sit in the frigid cold sea, and totally absorbed by the feast not to worry about their human spectators! We have lunch and move on to another location. We end the day back at the Lodge for dinner. Accommodation: Hotel with private or ensuite bathroom Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 21: Quadra Island - Tofino

Again, too soon, we have to leave and head West to Tofino. The West coast of Vancouver Is- land is beaten with wind, rain and high seas from the Pacific. However, in the summer it has glorious sunny days with long expansive beaches that betray the beating they took during the winter months! But the evidence is there, in the lush coastal rain forest and towering coastal fir. Note changes in the landscape as we cross over Vancouver Island from East to West. Enjoying the sun set over the Pacific horizon we will spend the night in Tofino. Accommodation: Hotel with private or ensuite bathroom Meals included: Breakfast, picnic lunch

Day 22: Tofino

Embark again on to a small boat to explore the coast line for our whale watching safari or a hot spring tour, to see not just the Orca Killer whales (if possible) but also the myriad of mar- ine life species along the Pacific coastline of |Vancouver Island. We will also take a walk in the famous Long Beach National Park – maybe catch a few surfers in our camera lenses. Accommodation: Hotel with private or ensuite bathroom Meals: on own

Day 23: Tofino - Victoria

If we leave reasonably early from Tofino we'll get in to Victoria early in the afternoon with plenty of time to explore the inner harbour, parliament buildings. Hadley Gardens, and if you still haven't had your fill of whale watching, take a whale watching tour. Victoria, the capital city of British Columbia, is steeped in the history of empire as well as of the original peoples that inhabited the coastal regions. It will surprise you to learn for how long this richly provident region has supported populations that were significant and extensive in size. Overnight Victor- ia. Accommodation: Hotel with private or ensuite bathroom Meals: on own

Day 24: Victoria - Vancouver

Explore Victoria freely this morning taking in some of the things you didn't have time for yes- terday afternoon. Get some of your questions answered at the Museum of British Columbia, take a whale watching tour, or just enjoy a coffee on the seafront. Before leaving Victoria we will visit the Famous Bouchard Gardens and then leave by ferry, for Vancouver, in the after- noon. Accommodation: Hotel with private or ensuite bathroom Meals included: Breakfast

Day 25: Vancouver

Today is the end of the tour. There are a few options from here, either we can get you a transfer to the airport for your flight home, or book you onto a cruise up to Alaska! What will you choose?