Overview
In addition to national parks, you’ll also visit some of Canada’s most popular resort towns, such as Kelowna, attractively set on the shores of Lake Okanagan and surrounded by orchards and vineyards. And the mountain resort of Sun Peaks, where you’ll overnight after a beautiful drive that includes passing Mount Robson, the Canadian Rockies’ highest mountain at 12,972 feet. Spend two nights in the alpine town of Whistler, surrounded by stunning glaciated mountains. Here you can hike, explore the village, or take an optional excursion, like a Ziptrek Adventure through an old-growth rainforest or a guided Tree Trek Canopy Walk via suspension bridges and boardwalks high among the treetops.
A tour highlight is a stop at the Columbia Icefield, the largest expanse of ice in the Canadian Rockies where you’ll ride the Ice Explorer, an all-terrain vehicle that travels on ice that is 750 feet thick! You’ll also journey to the Pacific Coast, where you’ll sail across the Strait of Georgia to Victoria for two overnights.
Enjoy an included sightseeing tour, and a visit to Butchart Gardens, rated as one of the most beautiful gardens in the world, and then have free time to discover some of Victoria’s most popular attractions like having high tea at the Empress Hotel or taking an optional Wildlife and Whale Watching Expedition. For the value-minded traveler, this tour exploring the Canadian Rockies is an unforgettable vacation not to be missed!
13 Days
Vancouver
Vancouver
Classic
3 - 3.5 Star
Affordable
5-99 Years
50
Fully Guided
8900
Itinerary
Welcome to Vancouver! Your Tour Director is on hand from 3-6:00pm this afternoon to answer any questions.
This morning, an included city tour highlights Stanley Park, Chinatown, the harbour, beaches, and more. The rest of the day is at leisure; your Tour Director can suggest ways to further explore the city. Maybe take a water taxi to Granville Island with outdoor markets, street musicians, and waterfront cafés or, visit historic Gastown with its steam-powered clock.
Our journey begins in British Columbia's fertile valleys and continues through rich mountain forests to Okanagan Lake. Travel along the lake to the resort city of Kelowna, beautifully situated on the lake shore and surrounded by orchards and vineyards.
Motor north through the Okanagan Valley, famous for its peaches and vineyards. Climb up 4,379-foot-high Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park. Take a break at the pass, perfect for photos of the rugged mountains, glaciers, and waterfalls. Enter Yoho National Park and ascend Kicking Horse Pass at 5,332 feet. Reach Banff National Park, Canada's first national park, known for its unparalleled mountain scenery nestled in the heart of the magnificent Canadian Rockies. An orientation tour highlights Banff's unspoiled beauty.
Enjoy the day exploring Banff, one of Canada's favorite year-round resorts, and home to 53 species of mammals. The most commonly seen are deer, elk, and big horn sheep. Hike, golf, horseback ride, shop in the townsite, or relax at the hot springs. Perhaps treat yourself to a once in a lifetime experience on an optional helicopter ride for spectacular views of the Canadian Rockies!
First, to Lake Louise, its turquoise waters a perfect natural mirror that reflects the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Precipitous gorges, snowcapped summits, and lakes of exquisite blues and greens come into view as the motorcoach continues northward into Jasper National Park.
A highlight today is a stop at the Columbia Icefield to ride the Ice Explorer, an all-terrain vehicle that travels on ice measuring 750 feet thick! From ice to flowing water, take the opportunity to glide down the Athabasca River this afternoon on an optional scenic float trip. Enjoy an orientation tour of the town of Jasper upon arrival.
Today is free to enjoy everything Jasper has to offer—from quaint shops to meandering wildlife. Find serenity of the glacial blue waters of Maligne Lake and Spirit Island* with an optional narrated cruise revealing the history, geology, flora, and fauna of the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies.
*This optional excursion begins operating in late May/early June.Leave Jasper and follow the Fraser River to the base of Mount Robson, the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies, peaking at 12,972 feet. Continue following the Yellowhead Highway south along the North Thompson River—a route pioneered by fur trappers. Overnight in the mountain resort village of Sun Peaks.
Head south, following the once treacherous Cariboo Wagon Trail. Via Lillooet, “Mile 0 of the Gold Rush Route,” your motorcoach will follow the shores of Seton and Duffey Lakes with a late-afternoon arrival in Whistler.
Spend the day in the alpine resort of Whistler, nestled at the base of breathtaking Blackcomb and Whistler Mountains. Enjoy free time to explore many sites of the 2010 Winter Olympics held here. Your own adventures await with a choice of optional excursions, including a Ziptrek Adventure through an old-growth temperate rainforest or a guided Tree-Trek Canopy Walk via suspension bridges and boardwalks high above in the treetops.
Set sail across the Strait of Georgia, known for its Mediterranean-type climate. Afternoon sightseeing includes world-famous Butchart Gardens, and then a tour of the beautiful city of Victoria featuring Bastion Square, Thunderbird Park with its unusual collection of totem poles, and the inner harbour.
A day at leisure gives you the chance to discover this splendid city, including the Royal British Columbia Museum, shopping on Government Street, or a leisurely stroll around the harbor. Or get back to nature on an optional Wildlife and Whale-Watching Expedition while cruising the pristine waters of the San Juan and Gulf Islands, seeking whales, porpoises, seals, and eagles.
A scenic ferry crossing to the mainland, where the trip ends at Vancouver International Airport. Please schedule flights after 2:00 pm.
Trip Inclusions
- The world is within reach with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, and private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi (where available), as well as a ferry crossing from/to Vancouver Island.
- Vancouver: Sandman Suites on Davie (First-Class)
- Kelowna: Ramada by Wyndham Kelowna Hotel & Conference Centre (First-Class)
- Banff National Park: Banff Inn (Superior Tourist-Class)
- Jasper National Park: Lobstick Lodge (First-Class)
- Sun Peaks: Sun Peaks Lodge (Moderate First-Class)
- Whistler: Listel Whistler Hotel (Superior First-Class)
- Victoria: Royal Scot Hotel & Suites (First-Class)
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
- Early departures may not be able to visit Columbia Icefield, which opens in early May, or take the Maligne Lake & Spirit Island optional excursion, which opens in mid to late May. Visiting and participating in other activities in this region may be subject to favorable weather conditions and vendor dates of operation.
- Maximum elevation on tour: 7,500 ft.
Operator
Enjoy inside visits to Canada's the must-see sites with a great mix of included excursions, free time and affordable value. Read more
Cosmos build free time into every one of their vacations, so you can eat, shop, and explore the way you want. Read more
Cosmos' easy going, fun-filled and multilingual Tour Directors and Local Guides love exploring as much as you do. Read more
Trip Reviews (51)
We had no idea what to expect from Cosmos and were pleasantly surprised. We had an exceptional driver Todd and Tour Director Doug who was a font of interesting information throughout the tour and made sure that everyone was comfortable. Canada is beautiful! Each and every day revealed so many highlights, so in a nutshell – the whole tour was a string of highlights, well organised and certainly really good value for money; in fact we’ve seen and experienced much more than we could expect, imagine or wish for!
The CosmosGo app is very easy to use and provides lots of information at one’s fingertips and what is more, the tour details stay on the app as a Past Trip. Accommodation everywhere was very good and well located with regards to obtaining food. In addition we made stops along the way each day to buy food as needed. We experienced pleasant weather with mostly clear skies throughout and were part of a lovely, easy going group of people from the USA, Canada, UK, Gibraltar and Australia. We have no hesitation in highly recommending this tour and Global Journeys!
(on several occasions) moose, elk, mule deer, orcas, ground squirrels, coyote cubs, marmot, bald eagle fledglings.
The accomodation was generally very good, the stopover towns that included free days were very well chosen. There was a good range of optional extra tours. Highlight for me was finally getting all the way to Jasper this time, travelling along the Icefields parkway, one of the top 4 most beautiful highways in the world & also the Ice Explorer experience on the Athabasca glacier, not to mention the wildlife sightings. Early morning snow in Banff then the weather clearing so we could do the gondola ride to Sulphur Mountain, the views down into the valley & the boardwalk to the summit.
Whistler was almost as beautiful as I remember, however Autumn/Fall is definitely the best time with the lovely colours in the leaves, although the tulips provided a lovely splash of colour this time. Sun Peaks was a beautiful little alpine ski village. Mt. Robson was a sight to behold. The Capilano suspension bridge, skywalk & boardwalk in North Vancouver are a must see & Granville Is. markets on the waterfront were fantastic. Soooo many highlights really, never-ending spectacular scenery, some great memories & wonderful new friendships made.
Sharon's commentary was fantastic. Her extensive knowledge of each area we visited, the history, facts, stats was mindblowing. Her great sense of humour was enjoyed by all. She was very well organised, patient, extremely helpful & easy to get along with. Nothing was any trouble to her. Mike's driving skills were impressive. We always felt safe irrespective of what terrain or weather we were travelling in. Overall, 10/10 for this amazing tour. Very highly recommended.
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Cosmos Canada & USA (2026)
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A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. For all itineraries that include a cruise, Cosmos may apply a surcharge depending on the cabin categories available on your selected departure. Your Travel Advisor will provide this information in your quote if applicable. Your Travel Advisor will also apply any appropriate discounts automatically and detail any currently applicable 'Exclusive Specials'.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Cosmos. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
