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  4. Western Spirit
 
Destination Index
Western Spirit
The West is as much a state of mind as it is a geographical destination. Travelling from the cosmopolitan excitement of Vancouver, you will journey through Canada’s lush Pacific playground, before swinging back to the mainland for an invigorating trek through authentic Gold Rush territory. Moving higher into the Rocky Mountains, you will relish the clean air, sparkling water and breathtaking scenery of Whistler, Jasper and Banff. You will thrilled by energetic mountain safari through Kootenay National Park and the fertile Okanagan Valley.
Day 1 - ARRIVAL IN VANCOUVER
Your adventure begins at Vancouver International Airport. Transfer independently to your downtown hotel. Pick-up your Jonview Canada Roadbook at the front desk and check-in. Take the rest of the day to create your own urban adventure amid the stores, parks, restaurants, theatres and other attractions in downtown Vancouver. Overnight in Vancouver.

Day 2 - VANCOUVER
You have the entire day at leisure to explore Vancouver and surroundings. You may want to visit Stanley Park, the MacMillan Planetarium, Chinatown, Gastown, the Capilano Suspension Bridge, Granville Island and Grouse Mountain.
Overnight in Vancouver.
Activity: The Pacific salmon begin their journey to the inlands of the Pacific Coastal Rainforest hundreds of miles out to sea, braving predators, powerful currents and tiered ladders to arrive at the glades of this pristine area of the British Columbia coast. Luckily, with the Rainforest Adventure Tour, your travels won’t be so arduous. An experienced guide will lead you from the wilds of your hotel to the natural cathedrals, pillared by 500 year old trees and translucent canopies hundreds of feet above you. Marvel at the dizzying heights of the Capilano Canyon.

Day 3 - VANCOUVER TO VICTORIA 
The BC Ferries cruise across the Strait of Georgia will transport you to Vancouver Island, passing the rugged coastline and tranquil beaches of the Gulf Islands. Make your way to Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, with its maritime heritage and colonial charm. You may end your day with a visit to the Empress Hotel for traditional High Tea. Overnight in Victoria.

Day 4 - VICTORIA TO PARKSVILLE
Back on the road, you’ll savour scenic ocean vistas as you explore the coast via gently winding Malahat Drive. The coastline is strewn with charming villages and offers breathtaking vistas and nature reserves with abundant wildlife. En route, you may detour to visit the murals of Chemainus, the Forest Museum, Cowichan Bay area and the quaint Quw’utsun’ Cultural and Conference Centre in Duncan. Overnight in Parksville.
Activity: This morning, launch into the Pacific from Victoria aboard a Zodiac powerboat in search of the world’s largest mammals. You will seek out minke and grey whales, seals, porpoises, orcas and other marine wildlife.

Day 5- PARKSVILLE
A glorious beach, three nearby provincial parks and excellent fishing opportunities have made Parksville a popular resort. You will enjoy angling for trout or salmon against the backdrop of fir forests, waterfalls and lush rainforests.The Parksville area resort tempts active visitors with tennis, volleyball, mountain biking, horseback riding, kayaking and hiking trails. Overnight in Parksville

Day 6- PARKSVILLE TO WHISTLER
The day begins with a scenic BC Ferries ride back through the Strait of Georgia to the mainland. From there, you’ll follow the spectacular Sea-to-Sky Highway to Whistler Resort, located at the foot of Whistler and Blackcomb Mountain. En route, you will admire Shannon Falls and explore the dramatic canyons, ravines and lofty peaks of Garibaldi Provincial Park. Overnight in Whistler.

Day 7-  WHISTLER
Trade the freedom of the road for the adventure of the wilderness. Play a championship golf course in the shadow of towering mountain ranges, hike along endless trails and high alpine meadows, ride on horseback past spectacular glaciers or whitewater raft down one of the turbulent rivers. You may wish to just relax in the enchanting setting of the pedestrian village and enjoy the boutiques, restaurants and cafés. Overnight in Whistler.

Day 8-  WHISTLER TO 100 MILE HOUSE 
‘Smile, you’re in 100 Mile!’ is the catchphrase welcoming visitors to this 1862 Gold Rush ‘truck stop’. Located exactly 100 miles from Lillooet on the“Old Cariboo Gold Rush Trail”, this small community has been welcoming travellers since the early pioneer days. A gateway to over 100 recreational and fishing lakes, the 100 Mile region is home to some of the best lake trout and kokanee salmon in North America. Overnight in 100 Mile House.

Day 9- 100 MILE HOUSE TO QUESNEL
Following in the footsteps of pioneering adventure seekers, you’ll travel further down the “Old Cariboo Gold Rush Trail” today. Passing through soaring mountain canyons, you’ll encounter innumerable logging villages and gold ghost towns on your way to the wilderness town of Quesnel. En route, don’t miss a visit to Barkerville, a restored 19th-century settlement. Overnight in Quesnel.

Day 10-  QUESNEL TO MCBRIDE
Continuing your journey through history, you’ll visit the turn-of-the-century railway boom town of McBride. Situated on the fertile land around the Fraser River, this bustling market town offers visitors a rare glimpse of a true Canadian rustic lifestyle. If you have time, drive just 1.5 km outside McBride to Koeneman Regional Park. Named after an early homesteading family, this Park is home to Rainbow Falls and Dear Mountain which offer spectacular views of Robson Valley and the Cariboo Mountains. Overnight in McBride.

Day 11-  MCBRIDE TO LAKE LOUISE 
Today you’ll traverse the Rocky Mountains along the spectacular Icefields Parkway. Flanked by snowcovered mountain ridges, cascading waterfalls and sparkling glaciers you’ll see the spectacular Athabasca Glacier, where you can take an Ice Explorer ride. Overnight in Lake Louise.

Day 12-  LAKE LOUISE TO BANFF 
The Trans-Canada Highway leads you to Banff, a year-round resort region that boasts true wilderness scenery, numerous outdoor activities and modern accommodation facilities. An internationally renowned national park, Banff offers a world of sightseeing opportunities. Prepare for a full day of spectacular scenery tomorrow.Overnight in Banff.

Day 13-  BANFF NATIONAL PARK 
The day is at leisure to explore Banff and its environs. You may want to go on a discovery tour of the famous resort town, visit the Cave and Basin and Bow Falls, and take a thrilling gondola ride to the summit of Sulphur Mountain. Overnight in Banff.
Activity:The most action packed twelve minutes of a lifetime. Get up close and personal with the world famous Three Sisters. You will want to reach out and touch them as you whisk by them before escaping into the Spray Valley where you will explore the extraordinary hues of the Spray Lakes. Your return flight takes you along the goat range before following the pristine Bow river back to Canmore.

Day 14-  BANFF TO PANORAMA MOUNTAIN VILLAGE 
Today you will drive through Kootenay National Park, a landscape dominated by lofty peaks, glaciers, deep valleys and crystal-blue lakes. A visit to the park’s hot springs or the Radium Hot Springs Resort offers numerous activities and sights. Wildflowers decorate the alpine meadows, while grizzly bears, moose and mountain goats roam the park. Overnight in Panorama Mountain Village.

Day 14-  BANFF TO PANORAMA MOUNTAIN VILLAGE 
Today you will drive through Kootenay National Park, a landscape dominated by lofty peaks, glaciers, deep valleys and crystal-blue lakes. A visit to the park’s hot springs or the Radium Hot Springs Resort offers numerous activities and sights. Wildflowers decorate the alpine meadows, while grizzly bears, moose and mountain goats roam the park. Overnight in Panorama Mountain Village.

Day 15- PANORAMA MOUNTAIN VILLAGE 
Spend a full day in Invermere, a summer paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Enjoy a myriad of activities, such as hiking, fishing, bird watching, boating and windsurfing on Lake Windermere. You can also visit Invermere’s museum housing pioneer artifacts and local archives. Overnight in Panorama Mountain Village.

Day 16- PANORAMA MOUNTAIN VILLAGE TO ROSSLAND
Driving high above the valley today you’ll arrive at Rossland, one of Canada’s more unusual townships. Nestled within the crater of a long-extinct volcano, Rossland was the largest town in British Columbia at the height of the Gold Rush. Today, this charming alpine village is home to two Canadian Olympic Champion skiers, world-class mountain-biking facilities, two museums, scenic lakes and hiking trials that conveniently begin in the heart of the town. Overnight in Rossland.

Day 17- ROSSLAND TO PENTICTON
A leisurely drive down the mountain today will carry you to Penticton, situated between the Skaha and Okanagan lakes. A native word meaning ‘place to live forever’, Penticton today is the thriving fruit capital of British Columbia. Every spring, the city blooms as thousands of fruit trees cast an unforgettable fragrance and wash of colour across the city limits. Overnight in Penticton.

Day 18- PENTICTON
You’ll have more time today to further explore this fertile region. Don’t miss the Okanagan River Channel - a man-made canal running between the Skaha and Okanagan lakes. Another local highlight is the beached SS Sicamous, a 72 m lake sternwheeler currently being restored. Overnight in Penticton.

Day 19- PENTICTON TO HOPE
Adventure comes naturally in Hope. Its ruggedly spectacular scenery has attracted many Hollywood action movies to be filmed here. You’ll find Hope in the mountain-ringed valley at the entrance of the Fraser River Canyon. The nearby Manning Provincial Park is a favourite destination because of its deep valleys, Blackwall Peak alpine meadows, Cascade Lookout and azure-blue lakes. Overnight in Hope.

Day 20-- HOPE TO VANCOUVER
All trails lead to Vancouver - Canada’s fastest growing and most exciting coastal city. But before you dive into the nightlife, you’ll arrive in Vancouver through the lush Fraser Valley. You’ll follow the gushing Fraser River, shadowed by soaring peaks out of the foothills of the Coast Mountains and down to the coastline. Overnight in Vancouver.

Day 21-- END OF TOUR
Return to Vancouver International Airport in time for check-in for your return flight.


Day

Name

City

1 & 2

Coast Plaza Hotel & Suites Vancouver or Century Plaza Hotel & Spa or Ramada Inn & Suites Downtown Vancouver

Vancouver

3

Sandman Hotel & Suites Victoria or Accent Inn Victoria

Victoria

4 &5

Quality Resort Bayside or Travelodge Parksville

Parksville

6 & 7

Crystal Lodge or Holiday Inn Whistler

Whistler

8

Ramada Limited 100 Mile House or The New 108 Resort

100 Mile House

9

Sandman Hotel & Suites Quesnel or Ramada Limited Quesnel

Quesnel

10

Sandman Inn McBride

McBride

11

Mountaineer Lodge or Deer Lodge

Lake Louise

12 & 13

Mount Royal Hotel or Banff Ptarmigan Inn

Banff

14 &15

Panorama Mountain Village

Invermere / Panorama

16

Prestige Mountain Resort Rossland or Red Mountain Resort

Rossland

17 &18

Sandman Hotel Penticton or Days Inn & CC Penticton

Penticton

19

Travelodge Hope

Hope

20

Coast Plaza Hotel & Suites Vancouver or Century Plaza Hotel & Spa or Ramada Inn & Suites Downtown Vancouver

Vancouver

21

End of Tour


• Accommodation for 20 nights
• Ferry crossings (under height car and passengers):
- Day 3, Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay (1 hour 35 minutes)
- Day 6, Nanaimo to Horseshoe Bay (1 hour 35 minutes)
• A personalised Jonview Roadbook, containing essential travel
information featuring overview notes of the area of travel, local
sightseeing and attractions, daily itinerary highlights, provincial maps
with city guides, hotel vouchers and customised day-by-day
routing maps
• Provincial Taxes and Federal GST, less tour package rebate
NOT INCLUDED
• Airport transfers
• Meals and attractions unless otherwise specified
• Car rental, taxes and insurance