Vancouver Island & Northern Rockies Adventure Tour

Discover the many landscapes, animals, and ways of life in the Canadian Rockies through an engaging 11-day tour. Venture to Vancouver Island and embark on the Inside Passage ferry, which takes you through glacial fjords to spot orcas and porpoises. Visit a collection of totem poles and immerse yourself in First Nation cultures. After all of these incredible encounters, you'll soon agree that the west coast is the best coast.

Highlights

Spot whales and sea lions on a ferry ride through the Inside Passage, Immerse yourself in First Nations culture in Smithers, View the tallest peak of the Canadian Rockies, Dip into the Miette Hot Springs, Catch postcard
perfect views along the Icefields Parkway

What's Included

Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Wellness Moment: Miette Hot Springs Visit, Jasper National Park. Inside Passage cruise. First Nations day tour (Smithers). Mt Robson stop with visit to Interpretation Centre. Miette Hot Springs visit. Icefields Parkway drive. Columbia Icefield stop. Free time in Victoria, Smithers, and Jasper National Park. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.

Accommodation

Hotels (6 nts), lodges (4 nts).

Meals Included

10 breakfasts

Transport

Private vehicle, ferry, walking.

About our Transportation

We use 15
passenger vans for up to 13 people plus the CEO/Driver for all our of our trips in North America. For groups of 8 and more travellers, we also use a trailer to carry luggage and camping equipment. These vans are durable vehicles that allow us to drive on most types of roads in North America. Each van has a front passenger seat and 4 benches that will accommodate 3 people each. No standing is permitted in these vehicles, but there is air conditioning to cool things down on warm days and mandatory seat belts to us secure and safe. This is not a physically demanding journey. However, travelling can be difficult, with long drives and limited space in the van. Please take note of the travel times and distances in the above itinerary. Despite some of the long days, most clients feel that the diversity of the North American landscape, culture and wildlife are all well worth the experience!

Group Leader Description

This G Adventures group trip is accompanied by one of our group leaders, otherwise known as a Chief Experience Officer (CEO). The CEO will be the group manager, leader and driver
this person is experienced in the routes travelled and will organize and lead the meal preparations and has experience in cooking a variety of local and international dishes for large groups. As the group coordinator and manager, the aim of the CEO is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. They will also offer suggestions for things to do and to see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting
we think it's the best of both worlds.

Emergency Fund

Please also make sure you have access to at least an additional USD $200 (or equivalent) as an 'emergency' fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (ex. a natural disaster) require a change to our planned route. This is a rare occurrence!

Solo Travellers

We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi
share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.

Spending Money

Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.

What to Take

You will be on the move a lot, so our advice is to pack as lightly as possible. For days in the outdoors, we recommend the use of lightweight, breathable, moisture
wicking fabrics made of wool or synthetic fibers. Cotton is not recommended for days spent hiking as it does not allow for heat or moisture to enter or escape, and it will not dry easily once wet. We recommend using a backpack for your convenience, or a medium
sized suitcase if you prefer. Heavy luggage is not recommended for the health of the CEO, who will take a lead in loading the storage trailer. Due to space in the trailer, we will not be able to accommodate more than one piece of main luggage per person. A good size day
pack (20
35L) is also essential to carry your personal gear for the day, as access to luggage between destinations will be limited. This daypack will be used to carry your personal gear for the day, your lunch and a water bottle. It is important to pack clothes for warm days and cool evenings, as well as a light jacket. A set of smart casual clothes is also advisable. NOTE: Mountains in the Canadian Rockies can have unpredictable weather with snow and heavy rain even in Summer time. Spring time could be snowy (until end of June) and fall season could start as soon as mid
August. Make sure you have equipment and clothing for all conditions!