Vancouver to Calgary Trip via the Rocky Mountains
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Detailed itinerary for planning your trip, including a link to the Google Map of the route, recommendations for the duration of stay in each destination, detailed articles on attractions in each destination, and recommended hotels.
This itinerary starts in Vancouver and ends in Calgary, both of which have international airports. You can, of course, do this route in the reverse direction as well. The heart of this itinerary is the trip through the wonderful Canadian Rockies in the section from Jasper to Banff.
Route Map:
♦ Link to Google Map with the Route
Destinations Along the Route
|
Destination |
|
Nights |
|
Vancouver |
2-3 |
|
|
Whistler |
|
2 |
|
Kamloops |
1 |
|
|
Blue River |
1 |
|
|
Jasper |
2-3 |
|
|
Banff |
|
3-4 |
|
Calgary |
|
1-2 |
Total trip days: 12-16 days.
Note: Those who are limited on time and wish to focus mainly on the Rockies can skip Whistler and Blue River.
Route Length: 1,280 km. Total Driving Time without stops: approx. 16 hours.
Recommended Destinations, Accommodations, and Articles for Each Stop Along the Route:
Most destinations have a link to a detailed article of mine about them, featuring pictures, attractions, important tourist information, and recommended hotels.
Vancouver - Vancouver
Vancouver is a dynamic, vibrant, and modern city, rightly considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is called the "Crown Jewel" of Western Canada due to its fantastic location between high mountains, bays dotted with numerous islands, and the Pacific Ocean. It offers a wonderful combination of wild nature, well-maintained parks, and urban scenery including skyscrapers, interesting architecture, neighborhoods, and unique markets. Vancouver is considered the "Hollywood" of Canada because many films are shot here.
♦ Recommended tours in Vancouver for booking via Viator:
♥ Recommended Hotels in Vancouver
Articles: ◄Touring the City of Vancouver ◄Guided Tours in Vancouver, British Columbia
The Road from Vancouver to Whistler:
The road connecting Vancouver and Whistler, called The Sea To Sky Highway, is an impressive scenic route with plenty of attractions and trips along its entire length—from picturesque towns, waterfalls, beaches, lakes, hiking trails, and even a cable car. Therefore, it is worth dedicating a full and eventful day to it.
Whistler - Whistler
Whistler - A town that is a popular ski resort in the winter and a favorite destination for active vacations in the summer, featuring a bike park, bungee jumping, golf, ziplines, horseback riding, Jeep tours, water sports, an art museum, and of course plenty of hiking trails.
One of the main attractions in Whistler is a cable car trip called the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, on a circular route to and between two nearby mountains. You take a cable car to the peak of the first mountain, from there continue on another cable car to the peak of the second mountain, and descend from it on a third cable car back to town. Along the way, you see breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, and you can even ride in a gondola with a glass bottom! At the peak of the mountains, there is a gallery, a restaurant, and in the summer, hiking trails. You can embark on this trip from two cable car stations: one that goes up Whistler Mountain and the second that goes up Blackcomb Mountain.
♥ Recommended Hotels in Whistler
Article: ◄ Attractions and Trips in Whistler
Kamloops - Kamloops
Kamloops sits in a strategic location at the intersection of two main highways connecting British Columbia to Alberta, and therefore it offers a large selection of accommodation options. It is a good place to stay to break up the long drive, though it does not have special attractions. In Kamloops, it is recommended to take a walk in the city center at Riverside Park along the river.
♥ Recommended Hotels in Kamloops:
♦ Delta Hotels by Marriott Kamloops
4-star hotel in a central location. Rooftop outdoor pool, jacuzzi, gym. Parking, free internet.
♦ Hampton Inn by Hilton Kamloops
4-star hotel suitable for families with an indoor pool, jacuzzi, gym, internet, and free parking.
4-star hotel with an indoor pool, jacuzzi, gym, free internet and parking.
♦ Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites-Kamloops, an IHG Hotel
3-star suite hotel suitable for families. Restaurant, indoor pool, gym, free internet and parking.
Blue River - Blue River
The main attraction in the area, very special and impressive, is a river cruise to view wildlife such as birds of prey and bears, operated by River Safari departing from Blue River. You can also purchase a combo ticket for a 1.5-hour Jeep tour and a 1-hour cruise.
♥ Recommended Hotel in Blue River:
Jasper - Jasper
Jasper National Park is one of the most beautiful and heavily touristed national parks in all of Canada. The park abounds with lakes, waterfalls, glaciers, towering peaks, and hiking trails for all levels of difficulty. It is one of the best places for wildlife viewing in nature, from elk to bears. In the center of the national park lies the charming town of Jasper, which serves as a wonderful starting point for touring the entire park. Because it is very popular and the tourist season is short, you must book accommodation there as early as possible.
♦ Recommended Guided Tours in Jasper (from Viator):
♥ Recommended Hotels in Jasper
Articles: ◄ Trip to Jasper and its Surroundings in the Rockies ◄ Recommended Lodging in the Canadian Rockies ◄ Lake Louise and Moraine Lake ◄ Trip from Lake Louise to Jasper in the Rockies ◄ Kootenay Park in the Rockies - Kootenay Park ◄ Yoho Park in the Rockies - Yoho Park
Banff - Banff
Banff National Park is one of the two largest and most popular parks in the Canadian Rockies: Banff in the south and Jasper in the north, both located in the province of Alberta.
Banff National Park includes the scenic and tourist-friendly town of Banff, which features plenty of attractions and activities, as well as the stunning lakes Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. It borders other successful parks that already belong to the province of British Columbia: Kootenay Kootenay and Yoho Yoho. Highway 93 between Banff National Park, called the ICEFIELD Pkwy, is the most scenic and impressive highway in the Rockies and deserves a full day of travel. Those planning treks and long hikes on foot are advised to dedicate more time to the area.
The closest international airport to the park is located in the city of Calgary Calgary, situated about 130 km east of the town of Banff (about a 1.5-hour drive).
♦ Recommended Guided Tours from Banff for Booking via Viator:
♥ Recommended Hotels in the Banff Area (you can stay in Banff or Canmore located just to the east)
♥ Recommended Hotels near Lake Louise
Articles: ◄ Trips in the Banff Area ◄ Lake Louise and Moraine Lake ◄ Trip from Lake Louise to Jasper in the Rockies ◄ Kootenay Park in the Rockies - Kootenay Park ◄ Yoho Park in the Rockies - Yoho Park
Calgary - Calgary
Calgary is especially famous thanks to the world's largest rodeo festival, the Calgary Stampede, which takes place there for about ten days every summer in the first half of July.
The Stampede is a colorful fair brimming with attractions, rides, and numerous booths. The highlight is watching the rodeo shows. Exciting chuckwagon races also take place in the evening.
Additional activities in Calgary:
-Walking tour in the city center and going up for a view of the city and the Canadian Rockies from a high tower in the city - CALGARY TOWER.
-Visiting the Olympic Park from the Winter Olympics, CANADA OLYMPIC PARK also known as WinSport, where a guided tour is held including taking a cable car to the top of the ski jump, visiting the winter sports hall of fame, and ski simulators. The site features zipline rides, Bobsleigh sleds, Skyline Luge sliding, and plenty of other attractions.
- Visiting the charming and expansive open-air museum of Calgary, HERITAGE PARK HISTORICAL VILLAGE, considered one of the best open-air museums in Canada.
♥ Recommended Hotels in Calgary:
4-star level hotel near the airport in Calgary. Featuring an indoor pool and gym. Paid parking, free internet.
♦ Residence Inn by Marriott Calgary Downtown/Beltline District
3-star level hotel in the city center. Every room has a sitting area. Free bicycles, free internet, gym.
♦ Alt Hotel Calgary East Village
Modern hotel in a central location with rooms for 2-4 guests. The hotel features a gym, billiards, two restaurants, and a bar. Free internet. Parking at an additional charge.
Article: ◄ Trips in the Banff Area
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