The Canadian Rockies (8900)

13 days from Vancouver to Vancouver

2022 Tour Details View 2021 Tour Details »

Canada’s national parks and scenic drives highlight this wonderful Canadian Rockies tour that overnights in Vancouver, Kelowna, Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, Sun Peaks, Whistler, and Victoria. You’ll spend time in Banff National Park—Canada’s first national park—with its valleys, mountains, glaciers, forests, rivers, and meadows, and Jasper National Park, with its majestic mountains and abundant wildlife. Other Canadian national parks on this tour include Glacier National Park, with its rugged mountains, glaciers, and waterfalls, and Yoho National Park, with its vertical rockwalls, waterfalls, and beautiful peaks.

In addition to national parks, you’ll also visit some of Canada’s most popular resort towns on this Canadian Rockies tour. In the resort city of Kelowna, attractively set on the shores of Lake Okanagan and surrounded by orchards and vineyards, enjoy a winery tour. In the mountain resort of Sun Peaks, 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 Whistler, host of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Here you can hike, explore the village, or take an optional excursion, including flightseeing by floatplane over the lakes and glaciated peaks.

A tour highlight is a stop at the Columbia Icefield, the largest expanse of ice in the Canadian Rockies. Here, you’ll ride the Ice Explorer that travels on ice that is 1,200 feet thick. You’ll also travel to the Pacific Coast, where you’ll sail across the Strait of Georgia to Victoria for a sightseeing tour, two overnights, free time to discover some of Victoria’s most popular attractions, and a visit to Butchart Gardens, rated as one of the most beautiful gardens in the world.

For the value-minded traveler, this tour exploring the Canadian Rockies is an unforgettable vacation not to be missed!

Small-Group Discovery

Select Cosmos 2021 North America tours are limited to an average of just 24 guests per tour. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Cosmos North America tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery Europe vacation is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds.


Dates & Prices Book Online
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The Canadian Rockies map

 Photo Highlights

The following UNESCO World Heritage Sites can be seen or visited on this vacation:

  • Banff National Park
  • Jasper National Park
  • Yoho National Park

 Meals

 Meals & Itinerary

This Cosmos travel package does not include meals. Most of our hotels offer anything from coffee to a full breakfast, so you can start the day the way you like best. At most lunch stops, your Tour Director will have information on local restaurants. Dinnertime is your chance to sample local cuisine. Sometimes your Tour Director will offer an optional dinner outing.


Notes:

Maximum elevation on tour: 7,500 ft.

 Itinerary

Day 1 VANCOUVER

Welcome to Vancouver! Your Tour Director is on hand late this afternoon to answer any questions.

Day 2 VANCOUVER

This morning, an included city tour highlights Stanley Park, Chinatown, the harbor, 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.

Day 3 VANCOUVER–KELOWNA

Our journey begins in British Columbia’s fertile valleys and continues through rich mountain forests to Lake Okanagan. Travel along the lake to the resort city of Kelowna, beautifully situated on the lake shore and surrounded by orchards and vineyards. Sample local wines on the included winery tour.

Day 4 KELOWNA–BANFF NATIONAL PARK

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 5,421 feet. Reach Banff National Park, gateway to the majestic Canadian Rockies. An orientation tour includes Banff’s unspoiled beauty.

Day 5 BANFF NATIONAL PARK

Banff is one of Canada’s favorite year-round resorts, and home to 53 species of mammals. The most commonly seen are deer and big horn sheep. If the timing is right, you may spot black bears, grizzlies, or wolves. Your Tour Director will also have suggestions for an optional helicopter ride over the Canadian Rockies.

Day 6 BANFF NATIONAL PARK–LAKE LOUISE–COLUMBIA ICEFIELD–JASPER NATIONAL PARK

First, to Lake Louise, its turquoise waters a perfect natural mirror that reflects the 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 that travels on ice measuring 750 feet thick. This afternoon, join our optional float trip down the Athabasca River. Enjoy an orientation tour of Jasper townsite upon arrival.

Day 7 JASPER NATIONAL PARK

Today, join our optional excursion to Maligne Lake and Spirit Island, and embark on a narrated cruise. The balance of the day is free to enjoy everything Jasper has to offer—from quaint shops to meandering wildlife.

Day 8 JASPER NATIONAL PARK–MOUNT ROBSON–SUN PEAKS

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 at the Sun Peaks mountain resort.

Day 9 SUN PEAKS–LILLOOET–WHISTLER

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.

Day 10 WHISTLER

Spend the day in the alpine resort of Whistler, nestled at the base of breathtaking Blackcomb Mountain. Enjoy free time to explore many sites of the 2010 Winter Olympics held here. You may decide to join one of many optional excursions, including a flightseeing excursion by floatplane over the glaciated peaks, or a gondola ride between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains—the perfect bear-spotting vantage point.

Day 11 WHISTLER–FERRY CROSSING–VICTORIA

Set sail across the Strait of Georgia, known for its Mediterranean-type climate. Afternoon sightseeing in Victoria includes world-famous Butchart Gardens, Bastion Square, and Thunderbird Park with its unusual collection of totem poles.

Day 12 VICTORIA

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. Perhaps join the optional wildlife and whale-watching trip cruising the beautiful waters of the San Juan and Gulf Islands, looking for whales, porpoises, seals, and eagles.

Day 13 VICTORIA–FERRY CROSSING–VANCOUVER

A scenic ferry crossing to the mainland, where the trip ends at Vancouver International Airport. Please schedule flights after 1:30 pm.



Transportation:

Ferry crossing to/from Vancouver Island; private, deluxe, air-conditioned motorcoach while touring with free Wi-Fi.

 Tour Director

With COSMOS, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of a Tour Director. We’d like you to meet one of our Tour Directors, who average over a decade of experience and are representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

ALMA BERNASCONI

Escorting tours for more than 20 years

“Born and raised in Switzerland, I love my home in Western Canada. I have a zest for life, am always eager to share information and experiences, and enjoy creating lasting memories for travelers. As an avid hobby photographer, I revel in capturing the breathtaking beauty of the Canadian Rockies, the surprise appearance of the elusive grizzly bear, a majestic eagle soaring high above endless forests, and so much more.”

Tour Director - ALMA BERNASCONI

 Accommodations

 Optional Excursions

No matter what you’re into: food, wine, history, art, music or anything else, we give you the freedom to personalize your vacation with optional excursions that speak to your interests.

When you book your excursions with us, you can be assured that every optional excursion that we offer coordinates with the free time that you'll have in your destination, so you'll never have conflicts between included and optional activities. Our team of travel experts carefully selects each optional excursion that we offer to ensure that you receive the highest quality at a great value. Our tried-and-true partners have a finger on the pulse of the city in which they operate so they deliver the very best experiences. We offer experiences you cannot create on your own and because you’re booking with us, we coordinate all your transportation and timing needs.

The following optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These may or may not be offered, and availability is subject to days of operation and seasonality. Please select a departure date to view optional excursions and pricing for a specific date (due to currency fluctuation, pricing shown is subject to change until purchased). Optional excursions are available for purchase on our MyCosmos site 90 days prior to the tour start date.

Price Ranges

$ ($50 USD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 USD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 USD)
$$$$ (Over $150)


Vancouver
Banff National Park
Jasper National Park
Sun Peaks
Whistler
Victoria

Vancouver

Vancouver Sunset Dinner Cruise

Vancouver Sunset Dinner Cruise

Take in the sights and sounds of the city while cruising past the magnificent Vancouver skyline at night while enjoying live music and delicious West Coast-themed cuisine.

Price Range: $$

Grouse Mountain & Capilano Suspension Bridge

Grouse Mountain & Capilano Suspension Bridge

From suspension bridges and treetop viewing platforms, to fish ladders and mountain gondolas, this sightseeing tour to Vancouver's North Shore is the ultimate tour for thrill-seekers and nature lovers.

Price Range: $$$

Banff National Park

Helicopter Tours

Helicopter Tours

Discover unparalleled views of Banff National Park and the Canadian Rockies region by helicopter. There are several options to choose from, but all deliver spectacular opportunities for a once in a lifetime experience in the Rockies.

Price Range: $$$$

Jasper National Park

Athabasca River Float Trip

Athabasca River Float Trip

Enjoy some of Jasper National Park's very best scenery from water level on this exciting rafting float trip along the Athabasca River!

Price Range: $$

Maligne Lake Cruise to Spirit Island

Maligne Lake Cruise to Spirit Island

Immerse yourself in the very essence of the Canadian Rockies on this exceptional cruise across the glacial waters of Maligne Lake to legendary Spirit Island!

Price Range: $$

Magical Mystical Maligne Canyon Walk

Magical Mystical Maligne Canyon Walk

Take an exciting walk on the edge of Jasper National Park's deepest accessible canyon on this exhilarating guided excursion to Maligne Canyon.

Price Range: $$

Sun Peaks

Canoeing In Sun Peaks With Fur Traders Feast

Canoeing In Sun Peaks With Fur Traders Feast

Enjoy a guided voyageur canoe trip on Lake McGillivray followed by a 4-course Fur Traders Feast.

Price Range: $$

Whistler

Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre

Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre

The Squamish and Lil'wat people, proudly invite you to learn about the BC First Nations cultures at this award winning cultural center.

Price Range: $$

Seaplane Tour

Seaplane Tour

There's no place quite like Whistler, and there's simply no better way to explore it than from the air during an exciting flightseeing tour!

Price Range: $$$

Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre

Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre

The Squamish and Lil'wat people, proudly invite you to learn about the BC First Nations cultures at this award winning cultural center.

Price Range: $

Peak to Peak Experience

Peak to Peak Experience

Whistler's pinnacle summer experience is a ride on the Guinness World Record breaking PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains.

Price Range: $$

Tree Trek Canopy Walk

Tree Trek Canopy Walk

Tiptoe through the treetops on this thrilling guided Tree Trek Canopy Walk, featuring a network of suspension bridges, suspended stairways, boardwalks, and trails high above the ground!

Price Range: $

Ziptrek Adventure

Ziptrek Adventure

Operating in a true old-growth temperate rainforest, your Whistler zipline journey takes you through the forest via suspension bridges, treetop observation platforms, ground based trails and ziplines. Choose from three different zipline excursions.

Price Range: $$$

Mountain Sightseeing Sprinter Tour

Mountain Sightseeing Sprinter Tour

Take a closer look at Blackcomb Mountain from the comfort of a 4X4 Mercedes Benz Sprinter Van.

Price Range: $$

Victoria

Victoria by Night with Dinner

Victoria by Night with Dinner

All aboard one of Victoria's charming ferries for an enjoyable sightseeing cruise around the harbor, followed by a delightful waterside dinner at a local restaurant.

Price Range: $$

Victoria Panorama by Seaplane

Victoria Panorama by Seaplane

Take to the skies during this thrilling, 20-minute seaplane flight over Victoria Harbour and the rugged coast of Vancouver Island!

Price Range: $$

Marine Wildlife & Whale-Watching Expedition

Marine Wildlife & Whale-Watching Expedition

Discover the wildlife wonders of Vancouver Island during this inspiring cruise in search for the area's abundant marine animals and resident pods of orca whales!

Price Range: $$$

Victoria farewell dinner at local restaurant

Victoria farewell dinner at local restaurant

Enjoy a farewell dinner with your new friends at a local restaurant in Victoria.

Price Range: $

Victoria Harbour Ferry

Victoria Harbour Ferry

This exciting cruise around Victoria Harbour really makes a splash as you experience the very best of this beautiful city from water level!

Price Range: $



The "Starting at" or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include International airfare; additional fees/charges are not included. If a price is crossed out, the new price includes a limited time promotional offer(s) – please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Cosmos).