Canadian Family Discovery - Reverse

This one-time Mountie outpost is situated at the meeting of the Bow River and
Elbow Rivers in the south of the province, with the epic Rocky Mountain Range
forming the city's backdrop. If you have some extra time to explore before
the tour departs the city, then the Calgary Zoo with its Botanical Gardens
and Prehistoric Park is recommended. Here, the kids can come face-to-face
with life-sized dinosaurs or enjoy some of the city's wide open green spaces.
A welcome meeting will be held at 18:00 hrs in your hotel, where you'll meet
your tour guide and the other families who will be joining you on this
adventure.

*Optional Activities*:

* Calgary Zoo CA$25 (CA$17 for under 16s)

Located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, Banff National Park was
established in 1885 and is Canada's oldest national park. Its mountainous
terrain encompasses coniferous forests, alpine meadows, ice fields and
glaciers. It's an outdoor enthusiast's paradise with plenty of opportunity
for walking and hiking. With an abundance of wildlife in the park, there's
always the chance of seeing bears from a safe distance. Alternatively, take a
scenic ride on the gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain to take in a
360-degree view of the surrounding landscape. For a completely different
perspective, another exciting optional activity is to fly overhead in a
helicopter - an amazing experience that your family will never forget. Of
course, there's nothing better after a hard day of fun than a soak in the
Sulphur Mountain hot springs, which is why we've included this for you!
You’ll stay in the same campsite for four nights in the Lake Louise area so
there will be no packing and unpacking, for a little while at least.

*Optional Activities*:

* Aerial gondola/tramway CA$49-64
* Scenic glacier flight (20 minutes) CA$275

With its snow-capped peaks, ancient pine forests and enchanting turquoise
waters, Lake Louise is simply stunning. It's always been a popular tourist
destination, so there’s no surprise that it's the most photographed
destination in the Canadian Rockies! There are loads of walking trails to
enjoy, so you can either wander around the lake or hike to a nearby teahouse
to be rewarded with some of the best chocolate cake in Canada!

*Optional Activities*:

* Canoeing CAD$125 per hour (CAD$95 per additional hour)

Today’s adventure will take you to Yoho National Park. 'Yoho' is a native
word for 'awe', and you'll see why. Sometimes overshadowed by the
neighbouring parks of Banff and Jasper, Yoho National Park is considered the
hidden gem of the Canadian national parks system. If your family are budding
photographers, exploring Yoho will provide you with ample opportunities to
hone your skills as you wander through a pristine alpine landscape that
includes mountains, lakes and waterfalls. In your free time, you can
experience the Kicking Horse River first-hand with an optional half-day white
water rafting excursion, or choose to canoe or hike at the magnificent
Emerald Lake. Walking the challenging trails overlooking Takakkaw Falls is an
excellent alternative option. One thing's for sure, after all this adventure
you'll sleep well tonight!

*Optional Activities*:

* Emerald Lake canoe rental (1 hr) CA$45

The Icefields Parkway is known as one of the world's most scenic drives and
cuts through the heart of the Rockies, travelling for 360km (230 miles) past
hanging glaciers, sheer rock walls and broad sweeping valleys. You'll want to
keep your cameras ready for some stunning views. Visit Peyto Lake and be
amazed by its incredible turquoise hues, before traversing a portion of the
imposing Athabasca Glacier, on an included guided hike. The kids will be left
speechless, for once!

The magnificent drive leads you to Jasper National Park, the largest national
park in Canada, covering an area of 18,878 square km (4,200 square miles).
This is where you will camp for the next two nights. It's much less developed
than other areas of Western Canada and there are several options on offer.
You may want to start your visit by taking the cable car up Whistler Mountain
for a bird's-eye view. There's also the chance to try your hand at mountain
biking and hiking amidst fantastic lakeside scenery, or to visit Mount Edith
Cavell for tremendous views of Angel Glacier, a beautiful hanging glacier in
the shape of angel wings.

*Optional Activities*:

* Mountain biking CA$20 per hour
* SkyTram cable car CA$50

Next up is Wells Gray Provincial Park - the fourth largest in British
Columbia, covering the highest regions of the Cariboo Mountains. Take a walk
and check out the impressive Helmcken Falls, one of the reasons for the
creation of Wells Gray Provincial Park in 1939, or you could choose to hop on
a horse for an afternoon ride. You'll camp among spectacular two nights and
after each night's dinner, you can kick back and experience authentic British
Columbian hospitality. Take part in a BBQ cookout, where you'll create a
hearty meal of fresh meat and fish (plus a vegetarian option) for everyone to
feast on after a busy day exploring.

Continue your journey to Whistler, in the heart of British Columbia. Perhaps
better known as a winter resort, Whistler is a fantastic destination all
year-round, with incredible scenery and loads of activities on offer. Why not
take a leisurely gondola ride and see the views from above, rent bikes and
wind your way along the trails, or even take to the tree tops with some
adventurous zip lining? For a once in a lifetime experience, you can even
take a scenic glacier flight. Whether you're a family of adrenaline junkies
or simply like to enjoy some leisurely time together surrounded by nature,
there's something for everyone in Whistler.

*Optional Activities*:

* Extreme zip line course CA$129-$219
* Mountain biking from CA$53
* Gondola ride CA$27

Head towards the coast and to one of the most beautiful and picturesque
cities in the world, Vancouver, where unfortunately your tour comes to an
end.

Should you choose to stay on longer to explore the city, there's plenty to
fill your time. Amid the skyscrapers, you'll find the locals enjoy an
outdoorsy way of life. Stanley Park is always a favourite with the whole
family. Be sure to check out the fascinating and brightly painted totem poles
that have been here since the 1920s, and you should treat yourselves to some
moreish maple cookies!

This tour ends at our gateway hotel at approximately 17:00 hrs. We can book
you post-tour accommodation at our gateway hotel if required. If you are
planning to fly tonight, please do not book a flight that departs before
21:00 hrs.

*Optional Activities*:

* Bike rental in Stanley Park CA$11 per hour