Canadian Family Discovery

Welcome to one of the most beautiful and picturesque cities in the world,
Vancouver. There’s plenty to fill your time with today but we highly
recommend a stroll around this cosmopolitan city to get a feel for the
Canadian people and their outdoorsy way of life. Treat yourself to some
moreish maple cookies in Stanley Park, a 4,00-hectare wonderland where you
can see the authentic totem poles erected in the 1920's. The kids can make
the most of the playground with a pool and a waterslide. There will be a
welcome meeting for those of you not on the group flight at 6.00pm in the
hotel lobby, here you will meet your tour leader and fellow travelling
companions. If booking flight inclusive you will receive notes off the tour
leader at a later stage due to a late arrival.

*Optional Activities:*

* Bike Rental in Stanley Park CA$11 per hour
 

After a scenic drive, set up camp near 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? 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 Zipline Course CA$129-$219
* Mountain Biking from CA$53
* Gondola Ride CA$27

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. You'll stay in rustic guest
ranch cabins for two nights and after each night's dinner, you can kick back
and experience authentic ranch 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.

*Optional Activities:*

* Walking and Canoeing Day Excursion with Lunch CA$80

Jasper National Park is the largest national park in Canada, covering an area
of 18,878 square km (4,200 square miles) and this is where you will camp for
the next two nights. It's much less developed than other areas of Western
Canada and offers a true wilderness feel. There are several options on offer
in Jasper. You may want to start your visit by taking the cable car up
Whistler Mountain for a bird's-eye view of this wonderful park. There's also
the chance to experience 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

The Icefields Parkway cuts through the heart of the Rockies, travelling for
360km (230 miles) past hanging glaciers, sheer rock walls and broad sweeping
valleys. It's been called one of the world's most scenic drives, and you'll
definitely want to keep your cameras at the 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!
*Golden Municipal Campground (or similar)*

Continuing by road you make your way to the town of Golden and 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 Canada national parks system. If any
of your family are budding photographers, exploring Yoho will provide them
with ample opportunities to hone their skills as you wander through a
pristine alpine landscape which includes mountains, lakes and waterfalls. In
your free time you can get up close and personal with the Kicking Horse River
on an optional half-day white water rafting excursion, or you can choose to
canoe or hike at the magnificent Emerald Lake. Walking the challenging trails
overlooking Takakkaw Falls is an excellent alternative option. You'll all
sleep well tonight!

*Optional Activities:*

* Emerald Lake Canoe Rental (1hr) CA$45

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 it's no surprise that it's the most photographed destination
in the Canadian Rockies! There are also many walking trails to enjoy, 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! Finish the day at the
campground in Banff National Park.

*Optional Activities:*

* Canoeing CA$125 per hours (CA$95 per additional hour)

*Tunnel Mountain II (or similar)*

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 a chance of seeing bear 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!

*Optional Activities:*

* Aerial Gondola/Tramway CA$49-$64
* Scenic Glacier Flight (20 minutes) CA$275

After a free morning to absorb your last taste of the Canadian wilderness,
you make the short journey to the city of Calgary. This one-time Mountie
outpost is situated at the meeting of the Bow River and Elbow Rivers in the
south of the Alberta province, with the epic Rocky Mountain Range forming the
city's backdrop. Calgary is a pretty awesome place to finish your Canadian
adventure! If you have some extra time to explore, the Calgary Zoo with its
Botanical Garden 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.
For Land Only travellers, your tour ends here at approximately 5.00pm. If you
are not on the group flights and are planning to depart this evening, please
do not book a flight that departs before approximately 9.00pm as we can not
guarantee that you will make your flight in time.
For those on the group flights, your overnight flight departs this evening,
arriving into London the following day.

*Optional Activities:*

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