Rockies Odyssey

Join the Icefields Parkway, one of the world’s most scenic stretches of road, and pause at the glacier-fed Peyto Lake. Journey onwards to the Columbia Icefield, where you’ll board an Ice Explorer for an exhilarating ride onto the Athabasca Glacier. Continuing via Athabasca Falls, your day ends in Jasper. Choose where to dine this evening.

Today, enjoy a Freedom of Choice activity and discover Jasper from a unique vantage point.

Freedom of Choice – Harley-Davidson Sidecar Tour

Experience the thrill of the open road as you coast through Jasper’s breathtaking wilderness on a chauffeured motorcycle sidecar tour.

Freedom of Choice – Maligne Valley Tour with Hike

Journey to Maligne Canyon, a stunning natural wonder teeming with iconic Canadian wildlife. On a trail hike, look for osprey, eagles, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, moose, elk, deer and bears.

Freedom of Choice – Maligne Valley Tour with Cruise

Set against the backdrop of jagged mountain peaks, cruise across the glacial waters of Maligne Lake to Spirit Island, a destination only accessible by boat.

Freedom of Choice – River Rafting

This is the perfect introduction to rafting. Small rapids and calm waters ease you into the activity, and your licensed guide is around to point out areas of interest and wildlife along the way.

Freedom of Choice – Jasper SkyTram

Jasper’s peak attraction provides an unforgettable view of the Athabasca Valley and Jasper National Park. Transport on the SkyTram shuttle is included.

Take in views of Mount Robson as you travel along the Yellowhead Highway to Sun Peaks. Upon arrival, admire the stunning mountain vistas, visit the pedestrianised village abundant with shops, cafes and restaurants, and meet the friendly locals. With free outdoor entertainment in summer, including live music, there is plenty to explore. 

Follow the tracks of early gold rush pioneers through the Cariboo region, stopping at Seton and Duffey lakes. Later, re-enter the Coast Mountains and learn why Whistler attracts so many outdoor enthusiasts. 

Delight in an enriching Signature Experience today. This afternoon, discover more of Whistler as you set out on your chosen sightseeing activity.

Signature Experience – Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre

Visit the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre and feast on a breakfast inspired by traditional First Nations food. Explore the museum, discovering your First Nations animal spirit with the help of your guide.

Freedom of Choice – Peak 2 Peak Gondola

Be swept to entirely new heights on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola. The Cloudraker Skybridge also takes you 130 metres from Whistler Peak to the West Ridge, across the Whistler Bowl.

Freedom of Choice – Tree Trek

Explore Whistler’s ancient forest on a tree trek. Breathe in the fresh mountain air as you wander through the tall pines, walking along an incredible network of suspension bridges and boardwalks.

Freedom of Choice – Ziptrek Bear Tour

Soar through the treetops during an exhilarating zipline adventure on Ziptrek Ecotours’ Bear Tour. This spectacular course takes you over the valley between Whistler and Blackcomb Peak across four ziplines and a series of suspension bridges, boardwalks and trails.

Freedom of Choice – Mountain Jeep Tour

Set off on a Jeep tour and see Whistler from a completely different altitude. Take in glorious views of Whistler Village, lakes, golf courses and the peaks of the Coast Mountains.

Freedom of Choice – Heli Flightseeing

Be awed by the sights surrounding Whistler from the air during a helicopter flight and marvel at an aerial view of the Peak 2 Peak Gondola.

Freedom of Choice – Electric Mountain Bike Rental

Exploring Whistler on an electric mountain bike is a wonderful way to spend a summer day. Feel the fresh air as you coast past lush green landscapes and mountains.

Victoria, the capital of a province whose license plates brazenly label it “The Best Place on Earth,” is a walkable, livable seaside city of fragrant gardens, waterfront paths, engaging museums, and beautifully restored 19th-century architecture. In summer, the Inner Harbour—Victoria’s social and cultural center—buzzes with visiting yachts, horse-and-carriage rides, street entertainers, and excursion boats heading out to visit pods of friendly local whales. Yes, it might be a bit touristy, but Victoria’s good looks, gracious pace, and manageable size are instantly beguiling, especially if you stand back to admire the mountains and ocean beyond. At the southern tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria dips slightly below the 49th parallel. That puts it farther south than most of Canada, giving it the mildest climate in the country, with virtually no snow and less than half the rain of Vancouver. The city’s geography, or at least its place names, can cause confusion. Just to clarify: the city of Victoria is on Vancouver Island (not Victoria Island). The city of Vancouver is on the British Columbia mainland, not on Vancouver Island. At any rate, that upstart city of Vancouver didn’t even exist in 1843 when Victoria, then called Fort Victoria, was founded as the westernmost trading post of the British-owned Hudson’s Bay Company. Victoria was the first European settlement on Vancouver Island, and in 1868 it became the capital of British Columbia. The British weren’t here alone, of course. The local First Nations people—the Songhees, the Saanich, and the Sooke—had already lived in the areas for thousands of years before anyone else arrived. Their art and culture are visible throughout southern Vancouver Island. You can see this in private and public galleries, in the totems at Thunderbird Park, in the striking collections at the Royal British Columbia Museum, and at the Quw’utsun’Cultural and Conference Centre in nearby Duncan. Spanish explorers were the first foreigners to explore the area, although they left little more than place names (Galiano Island and Cordova Bay, for example). The thousands of Chinese immigrants drawn by the gold rushes of the late 19th century had a much greater impact, founding Canada’s oldest Chinatown and adding an Asian influence that’s still quite pronounced in Victoria’s multicultural mix. Despite its role as the provincial capital, Victoria was largely eclipsed, economically, by Vancouver throughout the 20th century. This, as it turns out, was all to the good, helping to preserve Victoria’s historic downtown and keeping the city largely free of skyscrapers and highways. For much of the 20th century, Victoria was marketed to tourists as “The Most British City in Canada,” and it still has more than its share of Anglo-themed pubs, tea shops, and double-decker buses. These days, however, Victorians prefer to celebrate their combined indigenous, Asian, and European heritage, and the city’s stunning wilderness backdrop. Locals do often venture out for afternoon tea, but they’re just as likely to nosh on dim sum or tapas. Decades-old shops sell imported linens and tweeds, but newer upstarts offer local designs in hemp and organic cotton. And let’s not forget that fabric prevalent among locals: Gore-Tex. The outdoors is ever present here. You can hike, bike, kayak, sail, or whale-watch straight from the city center, and forests, beaches, offshore islands, and wilderness parklands lie just minutes away. A little farther afield, there’s surfing near Sooke, wine touring in the Cowichan Valley, and kayaking among the Gulf Islands.

Begin the day with a Signature Experience. Tonight, savour a special dinner with your fellow travellers.

Signature Experience – The Butchart Gardens Before Hours

Visit The Butchart Gardens before the public is granted access and enjoy breakfast in the original Butchart residence. More than 100 years in the making with a former quarry as the initial canvas, this space was transformed by Jennie Butchart into a haven overflowing with lush greenery and colourful blooms. Relish the opportunity to wander among the floral displays without the crowds. 

Victoria, the capital of a province whose license plates brazenly label it “The Best Place on Earth,” is a walkable, livable seaside city of fragrant gardens, waterfront paths, engaging museums, and beautifully restored 19th-century architecture. In summer, the Inner Harbour—Victoria’s social and cultural center—buzzes with visiting yachts, horse-and-carriage rides, street entertainers, and excursion boats heading out to visit pods of friendly local whales. Yes, it might be a bit touristy, but Victoria’s good looks, gracious pace, and manageable size are instantly beguiling, especially if you stand back to admire the mountains and ocean beyond. At the southern tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria dips slightly below the 49th parallel. That puts it farther south than most of Canada, giving it the mildest climate in the country, with virtually no snow and less than half the rain of Vancouver. The city’s geography, or at least its place names, can cause confusion. Just to clarify: the city of Victoria is on Vancouver Island (not Victoria Island). The city of Vancouver is on the British Columbia mainland, not on Vancouver Island. At any rate, that upstart city of Vancouver didn’t even exist in 1843 when Victoria, then called Fort Victoria, was founded as the westernmost trading post of the British-owned Hudson’s Bay Company. Victoria was the first European settlement on Vancouver Island, and in 1868 it became the capital of British Columbia. The British weren’t here alone, of course. The local First Nations people—the Songhees, the Saanich, and the Sooke—had already lived in the areas for thousands of years before anyone else arrived. Their art and culture are visible throughout southern Vancouver Island. You can see this in private and public galleries, in the totems at Thunderbird Park, in the striking collections at the Royal British Columbia Museum, and at the Quw’utsun’Cultural and Conference Centre in nearby Duncan. Spanish explorers were the first foreigners to explore the area, although they left little more than place names (Galiano Island and Cordova Bay, for example). The thousands of Chinese immigrants drawn by the gold rushes of the late 19th century had a much greater impact, founding Canada’s oldest Chinatown and adding an Asian influence that’s still quite pronounced in Victoria’s multicultural mix. Despite its role as the provincial capital, Victoria was largely eclipsed, economically, by Vancouver throughout the 20th century. This, as it turns out, was all to the good, helping to preserve Victoria’s historic downtown and keeping the city largely free of skyscrapers and highways. For much of the 20th century, Victoria was marketed to tourists as “The Most British City in Canada,” and it still has more than its share of Anglo-themed pubs, tea shops, and double-decker buses. These days, however, Victorians prefer to celebrate their combined indigenous, Asian, and European heritage, and the city’s stunning wilderness backdrop. Locals do often venture out for afternoon tea, but they’re just as likely to nosh on dim sum or tapas. Decades-old shops sell imported linens and tweeds, but newer upstarts offer local designs in hemp and organic cotton. And let’s not forget that fabric prevalent among locals: Gore-Tex. The outdoors is ever present here. You can hike, bike, kayak, sail, or whale-watch straight from the city center, and forests, beaches, offshore islands, and wilderness parklands lie just minutes away. A little farther afield, there’s surfing near Sooke, wine touring in the Cowichan Valley, and kayaking among the Gulf Islands.