Explore the best of Vancouver and its highlights. Indulge in the culinary and art scene of Bowen Island and take a trip down the scenic Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler. Join a local wildlife expert to search for bears and visit the renowned Audain Museum. Charter a private floatplane to Victoria and set out on a wildlife-watching adventure on the Salish Sea.
Itinerary Highlights
Search for bears with a local wildlife expert
Dig into the culinary and art scene of Bowen Island
Travel the Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler
Discover the highlights of Vancouver
Private floatplane charter to Victoria
What’s included
Private tours for most included activities
Meet & greet airport service
Luxury or boutique accommodation at your chosen level
Expert guides in each destination
flexibility
This is an example itinerary. It is fully flexible; you can add or detract days and include hotels at your chosen budget. It departs daily.
7
Nights
Price Guide
$TBC pp
Our quotes are bespoke for your customised trip. The prices displayed are indicative only, read more
Day 1
Fly to Vancouver
Day 2
Vancouver
This is an introduction to Vancouver for those who want to “see it all”. Set off with your guide for a day of short walking tours and scenic drives throughout Vancouver. Enjoy views of English Bay and visit locations such as trendy Yaletown and False Creek, cultural Chinatown, historic Gastown and Granville Island, Stanley Park, and the Capilano River Canyon Rainforest. Learn about sustainability at a salmon hatchery and experience thrills on the 50-meter-high Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge. Enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch prepared by your guide.
Day 3
Bowen Island
Explore beyond the city limits on a unique excursion by air, sea, and land. Travel to nearby Horseshoe Bay with your guide and board a ferry to Bowen Island. Sitting at the head of Howe Sound, Bowen Island charms visitors with a combination of natural, cultural, and culinary highlights. Explore an uninhabited lake and take an interpretive eco-walk up a salmon creek. Roam Bowen Island’s quaint, artistic village of Snug Cove, including Artisan Lane. Along the way, you’ll enjoy a wonderful west coast lunch at one of the local restaurants. After lunch, return to Vancouver via a scenic flight aboard a private floatplane.
Day 4
Vancouver to Whistler
Set out with your guide for a private trip up the Sea to Sky Highway, lauded as one of the most gorgeous drives in North America. Your destination is Whistler Resort, the site of the 2010 Winter Olympic Village. Enjoy panoramic ocean views, sky-high mountains, and glaciers as you travel along the Coast Range. Photo opportunities abound, with optional stops at Shannon Falls and Squamish.
Upon arrival in Whistler, stroll the pedestrian village before boarding the extraordinary Peak-2-Peak Gondola. Spanning the distance between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains, the record-breaking PEAK 2 PEAK provides an unparalleled perspective of the peaks, coastal rainforest, and ancient glaciers.
Nestled in the rugged Coast Mountains, Whistler offers luxury accommodations, fine dining, and unlimited recreation. At the base of Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains lies the Village, the centre of dining, shopping, and activity. Over the years, Whistler has been home to the Lil’wat and Squamish Nations, European trappers, and the Winter Olympics.
Day 5
Whistler
Head into the Whistler backcountry in a private luxury 4×4 to search for bears with an expert guide. Travel a maze of private roads and experience the wildlife, glaciers, and rainforests of the Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. These areas are home to various wildlife, including eagles, hawks, pika, marmots, hares, deer, and, of course, black bear sows and their cubs. This bear population has been studied for over twenty consecutive years, allowing your guide to share insights and stories of these animals. While wildlife viewing is never guaranteed, this excursion offers a high success rate.
In Whistler, enjoy a private catered lunch and presentation with a local bear expert. The presentation includes bear photography and research to help you better understand how bears adapt to environmental changes brought on by man and climate. Afterwards, visit the Audain Art Museum for a private tour by a museum guide.
Day 6
Victoria
Board a floatplane on nearby Green Lake for a private one-hour scenic flight to Victoria. Fly down the Whistler Valley, over the Strait of Georgia, and over the Gulf Islands to Vancouver Island. Land in Victoria’s Inner Harbour, where your guide will meet you for an orientation of the historic downtown. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant (payable locally) before travelling with your guide to Butchart Gardens. Victoria’s premier attraction, these gardens date back over 100 years. Your guide escorts you through the Sunken Garden, English Rose Garden, Japanese Garden, and more in this 50-acre campus of flowers and birds. Following your tour, you are transferred back to your accommodations in Victoria.
Day 7
Victoria
The Salish Sea, just off the coast of Victoria, teems with marine life and is one of the best places in the world for watching orcas. Board a sleek open-air whale-watching vessel for a morning of cruising for wildlife. Humpback, minke, and grey whales call this area home, as well as their striking cousin, the orca (killer whale.) While cruising for whales, keep watch for porpoises, seals, sea lions, sea otters, and a myriad of sea birds.
After your excursion, enjoy lunch at one of your guide’s favourite local restaurants (payable locally.)
This afternoon, explore some of Victoria’s highlights with your guide. Fondly referred to as “The Garden City”, Victoria is full of hidden gems from the Abkhazi Gardens to the Government House. As you travel between parks and gardens with your guide, learn about the city’s history and explore some of its neighbourhoods.
Day 8
Fly home
A note on price
The prices outlined above are a rough guide to give you an idea of costs and enable you to budget for your trip.
Guide prices are generally for private arrangements based on twin share, in well located, good quality accommodation (excluding international flights).
Please note costs are indicative and may vary due to a number of factors such as; travel date, hotel choice, room category, number of people travelling and prevailing exchange rates.
Price Guide $TBC per person
When to travel
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Trying to distil the climate of Canada into an easy-to-understand statement is impossible, given the vast area and diverse geography within the country. Overall, in most places, winters are harsh compared to much of the world, on par with northern Eurasia. The most populated region, southern Ontario, has a less severe climate. Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut, is just south of the Arctic Circle and remains very cold except for the months of July and August when the July average maximum is only 12°C. On the other hand, the coastlines of British Columbia are very mild for their latitude, remaining above freezing for most of the winter, yet they are not far away from some of the largest mountain glaciers found on the continent.
January is a tricky time to travel through Canada, as the weather can be quite unpredictable. Some regions may experience extreme cold and heavy snowfall, while others may see milder temperatures and rainy conditions. It's important to check the forecast for your specific destination and pack accordingly, with warm layers and waterproof gear. If you're planning on driving, be sure to have winter tires and a full tank of gas in case of any unexpected delays. Overall, it's best to be prepared for anything when travelling through Canada in January.
February is another unpredictable month for travel weather in Canada. Some regions may still experience extreme cold and heavy snowfall, while others may see milder temperatures and rainy conditions. It's important to check the forecast for your specific destination and pack accordingly with warm layers and waterproof gear, just as you would in January. Winter tires and a full tank of gas are still recommended if you're planning on driving. It's always best to be prepared for any type of weather when travelling through Canada in the winter months.
As winter slowly fades away, March brings a glimmer of hope for travellers to Canada. The weather begins to warm up in most regions, but it's still important to check the forecast for your specific destination before packing. Some areas may still experience snow and cold temperatures, while others may see milder conditions. It's always a good idea to bring layers that can be easily added or removed, as well as waterproof gear in case of rain or snow. If you plan on driving, winter tires may still be necessary in some areas. Overall, March can be a more comfortable time to travel compared to the harsh winter months, but it's still important to be prepared for any type of weather.
As spring begins to take hold in Canada, April can bring a mix of weather conditions for travellers. While some regions may experience mild temperatures and sunny skies, others may still see snow and colder temperatures. It's important to check the forecast for your specific destination before packing and to bring layers that can be easily added or removed. Waterproof gear may also come in handy in case of rain or wet snow. Overall, April can be a great time to travel to Canada, but it's important to be prepared for a variety of weather conditions.
As May arrives in Canada, travellers can expect a transition to warmer weather with longer days and more sunshine. However, some regions may still experience cooler temperatures and occasional rain showers. It's important to check the forecast for your specific destination before packing and to bring layers that can be easily added or removed. Waterproof gear may also come in handy in case of rain. Overall, May can be a great time to travel to Canada, but it's important to be prepared for changes in weather conditions.
If you're planning on travelling to Canada in June, be prepared for a variety of weather conditions depending on your destination. In general, the eastern part of the country experiences warmer temperatures and more sunshine during this time of year, with average highs ranging from 19°C to 24°C. However, areas like the Rocky Mountains and northern Canada may still have snow and cooler temperatures, so be sure to pack accordingly. It's always a good idea to check the weather forecast for your specific destination before you go to ensure you're prepared for whatever Mother Nature has in store.
If you're planning a trip to Canada in July, you can expect warm temperatures across most of the country. The eastern part of the country experiences an average high of around 26°C, while the western coast remains cooler with an average high of around 21°C. However, as with any travel, it's always a good idea to check the weather forecast for your specific destination to ensure you're prepared for any unexpected changes in the weather. Happy travels!
If you're planning a trip to Canada in August, you can expect warm temperatures across most of the country as well. The eastern part of the country experiences an average high of around 25°C, while the western coast remains cooler with an average high of around 20°C. However, it's always important to check the weather forecast for your specific destination as temperatures and conditions can vary depending on the location. Keep in mind that August is also peak travel season, so it's recommended to book accommodations and activities in advance for a stress-free trip.
September is a great time to visit Canada, as temperatures start to cool down from the summer heat. The eastern part of the country experiences an average high of around 20°C, while the western coast remains cooler with an average high of around 15°C. However, it's always important to check the weather forecast for your specific destination as temperatures and conditions can vary depending on the location. Keep in mind that September is also a popular travel season, especially for fall foliage, so it's recommended to book accommodations and activities in advance for a hassle-free trip.
October is a beautiful time to travel in Canada, but it's important to be prepared for the weather. Generally, temperatures will be cool, ranging from around 5-15 degrees Celsius depending on where you are in the country. In some areas, particularly in the north, snow may start to fall towards the end of the month. It's a good idea to bring layers and waterproof clothing to stay comfortable in case of rain or snow. Despite the cooler temperatures, October can still be a great time to enjoy the stunning fall foliage and other outdoor activities.
November is a transitional month in Canada when it comes to weather. Temperatures begin to drop, averaging around 0-10 degrees Celsius depending on where you are in the country. Snow may start to fall in some areas, particularly in the higher elevations. It's important to bring warm layers and waterproof clothing to stay comfortable in case of rain or snow. Despite the colder temperatures, November can still be a great time to enjoy outdoor activities such as skiing or snowshoeing.
December is one of the coldest months in Canada, with temperatures ranging from -10 to -20 degrees Celsius in many areas. Snow is a common occurrence throughout the country, which can make for beautiful winter scenery. It's important to bring warm layers and waterproof clothing to stay comfortable in the cold and potentially wet weather. Despite the chilly temperatures, there are still many outdoor activities to enjoy such as ice skating, skiing, and snowboarding. Be sure to check weather forecasts and road conditions before traveling to ensure safe and enjoyable travels.
Add on’s
There are a multitude of add-on holiday options to this Canadian itinerary, for example, you could head to Calgary to explore the rich heritage of this city.
Canada is also easily accessed from Australia either by direct flights to Vancouver or by the main flight hubs of Los Angeles or San Francisco, making it perfect for adding tours in these two fascinating Westcoast US cities.
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