Vancouver and the Rockies
 

Hi,
I'm thinking of planning a trip for me and my husband to Canada this June. We would be there for 2 weeks. I have considered flying into Calgary and out of Vancouver or vice versa whichever gives me the best rental car prices. Should I do this and visit both the Rockies and Vancouver/Vancouver Island? Or should I just visit the Rockies and not go to Vancouver. Would 2 weeks be enough time?
I would fly in and out of Calgary if we decide not to include Vancouver in our trip.
We would arrive around June 11th and leave around the 26th.
Thanks.

Hello paigenc,

If you have 2 weeks, I definitely think it's worth including Vancouver. With 2 weeks that mainly were occupied by the Canadian Rockies, with Vancouver also thrown into the mix, you would be able to fit in a visit to Victoria on Vancouver Island. Victoria can be done as a day trip from Vancouver, but it does make for a long day, and an overnight trip to Victoria is more leisurely and comfortable.

What you would not have time to do in 2 weeks, if a good chunk of your vacation was occupied by the Rockies, would be much exploration of Vancouver Island beyond Victoria.

Still, I think the trip you have in mind sounds very nice.

Hi Judy,
Thanks. I was hoping you would respond. : ) I've read some other posts you've made and you are so sweet and helpful. Do you have any suggestions on how many days we should allow for each area. I plan on doing the drive between banff and Vancouver over 2 days and not just one.
Paige

Hello Paige,

Well, there are different routes by which you can drive from Calgary to Vancouver. There is a more northerly route through Jasper, Clearwater, Cache Creek, Whistler. There is a central route through Golden, Revelstoke, Kamloops, Hope. Then there is a southerly route through Radium Hot Springs, Cranbrook, Creston, Castlegar, Osoyoos, Princeton, Hope.

Each route is attractive and has its advantages. It's also possible to zigzag and combine routes.

Other choices you have are where you spend more time and less time. For example, you can spend time in Calgary, but that abbreviates the time you can afford on the coast. Alternatively, you can emphasize the coast a bit more and use Calgary only as an entry or exit point.

In the next post I'll provide an itinerary that leaves Calgary out of the picture, but buys a LITTLE time to see some more of Vancouver Island.

The Vancouver Island part of it is just a little more rushed than I think is ideal. It would be nice to have another day in the Tofino / Ucluelet area. However, I don't know what else to cut out, as everything else on the itinerary is worthy too, in my opinion.

Anyway, you and other posters can look at it and see what you think. Other posters may have other preferences that they may suggest to you.

Sat 11 – Arrive Calgary. Drive to Canmore or Banff.

Sun 12 – Johnston Canyon, Banff townsite, Sulphur Mountain Gondola, Lake Minnewanka. O/N Canmore / Banff.

Mon 13 – Moraine Lake and Lake Louise from base in Canmore / Banff. If you are so inclined, there are great halfday hikes from ML and LL respectively.

Tue 14 - Drive the Icefields Parkway to Jasper townsite. As you will have seen from previous posts, this can stretch out almost to a day if you stop at the scenic lookout posts.

Wed 15 - Explore Jasper's environs. Drive to Mount Edith Cavell. I don't believe the Angel Glacier / Cavell Meadows hiking trail will be open yet, but the drive to the trailhead is pretty in itself. Walk in Maligne Canyon. Consider driving to Maligne Lake. The Maligne Lake Road usually is a good route for spotting wildlife. If boat rides appeal to you, take the cruise to Spirit Island. O/N in Jasper again.

Thu 16 - Drive back along the Icefields Parkway to Lake Louise. Turn west onto Hwy #1. Visit Takakkaw Falls and Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park. O/N in the vicinity of Golden, BC.

Fri 17 - Drive to Revelstoke, Sicamous, Salmon Arm, Vernon. Overnight in Kelowna or Penticton.

Sat 18 - Drive south on Hwy #97. Just before you reach Peachland, turn west onto Hwy #97C. When you reach Hwy #5A, drive south on this scenic road towards Princeton. At Princeton turn west onto Hwy #3, and drive through lovely Manning Provincial Park towards Hope. At Hope join Hwy #1 and drive west through Chilliwack to Vancouver. This is a longer, but more scenic, route than the Coquihalla Highway from Kamloops to Hope.

Sun 19 – Vancouver (centrally located attractions, such as Stanley Park, Granville Island Market, Robson Street, etc.)

Mon 20 – Vancouver (North Shore attractions such as Lynn Canyon and Grouse Mountain)

Tue 21 – Vancouver (attractions to the south of downtown, especially the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia)

Wed 22 – Catch the ferry (with a reservation from BC Ferries at www.bcferries.ca ) from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver to Departure Bay near Nanaimo. Drive to Ucluelet or Tofino.

Thu 23 – Explore area between Ucluelet and Tofino. O/N here again.

Fri 24 - Drive to Victoria in the morning. See Butchart Gardens in the afternoon.

Sat 25 - Explore Inner Harbour area / downtown. Consider visiting Royal British Columbia Museum. Catch late afternoon ferry from Swazrtz Bay on the Island to Tsawwassen on the mainland (again with reservations). I don’t know where to suggest you overnight.

Sun 26 – Fly home.

Hope that helps.

Thanks so much Judy. I will certainly take a close look at your suggestions!!!! : ) : )