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Take a hike on this active adventure along Canada’s west coast

Ready to take a hike? You’ve come to the right place. Canada is home to some of the finest trails in North America. This tour will have you tackling paths that coil around mountains and snake through inland rainforests, plus enjoying views of massive glaciers and snow-covered peaks in the Canadian Rockies. Combine active adventures with spotting wildlife, munching maple-flavoured everything (cookies, donuts, bacon – you name it) and stargazing with your new friends. This 12-day adventure is the perfect introduction to Canada’s beautiful west coast.

This trip is for 18 to 29-year-olds

Some of our under-30 travellers prefer to get around with people their own age. If that’s you, you’re in the right place!

Over 29? We’ve got over 900 other great adventures to choose from for solo travellers, friends, families, food lovers, hiking enthusiasts, and more.

Start
Vancouver, Canada
Finish
Vancouver, Canada
Destination
Canada
Style
Basix
Theme
18 to 29s
Code
SSYA
Physical rating
Ages
Min 18, Max 29
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Travel solo, together

You're never alone when travelling solo with Intrepid

Why you'll love this trip

  • Keep your eyes peeled for moose and woodland caribous among towering cedar trees in the fairytale forest of Mt Revelstoke National Park.

  • The spectacular scenery of the Canadian Rockies makes for the perfect opportunity to unleash your inner Nat Geo photographer. It’s really hard to take a bad picture here.

  • From rafting trips to glacier treks, this trip is packed full of optional outdoor activities, giving you the perfect chance to get your hands and boots dirty.

  • Spend a few days seeing what all the fuss is about in Whistler, North America’s premier outdoor adventure hotspot (and a very quaint village to boot).

  • As a small group travelling in a private vehicle, we can be flexible depending on your preferences. Want to make a detour? If the group agrees, go for it!

Is this trip right for you?

  • Canada is a huge country and you want to see as much as possible on this tour. Be prepared for some long days of driving with your fellow travellers in a private vehicle. This is all part of the adventure though, and tight spaces can form firm friendships, but free space can be limited.

  • As we're travelling through the glorious mountains, weather can be unpredictable. We advise wearing layers in case conditions change during the day. At night the temperature can really drop, so make sure you have warm clothing with you. Camping can be especially cold at the start and end of the season, though if you pack right, you’ll be comfortable.

  • This trip is an authentic, participatory adventure. You'll be expected to help with shopping, cooking and cleaning, as well as setting up and packing down your tent.

  • While this trip doesn't require a high level of fitness, we recommend you are at least moderately fit in order to enjoy the included and optional activities. If you're not able to participate in all the hikes, you'll miss out on some fantastic scenery as well as the chance to see native flora and fauna.

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Canada Banff National Park with Intrepid Travel
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GNCA_canada-highlights_jasper-national-park_spirit-island
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GNCA_canada-highlights_kicking-horse-river_golden_yoho
GNCA_canada-highlights_whistler_cinnamon-bear

Itinerary
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O Canada! Home of ice hockey and Drake, and source of your soon-to-be fondest travel memories. It all begins in Vancouver. Make sure you’re at the hotel for 6 pm so that you can attend the welcome meeting, where you can greet your tour guide and fellow travellers. If you arrive with time to spare maybe pick up a donut and a 'double-double' (that’s coffee with two cream and two sugars) from Tim Hortons.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
If you can't arrange a flight that will have you arrive in time for today's welcome meeting, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so it’s important you attend. If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. Look for a sign in the lobby or ask reception where this meeting will take place.

You've got a long drive ahead today (approximately 5.5 hours) but you’ll also get your first glimpses of Canada’s incredible scenery along the way. Say goodbye to Vancouver this morning and hit the road, stopping en route for a chance to stretch your legs. Continue to the town of Hope where you’ll have the chance to grab some lunch, then carry on to the hills of the Kamloops region for a night of camping. Settle into your peaceful surroundings and enjoy a night of swapping stories beneath the stars.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Rise and shine for your first real taste of Canada’s great outdoors. Visit Mt Revelstoke National Park, home of the world’s only inland temperate rainforests. What’s that mean? Evergreen woodland with ancient trees and moss-covered ground, just like the forests in fairy tales. The park is home to a small herd of woodland caribous plus grizzly bears and moose, along with a population of banana slugs. Get your fill of bush and beasties and then travel over Rogers Pass to Glacier National Park. Stop at the visitor centre and take in the panoramic views from lookouts along the way. Continue to Lake Louise, where you’ll spend the night.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Mt. Revelstoke National Park
  • Glacier National Park
  • Rogers Pass Discovery Centre
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
Today’s drive covers about 440 kilometres (273 miles) and takes about 7 hours.

Drive through the stunning mountainous landscape of Yoho National Park. There are a couple of ways to explore the terrain. If you’d like to break in your boots your leader can point you in the direction of the best trails to tackle. Another option (not for the faint of heart) is to battle the wild waters of the aptly-named Kicking Horse River on a guided rafting tour. Please note, this is an optional activity booked through an outside company that will incur an extra cost. If you’d like to take things a little easier, perhaps book a canoeing activity on the calm waters of Emerald Lake. Floored by the scenery? You could always lie back on the riverbank and watch the world float by. Later, reconvene with the group and head to Takkakaw Falls, stop for a photo op and then continue to Banff National Park. The drive today covers 130 kilometres (80 miles), and you’ll spend the night near Banff so you can get stuck into the park tomorrow.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Yoho National Park
Optional Activities
  • Yoho National Park - Kicking Horse rafting (half day) - CAD109
  • Yoho National Park - Kicking Horse rafting (full day) - CAD159
  • Yoho National Park - Canoe Hire - CAD75
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Today's your chance to explore Banff at your own pace, as there are no formal activities planned. Established in 1885, Banff is the oldest national park in the country, and contains over 1600 kilometres (995 miles) of hiking trails. Chat to your leader about the optional activities on offer today, which – depending on your enthusiasm and budget – can range from shopping on Banff Avenue or Bear Street to unwinding in Banff Hot Springs’ steamy waters or renting a bike to explore the Vermillion Lakes. Don’t forget that some of the best walking in the country can be done in Banff, so ask your leader about what’s right for you.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Banff National Park
Optional Activities
  • Banff - Cable Car up Sulphur Mountain - CAD60
  • Banff - Hot springs - CAD8
  • Banff National Park - Helicopter flight (25 mins) - CAD275
  • Banff - Horse Riding (1 hour) - CAD60
  • Banff - Mountain bike hire (full day) - CAD45
  • Banff - Cruiser bike hire (full day) - CAD38
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Today you’ll visit two of the west coast’s most picturesque glacier-fed lakes. First is lovely Lake Louise. Nestled between two blue mountains, the lake is beautiful no matter the season. Next up is Moraine Lake where depending on the time of year the water ranges from clear to aquamarine. Located in a rocky valley and rimmed by verdant spruce trees, Moraine Lake is sure to knock you off your feet. Spend time exploring both lakes and their surrounding areas, then return to camp.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Visit to Lake Louise
  • Visit to Moraine Lake
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Ready for even more spectacular scenery? Today’s drive takes us along the famous Icefields Parkway past the Rocky Mountains. We’ll stop at a few lookouts, lakes and waterfalls along the way, so there will be plenty of opportunities to take the perfect photo. Stop at Athabasca Glacier for a chilly stroll before continuing to Jasper National Park. Today’s drive is just under 300 kilometres (186 miles), which will ideally mean about 4 hours on the road. Because we travel with a small group in a private vehicle, we can make detours and stop along the way according to the group’s interests. Driving times are also affected by weather and other conditions, so make sure to pack a good book or download some podcasts just in case.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Icefields Parkway - Athabasca Glacier tour - CAD110
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Today is as clear as the air in the Canadian Rockies. Choose how you’d like to pass the time in one of the most photographed places in Canada. Your leader will be taking whoever is willing to Lake Maligne (optional but free), where you can hike and explore on arrival. If you like, you can pay extra for an optional cruise on the lake and check out the famous Spirit Island. If you’d prefer to strike out on your own, you may wish to stay behind and head out on one of the many trails in the area. Jasper National Park is famous for its wildlife such as elk, moose, deer, bears and mountain lions, and if you’re lucky you’ll spot some of these wild animals. Just remember to admire them from afar.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Jasper National Park - Entrance Fee
  • Visit to Maligne Lake
Optional Activities
  • Jasper - SkyTram - CAD60
  • Jasper - Bike rental - CAD30
  • Jasper - Cruise on Maligne Lake - CAD79
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Another long day of travel ahead, though broken up with some stops to sightsee. Travel under the watchful eye of Mt Robson (3954 m/12,970 ft), the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Stop off at Mount Robson Provincial Park where you’ll have plenty of time to admire the towering peak and hit the trails to discover the park’s flora and fauna, including more than 182 species of birds as well as mules, whitetail deer, moose, elk and black bears. Then, continue through the beautiful Cariboo Mountains to Wells Gray Provincial Park (around 4 hours). As always, driving time will depend on how many stops are made, and will cover 125 kilometres (77 miles). In the afternoon, there’s time for a hike in the park and a visit to the dramatic Wells Gray waterfalls.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Wells Gray Provincial Park
Optional Activities
  • Wells Gray Provincial Park - hiking - Free
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Whistler awaits as the perfect place to stretch your legs after a day on the road (about 9 hours). Named after the unusual call of the equally unusual hoary marmots, which live in the area, Whistler is a mecca for lovers of all things outdoors. While there won’t be much time to explore today, you might want to gather a group and hit Whistler Village. You can find awesome restaurants and bars in the pedestrian-only village. Just remember that getting up early tomorrow is a good idea if you want to make the most of your time here, and plan your cocktails accordingly.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Enjoy a free day checking out the best Whistler has to offer. There are plenty of optional activities available, so chat to your leader to decide what you’d prefer. During the warmer months, hiking is a great (and inexpensive) way to get the lay of the land, just keep in mind that the rugged terrain can make for challenging trails. Zip-lining tours are an amazing opportunity to get an aerial view of Fitzsimmons Creek and, if you’re lucky, see some bears along the way. There are also some great cycle networks in Whistler, so you have the option of paying for bike hire and riding to one of the nearby lakes. Don’t forget to spend some time exploring Whistler Village, a charming pedestrian-only town with plenty of bars, cafes and restaurants.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Whistler - PEAK2PEAK Gondola - CAD82
  • Whistler - Zip Trek Tour (1.5 hrs) - CAD129
  • Whistler – Standard Mountain Bike Rental (full day) - CAD90
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Famous for its coast-meets-mountains setting, Vancouver is the largest city in western Canada. After a short drive (around 2 hours), arrive back in the city and set out on an orientation tour with your leader. Stroll a section of the 400-hectare Stanley Park, one of the largest urban green spaces in North America, then hop over to Granville Island, overflowing with galleries, markets and lively restaurants. After the walk, bid farewell to your leader and your fellow travellers, as your tour has come to an end.
Included Activities
  • Vancouver orientation tour
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

No meals are included on this tour

Transport

Private vehicle

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (10 nights), Hotel (1 night)

Included activities

  • Mt. Revelstoke National Park
  • Glacier National Park
  • Rogers Pass Discovery Centre
  • Yoho National Park
  • Banff National Park
  • Visit to Lake Louise
  • Visit to Moraine Lake
  • Jasper National Park - Entrance Fee
  • Visit to Maligne Lake
  • Wells Gray Provincial Park
  • Vancouver orientation tour

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Real Canada trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

Prices may go up, so secure your trip today!
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Important notes

1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm on day 1. This trip finishes on arrival into Vancouver around 3pm on Day 12.
2. A Single Supplement to have your own room is available on this trip however excludes nights 4, 5 & 6 (Banff National Park) and nights 7 & 8 (Jasper National Park) where you will be in shared accommodation. This is due to the availability of campsites and campsite space in these locations where Canadian National Parks are very strict about the number of tents per site.
3. A sleeping bag is required for this trip. If you would like to rent a sleeping bag locally, the cost is $50 CAD, payable in cash to your guide on Day 1 of the trip. Please advise your booking agent prior to departure if you require a sleeping bag rental.
4. Please note that the legal drinking age in the US is 21 and in some parts of Canada it's 19.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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