Canadian Rockies: National Parks Westbound

Land in Calgary, find your way to the hotel, and drop your bags. The first official move is meeting the rest of the crew for drinks at a pub downtown. It’s a low-key start, a good chance to swap stories and get oriented before the real trip kicks off tomorrow.

The Rockies proper. A morning drive of about two hours gets you into Banff National Park. The first stop is a hike up Tunnel Mountain for views over the valley before setting up camp. The afternoon is yours to wander the streets of Banff town, which is touristy but has its charms. You can find a decent trail for a quick hike or just find a spot to grab a beer.

Later, a soak in the natural hot springs is the classic move to wind down. Tonight is the first of many nights camping out under the stars, so get your tent sorted and settle in.

It’s a short drive to Lake Louise, the one you’ve seen in all the photos. The main event is the hike up to the Lake Agnes Tea House, a log cabin that’s been serving tea for over a century. It’s a solid uphill trek past Mirror Lake and a few waterfalls, but the payoff is worth it. For a longer, more serious hike, the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail is the alternative.

The area around the main lake is a crush of people, but the trails thin out the further you go. You'll set up camp nearby for the night.

Today is a day trip into Yoho National Park, which sees fewer crowds than Banff but is just as impressive. You'll check out Emerald Lake, whose color gives Lake Louise a run for its money, and Takkakaw Falls, the second-highest waterfall in Canada. It's a short walk to the base for a face full of spray. The afternoon offers an option for whitewater rafting on the Kicking Horse River if you're looking for a bigger adrenaline hit. Otherwise, it’s about finding a quiet spot by the water before heading back to the campsite at Lake Louise.

Get ready for a full-day drive on one of the most famous mountain roads on the planet. The Icefields Parkway connects Lake Louise to Jasper, and the entire route is a highlight reel of peaks, glaciers, and ridiculously blue lakes. You'll make stops along the way at places like Bow Lake for photos.

The main stop is the Columbia Icefield Centre. From here, you can get a good look at the Athabasca Glacier, and there's an option to join a guided walk right onto the ice itself. The day ends with a long descent into Jasper, where you'll set up camp and get a fire going.

The morning is for exploring Maligne Canyon, the deepest gorge in the Rockies. It’s an easy loop trail that crisscrosses the canyon on a series of bridges, with waterfalls and streams cutting through the limestone. After the hike, the rest of the day is yours. You can rent a canoe with some of the crew and paddle on Maligne Lake, go for a whitewater run on the Athabasca River, or just hang out in the town of Jasper. It’s a laid-back mountain town, a good place to grab a proper meal and a beer.

It's an early start for the long drive west into British Columbia. The route takes you past Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies; there’s a quick stop at the visitor centre for the mandatory photo if the weather is clear. The rest of the day is spent on the road, watching the landscape change as you head toward Wells Gray Provincial Park. These long travel days are where you really get to know the rest of the crew. You'll arrive in the evening, set up camp, and get a fire going for the night.

Today is all about the water. You'll spend the morning out on Clearwater Lake, paddling canoes through the Canadian wilderness with a local guide. It's quiet and remote, a world away from the busy lakes in Banff. After a lunch on the shore, the afternoon is spent chasing some of the park's famous waterfalls. You'll stop at Dawson Falls and the seriously impressive Helmcken Falls, which is three times taller than Niagara. It's a full day out in the park before heading back to the campsite for the night.

Another big travel day. You're on the road for most of it, heading from the forests of Wells Gray, through a surprisingly arid part of BC, and into the coastal mountains toward Whistler. It’s a long haul, but the scenery is constantly shifting. There's a stop at the turquoise waters of Seton Lake, a freshwater fjord surrounded by mountains, which breaks up the drive nicely. You’ll pull into Whistler in the evening, get a quick orientation to the village, and set up camp for a couple of nights.

Whistler is Canada’s adventure sports capital, and the day is yours to play in it. A morning hike is on the agenda—options include trails with views of Daisy Lake or the popular Train Wreck Trail, which leads to graffiti-covered boxcars in the forest. The afternoon is free to do your own thing. You can explore Whistler Village, hit the trails on a mountain bike, or go for something bigger like ziplining. Or just find a patio and relax. The choice is yours.

Time to leave the mainland behind. A morning drive takes you to the Horseshoe Bay terminal for the ferry to Vancouver Island. The crossing to Nanaimo is a scenic trip in itself. Once on the island, you'll drive across to the west coast. The route cuts through old-growth forest, with a stop at MacMillan Provincial Park to walk through Cathedral Grove among giant, 800-year-old Douglas firs. Another classic stop is the Old Country Market in Coombs to see the goats on the roof. You'll arrive in Tofino in time to catch a west coast sunset before setting up camp.

A full free day to experience the surf-and-rainforest vibe of Tofino. The classic options are all on the table: join a whale watching tour on a Zodiac, try to catch a wave with a surf lesson, or just explore the miles of sandy beaches and mossy rainforest trails on your own. It’s a classic outdoor adventurer's town, so whatever you choose, you'll be outside. Just soak up the rugged Pacific coast atmosphere before the trip moves on.

Today you'll trade the wild west coast for the more manicured capital of British Columbia. It's a travel day, heading south down Vancouver Island toward Victoria. The drive retraces part of the route, with another chance to stop at the Coombs market if you missed anything. You'll arrive in Victoria, the island's largest city, in time to see the sun set over the harbour. The evening is free to wander the historic downtown or find a pub with the rest of the crew. You'll camp just outside the city tonight.

The final leg. A short morning drive takes you to the Swartz Bay ferry terminal for the crossing back to the mainland. The trip officially ends upon arrival in Vancouver. If you want to explore the city, you'll need to have booked your own accommodation.