Best of British Columbia

Begin your journey with included airport lounge access before your daytime flight to Vancouver. On arrival, make your way to your centrally located hotel and enjoy your first taste of the city’s celebrated food scene, from standout Asian cuisine to fresh Pacific seafood and craft breweries.

The following day is yours to explore. Stroll the waterfront, visit lush conservatories or browse the city’s excellent galleries. If time allows, consider a whale-watching excursion or a trip to Vancouver Island for a deeper wilderness experience.

Drive the spectacular Sea-to-Sky Highway to Whistler, pausing en route for highlights such as Shannon Falls and the granite cliffs of the Stawamus Chief. A ride on the Sea-to-Sky Gondola is included, offering panoramic views over Howe Sound and access to scenic walking trails and viewpoints.

In Whistler, enjoy a guided bear-watching safari through the Olympic Park, where black bears forage in an untouched wilderness setting. There’s also the chance to ascend the ski jump for far-reaching alpine views.

Stay: Delta Whistler Village Suites (Superior) 

Today’s drive along the Duffey Lake Road is among British Columbia’s most scenic, with views of glaciers and rugged peaks. Continue through historic Gold Rush country via Lillooet and Cache Creek before arriving in Kelowna, set among vineyards and blessed with over 2,000 hours of sunshine each year. The next day, explore the Okanagan Valley, where lakeside scenery meets award-winning wineries. A guided tour introduces you to some of the region’s hidden gems, with tastings of locally produced wines.

Stay: The Royal Kelowna (Superior)

Travel into Yoho National Park, its name taken from a Cree expression of awe. This vast wilderness is defined by jewel-coloured glacial lakes, waterfalls and soaring, snow-capped peaks, set among dense forests of cedar and hemlock. Along the way, look out for historic railways threading through spiral tunnels and sheer rock faces where mountain goats roam. Highlights include the Natural Bridge over the Kicking Horse River, striking hoodoo formations and some of Canada’s highest waterfalls, alongside the remarkable Burgess Shale fossil beds dating back over 500 million years.

Stay: Emerald Lake Lodge (Superior)

Spend a full day at leisure in one of the Rockies’ most idyllic settings. Set on the shores of vivid Emerald Lake and surrounded by towering peaks, your lodge offers a peaceful retreat in the heart of Yoho National Park. Step out onto the forest trails for gentle lakeside walks, paddle across the water for a different perspective or simply unwind on the verandah, taking in the ever-changing mountain views. Back at the lodge, cosy interiors, stone fireplaces and a relaxed dining experience make it easy to slow the pace and fully appreciate the wilderness around you.

Stay: Emerald Lake Lodge (Superior)

This morning, continue south through the Rockies towards Radium Hot Springs, following scenic valleys framed by rugged peaks. Crossing into Kootenay National Park, the landscape shifts subtly, revealing broad river valleys, dramatic cliffs and wildlife-rich forests. On arrival, you’ll find a welcoming mountain town set between the Columbia River and the Purcell Range. Known for its natural hot springs, this is the perfect place to relax after your journey, with the opportunity for a restorative soak or to explore the surrounding trails and viewpoints.

Stay: Prestige Radium Resort (Superior)

Follow Highway 95 south towards Cranbrook, with opportunities to break the journey at Fort Steele Heritage Town or the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel. Continue west, perhaps taking a short detour to ride the Harrop-Procter cable ferry, before arriving in Nelson. Set on the shores of Kootenay Lake and framed by the Selkirk Mountains, this characterful town is known for its heritage architecture and relaxed, artistic atmosphere.

Stay: Prestige Lakeside Resort, Nelson (Superior)

Travel west through changing landscapes towards Osoyoos, where the scenery shifts from mountain forests to sun-drenched desert. On arrival, discover Canada’s only desert environment, with the option to visit the Osoyoos Desert Centre or explore the region’s orchards, vineyards and lakeside beaches. The next day is free to explore this unique region. Walk the boardwalk at the Desert Centre to learn about its rare ecosystem, or spend time discovering the acclaimed wineries of the Osoyoos and Oliver region. Alternatively, relax by the lake or take to the water for a different perspective.

Stay: Watermark Beach Resort, Osoyoos (Superior)

Begin your return journey via the Coquihalla Highway, climbing to high mountain passes before descending through forested valleys towards the coast. The dramatic contrast in scenery—from arid interior to lush coastal landscapes—makes for a memorable drive. Arrive in Vancouver, return your car and enjoy your final evening in the city.

A final morning in Vancouver and the chance to explore before boarding the Skytrain to Vancouver airport for your overnight flight back to the UK, arriving on day 14.