Vancouver to Calgary motorhome family holiday
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrive in Vancouver
On arrival into this vibrant city, you’ll be greeted and driven straight to your downtown hotel – a home away from home, and conveniently located in the heart of the heart of the city, close to Robson Street and Stanley Park. The rest of the day is set aside for you and your family to settle into your new surroundings, and with the waterfront just a short stroll away, you have the perfect spot for a bite to eat.
Day 2 – Stanley Park cycling tour & free time
Today, it’s time to indulge in all of the delights that this city holds! The choice of things to do is endless, with attractions and activities to interest all ages. To get you started, a local guide will whisk you off on a bike ride around Stanley Park – along the scenic sea wall, past the First Nations Totem Poles, and you can even stop for a ride on the miniature train. If a bike ride isn’t your thing, we can organise different experiences in the city for your family – just have a chat with your Travel Specialist.
After your cycle tour comes to an end, the rest of your time in Vancouver is free to explore independently. There’s no better way to get around than by hopping on and off an old-fashioned trolley bus, taking in the best of the city and offering great flexibility. We highly recommend taking a tugboat over to the artistic Granville Island too – a jumble of markets, studios and cafes which also plays host to a number of family-friendly events. The Kids Market is a real highlight!
Day 3 – From Vancouver to Victoria in a motorhome
Today, your motorhome adventure begins. You’ll make your own way to collect your RV and receive a detailed briefing on the vehicle’s functions. The motorhome is fully equipped with a kitchen to prepare your meals and a table and chairs for evenings by the campfire. The power supply is sufficient for a few days, so you don’t need a campsite with a hook-up everywhere.
From the RV pick-up centre, it’s a short drive of around 30 minutes to the port of Tsawwassen, where you will take the ferry to Vancouver Island (90-minute journey). During the crossing, you’ll be treated to stunning views of the Gulf Islands, and you might even be lucky enough to spot a whale or dolphin, making your journey to Vancouver Island even more memorable. After arriving in Swartz Bay, it is only half an hour’s drive to Victoria, where you will spend your first night in the motorhome.
Day 4 – Whale Watching off Vancouver Island
Wrap up warm this morning, and don’t forget your binoculars as you’ll be going on a whale-watching tour. You’ll head out in a large inflatable boat, suitable for children as young as 3. Three different whale species are found in this region, so it’s the perfect spot to see these gentle giants. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a superpod. Regardless of how many you see, it’s an experience that the family are sure to love.
We have not planned anything for this afternoon, so take the opportunity to explore the area on your own before returning to your campground for another comfortable night in the RV. If you are interested in more activities, we can arrange a sightseeing flight in a seaplane along the coast for you – just speak to your travel specialist.
Day 5 – Vancouver Island – Whistler
After a leisurely breakfast, continue your journey and take the ferry to Horseshoe Bay on the British Columbia mainland. From here, the iconic Sea to Sky Highway takes you from the coast into the mountains, driving along winding roads with breathtaking views around every corner. The journey starts with small bays along the coast and transforms into majestic snow-capped peaks and lush green valleys as you enter the heart of the mountains. After a scenic journey of around 3.5 hours, you will arrive at your campsite in the world-renowned mountain resort town of Whistler. Whistler is famous for its incredible outdoor activities, beautiful landscapes and vibrant village atmosphere.
Settle into your campsite, then head off in search of some food at one of the many cosy restaurants. If you arrive early enough, you could rent bikes, head out on a short hike, or try out paddleboarding, not forgetting to get your family’s picture taken in front of the iconic Olympic rings!
Day 6 – Zip-trekking adventure
Today, we’ve included an exhilarating activity for the whole family. You’ll be guided across the treetops on a network of zip-lines, crossing the rivers, creeks and flower-filled meadows below. If you have very young kids or don’t fancy zip-lining, we can change this trip to include tickets for the gentler Peak2Peak Gondola instead, where you will have breathtaking views over Whistler Village, the mountains, lakes, glaciers, forests and faraway oceans.
Day 7 – Wells Gray Provincial Park
Today, you will continue on your Canadian motorhome adventure from Whistler to Wells Gray Provincial Park. You will be driving along winding mountain roads and passing some narrow wooden bridges with impressive views. Around 1.5 hours into your journey you will pass Duffey Lake, located between Pemberton and Lillooet, and this scenic spot is perfect for breaking up today’s drive and stretching your legs. Take in the peaceful atmosphere and dramatic views of the rugged mountain peaks and dense forests, and enjoy a picnic lunch by the lake. With plenty of other highlights to see along the way, it’s worth allowing yourself ample time for this drive so you can slow down and appreciate the natural beauty of this area. After leaving Duffey Lake it won’t be long before the landscape transforms from dramatic mountain peaks to rolling hills and ranchland.
Soon enough, you’ll reach the charming town of Clearwater, known as the gateway to Wells Gray Provincial Park, home to the iconic Helmcken Falls – the highest waterfall in Canada, twice as high as the famous Niagara Falls! Settle into your scenic campground, surrounded by evergreens and listen to the sounds of the waterfalls crashing nearby. You might even spot some wildlife while you’re here, with lots of deer wandering the wilderness and birds perched in the trees.
Day 8 – Free time in Wells Gray
As well as exploring the incredible falls, Wells Gray Provincial Park is home to a variety of hiking trails and wildlife viewing opportunities, including bears, moose, deer and bald eagles, which are best spotted on a guided wildlife tour. If you’re looking for more adventurous activities, then you could get the adrenaline pumping on a whitewater rafting tour or paddle the calm lake waters by canoe or kayak, which can be arranged within the park.
Day 9 – From Clearwater to Jasper
Today, you’ll drive to Jasper, a national park in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, known for its vast wilderness and dramatic landscapes. The drive takes around four hours, and the closer you get to Jasper, the more the landscape changes. Instead of deciduous trees, you will start to see towering evergreens, and the terrain will become more rugged and mountainous. Welcome to the famous Rockies! On the way, you will pass Mount Robson, which at 3,954 metres is the highest mountain in Canada. Head to the visitor centre to pick up a map of the area and more information about the hiking trails and paths in the park. One of the highlights is Maligne Lake, famous for its sparkling blue waters and Spirit Island, which is one of the most photographed spots in Canada. Here, you can hire canoes and kayaks or take a scenic boat cruise along the calm waters. In Jasper, you will spend the night in a peaceful campground, immersed in the stunning wilderness of the Canadian Rockies.
Day 10 – Jasper sunrise wildlife tour
It’s an early start today, as you’re picked up before sunrise for the best chance to see the local wildlife. You’ll be taken to some of the beautiful nearby lakes for some great photo opportunities, continuing to Maligne Canyon and Maligne Lake, where you’ll hopefully be lucky enough to see some passing elk and caribou and maybe even a black bear or some grazing moose in the nearby forests.
Day 11 – From Jasper to Banff
Today, you continue your motorhome tour through Western Canada and head south on the famous Icefields Parkway. Along the road, the views just keep getting better—glistening peaks, frozen valleys, shimmering lakes, and towering glaciers at every turn. Stop at the Athabasca Glacier and the other signposted viewpoints along the way. You will experience a breathtaking view of the Rocky Mountains: mighty grey mountains with snow-covered peaks, glistening glaciers that slide majestically over each other and wild, azure blue meltwater rivers. An ideal place for a stopover is Peyto Lake, a mirror-smooth, intensely blue glacial lake.
Your destination today is the mountain town of Banff, which is also known for its hot springs. If you wish, you can take an evening trip to the Banff Upper Hot Springs and relax in the warm, soothing waters.
Days 12 & 13 – Free time to explore
For the next two days, you’ll have time to explore the National Park and its surroundings. Head to the iconic Lake Louise and rent a canoe, although it’s not a cheap activity – the incredible experience is well worth the splurge. There are also plenty of walking trails to try out and family-friendly restaurants for tasty meals, as well as an interesting museum where you can learn about Canada’s indigenous people. If you fancy some time relaxing, then a visit to the Upper Hot Springs is a must, with its mineral waters drawn from deep within Sulphur Mountain.
Day 14 & 15 – Banff – Calgary
Today, you will drive to Calgary and drop off your trusty motorhome as your trip has almost come to an end. Tonight, you will stay in Calgary before heading to the airport the following day to catch your international flight home.
Tips for your motorhome tour through Western Canada
Best time to visit
The best time to travel on this motorhome trip from Vancouver is between July and September. If you travel to Canada in May or early June, there is still snow in the Rocky Mountains, and the glacial lakes are also still frozen. You can expect a dreamlike landscape with fewer visitors, but of course, this also means that you won’t be able to canoe, and the deep blue of the lakes will be hidden under the ice.
Book campsites in advance
July/August is the best time to travel through Western Canada in a motorhome. However, this also means that there are a lot of campers on the road, and you usually won’t get a (nice) spot without a reservation. If it gets tight, you may be allowed to stand on gravel areas in front of the entrance to the national park campsites, for example. With the flights booked, your route is fixed, so let us book the campsites for you accordingly, and you won’t have to worry about anything on-site.
Our concept
As a specialist for individual round trips, we put together your trip through Western Canada by motorhome in the same way as our rental car tours. The motorhome, including all kilometres and the highest insurance, campsites and excursions are included in the price. We do not offer pure vehicle rentals.
Your vehicle
The C-Medium is perfect for families, as it sleeps 5 people, and child seats can be used. If there are more than 5 people, we can request a larger vehicle, such as the C-Large or Truck Camper Bunk
Accommodation
