Caribou & Coast Mountains

This tour takes you to one of the hidden areas of Western Canada: The Bella Coola Highway and Bella Coola. Combined with Quadra Island and Pacific Rim National Park, this tour is a favorite for any repeat client to Western Canada.  Secluded from the rest of Western Canada, the Bella Coola Highway leads into beautiful nature with lots of outdoor opportunities. The ferry ride from Bella Coola to Vancouver Island adds another highlight to the tour. Campbell River is known for its great salmon fishing. Tofino, located in Pacific Rim National Park has some of the most beautiful white sand beaches and offers whale-watching excursions, hiking and kayaking adventures.

Daily Itinerary

Day 1: Vancouver
Arrival in Vancouver, pick up rental car. Drive to hotel. This metropolitan city not only offers great shopping, fabulous restaurants and nightlife, but also a very wide range of interesting sightseeing opportunities.  Overnight in Vancouver

Day 2: Vancouver – Whistler (123 km / 2 hrs)
In the morning you can do some sightseeing in Vancouver before you head about 2 hours north of Vancouver, to Whistler. The winding and narrow Sea to Sky Highway is very scenic with its views of Howe Sound to the west and verdant Coastal Range to the east. Whistler has been rates to the number one ski resort of North America by Ski Magazine and has been selected for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and Paralympic Games. Overnight Whistler

Day 3: Whistler
Not only in the winter, but also in the summer time, the resort village of Whistlers surrounded by towering mountains such as Blackcomb Mountain offers a variety of outdoor opportunities such as hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, golfing, rafting, swimming, rock climbing and much more. Overnight.

Day 4: Whistler - 100 Mile House (327 km / 4.5 hrs)
More hiking opportunities in Joffre National Park, past Pemberton. With you arrive in Lillooet you are at the starting point of the historic Gold Rush Trail. Continue through provincial parks, flat and rolling highlands to highway 97, which you will continue on to 100 Mile House. Overnight

Day 5: 100 Mile House - Chilko Lake Resort (300 / 5 hrs)
The Bella Coola Highway leads you to a less traveled area of Western Canada. Scenic wilderness landscape, views of modern ranching areas and lots of hiking opportunities await you. Off-road side trips lead you to even more amazing areas with waterfalls and breathtaking views. Overnight Chilko Lake Resort

Day 6: Chilko Lake Resort
The resort is located at the north end of  Tsylos Provincial Park, overlooking Chilko Lake and the headwaters of the Chilko River. Today enjoy horseback riding, take a hiking excursion, a boating tour or a fishing trip. Or just stay at the resort and use some of its facilities such as: swimming pool, sauna, jacuzzi, gym, tennis court, volley ball court, canoe and pedal boats. Overnight

Day 7: Chilko Lake Resort - Bella Coola (395 km / 6-8 hrs)
The scenic drive on the Bella Coola highway continues and ends in Bella Coola. At Heckman Pass - the highest point of the highway – you reach an elevation of about 1524 m (5000 ft.). From here, the steep, winding and narrow incline affords a panorama view of the changing scenery of mountains and valleys. Bella Coola itself is a small fishing village at the head of the coastal fjord with small stores and few overnight accommodations.

Day 8: BC ferry through Discovery Coast / Inside Passage
This ferry takes you through inlets and sounds along the central coast to Port Hardy. Generally speaking, the ferry takes one day for the journey. You overnight on board in sleeping chairs as this vessel does not have cabins on board.

Day 9: Arrival in Port Hardy – Campbell River
(245 km / 3.5 hrs)
This morning you arrive in Port Hardy, located on the northern end of Vancouver Island. You drive through provincial parks to Campbell River, which claims to be the “Salmon Capital of the World”. Overnight

Day 10: Campbell River
You have the day to explore the area or to enjoy a fishing charter to catch the famous salmon. Quadra Island, reached by ferry from Campbell River, is a fairly well developed island with numerous of visitor amenities. Cortes Island, reached by ferry from Quadra Island, is great for beachcombing and forest walks. The inlet waters in the area sometimes reach tropical temperatures and are great for a swimming and bathing. Overnight

Day 11: Campbell River – Tofino (273 km / 4 hrs)
You head across Vancouver Island from east to west. The miles of forest areas that you will drive through support the small lumber industry in the area around Port Alberni. Pacific Rim National Park has a breathtaking stretch of coastline that draws about one million of visitors to this area. Overnight

Day 12: Tofino
Explore the beautiful white sandy beaches, drive to Long Beach to watch surfers, go for short or longer hikes, try a guided kayaking trip, do a whale watching tour. In the evening enjoy a delicious dinner at a great restaurant on the beach.

Day 13: Tofino – Victoria (316 km / 4.5 hrs)
Drive back to the eastern coast of Vancouver Island, to Parksville. From here drive south via Nanaimo and Duncan to Victoria. Make a side trip to the Butterfly World & Gardens or any of the wine yards of Victoria’s surroundings. Victoria, the provincial capital offers great dining, arts and cultural events and some of the most celebrated attractions of the Vancouver Island region. Overnight

Day 14: Victoria – Vancouver
(Victoria – Sidney: 26 km / 30 minutes)
In the morning do more sightseeing in Victoria. Plan enough time to visit Butchart Gardens on the way to Sidney, from where you catch the ferry to Vancouver (not included). Back in Vancouver enjoy dinner at one of the outstanding restaurants and bistros. Overnight Vancouver

Day 15: Vancouver – Departure
Return rental car and depart.

Email us at:  mytrip@CanadianPacificVacations.com