Get your binoculars at the ready! We’ll begin our adventure with a little marine life spotting as we take a scenic ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. From there we will explore the lush rainforests, cascading waterfalls, and giant trees of Vancouver Island. Then we’re off to Sproat Lake to observe one of the finest panels of prehistoric Indigenous petroglyphs. Our day ends by settling into the quaint little fishing village of Tofino, and feasting on fish & chips (don’t worry, they have non-seafood options too!)

Meal Inclusions: Dinner

Moose Accommodation: HI Tofino – Whalers on the Point

Today is yours to do as you please! Cruise through the Pacific Ocean and go whale watching, soak in one of Tofino’s hot springs, or jump right into kayaking or surfing. Explore on foot, by bike, or go hiking – Tofino has lots on offer for your free day! As the evening draws in and the stars start to appear, we’ll be setting up a beach campfire (weather permitting) where we’ll toast some marshmallows and share each other’s stories of the day.

Moose Accommodation: HI Tofino – Whalers on the Point

We’ll start our day at Wickanninish Beach in Pacific Rim National Park, which was named after Chief Wickanninish who ruled Clayoquot Sound in the 1700s! Then we’ll be heading to the village of Coombs for a chance to spot the famous goats on the roof of the Old Country Market.  Then, it’s the East Coast for us as we head down to Chemainus with its 39 giant outdoor murals for a little Al Fresco art appreciation.  You’ll also get a chance to snap the world’s largest (ice) hockey stick! (only in Canada, eh?) This evening we’ll be staying in the BC provincial capital, Victoria, where you can enjoy the buzzing Inner Harbour night scene.

Moose Accommodation: Ocean Island Inn

Today’s a day for history! We will begin our day with a walking tour starting in Victoria’s Chinatown, then make our way along the Inner Harbour to see the Empress Hotel, Parliament Buildings and learn about the Black Pioneers that arrived from San Francisco in 1858. Then we’ll head to Beacon Hill Park – known as the crowning jewel in Victoria’s park system, to gaze at the Terry Fox Memorial, and the world’s tallest free-standing totem pole. After that, the day is yours to explore Victoria as you wish, although we highly recommend checking out the vibrant Fisherman’s Wharf. We’ll then congregate to take another scenic ferry through the Gulf Islands, across the Salish Sea and back to Vancouver.

Moose Accommodation: HI Vancouver – Jericho Beach

Have your camera ready for an amazing journey today! We’ll travel the breath-taking Sea to Sky Highway, past mountain peaks, glaciers, and stunning lakes, stopping off at two waterfalls, Shannon Falls and Brandywine Falls. Upon our arrival in Whistler, we’ll take a guided tour of the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre including a forest walk with a Cultural Ambassador, to learn about the Indigenous cultures of the Whistler Valley. We bet you’ll be hungry after this jam-packed day, so we’ll be dining together this evening. After that, check out Whistler’s nightlife scene or give axe throwing a go! (And yes, Canada hosts a World Axe Throwing League.)

Activity Inclusions: Guided tour of Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre

Meal Inclusions: Dinner

Moose Accommodation: HI Whistler

Ziplining, bungee jumping, mountain biking and hiking; these are just some of the things you could be doing today!  We don’t leave until the afternoon, giving you plenty of time to explore Whistler village or the mountains.  Alternatively, find a quiet spot in one of the beautiful parks and take in some raw unadulterated nature, before we head back to Vancouver, stopping en route for another photo opportunity!

Moose Accommodation: There is no accommodation included tonight. You will need to make your own arrangements. We recommend that you do not book onward travel on this day in case of traffic or weather delays.

The Cougar tour through Western Canada offers adrenaline seekers every adventure activity you chould imagine: bungee jumping, ziplining, mountain biking, and more. Moose offers dozens of options to soak in the scenery in a more relaxed way, like whale watching, hot springs or riding the Peak to Peak gondola for incredible mountain vistas.

Optional activities are booked and paid through your Moose tour guide while on the tour. No need to pre-book! The following optional activities are available on this tour:

On the accommodated tour option, accommodation is included for all nights of the tour, in mixed gender, hostel dormitory rooms. Please note that you can request female only dorm rooms, and this is usually possible to accommodate, but we cannot guarantee it.

Most travellers book the accommodated tour option because it provides the best value for your money since we receive discounts from our accommodation providers that aren’t available to the general public. We choose hostels for their budget value, as well as offering great facilities and a warm, friendly atmosphere. By staying in shared dorm rooms you get a chance to meet more people, hang out with other tour guests, and keep the price as low as possible.

Not Interested in Staying in Shared Hostel Dorm Accommodation?

If you’d prefer to book your own accommodation, to stay in private rooms or in alternative properties, check out the non-accommodated version of this tour by clicking here.

The Cougar is a combination of our Island Explorer and Sea to Sky tours. There will be travellers joining and leaving your tour in Vancouver between Days 4 and 5.

All tour finish times are approximate. We strongly recommend that you DO NOT book onward travel on the final day of the tour, since traffic or other unexpected circumstances may cause delays.

Please note that our itineraries can change and/or activities can be cancelled without notice as a result of circumstances beyond our control, such as weather, traffic and unforeseen events. If this does occur, there may be alternatives available, or you may get to enjoy more free time to explore on your own!

If you’re flexible about when you can travel, consider the pros and cons of our travel seasons. In Low Season, you’ll get the BEST VALUE on our tours, there’s less traffic, and far fewer people at the most popular sites. The trade off is that the weather is typically more variable, cooler and wetter. Plus, a few sites may be closed, and the glacial lakes may still be frozen in the spring, although that’s also beautiful! In Peak Season, everything is open, the weather is more consistent, warmer and generally drier, and the glacial lakes are in their full glory. However, our tours cost more, traffic is busier, and the most popular locations on our itineraries can be very busy.

We take your safety, and the safety of our staff and partners very seriously. Click here for more information.