About your Trip

Want to experience the best of Vancouver Island, Whistler, and the Rockies on a one-way trip from Vancouver to Banff? The 11 day Sasquatch tour is your chance to escape to the wilds of Western Canada! With snow-capped mountains, glacial lakes, rivers, and waterfalls, you’ll have stunning views to enjoy while hiking, swimming, or trying one of the many optional adventure activities available. Experience Indigenous cultures and learn about Canadian history. Come explore with Moose!

What's Included

Dates & Prices

2023 DEPARTURE DAYS

May 01 to May 31

LOW SEASON

THURSDAYS, SUNDAYS

CAD $2399

Jun 01 to Sep 30

PEAK SEASON

THURSDAYS, SUNDAYS

CAD $2649

JUST WANT TO CHECK AVAILABILITY?

To check current availability, click one of the BOOK NOW buttons above. Then scroll through the calendar in the pop-up window to see departure dates and availability. Note that dates shown in green are GUARANTEED! To continue with the booking process, click the BOOK NOW button on your preferred date, or to exit without booking, simply close the pop-up window.

TRIP OVERVIEW

FROM CAD $2399

11 days/10 nights

Season: May – September

Start: 07:30 Vancouver

End: ~17:00 Banff

Max Group Size: 24

ITINERARY SUMMARY

  • Day 1 Vancouver to Tofino
    Sproat Lake petroglyphs
  • Day 2 Tofino Free Day
    Free time/activities
  • Day 3 Tofino to Victoria
    Victoria Inner Harbour at Night
  • Day 4 Victoria to Vancouver
    Scenic ferry ride through the Gulf Islands
  • Day 5 Vancouver to Whistler
    Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre
  • Day 6 Whistler to Vancouver
    Free time/hiking/activities
  • Day 7 Vancouver to Kelowna
    Paddleboard on Skaha Lake
  • Day 8 Kelowna to Banff
    Rogers Pass National Historic Site
  • Day 9 Banff to Rampart Creek
    Banff National Park/Lake Louise
  • Day 10 Rampart Creek to Jasper
    Jasper National Park/Athabasca Glacier
  • Day 11 Jasper to Banff
    Athabasca Falls

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Have a campfire on the beach near Tofino

Discover Indigenous cultures at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre

Marvel at the aqua blue Moraine Lake (seasonal)

Enjoy the stunning vistas from Mistaya Canyon

See the powerful Athabasca Falls!

Hike to the toe of the Athabasca Glacier at the Columbia Icefield

YOUR ITINERARY

DAY 1

Vancouver to Tofino

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

DAY 2

Tofino Free Day

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

DAY 3

Tofino to Victoria

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

DAY 4

Victoria to Vancouver

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

DAY 5

Vancouver to Whistler

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

DAY 6

Whistler to Vancouver

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: HI Vancouver – Downtown

DAY 7

Vancouver to Kelowna

The desert is calling! Today we’re going east through the Fraser Valley, where we’ll take a short walk through a West Coast rainforest to Bridal Veil Falls. Then, we’ll traverse the Coastal Mountains, stopping at Lightning Lake in Manning Park at lunchtime. The semi-arid desert grasslands of the Okanagan are next on our itinerary, where we’ll go paddle boarding on the beautiful Skaha Lake. We’ll be replenishing ourselves with a special dinner at Kekuli Café in Westbank, where you’ll get to try Indigenous cuisine, before settling in for the night on Lake Okanagan in Kelowna.

 

Activity Inclusions: Paddle boarding on Skaha Lake

Meal inclusions: Indigenous cuisine dinner

Moose Accommodation: Samesun Kelowna

DAY 8

Kelowna to Banff

Being a little greedy with mountain ranges today, crossing not one, not two – but three of them, as we travel through four National Parks towards Banff!  We’ll stop in Revelstoke where you can go lake kayaking or simply enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery.  Finally we’ll enter the Rocky Mountains and cross over the Kicking Horse Pass into Alberta and Banff National Park, spending the night in the historic town of Banff itself, right in the heart of the mountains.

Note: during May and from mid-September onwards, we will cross over the Vermillion Pass to enter Alberta and Banff National Park.

 

Meal Inclusions: Breakfast at Samesun Kelowna

Moose Accommodation: HI Banff

DAY 9

Banff to Rampart Creek

It’s time to visit those famous blue lakes! Lake Louise is calling, as is Moraine Lake (seasonal) before heading onto the Icefields Parkway for breath-taking views of jagged mountain peaks, glaciers, raging rivers and more turquoise lakes.  Keep your eyes peeled for large furry animals as we make stops at the Crowfoot Glacier, Peyto Lake (our favourite) and Mistaya Canyon before arriving at our rustic wilderness hostel alongside Rampart Creek. We invite you to really take in your surroundings with a dip and a sauna, and perhaps a campfire under the stars.

 

Moose Accommodation: HI Rampart Creek.

Rampart Creek offers a truly rustic wilderness experience and is the only accommodation available – we’re sure you’ll love it!

DAY 10

Rampart Creek to Jasper

Jasper National Park today! But first we’ll stop at Big Bend lookout for a great view of the U-shaped North Saskatchewan River Valley. Get your legs ready because next up is the Columbia Icefield, the largest ice field in the Rocky Mountains at 325 square kilometres, where we’ll hike to the toe of the Athabasca Glacier (conditions permitting.) Then on to Maligne Canyon, the deepest canyon in Jasper National Park, for a hike that crosses several bridges over the canyon with jaw-dropping views. Jasper townsite is our destination, and if you’re seeking an adrenaline rush, there is an option to take a guided mountain bike tour on arrival.

 

Moose Accommodation: HI Jasper

DAY 11

Jasper to Banff

Our first stop: Athabasca Falls, one of the most powerful and picturesque in the Rockies! This is followed by a bit of mountain goat spotting (we’re still amazed at how they hold on) at the Goats and Glaciers viewpoint. Then on to Waterfowl Lakes to soak in the backdrop of Mount Chephren, which was named after the 4th Dynasty Egyptian Pharaoh. Our tour ends after a group dinner back in Banff.

 

Meal inclusions: Dinner

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.

ACTIVITIES

The Sasquatch tour through Western Canada offers adrenaline seekers every adventure activity you chould imagine: bungee jumping, ziplining, mountain biking, whitewater rafting 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. (Note: some of the activities below are only available after finishing the tour in Banff).

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:

ACCOMMODATION

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.

IMPORTANT NOTES

The Sasquatch is a combination of our Island Explorer, Sea to Sky and Coho tours. There will be travellers joining and leaving your tour in Vancouver and Banff at various times. After you finish in Banff, many travellers will continue back to Vancouver.

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!

Some sites on this tour are only available seasonally. Moraine Lake is only accessible from late May until mid-October. If you want to visit this site, please choose a departure within the appropriate date range.

This tour finishes in Banff. The closest airport is in Calgary (YYC).

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.

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