Bears, Ranch & Rockies - Canada Uncovered
This in-depth, thrill-a-minute itinerary is just the ticket for an epic summertime holiday exploring the best of Canada’s great outdoors. Experience off-the-beaten track “cowboy country”, visit the iconic Rocky Mountains and discover some of the country’s lesser visited but arguably even more impressive National Parks.
Journey highlights
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Fasten your seatbelt and start your engine. With your own vehicle, you decide the pace at which you want to discover Western Canada’s rugged outdoor beauty and view its wildlife.
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With a plethora of National Parks and protected sites, glacial lakes, jagged mountains, scenic hiking trails and close encounters with whales and bears, Canada is home to more than its fair share of excitement!
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There are activities to get your heart racing at every location, from adrenaline pumping water sports such as kayaking and rafting, to riding horses across vast open spaces, dramatic coastal walks and hikes to lookout points. There is something to suit all adventurers.
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Stay at charming traditional style lodges oozing with character and enjoy Canada’s famously relaxed and welcoming hospitality.
- Uncovered itinerary:Designed to immerse you in a destination, our Uncovered Journeys take you off the beaten path, with boutique hotels and cultural insight
Our tailor made journeys include:
- Your dedicated Travel Consultant who will take care of arrangements
- Private international airport transfers in destination
- Your own private, English-speaking local guides
- Unique experiences, hand-picked by our Journeys team
- Entrance to must-see local sites
- Dedicated 24/7 team providing in-country support and guidance
- Complimentary access to My Scott Dunn – industry-leading travel app providing pre-departure information and in-journey support
When to visit
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
The Canadian Rockies and BC are blessed with long summers to enjoy the great outdoors. May signals the start of spring, with many lodges just opening, and there can still be some snow at higher elevations in Alberta. June is considered the best month to visit for wildflowers, pleasant temperatures, wildlife coming alive and fewer crowds. July and August are the most popular months for travel. We encourage early booking to confirm preferred lodges. These summer months are fantastic for outdoor activities making the most of mountains and lakes. Wildlife viewing is also good during this time too, particularly bears. Whilst temperatures throughout Alberta and BC are fairly consistent during these months (low to mid-twenty degrees Celsius), it is best to come prepared for all weathers in the mountains.
Itinerary
Fly to Calgary
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Upon arrival into Calgary, pick up the keys to your hire car and drive to your boutique hotel in the vibrant centre of town. Just fifty miles or so from the Rocky Mountains, it’s the perfect spot to recharge after a long flight and prepare yourself for exploring Canada’s unspoilt wilderness. Enjoy a delicious dinner at one of the nearby restaurants, reflecting Calgary’s cosmopolitan nature, before a much-needed good night’s sleep.
If you’re planning to visit in early July, you might want to extend your stay here by a few days so that you are able witness the legendary Calgary Stampede. Once billed as the “Greatest Show on Earth” this event has a festival-like atmosphere, that spans ten days of shows, rodeos and nightly firework displays. Accommodation: Hotel Le Germain Calgary ( 1 night )
Banff National Park, Alberta
After breakfast, wave goodbye to the urban city landscape, jump in your car and begin your Rocky Mountain adventure, next stop is the magnificent Banff National Park! Flanked by the iconic Rocky Mountains on all sides, the vibrant town of Banff is a superb summer destination with a buzzing downtown packed full of craft shops and souvenirs as well as an exciting restaurant scene. Make the most of your hotel’s location, slap bang in the centre of town with easy road access out to all the area’s major highlights.
Banff National Park is Canada’s oldest protected outdoor area. It is defined by its mountainous terrain, with many glaciers and ice fields, pristine shimmering lakes, dense forest and alpine landscapes. You’ll need a pair of walking boots to explore the multitude of hiking trails, although it is possible to reach some of the region’s most picturesque lookout points by car or via a gondola ride. There are other ways to immerse yourself in Canada’s great outdoors, hop on board a cruise or canoe out over the turquoise waters of Lake Louise, get your adrenaline going on a white-water rafting excursion, saddle up and explore by horse-back or even hike across a glacier!
Accommodation: Moose Hotel & Suites ( 3 nights )
Jasper, Alberta, Canada
Continuing on, you will drive through to the largest and wildest national park in the Canadian Rockies, Jasper National Park. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable and scenic four-hour drive to Jasper, so we recommend that you take your time to admire the views and make the most of the surroundings. This is an area abundantly rich in wildlife, so keep your eyes peeled for wildlife including moose, elk and bears. The Columbia Icefield Skywalk is well-worth stopping at along the way for a birds-eye view of the icefields and glaciers. Not for the faint-hearted, it features a cliff-edge walkway leading to a platform where glass is all that separates you from a 280-metre drop. The views and the photo opportunities are incredibly rewarding!
We’ve suggested a couple of nights at Tekarra Lodge, a tranquil, log cabin experience and a comfortable base from which to explore the surrounding area. It has a wonderful location overlooking the meandering rivers and it’s not uncommon to see elk and other wildlife wandering through the grounds. Along with plenty of trails to explore on foot, staff at the lodge can also organise rock climbing, paddle boarding and white-water rafting trips. As the evening draws in, enjoy a glass of wine out on your terrace and gaze up at the twinkling stars thanks to the clear open skies. Accommodation: Tekarra Lodge ( 2 nights )
Clearwater, British Columbia
Today your adventure through Canada’s stunning natural wilderness takes you across the Continental Divide, as you head towards Clearwater in British Columbia. Your accommodation for the next two nights will be a comfortable lakeside cabin at Alpine Meadows Resort, perfectly positioned to explore the magnificently wild Wells Gray Provincial Park, with easy access to six other provincial parks nearby. Famed for its fast-flowing rivers, bubbling brooks and cascading waterfalls, along with volcanic plateaus and deep canyons, it is hiking country at its best and most scenic, so ensure your boots are laced up and your camera fully charged!
Accommodation: Alpine Meadows Resort ( 2 nights )
Cowboy Country, British Columbia, Canada
From here, you’ll drive to Sundance Guest Ranch in the heart of British Colombia’s “cowboy country”, which we are sure will steal your heart. Located in Thompson River Valley and nestled amongst spectacular surroundings of sage-scented hills, alpine meadows and river canyons, it is the perfect place to learn to ride if you’ve never ridden before or to hit the trails hard if you have. Sundance is a truly authentic western ranch, where the wonderful hosts make you feel utterly at home and the good-humoured wranglers will soon have you laughing. Even if horses aren’t your thing, you can still enjoy the general atmosphere and buzz of the ranch, go for walks or relax by the pool with a cold beer. There’s a real sociable aspect to the lodge, with many of its guests getting together before dinner to share stories and a glass of wine. If you are lucky enough to be staying on a Saturday, you'll be treated to a traditional steak barbecue and country rock night.
Accommodation: Sundance Guest Ranch ( 3 nights )
Whistler, British Columbia, Canada
On a full belly of delicious homecooked breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to cowboy country as you hurtle along to the alpine-style village of Whistler, an adventure haven during the winter and summer months. Probably most famous for its skiing, Whistler attracts visitors looking for exciting outdoor pursuits throughout the seasons. During the long summer days, there are a tonne of things to keep you occupied including downhill mountain biking, rewarding hiking trails and awesome wildlife encounters. Hop onboard a gondola to reach dizzying heights and enjoy panoramic views of Whistler’s mountain range or join a guided tour to view bears as they roam around freely on the Blackcomb Mountains. Locals say they prefer the summer months more than the winter, with lakeside beaches playing host to all manner of water sports, live music events and al fresco dining, it’s not a surprise.
Summit Lodge is our boutique destination of choice in Whistler village. Equipped with top-notch facilities and beautifully appointed rooms, the lodge offers the perfect respite after a day of fresh mountain air. There is a lovely outdoor patio area complete with a heated pool, hot tub and a natural cedar sauna, all vital amenities for soothing achy muscles after a day in Canada's great outdoors. You can also enjoy a massage or treatment at the spa or simply relax with an afternoon tipple and toast your epic adventure.
Accommodation: Summit Lodge ( 3 nights )
Vancouver
As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end, and sadly your grand road trip ends in Vancouver. But with a few final days to explore this vibrant city, you can still eek out plenty of fun and enjoyment, from hard-to-resist foodie markets on Granville Island to magnificent coastal rainforest and First Nations culture at the Capliano Suspension Bridge. To end this trip with yet another highlight, we’d recommend a whale watching cruise to spot pods of orcas and seals or jump onboard a float plane to visit Victoria on Vancouver Island, before celebrating this memorable journey at one of Vancouver’s best eateries.
Accommodation: Loden Hotel ( 3 nights )
Fly home from Vancouver
Call us on 020 8682 5030 to start planning your holiday.
Price Guide: (per person based on double occupancy and includes international flights)
| Departing |
Price from*
|
Deposit from * | Enquire |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | GBP £4,600 | GBP £700 | plan your trip |
| June 2025 | GBP £4,900 | GBP £700 | plan your trip |
| July 2025 | GBP £4,900 | GBP £700 | plan your trip |
| August 2025 | GBP £4,900 | GBP £700 | plan your trip |
| September 2025 | GBP £4,900 | GBP £700 | plan your trip |
| October 2025 | GBP £4,600 | GBP £700 | plan your trip |
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May 2025
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £4,600
Deposit from*GBP £700
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June 2025
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £4,900
Deposit from*GBP £700
-
July 2025
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £4,900
Deposit from*GBP £700
-
August 2025
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £4,900
Deposit from*GBP £700
-
September 2025
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £4,900
Deposit from*GBP £700
-
October 2025
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £4,600
Deposit from*GBP £700
- plan your trip
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