After almost five months of traveling through the United States we crossed the border into Canada at Montana, ready for a new adventure: a tour through Western CanadaIn just over ten weeks we covered a route that is usually ridden in three to six weeks – one of the most famous roadtrips of the country.
Our route took us from the rugged mountains in the south, through national parks such as Waterton, Banff en Jasper, to the green heart of British ColumbiaWe discovered vibrant cities like Calgary and Vancouver, spotted bears in the wild, hiked to glaciers and sailed with the orcas at Telegraph Cove in a zodiac boat.
In this article we share our complete Western Canada Tour Itinerary, inclusive highlights by region and links to in-depth articles on Vancouver Island, Banff National Park and more. A perfect article for travellers who want to map out their own route and want to know what they absolutely should not miss. Whether you have three, four, five or six weeks - this route is a great basis for your own adventure through Western Canada.
Our journey through the United States and Canada
This article is part of a large one-year tour the United States en Canada, with a Dutch 4×4 camper that we shipped ourselves… It is a bucket list worthy expats must register with the local municipality and obtain a once in a lifetime experience that will never be forgotten.
We wrote almost 100 articles about this ultimate tour. Visit our North America page for more information.
The best Western Canada itinerary (3, 4 or 6 weeks)
Western Canada is large and diverse, and you can easily fill three weeks to two months there. We traveled through Canada for a total of more than ten weeks, but largely followed the classic round trip route from Vancouver to Calgary (or vice versa). This route can also be perfectly shortened to a trip of 3 to 6 weeks - depending on how much time you have and which stops you consider important. Below we share three possible divisions based on travel duration.
Good to know: The routes we describe below are based on a trip from Vancouver to Calgary, but you can of course also do them the other way around, so start in Calgary and end in Vancouver or on Vancouver Island. Both directions are popular and easy to drive.
The Ultimate Itinerary (6 Weeks)
The perfect balance between highlights, tranquility and adventure. This itinerary is ideal for those who want to get the most out of Western Canada without being short on time. In six weeks you combine rugged mountains, turquoise lakes, wildlife, vibrant cities and the untouched nature of Vancouver Island. You have time for longer walks, spontaneous stopovers and special experiences such as bear spotting, whale watching and camping in the middle of nature.
The route in brief:
- Vancouver (city + surroundings, 3 days)
- Ferry to Vancouver Island
- Vancouver Island (7–10 days):
– Pacific Rim (Tofino & Ucluelet)
– Campbell River (bear spotting)
– Telegraph Cove (orcas)
– Chemainus (street art) - Back to the mainland via Vancouver
- Whistler & Sea-to-Sky Highway (2 days)
- Kelowna & Surroundings (1–2 days)
- Clearwater, Rearguard Falls & Mount Robson (2 days)
- Jasper National Park (2–3 days)
- Icefields Parkway → Yoho & Glacier National Park (2–3 days)
- Banff National Park + Banff Town (3 days)
- Calgary (1–2 days)
It’s for adventurous travellers who don’t want to tick everything off their list, but really want to experience it. This route offers space for nature, culture and breathtaking wildlife experiences – from glacier hikes to spotting orcas in the mist.
Route in 3 weeks – the classic
Perfect for a first introduction to Western Canada.
- Vancouver (city + surroundings, 2–3 days)
- Banff National Park (including Lake Louise & Moraine Lake, 3 days)
- Jasper National Park (2 days)
- Icefields Parkway (1–2 days on the road)
- Yoho & Glacier NP (1–2 days)
- Calgary (1–2 days)
- Optional: day in Waterton or an extra hike in Banff
Focus on the big national parks, limited stops. You basically drive a 'one-way' route from Vancouver to Calgary or vice versa. Ideal if you only have three weeks.
Route in 4–5 weeks – a little more space
- Everything from the 3 week schedule, plus:
- Whistler / Sea-to-Sky Highway
- Kelowna (wine & lakes)
- Waterton National Park
- Stops at Clearwater, Rearguard Falls or Mount Robson
- More time for hikes and spontaneous stops
More balance between cities, nature and peace. You don't have to rush as much and can experience more locally.
Are you thinking of following our footsteps and renting a camper(van) with friends, your partner or with your whole family? Then ask free of charge and without obligation a quote or compare and book directly at Travelhome. Travelhome is the most affordable provider with also the largest offer. They have both campervans and full-fledged family campers in the offer.
- Large selection, low prices
- Independent or Customized
- Expert advice from specialists
- Full quote with no hidden costs
Our own route in 10 weeks (briefly summarized)
We were lucky enough to have ten weeks and did almost everything from Waterton to Vancouver Island, and from deep glacier hikes to city bike rides. You can read our full itinerary further down in the highlights, with personal experiences per region.
Highlights by region
1. Vancouver Island Tour – Rugged Coast, Wildlife and Charm
Vancouver Island is a destination with so much to tell that we have dedicated six separate articles to it. From impressive orcas and bears to rugged coastlines and colourful fishing villages – the island truly deserves its own place on your tour. In our extensive article about Vancouver Island you will find an overview of all the highlights, but below is a short summary of our favorite places.
Campbell River is the place on Vancouver Island to spot bears in the wild. In season, you can take excursions here where you can see grizzly and black bears fishing along the river.
Telegraph Cove is known worldwide as one of the best places to see orcas in the wild. We boarded a zodiac here and saw orcas up close – an experience we will never forget.
Pacific Rim National Park, with Tofino and Ucluelet, is the gateway to the island's rugged west coast. You'll find wide beaches, beautiful hiking trails and a relaxed atmosphere here.
Chemainus is a small village with a big surprise: dozens of murals in the streetscape tell the local history. Nice for a short stop or a walk with your camera.
2. Vancouver – vibrant city between mountains and sea
Vancouver is, in our opinion, the perfect starting or ending point for your tour of Western Canada. This city has a unique location between ocean and mountains and is surprisingly green and relaxed for a city of millions. You can cycle through city parks, walk along the coast or go up in search of views of the skyline.
We found Vancouver a nice change after all that rugged nature: modern, cultural and yet typically Canadian. Take your time to wander through neighborhoods like Gastown or Kitsilano, relax in Stanley Park or take a walk on the suspension bridges of Lynn canyon park – a photogenic forest area on the north side of the city. One of the best ways to explore the city? By bike! You can effortlessly drive around the entire waterfront past parks, beaches and viewpoints.
More tips for Vancouver? Or how to best explore the city? Then read Cycling in the city of Vancouver.
3. Vancouver to Jasper – Stops along the way
Between Vancouver and Jasper we took our time to travel slowly towards the mountains. Along the way we made several beautiful stops in nature. One of the surprises was Rearguard Falls, where in the right season we literally saw salmon jumping against the current – an impressive sight. In addition, we came across the area of Clearwater waterfalls that were ideal for a short walk or a picnic. This part of the trip is less touristy than the big national parks, but definitely worth it if you have more time or want to avoid the crowds.
Curious about our favorite stops on this route? In this article we share the most beautiful places along the way.
4. Jasper National Park - rugged nature and views
This is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies and offers plenty of space, peace and impressive nature. Compared to Banff, it is often less crowded here, while you can still enjoy glaciers, turquoise lakes, mountain walks and wildlife. You can choose to explore the highlights by car in a few days, or you can go out for a longer period for multi-day hikes and quiet camping spots by the water.
Here we really took our time exploring the area — highly recommended if you want to slow down your journey a bit after the busier areas.
Did you know you can regularly encounter bears, moose or deer along the road or during a hike in Jasper? So keep your eyes and ears open - especially in the early morning or towards sunset.
In our separate article about Jasper find tips for walks, wildlife and camping in the park.
5. Glacier National Park (Glacier Hike)
After some more relaxing stops we decided to challenge ourselves again in Glacier National Park. This less visited park in British Columbia surprised us with rugged mountain landscapes, steep valleys and spectacular hiking trails.
One of the most beautiful experiences was our hike to the Illecillewaet Glacier – a hike of about 1300 vertical meters in one day, but absolutely worth it. The reward? Impressive ice masses up close, silence and a good dose of muscle pain.
Everything about the Glacier hike in Glacier National Park read it here, including photos and tips.
6. Yoho National Park – waterfalls and glacial lakes without the crowds
Yoho National Park is wedged between Banff and Glacier, but is often skipped by travelers who only focus on the most famous parks. A shame, because the park offers an impressive mix of waterfalls, glacial lakes and tranquility. You can easily drive here with a camper or car along various viewpoints, or take a walk to, for example, Emerald Lake or the mighty Takakkaw Falls. Precisely because it is a bit quieter here than in Banff or Jasper, the walks here felt extra pure.
Tip:: Curious what we shoot with? Then view the display below.
The Fujifilm X-T5 with 16-80 is the ultimate all-round world travel camera† This camera has been declared several times by both the consumer association and Tweakers.net the best system camera you can buy. Even on automatic mode, you suddenly feel like a professional photographer!
- The best tested camera
- Fantastic photos
- 6.2K video
- 5 year warranty
Are you looking for peace and nature? In our article about Yoho you will find practical tips and the most beautiful stops listed.
7. Banff National Park – lakes and mountain landscapes
In this extensive article about Banff we share the most beautiful places, including Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and our favorite hike.
Tip:: Curious what we shoot with? Then view the display below.
The Fujifilm X-T5 with 16-80 is the ultimate all-round world travel camera† This camera has been declared several times by both the consumer association and Tweakers.net the best system camera you can buy. Even on automatic mode, you suddenly feel like a professional photographer!
- The best tested camera
- Fantastic photos
- 6.2K video
- 5 year warranty
8. Banff – touristy but atmospheric mountain village
The town of Banff is located in the middle of the national park and feels like the tourist hub of the region. Yes, it is busy and commercial, but also cozy and well-maintained. You will find numerous souvenir shops, cafes, restaurants and hotels, all surrounded by the impressive peaks of the Rockies.
We found it a nice place to recover after the hikes: flowers in the streets, terraces with a view and lots of people who are just as enthusiastic about nature as we are. Don't expect an authentic mountain village, but a lively base in a spectacular setting.
9. Waterton National Park – peace and nature in the south
Waterton National Park is located on the border with the US and is a lot smaller and quieter than Banff or Jasper. It is precisely this small scale that makes it a nice place to start or end your trip. We did a few walks here and tested our inflatable boat on the lake – a simple purchase, but perfect for admiring the landscape from the water.
The combination of mountains, water and tranquility makes Waterton one of those places where you can easily stay for another day. Especially if you like to travel off the beaten track, this is a must.
10. Calgary – modern city on the edge of the Rockies
Calgary is the starting or ending point of many travelers' trips roadtrip through Western Canada. But don't miss the city itself: it is a modern, vibrant place with a nice mix of architecture, green parks and cozy neighborhoods.
We decided to take a short break from the outdoors here and left our camper for a while. So we enjoyed a few days of terraces, city walks and some variation from all the natural beauty we were used to on the road.
Looking for tips for Calgary? In this article we explain why it's called Canada's most livable city.
Are you thinking of following our footsteps and renting a camper(van) with friends, your partner or with your whole family? Then ask free of charge and without obligation a quote or compare and book directly at Travelhome. Travelhome is the most affordable provider with also the largest offer. They have both campervans and full-fledged family campers in the offer.
- Large selection, low prices
- Independent or Customized
- Expert advice from specialists
- Full quote with no hidden costs
Conclusion
10 weeks of driving around Canada flew by like it had only been ten. We drove along breathtaking scenic routes, saw bears and orcas in the wild, hiked to glaciers and stood face to face with turquoise mountain lakes. Every day brought something new — and every place left a lasting impression.
What made this tour so special was not only the nature, but also the rhythm. The space to sometimes deviate from the route. To linger somewhere a little longer. To really to be instead of just seeing.
If you are thinking about taking a similar trip, don't hesitate. Whether you have three weeks or six, a tour of Western Canada is not just a vacation, it is an experience that you will carry with you for the rest of your life.
Are you thinking of following our footsteps and renting a camper(van) with friends, your partner or with your whole family? Then ask free of charge and without obligation a quote or compare and book directly at Travelhome. Travelhome is the most affordable provider with also the largest offer. They have both campervans and full-fledged family campers in the offer.
- Large selection, low prices
- Independent or Customized
- Expert advice from specialists
- Full quote with no hidden costs
Our journey through the United States and Canada
This article is part of a large one-year tour the United States en Canada, with a Dutch 4×4 camper that we shipped ourselves… It is a bucket list worthy expats must register with the local municipality and obtain a once in a lifetime experience that will never be forgotten.
We wrote almost 100 articles about this ultimate tour. Visit our North America page for more information.
