Stay : From Victoria to Whistler, a colourful region
From Vancouver, you will be immersed in a very distinct Victorian past in the aptly named Victoria, before breathing deeply the spray of Pacific Rim Park. Then, turn to the majestic Whistler, a world-famous resort, known for its splendid trails, covered by skiers and mountain bikers.
Summary of the stay
Best time to go
7 days
€€ - Charm and comfort
Detail of the stay : From Victoria to Whistler, a colourful region - 7 days
Day 1: From Vancouver to Victoria
If you take the ferry at an early hour in the morning from the Tsawwassen terminal (35 minutes from downtown) to Vancouver Island, then you have the rest of the day to peacefully leave for Victoria, the capital of British Columbia and take the pulse of this vibrant city of Victorian inspiration.
Day 2: Between Port Alberni and Mac Millan Provincial Park
Steps: Nanaimo, Macmillan Provincial Park, Port Alberni, Vancouver
After enjoying fish and chips while watching the seaplanes taking off from the harbor or savouring a scone in the sumptuous tearoom of Hotel Empress, head for the east of Vancouver Island to explore its Pacific coast. The easiest way to get there is to take Route 1 and then 4 and then go through Nanaimo, Port Alberni and MacMillan Provincial Park for a stop in the heart of its centuries-old pine and giant red cedar forest.
Day 3: In the heart of Pacific Rim
Steps: Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Tofino, Campbell River, Mayne Island
Shaped by the spray of the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Rim Provincial Park is a natural paradise for hiking or a simple stroll along its wild beaches. The more adventurous can learn surfing on the famous waves of Tofino beaches. Fans of salmon fishing will not be left out if they want to throw their line in the wonderful Campbell River.
Day 4: Sea to Sky Highway
Steps: Nanaimo, Horseshoe Bay, Squamish, Whistler
In order to take the ferry back to the mainland, take the route 4 to Nanaimo. The ferry will take you to Horseshoe Bay from which you can reach the Sea to Sky Highway (Highway 99). Passing through Squamish, climbing enthusiasts can stop in front of the walls of The Chief, an impressive rocky mountain that you can also climb via a hiking trail. Strong beer lovers can quench their thirst at the microbrewery The Howe Sound, a brand well known among local residents. Heading for Whistler, unmissable photo stops in front of the various lakes that follow one another along the motorway.
Day 5: From Whistler to Lilloet
Steps: Whistler, Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, Lillooet
Whistler is a pleasant ski resort that set up modern sports facilities during the 2010 Olympic Games. In winter, it is the kingdom of skiers and snowboarders, while in summer, the latter are replaced by mountain bikers and hikers. Most of the major sports brands are located in the tourist paths of the village. In order to leave the crowd, you will continue on the Sea to Sky Highway towards Lilloet and the steep terrain of the British Columbian Rocky Mountains. On your way, we highly recommend that you stop at the Joffre Lakes Provincial Park for those who dream of alpine landscapes and lakes of incredible purity.
Day 6: The fertile valley of Okanagan
Steps: Kelowna
From snow-covered peaks all year long, you now move to the sun-drenched valleys, in the south of the province. Renowned for being the fruit garden of western Canada, the Okanagan Valley offers as many wonderful panoramic roads (wine route among others) as beautiful historic and gourmet stops (picking fruits in orchards for example). Kelowna, its capital, is the starting point of many excursions in the vineyards of the region.
Day 7: Returning to Vancouver through vineyards
Steps: Vancouver, Manning Provincial Park, Osoyoos
On this last day of the trip, you continue the road through the wine valleys to the far south of British Columbia, Osoyoos. With only 25-cm rain per year, the city enjoys a hot and dry climate, far from the greyness sometimes tenacious of the coasts. The return journey to Vancouver will take you through beautiful agricultural valleys before you see the buildings in the city centre from a distance. If you have time on the way, make a stop at Manning Provincial Park, a last stopover in the heart of the Canadian mountains' beauty.
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