BritishColumbia
3
Day Itinerary •
Canada
Three days in British Columbia reveal the most extraordinary variety of natural landscapes in North America, its extraordinary ski and surf culture in Whistler, the wild Pacific temperate rainforest and whale-filled waters of Tofino, and the flower-filled harbour and Victorian heritage of Victoria giving three entirely different experiences within a single province that has more protected wilderness than most countries. This route moves from the Coast Mountains and the Sea to Sky Highway through the ancient cedar rainforest and surf beaches of the Pacific Rim to the Edwardian capital of Victoria and the Mediterranean microclimate of the Gulf Islands. Three extraordinary days across the finest corners of Canada's most naturally spectacular province.
Best Time To Visit
June to September
Getting There
Fly into Vancouver (YVR)
Getting Around
Car essential, BC Ferries to Vancouver Island
Budget Per Day
Approx 270 to 775 CAD per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, hiking options
DAY 1
WHISTLER AND THE SEA TO SKY
MORNING
VANCOUVER, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY CITY SETTING IN NORTH AMERICA
Vancouver is the most extraordinary city in Canada for natural setting, its extraordinary mountains visible from downtown, the remarkable Stanley Park seawall of 9km around one of the finest urban parks in the world, the extraordinary Granville Island public market and the remarkable Gastown steam clock and cobblestone streets making it the finest west coast city in North America. The Capilano Suspension Bridge in the North Shore rainforest is extraordinary. Stanley Park seawall free. Drive/Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
THE SEA TO SKY HIGHWAY AND SHANNON FALLS
The Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver to Whistler is the most extraordinary coastal mountain drive in Canada, its extraordinary views of Howe Sound from the cliff-edge road, the remarkable Shannon Falls at 335 metres the third highest waterfall in BC and the extraordinary Sea to Sky Gondola at Squamish giving the finest aerial view of the Chief and the fjord below. Shannon Falls free. Gondola approx 45 CAD. Drive/Travel: 1 hour drive
AFTERNOON
WHISTLER VILLAGE AND THE FINEST MOUNTAIN RESORT IN NORTH AMERICA
Whistler is the most extraordinary mountain resort in North America, its extraordinary car-free village, the remarkable Peak 2 Peak Gondola connecting Whistler and Blackcomb mountains at 436 metres above the valley giving the finest aerial crossing in the world and the extraordinary Lost Lake Nordic trails through old-growth forest making it the finest mountain resort experience in Canada. Peak 2 Peak approx 70 CAD.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Musical Bumps trail above Whistler connects the Singing Pass to Russet Lake through extraordinary high alpine meadows above 2,000 metres with views of the Coast Mountains in every direction. Almost no day hikers reach Russet Lake. Entirely free with gondola ticket. The meadows are finest in late July and
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Timber, Whistler Outstanding breakfast at the finest independent restaurant in Whistler village. Local BC ingredients. | Lunch: Araxi, Whistler The finest restaurant in Whistler. Outstanding BC farm-to-table lunch. Reserve ahead. | Dinner: Bearfoot Bistro, Whistler Outstanding Champagne sabrage and the finest wine cellar in BC. Extraordinary Arctic Ice Room experience.
DAY 2
TOFINO AND THE WILD PACIFIC
MORNING
TOFINO AND THE WILD PACIFIC COAST
Tofino on the west coast of Vancouver Island is the most extraordinary surf and wilderness destination in Canada, its extraordinary Pacific Rim National Park Reserve with 16km of Long Beach, the remarkable old-growth rainforest of the Rainforest Trail and the extraordinary Meares Island with the finest grove of ancient red cedars in BC giving it a character unlike anywhere else in the country. The surf on Cox Bay is the finest in Canada. Pacific Rim park pass approx 10 CAD. Drive/Travel: 4.5 hours drive and ferry
MIDDAY
CLAYOQUOT SOUND AND THE ANCIENT RAINFOREST
Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve surrounding Tofino is the most extraordinary temperate rainforest on the Pacific coast of Canada, its extraordinary Meares Island Big Tree Trail passing red cedars over 1,000 years old and 4 metres in diameter, the remarkable Kennedy Lake and the extraordinary hot springs cove accessible only by boat giving the finest wilderness experience in BC. Meares Island water taxi approx 20 CAD return. Drive/Travel: 20 min boat
AFTERNOON
PACIFIC RIM WHALE WATCHING AND THE INTERTIDAL ZONE
The waters off Tofino are the finest whale watching destination in Canada from March to October, grey whales migrating north in spring and humpback whales feeding in Clayoquot Sound in summer. The intertidal zone at Tonquin Beach at low tide exposes the finest tide pools in BC with sea stars, anemones and purple urchins. Whale watching cruise approx 90 CAD.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Hot Springs Cove north of Tofino, accessible only by floatplane or water taxi through Clayoquot Sound, is the finest natural hot springs in BC. The geothermal pools cascade over rock ledges into the Pacific Ocean. Water taxi approx 100 CAD return. Book through remote passages or Tofino Water Taxi.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: SoBo, Tofino The finest breakfast in Tofino at the most celebrated local food truck turned restaurant. Outstanding BC halibut tacos. | Lunch: Wolf in the Fog, Tofino The finest restaurant on Vancouver Island. Outstanding Pacific coast ingredients. Book weeks ahead. | Dinner: Shelter Restaurant, Tofino Outstanding Tofino surf culture dining. Local Dungeness crab and Pacific salmon at the finest terrace in town.
DAY 3
VICTORIA
MORNING
VICTORIA, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY CAPITAL CITY IN WESTERN CANADA
Victoria on southern Vancouver Island is the most extraordinary provincial capital in Canada, its extraordinary Inner Harbour with the Fairmont Empress hotel and the BC Legislature illuminated at night, the remarkable Royal BC Museum with the finest natural history collection in western Canada, the extraordinary Butchart Gardens 20km north with 55 acres of flowering gardens and the remarkable Chinatown, the second oldest in North America, making it the finest city on the Pacific coast. Museum approx 30 CAD. Drive/Travel: 2.5 hours drive
MIDDAY
THE BUTCHART GARDENS AND THE FINEST FLORAL DISPLAY IN CANADA
Butchart Gardens in a former limestone quarry north of Victoria is the most extraordinary garden in Canada, its extraordinary Sunken Garden, Italian Garden, Japanese Garden and Rose Garden across 55 acres attracting one million visitors annually. The Saturday night fireworks and the illuminated evening garden are the finest events in BC. Entry approx 40 CAD in summer. Drive/Travel: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE GULF ISLANDS AND THE SAN JUAN ISLANDS FERRY
The Southern Gulf Islands between Victoria and Vancouver are the most extraordinary island archipelago in BC, their extraordinary Mediterranean microclimate, the remarkable Salt Spring Island Saturday market with the finest artisan food in the province, the extraordinary Ganges harbour village and the remarkable Ruckle Provincial Park with the finest coastal headland camping in BC making them the finest hidden escape from Victoria. Ferry approx 20 CAD.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Hatley Castle grounds at Royal Roads University near Victoria are free to walk and contain the finest Edwardian formal gardens in BC, their extraordinary Italian and Japanese gardens surrounding a castle built in 1908 by coal magnate James Dunsmuir. Entirely free on weekdays. The rose garden in June is
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Jam Cafe, Victoria The most popular breakfast spot in Victoria. Outstanding Canadian brunch. Expect a queue from 9am. | Lunch: Butchart Gardens dining room Outstanding garden lunch inside the finest floral display in Canada. Book the dining room ahead. | Dinner: Olo Restaurant, Victoria The finest farm-to-table restaurant in Victoria. Outstanding BC ingredients from local farms and the Pacific.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Whistler, Night 1 Fairmont Chateau Whistler or Nita Lake Lodge. Approx 300 to 700 CAD per night. Tofino, Night 2 Wickaninnish Inn or Pacific Sands Resort. Approx 300 to 800 CAD per night. Victoria, Night 3 Fairmont Empress or Hotel Zed. Approx 200 to 500 CAD per night.
Top Tips
1. Tofino Hot Springs Cove: book the water taxi days ahead in summer. The pools are finest at high tide at dusk.
2. Wolf in the Fog Tofino: book 3 to 4 weeks ahead. The finest restaurant on Vancouver Island. Worth it.
3. Whistler Peak 2 Peak: go on a clear morning. The 11-minute crossing with an all-glass gondola floor is extraordinary.
4. Victoria Butchart Gardens evening: the Saturday fireworks and illuminations are finest in July and August.
5. Salt Spring Island Saturday market: take the Fulford Harbour ferry from Swartz Bay near Victoria. Runs hourly.
6. Shannon Falls: the short trail takes 10 minutes from the highway. Combined with the Sea to Sky Gondola above.
Total Budget
270 to 770 CAD/day