Canada Farwest 2012

This active and all-encompassing safari covers Western Canada from the Canadian Rockies to the Pacific coast and Vancouver Island. The small group results in a dynamic and very personal focus. With a range of lodging, from cabins to ranches, and a wide variety of popular local activities, from rafting to whalewatching, this safaris includes it all! With the backdrop of stunning scenery and awesome wildlife, come live the adventure!

Saf CFW Map

Route - 15 days/ 14 nights

Calgary (Airport) - Banff (2 nights) - Lake Louise (2 nights) - Yoho - Jasper (2 nights) - Well's Gray (1 night) - Clinton (1 night) - Whistler (1 night) - Tofino (2 nights) - Salt Spring Island (1 night) - Victoria - Vancouver (2 nights) - Vancouver (Airport)

Safari Dates 2012


Starts in Calgary	Finishes in Vancouver	Spots available (in English)
Sunday, July 15th	Sunday, July 29th	10

Safari Canada Far West

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival Calgary - Banff

Upon arrival at Calgary airport, you will be met and welcomed by our guide. We suggest arriving between 2 pm and 4 pm. Travelling west through the foothills, we will have our sights on the Rockies towering up in the distance. We'll arrive in Banff within an hour and a half, the mountain town at the heart of Banff National Park. Once checked-in the mountain-style hotel, we will reconvene for a quick briefing over some beers and wings. The guide will go over the itinerary and address any specific needs or concerns.

Night in Banff.

Day 2 Banff

Today we head out after breakfast for a introductory tour of the town of Banff and surrounding area. We will visit Bow Falls, Lake Minnewanka, the largest lake in Banff National Park. At Sulphur Mountain, the gondola will whisk us to the summit where we will enjoy an awesome 360 degree view of the park. A short walk at the top takes us to a historic weather station. After lunch on your own, you will have the options of exploring the townsite and its trails, or renting a canoe to explore Vermillion Lakes. After an early supper, the group will reconvene to head up to Sunshine Meadows, a unique alpine area with more than 300 species of wildflowers for a short trek. In the hour or two before sunset, we will have the best opportunity to view wildlife. We will finish the day with a soak in the Banff Upper Hot Springs.

Night in Banff.

Day 3 Banff - Lake Louise

Today we'll head north from Banff towards Lake Louise. In the morning we will make a stop at Johnston Canyon, where the river takes a series of impressive plunges within a unique canyon ecosystem. There will be time to hike up to the Upper Falls along the catwalks hugging the canyon wall. We will arrive in Lake Louise by lunchtime. With its turquoise-blue water and the views of Victoria Glacier, you will appreciate why the lake is considered one of the seven natural wonders of the world. There will be free time in the afternoon to hike to one of the backcountry tea houses or take out a canoe to explore the farther reaches of the lake. We will the take advantage of the quieter late afternoon hours to visit Moraine Lake, less well-known but one of the park's most beautiful bodies of water, hidden in the Valley of the Ten Peaks. Lake Louise offers a number of fine dining venues for this evening.

Night in Lake Louise.

Day 4 Lake Louise - Yoho - Lake Louise

This morning we will explore Yoho National Park, the impressive Takakkaw Falls and Emerald Lake. The afternoon we will spend rafting down the Kicking Horse River (no experience required!). We'll take advantage of the tranquility of the late afternoon to visit Moraine Lake, less well-known than Lake Louise, but one of the most beautiful lakes in the park, hidden in the Valley of the Ten Peaks.

Night in Lake Louise.

Day 5 Lake Louise - Jasper

The Icefields Parkway is the highlight of the journey today. From Lake Louise we travel north to Jasper National Park. A day full of awe-inspiring views and stops along this famous roadway: Crowfoot Glacier, Peyto Lake, Bow Lake & Num-ti-Jah Lodge. About halfway, we will stop at the Columbia Icefield Centre where will board an "Ice Explorer" which will take us right up onto the Athabasca Glacier for a closer view. This immense icefield is a surviving part of the last major glaciation that covered Canada 20,000 years ago. The Athabasca Glacier itself is currently retreating at a rate of 2 metres per year. In the final stretch, we will stop to take a short walk to view Sunwapta Falls and a short visit to Athabasca Falls area before reaching the townsite of Jasper.

Night in Jasper.

Day 6 Jasper

After breakfast we will first visit prehistoric Maligne Canyon, a unique geological formation, which although very narrow, has a depth of 50 metres in places. Criss-crossing the canyon over a series of six bridges, we will explore the area from all angles. The access road to Maligne Lake, our next stop, is worth driving if only for wildlife viewing. It is common to spot moose, deer, and bears. After a lunch stop and some free time to explore the townsite, we will head up to Pyramid Lake for a swim for the brave ones. In the late afteroon, we will make our way to the Jasper Tramway. The tram will take us up to the summit of Whistlers where we will take in the view and have time for a short hike around the summit area.

Night in Jasper.

Day 7 Jasper - Wells Gray

Safari Canada Far West Mount Robson Provincial Park awaits us today to the west as we enter the province of British Columbia along the Yellowhead Highway. At 3,954 metres, Mt. Robson is the highest peak in the Rockies. We'll have the option to take a helicopter flight to get a bird's eye view of this impressive mountain and surrounding lakes and galciers. After lunch we continue our journey towards Blue River where we will particpate in a wildlife viewing river excursion. Arrival at the Wells Gray Ranch in the afternoon. Cowboy-style BBQ dinner included at the ranch.

Night in Wells Gray.

Day 8 Wells Gray - Clinton

Today we will explore Wells Gray Provincial Park, with its waterfalls and volcanic rock formations. A half-day canoe excursion will be followed by picnic lunch and a visit to the park's awesome Helmcken Falls. we continue our journey through Caribou Country, home to cowboys, ranches and reminders of the Gold Rush. In the late afternoon we arrive at Big Bar Ranch. After dinner (included) we will enjoy a fireside get together.

Night in Clinton.

Day 9 Clinton - Whistler

What would a visit to a ranch be without going out for a ride? This morning we will enjoy a two-hour ride through stunning Caribou Country, putting ourselves in the stirrups of those first gold-seekers in the area and giving us a unique perspective o the history of the area. After lunch, we follow the picturesque Highway 99 towards the coast. On the way, we will enjoy a short stop at Marble Canyon Provincial Park before arriving in the mountain town of Whistler in the late afternoon. Enjoy the boutiques and fine dining of this pedestrian-only village.

Night in Whistler.

Day 10 Whistler - Tofino

Today our journey takes us along the famous Sea-to-Sky Highway towards the port of Horseshoe Bay, north of Vancouver, where we will take the ferry to Vancouver Island, a scenic crossing of aprox. 90 minutes through the Gulf, habitat of orcas and a wide variety of other marine life. Upon reaching the island, we will make our way to its western coast, passing Cathedral Grove along the way, a protected forest of giant cedars. By late afternoon we will arrive in the town of Tofino, which will serve as our base to explore the impressive Pacific Rim National Park.

Night in Tofino.

Day 11 Tofino

Today we will spend a good part of the day in the search of whales (mostly grey, some orca) and other marine life in the waters surrounding Tofino. The boat excursion includes a stop at a remote, natural hot springs where we will have time for a quick soak. The rest of the afternoon we will spend beach-combing the wonderful virgin beaches of the national park. Be prepared for an unforgettable sunset!

Night in Tofino.

Day 12 Tofino - Salt Spring Island

Upon returning to the interior coast, a short ferry ride takes us to the protected Salt Spring Island, mecca for artists and organic farms. Salt Spring is known to have the best climate in Canada. We'll have time to explore the island and the town of Ganges before heading out for a sunset paddle in our kayaks to take in some of the flora and fauna of this unique coastline. Afterwards we'll enjoy a fresh salmon dinner prepared on the beach (included). What better way to end the day?

Night in Salt Spring Island (Ganges).

Day 13 Salt Spring Island - Victoria - Vancouver

Today we'll depart early by ferry to the provincial capital of British Columbia, Victoria. We'll take in some of the city with its distinct British flare: the centre, Government Street, the Parliment building, the harbour and the Royal BC Museum (entrance fee not included, optional). Late in the afternoon, we take the ferry back to the mainland and finish our day in the cosmopolitan city of Vancouver. Suggested dinner spots include Granville Island, English Bay or Robson Street. Sushi is a great favorite!

Night in Vancouver.

Day 14 Vancouver

After a brief city tour taking in Gastown, Chinatown, BC Place and Robson Street, we'll head to north of the city to Grouse Mountain where we'll be whisked to the peak by cable car. After some lunch at the summit (not included), the Grizzly Bear Refuge and various other historic and cultural exhibits on site will provide ample entertainment for the remainder of the afternoon. On our way back to the city centre, we'll stop for a stroll through Stanley Park.