19-Day Dream Itinerary within the Canadian Rockies with Children

Are the Canadian Rockies value a go to? Oh yeah! It was about time we found the splendors of Western Canada!

We dwell in Quebec, and we already had the possibility to go to the jap provinces, however the funds required for a visit to the west had up to now discouraged us. With the pandemic, the west has all of a sudden turn into extra inexpensive and less complicated than the remainder of the world.

A visit stuffed with fantastic recollections, and breathtaking vistas greater than 100 occasions, how about this? Comply with our 19-day itinerary within the Canadian Rockies together with your children!

You will note beneath, the primary few days are fairly busy. We deliberate extra relaxed days on the finish of the journey, to relaxation 🙂

Be warned that the highway is in lots of locations the attraction itself. The landscapes are breathtaking!

Our RV Highway Journey

In the summertime of 2020, we have been charmed by the RV highway journey that we did with Canadream. We actually take pleasure in having all of our stuff with us on a regular basis, together with a bathroom and bathe lol!

We, subsequently, booked a second time with them a “Saver 4” (massive sufficient for two adults and a couple of younger kids). We by no means know prematurely precisely what mannequin we may have, however we save a superb sum of money. And once more, we weren’t disillusioned: our RV was tremendous clear, the beds snug, absolutely geared up with bedding and kitchenware. Our RV was even “winterized”, or tailored to the colder temperatures of fall/winter (our journey was from September twenty ninth to October seventeenth).

So you will notice within the itinerary beneath that we slept primarily at campsites, or free secure locations. We additionally purchased our annual cross to go to the nationwide parks (with this cross we have been in a position to entry all of the parks that required an entrance charge).

Day 1: Flight Montréal-Calgary

Our direct flight with Air Canada from Montreal to Calgary, Alberta went completely. We like to fly! It was our first flight in a very long time: we have been so excited lol

We slept that evening on the Consolation Inn & Suites Airport North, positioned close to the airport as a result of we landed late at evening.

Day 2: RV Decide-up and Calgary

We took possession of our RV within the early afternoon, and all of it went like a attraction. We determined to take their “Gold Package deal” insurance coverage plan to have windshield safety. We knew we have been going to be driving over 2,100 km, so we would as nicely not take an opportunity.

Then we toured Calgary a bit, and observed that the persons are REALLY pleasant! Individuals have been saying hi there to us on the road!

Night time: We slept within the parking zone of a Walmart in Calgary, positioned close to Freeway 1A, which we have been going to take the subsequent day.

Day 3: 3 Sisters Mountain, Lake Minnewanka, Banff Higher Sizzling Springs

Early within the morning, we went searching for groceries at Walmart after which left. Please take be aware that the fridge in our RV was massive sufficient to retailer all of the gadgets bought, and the freezer is massive too.

Then we took Freeway 1A to get to the three Sisters Mountain (about 1 hour 40 minutes drive).

We did a brief hike to see the three Sister Mountain: a really fairly mountain, and the creek was crystal clear… and freezing! It allowed us to separate the driving, stretch our legs, and provides us our first glimpse of the landscapes that awaited us.

Then we went for a ship journey on Lake Minnewanka (1h30 drive): magnificent! We beloved it! The motorboat we rented value us 125$CAD for 1 hour, and we had it to ourselves.

Then we went to the Banff Higher Sizzling Springs the place we relaxed for an hour in 40°C (or 104°F) water.

Night time: Trailer Courtroom Campsite, with a number of timber, full hook-ups, quiet

Day 4: Banff Gondola and Johnston Canyon

We had pre-booked for the Gondola experience in Banff. The view going up is magnificent, as it’s on high of the mountain! There are actions for the youngsters to do. The stroll on the boardwalk is excellent. Word that on the high of the mountain, it’s 10 ° C colder than on the backside, and it was very windy. Plan a superb 2 hours on the high of the mountain.

Then we drove about 40 minutes to get to Johnston Canyon, which is superior! The very straightforward hike, which runs alongside the canyon and its turquoise river, takes round 2.5 hours spherical journey to get to the excessive fall. That’s fantastic!

Banff is a really fairly city with a number of eating places and outlets. It jogged my memory of the village of Mont-Tremblant, Quebec.

Night time: once more at Trailer Courtroom Campsite

Day 5: Lake Louise, Moraine, Bow and Abraham

Ah, the well-known Lake Louise! Sure, it’s actually turquoise! Why is the water in lakes and rivers within the Canadian Rockies so usually turquoise?

When the meltwater from a glacier begins to move within the spring, it carries glacial silt or rock meal with it. Rock flour could be very mild and stays in suspension for a very long time within the water of lakes and rivers. The daylight reflecting off these particles is what provides lakes and rivers their spectacular turquoise blue or inexperienced shade!

These 4 lakes are attractive. Lake Louise is magnificent, very touristy, sadly. However most individuals keep near the Fairmont Lodge to take their pictures. We walked a bit additional alongside the lake, after which we have been alone.

Moraine Lake is sort of extra fashionable than Lake Louise, and it’s additionally breathtaking. The parking zone was full at 6AM as a result of everybody goes there to see the dawn which is spectacular. There’s a shuttle that may take you to Moraine Lake. You need to reserve your home beforehand by cellphone or on the web (8$CAD per individual, 6 years previous and over). The shuttle experience takes 20 minutes.

Bow Lake undoubtedly charmed us! Emma-Kate performed on the seaside for a very long time, it was candy and peaceable.

Then we drove to Abraham Lake (a 1.5-hour drive), the place we spent the evening in a free campsite, proper on the lakeshore. There was hardly anybody there, it was magical to be alone, on the sting of such a ravishing lake!

 

Create Candy Souvenirs

You’ll create stunning and candy recollections throughout this very good journey, which you’ll be able to immortalize in your personalised map of Canada!

Day 6: Columbia Icefield Skywalk, Sunwapta, and Athabasca Falls

Visiting the Columbia Icefield Skywalk was fabulous. I extremely suggest it to you. We did the free audio tour, and it was very, very fascinating.

We may have carried out the expedition to hike the Athabasca Glacier, however we had been to a glacier in Iceland earlier than, and strolling on ice just isn’t that nice in my view. Seeing the glacier from afar, in all its splendor, that’s scorching!

What’s particular in regards to the Athabasca Glacier is that it feeds the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic Oceans!

Then we admired Sunwapta Falls (30 minutes drive) after which Athabasca Falls (20 minutes drive), each have been stunning. The hikes to see these falls, and all of the hikes carried out elsewhere up to now have been very, very straightforward. It’s extra about strolling than mountaineering. The paths are large, nicely tapped; no downside pushing a jogging stroller in it.

Night time: Whistlers Campground, Jasper (the place we have been tenting, there have been no timber). The campsite is big, and new in areas, however with out vegetation. We noticed elks there! There’s a park for the youngsters to play in.

Day 7: Rafting

On day 7 we rafted the Athabasca River with Jasper Raft Excursions (they settle for younger kids and even canine). Our information, Joel, was actually cool, and we realized quite a bit. That is the exercise my 8-year-old Emma-Kate beloved essentially the most of our journey! It’s very secure. There are just a few rapids once in a while, we get a bit moist, however nothing harmful.

Word that the water of the river is 4°C. At this temperature, if you happen to fall within the water, it takes between 2 to eight minutes (relying in your physique fats degree lol) to get hypothermia. Then your muscle mass freeze, and also you sink to the underside like a rock!

Then we did the Jasper SkyTram. Once more, I had booked prematurely (ideally as a result of pandemic). The SkyTram goes VERY excessive, and after we acquired to the highest, we hiked about 1 hour every approach to get to the highest of Mount Whistlers. It was very chilly and really windy: gown accordingly! It was snowy on the high, and it was October fifth. The view from the highest is breathtaking!!

The city of Jasper actually isn’t fairly as fairly as Banff. Personally, I discovered it odd. It might be extra engaging in the summertime with a extra festive environment 😉

Night time: once more on the Whistlers Campground

Day 8: British Columbia

We needed to change the time as a result of we crossed the border between Alberta and British Columbia!

We left Jasper and drove to Mount Robson Provincial Park (a 20-minute drive), the place we made a rapid cease. Then, on our approach to our subsequent campsite, we stopped at Mount Terry Fox (a 20-minute drive), after which went to admire the Rearguard Falls. Fascinating: it’s at Rearguard Falls that Chinook salmon finish their journey, coming from the Pacific!

Night time: Wells Grey Golf and RV Park, we have been on the sting of a river. There’s a golf course on the campsite, the place Clinton performed. The house owners are very pleasant, and there’s a playground for the youngsters.

Day 9: Attending to Whistler

On our approach to Whistler (town, not the mountain in Alberta “Whistlers“), we made a rapid cease in Kamloops to purchase groceries after which stopped at Joffre Lakes Provincial Park. We walked to the “decrease lake”, and wow it was so stunning! Breathtaking!

We may have hiked to see the “center lake” and the “higher lake”, however for the reason that drive to Whistler was very lengthy (complete of 6h), we couldn’t see them. Will probably be for an additional time!

Night time: Riverside Tenting & RV Resort, massive campsite, with massive timber. The RVs have been fairly shut to one another, however the timber gave us some privateness. There’s a playground for kids.

Day 10: Whistler

Oh, that Whistler is a ravishing metropolis! Very touristy although. As stunning as Banff, prettier than Jasper. Whistler reminded us lots of Mont Tremblant, Quebec. The 2010 Winter Olympics befell in Whistler!

We walked round Whistler, shopped a bit (the shops are fairly costly, though there have been gross sales).

Then Clinton went to play golf at Nicklaus North Golf Course, an outstanding golf course the place he noticed a bear on a gap! For actual!!

In the meantime, Emma-Kate and I stayed on the town. There’s a nice playground for the youngsters, the place Emma-Kate performed quite a bit. We had lunch on a sunny terrace close to the park.

Then, we went to the municipal library (for actual!) and we learn collectively. It actually was an ideal second: Emma-Kate was sitting on a giant sofa, and the solar was dancing on her, whereas she was studying a ebook. All the things was calm and peaceable. A candy mother-daughter second!

Lastly, Clinton got here to affix us for supper.

The perfect meals, cheap, nice environment restaurant in our opinion is the El Furnishings Warehouse.

Night time: once more the Riverside Tenting & RV Resort

Day 11: Ferry for the Island of Vancouver

We had deliberate to do the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish, nevertheless it was raining quite a bit that day and the clouds have been very darkish. On the Sea to Sky Gondola web site, there may be a picture of the view from above, up to date often, and we couldn’t see something! So we determined it might be for an additional time!

On the best way from Whistler to the ferry to Vancouver Island (not town of Vancouver), we stopped at Brandywine Falls, and so they have been very fairly, regardless of the rain.

We took the ferry at Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island with our RV. We needed to arrive 1 hour early, and shut our propane tank nicely earlier than boarding the boat (laws). On the ferry, there’s a small playroom for younger kids (Emma-Kate performed babysitter), a restaurant, and a store. There are additionally loads of snug seats to sit down on. The crossing lasts about 1h40.

Rendus sur l’île de Vancouver, nous n’avions pas de tenting réservé pour la nuit. Nous avons conduit jusqu’à Port Alberni, où nous avons stationné notre VR au Walmart pour la nuit. Tout an excellent bien été!

Day 12: Tofino

We didn’t have very lengthy to drive to get to Tofino, and wow the highway is breathtaking, as soon as once more!

As quickly as we acquired there, we went to Lengthy Seashore and spent just a few hours there. The solar was blazing, it was stunning! It was nonetheless fairly chilly due to the wind. There have been a number of surfers having enjoyable within the waves, however we have been dressed like Eskimos!

Emma-Kate and I performed on the seaside, barefoot, attempting to keep away from the waves chasing us with out getting moist. It was a very stunning and candy second for us 2. It’s uncommon that I play with Emma-Kate, however then I actually had enjoyable along with her. A treasured memento has been created!

At one level, although, a wave was too quick and too robust, so Emma-Kate fell into the water, wearing all her winter garments. An actual disaster, poor lil sweetie! I went to vary her immediately because it was chilly, after which we left the seaside to find the small city of Tofino, which could be very fairly.

Night time: Crystal Cove Seashore Resort, has its personal seaside, essentially the most stunning campsite we have now ever seen! New bogs, wifi, extraordinary playground for kids, Starbucks.

Day 13: Tofino

We spent the day on the seaside, taking part in and enjoyable. It was hotter that day, vivid sunshine, we have been snug with no coat (it was October 11).

We performed within the waves once more, Emma-Kate and I. I learn a superb ebook to calm down. We ate in a superb little restaurant. An actual stunning day of trip!

Night time: once more on the Crystal Cove Seashore Resort

Day 14: Ucluelet

Ucluelet is a pleasant little city 40 minutes from Tofino. We hiked the Lighthouse Loop and wow! Breathtaking once more! The view of the stormy sea, and the magical forest of this nook of the island, was magnificent!

Once more, we took the day tremendous relaxed!

Night time: once more on the Crystal Cove Seashore Resort

Day 15: Ferry to Vancouver

We drove again from Tofino to Nanaimo (a 3-hour drive), and there was development on the highway, so we needed to drive again fairly early.

Our ferry was at 1 pm, however once more we needed to arrive 60 minutes early. This time the ferry was late. We acquired off the boat round 4 p.m., then went to our campsite instantly.

Night time: Capilano River RV Park, not a really good campsite, and the realm isn’t nice both, however there’s a mall inside a 5-minute stroll (helpful, as a result of it rained quite a bit throughout our keep) and we solely needed to take 1 bus to downtown Vancouver. There may be additionally a playground for the youngsters to play.

Day 16: Vancouver

We walked round Vancouver Downtown all day.

We did the FlyOver Canada exercise, it was very spectacular! Though Clinton and I had a nausea on our approach out lol

And we actually appreciated the Gastown Steam Clock, it’s spectacular.

Vancouver is a ravishing metropolis, very cosmopolitan, that’s what makes it so charming!

Night time: once more on the Capilano River Park

Day 17: Vancouver

On this final day of our journey, it rained quite a bit lol. We went to see a film on the cinema, positioned within the buying middle 5-minute stroll from the campsite. And we shopped round a bit.

Night time: once more on the Capilano River Park

Day 18: Bringing Again the RV

We needed to deliver the RV again between 8 AM and 10 AM so we left fairly early as we had a few 1-hour drive to get to Canadream in Vancouver.

All the things was fast and simple after we introduced again our RV. I had carried out a fast clean-up, and we had emptied the grey and black water tanks. Inside minutes, the Canadream crew referred to as a cab for us to get to our lodge. Very useful!

We chilled on the lodge for the remainder of the day.

Night time: Sandman Lodge Vancouver Airport, lodge with pool and spa (for Emma-Kate), and really near a Tim Hortons.

Day 19: Flight again dwelling

Direct return flight from Vancouver to Montreal. Our flight was late so we landed in Montreal at 11:50 PM. Since we have been drained to drive again dwelling, we spent the evening on the Marriott Airport Lodge.

Night time: Marriott Airport Lodge, is a beautiful lodge! Tremendous snug beds, very good rest room, breathtaking view of the airport 🙂

Classes

• In the event you don’t converse English, no stress: all of the vacationer and highway indicators are in each English and French.
• I used to be reluctant to go to Western Canada, as a result of it’s fairly costly, in comparison with many unique locations. What’s my opinion after our journey? Western Canada is REALLY value a go to. That is essentially the most stunning a part of Canada! The landscapes are breathtaking! This isn’t an unique journey, nonetheless.

Prices

Right here is how a lot our journey value us, for two adults and 1 youngster of 8 years previous.

• Direct flights with Air Canada, Montreal-Calgary + Vancouver-Montreal: complete 279$CAD per individual
• RV rental (together with bedding, kitchen gadgets, extra insurance coverage, extra km): 2,476$CAD (doesn’t embrace the extra value of not bringing the RV again to the purpose of origin)
• Fuel: 841$CAD for two,200 km
• Taxi + Ferries + Bus + Parking: 443$CAD
• Tenting + Lodge: 1069$CAD
• Meal (groceries + restaurant, together with alcohol): 1,596$CAD
• Actions: 1,014$CAD

Immortalize your treasured souvenirs

All of the candy recollections you created for your self throughout this journey, immortalize them in your personalised map of Canada! Hand-drawn, it’s distinctive and can gown your wall with a wanderlust contact 😉

Inform me within the remark beneath: have you ever ever visited Western Canada? Are you planning to go there quickly? I look ahead to listening to from you!