ULTIMATE CANADA
Overview
Join your Contiki trip crew in Toronto before we get to the meat of the matter & explore incredible Canada. We take our trip to Jasper National Park, see waterfalls, lakes & mountains aplenty, & bust moves in Vancouver & Toronto to balance things out. Scenery & cities collide!
Included/Excluded
- Hotel/hostel accommodation
- Local transport
- Various experiences like guided tours and meals
- An expert Trip Manager & Driver
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences
- Breakfast daily (plus a few lunches and dinners too)
- A group of friendly travellers from around the world, all aged 18-35
- 24/7 support
- Flights to/from your start/end destination
- Optional Free Time Add-Ons
- Meals not mentioned
Included
- Hotel/hostel accommodation
- Local transport
- Various experiences like guided tours and meals
- An expert Trip Manager & Driver
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences
- Breakfast daily (plus a few lunches and dinners too)
- A group of friendly travellers from around the world, all aged 18-35
- 24/7 support
Excluded
- Flights to/from your start/end destination
- Optional Free Time Add-Ons
- Meals not mentioned
Day 1: Toronto to Ottawa
Toronto:
- Your journey begins in Toronto BUT…we’re off to Ottawa this morning for a glimpse into life in the nation’s capital.
Ottawa:
- Welcome to Ottawa, the fun-loving capital.
- We’ll explore our new surroundings on a city tour before enjoying some time to see Ottawa your way – whether it’s a boat ride on the Rideau Canal or just strolling the streets. (Exercise seems a good idea in preparation for all that Poutine in Quebec….).
- Or maybe just relax with a beer-tasting tour. The day is all yours.
Optional Experience:
- Sample Ottawa’s Finest Craft Beers
Day 2: Ottawa to Quebec City
Ottawa:
- Au revoir Ottawa and bonjour Quebec City!
Quebec City:
- With its cobbled streets and ancient stone houses, Quebec City’s UNESCO World-Heritage-listed old town is an open-air museum.
- It’s time to get out and explore more of what this region has to offer – we’re talking vibrant art scenes, Parisian-style eateries and quaint river boardwalks.
- We’ll immerse ourselves in the history of the city on a tour with a local guide, then once we’ve uncovered Quebec’s hidden historical gems, it’s time to fill up on a famous Canadian dish – Poutine!
- We’ll be sure to hit up a local eatery where it’s well and truly the star of the show.
Included Experience:
- Ramble around Quebec City
- Tour the St Albert Cheese Factory
Day 3: Quebec City
Quebec City:
- There’s no better way to start the day than with fresh air and fantastic views, so let’s whisk ourselves away to Montmorency Falls this morning.
- If you’re feeling adventurous, opt to soar across the falls on a zipline that will bring you even closer to this magnificent, natural phenomenon.
- Now that you’re fully awake, we’ll head back to Quebec where you’ll have the afternoon to explore.
- You could check out the Chateau Frontenac – this red brick building built in 1983 is a landmark the city is definitely proud of.
- Or try munching on duck with maple syrup – a local delicacy.
- Oh and let’s not forget the awesome nightlife Quebec offers – it’s time to party French style!
Included Experience:
- Orientation Tour – Quebec City
- Huron Traditional Site Visit MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience
Optional Experience:
- Visit Montmorency Falls & Zipline
Day 4: Quebec City to Montreal
Quebec City:
- Bid Quebec au revoir as we head towards the jazzy island city of Montreal. The French-infused city is home to arts, mouth watering food and the prettiest panoramic scenic views.
Montreal:
- Together, we’ll take a spin around Montreal’s Old Port and quays where we’ll familiarise ourselves with a few signature sites. Failing that, you can always just wander around, trying out the best of your high school French.
Included Experience:
- Sucrerie de la Montagne & Dinner
Day 5: Montreal
Montreal:
- Today you’ll have a full day to explore Montreal – on your tod or with your squad. Don’t miss Mount Royal Park, the Notre-Dame Basilica, the breathtaking botanical gardens or the awesome Barbie Expo.
- Today you’ll also have the chance to hop on the Grande Roue – Montreal’s 60-metre-high ferris wheel. Talk about a great view of a great city!
Optional Experience:
- Take a Ride on La Grand Roue
- Ride on a Jet Boat
Day 6: Montreal To Niagara Falls
Montreal:
- Still bopping along to the sax from the night before, we bid farewell Montreal.
Niagara Falls:
- Wanna experience Niagara Falls’ surging power from a different perspective? You’ll have the chance to soar above the action in a helicopter, whizz past it from the Wildplay Zipline or simply take in the scene from the safety of a viewing platform. And don’t worry – the ponchos are on us.
Included Experience:
- See Niagara Falls
Optional Experience:
- Wildplay Zipline
- 1000 Islands Helicopter Flight
Day 7: Niagara Falls to Toronto
Niagara Falls:
- Rise and shine. Today’s the day you finally get to say “I’m taking an epic cruise across the Niagara Falls today.” Unreal.
Toronto:
- Welcome to Toronto, the largest city in Canada. Your Trip Manager will fill you in on the hot spots of this fabulous city soon after we arrive and will then give you the afternoon to yourselves where you can find your niche in this cosmopolitan melting pot.
- If you want to enjoy an evening of laughter, head to the legendary Second City improv show where some of the funniest people on the planet have trodden the boards.
- Joan Rivers, Martin Short, Eugene Levy and Bill Murray are just a few of the big names to have started out here over the past 60 years.
Included Experience:
- Take on Toronto
- Cruise around Niagara Falls
Optional Experience:
- Helicopter Flight Niagara Falls
Day 8: Toronto
Toronto:
- Another day to explore this epic city. Score, or should we say homerun? Catch a baseball game, head to the CN Tower, visit Gallery 44 or Toronto Park for people watching.
- You’ll also have the chance to see the whole of Canada in model form on a visit to Little Canada, and take a tour of historic Steam Whistle Brewery! Tonight, why not go feel the global vibe of this city’s nightlife?
Optional Experience:
- CN Tower
- Little Canada Entry
Day 9: Toronto to Whistler via Vancouver
Toronto:
- Rise and shine, wanderlusters! We’ve got an early flight to Vancouver this morning…
Vancouver:
- And then we’re headed straight to Whistler.
Whistler:
- While mostly known for its excellent ski conditions, this town is an absolute delight in the summer.
- Take in all that fresh air and admire Whistler’s breathtaking mountains and crystal blue rivers and lakes.
- Soak up all the nature vibes you can get, but make sure to rest up, because adventure is on the cards all day tomorrow.
Optional Experience:
- Explore the Wilderness in an RZR
Day 10: Whistler
Whistler:
- Come winter, Whistler may be a haven for snowbunnies, but when the weather is warm, it’s activity central.
- Test your Popeye strength by canoeing along the River of Golden Dreams, zipline over churning rivers or take a hike through scenery that puts most postcards to shame. If you’re feeling lazy, take a gondola or a chairlift to the mountain tops, but don’t forget to explore the village itself – you’ll melt at its cuteness.
Optional Experience:
- Canoe Excursion
- Vallea Lumina Multimedia Experience
- Zipline Eagle Tour
Day 11: Whistler to Sun Peaks
Whistler:
- We’re headed out of Whistler to the second largest ski area in Canada, Sun Peaks.
- Along the way we’ll enjoy a scenic drive through the Lillooet Mountain Range, admiring the various reservoirs and lakes that sparkle in the sun.
- And before that, you have the chance to take a gondola ride between two peaks to soak up those glorious panoramas!
Sun Peaks:
- Welcome to Sun Peaks! This elegant little village will be our home for the night.
Included Experience:
- Scenic drive: Lillooet Mountains
Optional Experience:
- Peak 2 Peak Gondola (Seasonal)
Day 12: Sun Peaks to Jasper via Mount Robson
Sun Peaks:
- Well rested, we’ll take in some incredible scenes on our drive this morning, and you might even see the highest point in the Rockies if weather permits.
Mount Robson:
- Eating outdoors is essential in these parts, so feel free to grab some lunch and dine against a beautiful backdrop. And then the outdoors is yours to explore.
- Want to take the adrenaline levels up a notch? Get involved with our optional white-water rafting experience on the Fraser River. There’s nothing like a rafting adventure to confirm that there is no ‘I’ in team.
Jasper:
- Jasper will be your home for the next two nights – convenient really, considering it’s the perfect base to explore the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies.
Included Experience:
- Switch off at Jasper National Park
- Marvel at Mount Robson
- Scenic Drive on Yellowhead
Optional Experience:
- Go White Water Rafting in Fraser River (Seasonal)
Day 13: Jasper
Jasper:
- Rise ‘n’ shine – it’s time to get out there with an easy hike though Maligne Canyon.
- Towering limestone walls will watch over us as we take in the scene, making our way across bridges to the thrilling soundtrack of rushing water.
- Nature goals achieved, we’ll jump on the coach and head to Maligne Lake, famous for the azure colour of its water, and today we’ll show you why.
- Drink in the beauty of the surrounding snow-capped mountains from the shore, or take an optional cruise out to iconic Spirit Island, the most photographed image in the Rockies – we’ll bet you know the one.
- A truly special experience awaits us tonight – we’ll be joined by the Warrior Women for a fireside chat.
Included Experience:
- Visit Maligne Lake
- Fireside Chat with Warrior Women MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience
Optional Experience:
- Maligne Lake Cruise
- Plant Walk with Warrior Women MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience
Day 14: Jasper to Banff
Jasper:
- On our way to Banff today, you’ll be glued to the windows as we pass the waterfalls, lakes, meadows, glaciers and towering mountains that make up the Columbia Icefield Parkway.
- Take a walk to the Athabasca Falls, wheel across the Athabasca Glacier on the Ice Explorer, and cure that cotton-mouth with a drink of pure H2O – just be careful not to stick your tongue to the ice… Peyto Lake and Lake Louise (you’re sure to have seen these on Instagram) are the perfect place to snap your next profile pic, and make sure those eyes stay peeled for wildlife.
Banff:
- We’ll roll into Banff – the unofficial capital of the Canadian Rockies. You’re in cowboy country now, and who are we to buck tradition? Saddle up for a round of drinks before dinner and check into your chalet.
Included Experience:
- Walk over Athabasca Glacier
- See Peaceful Lake Louise
- Chill at Peyto Lake
Day 15: Banff
Banff:
- Today kicks off with Canada’s ultimate mountain experience. Standing on the suspension bridges of Mt Norquay Via Ferrata, you’ll feel alive, emotional and a little dizzy all at once.
- There’s loads more on the menu today in Banff: take a heli-tour of the high country or choose to explore on horseback.
Included Experience:
- Visit Banff National Park
Optional Experience:
- See the jaw-dropping Mt Norquay from a bridge
- Take a Royal Canadian Helicopter Ride over Banff
- Ride in a Helicopter over Mt. Assiniboine
- Go Horseback Riding
Day 16: Banff to Vernon
Banff:
- Marvel at the change of scenery today as we cut through three national parks on our way to Vernon.
- First up is Yoho National Park with its valley of waterfalls and meadows, and home to the amazing engineering feat – the Spiral Train Tunnel.
- Next up is Glacier National Park, which boasts over 400 (wait for it) glaciers (surprise) and Rogers Pass. Lastly we’ll drive through scenic Mt. Revelstoke National Park.
Vernon:
- After cramming three national parks into one day, you deserve a hearty meal in Vernon. There’s plenty of traditional pubs in town, and they’ll be able to help you out on the beverage front as well.
Included Experience:
- Travel through the Spiral Train Tunnels
- See Mount Revelstoke & Yoho Glacier
Optional Experience:
- Banff Gondola
Day 17: Vernon to Vancouver
Vernon:
- We’re sure you’ll agree that meandering through Canada’s wine country – the famed Okanagan Valley – is a great way to kill time on the drive back to Vancouver.
- It’s time to see everything of this magical metropolis that you missed the first time around, we’ll treat you to a whirlwind tour of the historic sites.
Vancouver:
- Vancouver’s downtown is world class, and its locals take immense pride in its multiculturalism. Stop for pics at the city’s nine Totem Poles – these colourful carved sculptures stand tall in Stanley Park and are a must-see sight that were gifted to Vancouver City.
- Get out there and get local, do some boutique shopping or even rent a bike and explore the city on wheels.
Included Experience:
- See Totem Poles in Stanley Park
- Get to know Vancouver
- Chill at Lake Okanagan
Day 18: Vancouver
Vancouver:
- A hidden grassroots art scene, eating adventures in abundance, and a pretty seaport setting – your free day in Vancouver will not be short of magic.
- If the galleries and cute cafes get old, roam one of the city’s many parks or gardens or find a spot to take in the surrounding mountain vistas.
- Top off the day with a dinner cruise and your Vancouver experience is whole and complete.
Optional Experience:
- Capilano Suspension Bridge
- Experience FlyOver Canada in Vancouver
- Eat Dinner on the Water
Day 19: End Vancouver
Vancouver:
- All good things must come to an end, and so does our alpine adventure this morning. We wish you all a fond salute and bon voyage. We hope we’ll be seeing you again soon.
- Day 1: Four Points by Sheraton (or similar)
- Day 2 – Day 3: Hotel Le Voyageur (or similar)
- Day 4 – Day 5: Travelodge by Wyndham Montreal Centre (or similar)
- Day 6: Days Inn Fallsview (or similar)
- Day 7 – Day 8: Chelsea Hotel (or similar)
- Day 9 – Day 10: Pangea Pod Hotel (Multi-Share)
- Day 11: Sun Peaks Lodge (or similar)
- Day 12 – Day 13: Athabasca Hotel (or similar)
- Day 14 – Day 15: Tunnel Mountain Resort (multi-share)
- Day 16: Days Inn Vernon (or similar)
- Day 17 – Day 18: YWCA Hotel Vancouver





