From the prairies to the Rockies, along the B.C. interior and all the way to the West Coast, this flexible self-drive is a spectacular adventure through rugged Alberta and British Columbia ending in Vancouver, including access to some of the most remote and exclusive areas and activities available.

In Vancouver especially, the majestic mountains, sparkling ocean, rainforests and beautiful foliage make it one of the most stunning cities in the world and you can extend your stay with one of our Rainbow High Vancouver packages to complete your memories of this once in a lifetime trip!

Read on to learn more about the range of action-packed adventure and exclusive options available with the Rainbow High Vacations Great Gay Drive Alberta/BC Package and visit the Itinerary to get the full details and pricing.

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

9 Nights Accommodation
Entrance to Calgary Zoo
Entrance to Heritage Park
White-water rafting down Kananaskis River
BBQ Lunch
Half-day Horseback Riding
Summit Helicopter Ride
Sulphur Mountain Gondola Pass
Ice Explorer Sno-Coach Ride
Jasper Tramway Elevation Pass with Breakfast
Maligne Lake Cruise
ATV Wilderness Ride in Whistler
Sea Safari on Howe Sound
Entrance to Capilano Suspension Bridge
Grouse Mountain Gondola Pass

OPTIONAL:

Avis/Budget Car Rental
Extend your stay with our Vancouver High-Lites Package (3 or 4 nights)
Extend your stay with our Vancouver Couples Package (2 or 3 nights)
Extend your stay with our A Taste of Vancouver Package (3 nights)
Extend your stay with our Victoria High-Lites Package (2 nights)
Add Extra Day Excursions or Pre and Post Tour Excursions

Remember, one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to travel so contact us to find out how your trip can be customized to fit your needs. Groups of 12+ also save so feel free to ask us when we chat!

Rainbow WorldPride WP14TO Donations

WE HELP WORLDPRIDE HAPPEN – YOU CAN TOO

Every WorldPride Travel package financially supports WorldPride through a guaranteed donation by the Official Travel & Tour Partner program. By purchasing your WorldPride travel – hotels, transportation and tours – from Rainbow High, YOU make WorldPride happen too!

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? CLICK HERE!

ITINERARY:

10 Day/9 Night – One-Way Great Gay Drive from Calgary to Vancouver or in reverse

Day 1

Calgary

The Business, Entertainment and Theater districts are all just minutes away from our convenient downtown location, including Calgary's LRT (light rail transit) which allows easy access to all areas of the city. You’ll stay in a luxurious one-bedroom suite with river or city views from a private balcony and unwind in our relaxing tri-level lounge when you’ll enjoy an elaborate menu in the 4th Avenue Cafe or have room service deliver your favorites.

Calgary Zoo

From the splendor of the Canadian Wilds exhibit to the heart of Destination Africa, visit over 900 animals from around the world in this unique day trip to the Calgary Zoo. Trek through a rain forest with lowland gorillas, safari over the African Savannah to watch hippos swimming, hike through Eurasia with the tigers or travel up the Rocky Mountains to find the grizzly bears. Complete your round the world animal tour with a trip through time in Prehistoric Park or soothe your senses in nearly six acres of beautiful Botanical Gardens.

Open Daily from 9:00am-5:00pm

Heritage Park (Including unlimited train rides)

Find out what life in the wild west was like at Canada’s largest living history museum. Costumed interpreters, authentic heritage buildings and unlimited transportation rides bring history to life as you step back in time with the townsfolk and check out the year-round Gasoline Alley Museum with an impressive collection of vintage vehicles and gasoline pumps. Yeehaw!

Day 2

Stay at an exclusive year-round, world-class, mountain resort with picturesque scenery in a spectacular setting. Listen to tales of a ghost town, the travelling Stoney Indians, a former POW camp and the long-forgotten tunnels of a coal mine as Alberta's Kananaskis Country has a long standing heritage to rival its many spectacular outdoor and recreational pursuits.

Icefield & Kananaskis Helicopter Tours - Summit Tour

In order to truly appreciate the natural beauty of the surrounding majestic mountains and glaciers an Icefield and Kananaskis Helicopter Tour is highly recommend. You’ll be able to soar over cliffs and stunning valleys that simply cannot be viewed from the road. Bring your camera!

Day 3 – Kananaskis/Banff

Enjoy your stay at a traditional Banff Lodge with a 35 person jetted hot pool, steam room, exercise equipment and the Red Earth Spa, a full service spa with six treatment rooms including one exclusively dedicated to hydrotherapy.

Tour the downtown shops and restaurants with a short 10-minute walk or take Banff Transit (please see your front desk for complimentary passes). The friendly and outgoing staff is always happy to provide information or suggestions on any of Banff's many exciting activities.

Kananaskis - Surf and Saddle (Full Day Adventure)

This two-hour guided trail ride on the scenic backcountry trails is followed by a delicious BBQ lunch. Then travel down to the Kananaskis River to enjoy a “White Water Experience”. Rafters will travel nearly 12 kilometers through Class 1-111 rapids and fast moving water and all necessary river equipment and safety gear will be supplied along with professional river guides, wetsuits, helmets, paddling jackets and trousers. Definitely bring a pair of running shoes that you don’t mind getting wet and a bathing suit and towel. This is an exciting way to spend a day in Kananaskis Country!

Day 4 - Banff – Emerald Lake Lodge

Emerald Lake Lodge sits on a 13-Acre peninsula overlooking Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park, just 20 minutes past Lake Louise. The lodge features 85 rooms in cabins surrounding the main lodge with several overlooking the lake. Each room features a wood-burning fireplace, private balcony, down duvets and the serenity of no televisions. Enjoy the peace and quiet of your gorgeous surroundings!

Day 5 - Emerald Lake Lodge - Jasper

Spend the day in Jasper hiking, biking, and touring Jasper National Park or just get away from everything with a leisurely stroll. Enjoy the award-winning Walter’s Dining Room and calming Mountain Wellness Day Spa, or sit in front of the unique three-story fireplace and sky lit atrium with a coffee or good book.

Day 6 - Jasper Sightseeing

Experience riding Canada's longest and highest aerial tramway into Jasper's National Park's alpine tundra with views of the Canadian Rockies that are truly like no other. Overlook six mountain ranges, glacial-fed lakes, meandering rivers and the scenic Jasper Town site - by the time you reach the upper terminal of Whistler's Mountain you will have climbed over 973 metres! At the summit, enjoy a scrumptious breakfast in the Treeline Restaurant with spectacular views all around.

You must ride the tram up during the following times to have the breakfast included rate:

April 27 - May 18 10:00am – 10:45am

May 18 until June 22 9:30am - 10:45am

June 22 until Aug 29 9:00am - 10:45am

Aug 30 until Oct 8 10:00am – 10:45am(Weather Permitting - opening and closing dates may vary)

Local transportation is not included, please add to your package the Jasper Shuttle to Tramway, if required.

Maligne Lake - Cruise Only

For over 70 years, no trip to the Canadian Rockies has been complete without a cruise to Spirit Island on Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park.

This diminutive Canadian icon, floating amid turquoise, glacial waters is accessed via glass enclosed and heated boats. The 90 minute tours depart every hour on the hour throughout the summer season and are staffed by recognized Heritage Tourism Guides and Ministry of Transport licensed pilots who will inform you of the local history, geology, wildlife and glaciology of Maligne Lake and of Jasper National Park as you witness spectacular scenery outside your window.

At Spirit Island, the boat lands to allow for a short walk to the viewpoint overlooking the mountain ringed southern shores of Maligne Lake, the famous backdrop of Spirit Island.

Please note, this cruise option does not include transportation to the lake - the transportation must be purchased separately. You can transfer by shuttle from Jasper or combine it with a commentated tour and cruise.

Day 7

Jasper – Sun Peaks Resort

Located only 45 minutes from the city of Kamloops in British Columbia’s Thompson Okanagan region, soak up all the comforts of home and more in these spacious rooms and superbly appointed suites with amenities ranging from wet bars to fireplaces and balconies.

Day 8

Sun Peaks Resort – Whistler

Retreat from the ordinary in this resort located among the many shops and restaurants in the main village, less than a five minute walk to the chair lifts.

Whistler - Sunrise ATV Touring | Whistler ATV Adventure!

Experience a magnificent morning adventure into the backcountry where cooler temperatures provide an ideal opportunity to view resident black bears and other local wildlife. After enjoying a hot drink and cinnamon bun, wind your way along trails, through lush forests, around fresh mountain lakes and out to breathtaking viewpoints of the surrounding area. Keep your camera handy as you never know what you’ll see!

Suggested: Comfortable clothing for the day including a warm shirt or outer layer; no open-toe shoes or sandals

Tour includes: helmet, outerwear, boots, gloves, glasses/goggles, dust masks if required

Collision Coverage/Insurance: $15.00 per driver paid locally

Duration: 2.5 hours with 2 hours ride time.

Departure: 8:30 am.

Day 9

Whistler - Vancouver

Your hotel in beautiful Vancouver is ideally located near attractions, shopping and dining for a one-of-a-kind experience.

Vancouver - Sewell's Marina Sea Safari

Climb aboard the Sea Safari for an unforgettable ride of Howe Sound! On this tour you’ll find yourself racing beside steep cliffs, watching seals play, observing majestic bald eagles and other marine birds and peeking into sea caves. Take in the city views and learn about this unique ecosystem of the Pacific North West with an experienced guide at the helm – you won’t want to miss this unique safari so get your cameras ready!

Day 10

Vancouver | Package Ends

Capilano Suspension Bridge

Can you handle the heights? This cliff walk carved into the granite cliff face above Capilano River takes guests to unexplored areas of the park on a series of unobtrusive cantilevered and suspended walkways. The paths are high and narrow and, in some sections, strong glass is all that separates you from the canyon far below. For your bravery, you’ll receive a complimentary “I Survived!” souvenir certificate and relax with seasonal entertainment.

Rates always include a complimentary “I Survived!” souvenir certificate, site maps/passports in seven languages, guided history and nature tour, and seasonal entertainment.

Grouse Mountain Gondola

Take a Skyride tram trip to the top of the mountain on the Grouse Mountain Gondola with year-round access to the Theatre in the Sky! Summer months include scenic chair rides, the World Famous Lumberjack Show, Birds in Motion Show, guided Eco-Walks through an Alpine forest, Grouse Mountain’s Refuge for Endangered Wildlife (Grizzly Bear viewing) and much more.

In the winter months, you’ll have access to 10 KM of snowshoe trails, an 8000 sq. ft outdoor ice-skating pond, sleigh rides and Peak of Christmas festivities.

BOOK NOW with Rainbow High Vacations or contact your local travel agent! All prices are per person and include all taxes.