Itinerary 5: Rainforest to Rockies: Coast Mountain Circle Route

When to go: Spring to fall, with peak viewing experiences in autumn. Check Drive BC for road conditions.

Suitable for: small groups and FITs

British Columbia’s Coast Mountains form a scenic backdrop between Vancouver and BC’s heartland. This five-day circle route takes in steep canyons, towering snow peaks, and historic communities, revealing fascinating layers of history amidst breathtaking landscapes. Please always check Know Before You Go for a summary of important travel-related information.

Link to Itinerary

Itinerary Snapshot:

• Day 1: Leave Lillooet and follow Highway #99 to Cache Creek. Along the way, make a stop at the Fountain Flat Trading Post in Fountain Valley, where you can refuel with food, gas, and access Wi-Fi. Don't miss the chance to explore the gallery featuring Indigenous art. Just north of downtown Cache Creek is Historic Hat Creek awaits, a Provincial Historic Site operated by the Bonaparte First Nation, part of the Secwépemc People. This site brings history to life, preserving one of the few accessible sections of the original Cariboo wagon roads. It welcomes visitors from May through September. In Cache Creek, a must-stop is Horsting's Farm Market. Operating from March to December, this expansive 85-acre farm encompasses an orchard, farm market, garden center, bakery, and café.

• Day 2: Explore the neighboring village of Ashcroft, and visit to the Ashcroft Museum. Within its walls, a captivating collection is on display, featuring artifacts that transport you to the early 1900s. Continuing along Highway 1 to Spences Bridge, visit The Packing House Coffee Shop for freshly ground coffee, snacks, and hearty hot lunches. Try Kumsheen Rafting Resort where they welcome guests and serving lunch and dinner at their Cutting Board Restaurant. They offer exhilarating white-water rafting and power paddle adventures, along with overnight accommodations in canvas cabins, teepees, and campsites.

Itinerary 8: Rainforest to Rockies: North to Mount Robson

When to go: Spring to fall, with peak viewing experiences in autumn. Check Drive BC for road conditions.

Suitable for: Groups and FITs

Traverse the mountain ranges to explore the land of rainforest, deep canyons, and towering peaks! This road trip itinerary spans three mountain ranges: Coastal, Shuswap, and Cariboo. It's a journey of ever-changing scenery: massive mountain peaks, deep canyons, rushing rivers, thundering waterfalls, azure lakes - all interwoven with semi-arid rolling grasslands, lush forests, and meadows. Please always check Know Before You Go for a summary of important travel-related information.

Link to Itinerary

Itinerary Snapshot:

• Day 1: Leave Lillooet and follow Highway #99 to Cache Creek. Just north of downtown Cache Creek Historic Hat Creek awaits, a Provincial Historic Site operated by the Bonaparte First Nation, part of the Secwépemc People. It welcomes visitors from May through September, with on-site accommodations. In Cache Creek, a must-stop is Horsting's Farm Market. Head east onto Highway 1 towards Kamloops. Kamloops offers an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities from hiking, mountain biking, golfing, and fishing to downhill skiing and snowboarding. For dinner, Kamloops offers a wide range of options, from brew pubs to fine dining. Notable options include The Noble Pig Brewhouse and Yew Street Food Hall. For accommodation suggestions, you can visit the Tourism Kamloops website.

• Day 2: Spend the morning at the BC Wildlife Park, an interactive wildlife experience specializing in the rehabilitation of North American animal species. Next, visit Monte Creek Winery for a wine-tasting experience. Take Highway #5 along the North Thompson River towards Clearwater and Wells Gray Provincial Park. Consider making a worthwhile detour towards Sun Peaks Resort, the second-largest four-season mountain resort town in B.C. After, explore Barrière visitors come here for fishing, ice-fishing, and hiking. Next, stop at the Wells Gray Park Information Centre near the park entrance for maps and information. Spend the rest of the day exploring Wells Gray Park, try hiking trails such as Spahats Falls, Dawson Falls, and Helmcken Falls. For accommodation in the Clearwater area, refer to Tourism Wells Gray.

• Day 3: Head north towards Clearwater Lake. It's a 70-km journey, so plan ample time for driving and sightseeing. Take a 2-hour boat tour by Clearwater Lake Tours Head back towards Clearwater Valley Road and make view stops at one of the 40 waterfalls within the park. Overnight in Clearwater or around Wells Gray Park.

• Day 4: Continuing along Highway #5 between Wells Gray Park and the Rockies, heading to Blue River and Valemount – both offering great accommodation and outdoor activity options. Blue River serves as the gateway to Murtle Lake. Murtle Lake is the largest paddle-only lake in North America. In Blue River you can visit Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing, a renowned heli-skiing destination in winter. Upon arrival in Valemount, consider exploring Mount Robson Provincial Park the highest peak in the Canadian Rocky Mountain Range. For accommodation recommendations, you can check out the options listed on Tourism Valemount’s website. They provide a variety of suggestions that cater to different preferences and needs.

Itinerary 9: Fall Colours in the Thompson Okanagan

When to go: September and October

The Thompson Okanagan region, with its rivers, lakes, and mountain views, is a wonderful area to experience fall colours by car, foot, or bike. Please always check Know Before You Go for a summary of important travel-related information.

Link to Itinerary

Itinerary Snapshot:

• Day 1: Arrive at Kelowna International Airport. Start the day with a trip, on foot or by bicycle, to the Myra Canyon Trestles on the Kettle Valley Rail Trail. A must-do in Kelowna is wine-touring, especially during the autumn grape harvest. Options for tours include Cheers Okanagan, who provide wheelchair-accessible tours throughout the Southern Okanagan, and Okanagan Foodie Tours. Tourism Kelowna’s Wine Trails Online Guide has more information about the dozens of wineries near Kelowna. Spend the night.

• Day 2: After breakfast, head north to Vernon. To explore downtown Vernon and foodies can check out the Vernon Tasting Trail for a self-guided culinary expedition. Alternatively, join the Vernon Downtown Discovery Tour for a three-hour guided tour of murals, historic sites, and boutiques while tasting delicious foods along the way. Enjoy an orchard and garden tour at Davison Orchards Country Village, then visit Planet Bee. Tourism Vernon has dining and accommodation suggestions.

• Day 3: Travel to the Shuswap region. North of the Okanagan, this landscape of lakes and rolling farmland borders one of the world’s largest inland temperate rainforests. The Adams River, which flows through Tsútswecw Provincial Park (Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park) has one of the largest sockeye salmon runs in North America. Overnight in Salmon Arm or Chase. For listings, see Tourism Shuswap.

• Day 4: Shuswap to Sun Peaks. Explore Salmon Arm on Shuswap Lake. The Shuswap region is home to about 20 provincial parks and is a popular kayaking and paddle-boarding destination. Depart Salmon Arm for Sun Peaks. This all-season mountain resort north of Kamloops is a popular summer and fall destination, with vibrant autumn colours, crisp mountain air, and sweeping alpine views. Overnight at Sun Peaks. For accommodation options, check out Tourism Sun Peaks.

• Day 5: Explore Sun Peaks. The resort’s Tyrolean-style alpine village has about 20 shops, 22 restaurants with plenty of dining options. Depending on the weather, many summer activities, such as hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, horseback riding, yoga, and golfing at BC’s highest golf course are available until early to mid-October, or until the snow falls.

• Day 6: From Sun Peaks take Highway #5 along the North Thompson River towards Clearwater and Wells Gray Provincial Park. Clearwater, the gateway to Wells Gray Provincial Park, is 20 minutes from Little Fort. For accommodation in the Clearwater area, see Tourism Wells Gray. Popular eateries in the area include, the Hop n’ Hog Tap & Smokehouse,the Old Caboose Restaurant & Pub, and the restaurants at the Helmcken Falls Lodge and the Wells Gray Inn.

• Day 7: Spend the day exploring Wells Gray Provincial Park: hiking, canoeing, fishing, and photographing the park’s over 40 famous waterfalls. Some of the most accessible cascades are Spahats Falls, Moul Falls, Dawson Falls and Helmcken Falls. If you’re continuing northeast along Highway #5 between Wells Gray Park and the Rockies, stop for a burger at Avola Log Inn Pub, before heading to Blue River and Valemount – both have great accommodation and outdoor activity options.

• Day 8: Return to Kamloops and enjoy a self-guided downtown heritage walking tour, sample the wines at some local wineries, or visit the BC Wildlife Park. Dinner options in Kamloops range from brew pubs to fine dining. Overnight in Kamloops. For more information about attractions, dining, and accommodation, see Tourism Kamloops.

• Day 9: Depart from Kamloops Airport by Westjet and Air Canada. Alternatively, it takes about 4.5 hours to drive back to Vancouver.

Itinerary 10: Autumn in the Okanagan & the Kootenay Rockies

When to go: September & October

British Columbia’s forests, among the most ecologically diverse in the world, display a stunning array of autumn colours, especially in the Thompson Okanagan and Kootenay Rockies regions. Fall temperatures can be mild, so conditions are ideal to enjoy the outdoors. Please always check Know Before You Go for a summary of important travel-related information.

Link to Itinerary

Itinerary Snapshot:

• Day 1: Kelowna a four-hour drive from Vancouver, is a great place for a lakeside stroll, shopping, dining, golfing, cycling, wine touring, lakecruises and much. Cheers Okanagan and Distinctively Kelowna offer a range of tours, do a self-guided tour on a bike along the Kettle Valley Rail Trail.

• Day 2: Go from Kelowna to Osoyoos (Distance: 123 km / 76 mi). A top destination for wine lovers is the new District Wine Village just north of Oliver. In Osoyoos, visit the NK'MIP Desert Cultural Centre, featuring views of Canada’s only desert. Spend time at Spirit Ridge Resort with its restaurant The Bear, The Fish, The Root & The Berry, reflecting the significance of Indigenous cultures here. Osoyoos has many options for outdoor activities, wine tasting, dining, and accommodations.

• Day 3: Osoyoos to Nelson (Distance: 264 km / 165 mi). Make a stop at Greenwood, where more than 60 heritage buildings and local museum with the history of the Japanese Canadians interned in the area during WWI. Next you’ll hit Grand Forks, where the Kettle and Granby Rivers converge. Try the Borscht Bowl, stop for a coffee at Joga’s Expresso Café, or try some Russian, Greek or Italian food at the Omega Restaurant. The Boundary Museum & Interpretive Centre, set in a historic school, offers insights into Grand Forks’ Doukhobor heritage.