If you’re planning a trip to Canada, but you’re not sure where to go, then this road trip through Canada itinerary is for you! If you want to see Canada’s mountains, lakes, and wine country, all in one trip and explore the jaw-dropping Rockies in 14 days, then read on for this detailed Canada travel itinerary.

We just finished in September 2025 an unforgettable Canada road trip starting and ending in Vancouver, visiting Whistler, Jasper (where we got engaged!!), Banff, Yoho National Park, Kelowna, and Penticton. It was a trip we’ll remember forever.

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Unlike other trips, Canada required a lot of planning. So, we spent plenty of time organising everything. I hope this guide makes planning your Canadian adventure easier.

We hired an RV through Roadsurfer for this road trip through Canada. We had previously used them for a 6-country European road trip and loved how modern and well-equipped their campervans were.

Before we dive in, it’s worth mentioning that we hired an RV through Roadsurfer for this trip. We hired one previously for our 6-country European trip (which was also epic), and loved just how modern they were and how well equipped, so when we started planning our trip to Canada, we knew we wanted to hire one again.

In a hurry? Here is our quick guide to road tripping in Canada!

How to get here: Fly into Vancouver and hire an RV through Roadsurfer
What language is spoken? English and French (all of the spots on this trip will be in English-speaking parts)
What currency is used? The CAD$ (approx. $1 = £0.53)
When to visit: Spring or Autumn are the best months to visit Canada. During these times, it will be less crowded than in the summer, and all of the trails will be open.
The eSim we use: SimLocal, use code MEMORIES to save 5% (cheapest rates & they use the top carriers in every country so that you’ll always get the fastest data)
The best travel insurance for Digital Nomads: SafetyWing!

How to Spend 14 Perfect Days in Canada: The Ultimate Canada Road Trip Itinerary

Here’s a quick look at what this 2-week Canada road trip itinerary will cover!

Day 1: Land in Vancouver
Days 2 – 3: Whistler (with helicopter tour)
Day 4: Drive from Whistler to Jasper
Days 5- 6: Jasper (with Maligne Lake/ Spirit Island tour – the spot we got engaged!)
Day 7: Drive the Icefields Parkway (Icefields Parkway route)
Days 8 – 10: Banff (visit Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Emerald Lake)
Days 11: Kelowna
Days 12 – 13: Naramata (Wine tasting)
Day 14: Vancouver (with seaplane trip)

Here is a handy map to help you find each spot:

Before we dive into the itinerary, I’ll cover all of the things that you need to know to plan a Canada road trip, including how much it will cost you, the best time to visit and a review of Roadsurfer, the company we hired the campervan/ RV through!

Canada road trip FAQs

Is Canada good for road trips?

Oh my gosh, yes! Canada is probably one of the best countries that I’ve been to for road trips. The roads (especially the Icefields Parkway) are incredible and a destination in themselves. The roads and parking lots are wide and set out for RVs, and there’s a ton of campsites.

You’ll find lots of infrastructure like free and paid campsites, rest stops, paved roads, gas stations, restaurants and grocery stores throughout the country.

Canada is also a massive country with so much to see, so if you want to see a lot of it, then a road trip across Canada is the best option.

How much does this 2-week road trip cost?

Canada isn’t a budget-friendly country, that’s for sure. However, there are ways that you can keep the cost down during your Canada road trip, including hiring an RV instead of staying in hotels and cooking your own food. Below are rough estimates for how much this 2-week Canada road trip will cost you.

This is based on our experience of enjoying lots of experiences, eating out about 50% of the time and hiring an RV.

Return flight from London: $1313 CAD/ $942 USD / £700
Cost of the RV through Roadsurfer: $3000 CAD/ $2,153 USD / £1600
Cost of campsites: $660 CAD/ / $930 USD / £690
Fuel: $900 CAD/ / $645 USD / £480
Food shop: $160 CAD/ / $115 USD / £85
Cost of hotels in Vancouver + Emerald Lake Lodge: $1300 CAD/ / $475 USD / £350
Spending money on meals out and activities:  $3750 CAD/ / $2700 USD / £2000
Extras (including souvenirs, coffees, etc.):  $375 CAD/ / $270 USD / £200

Total for a 2-week road trip in Canada: $11,458 CAD/ / $8,221 USD / £6,108

Keep in mind that the above is just an estimate based on my experience for a trip for two during September.

When is the best time to do this road trip across Canada? 

This realllyyyy depends on what you’re looking for, as this road trip can be taken throughout most of the year and you’ll experience a completely different trip, depending on when you visit. Canada’s landscapes completely transform with the seasons, meaning the same route can feel like four completely different journeys.

Summer brings long days, warm weather, and national parks in full bloom. But also crowds, and higher prices; autumn paints the forests in fiery reds and golds, colder weather in the mornings and evenings, but sunshine mid-day; winter turns the mountains into snow-dusted wonderlands, but cold weather and some national park closures; and spring offers quieter trails and the first signs of wildlife returning.

The beauty of a Canadian road trip is that there’s no single “best” time – just the best time for you.

We visited Canada during mid-September, when the leaves were just starting to turn that gorgeous orange colour, but the days were still (mostly) warm and all of the national parks and trails were still open.

Month	Pros	Cons
June	Warm days, fewer crowds	Snow may remain at high altitudes
July–Aug	Long days, festivals	Peak prices and busier trails
Sept	Fall colours, quieter trails	Cooler evenings
Oct–Apr	Snowy scenery	Road and some mountain closures

What is the best way to travel around Canada?

The best way to experience Canada’s vast landscapes is by hitting the road in an RV. Not only does it give you the freedom to set your own pace, but it also turns the journey itself into part of the adventure.

Travelling by RV means more flexibility, a lower overall cost and the chance to truly immerse yourself in Canada’s great outdoors.

Of course, if an RV/Campervan isn’t for you, then hiring a car is still a great option. It means you’ll have the freedom and flexibility to travel around Canada at your own pace, but you’ll get the luxury of sleeping in hotels along the road.

A Roadsurfer review: 2-Week Canada road trip

Roadsurfer are an RV/ Campervan company based in Germany, but with hubs across Europe and North America. We hired ours from Vancouver, where they have a large fleet to choose from.

Roadsurfers campervans are extremely modern and well-equipped, which is one of the main reasons why we love them so much.

On this road trip through Canada, we rented the Family Freedom, which sleeps 6, has a full kitchen including an oven and a microwave and a full bathroom including a walk-in shower.

Another thing that we love about Roadsurfer is that with your booking, you get unlimited mileage. This was huge for us, as this road trip is quite long and covered a lot of miles, and we never wanted to think “Oh, we can’t drive there today because we don’t have enough miles left”. Having limited mileage seemed to be quite common in North America, so we were really pleased that Roadsurfer didn’t have this.

Another thing worth mentioning is how simple the pick-up and drop-off process was. At Vancouver, the team walked us through everything we needed to know about the campervan, from using the kitchen appliances to emptying the grey water tank, and they made sure we felt confident before setting off.

We also really appreciated the small extras that come included with Roadsurfer. Things like camping chairs, a table, kitchen essentials, and even a coffee maker, which made it feel like we were road trip–ready from the moment we collected the keys.

When it came to driving, the Family Freedom was surprisingly smooth and easy to handle for its size. Canada’s roads are made for this kind of travel, and having the freedom to pull over at scenic viewpoints, or even cook lunch on the go, was exactly what we’d hoped for.

Overall, we couldn’t recommend Roadsurfer enough if you’re considering an RV trip in Canada. Modern vans, unlimited mileage, and all the little details that make road life easier, they really did take a lot of the stress out of planning and let us focus on the adventure.

If you’re still not convinced, I wrote a full review on hiring a campervan through Roadsurfer during our trip to Europe here.

Car vs RV: How should you drive across Canada?

So, you want to road trip across Canada, but can’t decide if you want to hire an RV or a car to travel across Canada.

Public transportation isn’t a great option for travelling across Canada. There aren’t many routes, it’s not very frequent and generally not really an option, unless you’re planning on travelling from one big city to the next (definitely not what this Canada road trip itinerary is all about). So, hiring a car or an RV is really your best option, and there are certainly pros and cons to both.

A car will be initially cheaper to rent and fuel up, and easier to drive. But it can be costly to stay in hotels every night and annoying to constantly be packing and unpacking.

An RV will be more expensive to rent initially, and topping up fuel will be more expensive. They are also, of course, much larger to drive, which could be an issue if you’re not the most confident driver. However, you will only have small additional fees each night for campsites, compared to hotels.

When trying to decide, consider your comfort level with driving, how many people are road tripping with you, what kind of accommodation you prefer and, of course, your budget for your Canada road trip.

We opted for an RV/ Campervan for two reasons.

Reason one: It was much more budget-friendly

We priced up hotels for each night of our trip, and it was going to cost us roughly an additional $3000.

Reason two: We wanted to be immersed in nature

The reason we visited Canada was so that we could hike, see gorgeous lakes and mountains and generally be in nature, so really this was a no-brainer for us. Hiring an RV meant that we woke up most mornings with gorgeous views of the mountains, lakes, and forests.

How many miles will I cover on this 2 Week Canada road trip?

This isn’t a short road trip, and if you’re not a confident driver or don’t enjoy driving, then this probably isn’t for you.

This West Canada road trip, travelling in a loop from Vancouver to Whistler, Jasper, Banff, Emerald Lake, Kelowna and Penticton, covers 2,127 km/ 1321 miles, averaging 177 km/ 110 miles per day if you were to drive 12 out of the 14 days on this road trip.

Do I need a visa to visit Canada?

This completely depends on where you are visiting from. If, like us, you are from the UK or another visa-exempt country, you won’t need a visa, but you will need to apply for an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) before you travel. It’s a quick online form, costs a small fee (around £3.50), and is usually approved within minutes.

If you’re travelling from a country that isn’t visa-exempt, you’ll need to apply for a visitor visa in advance. It’s always best to check the official Government of Canada website before you book, as requirements can change depending on your nationality and how long you’re planning to stay.

Perfect 14-Day West Canada itinerary: day-by-day breakdown

Day 1: Arrive in Vancouver

Your first day! How exciting. You’re probably feeling a bit jetlagged and worn out from the flight, so this first day is just about getting your bearings, stretching your legs, and soaking in the atmosphere of Vancouver. Think of it as a gentle introduction before the big adventure on the road begins.

Places that we recommend visiting in Vancouver:

Stanley Park – A must-see. You can walk or cycle the seawall, which has incredible views of the city skyline, mountains, and ocean all in one. If you’re short on energy, even a quick stroll will give you a feel for why locals love it here.

Davie Street (Davie Village) – Known for its colourful rainbow crosswalks, lively bars, and excellent dining options, this area is perfect if you’re looking for a fun, welcoming atmosphere on your first night. It’s also home to some great casual restaurants if you’re not up for anything too fancy after your flight. We found an epic poutinerie here, La Belle Patate, where they even did vegetarian Poutine, which we found pretty hard to find due to the meat gravy it was often with

Granville Island – Perfect for a late lunch or early dinner. The public market is full of fresh produce, baked goods, and quirky food stalls, plus you’ll find local artists and shops to wander around.

Gastown – Vancouver’s historic heart, full of cobblestone streets, independent boutiques, and the famous steam clock. It’s a lovely spot for a relaxed evening wander.

English Bay Beach – If the weather’s good, head here for sunset. Grab a takeaway coffee or snack, sit on the logs lining the beach, and watch the sky light up in colours over the Pacific.

The idea is not to pack too much in, just ease yourself into the time zone, enjoy some good food, and get a taste of what Vancouver has to offer before hitting the road refreshed tomorrow.

Day 2: Head to Whistler for a helicopter tour

Morning: Collect your RV and drive to Whistler

Hopefully, you’ll wake up on day 2 feeling refreshed and ready to explore, as day 2 is an exciting one.

Firstly, you’ll head to the pickup area for your RV. If you’re opting to go with Roadsurfer, as we did, then their depot is a short drive out of the city centre. We opted to get an Uber there (Lyft’s are also available and often cheaper). For this journey, we paid around $20 CAD, and the drive is about 15 minutes (depending on where you are in Vancouver).

The address for Roadsurfer in Vancouver is: 8211 Argyle St, Vancouver, BC V5P 4R4, Canada.

You’re going to leave the city and head for your first taste of the mountains in Whistler. The drive is a short 1hr 35mins and is a really beautiful one along the famous Sea to Sky Highway, also known as Highway 99.

Afternoon: Start your trip with a bang on a helicopter ride

Once you arrive, head straight to the Blackcomb Helicopters Whistler base. It’s around 15 minutes outside of Whistler town. As long as you’re not scared of heights, it’s a great way to see Whistler and the surrounding areas from above.

I opted for the Glacier helicopter tour with a mountain landing, which is a 25-minute helicopter ride over glaciers and the mountains and a 20-minute landing in a hidden spot. Ours was a gorgeous lake, surrounded by towering peaks.

It’s not cheap, so if you’re on a tight budget, then there are plenty of hikes you could do instead; just save your legs for tomorrow, as the hike is long. It’s also a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I personally think it’s worth the money if you’re able to budget it in.

If you’re after a different helicopter tour, either a shorter one or a different route, then you can have a browse here of different helicopter routes through Blackcomb Helicopters.

Evening: Explore Whistler town

Whistler town is a really cute little mountain town. I really liked it; however, an evening or afternoon is probably enough time here as it’s quite small. If you need any hiking clothes or gear, then Whistler is the place to get it. There are plenty of chain and independent shops selling hiking gear and gifts, bars and restaurants.

I recommend either grabbing dinner or heading back to your campsite to cook dinner.

We stayed at Whistler RV Park & Campground and couldn’t recommend it enough; it had gorgeous views, a mini-golf course and a place to grab breakfast or burgers.

Day 3: Hike Panorama Ridge, Garibaldi Provincial Park

This is the biggest hike that I recommend on this itinerary. But, it is so so worth it. The views are absolutely stunning, but don’t underestimate how hard it is.

The view from Panorama Ridge in Garibaldi Provincial Park is undoubtedly one of the best in British Columbia. Sitting at 2100m, Panorama Ridge towers over the turquoise Garibaldi Lake and offers a spectacular landscape of snow-capped mountains, glaciers and the picture-perfect glacier lake.

You can opt to camp overnight here, but you can also hike it in one day.

The hike takes between 10 to 12 hours in total and is 15km long. You’ll climb around 900m in 9km getting to Garibaldi Lake, then a further 600m in 6km getting up to Panorama Ridge.

The hike starts with some gruelling uphill zig-zags before it levels out and splits off. Here you can choose if you want to hike through Taylor Meadows or around Garibaldi Lake. We opted for the meadow with the intent of coming back along the lake; however, we were absolutely knackered and in need of water, so we opted for the meadow in both directions as we knew it was fairly flat.

After hiking through the meadows, the last stretch to the ridge is pretty tough and a bit of a scramble, but the views all around and from the top make it so worth it.

We unfortunately didn’t see any bears on this hike; however, Black and Grizzly bears are common, so it’s advised to take some bear spray with you. We did, however, see a few of the cute little marmots running around – much less scary than a bear!

Full blog post on hiking Garibaldi Panorama Ridge coming soon.

The campground we recommend staying at in Jasper is Wapiti Campground. It was really gorgeous, although due to the tragic fires in 2024, please keep in mind that the images might not be completely representative of what it currently looks like in Jasper.

Day 4: Drive from Whistler to Jasper (around 8hrs 30mins)

Today is probably the least exciting day of your whole itinerary, as it’s your longest driving day.

The drive from Whistler to Jasper is beautiful, but nothing in comparison to the Icefields Parkway.

You’ve got two choices on day 4. One is to drive without stopping to get from Whistler to Jasper as fast as you can. Option 2 is to make some stops along the way. If you opt for option 2, then I advise leaving no later than 7 am so that you don’t arrive in Jasper too late.

Here are some spots that we recommend stopping at on the drive from Whistler to Jasper:

– Pemberton is just outside of Whistler and is a great little town. If you have more time, then there are some gorgeous hikes to be had here, such as the Joffre Lakes hike.
– Kamloops is a great place along the way if you want to stop off, stretch your legs and grab some lunch
– Spahats Creek Falls (Wells Gray Provincial Park) is a beautiful waterfall with an easy-to-access viewpoint that’s around a 10-15-minute walk from the road.

Grab some snacks (and food that you can cook for lunch) and make a playlist, and get ready to sit back and drive the 711.2 km between Whistler to Jasper.

Day 5: Take a boat trip to Maligne Lake

This was our favourite day (because we got engaged here!!), however, it’s such a gorgeous spot that we would have fallen in love with it even without getting engaged.

You can either get a boat here, which is the most popular way to visit and the only way that you can visit via a day trip, or you can opt to canoe or kayak here and camp overnight.

Whilst I do not doubt that this experience would be absolutely incredible, it really should only be completed by experienced people out on the water, which we are not. Whilst we were on our boat trip, we even saw a guy calling for help, and our boat had to call for Parks Canada’s rescue service to come and get him, as he had fallen in and was freezing.

For (not only) this reason, we recommend going on the Maligne Lake Cruise. The cruise lasts 1hr 30mins with a 15-minute stop at Spirit Island, or you pay a bit more and enjoy 30 minutes here.

There’s not much to do on the island, but there’s a wooden walkway that will take you up to the incredible view of the mountains and Spirit Island.

The Maligne Lake boat cruise sells out pretty quickly, so I recommend booking it as soon as you know the date you would like to visit. You can book it here.

Day 6: Explore Jasper and the surrounding areas

Morning: Enjoy breakfast in town

Jasper itself is quite a small town, which won’t really take you too long to look around. Although we did have an incredible breakfast in Jasper town (shout out to Smitty’s Family Restaurant!) Spend your morning enjoying a quick walk around the town and then indulge in a classic Canadian breakfast before another day of exploring.

Afternoon: Kayak on Pyramid Lake or Ride the Jasper SkyTram

Spend your afternoon exploring the real gems of Jasper, outside of the town centre.

Here are some spots that we recommend visiting in Jasper:

Pyramid Lake: We spent the afternoon here and hired a canoe to take on the lake. It was far cheaper compared with other lakes at $80 for one hour, and it was really beautiful and relaxing – a perfect spot for us to reflect on our trip so far. You can hire a canoe or a kayak from Pyramid Lake Lodge, which is next to the lake. It’s a really gorgeous and relaxing spot to include on your road trip through Canada.

Prices are as follows:
Canoe – $80
Single Kayak – $45
Double Kayak – $80
Stand Up Paddleboard – $45

Another epic way to spend your afternoon is to go on the Jasper SkyTram. This is such a cool way to see Jasper from above and all of its glaciers, mountain ranges and panoramic views.

You can book the Jasper SkyTram here.

Prices start at around £40/ 53 USD/ 75 CAD for a return trip.

Day 7: Drive the Icefield Parkway from Jasper to Banff (around 3hrs, 9 with stops): Icefields Parkway route

So, this was the day I was looking forward to the most, and I can confirm that it did not disappoint. The Icefields Parkway takes around 3 hours and 30 minutes to drive. However, I can almost guarantee you that it will take you closer to three times this.

It is one of the most stunning roads that I have ever been on, with multiple lakes, waterfalls, mountains and glaciers just moments from the side of the road.

If a sign says pull in or stop, trust me – you’re going to want to! Trust me, it’s the most beautiful drive on your road trip through Canada.

The Icefields Parkway is a 232 km stretch of highway taking you along the Continental Divide. It runs from Lake Louise in Banff to the Town of Jasper. You can drive the parkway from Jasper to Banff, and from Banff to Jasper.

Driving from Jasper to Banff along the Icefields Parkway, these are the stops that I recommend stopping at:

Must-see stops along the Icefields Parkway:

Athabasca Falls

From the road: Short, easy walk from the parking lot. Well-maintained paths and viewing platforms.
Distance from Jasper: 30 km (20 mins)
Distance from Banff: 200 km (2 hr 30 mins)

Goats & Glaciers Lookout

From the road: Just a quick roadside stop with a pull-out and viewpoint. No real hike.
Distance from Jasper: 38 km (25 mins)
Distance from Banff: 192 km (2 hr 20 mins)

Sunwapta Falls

From the road: Upper Falls are a 2-minute walk from the car park. Lower Falls require a 1.3 km return trail (easy/moderate).
Distance from Jasper: 55 km (40 mins)
Distance from Banff: 175 km (2 hr 10 mins)

Athabasca Glacier & Columbia Icefield Skywalk

From the road: Glacier View parking is right off the highway. To walk onto the glacier itself, you need a guided tour; otherwise, you can hike the short, steep 1 km trail to the toe of the glacier. The Skywalk is accessed via a shuttle bus from the Glacier Discovery Centre.

You can book tickets in advance here.

Distance from Jasper: 105 km (1 hr 20 mins)
Distance from Banff: 125 km (1 hr 30 mins)

Mistaya Canyon

From the road: Short 0.5 km downhill walk from the car park (easy but can be a bit steep on the way back).
Distance from Jasper: 155 km (2 hr)
Distance from Banff: 75 km (1 hr)

Waterfowl Lakes

From the road: Visible from the road, with a small pull-out and campground area. Minimal walking is required unless you want to explore further.
Distance from Jasper: 180 km (2 hr 15 mins)
Distance from Banff: 50 km (40 mins)

Peyto Lake (Bow Summit)

From the road: From the car park, it’s about 700 m uphill (10-15 min) on a paved trail to the main viewing platform.
Distance from Jasper: 185 km (2 hr 20 mins)
Distance from Banff: 40 km (35-40 mins)

Bow Lake

From the road: Just off the highway with parking next to the lodge and shoreline. You can walk straight to the lake or extend into longer trails.
Distance from Jasper: 195 km (2 hr 30 mins)
Distance from Banff: 35 km (30-35 mins)

Full blog post on stops along the Icefields Parkway coming soon.

We stayed in to campsites during our time in Banff: Tunnel Mountain Village, which is just down the road from Banff town, and Lake Louise Hardsided Campground, which is just around the corner from Lake Louise.

Day 8: Explore Banff town and Lake Louise

Morning: Visit Lake Louise and hike one of the trails

We actually did this in the afternoon; however, I think it would have been better to visit in the morning so that you’d have more time to explore and you could enjoy that gorgeous morning glow over the lake. It would also make more logistical sense to visit Banff in the afternoon, as you’ll be heading back there for the evening.

A few things to note about getting to Lake Louise:

– You can either drive to Lake Louise, do a tour here or combine it with a shuttle to Lake Moraine
– The car park gets incredibly full, very quickly, especially in the morning
– The car park said it was full; however, when we arrived, there were still spaces, so it’s definitely still worth driving there and checking
– The car park shuts at 7 pm
– It costs $36.75 per vehicle to park for the day
– You will need a Banff National Park Pass to visit

Once here, there are many hikes you can do, or of course, you can just relax around the lake shores. We opted for a fairly short hike to save ourselves for a busier day tomorrow.

We walked around Lake Louise and then headed up to the Lake Agnes Tea House.

The hike to Lake Agnes Tea House from Lake Louise is approximately 3.5 to 3.6 kilometres (2.2 miles) one way, with an elevation gain of about 400 meters (1,300 feet). The round trip typically takes 2.5 to 3 hours, plus, of course, some extra time for a stop at the top for a drink and snack.

The little tea house is very cute, with gorgeous views. Everything is made by hand by the staff who sleep up by the tea house. We did find some things a little overpriced (the small slice of apple crumble, specifically), but it was delicious.

It’s worth noting that the Tea House closes at 4 PM. However, we arrived at 3:58, and they still served us and let us sit there until about 4:40, so it seems that you just can’t arrive after 4 PM. Of course, if you’re visiting in the morning, then this won’t be a problem (unless you stay a really long time!).

If you have more time or would like a more testing hike, then I recommend Little Beehive. If we’d had more time, I would recommend doing this one for incredible views over Lake Louise.

Afternoon and Evening: Explore Banff town

After a morning of hiking, you might be looking for a more relaxed afternoon, so head into Banff town for some food and potentially a drink or two.

The town is really cute and picturesque, backed by Cascade Mountain. It’s home to several touristy shops, Christmas shops (I’m not too sure why, but I’m not complaining), bars and restaurants.

Perfect to spend an afternoon and evening. We enjoyed some delicious Italian food at Pizzeria Sophia and a glass of wine with a beautiful view at The Rose & Crown (don’t let the pub downstairs fool you, head all the way upstairs to their rooftop bar for panoramic mountain views).

Day 9: Head to Moraine Lake for sunrise & hike around the lake

Morning: Watch the sunrise over Moraine Lake

This was one of my favourite mornings, and one that I had been really looking forward to for our whole trip, and I’m pleased to say that it completely lived up to my expectations. Watching the sunrise over Moraine Lake is gorgeous and an experience not to be missed by anyone visiting Canada. The sun doesn’t actually rise behind it, but instead in front of it, which gives the mountains an incredible orange glow.

There are a few logistical things to note when planning a trip to watch Moraine Lake at sunrise:

– You can’t drive to Moraine Lake.

The road is closed to private vehicles, which means you have to book onto a tour or a bus through Parks Canada. Tickets for the bus go on April 16th for the season at 8 am. If you miss this (they sell out super quickly), then more are also released two days before you want to visit, or if you miss this, you can book a private shuttle for more money (this is what we ended up doing, and it cost about £120 for both of us for a return trip at sunrise).

You can check availability for the Parks Canada shuttle bus here.

You can book a sunset tour here, which will also take you to nearby Lake Louise, which is perfect if you’d prefer to spend a bit more time there!

– If you opt to visit later on in the day, then this cost will be about 50% less. But, of course, you’ll miss sunrise. For me, it was worth the extra money.
– Moraine Lake closes on October 14th for the season, as the road is too icy to drive along. It re-opens on June 1st for the season.
– We visited at the end of September, and it was COLD, so make sure to take lots of layers
– There’s a cafe there which opens at 7 am and sells cakes, snacks and hot drinks. There’s also a souvenir shop.

Afternoon: Go on a hike around Moraine Lake

While you’re at Moraine Lake, it would be such a shame not to also go on one of the gorgeous hikes around Moraine Lake. There are so many to choose from, and really one of the most fitness levels.

As we visited in September, we opted for the Larch Valley Trail.  We were here on September 22nd, and the larches were just starting to turn those gorgeous autumnal shades of orange and yellow.

The Larch Valley trail is considered a moderate hike that can then be extended to reach Sentinel Pass, which will give you gorgeous views over the valley and lakes below.

We stopped at the end of Larch Valley as we were happy soaking up the views from here.

Here are the details for the Larch Valley hike:
Distance: 8.9km
Elevation gain: 564m
Estimated time: 3.5-4 hours

We actually didn’t find it too hard. The trail starts around the shores of Moraine Lake, and you’ll quickly start climbing up along steep, long switchbacks through the stunning forest to Minnestima Lakes. For the start of the hike, you’ll have gorgeous views of Moraine Lake through the forests. The trail then flattens out, and you’ll continue on through the stunning larch forest. During autumn, this is where you’ll find some of the most incredible yellow and orange larches.

If you’re up for more of a challenge, you can continue onwards from Larch Valley to Sentinel Pass. This section of the trail adds roughly 2.6km (return) and around 200m of additional elevation gain, but the view looks amazing.

The final ascent is a series of steep switchbacks leading up to the pass, where you’ll be standing at an elevation of over 2,600 metres. From the top, you’ll have panoramic views of the Paradise Valley on one side and the Ten Peaks on the other. Just be mindful that conditions at the pass can be much cooler and windier, even in late summer, so bring an extra layer and check trail conditions before setting off.

Alternative hiking routes at Moraine Lake

If you’re visiting when the larches won’t be in full autumnal colour or if you would just prefer a different hiking trail, there are plenty of alternatives from Moraine Lake to suit various fitness levels and timeframes.

The Consolation Lakes Trail (6km return, around 1.5–2 hours) offers a peaceful forested route leading to two glacial lakes framed by impressive rugged peaks, ideal for those looking to escape the main crowds.

For something a little more challenging, the Eiffel Lake Trail (11.2km return, around 4–5 hours) branches off from the Larch Valley path. From this trail, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of the Valley of the Ten Peaks and Moraine Lake from above. If you’re looking for an even longer trail, then you can continue to Wenkchemna Pass, which extends the Eiffel Lake route and climbs to the Continental Divide, offering incredible panoramic views into British Columbia.

Alternatively, the Moraine Lakeshore Trail (3km return, around 1 hour) is a relaxed option that follows the lake’s edge. It offers gorgeous views of the mountain peaks, the gorgeous blue lake, and the incredible reflections in it.

There are plenty of trails to keep you busy all afternoon, so as long as you’re not feeling too exhausted, I really recommend that you stick around for the afternoon and complete one of them.

I promise, you won’t regret it!

Evening: Enjoy dinner and a campfire

You’re probably going to be exhausted from your early start and hike, so I recommend a relaxed evening, cooking a delicious dinner, grabbing some red wine and sitting around the campfire.

The perfect way to end an incredible day!

Day 10: Visit Emerald Lake and stay overnight at Emerald Lake Lodge

Morning: Drive to Emerald Lake

Depending on which campsite you stay in, the drive will take you between 30 minutes to 1 hour from Lake Louise/ Banff to Emerald Lake, so there’s no need to rush in the morning.

We opted to spend the night away from our trusty campervan and instead, spend the night staying at Emerald Lake Lodge. This was partly to celebrate our engagement and partly for a treat, and so we could wake up the following day to the incredible colours of Emerald Lake (spoiler: it didn’t disappoint!)

If you opt to stay at Emerald Lake Lodge, then you will park in the car park and wait for a shuttle bus to drive you down to the lake and across the bridge.

If you don’t opt to stay here, there is parking in the fairly small car park and along the road. There is also designated parking for guests of Emerald Lake Lodge. Parking is free, but the car park and on the road parking fill up quickly, especially during peak season. So, if you are travelling during the busier times, then I recommend arriving early.

Afternoon: Walk around Emerald Lake

Emerald Lake is such a stunning lake; you don’t need to go very far to get the best views of it. So, for today’s hike, I recommend taking the Emerald Lake Loop. It is an easy and scenic trail that circles one of Yoho National Park’s most famous lakes.

The 5.2km loop takes around 1.5 to 2 hours to complete and is mostly flat, making it suitable for all fitness levels.

Starting near the Emerald Lake Lodge, the trail winds through shaded forest paths and open sections that offer uninterrupted views of the turquoise water and the surrounding peaks, including Mount Burgess and Wapta Mountain. The further you walk, the quieter it becomes, with reflections on the lake often at their clearest along the far shoreline. It’s a really gorgeous walk, which I highly recommend to see the best views of Emerald Lake.

If you choose to stay at Emerald Lake Lodge, then there is a small spa that you will have access to. This includes an outdoor hot tub with gorgeous views of the lake.

Spend your afternoon relaxing in it and taking in the gorgeous views of nature.

Evening: Enjoy dinner at Emerald Lake Lodge

Dinner here wasn’t overly cheap (as to be expected). But the food was delicious and inventive, and it was a lovely treat.

Bookings are highly advised; we left it until the last minute and ended up with dinner at 5:30 PM. You can book a table here.

If you opt not to stay overnight at Emerald Lake Lodge, then you can find a campsite inside Yoho National Park here.

Day 11: Drive to Kelowna and walk Myra Canyon Trestles

Morning: Watch the sunrise at Emerald Lake & drive to Kelowna

While the sun doesn’t rise directly over Emerald Lake, this sunrise was one of my favourite moments of our whole trip. The soft morning colours and reflections were absolutely stunning.

Depending on what time of year you visit, the sunrise will be between 5:00 am and 7:30 am. Arriving around 30 minutes before sunrise is ideal to catch the first light hitting the surrounding peaks and the lake’s glassy reflections. Even though the sun rises behind the mountains, the soft glow that spreads across the water creates a calm, ethereal atmosphere that’s well worth the early start.

Breakfast isn’t included with the room rate at Emerald Lake Lodge; instead, it is an additional $24 and is served buffet style between 6:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. It was very tasty and just what we needed after a cold sunrise. However, I do think it’s a bit of a let down that it’s not included in the room rate and only drip coffee is included, not lattes or any speciality coffees.

After breakfast, begin your drive to Kelowna. The drive takes just under 5 hours, so I recommend starting fairly early so that you still have most of your afternoon in Kelowna.

Afternoon: Walk around the Myra Canyon Trestles

It’s worth noting that this stop is mainly to break up the journey back to Vancouver, and if you’d prefer a shorter drive, stopping in Revelstoke or even Kamloops is a great alternative.

If you do choose to continue on to Kelowna, you should arrive between 2–3 pm, depending on your departure time and traffic. Once there, the Myra Canyon Trestles Trail is a wonderful option if you have the time and energy. The trail follows a scenic section of the historic Kettle Valley Railway, featuring 18 wooden trestle bridges and two tunnels, with incredible views over Kelowna and the surrounding valley. The full route is around 12km return and takes roughly 2–3 hours to walk, but you can easily turn back at any point. It’s an easy, mostly flat trail, and no park pass is required; just bring water, comfortable shoes, and your camera for the views.

Evening: Enjoy dinner in Kelowna

There are plenty of restaurants to eat at in the city of Kelowna, or alternatively, spend the evening at your campsite cooking dinner in your RV. There aren’t many evenings left, so I suggest making the most of it!

Day 12: Go on a wine tasting tour in Naramata/ Penticton

You really can’t come to this part of Canada without going on a wine tasting tour or at least visiting a few spots in the Penticton, Naramata, or wider Okanagan region. The area is home to over 40 wineries, many of which are small, family-run vineyards producing award-winning wines with stunning lake and valley views.

You’ve got three great options if you’re looking to sample some of the local wines:

1. Go on a fully guided tour

If you’d prefer to sit back and let someone else take care of the details (and the driving), the Penticton & Naramata Bench Full-Day Guided Wine Tour is a brilliant choice. It includes tastings at several boutique wineries, a knowledgeable local guide, and a comfortable vehicle to take you between stops, perfect if you want a relaxed day of wine, scenery, and local stories.

2. Walk between the vineyards on a self-guided tour

If you’d rather go at your own pace, several wineries in the Naramata Bench area are close enough to walk or cycle between. Many have outdoor terraces and picnic spots, making it easy to spend a leisurely afternoon soaking in the views and sampling a few glasses along the way.

3. Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley

For a flexible and fun option, the Penticton Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley to the Naramata Bench lets you create your own itinerary, hopping off at the wineries that catch your eye and exploring as long as you like before catching the next trolley. It’s a great way to explore without worrying about driving or schedules.

Whichever option you choose, make sure to plan ahead; tours and tastings often book up quickly, especially during the summer and harvest season.

We stayed at Naramata Campground and paid $65 CAD for one night. It was a pretty little spot with clean shower blocks and great cooking facilities. We could walk to and from (albeit uphill going) to some of the vineyards.

There is also a free campsite available called Arawana Free Campsite, which is surrounded by trees and in a great location (just a tad further out). However, as this was our last night in the campervan, we needed a spot to be able to unload our fresh and grey water tanks.

Day 13: Drive to Vancouver (around 4hrs 45mins) & Finish your trip with a seaplane journey over Vancouver

Morning: Drive from Naramata to Vancouver

Hopefully the heads aren’t too sore this morning, as it’s a fairly long drive back to Vancouver from Naramata for the final stop of your road trip through Canada.

If you’re able, then I suggest booking a campsite for your last night near Vancouver; there are surprisingly tons to choose from. However, you can also book a hotel for your last two nights in Vancouver if you would prefer to stay in the city centre.

It’s also worth noting that Roadsurfer (if you opt to hire your RV through them) isn’t open on Sundays, so drop off is unavailable on this day.

Afternoon: Take a scenic seaplane over Vancouver

Your trip has almost come to an end, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t end it on a high, literally!

This was such a fun way to end our 2-week road trip around Canada; we’ve both always wanted to go on a seaplane, so when we saw these advertised, we knew that it would be the perfect way to end our trip!

We opted to go with Gulf Island Seaplanes, which is the only Indigenous-owned seaplane company. They offer multiple routes, taking you from one destination to another or scenic flights over Vancouver, which is what we did. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t great, so our 45-minute flight became a 30-minute one. However, it was still an incredible experience, taking off from the water, flying over the city and mountains and landing again on the water is something that we’ve never experienced before.

We were also surprised at how budget-friendly this activity was, with 20-minute flights starting from $129 CAD per person.

It was a truly unique experience, and the perfect end to our trip.

Evening: Dinner in Vancouver

There are plenty of restaurants to choose from in Vancouver, with options for anyone from a huge range of asian restaurants, Canadian, Italian and everything in between.

If you’re looking for a hotel to stay at in Vancouver, then I really recommend Le Soleil Hotel Vancouver. It’s where we stayed, and I cannot fault the room/ suite or the location.

There were more budget-friendly options, but for our last night, we wanted to stay somewhere nice (and not too expensive), so this was perfect. We ended up grabbing a takeaway vegan pizza (that was incredible!) and sticking Netflix on. We were exhausted from the incredible 2 weeks in Canada!

Day 14: Say goodbye to Vancouver and fly home

Depending on the timings of your flight, you might have to leave super early on your last day, or you might have the full day left to explore Vancouver. If you do, here are some spots that I recommend exploring (if you don’t fancy a seaplane journey on day 13, then you could also substitute these activities in for that instead, if you prefer).

Here are some spots I recommend visiting in Vancouver:

Stanley Park – One of the city’s most iconic spots, Stanley Park is perfect for a final stroll or bike ride along the Seawall. The 9km loop offers incredible views of the skyline, mountains, and ocean. You can hire a bike from one of the many bike hire shops, or hop on a Lime Bike, which has collection spots dotted about outside Stanley Park.

Granville Island – Head to the Public Market for local food, fresh produce, and handmade crafts. It’s also a great place to grab breakfast or lunch with a view of the harbour.

Gastown – Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhood is full of charm, with cobblestone streets, independent boutiques, and the famous steam clock. It’s a lovely area to wander around, especially if you’re looking for a few last-minute souvenirs or a meal.

Davie Street – Known for its lively, welcoming atmosphere, Davie Street in the West End is a great spot to grab a bite, especially if you’re vegetarian or vegan – we had some amazing veggie poutine here, which was surprisingly hard to find! You’ll find plenty of plant-based cafés and independent eateries. It’s also a really cool spot to walk around.

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park – If you have a few extra hours and want to fit in one last bit of adventure, cross the iconic suspension bridge surrounded by forest. It’s only around 20 minutes from downtown and makes for some incredible photos.

Canada Place & Waterfront – Before heading to the airport, stop by Canada Place for views across the harbour to the North Shore Mountains. If you didn’t visit here the previous day of your road trip through Canada, it’s a great spot to watch seaplanes take off and land from, and the views across the water are really gorgeous.

Travelling to Vancouver Airport

Travelling to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is straightforward from downtown Vancouver. The most convenient option is the Canada Line SkyTrain, which runs directly from downtown stations such as Waterfront, Vancouver City Centre, and Yaletown–Roundhouse to the airport in around 30 minutes. Trains run every few minutes throughout the day, and the cost is approximately CAD $7 one way. You can just use your bank card to tap onto the train.

Alternatively, taxis and rideshares such as Uber and Lyft are widely available, taking around 25–30 minutes depending on traffic, with fares typically between CAD $35–$45.

Roadsurfer pickup address

The collection and drop-off address for Roadsurfer in Vancouver is: 8211 Argyle St, Vancouver, BC V5P 4R4, Canada.

Note that it is not open, and you cannot collect or drop off on a Sunday.

Helpful links for your 2-week Canada road trip

Parks Canada for passes and permits
Roadsurfer Canada
Banff & Lake Louise Tourism
AllTrails (for hiking routes)

Final Thoughts on our 2-Week road trip to Canada for the Rockies and beyond

So, there you have it, our two-week road trip Canada itinerary. We had the absolute best trip that took us months of planning. So, I really hope that this guide helps you just a little bit to plan yours.

From adrenaline-filled activities like helicopter and seaplanes to stunning long hikes like Garibaldi Panorama Ridge, and short ones such as the Larch Valley Trail.