The Rockies at your own pace
Discover all of the Rockies through this tour that will take you into the West. Take your time, this self drive was built to allow you to discover the West essential at your own pace. Enjoy the beautiful landscapes, the treasures of the nature , fauna, flora, unique and so authentic. To allow optimal discovery, most steps include 2 nights.
Itinerary
-
Days 1 to 2 Calgary
Pick-up your car and rendez-vous in the burgeoning city of Calgary.
- Accommodation : Hotel
-
Days 3 to 5 Calgary - Banff
Explore legendary Banff National Park. You will also have the opportunity to admire Lake Louise and Moraine or to make an excursion to Johnston Canyon. A ride along the Icefield Parkway is recommended as well. Your package also include a guided evening wildlife safari. You will discover the challenges that the Banff National Park is facing in order to protect its wild animals. An amazing evening journey during which you will learn about the fascinating local wildlife.
Optional activity(ies) ($):
Hiking in the Rockies- Accommodation : Hotel
-
Days 6 to 7 Banff - Lake Louise
The turquoise waters of Lake Louise have been photographed so often now, the lake has become something of a cliché for mountain serenity. And yet, nothing quite prepares the visitor for the unearthly beauty of this alpine gem.
- Accommodation : Hotel
-
Days 8 to 10 Lake Louise - Jasper
On your way to Jasper, an excursion to enjoy a hike in the heart of a glacier is included in your package Then the drive leads you towards famous jasper National Park. Among other things, you will then have the opportunity to make fabulous hikes in the Maligne Lake area.
- Accommodation : Hotel
-
Days 11 to 12 Jasper - Clearwater
Your destination: Wells Gray Park which is famous for its spectacular falls, its outstanding fauna and its numerous hiking trails. With the Blue River Safari, explore up to 12 kilometers of the spectacular Grizzly Bear Valley – where the bears decide when and for how long we stop along the way! Hiking in the Trophy Mountain sector through alpine meadows scattered with wild and bright-coloured flowers
- Accommodation : Hotel
-
Day 13 Clearwater - Sun Peaks
Spectacular scenic drive between Clearwater and Sun Peaks. The itinerary indeed features several passages that you will all want to captured on film! This charming little village will allow you to have a rest.
- Accommodation : Hotel
-
Days 14 to 15 Sun Peaks - Whistler
Continue on towards Whistler, the famous winter sport station which hosted the Olympic ski competitions in 2010. Enjoy the landscapes during an excursion in canoe on the Golden Dream River.
- Accommodation : Hotel
-
Days 16 to 17 Whistler - Victoria
Rendez-vous in Victoria and discover the British charm of this elegant capital. You will have the chance to experience a whale watch cruise. Nothing is better than a zodiac to see the whales from very close. Put on your Mustang survival suit and set off for an unforgettable encounter with the biggest sea mammals !
- Accommodation : Hotel
-
Days 18 to 20 Victoria - Vancouver
Back on the mainland, continue on towards thrilling Vancouver! Its outstanding location between mountains and ocean definitely makes this city one of the most beautiful in the world. Discover its main attractions and let yourself be immersed by its relaxed west-coast atmosphere. We particularly suggest the visit of the aquarium, of the anthropology museum, of Stanley Park, of Chinatown and of Gastown historical district.
Optional activity(ies) ($):
Capilano Bridge Experience
Guided walking tour in the Stanley Park- Accommodation : Hotel
-
Day 21 Vancouver
Drop-off your vehicle.
Period & budget
When to travel?
The best period for travelling is during the following months:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Price
From C$1,999
The budget is an indication of the price per person, subject to availability. Your local agent will send you a customized quote with the exact price. The price can vary according to availability, level of services, period of travel, number of participants, booking time frame and other items.
Included
- Guided excursion Evening Wildlife Safari in Banff National Park (2h)(day 4)
- Excursion Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure (day 8)
- Bear and Wildlife watching (1h River Safari)(day 11)
- Excursion in canoe on the Golden Dream River (1h)(day 15)
- Whale watching cruise in zodiac (3h)(day 17)
- R/T ferry to Vancouver Island
- 20 nights accommodation
- 2 meals in ECO, 4 meals in STD and 4 meals in SUP
- Applicable taxes
Not included
- The personalized roadbook (Available on request)
- Air transport (Available on request)
- Car rental (Available on request)
- Personal expenses
- Drinks (except tea and coffee for meals included)
- Park entrance fees
International flights
Why would
you worry about lots of booking? We can offer your trip under the same roof and
we are here in case of a problem. As we have excellent contacts with major
airlines in Canada and in the US, we can help you by offering you advantageous
prices. All you need to do is to make it clear when you request an estimate in
the box ‘’describe precisely your project’’ in our form we will be pleased to
include it in our offer.
Terms and conditions
To know more
about our terms, visit the section Terms and conditions.
Insurance
It is
possible to offer you a medical insurance as well as a trip cancellation
protection because we know the importance of being at peace before or during
your trip, we can help you. All you need to do is to make it clear when you
request an estimate in the box ‘’describe precisely your project’’ in our form
we will be pleased to include it in our offer. Our methods of calculation are
simple and don’t cost a lot, to know more about it, visit our section insurance.
Practical info
Staff
Trip in total freedom,
guideless. If you add an optional roadbook, it will consist of :
- A day by day (itinerary) description
- Destination description
- Useful tips on driving
- Cities and parks maps
- Activities description
Food
It is possible that some
meals are included, seek ‘’the price includes’’ on your estimate, it is however
impossible (or even rare) to include all meals during a trip in total freedom.
Accommodation
Depending on the category of hotel, you will sleep in 2-star or sun
(Canadian classification) rated accommodation. When you request an estimate,
you can ask to be upgraded in more comfortable accommodation for some days or
for all the days of your trip, near national parks or out-of-the-ordinary
accommodation such as cabins in the trees, cottages or tent (Huttopia, or
ready-to-camp). We offer a wide range of accommodation, from classic to
original, all of our trips are flexible and can be adjusted to your desires!
Transportation
In some cases and depending
on your needs, we can offer private or public transfer services such as train,
shuttle, ferry or seaplane… We can also include a car rental with very
interesting rates. You just have to make it clear in your initial estimate in
the box ‘’ describe your trip precisely’’ of our form, we will be pleased to do
so.
Driving
in Canada :
Autotours by car are
perfect to explore the great Canadian landscapes. Our country offers numerous
breath-taking roads with panoramic sceneries. Traffic is generally moderate
when compared to other countries.
Standard European driving
license is valid in Canada. Traffic regulation is no different. The speed limit
is 100 Km/h on the highway (110 km/h on certain highways in Alberta and Novia
Scotia); 90 km/h on main roads; 50 km/h in urban areas. Highways are free
(expect for one in the Toronto region), generally well-maintained, they provide
rest areas..
Traffic lights are situated
on the other side of the streets intersection. There is no priority to the
right: priority is indicated by road signs at each intersection. It is
generally allowed to turn right when the light is red (if no road sign forbid
it) in Canada, except for the Ile de Montréal.
To park your vehicle, pay
attention to road signs that indicate authorized days and hours of parking. It
is forbidden to park near a fire hydrant. Parking fees are sometimes required
by hotels (especially in big cities) and in public parking areas. In Toronto
and Montréal, parking fees can rise up to 20$ per day. In small cities, it is
easy to find free parking spaces.
Wearing a seatbelt is
mandatory everywhere and at every time, for all the passengers, in the front
seat and in the back seat.
Children must sit in a
child car seat specially designed, adapted to their weight and height and be
appropriately installed until he is tall enough to wear the seatbelt correctly.
Seek your car rental.
It is mandatory to stop at
more than five meters from a school bus which flashing lights blink. You can
only cross or pass a school bus when its flashing lights are off. You must make
sure that this manoeuvre is riskless.
In Canada, it is forbidden
to drive with a blood alcohol level of more than 0.08% (80mg for 100ml of
blood). Drivers younger than 25 years old and the ones who have a learner’s
permit are submitted to the rule of ‘’0 alcohol’’ which forbids driving after
alcohol consumption.
Budget & exchange
Canadian currency is the
Dollar ($) which is divided in 100 cents. You can find 5$, 10$, 20$, 50$, 100$
and 1000$ bills. Although they are still in circulation, 1$ and 2$ bills have
been replaced by coins of .05$, .10$ and 0.25$.
To benefit from the best
exchange rate, we advise you the exchange your currency in a Canadian bank.
Generally, these institutions are open between 10 AM and 3 PM from Monday to
Friday (except statutory holiday). You can also exchange your currency in
exchange offices. Although the office schedule might be more flexible, exchange
rate and service fees could vary considerably from office to office.
Traveler’s check in
Canadian dollar are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops. You can
also exchange euros: 1 Euro = 1,57$CAN (04/04/2018).
Before your arrival in
Canada, make sure your credit card is programmed to be used in ATMs. They are
open at any time in banks, airports, stations and malls. The most accepted
credit cards are Visa, Mastercard and American Express.
Tips
In the United States and in Canada, service is never included in the
prices. In bars, restaurants and all the places where service is provided, it
is expected that you tip the waiter/waitress between 15% and 20% of the total
sum. Note that a lot of employees working as waiters are paid by tips only. Not
giving anything or not giving enough would be poorly received. Even when paying
by credit card, you’ll indicate the sum you wish to give.
Supplied equipment
See what is included in your estimate
Luggage
Depending on the size of the trunk of your rental car, make sure to
choose the right size and number of luggage that you will bring.
Passport
Consular formalities for
Europeans and Swiss nationals:
Upon your registration,
please transmit your passport information (name, first name, passport number,
date of issues and expiration). Currently, to stay as a tourist for less than
six months, a visa is not mandatory and a valid passport is sufficient with a
validity exceeding by one day your stay in Canada.
Travelers must imperatively
have an electronic travel authorization (eTA) to enter Canada. You will have to
fill the form online and individually (one application per person) on http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/ave.aspIt is essential that you
have a valid email address. The 7 CAD fees are payable by Visa, Mastercard or
American Express credit cards. The eTA is granted in just a few minutes but we
advise you to apply for it as soon as your trip is confirmed. The eTA is an
electronic document linked to your passport and stays valid for 5 years or
until the expiration of the passport, depending on the first of these
eventualities to occur. You must then travel with the passport used to apply
for it.
CAREFUL: for French women, the eTA must be filled with your maiden name.
Hence, to facilitate the check-in at the airport, we ask travelers in Canada to
indicate their maiden name for the booking of their tickets.
You
travel with children:
Children and adults are
submitted to the same obligations regarding passports and visa described above.
Registration of minors on parents’ passports is now impossible; children must
hold an individual passport. It is compulsory to apply for an eTA for each
child individually.
CAREFUL,
from January 15th 2017 onwards, for all French minors traveling
abroad alone, an authorization to leave the country is compulsory.
The child will have to
submit the three following documents:
- The minor’s valid
passport
- A photocopy of the
signatory’s identity card, valid or expired for less than 5 years and the birth
certificate
- The form, signed by one
of the legal guardians, available online on https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F1359
Concerning other
nationalities, seek the Canadian consular authority of your country.
ARRIVAL IN
CANADA VIA A TRANSIT THROUGH THE UNITED STATES :
CAREFUL, we can
exceptionally use American airlines for travels bound for the American
continent (North and South).
They stop over in the US:
you must possess an electronic or biometric passport which is still valid 6
months after your departure from the US (under ‘’passport’’, a rectangle under
a circle meaning a secure symbol).
You must also apply for an
electronic travel authorization (ESTA) on the official website https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Valid for a duration of two years or until the
expiration of the passport, this authorization must be requested at the latest
72h before your departure: we advise you to apply to it as soon as your trip is
confirmed. It has to be paid for (14 USD online by credit card). The name you
put on the form must be the same as the one that figures on your plane tickets
and must of course appears on your passport. If the name used on the ESTA form
is different from the one on your tickets, the airline can deny your boarding.
Minors must also fill out an ESTA authorization.
The Visa Waiver Program
allows French nationals to enter the American territory without a visa, either
via transit or for a stay of 90 days to the maximum. A visa is nevertheless
necessary if you only have an emergency passport. Furthermore, travelers who
went to Iran, Iraq, Syria, Somalia, Yemen or Soudan since March 11th
2011 and people who are national of Iran, Iraq, Syria or Soudan cannot benefit
from the Visa Waiver program anymore: more information on http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/conseils-aux-voyageurs/conseils-par-pays/etats-unis/
ARRIVAL
IN THE US OR TRANSIT THROUGHT THE US :
Upon your arrival, the
immigration service will take your photo and fingerprints. You’ll have to wait
behind the yellow line and not cross it unless you’re told to, it can take some
time. Customs controls will take place at the first access point to the territory
(in case of a transit through a Canadian airport, it will be considered as a
first access point to the US and the following process must be applied). Once
you’ve been through the immigration service, you’ll get your luggage back from
the conveyer belt and go to the customs. In case of a continuation of your
trip, you’ll have to get your luggage back and bring them the baggage conveyer
which serves.
Health information & recommendations
Canada is one of the safest
destination in the world. Its crime rate is low and there aren’t much endemic
diseases. For a trip to Canada, no vaccination is mandatory but it is advised
to be up to date concerning basic vaccinations (Diphtérie, Tétanos,
Poliomyélite). Medical infrastructures are excellent but it is strongly advised
to purchase medical insurance before your departure.
In case of an emergency, to
call the police, firefighters or paramedics, dial 911. The ‘’911’’ service
could sometimes not be reachable in certain regions. You can also dial 0. A
receptionist can get you in contact with emergency services.
Canada has a lot of lakes
ad forests; there are numerous insects in June and July. Hence, you need to
have a repellent cream and strong antihistamine for people suffering from
allergies.
During your trip to Canada,
you may very well be able to see some wild animals in their natural habitat. It
is particularly true in wildlife reserve where originals, cariboos, deer and
other species are commonly observed.
In Canada, regulation about
alcohol consumption can differ from what most of international travelers could expect.
Apart from Québec, alcoholic beverages are sold only in specialized places and
often under Government control (liquor Stores, beer stores, etc.). It is
forbidden to consume alcohol in public areas. Legal age for alcohol consumption
is 19 years old in Ontario and Maritime Provinces, 18 years old in Québec,
Alberta and Manitoba. If you wish to drink wine or beer in certain restaurants,
you have to choose a licensed place. It is possible, in some restaurants, to
bring your own wine bottle, but it has to be specified. Throughout Canada,
strict regulation exist to counter driving under the influence of alcohol
(0.08%).
Weather
Spring is a rainy season in the major part of Canada. During the day,
temperatures generally get high but nights still cool. The median temperature
is 12°C in March, April and the beginning of May. Summer officially starts on
June 21st but for most Canadians, July and August are the real
summer months. It is warm in most regions of Canada. In the South, they are
above 20°C during the day and can sometimes pass 30°C. Autumn starts in
September. Temperature gets chillier and leaves change color and fall. This season
can be very rainy. In some regions, particularly in the North and in the
mountains, it may start to snow towards the end of October. During the day,
normal temperatures vary between 10 and 12°C in the major part of the country.
Unlike Europe, seasons are well defined in Canada. Temperatures can get
higher than 30°C in
summer and down to –30°C in winter. In fact, Canadian climate changes a lot
from a region or a season to another. Canada extends from the Atlantic Ocean to
the Pacific Ocean and lies at the same latitude as Roma at his southern
extreme, where it reaches the Arctic.
To knoz the current climate
and weather conditions by provinces and territories, go to www.meteo.gc.ca or www.meteomedia.com
Spring : Spring comes
as soon as February on the West Coast. In the rest of Canada, weather gets
warmer at the beginning of April and lasts until June.
Summer : Summer in
Canada bring cool to hot temperatures from the end of June to the end of September.
The warmth of summer last from June to August, and July is often the hottest
month.
Autumn : Autumn brings
pleasant and cool temperatures, particularly in September and in October. It is
the best time of the year to enjoy the spectacular beauty of Autumn leaves in
the East of Canada, to take long walks while breathing fresh air.
Winter : A major part
of Canada is covered with a white coat during winter, temperatures fall below
the freezing point, and snowfalls start at the end of October. However, winters
are very cool on the West Coast where the snow doesn’t stay long.
Electricity
As everywhere in the US, voltage runs at 110 Volts/60 cycles. New
electric devices can be adapted o the current. It’s preferable to check whether
or not your device is equipped with a current transformer. In general, it is a
black box located between the electric plug and your device. If your device
isn’t compatible with the 110-volt current, you’ll need to get a current
transformer sold separately. As electrical plugs are flat, you’ll also need an
adaptor to plug your device in. you’ll find it easily on the spot or before
departure in a shop specialized in travels. A waterproof Zip Lock bag is a good
way to keep your equipment in a dry place.
Local time
Canada covers six of the
twenty fours time zones of the world. From East to West, they are identified as
follow: Newfoundland time, Atlantic Time, east Time, Central Time, Mountain
Time and Pacific Time. Some provinces and territories cover two time zones.
Ontario and Québec are in
the Eastern Time (central European time -6 hours) whereas the maritime
provinces are in the Atlantic time (Central European Time -5 hours). Note that
the Newfoundland province is ahead of 30 minutes compared to Atlantic hours. In
Manitoba, West of Ontario, and in Saskatchewan, the time difference to Europe
is -6 hours, -8 hours in Alberta and -9 hours in British Colombia.
From the last Sunday of
April to the last Sunday of October, North America goes 1-hour backward to
Summer Time.
Concretely, there is an
8-hour time difference between France and Calgary, a 9-hour time difference
between France and Vancouver and a 6-hour time difference between France and the
East coast of Canada (Toronto and Montréal). For instance, when it’s 1.00 pm in
Montréal, it is 7.00 pm in Paris.
Topography
CANADIAN POPULATION
Canada has a multicultural population
of 33 million of inhabitants that spreads throughout 10 provinces and 3
territories. Ontario and Québec are the major ones from a numerical point of
view (with 62.1% of the Canadian population); British Colombia, Alberta and
Manitoba follow, being the only provinces with more than one million of inhabitants.
Territories from the North are sparsely populated.
French and English are the
two official languages of Canada. In the 2001 census, English speakers
constituted close to 60% of the Canadian population, whereas French speakers
constituted the second group with more than 22%. Official languages are
unequally spread throughout Canadian provinces. It’s in Ontario that you can
find the largest group of English speakers (8 million), followed by British
Colombia (2.8 million) and Alberta (2.4 million). Apart from Québec (8%) and
Nunavut (27.6%), English speakers are majoritarian in all the provinces and
territories. French speakers are only majoritarian in Québec as they represent
81.2% of the province.
While waves of immigration
of the 19th Century bring to Canada mainly people of British origins, the
current immigrant population is of diverse origins. Between 1900 and 1960,
immigration in Canada was essentially European (90%). The 2001 census reveals
that in the last decade, 58% of the immigrants are Asian (Chinese overcame the
1-million mark) and European (only 20%).
For a certain number of
years now, we call ‘’visible minority’’ the minorities which are not of
European origin. 20 years ago, visible minorities accounted for 4.7% of the
total population, they now represent 13.4%. They will likely represent one
fifth of the Canadian population by 2016.
In 1996, auboriginal
populations of Canada reached 799 010, 2.8% of the total Canadian
population.
Sustainable tourism
Since the outset, Altai
works for an eco-tourism and an organization of trips that respects equitable
and sustainable principles.
The harmonization of
practices assures:
- A fair economical repartition
- The improvement of local teams’ working conditions and their awareness of the protection of the environment
- The information of travelers about respecting the local population and environment and the collection of their feelings at their return.
You can also act in favor
of an eco-tourism by adopting simple green gestures during your trips:
- Avoid letting waste out, throw it in the trash can or bring it with you
- Use potable water sparingly (take a shower instead of a bath and report any leaks) and avoid wasting it (use biodegradable soap to wash yourself)
- Avoid damaging cultural sites: don’t touch the statues, don’t move the stones and objects
- Exchange instead of giving (too Important gifts can destabilize the local economic stability of the country depending on their living standards)
- When taking a walk, especially in some fragile ecosystems, observe the fauna from afar, do not go beyond beaten roads, limit stamping and do not bring any souvenirs: give up picking rare flowers picking fossils...
- In some hotels, you can have individual air conditioning. It is advised to systematically switching it off when you’re out of the room to avoid energetical overconsumption and greenhouse gas emission.
My local agent
Max
- Passionate about the great outdoors
- Sportsman
- Like to discover new cultures
- Always looking for new challenges
- Region
- Western Canada
- Activity
- Self-drive Summer
- Duration
- 21 days
- Code
- AUT-20
- Price
- From C$1,999
- Level
- 2/5
- Comfort
- 3/5
Strengths
- The best of rockies
- Wild territory
- Beautiful Landscapes of National Parks
- Visit of Calgary and Vancouver
Optional(s) short(s) trip(s) :
Package(s) from
2 to 4 days offering the opportunity to discover other facets of our beautiful
country. Possibility of adding to your quote.
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