BC & Canadian Rockies Grand Loop

A round-trip loop from Vancouver, passing through Whistler, Wells Gray, Jasper, Banff, and wine country.

Cover the highlights of BC and the Rockies in two weeks: follow the Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler, drive via Highway 99 and Highway 5 to Wells Gray, pass Mount Robson to enter Jasper, head south to Banff, and return to the Okanagan and Vancouver via Revelstoke. This closed loop avoids one-way car rental fees. Daily driving distances are long, making it suitable for self-drive travelers with plenty of time.

Some attractions in Jasper are still affected by the 2024 wildfire.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrive in Vancouver and Explore the Waterfront

Vancouver（Canada Place & Vancouver Harbour、Gastown）

Take the SkyTrain from the airport to downtown (approx. 30 minutes), and walk along the waterfront in the evening.

Stay: Downtown Vancouver

Day 2 · Vancouver City Day Trip

Vancouver（Stanley Park、Granville Island、Museum of Anthropology at UBC）

Take public transit to and from Stanley Park and Granville Island, taking about 30 minutes for each leg.

Stay: Downtown Vancouver

Day 3 · Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler

Squamish（Britannia Mine Museum、Shannon Falls、Sea to Sky Gondola） → Whistler（Brandywine Falls）

Drive along Highway 99 to Whistler (approx. 120 km, about 2 hours of pure driving time).

Stay: Whistler Village

Day 4 · Exploring Whistler Mountain and Village

Whistler（Peak 2 Peak Gondola、Whistler Village & Olympic Plaza、Audain Art Museum）

Focus on walking and taking gondolas within the resort; no driving is needed today.

The Peak 2 Peak Gondola may suspend operations during high winds.

Stay: Whistler Village

Day 5 · Duffey Lake Road to Clearwater

Whistler（Nairn Falls） → Wells Gray Provincial Park (Clearwater)（Spahats Creek Falls）

Drive via Pemberton, Lillooet, and Kamloops (approx. 430 km, about 6 hours).

This is the longest driving day of the trip; start early as Highway 99 has sharp mountain bends.

Stay: Clearwater

Day 6 · Wells Gray Waterfalls Day

Wells Gray Provincial Park (Clearwater)（Dawson Falls、Helmcken Falls、Bailey's Chute）

Drive from the town into the park to Helmcken Falls (approx. 45 minutes one way).

There is no cell service inside the park; bring plenty of water and food.

Stay: Clearwater

Day 7 · Via Mount Robson to Jasper

Jasper National Park（Mount Robson、Patricia & Pyramid Lakes）

Drive along Highway 5 and Highway 16 (approx. 320 km, about 3.5 hours).

There is no cell service for about 60 km around Mount Robson. Jasper is one hour ahead of BC (Mountain Time).

Stay: Jasper Townsite

Day 8 · Maligne Lake and Jasper SkyTram

Jasper National Park（Medicine Lake、Maligne Lake & Spirit Island, Jasper、Jasper SkyTram）

Round-trip from the town to Maligne Lake is about 100 km; take the SkyTram in the afternoon.

Maligne Canyon remains closed in 2026; please refer to Parks Canada announcements.

Stay: Jasper Townsite

Day 9 · Icefields Parkway to Lake Louise

Jasper National Park（Athabasca Falls、Sunwapta Falls、Athabasca Glacier & Ice Explorer） → Banff & Lake Louise（Peyto Lake、Bow Lake）

Drive 232 km along Highway 93, taking about 3 hours of pure driving time, or a full day with sightseeing stops.

There are very few gas stations along the way; the Columbia Icefield Adventure must be booked in advance.

Stay: Lake Louise Village

Day 10 · Lake Louise and Moraine Lake Day Trip

Banff & Lake Louise（Moraine Lake、Lake Louise、Lake Agnes Tea House）

Take the shuttle bus from the parking lot to travel between the two lakes, focusing on hiking within the areas.

Shuttle buses for both lakes must be booked in advance; private vehicles are banned at Moraine Lake.

Stay: Lake Louise Village

Day 11 · Bow Valley to Banff

Banff & Lake Louise（Johnston Canyon、Banff Gondola (Sulphur Mountain)、Lake Minnewanka）

Drive along the 1A Highway to Banff (approx. 60 km, just over 1 hour).

Stay: Banff Townsite

Day 12 · Yoho and Rogers Pass Westward

Banff & Lake Louise（Emerald Lake, Yoho National Park） → Golden（Glacier National Park (Rogers Pass)） → Revelstoke（Giant Cedars Boardwalk）

Drive from Banff to Revelstoke (approx. 290 km, about 3.5 hours).

Stay: Downtown Revelstoke

Day 13 · Meadows in the Sky to Kelowna

Revelstoke（Meadows in the Sky Parkway, Mount Revelstoke National Park） → Kelowna & Okanagan Valley（Mission Hill Family Estate、Kelowna Waterfront Park）

Drive up the summit parkway in the morning, then drive about 210 km to Kelowna (approx. 2.5 hours).

The summit parkway usually opens fully only after summer begins.

Stay: Downtown Kelowna

Day 14 · Coquihalla back to Vancouver

Harrison Hot Springs（Bridal Veil Falls）

Drive via Highway 97C and Highway 5 (approx. 390 km, about 4.5 hours).

Allow plenty of time before returning your car; there is heavy downhill traffic in the afternoon.