2 Weeks in British Columbia – 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
With two weeks, we recommend undertaking a road trip across southern or northern British Columbia, where you can take in a diverse range of highlights. Alternatively, you can also explore some of the province’s more remote regions, such as the Great Bear Rainforest or one of the vast tracts of remote wilderness accessible only by floatplane.
Itinerary #1: Vancouver to Calgary Mountain Adventure
| Highlights: Mountains, waterfalls, glaciers | Driving time: 18 hours | Distance: 800 miles (1,280 km) |
This is the perfect road trip to truly experience the mountains of British Columbia. You won’t feel rushed and will have enough time to explore the highlights around Whistler, Jasper, and the Canadian Rockies. You’ll also pass through some lesser-known highlights, such as Wells Gray Provincial Park and Joffre Lakes. Once you reached the Rockies, you’ll have shorter driving days so you can explore the countless trails that escape the crowds and take you up to alpine lakes. See the full itinerary.
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Vancouver | Vancouver |
| Day 2 | Explore Vancouver’s Downtown & Neighborhoods | Vancouver |
| Day 3 | Vancouver to Whistler (2 hours) | Whistler |
| Day 4 | Explore around Whistler | Whistler |
| Day 5 | Whistler to Wells Gray Provincial Park (6 hours) | Clearwater |
| Day 6 | Wells Gray Provincial Park to Jasper (3 h 30 min) | Jasper |
| Day 7 | Explore Jasper National Park | Jasper |
| Day 8 | Jasper to Icefields Parkway (45 min) | Icefields Parkway |
| Day 9 | Icefields Parkway to Lake Louise (2 h 30 min) | Lake Louise |
| Day 10 | Explore Yoho National Park (from Lake Louise) | Lake Louise |
| Day 11 | Lake Louise to Banff (1 h 15 min) | Banff |
| Day 12 | Banff to Canmore (20 min) | Canmore |
| Day 13 | Day Hikes in Kananaskis Country | Canmore |
| Day 14 | Canmore to Calgary, Depart (1 h 30 min) |
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Itinerary #2: Calgary to Vancouver: Rockies, Kootenays, & Okanagan
| Highlights: Mountains, lake towns, wineries | Driving time: 18 hours | Distance: 830 miles (1,340 km) |
You can also drive across British Columbia from east to west, starting from Calgary and ending on the coast in Vancouver. This route begins with the grandeur of the Canadian Rockies, best experienced by hitting the trails and hiking up into alpine. After the Rockies, drive through the scenic mountain towns and lakes of the Kootenays, stopping for a couple of nights in Nelson. From here, you’ll leave the mountains for the desert hills of the Okanagan Valley, the warmest region of British Columbia, where you can explore the countless wineries and orchards before ending in Vancouver. See the full itinerary.
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Calgary, Drive to Banff (2 hours) | Banff |
| Day 2 | Explore around Banff | Banff |
| Day 3 | Banff to Yoho National Park (1 h 30 min) | Field |
| Day 4 | Yoho National Park to Revelstoke (2 h 30 min) | Revelstoke |
| Day 5 | Explore around Revelstoke | Revelstoke |
| Day 6 | Revelstoke to Nakusp (2 hours) | Nakusp |
| Day 7 | Nakusp to Kaslo (1 h 30 min) | Kaslo |
| Day 8 | Kaslo to Nelson (1 hour) | Nelson |
| Day 9 | Explore around Nelson | Nelson |
| Day 10 | Nelson to Osoyoos (3 hours) | Osoyoos |
| Day 11 | Explore around Osoyoos | Osoyoos |
| Day 12 | Osoyoos to Vancouver (4 h 30 min) | Vancouver |
| Day 13 | Explore Vancouver’s Downtown & Neighborhoods | Vancouver |
| Day 14 | Depart Vancouver |
Itinerary #3: Vancouver Island Road Trip
| Highlights: Coastline, wildlife, mountains | Driving time: 20 hours | Distance: 660 miles (1,060 km) |
If stunning coastline, whale watching, sea kayaking, and coastal rainforest are your jam, this route is for you. Start the adventure with a floatplane flight to northern Vancouver Island for some of the best whale watching in the province. Then, head to Quadra Island to explore the beaches and coves by foot or kayak. Before reaching the Pacific Rim, stop for a couple of nights to see the mountains and waterfalls of Strathcona Provincial Park, British Columbia’s oldest park. The trip culminates in the Pacific Rim where the rainforest meets rugged coastline. Cozy up in your lodge next to the coast for a few days before returning back to Vancouver. See the full itinerary.
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Vancouver | Vancouver |
| Day 2 | Explore Vancouver’s Downtown & Neighborhoods | Vancouver |
| Day 3 | Vancouver to Telegraph Cove (2 h 30 min) | Telegraph Cove |
| Day 4 | Explore around Telegraph Cove | Telegraph Cove |
| Day 5 | Telegraph Cove to Quadra Island (3 h 30 min) | Quadra Island |
| Day 6 | Explore Quadra Island | Quadra Island |
| Day 7 | Quadra Island to Strathcona Provincial Park (2 hours) | Strathcona Provincial Park |
| Day 8 | Explore Strathcona Provincial Park | Strathcona Provincial Park |
| Day 9 | Strathcona Provincial Park to Pacific Rim (4 h 30 min) | Pacific Rim |
| Day 10 | Explore Pacific Rim National Park | Pacific Rim |
| Day 11 | Hiking in Pacific Rim National Park | Pacific Rim |
| Day 12 | Pacific Rim to Victoria (4 h 45 min) | Victoria |
| Day 13 | Explore Victoria | Victoria |
| Day 14 | Victoria to Vancouver, Depart (2 h 30 min) |
Map
Map of 2 Weeks in British Columbia – 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
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