1 Week in British Columbia – 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

With one week in British Columbia, it’s the perfect amount of time to immerse yourself in the unique experiences of a specific region. If you don’t mind faster-paced trips, you can combine two regions—such as mountains and coastline—but expect a couple of longer days of driving. Here’s a list of some of the more popular routes which can be customized to help you get off the beaten path while still getting to see the highlights.
Itinerary #1: Pacific Rim Adventure: Vancouver to Tofino
| Highlights: Beaches, rainforest, ocean activities | Driving time: 13 hours | Distance: 445 miles (715 km) |

| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Vancouver | Vancouver |
| Day 2 | Explore Vancouver’s Downtown & Neighborhoods | Vancouver |
| Day 3 | Vancouver to Pacific Rim (6 hours) | Pacific Rim |
| Day 4 | Explore Pacific Rim National Park | Pacific Rim |
| Day 5 | Explore Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve | Pacific Rim |
| Day 6 | Pacific Rim to Victoria (4 h 45 min) | Victoria |
| Day 7 | Victoria to Vancouver, Depart (2 h 30 min) |
This popular road trip combines two days exploring Vancouver’s urban scene with three days along the rugged coastline of Vancouver Island’s Pacific Rim. Here, cozy up in a beachfront lodge and choose from a variety of outdoor activities, from sea kayaking to remote islands to explore the rainforest trails along the coast. In the evenings, head to some of the world-class local restaurants and breweries in the towns of Tofino and Ucluelet. See the full itinerary.
Itinerary #2: Okanagan Valley Road Trip
| Highlights: Wineries, lakes, mountain biking | Driving time: 10 h 30 min | Distance: 585 miles (940 km) |

| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Vancouver | Vancouver |
| Day 2 | Explore Vancouver’s Downtown & Neighborhoods | Vancouver |
| Day 3 | Vancouver to Kelowna (5 h 30 min) | Kelowna |
| Day 4 | Explore around Kelowna | Kelowna |
| Day 5 | Kelowna to Harrison Hot Springs (3 hours) | Harrison Hot Springs |
| Day 6 | Harrison Hot Springs to Vancouver (2 hours) | Vancouver |
| Day 7 | Depart Vancouver |
One week gives you ample time to explore all the areas of the Okanagan. This route takes you through British Columbia’s version of Napa Valley, where you can find countless local vineyards tucked along the valley backroads, not to mention great spots for local craft beer and cider. This is also the warmest region in the province, so be prepared for some hot weather, especially around Osoyoos in the southern Okanagan. Luckily, there are a number of beautiful lakes to go swimming as well as countless hiking and biking trails to work up an appetite. See the full itinerary.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Itinerary #3: Sunshine Coast Getaway
| Highlights: Coastline, hiking, breweries | Driving time: 9 h 30 min | Distance: 220 miles (350 km) |

| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Vancouver | Vancouver |
| Day 2 | Vancouver to Gibsons (2 hours) | Gibsons |
| Day 3 | Gibsons to Powell River (2 h 45 min) | Powell River |
| Day 4 | Explore around Powell River | Powell River |
| Day 5 | Powell River to Egmont (1 h 30 min) | Egmont |
| Day 6 | Egmont to Vancouver (3 hours) | Vancouver |
| Day 7 | Depart Vancouver |
The Sunshine Coast stretches over 100 miles (150 km) northwest of Vancouver and is reached by a short ferry ride from Vancouver or Vancouver Island. Here, you’ll find laid-back coastal communities with great B&Bs, restaurants, and breweries as well as countless inlets, beaches, and forest groves to explore. Driving distances each day are short, which gives you ample time to head into the local hills or stop at pull outs to explore the beaches. Desolation Sound, at the far end of the Sunshine Coast, is famous for great sea kayaking. See the full itinerary.
Itinerary #4: Whistler & Pacific Rim Road Trip
| Highlights: Mountains, rainforest, resort towns | Driving time: 14 h 30 min | Distance: 575 miles (925 km) |

| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Vancouver | Vancouver |
| Day 2 | Vancouver to Whistler (2 hours) | Whistler |
| Day 3 | Explore around Whistler | Whistler |
| Day 4 | Whistler to Pacific Rim (6 h 30 min) | Pacific Rim |
| Day 5 | Explore Pacific Rim National Park | Pacific Rim |
| Day 6 | Pacific Rim to Victoria (4 h 45 min) | Victoria |
| Day 7 | Victoria to Vancouver, Depart (2 h 30 min) |
If you’re keen to combine two regions together for a unique contrast of landscapes and don’t mind a faster-pace experience, you can combine the mountains around Whistler with the coastal rainforest of the Pacific Rim. First, follow the Sea-to-Sky Highway to Squamish and Whistler for a few days and then catch the ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Vancouver Island, and head straight to the Pacific Rim. Here, relax in an ocean-front lodge or B&B before making your way back to Vancouver via Victoria. See the full itinerary.
Itinerary #5: British Columbia Circuit: Whistler, Shuswap, & Okanagan Valley
| Highlights: Mountains, lakes, wineries | Driving time: 14 h 30 min | Distance: 640 miles (1,030 km) |

| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Vancouver | Vancouver |
| Day 2 | Vancouver to Whistler (2 hours) | Whistler |
| Day 3 | Whistler to Salmon Arm (5 h 30 min) | Salmon Arm |
| Day 4 | Salmon Arm to Kelowna (1 h 30 min) | Kelowna |
| Day 5 | Explore around Kelowna | Kelowna |
| Day 6 | Kelowna to Vancouver (5 h 30 min) | Vancouver |
| Day 7 | Depart Vancouver |
If you only have seven days and really are keen on seeing as much as possible, this route takes you on a circuit through three different regions of British Columbia. First, you’ll head into the mountains and alpine lakes around Whistler, where you’ll find great hiking and biking. From there, leave the mountains and descend through the dry and barren “Gold Rush’ country before overnighting in a cabin or houseboat near the lakes of the Shuswap. Finally, end your trip with a few days enjoying the great wines, restaurants, and breweries of the Okanagan Valley, the province’s famous wine region. See the full itinerary.
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