8 Days in British Columbia – 3 Unique Itinerary Ideas
With 8 days, you can start to combine multiple regions of British Columbia for a more diverse experience. Follow a circle route through the Coast Mountains and Okanagan’s wine country. Or, combine both the Sunshine Coast and the Pacific Rim for the ultimate coastal experience. For those keen on an outdoor adventure, you can also undertake a multi-day hike or multi-night stay at a remote wilderness lodge.
Itinerary #1: Whistler & Pacific Rim Road Trip
| Highlights: Mountains, coastline, interesting towns | Driving time: 16 hours | 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 | Explore Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve | Pacific Rim |
| Day 7 | Pacific Rim to Victoria (4 h 45 min) | Victoria |
| Day 8 | Victoria to Vancouver, Depart (2 h 30 min) |
This route combines two of British Columbia’s most popular destinations—Whister & Tofino. Despite their popularity, it’s easy to escape the crowds once you get off the beaten path and into the beautiful surroundings. After exploring the mountains around Whistler, you’ll catch a ferry over to Vancouver Island for three nights in the coastal rainforest of the Pacific Rim. Finally, you’ll end your trip with a night in Victoria before catching the ferry back to Vancouver. See the full itinerary.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Itinerary #2: British Columbia Circuit: Whistler, Shuswap, & Okanagan Valley
| Highlights: Mountains, lakes, wineries | Driving time: 16 hours | Distance: 720 miles (1160 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 | History & Outdoor Adventure in the Shuswap | Salmon Arm |
| Day 5 | Salmon Arm to Osoyoos (4 hours) | Osoyoos |
| Day 6 | Explore around Osoyoos | Osoyoos |
| Day 7 | Osoyoos to Vancouver (4 h 30 min) | Vancouver |
| Day 8 | Depart Vancouver |
If you don’t mind a bit of driving, you’ll cross through three regions of British Columbia on the circular road trip starting and ending in Vancouver. After exploring the mountains around Whistler, you’ll head east through Gold Rush Country to the Shuswap, famous for its large lakes, boating, and water-based activities. From there, you’ll head south into the heart of the Okanagan Valley, the province’s wine region and home to hundreds of wineries, fruit farms, craft breweries, and farm-to-table restaurants. See the full itinerary.
Itinerary #3: Sunshine Coast & Pacific Rim Road Trip
| Highlights: Beaches, rainforest, quaint towns | Driving time: 18 hours | Distance: 540 miles (870 km) |
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Vancouver | Vancouver |
| Day 2 | Vancouver to Sechelt (2 h 30 min) | Sechelt |
| Day 3 | Explore the Lower Sunshine Coast | Sechelt |
| Day 4 | Sechelt to Powell River (3 hours) | Powell River |
| Day 5 | Powell River to Pacific Rim (5 hours) | Pacific Rim |
| Day 6 | Explore Pacific Rim National Park | Pacific Rim |
| Day 7 | Pacific Rim to Victoria (4 h 45 min) | Victoria |
| Day 8 | Victoria to Vancouver, Depart (2 h 30 min) |
For those who love the coast, quaint seaside communities, and the outdoors, this route combines the best coastal experiences in the province. From Vancouver, catch the ferry over to the Lower Sunshine Coast and relax in the laid-back towns of Sechelt and Gibsons. From there, follow the inlets and coastline up to Powell River in the north, where you’ll catch another ferry over to Vancouver Island. Here, settle down in a B&B or wilderness lodge along the rugged coastline of the Pacific Rim, and go hiking through the rainforest or paddling out to remote island chains. Finally, end the trip with a night in the provincial capital of Victoria before you depart. See the full itinerary.
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Map of 8 Days in British Columbia – 3 Unique Itinerary Ideas
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