Vancouver, BC: Mountains & the Sea
Including Victoria & Whistler
An extra day longer than most of our US/Canada tours, western Canada's waterfront cities to snow-capped peaks requires a little more time to take it all in. This tour has a bit of everything—first-rate museums, strait crossings, and spectacular mountain scenery. We begin in Vancouver, a sparkling gem of a city on the water, then travel to Whistler, a world-renowned alpine resort. A gondola whisks us to the top of the mountain high above the valley floor, taking our breath away with the jaw-dropping views. We'll hop the ferry to Vancouver Island to enjoy time in Victoria, a town very reminiscent of England. You'll soon see why they call this "Beautiful British Columbia."
Vancouver, BC: Mountains & the Sea
August 3 - August 10, 2019Highlights
- Vancouver Sightseeing
- Drive through scenic mountain scenery
- Ride the Whistler Gondola
- Take the fast ferry to Victoria
- Stroll through Butchart Gardens
- Time to explore personal interests
- Suggestions for additional things to see
- Small group no larger than 14
- And More... See itinerary for details
Itinerary
Saturday, 03 August 2019: Arrive Vancouver; Welcome Dinner (D)
Schedule your arrival no later than 4:00pm and take local transportation to the hotel. The tour will begin in the lobby of the hotel at 6:00pm with our Welcome Meeting, followed by dinner to get better acquainted and discuss the upcoming days. Overnight Vancouver - 2 nights
Sunday, 04 August 2019: Vancouver Sightseeing (B)
Welcome to beautiful British Columbia. Today we visit some of the highlights of Vancouver, BC's largest city and the major port for all of western Canada. Renowned for its scenic beauty and endless opportunities for outdoor activities, Vancouver is surrounded almost completely by water and features snow-capped mountains rising dramatically in the background. Stanley Park, an evergreen oasis of 1,000 acres, is recognized as one of the greatest parks of the world. Your WTT Tour Leader has a delightful itinerary for you today that will introduce you to the best of Vancouver.
Monday, 05 August 2019: Travel the Coastal Road to Whistler (B,D)
Located in the spectacular Coast Mountains of British Columbia just two hours north of Vancouver, Whistler is Canada’s favorite year-round destination. This picturesque alpine resort has the look and feel of a European mountain village with cozy cafes, boutiques and gourmet restaurants. Our drive will take us through spectacular scenery, from vistas of downtown Vancouver to stunning mountain views to the impressive cascade of Shannon Falls and the spectacular dome peak of Mount Garibaldi. Upon arrival in Whistler, the day is free to enjoy in this charming village as you wish until we regroup for dinner tonight. Overnight Whistler - 2 nights
Tuesday, 06 August 2019: Whistler Gondola Ride; Free Afternoon (B)
Board the Whistler gondola for an unparalleled perspective of British Columbia’s rooftop. This gondola is a great feat of engineering. It's the longest unsupported span in the world and highest lift of its kind. The stunning ascent whisks us through towering cedar and fir forests until we reach the top and revel in 360-degree mountain views. But the experience is far from over. Scenic walking trails, mountaintop restaurants, wildlife viewing and indoor interpretive displays are ready for discovery. This afternoon and evening are yours to spend as you wish.
Wednesday, 07 August 2019: Ferry to Victoria; Free Afternoon (B,D)
No tour to British Columbia is complete without a visit to Victoria, the capital of the province. And the best way to get there is by ferry. After a leisurely morning drive back to Vancouver, we will board the ferry and make our way across the channel to Vancouver Island and Victoria. Established in 1843 as a fort for the Hudson's Bay Company, Victoria's British ancestry is apparent. We'll check in to our hotel and enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Overnight Victoria - 2 nights
Thursday, 08 August 2019: Free Day in Victoria (B)
Today is yours to explore Victoria. This is a very compact city and easy and enjoyable to navigate on foot. You may want to tour the Parliament buildings or stop in at the highly acclaimed Royal BC museum. The strong British ties make for some wonderful shopping as well. You might be interested in experiencing High Tea at the famed Empress Hotel overlooking the harbor. Needless to say, you will find more than enough things to do to fill your day and you'll wonder where the time went!
Friday, 09 August 2019: Butchart Gardens; Ferry to Vancouver; Farewell Dinner (B,D)
After checking out of our hotel, we're off to visit world-famous Butchart Gardens. These gardens began from one woman's desire to beautify the land left scarred by an open pit limestone quarry. They have been owned, tended and expanded since 1904 by the same family and now encompass more than 55 acres of beauty. Then we'll catch the ferry back to Vancouver early afternoon. For convenience sake we will stay near the airport in Vancouver. Tonight we will enjoy a casual dinner together to say farewell. Overnight Vancouver Airport - 1 night
Saturday, 10 August 2019: Return home from Vancouver
Sadly, our time together has come to an end. Based on the departure time you provide WTT, your Tour Leader can help to organize travelers into small groups so you can ride-share to the airport if you wish.
Vancouver, BC: Mountains & the Sea
August 3 - August 10, 2019Pricing
Room Share
$2,967.00 (Sold Out)Single Room
$4,226.00Non-Members
ADD $75.00Status of this Tour
Trip Full and Closed
Tour Pricing Includes
- All meals and activities expressly listed in the itinerary, PLUS...
- All tipping of local guides
- WTT Tour Leader to enhance the individual & group experience
- Transportation in WTT's own Mercedes mini-coach
- Arranged room sharing with another solo traveler
- Travel Dollar credits (a benefit of WTT membership) toward future travel with WTT
Not Included In The Price
- Airfare or other transportation to and from the tour
- Airport transfers
- Meals and activities not specified in the itinerary
- Any personal expenses or expenditures
- Any pre- or post- tour arrangements
- Passport fees
- Any gratuities for the WTT tour leader
- Travel Insurance
Payment Dates -and- Cancellation Terms for This Tour
At Space Reservation: Initial Deposit is due.
Monday, 4 Feb 2019: Initial deposit cannot be parked and is forfeited if traveler cancels after this date.
Sunday, 5 May 2019: Payment in full. 50% cancellation penalty after this date.
Wednesday, 19 Jun 2019: 100% forfeited if traveler cancels after this date.
Please review our travel and cancellation policies before making your reservation. You will be asked to confirm you have read and understood WTT's travel polices before we will accept your reservation.
Travel Insurance: We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect you in the event you need to cancel your tour. WTT will mail you information from 2 reliable travel insurance providers at the time we confirm your reservation.
You can review the insurance information from TravelGuard to get an idea of rates.
Vancouver, BC: Mountains & the Sea
August 3 - August 10, 2019Flights, Transfers & Lodging
Arrival & Departure Information
Travelers will make their own air arrangements as follows:
Arrival Airport: YVR - Vancouver, Canada (Vancouver Int'l Airport)
Arrival Date: Saturday, August 3rd. Arrive no later than 4:00pm.
Arrival Transfer: Use local shuttle or taxi service. Details provided in Final Travel Instructions.
Departure Airport: YVR - Vancouver, Canada (Vancouver Int'l Airport)
Departure Date: Saturday, August 10th. Depart at your convenience.
Departure Transfer: Use local shuttle or taxi service. WTT Tour Leader will assist in coordinating ride sharing.
Lodging / Hotels
Vancouver: Blue Horizon Hotel
Whistler: Hilton Whistler Resort and Spa
Victoria: Hotel Grand Pacific
Vancouver Airport: Radisson - Vancouver Airport
In the unlikely event WTT is unable to provide the hotel accommodation(s) listed, for whatever reason, WTT will substitute similar quality accommodation(s) at no additional cost to the traveler.
Want to Arrive a Day Early?
Worried about possible flight delays? Consider arriving one day before the official tour state date. Many of our travelers choose this optional service. Your pre-tour package includes:
- The room (standard check-in times apply)
- Breakfast the following morning
- Optional activity suggestions prior to tour
$218.00 Roomshare $435.00 Single
The pre-tour package is an optional service. Rates are established at time of tour posting. Early check-in is solely at the discretion of the hotel and cannot be arranged in advance.
Additional Reminders About This Tour
- Travelers are required to have a valid passport or passport ID card.
- It should be valid for at least six months after you return home and needs to have two consecutive blank pages.
Vancouver, BC: Mountains & the Sea
August 3 - August 10, 2019Destination Information
What do others say about this tour and traveling with WTT?
How Does Room Sharing Work?
- If you wish to share with another solo traveler, select this option on the Reservation Form and your tour price will automatically be based on the room share price.
- Or, you may select a single room, when available, on the Reservation Form and your tour price will be automatically based on the single room price.
- These choices are clearly stated on the Reservation Form.
- All shared rooms have 2 beds
- All shared rooms are non-smoking
- No special requests about your roommate can be accommodated
- Most solo travelers elect to share a room
- See "Frequently Asked Questions" TAB for more details
How Active is this Tour?
In addition to the minimum requirements, the specific activities on this tour are rated as follows:
- 80% Easy (walking involved)
- 20% Moderate
- 0% Strenuous
Read more about Activity Levels
What meals are included and how are dietary restrictions accommodated?
- Breakfast daily (except final morning)
- 4 Dinners
Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dietary requests can be accommodated on this tour with limited selections.
What clothing and items should I pack for this trip?
In general this time of year, the average daytime temperature in British Columbia is in the mid-70s, dropping to the 50s at night. Whistler can be quite cool with a brisk breeze, and even in the summer there may be snow at the summit of Whistler mountain.
For This Trip You May Want—
- One smart-casual outfit if you’d like to dress up a bit for dinners.
- Inexpensive rain poncho, just in case.
- Swimsuit - all hotels except Four Points by Sheraton Vancouver Airport have pools.
- Warm fleece jacket for the cool mornings and evenings
- Gloves, hat and scarf for the cooler weather on Whistler mountain
- Insect repellent and sunscreen
- Bring what you need to get a good night's sleep, such as ear plugs, white noise generator, sleeping pills, etc. Unfamiliar noises of all types can disrupt your rest.
Good Packing Habits—
- Pack a limited amount of comfortable, casual clothing that layers and coordinates. Your fellow travelers will not mind – or even notice – seeing you in the same clothing.
- Bring only two pairs of everyday shoes: one pair of well-broken-in walking shoes, and a second pair that could do double-duty as a walking shoe or a slightly dressy shoe.
- Pare down your beauty regimen to the bare minimum and always pack travel-sized toiletries.
- Pack medication in your carry-on and pack only as much as needed for the duration of your tour plus a few extra days as a precaution.
What are the luggage restrictions for this tour?
On every WTT tour, our policies regarding luggage restrictions are driven by the physical space limitations of the vehicles we use and the requirement that all travelers be able to manage their own belongings without assistance.
- It is best to travel as lightly as possible. Most travelers regret when they have packed too much.
- You may bring one suitcase plus small shoulder bag/day pack/purse.
- Maximum suitcase size: 25-inches in height as measured from the FLOOR to the top of the retracted handle. The small case in a 3-piece luggage set easily meets this requirement and should be plenty roomy for this length of trip.
- Suitcases larger than 25" in height will not fit in the WTT coach; don't bring them.
- The maximum weight of your suitcase should not exceed 30 pounds, as you will need to lift it into the coach luggage compartment.
- You are responsible for managing your own belongings. We expect you to take your belongings from the coach to your room and to bring it back to the coach and load it on days we change hotels. We do not provide luggage pulls; they are not safe and are inconvenient. The possibility of steps exist at most hotel entrances.
What are the phone and internet recommendations for this tour?
Only you can determine your need to stay in contact while traveling. Internet access is available in most hotels.
- Your US cell phone will work in Canada but most cell providers charge roaming fees. Be sure to check with your cell provider before leaving home to see what plans they may offer to reduce the cost of using your phone outside the US. Some providers offer Canada-only plans at reasonable rates.
What are the electricity requirements for this tour?
Outlets are the same as those found in the United States.
How much money should I bring on this tour?
Only you can determine the optimum amount of cash to take on tour. When budgeting for out-of-pocket expenses, there are several aspects to consider: the number of meals you are responsible for, the amount of money you like to have on-hand for snacks and drinks, and your individual shopping interests and habits.
- Notify your credit card issuer that you will be traveling and provide dates of travel. Credit cards are widely accepted in Canada.
- Canada’s official currency is the Canadian Dollar (CAD).
- ATMs are typically the best way of obtaining cash; they are found in most towns and cities. Canadian dollars can be withdrawn from any ATM. Use a debit card to avoid additional exchange fees.
- Many places accept US dollars, however expect your change to be in CAD. It is better to exchange money at an official money exchange where you get a better rate than what local merchants provide.
What are the tipping guidelines for this tour?
All tips to local guides during your tour have already been paid on your behalf.
- You are responsible for tipping wait-staff, porters, or other individuals who provide a service to you at the hotel, or other public locations.
- You may want to tip your WTT Tour Leader for an outstanding job. The amount is entirely a personal preference. If you'd like a guideline, consider $8-$10 per day.
What other Additional Information do I need to know?
- Travelers are required to have a valid passport or passport ID card.
- It should be valid for at least six months after you return home and needs to have two consecutive blank pages.
Can I transfer my deposit to another tour?
To get off this tour and register for another tour, you must follow these steps - in the order shown:
2) WAIT before submitting your new reservation! You must receive the Cancellation Confirmation email before submitting your new reservation. This can take up to 2 business days. The Cancellation Confirmation email will list the amount of parked credits from this tour that are now available to use on a new reservation.
3) COMPLETE the new Reservation Form and USE the parked credits towards your deposit on the new tour.
Note: If you used Parked Credits to pay the deposit on this tour, these credits cannot be used a second time and are not eligible to be transferred.
What happens if I need to cancel this tour?

Our Promise to You
It doesn’t matter which tour you choose.
You’ll find your people and make memories that last a lifetime.

