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Tours/North America/Canada/British Columbia/Vancouver Island

Pacific Northwest Self-Drive Tour

Drive among the incredible scenic beauty of Vancouver Island and the Pacific Northwest

4.7 (21 ratings)

British Columbia, Canada

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About this tour:

15 days

Jun-Oct

Walking

Self-guided, Private

Hotels

Very Easy (1/5)

Pacific Northwest Self-Drive Tour Details

Overview

Itinerary

Itinerary for Pacific Northwest Self-Drive Tour

Day 1

Arrive in Seattle

Overnight Location - Hotel in Seattle | Distance - None | Meals - None

Your tour officially begins today when you arrive in Seattle. Pick up a rental vehicle at the Seattle airport, and check into your hotel. You’re free for the rest of the day to explore Seattle.

Day 2

Discover Seattle

Overnight Location - Hotel in Seattle | Distance - None | Meals - None

Today, you will enjoy exploring this beautiful harbor city. You may want to start your day at the original Starbucks location and then take your coffee to go while you wander the famous Pike Place Market. You can also walk along the waterfront or visit the Chihuly Gardens & Glass Museum to view the incredible glassworks of this famous local artist. End your day with a trip up the Space Needle to view the skyline from the top of this free-standing tower.

Day 3

Journey to the Olympic Peninsula

Overnight Location - Hotel in Port Angeles | Distance - 140km | Meals - None

Today, you’ll begin your road trip into the Olympic Mountains. Drive to the little city of Port Angeles, which will be your gateway to finding rugged sandy beaches, lush forests, and the beautiful Olympic Mountains.

Day 4

Hiking in Olympic National Park

Overnight Location - Hotel in Port Angeles | Distance - None | Meals - None

Spend the day hiking in Olympic National Park, where you’ll find numerous trails through the endless green of the rainforest and into the mountain valleys. You may also want to drive to some of the marked whale-watching spots along the Whale Trail to see if you can catch a glimpse of the enormous creatures. To cap off the day, you can stop at Sol Duc for a relaxing visit to the hot springs.

Day 5

Ferry to Canada

Overnight Location - Hotel in Victoria | Distance - 45km | Meals - None

This morning, you’ll need to leave your rental car behind in Port Angeles and board the ferry to Vancouver Island. When you arrive in Victoria, you can pick up a new Canadian rental car and check into your hotel. Spend the afternoon visiting Victoria—make sure to stroll downtown in the evening to view the picture-perfect scenery of the harbour and government buildings covered in bright lights.

Day 6

Downtown Victoria and Vancouver Island Drive

Overnight Location - Hotel in Tofino | Distance - 315km | Meals - None

Take a quiet stroll along Dallas Road for a spectacular view of the Olympic Mountains across the water, or visit the lively Fisherman’s Warf and Inner Harbour of downtown Victoria. Before you leave the city, you may want to book the optional Scenic Seaplane Tour that showcases the breathtaking Juan De Fuca Strait and the mountains surrounding this pretty city. In the afternoon, you’ll start your drive up-island through the temperate rainforest to the remote surf town of Tofino.

Day 7

Whale Watching and Nature Walks

Overnight Location - Hotel in Tofino | Distance - None | Meals - None

Begin your day with a coffee from a cute café like Rhino Tofino and take a stroll to watch the surf crash into the beach. Then, you can take a free walking tour in Pacific Rim National Park and hike through the lush forests. In the afternoon, you’ll take a zodiac whale-watching tour of Clayoquot Bay and look for whales, seals, sea lions, eagles, and other marine life.

Day 8

Visit the Cathedral Grove

Overnight Location - Hotel in Campbell River | Distance - 270km | Meals - None

Continue your road trip north towards Campbell River. Stop at Cathedral Grove Provincial Park for a walk through the ancient Douglas firs that soar above you. Spend the evening discovering the charming town of Campbell River.

Day 9

Outdoor Adventures in Campbell River

Overnight Location - Hotel in Campbell River | Distance - None | Meals - None

Today, you’ll be exploring the beautiful hiking trails in Elk Falls Provincial Park. Take a hike to view the spectacular waterfalls and cross a dramatic suspension bridge over the canyon. You can also book a wildlife tour to get to know the local fauna.

Day 10

Scenic Drive to Parksville

Overnight Location - Hotel in Parksville | Distance - 125km | Meals - None

This morning, you’ll take the spectacular coastal drive down to Parksville. Spend the day relaxing at Qualicum Beach and exploring the treasures of Parksville.

Day 11

Journey from Sea to Sky

Overnight Location - Hotel in Whistler | Distance - 200km | Meals - None

Drive to Nanaimo and take the ferry back to the mainland. Enjoy the scenic ride and watch for whales and other marine wildlife on the journey to Horseshoe Bay. Then, you’ll take the Sea to Sky Highway into the mountains to Whistler. You’ll have two nights to enjoy this spectacular ski resort village.

Day 12

Play All Day in Whistler

Overnight Location - Hotel in Whistler | Distance - None | Meals - None

You have the whole day to enjoy everything Whistler has to offer. Take a scenic gondola ride for incredible mountain views, go hiking, or even take advantage of the thrilling mountain biking tracks. You could also spend the entire day exploring the shops and world-class restaurants in the pedestrian village.

Day 13

Discover Vancouver

Overnight Location - Hotel in Vancouver | Distance - None | Meals - None

Take a final stroll through Whistler before you begin your drive to Vancouver. When you arrive, you can check in to your hotel and then head out to explore the city. Go for a walk around Stanley Park, or visit historic Gastown and Chinatown. You have the option to book an hour Vancouver Harbour cruise, which is the perfect way to end the day.

Day 14

Spend Another Day Exploring Vancouver

Overnight Location - Hotel in Vancouver | Distance - 120km | Meals - None

You have another full day to spend in Vancouver. You could visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge or challenge yourself on the 3-kilometre trail of stone stairs on Grouse Mountain known as the Grouse Grind. If you stay in the city for the day, walk up and down Commercial Drive or Main Street to brush shoulders with the locals. Take your pick of several delectable restaurants and breweries while you’re here.

Day 15

Final Day

Overnight Location - None | Distance - None | Meals - None

Your tour officially ends when you return your rental vehicle to the Vancouver International Airport. Take your flight home or continue on the next stop on your journey.

Tour Highlights

What's Included

Dates & Prices

Accommodation

Accommodation for Pacific Northwest Self-Drive Tour

This tour is based on hotel accommodations. Hotels on this trip are standard 3-star and offer comfortable rooms with modern conveniences. Your hotels have been selected to be in convenient locations along your route.

In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.

Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. Single rooms, including those for solo travellers, are by request.

Night 1-2

Hotel in Seattle

Enjoy a comfortable stay in this iconic PNW city. The restaurant, music, and arts scenes are thriving, and you’ll have no trouble filling your time here.

Night 3-4

Hotel in Port Angeles

Relax in this quaint town that doubles as the gateway to Olympic National Park. Support the local businesses while you’re here and choose born-and-bred restaurants.

Night 5

Hotel in Victoria

Victoria draws visitors year-round for its pleasant climate, undeniably kind and laid-back people, and charming downtown core. Check out the Inner Harbour, Cook Street Village, and Dallas Road.

Night 6-7

Hotel in Tofino

You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a mystical land when you see the sandy beaches in Tofino at the edge of the forest. This popular surf town keeps its cool and hasn’t been over-developed.

Night 8-9

Hotel in Campbell River

This mid-island adorable town has rustic charm written all over it. Make sure to try some local salmon after a full day of exploring the surrounding nature.

Night 10

Hotel in Parksville

Parksville sits on Vancouver Island’s coast and has several sandy beaches, perfect for strolling. The town has a sandcastle-building competition every summer from mid-July to mid-August.

Night 11-12

Hotel in Whistler

This world-class destination awaits outside of your local digs. Enjoy exploring Whistler and then kicking back in your comfy bed.

Night 13-14

Hotel in Vancouver

Welcome to Vancouver! Settle in and sleep off any jetlag at your comfortable hotel.

Hotels on Standard Tour

Map

Reviews (21)

Tour Booking Process

FAQ

Frequently asked questions for Pacific Northwest Self-Drive Tour

How hard is the Pacific Northwest Self-Drive Tour?

We rate this tour as a 1 / 5. This tour has a flexible itinerary that allows you to choose the hikes and activities so that you can tailor them to your fitness level.

Is my driver’s licence valid in Canada and the United States?

Most standard driver’s licences are valid in Canada and the United States; however, International Drivers Permit might be required, or some exemptions might apply. Please check these sources about driving with foreign license in Canada and in the United States.

What does partially-guided mean?

Booking a partially-guided tour is a perfect choice for those who like to be in charge of some of their time while travelling, but also don’t want to be on their own during activities. In most cases, a partially-guided tour doesn’t have a tour leader assigned to a group, but some or most of the activities, such as hikes, city walks, or historic site visits, are led by different guides. Also, in most cases, booking a partially-guided tour is way cheaper than booking a fully-guided tour!

Do I need a visa to travel to Canada or the US?

Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.

Are meals included on the Pacific Northwest Self-Drive Tour?

Meals are not included in this tour.

Do I need insurance?

Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover any activities you plan to do. Get your Travel Insurance.

How do I get to Seattle to start this tour?

Fly into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) in Washington. You can rent a vehicle directly from the airport.

Is the Pacific Northwest Self-Drive Tour in English?

The route guide, maps, and programs provided will be in English.

Where does the Pacific Northwest Self-Drive Tour end?

This tour ends in Vancouver, BC. You can fly out of the Vancouver International Airport (YVR).

Do I need special vaccines to travel to Canada or the USA?

Check with your family doctor.

Are there any travel restrictions for Canada or the USA?

Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.

When is the best time to travel to Canada for this tour?

The best time to travel to the Pacific Northwest for this overland tour is during the summer and early fall to avoid the rainy days that cloud the rest of the year. This tour is available from June to October.

Tour Difficulty

From $1,975USD

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