10 Days in Canada - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Self-Drive Western Canada: Vancouver to Calgary

This 10-day self-drive tour from Vancouver to Calgary is an excellent introduction to British Columbia and is perfect for travelers who prefer to explore a country on their schedule. Traverse spectacular landscapes on your way to Whistler, get lost among the wilderness in Banff National Park, go hiking in Jasper National Park, and cruise atop lakes Moraine, Louise, and Minnewanka.

Begin in Vancouver and explore Stanley Park, Chinatown, and Gastown, then venture to Granville Island. Take a ferry across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver Island for a tour with the First Nations people of the Cowichan tribe. Stroll around Butchart Gardens, then head to Victoria to see the highlights. Journey to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park for a thrilling experience with Treetop Adventure before continuing along the Sea-to-Sky Highway toward Whistler. Ride the world's longest unsupported cable car, the Peak-to-Peak Gondola, for impressive views, followed by a drive through the Coast Mountains to Chase.

Cross into Banff National Park to reach Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. Cruise along Maligne Lake, then continue along the Icefields Parkway, passing by Bow and Peyto Lakes before entering Jasper National Park. Hike The Valley of Five Lakes or the Sulphur Skyline trail, then dedicate a day to seeing Maligne Canyon, Athabasca, and Sunwapta Falls. Ride the Jasper Tramway to the summit of Mount Whistler, then soak in the Miette Hot Springs. Walk along the Athabasca Glacier to Banff, ride the gondola to Sulphur Mountain, and cruise along Lake Minnewanka before heading to Calgary to depart. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Scenic Drive Through Western Canada: From the Rockies to the Pacific

Another self-drive itinerary ideal for road trip enthusiasts who want to explore Western Canada at their own pace. This time beginning and ending in Vancouver, you'll cover the Okanagan Valley, Banff, Jasper, Kamloops, and Whistler, where you'll taste wine, spot bears on an evening safari, and walk on 10,000-year-old ice.

Arrive in Vancouver and head to Granville Island's Public Market for food. Drive through the Okanagan Valley to Kelowna to join a wine tour or soak in the relaxing hot springs. Continue east to Banff and look out for bears, elk, and moose as you drive through Yoho National Park. Once in Banff National Park, go rafting through Johnston Canyon or join an ATV tour to view the snow-capped peaks of Toby Creek Valley. Hike to the base of Smith Falls, ride the gondola for lunch at Sky Bistro, then get warm in the Upper Hot Springs Pool. Embark on a glacial adventure across the Columbia Icefield before heading into Jasper National Park.

Relish a scenic drive through Mount Robson and Wells Gray national parks and enjoy highlights such as Spahats Creek Falls, Moul Falls, and Helmcken Falls. Spend the night in Kamloops and visit the remains of the ancient volcano, Cinnamon Ridge. Next, drive to Whistler via Nairn Falls, Marble Canyon Provincial Park, and Cache Creek. Take a 4WD tour in Whistler Olympic Park to spot wild black bears before returning to Vancouver. Stop in Squamish to ride the Sea-to-Sky Gondola over Howe Sound or venture to the summit of Grouse Mountain for breathtaking views. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Canada's East Coast Summer Tour

An itinerary that combines epic train journeys with self-drive routes, this 10-day summer tour in Eastern Canada's Québec province is great for those who want to trade the harsh winter weather for a pleasant summer trip. Indulge in classic culinary delights in Montréal, ride gondolas and soar along ziplines in Mont-Tremblant, go whale watching from Québec City, and check out Grands-Jardins and Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie national park in Charlevoix.

Begin in Canada's culinary capital, Montréal, for a ride on La Grande Roue de Montréal ("Montréal's Big Wheel") and a mouth-watering food tour of Jean-Talon Market in Little Italy. Collect your rental car and drive to the summer and ski resort of Mont-Tremblant. Take the Panoramic Gondola to the summit of the mountain for views of the Laurentian Mountains. Walk the one-mile (1.5 km) illuminated night trail, Tonga Lumina, whiz through the air at Ziptrek Tremblant, and soothe your muscles after a busy day at Scandinave Spa Mont-Tremblant. Next, make the four-hour journey to Québec City.

Wander the streets of Old Québec, then take a trip to Montmorency Falls, the province's largest. Discover the trails in Jacques‑Cartier National Park before taking an evening cruise along the St. Lawrence River. Board the AML Grand Fleuve observation boat for the chance to spot 13 species of whales. Board the Train de Charlevoix, stopping at Baie-Saint-Paul and La Malbaie on the way. Spot the peaks of Mont du Lac des Cygnes and Mont René-Richard in Grands-Jardins National Park and overnight in Charlevoix. Conclude with a hike in Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Western Canada Northern Lights & Ski Adventure

This 10-day Western Canada tour is perfect for those wanting to immerse themselves in popular Canadian winter activities. You'll hit the slopes at Banff National Park after spending three days in Whitehorse, the capital of the Yukon, where you can dogsled and hunt for the elusive aurora borealis.

Your winter adventure begins in Whitehorse for three nights, where you'll spend every evening attempting a northern lights viewing just outside the city center from a cozy cabin. In between your sightings, take a tour of the Yukon Wildlife Preserve for the chance to spot wild elk, caribou, and moose. Embark on a half-day dogsled ride where you'll enjoy winter scenery as you fly along the snowy landscape. Sample a local beer (or two) from the Yukon Brewery before enjoying one last northern lights excursion. Catch a two-hour flight to Calgary, then journey through the Canadian Rockies.

Hike the Tunnel Mountain winter trail on your way to Banff, then ride the gondola up Sulphur Mountain or soak in the Upper Hot Springs Pool. Dedicate four days to visiting some of the best ski resorts in the area. Check out Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Mount Norquay, and hit the slopes for a thrilling winter adventure. Enjoy optional visits to Columbia Icefield and the Athabasca Glacier, where you can participate in glacial hiking activities. Transfer to Calgary and head straight for the Peace Bridge or Heritage Park. Dine at the Sky360 revolving restaurant in the Calgary Tower before departing. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Canada's East Coast Winter Tour

Explore Québec on this 10-day winter tour. This self-drive excursion includes a food tour in Montréal, a skiing experience in Mont-Tremblant, and a visit to Montmorency Falls and the Ice Hotel in Québec City before taking part in skiing, snowboarding, wildlife watching, and ice skating activities in lesser-frequented Mauricie.

Commence this winter itinerary in the culinary capital of Montréal to try authentic Canadian dishes such as poutine (fries with cheese curds and gravy) and take a horse-drawn carriage ride to see the Notre-Dame Basilica and the Space for Life museum district. Make your way to Mont-Tremblant for two days of activities such as hiking, shopping, gondola rides, and golf. Skiers of all abilities can spend a full day skiing on a variety of trails and slopes before unwinding at the Scandinave Spa Mont-Tremblant on the shores of the Diable River. Then hop in the car and drive to Québec City, stopping in Trois-Rivières.

Tour the old town, then head to Montmorency Falls, ride the cable car or cross the suspension bridge for dramatic views, then dine at the Manoir Restaurant and Terrace. Check into the only ice hotel in North America, the Hôtel de Glace, and spend an afternoon at the Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Québec (MNBAQ). Allocate a day to dogsledding, where you'll traverse through beautiful winter landscapes. Head to La Mauricie National Park for two nights. Keep your eyes peeled for black bears, beavers, and moose, and go ice skating, skiing, or snowboarding at Auberge du Lac-à-l'Eau-Claire. Learn more

More Great 10-Day Canada Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Canada? Check out these other 10-day Canada itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.