8 Days in Canada - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Road Trip Across Ontario & Québec: Cities, Lakes & Countryside

This self-drive itinerary focusing on Ontario and Québec is ideal for those interested in balancing urban and outdoor activities. You'll zipline over Niagara Falls, learn about First Nations' efforts to protect and perpetuate their cultures at the Woodland Cultural Centre, take tasting tours in Toronto and Montréal, sample local wines in Prince Edward County, walk the dunes at Sandbanks Provincial Park, join a whale watching excursion in Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park, appreciate French-inspired architecture in the Quartier du Petit Champlain and go gallery-hopping (and croissant-tasting!) in Québec City.

Grab your rental car on arrival in Toronto, Ontario, and head south to Niagara Falls, where you'll have free time to spend as you like, perhaps viewing the falls from the Niagara SkyWheel or Skylon Tower's revolving restaurant. Then, enjoy a day of adventure that includes a helicopter ride and zipline excursion over Niagara Falls and alongside the Niagara River. On your drive back to Toronto, stop by the Woodland Cultural Centre to learn about the impacts of colonialism and the efforts of First Nations communities to preserve and revitalize their cultures. 

In Toronto, sample artisanal eats at the St. Lawrence Market, then join a cruise on Lake Ontario before driving to Prince Edward County on Day 4 for wine tasting and a walk along the dunes at Sandbanks Provincial Park. You'll continue to the neighboring province of Québec next, where you'll stroll Old Montréal's cobblestone streets, admire the stained-glass windows of the Notre-Dame Basilica, and taste local and international flavors on a food tour. Cap off your trip with gallery-hopping in the Quartier du Petit Champlain and whale watching at Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Western Canada Circuit From Vancouver to Banff: Food, Mountains, Lakes & Wildlife

Outdoorsy travelers who prefer private transfers and the flexibility of free time and self-guided experiences will love this British Columbia and Alberta itinerary. Highlights include a food tour in Vancouver, a hike in Yoho National Park, a wildlife safari in Banff, a soak in the Miette Hot Springs, a helicopter tour over the Canadian Rockies, and your choice of a trek amid Kamloops ancient hoodoos or winetasting in Thompson Valley. You'll cover a lot of ground in eight days, so this fast-paced trip is best suited to travelers eager to make the most of their time in Western Canada. 

Kick off your adventure in Vancouver, British Columbia, with a deep dive into the region's First Nations history and culture at the Museum of Anthropology. Then, get a taste of Vancouver, including local cheese and candied salmon, on a food tour of Granville Island. The following morning, your driver will transfer you through temperate rainforests and alpine terrain to Yoho National Park. Here, you can hike the Emerald Lake Loop or enjoy wilderness views from the Golden Skybridge. Banff, Alberta, is next for an evening safari and the chance to spot grizzly bears, elk, and other wildlife.

Before leaving Banff, you'll soar above the Canadian Rockies in a helicopter, then enjoy free time to see the famous aquamarine waters of Lake Louise and sample local beer at Three Bears Brewery. Moving north, you'll transfer to Jasper, watching for bighorn sheep and glacier views along the Icefields Parkway. Once in Jasper, you can unwind in the Miette Hot Springs. Your next stop is Kamloops, where you'll choose from a trek amid ancient rock formations, a horseback ride, or winetasting. Wrap up your trip back in Vancouver with a night of local eats and live music at the Shipyards Night Market. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Self-Drive Highlights of Montréal & Québec City

Travel at your own pace with this Montréal and Québec City self-drive trip that offers historic tours, culinary experiences, and outdoor adventures. You'll get an introduction to Montréal's food scene on a tasting tour of the Mile End, familiarize yourself with local history and architecture on Old Montréal and Old Québec walking tours, sample artisanal cheeses and chocolates in Île d'Orléans, spend a day canoeing or hiking (or snowshoeing or cross-country skiing in the winter) in Jacques-Cartier National Park, and sample fresh maple syrup at a "sugar shack."

Dive into Montréal's food scene, starting with Québec's famous poutine (fries topped with cheese curd and gravy), on a food tour in the Mile End neighborhood. In the morning, set out on a walking tour of Old Montréal and learn about the city's transformation from a French colonial outpost. Afterward, take in the city views from Mount Royal before scouting a bistro in the lively Plateau Mont-Royal district for dinner. From there, you'll drive to Parc National de La Mauricie to hike to Weber Falls, then continue to Québec City. Spend the evening as you choose, perhaps on a St. Lawrence River cruise. 

A morning walking tour of Old Québec, the only walled city left north of Mexico, takes you to landmarks like the historic Place Royale. In the afternoon, drive to Île d'Orléans to sample artisanal cheeses and chocolates. On your way back to the city, stop to see Montmorency Falls—the cascade is 270 feet (83 m) taller than Niagara Falls! You'll spend the next day hiking or canoeing at your own pace in Jacques-Cartier National Park (or, if you visit in the winter, try cross-country skiing). Finally, you'll return to Montréal, stopping by Cabane à Sucre Chez Dany sugar shack to sample maple syrup. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Explore Canada's Eastern Cities by Train

Indulge in nature, culture, and cuisine on this Eastern Canada train journey from Toronto to Montréal. After savoring multicultural street eats in Toronto, you'll feel the falls' spray at Niagara Falls and visit a vineyard in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Then, you'll travel by rail to Ottawa for a boat ride down the Rideau Canal and continue by train to Québec City for a cultural workshop at Huron-Wendat Museum and a day trip to Jacques-Cartier National Park. Your final destination is Montréal, where you'll embark on a Mile End tasting tour.

On arrival in Toronto, head out for some shopping and dining at Kensington Market—a neighborhood where you'll find multicultural markets, street food, and boutiques. If you still have the energy, make your way to the Distillery District, a pedestrian-only neighborhood of art galleries, breweries, and restaurants. The following day, you'll take the day to visit Niagara Falls for a cruise near the thundering water, then continue to a vineyard in Niagara-on-the-Lake, where you'll sample cool climate varietals. On Day 3, it's time to board your railcar for a scenic train ride to Ottawa for a cruise down the Rideau Canal.

Continue the train journey to Québec City to join a walking tour amid the cobblestone streets of Old Québec, then see the city lights on an evening cruise along the St. Lawrence River. A day trip to Jacques-Cartier National Park offers your choice of outdoor activities, such as wildlife watching or kayaking. Next, you'll browse the collection of First Nations artifacts at the Huron-Wendat Museum with the option to join a cultural workshop. Finally, you'll catch a train to Montréal and wrap up your trip with a tasting tour that includes a stop at Schwartz's Deli for their famous smoked meat sandwich. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Road Trip Across British Columbia: Whistler, Ucluelet, Tofino, Victoria & Vancouver

A match for nature lovers, this self-drive British Columbia itinerary leads you on a road trip to some of the province's most scenic spots. Start in Whistler with a night walk at Vallea Lumina and a gondola ride to Blackcomb Mountain. Continue to Vancouver Island for whale watching and a trek through old-growth rainforests. You'll search for orcas on another whale watching excursion in Victori,a then hike (or opt for kayaking) and feast on farm fresh foods on Salt Spring Island. The road trip ends in Vancouver with a bike tour at Stanley Park and treetop adventures at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.

After touching down in Vancouver, you'll pick up your rental car and hit the road east to Whistler. Refresh at your hotel, then head to Vallea Lumina, a multimedia night walk that leads you through an illuminated forest. The following day, you'll enjoy views of snowcapped peaks, dense forests, and alpine meadows while riding the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, the longest unsupported cable car span in the world. You'll then drive back west to Horseshoe Bay and catch a ferry to Vancouver Island, where you'll join a whale watching tour from Tofino and trek through old-growth forests (and perhaps spot bald eagles) on the Rainforest Trail.

Day 5 sees you driving south to Victoria, stopping to admire murals in Chemainus and totem poles in Duncan. Orcas reside in Victoria year-round and are especially visible between April and October, so you'll have another chance to spot them before catching a ferry to Salt Spring Island. Here, you'll savor farm-to-table fare, shop for handcrafted souvenirs, or join a hiking tour. A ferry ride from Swartz Bay Terminal to Tsawwassen Terminal takes you back to the mainland, where you'll end your trip in Vancouver, touring Stanley Park by bike and walking along the treetops at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. Learn more

More Great 8-Day Canada Itineraries

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