Western Bike Self-Guided Tour

Our 18-day Western Bike Explorer is our newest self-guided tour for the Canadian Rockies. For 2008 we have added a day’s extra riding, and tweaked the itinerary to give you a little more time to experience the delights of Banff and Vancouver Island. Our tour starts in Vancouver, from where we head north and east across the Cascade and Columbia mountains to Calgary. Then it is on to the fabulous Rocky Mountains National Park. You then head for the northern region of British Columbia with rides to Mt Robson and Wells Gray National Park. Then it is northwest until you reach the ocean at Prince Rupert. Here you take the Inside Passage Cruise through the scenic, and protected, waters of the Pacific Coast to Vancouver Island. Victoria is our last stop before you head back by ferry to Vancouver.

The scenery was spectacular, the Canadians incredibly helpful and cuisine amazingly varied and very good. All the accommodation bookings went well and the hotels were excellent. I can certainly recommend the BMW and your team over there couldn’t have been more helpful.

Geoff Edwardson, UK, 2007

Highlights

Vibrant Vancouver
Sea to Sky Highway
Banff National Park
Lake Louise
Icefields Parkway
Wells Gray National Park
Goldrush Trail
Inside Passage ferry
Historic Victoria

Itinerary

DAY 1 Arrive Vancouver. We will transfer you by private limousine to our tour hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to explore the city highlights. Ramada Inn Downtown.

DAY 2 Vancouver – Lillooet (280 km). After breakfast you collect your motorcycle and the adventure starts. Head for the Capilano Suspension Bridge on the North Shore. Then ride the famous ‘Sea to Sky’ highway to the alpine resort of Whistler. The quiet Duffey Lake Road leads you across the scenic Coast mountains to the warm and dry high sierra, where you overnight in Lillooet, a small native community. Four Pines Motel.

DAY 3 Lillooet – Revelstoke (370-440 km). Follow the mighty Fraser River to Lytton, then take the scenic Nicola Valley to Merritt. We love Highway 5A that winds its way north along the lakes to the city of Kamloops, a large regional centre with an interesting native museum. Then ride along Shushwap Lakes into the rugged Monashee Mountains, where the friendly railroad town of Revelstoke awaits. Glacier House Resort.

DAY 4 Revelstoke (50 km). Free day. Start with a scenic 26-km hairpin ride to the top of Mt Revelstoke National Park, and explore the glaciers, mountain roads and cedar forests of Glacier National Park. You can also hire an ATV, go canoeing, hiking or flightseeing (optional). Glacier House Resort.

DAY 5 Revelstoke - Canmore (300 km). The Trans Canada Highway ride brings you through amazing wilderness to Yoho and Banff National Parks. Visit the Takakkaw Falls and Lake Louise on your way to Banff and then Canmore. Canmore Inn.

DAY 6 Canmore – Calgary (100-120 km). An early start will see you in Calgary comfortably by lunchtime, giving you the rest of the day to discover this intriguing city, with its mixed history of oil and cattle. Check out the Olympic Plaza, the Glenbow Museum, historic Fort Calgary and the Calgary Tower. International Hotel.

DAY 7 Calgary – Banff (160-250 km). Head back across scenic Kanaskis Country to Banff National Park. Explore the small town of Banff and tour hotel, the High Country Inn. If you have time take the twisty ride of the day along the Bow Valley Parkway and stop for a short hike by a waterfall.

DAY 8 Banff National Park (50-140 km). Free day. Banff offers plenty of options. You can explore Lake Minnewanka, the Hoodoos and Bow Falls. Take the gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain and soak in the hot springs. Or try your hand at horse riding, canoeing, hiking or mountain biking, perhaps finishing off the day with a tasty western dinner at Wild Bill's. High Country Inn.

DAY 9 Banff - Jasper (260 km). Today you ride what many consider to be the world's most scenic highway, the Icefields Parkway, flanked by snow-capped peaks, alpine lakes and forested valleys. Marvel at the azure blue waters of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, cross the Bow and Sunwapta Passes on your way to the Columbia Icefields and two night's stay in log cabins in Jasper. See the Crowfoot Glacier and famous Peyto Lake. Whistler’s Inn.

DAY 10 Jasper (50 km). Free day. A full day to explore the Rockies and Jasper. We include a 90-minute lake cruise in our itinerary, which will give you plenty of time take the mountain road to Mount Edith Cavell, hike the Maligne Canyon, or have lunch on top of Whistler Mountain. Whistler’s Inn.

DAY 11 Jasper - Clearwater (310-360 km). The Yellowhead Highway takes you to the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, Mount Robson. Then through the Caribou Mountains to Clearwater and Wells Gray Park, where you will visit the cascading Dawson and Helmcken Falls. Dutch Lake Motel.

DAY 12 Clearwater – Prince George (450 km). You head northwest again today, through the area of the 1000 lakes, famous for its great fishing. Then follow the historic Goldrush Trail north to Quesnel. Here you can choose a 160 km side trip to the goldfields of Barkerville. Continue to the regional centre of Prince George. Sandman Hotel.

DAY 13 Prince George – Smithers (370 km). Another day of empty roads and great riding. Continue on through Vanderhoof in the beautiful Nenchako Valley. See the many historic buildings in Telkwa. Sandman Hotel.

Day 14 Smithers – Prince Rupert (345 km). The ride down to the Pacific Ocean follows the winding Skeena River, where Indian tribes once lived, to the port of Prince Rupert. Discover the traditions of the Tsimshians natives and the colourful history of the town. Moby Dick Inn.

DAY 15 Prince Rupert – Port Hardy (ferry + 40 km). Thousands of years ago the Ice Age sculptured the many fjords of the Inside Passage. Today is a day to let the world pass by slowly and take in the breathtaking mountain views and marine life of the Pacific as you relax on the scenic ferry ride to Victoria Island. Quarterdeck Inn.

DAY 16 Port Hardy – Parksville (300 km).Victoria (500 km). Explore the northen end of Vancouver Island as you ride south to Parksville, the ‘Salmon Capital of the World’. Travelodge.

DAY 17 Parksville – Victoria (200 km). Enjoy Canadian culture with the murals on the buildings in Chemainus and the totem poles in Duncan. The short ride to Victoria allows you plenty of time to explore Victoria’s Parliament, its historic buildings, the Royal British Columbia Museum with its superb native art, Fisgard lighthouse, or go whale and sea lion watching on the protected Pacific coastline. Royal Scot Hotel.

DAY 18 Victoria - Vancouver (ferry + 100 km). Your holiday is nearly over as you return to Vancouver and the mainland by taking the scenic ferry across the Strait of Georgia from Swartz Bay. Return your motorcycle and give yourself time to sightsee this beautiful city. Take a city highlights tour, visit Stanley Park, Chinatown, Granville Island, Gastown and of course famous Robson St, before returning to the airport for your flight home.

Total distance c. 4000 km

Dates to fit in with the Inside Passage ferry schedule

05 May – 31 May odd dates
02 Jun – 30 Jul even dates
01 Aug – 31 Aug odd dates
02 Sep – 16Sep even dates

Ready to book? Please click here

Price includes: 17 nights accommodation, 17 days motorcycle rental, incl. Unlimited mileage, C$5 million 3^rd party liability insurance, LDW insurance (excess C$1000-2500), Inside Passage ferry southbound, Tsawwassen ferry, private limo transfer on arrival, taxes, detailed tour description, vouchers, road maps and toll-free phone assistance; luggage storage; biker’s rucsac.

Price excludes: Calgary Petroleum Show and Stampede surcharges of £73/rm/nt apply for stays in Calgary 08-12/06/08 and 03-13/07/08; national parks entrance fees; other ferries; all meals; fuel. Riding gear is not provided. Additional nights accommodation pre- and post-tour in Vancouver £85/rm/nt. Flights and travel insurance can be arranged by H-C Travel.

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Western Bike Explorer self-guided tour

Kawa KLR650 Suzuki GS500

BMW F650CS Honda VT750 Honda VT1100 Suzuki DL650 Suzuki C50SE

Honda VFR800 Suzuki DL1000 Yam Silverado

BMW R1200GS Honda ST1300 Yam FJR1300

BMW R1200RT H-D Road King H-D E/glide Cl.

Passenger

Sgl rm suppl.

£2,295.00

£2,445.00

£2,625.00

£2,895.00

£3,195.00

£1,095.00

£895.00