NANAIMO HIKING FIELD GUIDE
Eight Days Along the Spine of the Canadian Rockies: Caribou Tour (Moose Travel)
An 8-day circuit through the Icefields Parkway and southern British Columbia—Banff, Jasper, Yoho and Whistler—this guide distills the route, wild highlights, and what to bring for Discovery Canada Tours’ Caribou Rocky Mountains Tour.
Eight Days Along the Spine of the Canadian Rockies: Caribou Tour (Moose Travel).
The Caribou Tour traces a compact, high-impact corridor of the Canadian Rockies and southern British Columbia, moving from glacier-cut valleys along the Icefields Parkway through the national parks around Banff, Jasper and Yoho, then out to the resort town of Whistler. Over eight days you’ll hike mountain trails, swim in clear alpine lakes, seek waterfalls and wildlife, and touch on Indigenous cultural experiences offered as part of the itinerary.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
The Icefields Parkway and the Big Parks
A backbone of the tour, the Icefields Parkway links a string of national parks—Banff, Jasper and Yoho—offering sustained mountain scenery, glaciers and lake basins that define the trip’s visual drama.
Hiking, Swimming and Waterfalls
The itinerary emphasizes on-foot exploration: expect days that include hikes into alpine terrain, opportunities to swim in crystal-clear lakes, and time chasing waterfalls framed by steep, glaciated ridges.
Wildlife, Indigenous Culture and Whistler’s Edge
Beyond scenery, the tour includes wildlife-spotting chances and opportunities to learn about Indigenous cultures; it finishes with a visit to Whistler, the resort town known for the 2010 Winter Olympics and a menu of optional adrenaline activities.
What the day feels like
What the Eight Days Feel Like
The Caribou Tour unfolds as a steady progression from high mountain parklands to coastal-range resort terrain: long driving legs along iconic routes such as the Icefields Parkway punctuated by full days of hiking, lake swims and waterfall visits, with evenings spent in gateway towns and a final turn toward Whistler’s alpine infrastructure.
THE ROUTE
The Icefields Parkway and the Big Parks
A backbone of the tour, the Icefields Parkway links a string of national parks—Banff, Jasper and Yoho—offering sustained mountain scenery, glaciers and lake basins that define the trip’s visual drama.
THE ACTIVITIES
Hiking, Swimming and Waterfalls
The itinerary emphasizes on-foot exploration: expect days that include hikes into alpine terrain, opportunities to swim in crystal-clear lakes, and time chasing waterfalls framed by steep, glaciated ridges.
THE CULTURE & THRILL
Wildlife, Indigenous Culture and Whistler’s Edge
Beyond scenery, the tour includes wildlife-spotting chances and opportunities to learn about Indigenous cultures; it finishes with a visit to Whistler, the resort town known for the 2010 Winter Olympics and a menu of optional adrenaline activities.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip suits and who should consider alternatives.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The program is organized as an 8-day tour through mountain parks and a resort destination; plan for alpine conditions in park areas and a mix of trail and town days.
Expect hiking terrain and opportunities to swim in clear lakes—pack layered hiking clothing, sturdy boots, swimwear, and any personal gear for optional on-site activities.
The tour progresses over multiple national parks with driving legs on highways such as the Icefields Parkway; accommodations and activity options are staged in gateway towns and Whistler.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Caribou Tour?
The Caribou Rocky Mountains Tour runs for 8 days.
Which parks does the tour visit?
The itinerary explores Banff, Jasper and Yoho National Parks and includes travel along the Icefields Parkway, before finishing in Whistler.
Are there hiking opportunities on the tour?
Yes—hiking is a central part of the program, with days dedicated to mountain trails, lake swims and waterfall visits.
Will I see wildlife?
The tour routes through multiple national parks where participants have opportunities to spot iconic wildlife.
Does the tour include cultural experiences?
Yes—the itinerary includes elements that introduce Indigenous cultures alongside natural highlights.
Is Whistler part of the tour and what’s there?
Whistler is a tour stop—known for hosting events during the 2010 Winter Olympics—and the program offers optional adrenaline-filled activities there.