USA & Canada Road Trip: West Coast Discovery - United States

Now's the time to explore North America on your terms with this tour that's affordable for young travellers. Why visit just one country on this grand continent when you can see two? On a 21-day west coast road trip, you'll soak in the natural beauty of America’s Grand Canyon and Canada’s Banff National Park, go whale watching in Tofino and get your glitz on in Las Vegas. With time to explore San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Vancouver, this itinerary plays like the greatest hits of North America to get you the most bang for your buck.

Day 1 Los Angeles
Arrive at any time.

Tonight head out in La La Land and party like the stars. Get to know your fellow travel tribe in a place where the buzzing nightlife is just begging to be explored. Your only goal this evening is to sit back, relax, eat some grub, down a margarita, and get to know your newest friends as the adventure begins.

Day 2 Los Angeles/Lake Havasu
Wake up in the “City of Angels” before heading inland to the desert. Don't forget to watch for celebrities on the way out of California's most glamorous city. Gear up for your visit to Joshua Tree National Park. It might be short and sweet but no less impactful. Trek amongst the boulders and famous Joshua trees and find the unexpected beauty and serenity of such a barren landscape. Then cool off with some of your buddies in the crystal-clear waters off Lake Havasu.

Day 3 Lake Havasu/Grand Canyon
Start your day by visiting London Bridge (an exact 1800s replica shipped to Arizona from London) before heading off to Grand Canyon National Park. Grab a buddy or set off on your own into one of the deepest canyons in the world. Flip a coin to decide if you should hike along the rim or down into the canyon itself (just remember if you hike down you must hike up). All that effort will be worth it because guess what? You will get to enjoy a pizza dinner at the rim while watching sun set before you. The South Rim might end up being the best spot you have ever eaten a slice of 'za!

Day 4 Grand Canyon/Las Vegas
Another day, another adventure! Not feeling a hike this morning? That's cool, you have the option to splurge on an unforgettable helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon. Get ready to feel incredibly small as the world opens up at your feet. Then cruise along historic Route 66 en route to... Vegas baby! Discover ghost towns and funky roadside attractions and bask in the fading sun as you head into “Sin City”. Explore the Las Vegas strip for a truly unforgettable evening of fun with your fellow trip mates. If you decide you want to cruise Vegas in style head out on an optional VIP party limo ride.

Day 5 Las Vegas/Sierra Nevadas
Experience a land of extremes in Death Valley National Park. Visit the driest, the hottest, and the lowest places in the U.S. From Badwater Basin to Zabriskie Point and Dante's View to Furnace Creek – it is easy to fall in love with this desolate landscape. The adventure doesn't stop here you'll continue on to Bishop for a night of campfires, stories, and don't forget s'mores!

Day 6 Sierra Nevadas/Yosemite National Park
Yosemite can best be described as out of this world. Catch a glimpse of the beauty on the drive from Bishop through the Sierra Nevadas along Tioga Pass. Once in the park itself let your mind wander as you hike past roaring waterfalls and giant sequoias. Gaze in wonder at Yosemite's magnificent peaks and granite domes before turning your attention to the tranquil nature of the valley floor. Snap photos or simply take in the splendour of one of the country's most beautiful national parks.

Day 7 Yosemite National Park/San Francisco
Catch a glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge on the way into one of America's most popular cities. Ride a cable car, walk down winding Lombard Street, indulge in some erotic shaped treats in the Castro District, get lost at the botanical garden, chill out at Baker's Beach and simply enjoy being in the moment.

Day 8 San Francisco/Calgary
Bid farewell to the States and fly north of the border to Calgary. Get to know new members of your group on a night out together. Hit up the Ship and Anchor Pub—a Calgary institution. Enjoy live music, great entertainment, local ales, and some pretty tasty grub in an authentic pub. So grab a beer sit on the patio or at the bar and make some endless connections as the next leg of your adventure begins.

Day 9 Calgary/Banff
As the day begins spend some of your time discovering the quiet beauty of Banff, a resort town located within Banff National Park. Take some pictures of the wildlife, stroll the shop-lined streets, or hike up a mountain for some spectacular views of the town below. Finish the day off with a dip into a natural hot spring or treat yourself to some pampering at one of the many spas in town.

Day 10 Banff/Lake Louise
Grab a camera or simply gaze in wonder at the beauty of Lake Louise. Hike with a group to the Agnes Lake Tea House, or lose your sense of time along the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail.

Day 11 Lake Louise
You’ll be skipping with joy into the beauty of Yoho NP. Visit Emerald Lake, whose vibrant waters rival those of famed Lake Louise and Takkakaw Falls – the second highest waterfall in Canada. Choose to go whitewater rafting in the afternoon along the Kicking Horse River or take advantage of a rare opportunity to visit a Grizzly Bear refuge. Skip the crowds, sip a cold beer by the aquamarine waters, and simply enjoy the untamed beauty of this lesser-known Canadian park.

Day 12 Lake Louise/Jasper
Make your way to stunning Jasper via the Icefield Parkway. The beauty is so spectacular you may find yourself holding your breath as you drive one of the most scenic mountain landscapes on Earth. The parkway offers an unforgettable journey through a vast wilderness of magnificent peaks, pristine mountain lakes, and broad sweeping valleys. Along the way you will stop at Bow Lake and the Columbia Icefield Centre, where you can choose to walk with an expert guide atop the still active Athabasca Glacier. Tonight, kick back and relax near a campfire in Jasper.

Day 13 Jasper
Wake up in the alpine town of Jasper amid snow-capped mountains and glacier lakes. Stroll through Maligne Canyon, the deepest gorge in the Canadian Rockies. The trail is an easy loop that is full of waterfalls, bridges, dense pine forests, and streams that seem to pop out of nowhere. Take the rest of the morning to explore Jasper NP. Rent a canoe and get out on Maligne Lake with your friends, seek some thrills whitewater rafting on the Athabasca River, or simply take it all in. Then spend the afternoon losing yourself in this lively mountain town.

Day 14 Jasper/Wells Gray Park
Get an early start today as you and the group head further west towards British Columbia. Pass the majestic peak of Mount Robson, the tallest mountain in the Canadian Rockies. Stop at the visitor centre and grab your next “Insta” photo on the large viewing deck before jumping back in the van to continue on to Wells Gray PP.

Day 15 Wells Gray Park
Head out for an exciting adventure canoeing in the Canadian wilderness. Take this time to laugh and be silly with your friends or paddle off to quieter coves for some peace and reflection. After a lunch on the shore overlooking Clearwater Lake you will stop at some of the most fascinating waterfalls in the park, including Helmcken Falls — world famous for being three times taller than Niagara Falls.

Day 16 Wells Gray Park/Whistler
Today, is a travel day, but never fear you'll have no time to be bored. There will be plenty of opportunities for conversation, reflection, and taking photos as you drive from the densely wooded forests of Wells Gray PP through the Canadian desert and into the coastal mountains of BC. Remember, it's often the longer days that create the best bonding experiences for you and your new mates.

Day 17 Whistler

Day 18 Whistler/Tofino
The outdoor adventures are far from over. Take a ferry across to Vancouver Island and dance beneath ancient Douglas firs in MacMillan Provincial Park. You’ll arrive in time to witness a gorgeous west coast sunset. In the morning take a short drive to the ferry terminal before embarking to Nanaimo, also on Vancouver Island. Continue driving to Tofino on the far west of the island and experience stunning scenery, wildlife, and some pretty awesome photo ops along the way.

Day 19 Tofino
Get up close and personal with mother nature today on a half-day whale watching tour by Zodiac. Make a bet with your group and see who can spot the most orcas and other wildlife off of Tofino's coast. In the afternoon soak in views of this rugged and untamed landscape and spend time exploring endless stretches of beach. From hikes through rainforests to catching waves out in the Pacific Ocean Tofino is an outdoor adventurers' paradise. Whatever you decide the time is yours just make sure to grab your fill of this unique surfer town before it's time to move further south.

Day 20 Tofino/Victoria
It's off to Victoria today! Breathe in the lush smell of old growth forests and daydream as the island scenery passes you by. Stop at the Old Country Market in Coombs where you can buy souvenirs, grab a bite to eat, or simply sit and watch goats amble by on the roof above. Arrive in Victoria just in time to watch the sunset over the water. Then take the rest of the evening to relax in the city or hangout with your group and tell stories because there’s no doubt you have some by now!

Day 21 Victoria/Vancouver
Hop on a ferry back to the mainland. The trip ends upon arrival in Vancouver, but we recommend taking some time to discover this beautiful, moody, and invigorating city before you head home. Visit top sights like Stanley Park, Gastown, and the Vancouver Lookout as the day carries on. Not ready to say good-bye yet? Book some additional post-trip accommodation nights to keep your adventure going...because let's face it, taking one more day off is always worth it before heading back to reality.