West Coast Hiking Tour, Guided Adventure in Canada

Itinerary

• Day 1: Into the mountains

  We’ll pick you up at 10am from your downtown Vancouver hotel and drive to the North Shore. From there, we’ll catch a tram up into the mountains for a 45-minute hike, followed by lunch at Altitudes Bistro, with stunning views of Vancouver and English Bay 1,130 m (3,700 ft) below. After lunch, we’ll take the tram back down and drive up the Sea-to-Sky Highway to Squamish, where we’ll set up camp, enjoy a feast, and discuss the days ahead.

  Meals: Dinner
  Hiking: 45 minutes
  Accommodation: Camping

  
• Day 2: Land of Seas and Summits

  After breakfast, we’ll take a short drive to the Sea to Sky Gondola and ride high above Howe Sound and Squamish to the start of our hike. From the top, we’ll enjoy sweeping views back along Howe Sound toward Vancouver and up the valley into the Coast Mountains and Whistler area.

  Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
  Typical hike: Al’s Habrich Trail, 8.5 km (5.3 mi), +340 m (1,115 ft)
  Optional trip: Helicopter drop on Goat Ridge for a long scenic traverse before dropping back down to the gondola to exit
  Accommodation: Camping
  

  
• Day 3: Climb the Chief!

  The Stawamus Chief, a massive granite dome rising 700 m (2,300 ft) straight from the ocean, towers above Squamish with three stunning summits offering incredible views. Our hike, known to few locals, starts behind the Chief and takes us to all three peaks via an exciting network of trails and ladders.

  Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
  Typical hike: 3-Peak Trail, 7 km (4.3 mi), +690 m (2,264 ft)
  Optional trip: Whitewater rafting the Elaho River
  Accommodation: Camping
  

  
• Days 4, 5, 6: Land of Fire & Ice

  Over these three days, we hike into Garibaldi Provincial Park and set up camp on the shoulder of the northernmost Cascade volcano, near the base of an immense glacier system. The next day offers the choice to hike up onto the glacier for a walk on the ice or head down to Mamquam Lake for a refreshing swim in its pristine waters beneath the striking Mamquam Mountain.

  Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
  Typical hike in: Red Heather Trail to Elfin Lakes, 10 km (6 mi), +850 m (2,800 ft)
  Typical middle day hike: Opal Cone to Mamquam Lake, 10 km (6 mi), +700 m (2,300 ft)
  Typical hike out: Hike back out to the Red Heather Trail, 10 km (6 mi), +100 m (330 ft)
  Accommodation: Camping
  

  
• Day 7: Lakes, waterfalls, and secret stashes

  After leaving the Squamish area, we make our way to the stunning shores of Callaghan Lake, a hidden gem just outside Whistler. This area boasts fascinating geology, including a rare tuya mountain, sparkling tarns, waterfalls, and hanging valleys. From camp, we paddle canoes across the serene lake to reach the Cirque Lake trailhead, then hike into a secluded alpine valley surrounded by towering cliffs and a glacier.

  Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
  Typical hike: Cirque Lake, 3.5 km (2.2 mi), +350 m (1,150 ft)
  Canoeing: 2 km (1.2 mi)
  Optional trip: Journeyman Lodge hike & lunch
  Accommodation: Camping
  

  
• Day 8: Showers, beds, and goodbyes

  On our final day, we break camp in the morning and load up the van for the drive back to Vancouver, ready for hot showers and comfy beds—but not before stopping at the famous Fergie’s for a well-earned breakfast.

  For those craving a little extra adventure, we can tack on side trips like Anvil Island, where a water taxi takes us across Howe Sound for a hike to one of the most spectacular lookouts around, followed by a night camping on its serene shoreline. Let us know if interested!