Drive among the incredible scenic beauty of Vancouver Island and the Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest is full of diverse and beautiful landscapes for you to discover on this self-drive adventure. This itinerary leads you to the mountains and coastline so you can hike and explore Seattle, Whistler, and Vancouver Island.
The Pacific Northwest Self-Drive Tour begins in Puget Sound, where you’ll have time to visit Seattle and then travel to the spectacular Olympic Mountains. Then, it’s on to the charming towns on Vancouver Island before you return to the mainland. Your tour ends with a journey from sea to sky as you get to explore both the port city of Vancouver and the world-famous mountain resort, Whistler. The Pacific Northwest Self-Drive Tour is the perfect go-at-your-own pace adventure that features the pacific coast's remarkable and unique landscapes.
Highlights of the Pacific Northwest Self-Drive Tour
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Pacific Northwest Self-Drive Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Seattle
Your tour officially begins today when you arrive in Seattle. Pick up a rental vehicle at the Seattle airport, and check into your hotel. You’re free for the rest of the day to explore Seattle.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Seattle
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Discover Seattle
Today, you will enjoy exploring this beautiful harbor city. You may want to start your day at the original Starbucks location and then take your coffee to go while you wander the famous Pike Place Market. You can also walk along the waterfront or visit the Chihuly Gardens & Glass Museum to view the incredible glassworks of this famous local artist. End your day with a trip up the Space Needle to view the skyline from the top of this free-standing tower.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Seattle
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 3 Journey to the Olympic Peninsula
Today, you’ll begin your road trip into the Olympic Mountains. Drive to the little city of Port Angeles, which will be your gateway to finding rugged sandy beaches, lush forests, and the beautiful Olympic Mountains.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Port Angeles
Distance: 140km
Meals: None
Day 4 Hiking in Olympic National Park
Spend the day hiking in Olympic National Park, where you’ll find numerous trails through the endless green of the rainforest and into the mountain valleys. You may also want to drive to some of the marked whale-watching spots along the Whale Trail to see if you can catch a glimpse of the enormous creatures. To cap off the day, you can stop at Sol Duc for a relaxing visit to the hot springs.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Port Angeles
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 5 Ferry to Canada
This morning, you’ll need to leave your rental car behind in Port Angeles and board the ferry to Vancouver Island. When you arrive in Victoria, you can pick up a new Canadian rental car and check into your hotel. Spend the afternoon visiting Victoria—make sure to stroll downtown in the evening to view the picture-perfect scenery of the harbour and government buildings covered in bright lights.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Victoria
Distance: 45km
Meals: None
Day 6 Downtown Victoria and Vancouver Island Drive
Take a quiet stroll along Dallas Road for a spectacular view of the Olympic Mountains across the water, or visit the lively Fisherman’s Warf and Inner Harbour of downtown Victoria. Before you leave the city, you may want to book the optional Scenic Seaplane Tour that showcases the breathtaking Juan De Fuca Strait and the mountains surrounding this pretty city. In the afternoon, you’ll start your drive up-island through the temperate rainforest to the remote surf town of Tofino.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Tofino
Distance: 315km
Meals: None
Day 7 Whale Watching and Nature Walks
Begin your day with a coffee from a cute café like Rhino Tofino and take a stroll to watch the surf crash into the beach. Then, you can take a free walking tour in Pacific Rim National Park and hike through the lush forests. In the afternoon, you’ll take a zodiac whale-watching tour of Clayoquot Bay and look for whales, seals, sea lions, eagles, and other marine life.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Tofino
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 8 Visit the Cathedral Grove
Continue your road trip north towards Campbell River. Stop at Cathedral Grove Provincial Park for a walk through the ancient Douglas firs that soar above you. Spend the evening discovering the charming town of Campbell River.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Campbell River
Distance: 270km
Meals: None
Day 9 Outdoor Adventures in Campbell River
Today, you’ll be exploring the beautiful hiking trails in Elk Falls Provincial Park. Take a hike to view the spectacular waterfalls and cross a dramatic suspension bridge over the canyon. You can also book a wildlife tour to get to know the local fauna.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Campbell River
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 10 Scenic Drive to Parksville
This morning, you’ll take the spectacular coastal drive down to Parksville. Spend the day relaxing at Qualicum Beach and exploring the treasures of Parksville.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Parksville
Distance: 125km
Meals: None
Day 11 Journey from Sea to Sky
Drive to Nanaimo and take the ferry back to the mainland. Enjoy the scenic ride and watch for whales and other marine wildlife on the journey to Horseshoe Bay. Then, you’ll take the Sea to Sky Highway into the mountains to Whistler. You’ll have two nights to enjoy this spectacular ski resort village.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Whistler
Distance: 200km
Meals: None
Day 12 Play All Day in Whistler
You have the whole day to enjoy everything Whistler has to offer. Take a scenic gondola ride for incredible mountain views, go hiking, or even take advantage of the thrilling mountain biking tracks. You could also spend the entire day exploring the shops and world-class restaurants in the pedestrian village.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Whistler
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 13 Discover Vancouver
Take a final stroll through Whistler before you begin your drive to Vancouver. When you arrive, you can check in to your hotel and then head out to explore the city. Go for a walk around Stanley Park, or visit historic Gastown and Chinatown. You have the option to book an hour Vancouver Harbour cruise, which is the perfect way to end the day.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Vancouver
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 14 Spend Another Day Exploring Vancouver
You have another full day to spend in Vancouver. You could visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge or challenge yourself on the 3-kilometre trail of stone stairs on Grouse Mountain known as the Grouse Grind. If you stay in the city for the day, walk up and down Commercial Drive or Main Street to brush shoulders with the locals. Take your pick of several delectable restaurants and breweries while you’re here.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Vancouver
Distance: 120km
Meals: None
Day 15 Final Day
Your tour officially ends when you return your rental vehicle to the Vancouver International Airport. Take your flight home or continue on the next stop on your journey.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: None
Pacific Northwest Self-Drive Tour Price and Dates
This self-guided tour of the Pacific Northwest is run as private tour for your group only, and the price per person depends on how many people are in your group, as well as your travelling dates.
Prices below are per person:
- Groups of 2+: from $1,950 USD per person*
* - Please note that the price might change based on your travelling times and your group size.
Book NowAccommodation on Pacific Northwest Discovery
This tour is based on hotel accommodations. Hotels on this trip are standard 3-star and offer comfortable rooms with modern conveniences. Your hotels have been selected to be in convenient locations along your route.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. Single rooms, including those for solo travellers, are by request.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Hotel in Seattle
Enjoy a comfortable stay in this iconic PNW city. The restaurant, music, and arts scenes are thriving, and you’ll have no trouble filling your time here.
Hotel in Port Angeles
Relax in this quaint town that doubles as the gateway to Olympic National Park. Support the local businesses while you’re here and choose born-and-bred restaurants.
Hotel in Victoria
Victoria draws visitors year-round for its pleasant climate, undeniably kind and laid-back people, and charming downtown core. Check out the Inner Harbour, Cook Street Village, and Dallas Road.
Hotel in Tofino
You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a mystical land when you see the sandy beaches in Tofino at the edge of the forest. This popular surf town keeps its cool and hasn’t been over-developed.
Hotel in Campbell River
This mid-island adorable town has rustic charm written all over it. Make sure to try some local salmon after a full day of exploring the surrounding nature.
Hotel in Parksville
Parksville sits on Vancouver Island’s coast and has several sandy beaches, perfect for strolling. The town has a sandcastle-building competition every summer from mid-July to mid-August.
Hotel in Whistler
This world-class destination awaits outside of your local digs. Enjoy exploring Whistler and then kicking back in your comfy bed.
Hotel in Vancouver
Welcome to Vancouver! Settle in and sleep off any jetlag at your comfortable hotel.
What’s Included in the Pacific Northwest Self-Drive Tour?
Meals
Meals are not included in this tour.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 14 nights are included. Accommodations before the tour in Seattle and after the tour in Vancouver are not included but can be added as a supplement.
Transportation during the Tour
This is a self-drive tour; however, your rental vehicles in the US and Canada are not included. The ferries between Port Angeles and Victoria, and Nanaimo and Vancouver are included.
Also Included
- Zodiac whale-watching tour of Clayoquot Bay from Tofino
- Ferry between Port Angeles (USA) and Victoria (Canada)
- Ferry between Nanaimo and Vancouver
- Canadian taxes
- American taxes
- 24/7 access to helpline
Not included
- Flights to Seattle, Washington and from Vancouver, BC
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Guide service
- Optional activities
- Entrance fees to national parks
- Gratuities for tour guides or other staff if desired
- Vehicle insurance
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Optional activities or excursions:
-
- Seaplane tour of Victoria and Juan de Fuca Strait (20 Minutes)
- 1 Hour Vancouver harbour tour
Frequently Asked Questions about Pacific Northwest Self-Drive Tour
In the two decades since Toundra Voyages Inc. was founded in 1998, the company has become North America’s go-to travel agency in customized independent and group tourism.
Tounda takes a flexible, responsive approach to developing adventure travel tours. By listening to the wants and wishes of travellers, they’ve been able to create memorable, affordable tours complemented by impeccable service.
Toundra’s mission is to create and organize tailor-made travel. They select, adapt, and personalize travel experiences in North America for each and every guest, ensuring your adventure is one you’ll never forget.
Meeting your expectations is just the beginning of what Toundra aims to accomplish. Exceeding them by providing exceptional experiences in beautiful North America is their standard, and their track record of knockout customer service and customized tour planning speaks for itself.
Learn MoreMap of Pacific Northwest Self-Drive Tour
Map of Pacific Northwest Self-Drive Tour
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