8 day Vancouver and Northern Lights Canada trip

Itinerary in brief:

• 3 nights Vancouver        
• 3 nights Yukon 
• 1 night Vancouver          

Day 1: Arrive Vancouver     

On arrival in Vancouver, you will be greeted at the airport and driven to your hotel, where you’ll check in for three nights.

Day 2 & 3: Vancouver

Vancouver is a great city for foodies – spend the day hopping between independent cafés, craft breweries and food trucks. If you need to warm up, be sure to try poutine, a Canadian specialty of gravy and chips. If it’s a sunny day, a scenic cycle through Stanley Park is also a good way to keep snug and will reveal stunning views of the mountains as you near the water. There is plenty to do beyond the city limits – why not head up to Grouse Mountain and try snowshoeing before enjoying a fondue in the warm summit restaurant with views over Capilano Lake? We can book this for you – just ask!       

Day 4: Fly to Whitehorse     

Spend your morning in Vancouver with breakfast at a cosy café before being driven from your hotel to the airport for the short flight to Whitehorse, in the far north of Canada. On arrival you will be met and taken to the Boreale Ranch, where you will check in for three nights. Cross your fingers that the Aurora Borealis will make an appearance!    

Day 5 & 6: Boreale Ranch   

With 3 nights of opportunity, you’ve got a great chance of seeing the Northern Lights - huge blue and green streaks of light across the sky. Your days will be spent as you please – the ranch includes complimentary snowshoes and bikes, so you can hike through the snow-covered landscape or cycle on special fat bikes through the wilderness. There are plenty of other activities that you can book and pay for on arrival too, from dog sledding with playful huskies to cross country skiing and touring a local First Nation village. Whatever you do, the short days here will go by in a whirlwind.

Each evening you’ll enjoy a delicious meal influenced by northern ingredients like wild cranberries and salmon before wrapping up warm and heading outside. You can hunt for the Northern Lights from your balcony, the aurora viewing platform, the spa or in the warm glow of the bonfire. You’ll have to stay up quite late – the lights normally start appearing after 10pm. Over three days of late nights, long lie ins and hopefully some fantastic aurora sightings, you’ll leave this wintery wonderland with lasting memories of the Northern Canada.

*there is no guarantee of seeing the Aurora Borealis – they are a natural phenomenon and appear when they like!*   

Day 7: Fly to Vancouver      

After breakfast you’ll be taken to the airport for your flight back to Vancouver and be taken back into the city for one final night. Why not head out for dinner? Seafood and Asian food are both huge here, so find a small restaurant and toast your final night of exploring Canada.

Day 8: Depart Vancouver     

Today is your final day in Vancouver – take one last stroll along the harbour with views of the snow-tipped mountains before being picked up and taken to the airport for your onwards flight.