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Introducing British Columbia

British Columbia covers a huge territory, with around 16,000 miles (26,000 km) of Pacific coastline that rises inland to the dramatic glacier-topped mountains of the Canadian Rockies. While British Columbia is the perfect destination for outdoor adventure, you'll also discover great wine in the Okanagan Valley, a rich indigenous heritage and gold rush history, and a vast pristine wilderness to explore.

When is the best time to visit?
There are two main seasons for traveling—the winter season, which is best for skiing at resorts or in the backcountry or visiting hot springs, and the spring-through-fall season, which is best for road trips, urban exploring, and hiking, biking, and sea kayaking in the outdoors. Learn more

Where should I go in British Columbia?
For a true wilderness experience, head to northern British Columbia to explore a sparsely populated region full of wildlife, remote lake chains, mountains, and countless rivers to canoe or raft. Southern British Columbia is more developed and thus has more options for road trips: for dramatic mountains, head to the Canadian Rockies; for great wine and food, head to the Okanagan Valley; and for coastal rainforest, head to Vancouver Island and the Great Bear Rainforest. Learn more

How many days do I need?
People are often surprised by the scale of British Columbia (it's twice as large as California). It takes multiple weeks to cover more than one region without feeling too rushed, so plan your trip accordingly. If you have 3-7 days, stick to one region. With 2 weeks, you can combine 2-3 regions, and with a month or more you can visit the main highlights of the entire province. Learn more

Getting around British Columbia
The best way to get around British Columbia is by rental car or RV. There are numerous routes, campgrounds, and amenities that make this easy and car ferries will shuttle you between islands. Expect to take multiple ferries if you're exploring the coastline or chartered floatplanes if you're flying into the more remote regions. Domestic flights are also a great way to combine regions that are far apart.

Explore trips by duration: 5 days · 6 days · 7 days · 8 days · 9 days · 10 days · 11 days · 12 days · 13 days · 14 days · 15 days · 16 days

British Columbia Tours & Itineraries

Get inspired by trips other travelers have loved
Emerald Lake, Yoho National Park
Map of Canadian Rockies Road Trip: Banff, Lake Louise, & Jasper - 7 Days
Canadian Rockies Road Trip: Banff, Lake Louise, & Jasper - 7 Days

One week is just enough time to explore the Canadian Rockies without feeling too rushed. Designed for those looking to get up into the mountains, this route starts and ends in Calgary and focuses on providing the best access to amazing trails as well as lesser-known regions that evade the crowds. The ideal season for this route is May through September. 

Trail to Helen Lake, Banff National Park
Map of Canadian Rockies Road Trip: Banff, Lake Louise & Jasper - 5 Days
Canadian Rockies Road Trip: Banff, Lake Louise & Jasper - 5 Days

With just three full days, this is the minimum amount of time you'll want to get a great feel for the Canadian Rockies. Besides two longer days of driving, you'll be able to focus your time exploring the countless trails and viewpoints along the scenic Icefields Parkway. After returning to Canmore on your last night, it's a short drive to Calgary for your onward journey. 

Moraine Lake and the Valley of the Ten Peaks
Map of Canadian Rockies Road Trip: Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, & Canmore - 13 Days
Canadian Rockies Road Trip: Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, & Canmore - 13 Days

Designed for outdoor adventure lovers, this route gets you away from the crowds into the best alpine scenery of the Canadian Rockies. You'll start and end in Calgary and drive the iconic Icefields Parkway in both directions, taking in Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper, with minimal driving time and more time in nature. 

Hiking in the Ten Peaks Valley, Banff National Park
Map of Canadian Rockies Road Trip: Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, & Canmore - 10 Days
Canadian Rockies Road Trip: Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, & Canmore - 10 Days

With 10 days, you'll have enough time to explore all the highlights of the Canadian Rockies between Banff and Jasper. You'll also have time to get off the beaten path and away from the crowds, either on a multi-day hiking adventure, to a wilderness lodge, or into the lesser-known (but just a stunning) region of Kananaskis.

Tod Lake near Sun Peaks Resort
Map of British Columbia Circuit: Whistler, Shuswap & Okanagan Valley - 7 Days
British Columbia Circuit: Whistler, Shuswap & Okanagan Valley - 7 Days

A week-long road trip featuring British Columbia's Coast Mountains and the wine region of the Okanagan. Starting and ending in Vancouver, you'll drive through Whistler, Sun Peaks, and then south through the Okanagan Valley to Kelowna and back to Vancouver. This route is relatively fast-paced and best suited for those who are short on time but want to cover the main highlights of the Coast Mountains and Okanagan. 

The Icefields Parkway in fall
Map of Canadian Rockies Road Trip: Banff, Lake Louise, & Jasper - 6 Days
Canadian Rockies Road Trip: Banff, Lake Louise, & Jasper - 6 Days

With just 6 days, base yourself out of Banff and Jasper for convenient access to some of the best hiking trails and viewpoints in the Canadian Rockies. Besides a couple of longer days of driving, this itinerary is designed to get you outside and into what these parks are all about—alpine trails, turquoise lakes, giant glaciers, and great opportunities to see wildlife. 

Make the Most of Your Time in British Columbia

Have a fixed number of days? Maximize the things to see and do during your visit
Salmon Glacier in Stewart, northern British Columbia
How Many Days to Spend in British Columbia

British Columbia is vast—bigger than New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and most US states—and even travelers with generous schedules will have choices to make when planning a...

British Columbia Travel Advice

Read our detailed insights to make sure you have the best trip

Our Latest British Columbia Content

British Columbia's Parliament Buildings in Victoria are lovely to see  when lit up
British Columbia in September: Travel Tips, Weather & More

September is autumn in British Columbia, with pleasant and still-summery weather in many parts of the province. A variety of festivals in Victoria, Vancouver, and Kelowna showcase some of British Columbia's finest culture and cuisine, making September a great month to visit. Read on to learn more.

Visit Vancouver in winter
British Columbia in December: Travel Tips, Weather & More

December's cold, frosty weather brings snow sports enthusiasts back to British Columbia for the busy winter season. Hit the slopes at popular mountain resorts throughout the province, especially in the Rocky Mountains and around Vancouver. Not into skiing? Check out the big city attractions of Vancouver instead, or watch the storms roll in on Vancouver Island. Here's what you can see, do, and experience in British Columbia in December.

Visit Whistler in November
British Columbia in November: Travel Tips, Weather & More

November is the end of fall and the start of winter in British Columbia. As the snow sports season kicks into gear, visitors can hit the slopes or the trails, or opt for other shoulder-month pursuits, like bird watching and attending food festivals. Find out more about visiting British Columbia in November below.

British Columbia Travel Maps

Get the lay of land, and understand distances between the places you want to visit
Map Best of the Canadian Rockies Road Trip - 7 Days
Best of the Canadian Rockies Road Trip - 7 Days
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Map Best of the Canadian Rockies Road Trip - 5 Days
Best of the Canadian Rockies Road Trip - 5 Days
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Map Best of the Canadian Rockies Road Trip - 13 Days
Best of the Canadian Rockies Road Trip - 13 Days
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Trip Reviews for British Columbia

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

Trip to Canadian Rockies
British Columbia | Sep 26 - Oct 2, 2023

Asuncion
Asuncion B.
Ridgewood, NJ | Reviewed on Dec 11, 2023

It was an amazing experience !
Our tour guide John and driver Mike were so accommodating , excellent trip planning . They went above and beyond my expectations. Kudos to this team in Kimkim. I highly recommend them !

Local specialist: Carl Saulnier-Gagnon

Our tour guide John and the coach driver were...
British Columbia | Sep 26 - Oct 2, 2023

Maribel
Maribel T.
Marlboro, NJ | Reviewed on Nov 10, 2023
Our tour guide John and the coach driver were awesome. we had a wonderful experience . Read more

Our tour guide John and the coach driver were awesome. we had a wonderful experience .

Hotel Review
Residence Inn by Marriott Calgary Downtown/Beltline District
Calgary

The ambiance was very good.

Authenticity & Character
Huge and spacious rooms.
Location
It’s close to downtown , walking distance to the places we want to explore.
Staff
Accommodating.
Cleanliness & Comfort
It has all the comforts of home away from home.
Activity Reviews
Explore around Banff
Explore around Banff
British Columbia

Banff is so beautiful. The lake ar pristine. we visited when there was not a lot of tourists.It’s like having the place to ourselves. we had a great trip .

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tour guide
Calgary Int. Aiport ( YYC)
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Carl Saulnier-Gagnon

What a wonderful lifetime axperience with our...
British Columbia | Sep 26 - Oct 2, 2023

Evelyn
Evelyn A.
Canada | Reviewed on Nov 08, 2023
What a wonderful lifetime axperience with our group Canadian rockies. John our guide was friendly, exprienced and knowledgeable. The places we went are exactly the one in my bucket list. The trip was well planned with few changes but amazing alternates. Thanks to you Carl. Read more

What a wonderful lifetime axperience with our group Canadian rockies. John our guide was friendly, exprienced and knowledgeable. The places we went are exactly the one in my bucket list. The trip was well planned with few changes but amazing alternates. Thanks to you Carl.

Hotel Review
Forest Park Hotel
Jasper

Staff are friendly and accommodating. Nice room homey, and hotel generally clean and neat. Breakfast is superb! Will be back there for sure.

Authenticity & Character
The fireplace
Location
Walking distance to everything
Staff
Friendly and accomodating
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rooms
Local specialist: Carl Saulnier-Gagnon