Canada is a country where you’ll find nature at its finest, from Barkley Sound in BC - every day out on the water said to be comparable to an episode of National Geographic - to the towering Cypress Hills, where the skies of Saskatchewan come to life.
Spend ten days exploring Alberta, from the world-famous Calgary Stampede to its equally lauded national parks: Banff an outdoorsman’s paradise and Lake Louise and Moraine Lake two of the most photographed locations in the world.
In a compelling journey through Canada’s backcountry, you will have the opportunity to walk on (and drink from) the ancient Athabasca Glacier and take a boat trip to Spirit Island - the location of spiritual significance to the Stoney Nakoda First Nation. Round off your adventure with a six-night stay at the province’s historic Lucasia Working Ranch and herd the cattle across the Porcupine Hills.
10-day Alberta Uncovered self-drive from £744pp (two sharing). Departing 12 July.
Six nights at the Lucasia Working Ranch from £1,140pp (no single supplement). Departing 22 July.
Known affectionately as “Cowtown,” there’s still every reason to explore Calgary outside of the annual stampede. One of our favourite destinations, we would be happy to share our first-hand experience of the city as a guide to making the most of your stay.
Discover Saskatchewan on an eight-day self-drive, from its wide-open prairies in the Grasslands National Park - its free-roaming bison a major highlight - to the towering Cypress Hills where the living skies dominate the surroundings.
The self-drive will take you back to the Mesozoic Era when dinosaurs roamed the land, and the late 1800’s - Sitting Bull, Major James Walsh and Butch Cassidy (the outlaw caves at the Big Muddy Badlands a must-see) just some of the legendary figures who have made their mark on the province.
Start your adventure with a stay at Historic Reesor Ranch - the first ranch in Saskatchewan to be designated as a Provincial Heritage Property. Its history spans over 100 years, but even today little has changed in the way of activities - cattle drives, riding fence lines and checking cattle on horseback all part of the seven-night stay.
Eight-day Saskatchewan’s Living Skies self-drive from £595pp (two sharing).
Seven-nights at Historic Reesor Working Ranch from £1,126pp (no single supplement).
Explore British Columbia’s wild side on an eight-day self-drive through the Pacific Province. From Barkley Sound - whales, harbour porpoises, black bears, sea lion, harbour seals, sea otters, bald eagles, and a variety of seabirds often spotted in a mere few hours on the “all-around wildlife tours” - to the remote Desolation Sound Marine Provincial Park (only accessible by boat) - where you can snorkel with Giant Sunflower Stars, Red Sea Urchins, prickly-looking Sea Cucumbers and spiny Rockfish.
Finish in Whistler, “the adventure capital of the world” offering zip trekking, bear watching, quad biking, mountain biking, hiking and more.
Start or end your adventure with a stay at BC's Big Creek Lodge - the ranch located in a pristine wilderness on the West Coast of Canada at the foot of the Coast Mountains. Cattle work and country trail riding are on offer, the cowboy way of life unchanged here for over 100 years. Fishing, mountain biking, hiking and gold panning are additional activities, and for the ultimate western adventure, book the overnight camp out where you can commune with the sights and sounds of nature, the ride to the Anvil Mountain Camp taking you through the Big Creek Provincial Park.
Eight/ten-day Wilds of British Columbia self-drive from £595pp (two sharing).
Seven nights at the Big Creek Working/Guest Ranch from £1,139pp (no single supplement).
Award-winning travel writer, Aaron Millar, who recently released his new book, “50 Greatest National Parks Around the World,” has a soft spot for Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve in British Columbia.
Aaron says, “Known as the ‘Galapagos of the North’, these little-known islands 62-miles off the northern coast of British Columbia are one of the most ecologically rich places on the planet, home to humpback whales, Orcas, more than one million nesting sea-birds and the rare Haida Gwaii black bear.”
Visit Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve on your self-drive - all of our itineraries tailor-made - or choose from any of the country’s 13 provinces and territories.
Ranch Rider works with sister company “The Independent Traveller.” Also a Canada expert, the tour operator can show you every corner of the Great White North, its authentic ranch stays, spellbinding scenery, abundant wildlife and friendly people, keeping you coming back to experience more…
Ranch Rider (01509 618 811; ranchrider.com) ATOL PROTECTED No 4660 ABTA 96395/V9150.
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