Vancouver to Kamloops Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

Key facts

What's included

Itinerary

1. Stop 1 Pass by

   Soon we'll find ourselves crossing the Port Mann Bridge. This was one of those expensive projects to improve traffic congestion. Opened in 1964, the original bridge was just over two kilometers long and spans the Fraser River. Note: The tour is over 215 miles long, with more than 75+ audio stories, and takes about 4 - 5 hours per tour to complete. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.

2. Stop 2

   We're approaching the small city of Chilliwack on the north side of the highway, and the smaller community of Sardis on the other side. During the gold rush days, 30,000 miners passed through here on their way to the gold fields.

   20 minutes

3. Stop 3 Pass by

   As we drive by the Clearwater Road highway exit, you may be able to catch a glimpse of a 47 foot tall raspberry public art sculpture on the south side of the highway.

4. Stop 4

   There was a time when everything surrounding us was all a lake. This area was reclaimed in the 1920s to create more farmland. In the process, the Chilliwack and Vedder Rivers were redirected away from Sumas Lake to the Sumas River, which drained into the Fraser River.

   40 minutes

5. Stop 5 Pass by

   This was the first area of the Lower Mainland to be settled by Europeans, and the fort was built in 1827 by the Hudson's Bay company. It was a trading post, initially for the fur traders, but then became pivotal for supplying other forts, the newly developing farming community, and then later outfitting thousands of gold Rush hopefuls before chasing their golden fortune dreams.

6. Stop 6

   The town of Hope is a good choice, as you will not see another town for at least one hour and no other sizable stops for at least two hours.

   20 minutes

7. Stop 7

   I see you want to take a look at the Hope slide. It's good to keep an open mind and remember to stop and see the things along the way as we drive. Many travelers rush past, forgetting that the journey itself is part of the adventure.

   15 minutes

8. Stop 8

   I highly recommend a quick visit to the Othello Tunnels, arguably the best sight on the entire highway five route. Unfortunately, the tunnels area was severely damaged by the November 2021 atmospheric river storm.

   15 minutes

9. Stop 9 Pass by

   Comstock Road and surrounding forestry roads are part of the course for a stage of the Canadian Rally Championships.

10. Stop 10

    The Coldwater River valley was traditionally home to the Coldwater Indian Band. Their story is a reminder of the First Nations' deep roots in this land, long before European settlers arrived.

    20 minutes

11. Stop 11 Pass by

    The waterway through Merritt combines the Nicola and Coldwater rivers. Historically, this river has caused flooding issues for the town, but today, it’s part of the area's natural charm.

12. Stop 12 Pass by

    We've reached the Surrey Lake summit at 1,440 meters (4,737 feet), the highest point on the Coquihalla Highway. Weather here can be harsh in winter, but generally, it’s a scenic spot to pause and enjoy the view.

13. Stop 13 Pass by

    This area began as a mining camp and now hosts North America's largest open-pit copper mine, a testament to the region’s mining history.

14. Stop 14 Pass by

    As we near Kamloops, BC, we pass through areas named after the local First Nations word, Kamloops, meaning 'meeting of the waters.'

Meeting point & pickup

Meet at the starting point

You can also begin the tour from MPF3+7F2, Kamloops, BC, Canada. The tour works in both directions, so you can start in Vancouver and end in Kamloops, or vice versa.

Cancellation & confirmation