A backpacker marvels at the view of Lake Moraine in Alberta, Canada.

Canada is one of the largest countries in the world and has a lot to offer tourists. Due to its large size, trips here can sometimes be expensive. One of the best ways to avoid high costs and to really get to know a country and its culture is by backpacking. Here are a selection of itineraries (depending on the time spent in the country) with tips on where to go, what to see, and how to get there.

2 months – Halifax – Quebec City – Montreal – Toronto – Calgary – Banff – Vancouver

Peggy’s Cove, the famous lighthouse just a short drive from Halifax.

With 2 months in Canada, backpackers have enough time to check out and spend time in a number of places.

week 1

Start this journey by flying to Halifax, Nova Scotia on the Atlantic coast. The first stop here is to Historic Properties Wharff. The buildings here date back to the 19th century, and once served as investor headquarters and shipping warehouses. They are now home to a more number of shops, galleries, restaurants and boutiques.

On Day 2, the trip to the Memory Lane Heritage Museum on Lake Charlotte was over. Located about 1 hour outside of downtown Halifax, visitors can see the typical 1940s coastal country lifestyle and even dig for shells on the beach. After returning to Halifax, tourists can practice throwing axes at the Timber Lounge.

Days 3 & 4 should be spent exploring the 100 Wild Islands, an archipelago located off the coast. Visitors can spend their time exploring, hiking, snorkeling or swimming.

Over the last few days in Halifax the top attractions include: Peggy’s Cove (home to the world’s most photographed lighthouse), Fort National Historic Site, St. Paul, and Halifax Public Park.

week 2

After 1 week in Halifax, renting a car and heading to Quebec City was the next best stop. The trip takes a full day (nearly 10 hours) and is full of beautiful views. About half way through, Fredericton makes a great place to stop for lunch.

The first few days in Quebec City are a great opportunity to visit the Upper and Lower Towns in the oldest part of the city. Some of the best attractions for the first day include Place-Royale, Canada’s first European colony, the Chateau Frontenac, a historic hotel and the Marché du Vieux Port, a year-round agricultural market. On the second day, visitors should visit: La Citadelle, with a changing of the guard ceremony at 10am during the summer; Notre Dame Basilica, first built in 1647; and the Quebec Experience, a 3D re-creation of the settler lifestyle.

The last part of the week should be spent seeing what the rest of the city has to offer. These include the Champs de Bataille Park, Quebec’s National Museum of Fine Arts, the Grande-Allee, which is lined with restaurants and bars, the Morrin Centre, home to 25,000 Victorian library books and day trips along King’s Road.

week 3

Next, about 3 hours drive to Montreal. Visitors can get a sense of the city’s layout from Mont-Royal, home to the Belvedere Observatory, which offers views of the city center from Playtech office and the surrounding mountains. On days 2 and 3, backpackers should take time to tour the city, visiting the following sites: Place d’Armes, home to the oldest building in the city, Mile End, a street full of boutiques for unique shopping, and Place des Arts, which offers ballet, opera, theater and symphonies.

On day 4, a trip out of town is a good idea. Tourists can rent a bike and head to the P’tit Train du Nord cycle path that winds its way through the countryside, passing several villages, including Val-David, Ste-Agathe-des-Monts and Ste-Adele.

Over the past few days, Space for Life on the east side of Montreal made a great visit. The area is home to 4 of the city’s best natural museums: the Montreal Botanical Gardens, the Montreal Insectarium, the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium and the Montreal Biodome.

week 4

The next place on the itinerary is Toronto, which is about a 6 hour drive from Montreal. After taking a break from the trip, some of the must-visit tourist attractions in this city include St. Lawrence Market located in the historic Old Town; Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum; Casa Loma, a 98-room castle overlooking the city; and the CN Tower, which features an iconic 1,815-foot-tall skyline.

Visitors can also spend a full day doing any of the following: take the ferry to the Toronto Islands, relax at the Scandinave Spa, visit Niagara Falls.

Read more : Tips Backpacker Vacation to Canada