Day 1
Fly to Calgary
Fly to Calgary and transfer independently to your hotel (approx. CAD $40)
Two nights Calgary: Classic Hotel – Ramada Hotel Downtown Calgary; Deluxe Hotel - Fairmont Palliser Calgary
Day 2
Calgary
Enjoy a full day to acclimatise to Canada, in the city of Calgary. Explore the city at a relaxed place and perhaps ascend the Calgary Tower where you will see the Rockies soaring in the distance. Stroll the pedestrianised Stephen Avenue Walk where you will also discover great shopping opportunities and a lovely range of restaurants and cafes. You could also visit Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre and enjoy some live music over lunch in the atmospheric King Eddy pub.
Day 3
Calgary – Lake Louise
A scheduled coach transfer will pick you up from your hotel for your two hour journey into the Rockies. Enjoy a stroll to admire the beautiful views of this famous lake and enjoy the amenities of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
Two nights Lake Louise: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in a standard room (upgrades available for a supplement)
Day 4
Lake Louise
Enjoy a relaxed day at this beautiful lake. In the summer months Lake Louise is understandably popular for day trippers and at peak times parts can become crowded, but staying at the Fairmont allows you to enjoy this gorgeous location at your own pace. You can talk a walk along one of the well-marked trails or we can book you onto the Lake Louise Sightseeing Lift (see the “Optional Excursions” tab for details).
Day 5
Lake Louise to Jasper via the Icefields Parkway
You’ll be picked up from your hotel for a beautiful journey by coach along the Icefields Parkway into the Jasper National Park. Following the spine of the Canadian Rockies, enjoy a never-ending procession of mammoth mountains, jagged snowy peaks, and numerous glaciers. The entire day is spent in the majesty of Canada’s two most famous National Parks, Banff and Jasper, and a picnic lunch is included. Along the way you will have sightseeing stops including Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake, the Columbia Ice fields, the Weeping Wall and Athabasca Falls. Your stop at the Columbia Ice field will include admission to the Glacier Explorer and Glacier SkyWalk.
Check in to your Jasper hotel and then explore this charming mountain town. During your time in Jasper, you may have the chance to see the glorious Northern Lights. It’s always dependent on how clear the skies are, but between February and April the Aurora Borealis make an appearance at least once a week.
Three nights Jasper: Classic Hotel – Lobstick Lodge; Deluxe Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
Days 6 & 7
Jasper National Park
You have two full days to enjoy Jasper National Park and there is lots to see and do. To make the most of your time here, we suggest that you choose a couple of activities that we can book for you before you go. Here are a few of our favourites and you can find approximate prices in the “Optional Excursions” tab.
Jasper Wildlife Discovery Tour - A morning tour of this beautiful area with a friendly local driver guide who will reveal some of Jasper’s hidden gems and share their knowledge of the history, geology, and ecology of the area. You will be driven through the Athabasca Valley to spot elk, deer, coyotes, wolves and moose.
Sidecar Motorcycle Tour of Jasper - Enjoy a personalised sightseeing tour unlike any other, for one or two passengers. You can view the beautiful lakes, historical sites, view points, and attractions of the Jasper area from the freedom of the sidecar or riding pillion on a Harley-Davidson or touring motorcycle driven by a professional rider. One, two or three hour tours are available, and full leather gear including a heated vest is provided.
Nature Tour to Maligne Lake with Cruise - Embark on a tour of one of the most spectacular areas of Jasper National Park. The first stop is at Maligne Canyon where 10,000 years of erosion have created a 49-metre deep gorge. Set off on a short walk to marvel at the Maligne River as it thunders through the canyon in a series of waterfalls. From the canyon continue to the “mysteriously” disappearing Medicine Lake and then to Maligne Lake for a 90-minute interpretative boat cruise bound for the world-renowned -Spirit Island.
Jasper Skytram - The longest and highest guided aerial tramway in Canada providing visitors with unprecedented views of six mountain ranges, glacial fed lakes, the Athabasca River and the scenic mountain town-site of Jasper. Enjoy the views from the boardwalks or venture out onto the Summit Trail to explore the unique alpine plants and wildlife.
Jasper Downtown Foodie Tour - Beginning at 2pm, you will have a guided walk over three hours (but covering only a mile in distance!) visiting four restaurants and tasting four carefully handpicked dishes, each paired with an alcoholic beverage. Along the way you will learn about Jasper’s history and taking in some of the town’s best tales.
Day 8
Jasper – Banff
This morning you will be picked up from your hotel to return south to the Banff National Park, this time for a three night stay in the charming mountain town of Banff. Explore Banff Avenue and the neighbouring streets, where you will find quirky boutiques, characterful cafes and lively restaurants, all with the magnificent back drop of the mountains.
Three nights Banff: Classic Hotel – Elk + Avenue; Deluxe Hotel - Fairmont Banff Springs
Days 9 & 10
Banff National Park
You have two full days to enjoy the oldest national park in Canada, established in 1885 when the hot springs were “discovered” and tourism began. The hot springs were already well known to the First Nations peoples who had lived here for many many years – Banff is located on the traditional territories of the Iyarhe Nakoda Nations (Bearspaw, Wesley, Chiniki), the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut'ina – part of the Dene people, Ktunaxa, Secwepemc, Mountain Cree, and Metis. We can book you tickets for admission into the Hot Springs, or several other activities such as these:
Banff Gondola – Ascend Sulphur Mountain for awe-inspiring 360-degree panoramic views of six mountain ranges. At the visit centre there is an interesting exhibition where you can learn all about the local geography, geology and history, and there is a lovely café for drinks and snacks, and a very good restaurant (you can book a table online)
Helicopter Tours of the Rockies: Take a spectacular flight-seeing tour of the Rockies. We have three options to choose from – see the “Optional Excursions” tab for details and approximate prices.
Banff Cowboy Cookout – Either ride on horseback travelling along the trail at the base of Sulphur Mountain, and or enjoy a scenic covered-wagon ride along the Bow River. Everyone meets up for a BBQ steak cookout at 3 Mile Cabin by the Sundance Canyon Trail. After lunch, return to Banff.
Lake Minnewanka Cruise - This boat tour will immerse you in a rugged wilderness steeped in history, Aboriginal folklore and geology. Nestled in the heart of Banff National Park, Lake Minnewanka offers some of the most interesting and spectacular scenery found anywhere in the Canadian Rockies.
Day 11
Depart Banff - Fly home
After a leisurely start, a coach will pick you up from your hotel to take you to Calgary airport and catch your flight home.
