Tip your Stetson to Canada’s ‘Cowboy Country’, kick-starting your adventure through the inimitable Rockies in Calgary. This evening, gather at your hotel joining your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception.
Embark on a spiritual encounter with the Canadian Rockies, admiring the ethereal beauty of Lake Louise, the surrounding summits and Victoria Glacier, before we continue along the Icefields Parkway. Skirt the craggy peaks, waterfalls and luminous glacial lakes keeping an eye out for bears, elk and mountain goats as you make your way through the wilderness to Jasper.
Soak up pristine natural surroundings enjoying a morning at leisure. Then venture to Maligne Lake and indulge in a Regional Lunch with wine at the Maligne Lake Chalet, a rustic log building situated on a rise of land offering magnificent views of beautiful Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park. Take to the aqua waters of Maligne Lake later this afternon (seasonal), admiring views of its three glaciers and Spirit Island, named by the Stoney Nation indigenous people for the experiences their ancestors had at this place centuries ago. It's a tiny grove of trees set in pristine nature separated from the mainland by an isthmus. Spirit Island becomes a true island for a few short days during the summer. Then enjoy the dramatic views as you take a guided walk to Maligne Canyon.
We crunch across the glistening icefield of Athabasca Glacier this morning, stepping aboard an Ice Explorer to learn about glaciers and their impact on the environment. Take a sip of ice cold glacier water and admire the surrounding snowcapped panorama before continuing your journey to the alpine village of Banff. Before dinner, you'll enjoy a rare opportunity to meet a retired Royal Canadian Mountie, dressed in the traditional red serge uniform. This Local Specialist will share colourful stories about life in the ‘force’ and even pose for a photo or two. Tonight, enjoy dinner with your fellow travellers.
Learn the art of playing the puck like a pro when you meet a real Canadian hockey player in Canmore. Dive into Culture and embrace Canada’s national sport, learning the secrets and superstitions of hockey players as a professional coach walks you through a day in the life of a player. Go inside the players' dressing room and put on the full hockey gear with help of a real coach. Grab your stick and it's off onto the ice where you'll soon find out whether you are a lefty or righty and learn how to score the big goal. A sightseeing excursion around Banff reveals the exquisite natural beauty of the area. Admire the classic viewpoint of Surprise Corner, spectacular Bow Falls, and the hoodoo rock formations.
Join your Travel Director for an optional excursion in the morning to explore the jewels of the Rockies, and head to Yoho National Park and Moraine Lake in the Valley of Ten Peaks. See Takakkaw Falls, the second tallest waterfalls in Canada. Straddle the continental divide at Kicking Horse Pass as you head to view the Spiral Tunnels, the famous railway built in the early 1900's. After a day in the Rockies, meet Julie, Owner and Entrepreneur of Banff Trail Riders and dive into the world of horsemanship in the Rockies. Meet a blacksmith, visit the leather work shop, and learn about the history of the barns followed by a traditional BBQ dinner.
Descend from high above and bid farewell to the Canadian Rockies. Take your transfer to Calgary International Airport or to the Westin Calgary if you are extending your stay or joining the Calgary Stampede Option.
Prices shown are per person based on two people sharing a twin room. To request a personalized travel quote, click "Request Quote" and a Travel Specialist will send your custom quote including airfare if requested.
Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.
Available on Day 3
Join the fun and experience an easy rafting / scenic float trip down the Athabasca River, a designated Canadian Heritage River. A National Park licensed guide will provide commentary on the human and natural history of Jasper while navigating you along the same route used by the “fur traders” over 2 centuries ago. Lifejackets and the specially designed, 25-foot-long, oar-powered rafts; offer a safe and comfortable ride through several small, easy sets of rapids and calm stretches that any first-time rafter will enjoy. Don’t worry the guides do all the rowing; you sit back and enjoy while exploring all the spectacular scenery drifting down a route that was used by fur traders many years ago. There is always a chance of seeing various wildlife including elk, deer, moose, coyotes, wolves, eagles, ospreys, mountain sheep and bears. Tours will operate rain or shine, and a poncho will be provided when required.
Adult Price: CAD 86
Available on Day 5
At the Banff Gondola, you’ll see more mountains in a moment than most see in a lifetime! Ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain to experience a bird’s eye view of six mountain ranges of the Canadian Rockies. Begin with an eight-minute journey to the summit in a fully enclosed four-passenger gondola cabin. The views become increasingly spectacular as you climb to an elevation of 7,486 feet to the Summit Upper Terminal. Witness the breathtaking views in every direction or go to the restaurant area to enjoy the views inside or from its upper deck. You can also take the Banff Skywalk for a short self-guided interpretive walkway along the summit ridge leading to the Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site of Canada. Subject to weather conditions.
Adult Price: CAD 70
You are in for something special as you are transported to Mount Assiniboine - "the Matterhorn" of the Canadian Rockies. Our most popular adventure has all the fantastic scenery of the previous tours plus a fly-by over top of the glacier. This photogenic peak rises majestically to 11,870 feet along the Great Divide. The Gloria and Assiniboine Glaciers will astound you. This is an experience you will never forget!
Adult Price: CAD 399
The most action-packed twenty minutes of your life. Get up close and personal with the famous Three Sisters Peaks. Reach out and touch them as you whisk by before escaping into the Spray Valley where you will explore the extraordinary hues of the Spray Lakes. Your return flight travels along the Goat Range before following the pristine Bow River back to Canmore. Prices are based on a minimum of 2 passengers.
Adult Price: CAD 294
Available on Day 6
This trail begins in the Valley of the Ten Peaks at stunning Moraine Lake. The drive alone to this location is worth it in itself. We’ll spend our time hiking leisurely along an old-growth forest trail to Consolation Lakes, where you’ll see the Fay Glacier atop Mount Babel. Upon our return, explore around Moraine Lake, including a trip to the top of the Rockpile. Due to bear restrictions, this is a great trip to do in a guided group. Rated: Easy. Hiking Time: 3-4 hours. Return Distance: 3.6 miles. Elevation Gain: 837 ft. More spots may be available based on demand.
Adult Price: CAD 127
Trail restrictions due to bear activity make this an ideal hike to take with a guided group. Beginning from the Valley of the Ten Peaks at Moraine Lake, the trail climbs, really climbs, up 10 switchbacks to Larch Valley on a well-maintained trail. After reaching the Valley, the trail easily ambles through a larch forest and then begins to gain elevation again towards Sentinal Pass and the Minestimma Lakes. Towards the Pass, views of the Ten Peaks, Moraine Lake and gigantic Mt. Temple (11,625 ft) will complete your experience. Please note that this hike does not continue to the top of Sentinel Pass. Rated: Moderate. Hiking TIme: 4-5 hours. Return distance: 5.6 miles. Elevation Gain: 1,500 ft.
Adult Price: CAD 127
Explore the jewels of the Rockies, and head to Yoho National Park and Moraine Lake in the Valley of Ten Peaks. See Takakkaw Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in British Columbia. Straddle the continental divide at kicking Horse Pass as you head to view the Spiral Tunnels, the famous railway built in the early 1900s.
Adult Price: CAD 35