Day 1 Calgary to Banff | 115 km/72 mi
Leave the Stampede City of Calgary for the short drive to Banff, a resort town renowned for its scenic natural beauty and stunning wildlife.
Day 2 Banff | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 4 Excursions
Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of four excursions.
Option 1. Banff Gondola
Maximize your views of Banff National Park with minimal exertion on a round-trip gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain.
Option 2. Lake Minnewanka Cruise
Admire views of the Canadian Rockies by boat as you cruise across the turquoise-hued Lake Minnewanka and over to Devil’s Gap.
Option 3. River Explorer Canoe Tour
Enjoy the serenity of the Bow River and marvel at the surroundings. A fun & interactive way with your guide to explore the waterways of Banff National Park. Perfect for families. No paddling experience necessary.
Option 4. Bow River Horseback Adventure
Saddle up for a journey through the celebrated landscape of Banff National Park on this guided horseback riding adventure.
Day 3 Banff to Emerald Lake | 93 km/60 mi
Enjoy the leisurely drive from Banff. Choose the Bow Valley Parkway, beside the Bow River, with an option for you to take a stop at Johnston Canyon and walk along the paved footpath to either the lower or upper waterfalls before continuing to into Yoho National Park and Emerald Lake Lodge. The word Yoho is the Cree word expressing awe. This 1313 sq. km national park is filled with gem-coloured glacial lakes and waterfalls, snow-covered peaks and dense forests of western red cedar and western hemlock. Historic railroads, spiral tunnels within mountain sides and steep rock faces where mountain goats roam are just some of the sights to be seen.
Day 4 Emerald Lake to Lake Louise | 58 km/37 mi
It's just a 40-minute journey from Emerald Lake Lodge to Lake Louise, so you'll have plenty of time to stop and explore along the way. Be sure to stop at the natural rock bridge over the Kicking Horse River, Takakkaw Falls the second tallest waterfall in Canada and the Historic railroads, spiral tunnels within mountain sides, and steep rock faces where mountain goats roam are just some of the sights to be seen. Before arriving in Lake Louise visit Moraine Lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, just a short 14 km drive from Lake Louise Rd.
Day 5 Lake Louise to Jasper | Ice Explorer + Skywalk | 208 km/129 mi
Today, travel through the spine of the Canadian Rockies along the amazing Icefields Parkway and encompass the ultimate glacier exploration. From walking on ancient ice with the Ice Explorer ride, to standing on a glass platform almost one thousand feet in the air at the Glacier Skywalk (included), today’s experiences will leave you with a special appreciation for this treasured region of the Rockies
Day 6 Jasper | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 3 Excursions
Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of three excursions.
Option 1. Maligne Lake Cruise
Cruise Maligne Lake, where you can marvel at the magnificent shoreline and Spirit Island.
Option 2. Jasper River Float
Enjoy a gentle rafting tour on the Athabasca River for a unique perspective of Jasper National Park.
Option 3. Jasper Nature Walk
A guided nature walk featuring a spectacular array of rolling hills, jagged peaks, forests, meadows, marshes, streams, and stunning glacial lakes.
Day 7 Jasper to Edmonton | 365 km/226 mi
Leaving Jasper today and driving east, the landscape changes dramatically as you leave the Rockies and head into the open prairies. Watch in awe as the land relaxes into a gentle slope, transforming from jagged peaks and craggy cliffs into rolling ravines and river valleys. About 46 km from the town of Jasper you’ll have the opportunity to visit Miette Hot Springs, the hottest mineral springs in the Canadian Rockies. Featuring two outdoor bathing pools – one deep and the other shallow – and fed by hot sulphur spring waters, these pools are chlorinated and cooled to about 40 degrees Celsius for you to soak in and enjoy.
Approaching Edmonton, soaring skyline and lush parklands dominate the bluffs overlooking the winding North Saskatchewan River. Founded in 1795 as a Hudson's Bay Company post and later named Fort Edmonton, the settlement acquired capital status in 1905. It grew as a service center to the North during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897-98, in the 1930s as an aviation centre for bush planes, and finally in the 1940s as a construction base for the Alaska Highway.
Day 1 Edmonton to Jasper | 365 km/226 mi
Leaving Edmonton today, the landscape changes dramatically as you leave the open prairies and head into the Rockies. Watch in awe as the land stretches upwards to great heights, transforming from gently rolling ravines and river valleys to jagged peaks and craggy cliffs. About 46 km from the town of Jasper you’ll have the opportunity to visit Miette Hot Springs, the hottest mineral springs in the Canadian Rockies. Featuring two outdoor bathing pools – one deep and the other shallow – and fed by hot sulphur spring waters, these pools are chlorinated and cooled to about 40 degrees Celsius for you to soak in and enjoy. From here, make your way to the resort town of Jasper in the Canadian Rockies.
Day 2 Jasper | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 3 Excursions
Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of three excursions.
Option 1. Maligne Lake Cruise
Cruise Maligne Lake, where you can marvel at the magnificent shoreline and Spirit Island.
Option 2. Jasper River Float
Enjoy a gentle rafting tour on the Athabasca River for a unique perspective of Jasper National Park.
Option 3. Jasper Nature Walk
A guided nature walk featuring a spectacular array of rolling hills, jagged peaks, forests, meadows, marshes, streams, and stunning glacial lakes.
Day 3 Jasper to Lake Louise | Ice Explorer + Skywalk | 208 km/129 mi
Today, travel through the spine of the Canadian Rockies along the amazing Icefields Parkway and encompass the ultimate glacier exploration. From walking on ancient ice with the Ice Explorer ride, to standing on a glass platform almost one thousand feet in the air at the Glacier Skywalk (included), today’s experiences will leave you with a special appreciation for this treasured region of the Rockies
Day 4 Lake Louise to Emerald Lake Lodge | 58 km/37 mi
It is just a 40-minute journey from Lake Lodge to Emerald Lake, so you'll have plenty of time to stop and explore along the way. Before departing Lake Louise be sure to visit Moraine Lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, just a short 14 km drive from Lake Louise Rd.
Then continuing along the Trans-Canada Highway through the Kicking Horse Canyon to the highway's highest point of elevation (1,625 m / 5331 ft) at Kicking Horse Pass. It is here, at the Continental Divide, where water is separated and eventually reaches one of the Arctic, Atlantic or Pacific Oceans and your will change time zones as your cross the British Columbia border into Yoho National Park.
The word Yoho is the Cree word expressing awe. This 1313 sq. km (507 sq. miles) national park is filled with gem-coloured glacial lakes and waterfalls, snow-covered peaks, and dense forests of western red cedar and western hemlock. Be sure to visit the scenic highlights of the national park starting at the viewpoint at the Historic railroads, spiral tunnels within mountain sides, and steep rock faces where mountain goats roam are just some of the sights to be seen. Takakkaw Falls the second tallest waterfall in Canada and the scenic Yoho Valley's natural rock bridge over the Kicking Horse River before arriving at Emerald Lake Lodge.
Day 5 Emerald Lake to Banff | 122 km/75 mi
Departing Emerald Lake today, return along the Trans-Canada Highway to Banff. Along the way visit the scenic Yoho Valley's natural rock bridge over the Kicking Horse River, Takakkaw Falls the second tallest waterfall in Canada and the Historic railroads, spiral tunnels within mountain sides, and steep rock faces where mountain goats roam are just some of the sights to be seen.
Then on through the Kicking Horse Canyon to the highway's highest point of elevation (1,625 m / 5331 ft) at Kicking Horse Pass. It is here, at the Continental Divide, where water is separated and eventually reaches one of the Arctic, Atlantic or Pacific Oceans. During the day you will cross a time zone and pass through both Glacier and Yoho National Parks.
Continuing along the Bow Valley Parkway for a casual drive that winds alongside the Bow River. The Bow Valley Parkway between Lake Louise and Banff is a low speed, two-lane undivided roadway with numerous scenic outlooks and pullouts. Be sure to stop for a quick nature walk at the Johnston Canyon, where you can stand in the spray of a roaring mountain waterfall.
Day 6 Banff | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 4 Excursions
Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of four excursions
Option 1. Banff Gondola
Maximize your views of Banff National Park with minimal exertion on a round-trip gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain.
Option 2. Lake Minnewanka Cruise
Admire views of the Canadian Rockies by boat as you cruise across the turquoise-hued Lake Minnewanka and over to Devil’s Gap.
Option 3. River Explorer Canoe Tour
Enjoy the serenity of the Bow River and marvel at the surroundings. A fun & interactive way with your guide to explore the waterways of Banff National Park. Perfect for families. No paddling experience necessary.
Option 4. Bow River Horseback Adventure
Saddle up for a journey through the celebrated landscape of Banff National Park on this guided horseback riding adventure.
Day 7 Banff to Calgary | 115 km/72 mi
Today it’s time to say goodbye to the fresh mountain air and majestic sights of the Rockies. Drive to Calgary to drop off your rental car and begin your journey home.