The below itinerary reflects our recommendations for this specific trip. This itinerary is also available in the reverse direction.
Day 1 Calgary to Drumheller | 137 km/85 miDrumheller is the gateway to the Canadian Badlands and Dinosaur Provincial Park. The city lies in the heart of the eroded Alberta Badlands that may be the world’s greatest repository of dinosaur fossils. The town of Drumheller is home to the world famous Royal Tyrrell Museum.
Day 2 Drumheller | Day at leisureYou may wish to take a journey to Dinosaur Provincial Park about 56km east of Drumheller. New species of dinosaur are discovered virtually every year in this 90km patch of the Alberta Badlands, making it one of the world’s richest fossil beds.
Day 3 Drumheller to Maple Creek/Cypress Hills | 344 km/213 miToday’s journey takes you to Cypress Hills - the highest elevation in Canada between the Rocky Mountains and Labrador.
Day 4 Cypress HillsThe park is home to a forest of lodge pole pines, rare wildflowers, wildlife including bobcat, elk and moose, as well as over 200 species of birds. Visit Fort Walsh National Historic Site, the original headquarters of Canada’s Mounted Police.
Day 5 Maple Creek to Moose Jaw | 310 km/192 miMoose Jaw is known far and wide as ‘the friendly city’. If you have time we suggest a guided tour of the Tunnels of Moose Jaw and learn about Al Capone’s bootlegging operations, as well as the experiences of Chinese immigrants in the early 1900s
Day 6 Moose Jaw to Regina | 77 km/47 miSaskatchewan’s capital city, Regina, is home to some of the best collections of provincial history. The Royal Saskatchewan Museum provides a look at the many layers of this history from dinosaurs that used to roam this area as well as how the First Nations lived thousands of years ago. Canada’s sole training academy for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is located in Regina – visit the RCMP Heritage Centre. Visit the historic Chapel or watch the cadets practicing drill in the Sergeant Major’s Parade.
Day 7 Regina to Saskatoon | 260 km/161 miVisit Manitou Springs Hotel & Mineral Spa (not included). This Europeanstyle mineral spa is legendary for its natural buoyancy, curative power, and a mineral content high in sodium, magnesium and potassium. Visitors to Saskatoon are struck by the sight of the mighty South Saskatchewan River winding its way through the city. Attractions along the riverbank include the Ukrainian Museum of Canada and the Mendel Art Gallery. For a glimpse into Saskatchewan’s past, head to the Western Development Museum.
Day 8 SaskatoonA journey of discovery awaits you at Wanuskewin Heritage Park, just north of Saskatoon (not included). As far back as 6,000 years, people assembled at this site to hunt, gather food, and seek refuge from the winter winds. Wanuskewin pays tribute to the long, meaningful heritage and culture of Saskatchewan’s First Nations with an internationally renowned interpretive centre, traditional and interactive displays, dance exhibitions, themed hiking trails, and more. The cultures of six Northern Plains tribes are described in the Parks various attractions.
Day 9 Saskatoon to North Battleford | 139 km/86 miNorth Battleford is a popular year-round vacation spot in the historic heart of Saskatchewan. Visit Fort Battleford National Historic Site – the original Northwest Mounted Police post has five buildings, four with period furnishings, reconstructed stockade/bastions and costumed guides. Visit the Western Development/Heritage Farm and Village with its various agricultural equipment on display, supplemented by demonstrations of 1920 farming techniques and a 1920 Saskatchewan town.
Day 10 North Battleford to Edmonton | 388km/241 miThere is a lot to do today. Visit Fort Edmonton Park, a living history museum tracing the growth and development of Edmonton through four historical periods; The Fort, 1885 Street, 1905 Street and 1920 Street. Even the most jaded shopper will be impressed by the immensity of the West Edmonton Mall. Sprawling over an area big enough to accommodate 104 football fields, the complex claimsto have one of the largest enclosed shopping centers and indoor amusement parks in the world.
Day 11 EdmontonYou may want to visit Fort Saskatchewan, a small downtown park overlooking the North Saskatchewan River and the setting for the Fort Saskatchewan Museum and Historic Site. Among its collection of restored buildings are 18th century homes, a school, a blacksmith shop, a church, vintage cars, farm equipment, and Alberta’s first courthouse (1909).
Day 12 Edmonton to Jasper | 365 km/226 miJasper, fascinating in beauty and history, is set amid some of the most rugged peaksin the Rockies. You may wish to take a tram ride up Whistlers Mountain or soak in the pools at Miette Hot Springs.
Day 13 Jasper | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 3 ExcursionsToday you can personalize your day by choosing one of three excursions:Option 1. Maligne Lake CruiseCruise Maligne Lake, where you can marvel at the magnificent shoreline and Spirit Island.Option 2. Jasper River FloatEnjoy a gentle rafting tour on the Athabasca River for a unique perspective of Jasper National Park.Option 3. Jasper Nature WalkA guided nature walk featuring a spectacular array of rolling hills, jagged peaks, forests, meadows, marshes, streams, and stunning glacial lakes.
Day 14 Jasper to Lake Louise | Ice Explorer + Skywalk | 208 km/129 miToday, 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 15 Lake Louise to Banff | 62 km/38 miToday we suggest taking the scenic Bow Valley Parkway route which runs parallel to the Trans-Canada highway. Be sure to stop at Johnston Canyon and walk along the paved footpath to either the lower or upper waterfalls.
Day 16 Banff | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 4 ExcursionsToday you can personalize your day by choosing one of four excursions:Option 1. Banff GondolaMaximize 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 CruiseAdmire 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 TourEnjoy 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 AdventureSaddle up for a journey through the celebrated landscape of Banff National Park on this guided horseback riding adventure.
Day 17 Banff to Calgary | 115 km/72 miDrive to Calgary today, along the 1A Highway. En route, you may wish to stop at the historic Cochrane Ranch (not included) before dropping off your rental car at the Calgary International Airport or downtown location.
