Luxury Lodges & Resorts of the Canadian Rockies Road Trip

Day 1 Calgary to Banff | 115 km/72 mi Leave the Stampede City of Calgary and travel west toward the rising peaks of the Canadian Rockies. As the prairie landscape gives way to foothills and mountain views, continue into Banff National Park and the resort town of Banff, one of Canada’s most iconic alpine destinations. Surrounded by dramatic peaks, forested valleys and glacier-fed rivers, Banff offers a spectacular introduction to the natural beauty and wildlife of the Rockies.

Day 2 Banff | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 7 Excursions Today you can tailor your day by selecting one of seven Banff experiences. Option 1. Banff Gondola Ride the Banff Gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain for sweeping views over Banff, the Bow Valley and the surrounding peaks of Banff National Park. At the top, enjoy viewing platforms, interpretive exhibits and time to take in one of the most impressive panoramas in the Canadian Rockies. Option 2. Lake Minnewanka Cruise Cruise across the turquoise waters of Lake Minnewanka, surrounded by mountain peaks, forested shoreline and open alpine scenery. As you travel toward Devil’s Gap, enjoy a relaxed and scenic perspective of one of Banff National Park’s most beautiful glacier-fed lakes. Option 3. River Explorer Canoe Tour Enjoy a gentle guided canoe tour along the Bow River, where calm waters, mountain views and riverside scenery create a peaceful way to experience Banff National Park. This fun and interactive excursion is ideal for families, with no paddling experience necessary. Option 4. Bow River Horseback Adventure Saddle up for a guided horseback ride through the celebrated landscapes of Banff National Park. Follow scenic riverside trails, take in mountain views and experience the Rockies in a classic western style. Option 5. Banff Townsite E-Bike Tour Explore Banff on a relaxed guided e-bike ride to some of the town’s most scenic highlights, including Bow Falls, Surprise Corner, downtown Banff and the Cave and Basin National Historic Site. Enjoy mountain views, local history and an easy-paced ride suitable for beginners and families. Option 6. Upgrade Option: Moraine Lake & Lake Louise Sunset Wildlife Adventure with Picnic Dinner Experience the beauty of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake during the soft glow of golden hour. Travel through the mountain landscapes of Banff National Park as the evening light brings out the colour of the turquoise lakes, surrounding peaks and forested valleys. Along the way, watch for wildlife such as elk and deer, enjoy scenic shoreline walks and savour a picnic dinner in one of the Canadian Rockies’ most iconic settings. Option 7. Upgrade Option: Continental Divide Helicopter Tour Take to the skies on a spectacular helicopter flight over the Canadian Rockies and the Continental Divide. From above, admire a dramatic landscape of jagged peaks, alpine valleys, glaciers, hidden lakes and remote wilderness that few visitors ever see from the ground. This upgraded experience offers an unforgettable aerial perspective of the scale and beauty of the Rockies.

Day 3 Banff to Moraine Lake | 78 km/49 mi Today unfolds in the heart of Banff National Park, where towering peaks, dense forests and winding valleys create a landscape of remarkable beauty. Whether following the tranquil Bow Valley Parkway, known for its peaceful atmosphere and abundant wildlife, or the sweeping vistas of the Trans-Canada Highway, the journey itself is part of the experience. Johnston Canyon offers a memorable stop, where a scenic trail leads past cascading waterfalls, turquoise pools and dramatic limestone cliffs. The day culminates at Moraine Lake Lodge, nestled in the breathtaking Valley of the Ten Peaks. Renowned for its vivid turquoise waters, shaped by glacial minerals, Moraine Lake is one of the most photographed and awe-inspiring settings in the Canadian Rockies. Here, guests can stroll along the shoreline, paddle across the lake, or simply unwind while surrounded by soaring peaks and pristine alpine beauty.

Day 4 Moraine Lake to Jasper | Ice Explorer + Skywalk | 237 km/148 mi Depart Moraine Lake and travel north along the Icefields Parkway, one of the most spectacular mountain drives in the world. This unforgettable route follows the spine of the Canadian Rockies, passing glacier-fed lakes, sweeping valleys, waterfalls and towering peaks. At the Columbia Icefield, step aboard the Ice Explorer for a journey onto ancient glacier ice, then continue to the Glacier Skywalk, where a glass-floored platform extends high above the Sunwapta Valley. These included experiences offer a powerful perspective on the scale, beauty and geology of this treasured region before you continue to Jasper. (Breakfast is included today.)

Day 5 Jasper | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 3 Excursions Today you can tailor your day by selecting one of three Jasper experiences. Option 1. Maligne Lake Cruise | Operating season is weather dependent Cruise across Maligne Lake, one of Jasper National Park’s most photographed settings. Surrounded by mountain peaks, forested shoreline and brilliant alpine water, the journey includes views toward Spirit Island, one of the Canadian Rockies’ most iconic natural landmarks. Option 2. Jasper River Float Enjoy a gentle rafting experience on the Athabasca River, offering a relaxed and scenic perspective of Jasper National Park. Drift through a wide mountain valley with views of forests, peaks and wildlife habitat while your guide shares stories of the area’s natural and human history. Option 3. Jasper Nature Walk Explore Jasper National Park on a guided nature walk through a landscape of rolling hills, jagged peaks, forests, meadows, marshes, streams and glacial lakes. Along the way, learn more about the plants, wildlife and mountain ecology that make this region so remarkable.

Day 6 Jasper to Lake Louise | Rockies Heli-Tour | 208 km/129 mi Depart Jasper and travel south along the Icefields Parkway, one of the most spectacular mountain drives in the world. Surrounded by glacier-fed lakes, sweeping valleys, waterfalls and towering peaks, the journey offers a dramatic passage through the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Along the way, experience the Rockies from a remarkable new perspective on a Columbia Icefields helicopter tour, soaring above rugged alpine terrain, icefields, mountain passes and remote wilderness scenery. After your flight, continue toward Lake Louise, often called the “Jewel of the Rockies.” Set 1,730 metres above sea level and named for Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, daughter of Queen Victoria, this famous glacier-fed lake is renowned for its vivid turquoise colour and breathtaking mountain backdrop. Spend time walking one of the nearby trails, paddling across the lake by canoe, or simply taking in one of the most iconic alpine views in Canada.

Day 7 Lake Louise to Calgary | 177 km/110 mi Say goodbye to the turquoise waters and soaring peaks of Lake Louise as you travel east through Banff National Park toward Calgary. The route follows the Trans-Canada Highway past glacier-carved valleys, forested slopes and dramatic mountain scenery before the Rockies gradually give way to rolling foothills and wide-open prairie landscapes. If time permits, consider a scenic detour to Cochrane, a western foothills town set above the Bow River, where ranching heritage, river pathways and views back toward the mountains make a relaxed final stop. Continue to Calgary, where your journey ends after one last look back at the skyline of the Canadian Rockies.