Day 1 - Arrive Calgary
Upon arrival at the Calgary International Airport pick up your rental car and drive to your downtown hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore Calgary, renowned as the 'Stampede City' because of the annual 'Calgary Stampede' which draws millions of visitors from around the world.
Moderate: Overnight Sandman Inn Calgary Downtown
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Palliser Hotel - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Palliser Hotel - Fairmont Gold (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 2 - Calgary Exploring / Drive to Lake Louise
Spend the morning enjoying the sights and sounds of Calgary. You can experience Calgary during the turn of the century at Heritage Park - Canada's largest living historical village, activities include wagon rides, carousels, steam trains & a paddle wheeler. Or visit the Calgary Tower for a birds-eye view of the city, prairies and mountains from the observation deck. Other optional activities include visiting the Calgary Zoo, Fort Calgary, or experience a Bobsled, Luge or Skeleton ride on the famed Olympic Track and in the state-of-the-art Ice House at Canada Olympic Park, home of the 1988 Winter Olympic Games.
This afternoon, depart the city and travel west along the Trans-Canada Highway towards the Canadian Rockies. You will see the Canadian Rockies on the horizon and enter Banff National Park. From Banff take Highway 1A, a scenic, alternative route to Lake Louise that provides an opportunity to view the landscape and explore the history of the Bow River Valley at a more leisurely pace. Interpretive signs are located at points of interest along the highway and include highlights such as Johnston Canyon and Baker Creek. The Village of Lake Louise, located in Bow Valley, provides shopping, accommodation, restaurants and tourist information. Four km (2.5 mi) above the village is the lake itself, dominated by the majestic Victoria Glacier and charming historic teahouses. Your day will end in the beautiful Lake Louise region.
Moderate: Overnight Lake Louise Inn - Executive Queen
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise - Fairmont Lake view room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise – Fairmont Gold Lake view (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 3 - Lake Louise Sightseeing Gondola & Exploring
There is plenty to see and do today ' walk or hike the trails around Lake Louise and nearby Moraine Lake enjoy a relaxing canoe excursion or travel across the Great Divide and enter Yoho National Park, visiting Yoho's scenic highlights, such as Takakkaw Falls, Emerald Lake and the Natural Rock Bridge before returning to Lake Louise (The above areas have limited access until late May).
Visit the Lake Louise Sightseeing Gondola & Interpretive Centre (included) for a fourteen-minute ride to the top elevation of 2088 metres (6850 feet). Enjoy the magnificent view from your choice of an open chair or fully enclosed gondola car. Be sure to bring your camera to capture the beauty of Lake Louise, glaciers, natural springs, wildflowers and possibly even some wildlife. Discover why this magical place is home to so many grizzly bears as you explore one of the best bear habitats in Banff National Park.
Note: Lake Louise Sightseeing Gondola operates from Mid May to the end of September. If not operating, the gondola will be removed from your package.
Moderate: Overnight Lake Louise Inn - Poolside Queen
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise - Fairmont Lake view room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise - Deluxe Lake view room
Day 4 - Lake Louise to Jasper including Snocoach Ice-Age Adventure
This morning you will depart Lake Louise and drive through the 'heart' of the Canadian Rockies to Jasper along the Icefields Parkway. You will be inspired by rushing waterfalls, crystal-clear rivers, emerald lakes, alpine meadows and snow-capped peaks create an ever-changing montage of mountain wilderness. You will travel through Banff and Jasper National Parks. Included in your package is the 'Ice Age Adventure', a tour onto the icy slopes of the Athabasca Glacier. You will travel in a specially designed Brewster Ice Explorer to the middle of the glacier, on a 5-kilometre round- trip journey. Other points of interest en route include Peyto Lake and the Bow & Crowfoot Glaciers. Your journey affords many opportunities to see mountain wildlife and photograph the spectacular views. Your exciting day ends in the quaint town site of Jasper.
Note: Snocoach operates from April 15 - October 15. If traveling outside these dates, the snocoach will be removed from your package.
Moderate: Overnight Amethyst Lodge
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Lake view Junior Suite
Day 5 - Maligne Lake Cruise & Exploring
Today is at leisure to explore the charming town of Jasper and some of its most scenic landmarks. Drive to Maligne Lake and take a 90 minute scenic boat cruise (included). This is one of the most photographed locations in the Canadian Rockies. Some optional activities available for you include canoeing, rafting, hiking, golfing, and trail riding.
Note: Maligne Lake Cruise operates from Mid May to Early October. If not operating, the cruise will be removed from your package.
Moderate: Overnight Amethyst Lodge
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Lake view Junior Suite
Day 6 - Jasper to Banff
Today you will depart Jasper and drive south along the Icefields Parkway, to the mountain resort town of Banff. En route, make a stop at Athabasca Falls located just outside of the Jasper Town site Among the most powerful and breathtaking falls in the Rocky Mountains, the Athabasca River thunders through a narrow gorge where the walls have been smoothed and potholed by the sheer force of the rushing water carrying sand and rock. You will have a second chance to enjoy many of the sights on this stunning drive. Other suggested stops include Sunwapta Falls and a lunch break at Num-Ti-Jah Lodge, a majestic log lodge on the shores of the beautiful Bow Lake near Lake Louise. Your day ends in the scenic town of Banff.
Moderate: Overnight Charlton's Cedar Court
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel- Junior Suite
Day 7 - Sulphur Mountain Gondola & Exploring
Enjoy a full day to explore Banff. Your package includes admission to the Banff Gondola, where you will take a spectacular 8-minute gondola ride to the summit of Sulphur Mountain. From this vantage point at the summit, you will enjoy amazing panoramic views of Banff town site and the surrounding peaks of the Bow Valley. You may wish to take a drive along Tunnel Mountain Drive to view the beautiful town of Banff and visit the Cave and Basin National Historic Site where a natural hot springs led to the creation of Canada's first National Park in 1885. Or take a mid-morning stroll along Lake Minnewanka or explore the town site and visit the many museums, art galleries, & boutiques.
Moderate: Overnight Charlton's Cedar Court
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel- Junior Suite
Day 8 - Banff to Calgary
Today you will have a two hour drive back to the Calgary International Airport. Or you may choose to drop off your car in downtown Calgary. In addition, should you wish to travel to the west coast by train, you can drop-off your rental car in Banff.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- 7 nights accommodation, any mandatory service charges and room tax
- 8 day full size car rental including unlimited mileage, LDW, GST, personal accident insurance, personal effects coverage, provincial tax, PVRT, additional authorized operator fee
- Lake Louise Sightseeing Gondola & Interpretive Centre (SUBSTITUTIONS: Gondola operates from Mid May to the end of September, If not operating it will be removed from your package)
- Columbia Icefield Snocoach Ice Age Adventure (SUBSTITUTIONS: Snocoach operates from April 15 to October 15. If not operating it will be removed from your package)
- Jasper Maligne Lake Boat Cruise (SUBSTITUTIONS: Cruise operates from Mid May to Early October. If not operating it will be removed from your package)
- Banff Sulphur Mountain Gondola
- National Park Entrance Fee
- Personalized documentation package
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Car Rental: Refueling service charge, drop fees, gas, parking, baby seats, toll highway charges, additional driver taxes, and credit card security deposit
- Customer Facility Charge for pick-ups at the Calgary Airport (approximately $4 per day)
- Activities not listed as included
- Meals
- Gratuities
- Trip Cancellation Insurance (Insurance can be purchased from your Vacation Specialist, ask for more details)