Day 1 - Calgary to Banff
Upon arrival into Calgary, pick up your rental car. Depart the city and travel west through the foothills of the Rockies to the resort town of Banff. Travelling along Highway 1A offers a leisurely and scenic route to Banff. The area encompassed by Banff, Jasper, Kootenay and Yoho National Parks is not only vast, but very special too – this combined protected area is a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site. Upon arrival in Banff, check-in to your selected hotel where the remainder of your day is at leisure.
Moderate: Overnight Mount Royal Hotel
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel – Fairmont room
Day 2 – Banff Exploring
Hot sulphur water bubbling from the side of Sulphur Mountain was well known by the local aboriginal peoples of the 1800’s. The hot spring was “discovered” by a pair of American hunters in 1875, and Canadian Pacific Railway surveyors who happened upon the location in 1883. The Canadian government declared the hot spring to be a “federal preserve” in 1885 and two years later, Rocky Mountain National Park, Canada’s first national park, was officially established. Be sure to visit the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, the birthplace of Banff National Park and of Canada’s National Parks system (admission included), for interactive displays, exhibits, films, interpretive talks and presentations, interpretive trails, bird watching, hiking and cycling. Enjoy a ride on the Banff Gondola, which rises 700 metres (2,310 feet) to the summit of Sulphur Mountain (2,286 metres/7,544 feet) for panoramic views of the Bow Valley, Banff townsite and surrounding mountain peaks (gondola ride included). Take a dip in the famous hot mineral waters at the Upper Hot Springs pool (pool admission included). The facility also includes a spa, massage and aromatherapy treatments. Also included today is a lake cruise on the Lake Minnewanka. Enjoy a 90 minute ride and commentary.
Moderate: Overnight Mount Royal Hotel
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel – Fairmont room
Day 3 - Banff to Jasper
Today travel the scenic Icefields Parkway. The Icefields Parkway is Canada’s second-highest paved highway, and among the country’s most scenic drives. A kaleidoscope of new experiences is yours to discover amidst the waterfalls, mountain lakes and awesome glaciers, which dominate the landscape. Be sure to visit the Columbia Icefield, featuring a Parks Canada Interpretive Centre and Brewster’s famous Ice Explorer excursion of the Athabasca Glacier. The Athabasca Glacier is part of the Columbia Icefield, the greatest mass of ice outside the Arctic Circle. The ice is 365 metres (1,200 feet) thick – about the height of the Empire State Building. Leaving the Athabasca Glacier, your camera should be ready to capture the majesty of the Athabasca Falls prior to your arrival into Jasper.
Moderate: Overnight Lobstick Lodge
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge – Deluxe room
Day 4 – Jasper Exploring
Jasper, fascinating in beauty and history, is set amid some of the most rugged peaks in the Rockies. You may wish to take a tram ride up Whistler’s Mountain or soak in the pools at Miette Hot Springs (among the Rockies’ warmest natural hot springs). Visit Maligne Lake, one of the most photographed lakes in the world, and enjoy a 90 minute cruise heading toward the south end of this postcard setting. Marvel at the magnificent shoreline with dense forest and glacial peaks rising abruptly from the water’s edge. Stopping at Spirit Island, you will have the opportunity to take your own version of the world-famous photograph of the lake.
Moderate: Overnight Lobstick Lodge
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge – Deluxe room
Day 5 - Jasper to Calgary
Today, depart Jasper and head to Calgary. The return of your car rental will end your vacation.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- 4 nights accommodation, any mandatory service charges and room tax
- 5 day mid size car rental
- Lake Minnewanka Cruise
- Admission to the Cave & Basin National Historic Site
- Admission to Banff Gondola
- Admission to the Upper Hot Springs
- Ice Explorer on the Athabasca Glacier
- Photograph on the Columbia Icefield
- Maligne Lake Cruise
- National Park Fees
- Luggage handling at hotels
- Personalized documentation package
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Car Rental: vehicle insurance, airport concession fee, provincial sales tax, refueling service charge, parking, gas, ferry & highway tolls, baby seats, additional driver taxes and credit card security deposit
- Meals not listed as included
- Transfers not listed as included
- Gratuities
- Trip Cancellation Insurance (Insurance can be purchased from your Vacation Specialist, ask for more details)