Day 1
Fly to Calgary
Fly to Calgary and transfer independently to your hotel.
Two nights Calgary: Classic Hotel – Ramada Hotel Downtown Calgary; Deluxe Hotel - Fairmont Palliser Calgary
Day 2
Calgary
Enjoy a full day to acclimatise to Canada, in the city of Calgary. Explore the city at a relaxed place and climb where you will see the Rockies soaring in the distance. Stroll the pedestrianised Stephen Avenue Walk where you will also discover great shopping opportunities and a lovely range of restaurants and cafes. You could also visit Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre and enjoy some live music over lunch in the atmospheric King Eddy.
Day 3
Calgary – Lake Louise
A scheduled coach transfer will pick you up from your hotel for your two hour journey into the Rockies. Enjoy a stroll to admire the beautiful views of this famous lake and relax over a hot chocolate to take in the atmosphere.
Two nights Lake Louise: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in a standard room (upgrades available for a supplement)
Day 4
Lake Louise
There are several activities included in your stay at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and you can choose these when you arrive, from ice-skating on the frozen lake to show-shoeing around the woodland paths, or you can spend time in the indoor pool, jacuzzi and steam room.
Alternatively, we can book you an exciting trip out into the great outdoors on an “introduction to snowshoeing” tour. On this two-hour guided tour, you will be taken to the top of the mountain to experience the breath-taking views. Certified guides will show you how to use snowshoes in a safe environment, while sharing stories of the landscape, wildlife and history of Lake Louise.
Day 5
Lake Louise to Jasper via Banff and the Icefields Parkway
You’ll be picked up from your hotel for an initial transfer into Banff and then onto a beautiful coach journey along the Icefields Parkway into the Jasper National Park. Check in to your hotel and then explore the charming mountain town of Jasper. During your time in Jasper, you may have the chance to see the glorious Northern Lights. It’s always dependent on how clear the skies are, but between February and April the Aurora Borealis make an appearance at least once a week.
Three nights Jasper: Classic Hotel – Lobstick Lodge; Deluxe Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
Days 6 & 7
Jasper National Park
You have two full days to enjoy Jasper National Park. Included in this holiday is a morning wildlife tour of this beautiful area, which you can choose to take on either day 6 or day 7. A friendly local driver guide will reveal some of Jasper’s hidden gems and share their knowledge of the history, geology, and ecology of the area. You will be driven through the Athabasca Valley with a professional guide to spot elk, deer, coyotes, wolves and moose. Learn all about how they survive the mountain winters and how these animals contribute to the rich diversity of the national park.
Also included in this holiday is a visit to the Jasper Planetarium. Located next to the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, and open from 4.45pm daily, this is a fascinating introduction to the skies above. Enter a 40-seat inflatable dome theatre and view the world’s largest accessible dark sky preserve with commentary by a live guide. This world-exclusive, audience-participation experience allows guests to explore the unique cosmic views, astronomical history, and local star-lore of Jasper – from the ancient constellations depicted by the First Nations to the travels of astronomer/geographer David Thompson 200 years ago.
You can also opt to take a wonderful ice-walk through a frozen canyon - a fascinating three hour guided tour through the deepest canyon in the Jasper National Park – Maligne Canyon. You will walk on the frozen floor of the canyon and stopping for photos of the Queen of Maligne and Angel Icefalls (boots and ice-cleats are provided). This is a highly recommended tour and is suitable for most ages and fitness levels.
Alternatively if want to have a gastronomic experience, then we can book you onto the much-loved foodie tour of downtown Jasper. Beginning at 2pm, you will have a guided walk over three hours (but covering only a mile in distance!) visiting four restaurants and tasting four carefully handpicked dishes, each paired with an alcoholic beverage. Along the way you will learn about Jasper’s history and taking in some of the town’s best tales.
Day 8
Jasper – Banff
This morning you will be picked up from your hotel to return south to the Banff National Park, this time for a three night stay in the charming mountain town of Banff. Explore Banff Avenue and the neighbouring streets, where you will find quirky boutiques, cosy cafes and lively restaurants, all with the magnificent back drop of the mountains.
Three nights Banff: Classic Hotel – Elk + Avenue; Deluxe Hotel - Fairmont Banff Springs
Days 9 & 10
Banff National Park
You have two full days to enjoy the oldest national park in Canada. It was established in 1885 when the hot springs were “discovered” and tourism began, and we’ve included admission to enjoy the waters of the hot springs into this holiday (open daily 10am to 10pm) Of course the hot springs were already well known to the First Nations peoples who had lived here for many many years – Banff is located on the traditional territories of the Iyarhe Nakoda Nations (Bearspaw, Wesley, Chiniki), the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut'ina – part of the Dene people, Ktunaxa, Secwepemc, Mountain Cree, and Metis.
Another unique experience that we’ve included in this holiday is a tranquil sleigh ride through the Banff countryside – a lovely afternoon excursion.
There are also several other activities and excursions we could book for you – all come highly recommended.
Banff Gondola – Ascend Sulphur Mountain for awe-inspiring 360-degree panoramic views of six mountain ranges. At the visit centre there is an interesting exhibition where you can learn all about the local geography, geology and history, and there is a lovely café for drinks and snacks, and a very good restaurant.
Johnston Canyon Ice Walk - This guided walking tour leads you through the natural wonder of Johnston Canyon in all of its winter glory. You will take an easy walking trail along catwalks which lead you to the frozen lower waterfalls and through a cave before your final stop at the upper falls, framed by gigantic ice pillars.. (Includes ice cleats and hiking poles, hotel pick-up and drop-off, hot chocolate and maple cookies)
Helicopter Tours of the Rockies: Take a spectacular flight-seeing tour of the Rockies. We have two options to choose from – see the “Optional Excursions” tab for details
Guided Snowshoeing Tours – We offer two two-hour tours and both are suitable for complete beginners.
Paint Pots: Snow shoe along an easy trail through a forest of pine trees to the Paint Pots, a cultural treasure within the National Park. Here you will learn about the history of the fur trade as you explore the fascinating Paint Pots, which are mineral deposits once used by First Nations people for rock painting. After this crisp winter walk, enjoy a uniquely Canadian treat: hot maple taffy poured into snow to make a sweet frozen dessert and perhaps try a ‘crazy carpet’ slide down the hill while it’s being made. This is an excellent trip for beginners as it covers a mainly flat terrain with minimal elevation gain.
Lake Louise Ski Area: This tour will take you to the top of the mountain to experience a view previously only accessible to skiers and snowboarders. Enjoy the breath-taking views whilst certified guides show you how to use snowshoes, while sharing stories of the history, landscape and wildlife of Lake Louise.
Day 11
Depart Banff - Fly home
After a leisurely start a coach will pick you up from your hotel to take you to Calgary airport and catch your flight home.
