Gems of Southern Alberta

Today you can enjoy your choice of included excursion from the following options: Banff Gondola – enjoy impressive views over Banff National Park with a gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain. Lake Minnewanka Cruise – take a scenic cruise across the turquoise-hued Lake Minnewanka to Devil’s Gap. River Explorer Canoe Tour – pick up a paddle for a gentle exploration on the Bow River. Bow River Horseback Adventure – saddle up for a guided journey through the celebrated landscape of Banff National Park (minimum age 8 years).

Today you can enjoy your choice of included excursion from the following options:

Banff Gondola – enjoy impressive views over Banff National Park with a gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain.

Lake Minnewanka Cruise – take a scenic cruise across the turquoise-hued Lake Minnewanka to Devil’s Gap.

River Explorer Canoe Tour – pick up a paddle for a gentle exploration on the Bow River.

Bow River Horseback Adventure – saddle up for a guided journey through the celebrated landscape of Banff National Park (minimum age 8 years).

In pictures

Depart Banff and head east towards the fascinating landscapes of Drumheller. Shaped by mesas, gullies and sandstone hoodoos, this other-worldy backdrop draws palaeontologists from around the world in search of dinosaur fossils. Visit the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology (included) to walk amongst an impressive array of fossils and learn everything you ever wanted to know about dinosaurs.

Depart Banff and head east towards the fascinating landscapes of Drumheller. Shaped by mesas, gullies and sandstone hoodoos, this other-worldy backdrop draws palaeontologists from around the world in search of dinosaur fossils. Visit the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology (included) to walk amongst an impressive array of fossils and learn everything you ever wanted to know about dinosaurs.

In pictures

From Drumheller, venture further into the rugged Canadian Badlands and make your way to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Dinosaur Provincial Park. Interpretive displays allow you to see what an archaeological dig site really looks like, and you can also view the bones of a ‘duck-billed’ dinosaur still partially encased in the sediment that buried it. Afterwards, continue on to Cypress Hill Provincial Park, a hidden gem in Southern Alberta. Here, the green and flower filled-valleys are in stark contrast to the dramatic and barren landscapes of the Badlands.

From Drumheller, venture further into the rugged Canadian Badlands and make your way to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Dinosaur Provincial Park. Interpretive displays allow you to see what an archaeological dig site really looks like, and you can also view the bones of a ‘duck-billed’ dinosaur still partially encased in the sediment that buried it. Afterwards, continue on to Cypress Hill Provincial Park, a hidden gem in Southern Alberta. Here, the green and flower filled-valleys are in stark contrast to the dramatic and barren landscapes of the Badlands.

In pictures

The day is yours to enjoy at Cypress Hill Provincial Park. There are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy and abundant wildlife to spot here. Perhaps start the day off with an interpretive hike or visit the Dark Sky Planetarium experience, where you can learn to navigate the sky’s bright stars and constellations. In the afternoon, head over to the Interpretive Centre in Elkwater where you can rent a bike, canoe, paddleboard, kayak or pedal boat (activities and admissions not included).

The day is yours to enjoy at Cypress Hill Provincial Park. There are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy and abundant wildlife to spot here. Perhaps start the day off with an interpretive hike or visit the Dark Sky Planetarium experience, where you can learn to navigate the sky’s bright stars and constellations. In the afternoon, head over to the Interpretive Centre in Elkwater where you can rent a bike, canoe, paddleboard, kayak or pedal boat (activities and admissions not included).

In pictures

Today you will travel on the historic Red Coat Trail towards the stunning Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park. Guided by a National Historic Site interpreter you will experience the largest concentration of rock art on the plains. Relax by the bubbling Milk River and traverse the hoodoo trails, before visiting the Interpretive Centre for a behind the scenes guided exploration of this Archaeological Preserve. After a full day, continue onto Lethbridge where you will stay for the night.

Today you will travel on the historic Red Coat Trail towards the stunning Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park. Guided by a National Historic Site interpreter you will experience the largest concentration of rock art on the plains. Relax by the bubbling Milk River and traverse the hoodoo trails, before visiting the Interpretive Centre for a behind the scenes guided exploration of this Archaeological Preserve. After a full day, continue onto Lethbridge where you will stay for the night.

In pictures

On your way out of Lethbridge you may wish to visit Fort Whoop-Up (not included), an old fort and outlaw trading post where visitors can discover exhibits about Canada’s first Mounties, whiskey and firearms traders and Blackfoot history and culture. After arriving in Waterton, take a leisurely stroll around the town’s shops or dine at one of its restaurants, before grabbing your camera and heading over to the beach for some impressive photographic opportunities. Perhaps join one of the many hiking trails that start from the town or sit back and relax at the Prince of Wales Hotel, an iconic National Historic Site that also offers a delectable afternoon tea alongside spectacular views.

On your way out of Lethbridge you may wish to visit Fort Whoop-Up (not included), an old fort and outlaw trading post where visitors can discover exhibits about Canada’s first Mounties, whiskey and firearms traders and Blackfoot history and culture. After arriving in Waterton, take a leisurely stroll around the town’s shops or dine at one of its restaurants, before grabbing your camera and heading over to the beach for some impressive photographic opportunities. Perhaps join one of the many hiking trails that start from the town or sit back and relax at the Prince of Wales Hotel, an iconic National Historic Site that also offers a delectable afternoon tea alongside spectacular views.

In pictures

Spend a day discovering the wonders of this peaceful and beautiful prairie region. Hiking trails here take you past glittering glacial lakes, alpine forests and snow-capped mountains. You may have the option to cross the U.S. border (visa permitting) and travel into Montana’s Glacier National Park (the U.S. half of this International Peace Park) via the breath-taking Going to the Sun Road. You can also venture out to Red Rock Canyon where you can discover striking red and green bedrock dotted with waterfalls and surrounded by forest. Cross back over the border to the Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada for your second night stay here.

Spend a day discovering the wonders of this peaceful and beautiful prairie region. Hiking trails here take you past glittering glacial lakes, alpine forests and snow-capped mountains. You may have the option to cross the U.S. border (visa permitting) and travel into Montana’s Glacier National Park (the U.S. half of this International Peace Park) via the breath-taking Going to the Sun Road. You can also venture out to Red Rock Canyon where you can discover striking red and green bedrock dotted with waterfalls and surrounded by forest. Cross back over the border to the Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada for your second night stay here.

In pictures

On your final day you head north to experience the evocatively named Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump (included), a UNESCO World Heritage Site tells the story of how the native people of the North American plains hunted over 6000 years ago. A guide leads you through the exhibit and out to the cliff jump, sharing the history and lifestyle of the first people. Afterwards, a 2 hour drive north takes you back to Calgary, where your Southern Alberta adventure ends.

On your final day you head north to experience the evocatively named Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump (included), a UNESCO World Heritage Site tells the story of how the native people of the North American plains hunted over 6000 years ago. A guide leads you through the exhibit and out to the cliff jump, sharing the history and lifestyle of the first people. Afterwards, a 2 hour drive north takes you back to Calgary, where your Southern Alberta adventure ends.

In pictures