Rocky Mountains in Depth

Rocky Mountains in Depth

from £985 excluding flights

6 nights
May-Oct

Tailor-made
Canada
Self Drive

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Highlights

Set foot on the ancient Athabasca Glacier

Enjoy panoramic views from the top of Banff's Sulphur Mountain

Take a scenic cruise on Lake Minnewanka or Maligne Lake

Drive the famous Icefields Parkway

Enjoy 2-night stays at Lake Louise, Banff and Jasper

Why this trip...

Explore at leisure

With the route, transport and accommodation sorted, each day offers the freedom to explore

Well-researched route

We've put our years of experience into creating this well-paced itinerary that includes the places we know you'll enjoy

Tailor made

This itinerary can be tailor made to suit you and is intended to give you a guideline of what is possible in a given timeframe

Overview

Experience some of the most spectacular alpine scenery in the world on this compact self drive holiday through the Canadian Rockies. From Banff to Jasper via Lake Louise, discover magnificent lakes, rugged peaks and glittering glaciers.

Starting from Calgary, enjoy 2 night stays in each of the main centres of the beautiful Canadian Rockies, ensuring less time travelling and more time to explore. A choice of included excursions along the way will provide a chance to relax or explore further – you may wish to enjoy a scenic gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain, a cruise on Maligne Lake or a horse ride along the shores of the Bow River. Also included is an unmissable ride on an Ice Explorer, which will take you right out onto the Athabasca Glacier.

From your comfortable accommodation in Banff, Jasper and Lake Louise you can enjoy a range of shopping and dining experiences, but the unarguable highlight of this adventure will be the majestic scenery of the Canadian Rockies. From vivid emerald lakes via sparkling glaciers to towering mountain peaks, this is a landscape to remember.

This short itinerary can be easily combined with a week in eastern Canada to make up a two-centre Canadian holiday, offering the ideal way to see contrasting sides of this diverse country.

Itinerary

Collect your rental car and begin your Rockies adventure with the 2 hour drive to Banff. On arrival make your way to your hotel; the remainder of the day is at leisure.

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 horse ride along the shores of Bow River.

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 horse ride along the shores of Bow River.

canada alberta horse riding banff national park ta

Today’s scenic drive takes you through the spine of the Canadian Rockies, surrounded by mountains, glaciers and pristine blue-green lakes. Perhaps stop at highlights such as the Johnston Canyon and visit the beautiful Lower or Upper Falls, before continuing into Yoho National Park. The word Yoho is an aboriginal term for awe and wonder, and it’s easy to see why the park was named as such. Historic railroads, spiral tunnels within mountain sides and steep rock faces where mountain goats roam are just some of the sights to be seen here.

Travel along the amazing Icefields Parkway and marvel at the Crowfoot and Sarbach Glaciers before your arrival at the Columbia Icefield. Here you will take an Ice Explorer ride out onto the glacier itself, and test your nerve on the Glacier Skywalk, a glass platform suspended at almost one thousand feet (included). End your day in Jasper.

Ice Explorer on the Athabasca Glacier, Columbia Icefields

canada alberta icefields parkway towards mount sarbach istk

Today you can enjoy your choice of included excursion from the following options: Maligne Lake Cruise – enjoy a scenic boat trip on one of Canada’s most spectacular lakes, home to the much-photographed Spirit Island. Jasper River Raft Float – take a gentle raft trip on the Athabasca River for a unique perspective of Jasper National Park. Jasper Nature Walk – this guided walk offers spectacular views of jagged peaks, forests, meadows, marshes, streams, and stunning glacial lakes.

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

Maligne Lake Cruise – enjoy a scenic boat trip on one of Canada’s most spectacular lakes, home to the much-photographed Spirit Island.
Jasper River Raft Float – take a gentle raft trip on the Athabasca River for a unique perspective of Jasper National Park.
Jasper Nature Walk – this guided walk offers spectacular views of jagged peaks, forests, meadows, marshes, streams, and stunning glacial lakes.

canada alberta river rafting in banff national park ta

Depart Jasper today and travel once more along the scenic Icefields Parkway to the ‘Jewel of the Rockies’, Lake Louise. The lake, named for Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, daughter of Queen Victoria, is 1,730 metres (5,680 feet) above sea level. You may wish to tackle one of the numerous hiking trails around Lake Louise, such as the famous Tea House Trail up to Lake Agnes, or paddle a Canadian canoe across the still waters of Lake Louise itself.

alberta fairmont chateau lake louise hotel istk

alberta fairmont chateau lake louise hotel canoeing couple

Departing Lake Louise, you will travel through the foothills of the Rockies back to the city of Calgary to drop off your rental car and depart.

Accommodation Options

With a wide choice of accommodation in Canada, we can mix and match different grades and styles to suit your personal preference – from motels and hotels to design properties and wilderness lodges in stunning locations.

Discuss your options with our Travel Specialists

Excursions

Canada

Ice Explorer Glacier Tour

Price on request

1.5 hours | Apr-Oct

Located in Jasper National Park, the Columbia Icefield is the largest sub-polar body of ice in North America.

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Canada

Glacier Skywalk

Price on request

Variable hours | Apr-Oct

Not for the faint-hearted, this opportunity to step out over a glacial valley is rewarded with spectacular views from a unique new…

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Canada

Banff Gondola Ride, Banff

Price on request

Variable duration | Year round

Enjoy the 8-minute ascent to the top of Sulphur Mountain for an awe-inspiring 360 degree panorama over Banff National Park.

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Canada

Lake Minnewanka Cruise, Banff

Price on request

1 hours | May-Oct

A cruise on Lake Minnewanka reveals stunning wilderness scenery steeped in indigenous history.

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Canada

River Explorer Canoe Tour, Banff

Price on request

1.5 hours | May-Sep

Enjoy an active adventure as you paddle a traditional Voyageur-style canoe on the tranquil Bow River.

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Canada

Bow River Horseback Adventure, Banff

Price on request

1 hours | Apr-Oct

Enjoy a relaxing guided horse ride along the banks of the beautiful Bow River, set against a backdrop of the Rocky Mountains.

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Canada

Maligne Lake Cruise

Price on request

1.5 hours | May-Oct

Take a scenic cruise on the glacial waters of Maligne Lake, surrounded by the soaring peaks of the Rockies and home to…

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Canada

Jasper Rafting Float Trip

Price on request

2.5 hours | May-Oct

Enjoy a gentle rafting tour on the Athabasca River for a unique perspective of Jasper National Park.

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Prices and Departures

Price from £985 excluding flights

Airfares start from around £550 per person and are quoted separately to the holiday price. When enquiring, our Travel Specialists will provide the best fare possible from your preferred airline / airport.
Note: Airfares tend to be cheaper the earlier you book.

What's Included

Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom
Intermediate car hire including GPS, unlimited mileage, 2nd driver, loss damage waiver and third-party liability
Choice of excursion in Banff: Banff Gondola / Lake Minnewanka Cruise / River Explorer Canoe tour / Bow River Horseride
Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier
Glacier Skywalk
Choice of excursion in Jasper: Maligne Lake Cruise / River Raft Float / Jasper Nature Walk
24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
No surcharge guarantee
Full financial protection

Prices

This itinerary starts from £985 per person, based on 2 sharing a room with private bathroom in standard hotels, and rental of an intermediate vehicle. Prices may vary depending on departure date. Please contact us for a detailed quote based on your preferred travel dates, vehicle category and style of accommodation, or to tailor this itinerary.