Canadian Rockies Tour

Arrive in Calgary

If you booked your flight with YMT, you will be met by a representative at the airport and transferred to the hotel.

Elk Island National Park & Edmonton

Today you’ll travel Edmonton, with a stop at Elk Island National Park en route. Elk Island National Park is a sanctuary of rolling woodlands and meadows dotted with lakes, bogs and ponds. It was originally established as a fenced-in reserve in 1906 to save a number of Western Canada’s most iconic animals, including the then critically endangered elk. Over the decades, the elk population recovered, and the reserve grew into the stunning Elk Island National Park.

Continue to Edmonton, where we encourage you to enjoy the evening relaxing in this city because tomorrow you head deep into some of Canada’s wilderness. (B)

Hinton & Jasper National Park

Today you’ll experience Jasper National Park, the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. Its landscape covers an expansive region of rugged backcountry and mountainous terrain across numerous protected ecosystems, including the world-renowned Columbia Icefield. The night will be spent in Hinton. (B)

Icefields Parkway and Banff National Park

This morning travel along the Icefields Parkway en route to stunning Banff. Stop to experience the breathtaking Athabasca Glacier, the most visited glacier in North America, nestled at the bottom of the Columbia Icefield. Board a massive Brewster Ice Explorer and take a remarkable excursion onto the surface of the Athabasca Glacier. Experience the full magnitude of this enormous icefield as you take in the view and feel the glacier underfoot. (B, L)

Banff National Park

Spend the day absorbing the beauty of Banff on your panoramic city tour.

Enjoy a stop at Bow Falls, where you will take in the sparkling water dancing in the sunlight, and hear it roar as it cascades down the limestone ledges. You’ll have free time for lunch and shopping. Finally end your afternoon with a cruise on Lake Minnewanka, spanning 13 miles and more than 450 ft deep the lake had a rich history that spans more than 10,000 years. (B)

Kootenay National Park & Cranbrook

Enjoy a midmorning stop at Canada’s “Diamond in the Wilderness,” Lake Louise, known for its glacier fed turquoise waters. The lake’s tranquil surface mirroring the magnificent peaks and lush forest all around will leave you speechless, making Lake Louise a perfect location to take a picture worth much more than a thousand words.

This afternoon take in the sights on the scenic drive from Banff to Kootenay National Park, which features a mild climate, rare wildflowers, wildlife, and unusual terrain that abruptly transitions from the prairie grasslands to the rugged, wind-swept peaks that form the Continental Divide. Enjoy the scenery and a leisurely evening in Cranbrook!! (B)

Whitefish Lake and Kalispell

En route to Kalispell, enjoy a memorable sightseeing trip to Whitefish Lake. Its water supports recreational activities such as Fishing, Kayaking and boating. This evening join your fellow travelers for an optional guided tour of Conrad Mansion, home to the founder of Kalispell. (B)

Lethbridge Via the Going to the Sun Road

From Kalispell, take the breathtaking Going to the Sun Road through Glacier National Park, with a memorable stop at the Head-Smashed- In Buffalo Jump along the way. Learn about the Blackfoot people and their traditions at this buffalo jump that was used for 5,500 years by the indigenous peoples of the plains to kill buffalo by driving them off the high cliff. (B)

Fort MacLeod and Calgary

Start your final full day with an educational visit to Fort MacLeod’s Fort Museum, which houses a range of exhibits celebrating local history and First Nations traditions in a way that is interactive and fun for all ages. This reconstructed institution provides an amazing window into the way life was in this once far-flung outpost. Return to Calgary for the night and conclude your tour of the majestic Canadian Rockies. (B)

Depart for Home (B)

Arrive in Edmonton

If you booked your flight with YMT, you will be met by a representative at the airport and transferred to the hotel.

Elk Island National Park and Royal Alberta Museum

Start your journey in the iconic Elk Island National Park, a sanctuary of rolling woodlands and meadows dotted with lakes, bogs, and ponds. It was originally established as a fenced-in reserve in 1906 to save some of Western Canada’s most iconic species, including the then critically endangered elk. Over the decades, the elk population recovered, and the reserve grew into the stunning Elk Island National Park. You’ll enjoy a tour of the park, learn its history, and see its boisterous bison herd.

After lunch on your own, visit Royal Alberta Museum, a world-class institution devoted to the research and preservation of Alberta’s human and natural history. The largest museum in western Canada, and one of the top tourist attractions in the province, the Royal Alberta’s collection includes over two million objects. Its pieces range from natural history specimens and cultural artifacts to fine artwork. (B)

Jasper National Park

Today you’ll experience Jasper National Park, the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. Its landscape covers an expansive region of rugged backcountry and mountainous terrain across numerous protected ecosystems, including the world-renowned Columbia Icefield.

Arrive in Jasper in the late morning, just in time for a short tour of this charming little town in the heart of the mountains. (B)

Jasper Leisure Day

Jasper is surrounded by majestic mountains, pristine lakes, and stunning glaciers, making it a dream destination for nature lovers. You are free to go into the national park, but you can’t go wrong by staying local, either. The town of Jasper is small but bustling, with a range of shops, restaurants, and accommodations. Its downtown area is particularly charming, with a mix of historic and modern buildings, and a pedestrian-friendly design. It also offers several tourist attractions, such as the Jasper SkyTram, the Jasper Yellowhead Museum, and the Jasper Planetarium.

For a fun optional activity, you are invited to enjoy an exciting Jasper River Raft Float Trip. (B)

Columbia Icefields and Banff National Park

This morning, travel along the Icefields Parkway en route to stunning Banff. Stop at Athabasca Falls, a beautiful and powerful waterfall located in Jasper National Park. It is one of Jasper’s most popular tourist attractions due to its sheer beauty and easy accessibility. Continue to Sunwapta Falls located a short drive from Athabasca Falls. The name Sunwapta comes from the Stoney language, and means “turbulent water”.

Next, experience the Athabasca Glacier. Nestled at the bottom of the Columbia Icefield, it is the most visited glacier in North America. Enjoy an included lunch, and experience the full magnitude of this enormous icefield as you take in the view and feel the glacier underfoot.

Your next stop is Peyto Lake, where significant amounts of glacial rock flour were deposited into the water from the nearby Peyto Glacier. These suspended rock particles, sometimes called glacial milk, give the lake a bright blue-green color.

Finally, see Canada’s “Diamond in the Wilderness,” Lake Louise. Known for its glacier fed turquoise waters, the lake’s tranquil surface mirrors the magnificent peaks and lush forest rising up on all sides. The impossibly pretty Lake Louise is the perfect location to take a picture worth much more than a thousand words. (B, L)

Banff National Park

Spend the day absorbing the beauty of Banff National Park! An hour-long tour of Banff is a great way to experience its most famous landmarks. As you pass through Banff, your tour guide will explain the history of the park, including its establishment as Canada’s first national park in 1885. The guide will also share stories about the indigenous people who have lived in the area for thousands of years, and their connection to the land. Enjoy a short stop (and perfect photo op!) at Bow Falls.

Next, enjoy a scenic ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain on the Banff Gondola. At Sulphur’s peak, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Banff and the surrounding Rockies from an observation deck that offers 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

You’re invited for an optional afternoon cruise on Lake Minnewanka, spend time taking in the view of the crystal blue water and green mountains! (B)

Calgary

Spend your final full day in Calgary, known as one of the friendliest cities in all of Canada. Your city tour includes several stops and highlights such as the Glenbow Museum, the Calgary Stampede grounds, and the Olympic Park. Learn about the city’s downtown core, historic districts, and unique neighborhoods.

Enjoy a farewell dinner at Calgary Tower. The 600-foot-tall tower offers visitors a 360-degree view of Calgary. (B, D)

Depart for Home (B)