Itinerary
- Day 1
Calgary
You'll arrive in Calgary and get a complimentary transfer to your hotel. Pickups run every 2 hours from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM if you need them. After settling in, the rest of your day is open. There are optional local tours available like the Calgary City Tour, CrossIron Mill Outlet Shopping, or the Calgary Zoo if you're interested, but you can also just wander around on your own and get a feel for the city.
Optional Activities
- Calgary City Tour (3 hours) - guided exploration from historic sites to modern buildings, includes guide service, transportation, and admission
- CrossIron Mill Outlet Shopping Tours (5 hours) - discover Alberta's biggest one-level shopping centre
- The Calgary Zoo with Public Transportation Ticket/Admission - see almost 900 animals including gorillas, hippos, grizzly bears, penguins, red pandas, and amur tigers
Landmarks/POIs Calgary Zoo CrossIron Mills - Day 2
Calgary to Banff
You'll head to Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies. Start at Banff Sulphur Mountain for views across the region, then choose between Johnston Canyon or Marble Canyon (free crampon rentals are available). Check out Bow Falls and Surprise Corner, and walk through the Hoodoos. Spend the afternoon in Banff Town browsing shops and grabbing lunch at one of the restaurants there.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Banff National Park visit - Canada's first national park
- Johnston Canyon hiking - one of the most popular trails featuring stunning waterfalls and rugged rock walls (approximately 60 minutes) OR Marble Canyon - stunning natural landmark with crystal-clear turquoise waters and marble rock formations (approximately 30 minutes) - Free crampon provided (weather dependent)
- Bow Falls - filming location of 'The River of No Return' from 1960s (approximately 15 minutes)
- Surprise Corner - viewpoint of The Castle in the Rockies (approximately 15 minutes)
- Hoodoos - natural rock formations (approximately 15 minutes)
- Banff Town exploration - largest town in the national park with shops and restaurants (approximately 90 minutes)
Optional Activities
- Banff Sulphur Mt Gondola - 360-degree view of Banff for approximately 90 minutes (Note: Closed for annual maintenance from November 9-19; if closed, replaced by other sightseeing point)
Landmarks/POIs Banff National Park Johnston Canyon Marble Canyon Bow Falls Surprise Corner Hoodoos Banff Town Banff Sulphur Mountain - Day 3
Lake Louise and Yoho National Park
This day focuses on Lake Louise and Yoho National Park. You'll spend time at Lake Louise with its turquoise glacial water and Victoria Glacier in the background. From there, you'll drive through Yoho National Park to see the Spiral Tunnels railway engineering, Emerald Lake, the Natural Bridge over the Kicking Horse River, and Vermilion Lakes. It's a scenic drive with several stops along the way.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Lake Louise - world-famous glacial lake with turquoise waters, Victoria Glacier backdrop, and Fairmont Château grounds (approximately 2 hours)
- Yoho National Park scenic drive - dramatic rock walls, waterfalls, and alpine meadows on western slopes of Continental Divide
- Spiral Tunnels - innovative railway engineering where trains spiral upward inside a mountain (pass through with commentary)
- Emerald Lake - largest of Yoho's 61 lakes with distinctive emerald-colored waters (approximately 20 minutes)
- Natural Bridge - rock formation over Kicking Horse River (approximately 15 minutes)
- Vermilion Lakes - winter retreat with stunning Mount Rundle views reflected in frozen landscape (approximately 20 minutes)
Optional Activities
- Deluxe Lunch at Chateau Lake Louise (Optional Group Meal Available)
Landmarks/POIs Lake Louise Fairmont Château Lake Louise Victoria Glacier Yoho National Park Spiral Tunnels Emerald Lake Natural Bridge Vermilion Lakes - Day 4
Lake Louise or Return to Calgary
Your final day depends on the season. If you're going January through early March, you can spend time at Lake Louise Ski Resort (over 100 runs for different levels), or try tubing and gondola rides. Abraham Lake is worth a visit to see frozen methane bubbles, and helicopter tours are available. From November through December or after early March, you can soak at Banff Upper Hot Springs, access the ski resort, or take ski lessons. Later in the day, you'll head to Calgary Airport for your flight home, so book departures after 21:30 PM.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Lake Louise Ski Resort visit - one of Canada's largest ski areas with over 100 ski runs for all skill levels (approximately 2 hours) OR leisure time at Lake Louise if not joining optional activities
- Abraham Lake - man-made lake famous for rare frozen methane bubbles trapped beneath ice surface
Optional Activities
- Tubing (Optional) - fun-filled winter activity suitable for all ages, slide down snowy slopes on inflatable tube
- Lake Louise Sightseeing Gondola (Optional) - panoramic views of snow-covered landscape and surrounding peaks
- Heli Tour (Optional) - scenic helicopter flight over majestic peaks of Canadian Rockies (approximately 20 minutes flight time)
- Banff Upper Hot Springs (Optional, Nov-Dec & after early March only) - relax in only outdoor hot springs within Banff National Park with naturally heated mineral-rich waters and mountain views (approximately 60 minutes). Admission not included; tickets purchased on-site. Bring bathing suit.
- Ski Lessons at Lake Louise (Optional, Nov-Dec & after early March only) - Group Lesson (Ages 13+): Beginner Package (Level 1-2 only) with learning area lift ticket and rental equipment, 2 hours (1:00 PM-3:00 PM) OR Private Lesson: tailored instruction for up to 5 participants, 2 hours (1:00 PM-3:00 PM), lift tickets and rental equipment not included
Landmarks/POIs Lake Louise Ski Resort Abraham Lake Bow Lake Peyto Lake Banff Upper Hot Springs
