Itinerary
- Day 1
Banff
You'll arrive in Banff, where the Canadian Rockies surround you with snow-capped peaks on all sides. There's a welcome meeting at 6pm at your hotel, so you'll have time to settle in, grab dinner, and meet your tour guide and fellow travelers before the evening gathering.
Landmarks Mount Rundle Mount Cascade Banff National Park 
- Day 2
Banff
This morning starts with a guided hike in Banff National Park. Your tour leader will assess the group's fitness level and recommend either the easy 1.7 mile loop along Bow Falls Trail or the challenging 6.7 mile hike up to Sulphur Mountain's summit. After the hike, the afternoon is yours to do as you like, whether that's exploring Banff further or relaxing back at your hotel.
Included Activities
- Guided hike in Banff National Park (difficulty and duration based on group preference)
Landmarks Bow Falls Trail Sulphur Mountain - Day 3
Banff
You have the morning to wander around Banff at your own pace, with plenty of optional activities on offer if you want them. In the afternoon, head up to Sulphur Mountain Hot Springs where you can soak in the thermal pool while looking out at the jagged peaks of Rundle and Cascade Mountains towering around you.
Included Activities
- Soak in the thermal pool at Sulphur Mountain Hot Springs
Optional Activities
- Aerial gondola/tramway ride to top of Sulphur Mountain
- Scenic glacier flight (20-45 minutes)
- Horse riding (1-2 hour ride)
- Canoe rental
- Bike rental
- Independent exploration and activities in Banff
Landmarks Sulphur Mountain Hot Springs Rundle Mountain Cascade Mountain - Day 4
Banff to Golden
Today takes you to two of the most photographed spots in the Rockies: Lake Louise (known as the Gem of the Canadian Rockies) and Moraine Lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks. You'll spend time at both locations, and your tour leader can guide you on a hike if you're interested. Later in the day, you'll travel to the nearby town of Golden where you'll stay for the next three nights.
Included Activities
- Visit Lake Louise
- Visit Moraine Lake
- Optional guided hike with tour leader (duration and difficulty based on group ability)
Optional Activities
- Canoeing on Lake Louise or Moraine Lake
Landmarks Lake Louise Moraine Lake Valley of the Ten Peaks 
- Day 5
Yoho National Park
You're exploring Yoho National Park, which many consider the hidden treasure of Canada's national park system. The morning offers optional activities like white-water rafting or mountain biking if that appeals to you. After lunch, your tour leader takes you to Takakkaw Falls and then to Emerald Lake, where you'll hike the forest trail encircling the lake. By early evening, you'll head back to Golden.
Included Activities
- Walk to Takakkaw Falls with tour leader
- Hike around Emerald Lake with tour leader
Optional Activities
- Half-day white-water rafting excursion on Kicking Horse River
- Mountain bike rental to explore the area
Landmarks Takakkaw Falls Emerald Lake Kicking Horse River Yoho National Park 
- Day 6
Golden to Jasper
The Icefields Parkway drive covers 140 miles through the heart of the Rockies, with hanging glaciers, steep rock walls, and wide valleys on display. You'll have the chance to walk on the Athabasca Glacier itself and see the turquoise water of Peyto Lake. The drive takes most of the day, and you'll arrive in Jasper by evening.
Optional Activities
- Guided glacier walk on Athabasca Glacier
Landmarks Icefields Parkway Athabasca Glacier Peyto Lake 
- Day 7
Jasper
You've got choices for how to spend your day in Jasper National Park. The SkyTram cable car takes you up to Whistler's Peak for panoramic views across the park, or you can go hiking or mountain biking around the beautiful lakeside trails. It really depends on what you're in the mood for.
Optional Activities
- SkyTram cable car to Whistler's Peak
- Hiking in Jasper National Park
- Mountain biking in Jasper National Park
Landmarks Whistler's Peak Jasper National Park 
- Day 8
Maligne Canyon
Your tour leader takes you on an easy trail through Maligne Canyon, stopping to point out the geological features and tell you the story of how the canyon formed. You'll see waterfalls, fossils, underground streams, and if you're lucky, some wildlife. You can choose between a shorter loop through the upper canyon or a longer trail that follows the gorge down to the lower bridges.
Included Activities
- Guided easy trail walk through Maligne Canyon with geological information
Optional Activities
- Short hiking loop along Maligne Canyon
- Longer hiking trail following the gorge to lower bridges
Landmarks Maligne Canyon Palliser Formation - Day 9
Jasper to Calgary
The drive back to Calgary takes about 5 hours, not counting stops. You'll travel back along the Icefields Parkway to see the scenery from a different angle, and along the way you'll stop to stretch and visit Canmore, known as the gateway to the Rockies. By late afternoon, you'll arrive in Calgary, situated between the Rocky Mountains and the Bow River.
Optional Activities
- Visit Canmore
Landmarks Canmore Bow River 
- Day 10
Departure
Your trip ends this morning. You'll head home, and if you're a land-only client and the timing works out, you can join the group transfer to the airport.
Optional Activities
- Group transfer to the airport (if timings coincide, land-only clients only)
