7-Day Canadian Rockies Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Canadian Rockies tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaCanadian Rockies travel expert at TourRadar

• 7 Days in Canadian Rockies, incl. Banff and Jasper

  Natural wonders unfold across 7 days in the Canadian Rockies, showcasing Lake Louise, Columbia Icefield, and UNESCO-listed Waterton Lakes. Includes 6 nights at premium hotels, daily breakfast, and visits to 7 lakes across 5 national parks with expert guides.

  

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  • Day 1

    Calgary Arrival & Setup

    Land at Calgary International Airport and use the scheduled transfers that run every 2 hours from 9 AM to 9 PM. If you arrive before 1 PM, take the 3-hour Calgary city tour to get familiar with the area. A recent visitor shared: "Start your trip well-rested - the first day can feel long with the altitude adjustment."

    
  • Days 2-3

    Jasper National Park & Icefields Parkway

    Plan a full day for the scenic Icefields Parkway drive. Book the Ice Explorer and Skywalk at Columbia Icefield first thing in the morning. The whole experience takes about 3.5 hours. Stop at Athabasca Falls for 30 minutes in the morning for the best photos. You'll have time to check out the shops and restaurants in Jasper town afterward. Get to Maligne Lake early the next day since boat cruises often fill up. Set aside 100 minutes here and 30 minutes for Maligne Canyon. If you visit Peyto Lake viewpoint, take the short uphill walk to the platform. The view from up there is worth the effort.

    
  • Day 4

    Kootenay National Park

    Walk the 1km trail at Marble Canyon. Wear good shoes since the path can get slippery. Visit Radium Hot Springs in mid-afternoon to miss the crowds. A visitor noted: "The natural hot springs were a perfect way to relax - but pack a quick-dry towel as the facilities are basic."

    
  • Day 5

    Banff National Park

    Visit Johnston Canyon before the tour buses show up. Book your Banff Gondola time slot ahead and go early morning or near sunset to avoid lines. You'll have about 90 minutes in Banff town. Banff Avenue is great for souvenirs and local food.

    
  • Day 6

    Lake Louise & Yoho

    Get to Lake Louise before 9 AM to find parking and avoid crowds. For Moraine Lake, go very early or late afternoon since parking is tough during peak hours. At Emerald Lake in Yoho, walk part of the lakeshore trail. The views are much better than from the parking area.

    
  • Day 7

    Waterton Lakes & Departure

    It takes about 3 hours to drive from Banff to Waterton. Visit the town center and Cameron Falls right in town. Book flights after 9:30 PM to have enough time to get back to Calgary Airport. One reviewer suggested: "The Buffalo Paddock stop isn't worth the detour - focus your time on the town and falls instead."

    

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• 7 Days in Canadian Rockies, incl. Calgary and Banff

  Mountains and adventure combine in this 7-day Rocky Mountain tour to Lake Louise, Jasper National Park, and Banff. Highlights include Athabasca Glacier trek, Spirit Island cruise, and hockey lessons in Canmore. Stay at Chateau Jasper and Banff Park Lodge with 9 included meals.

  

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  • Day 1

    Calgary

    Start your Rockies adventure in Calgary and take time to adjust to mountain time. Book an afternoon arrival to avoid the morning rush hour traffic between 7-9am. "Tip your hat to Calgary's cowboy culture - the Westin Calgary makes a perfect base for exploring downtown."

    
  • Day 2

    Calgary to Lake Louise & Jasper (340 km)

    Leave Calgary by 8am to avoid tour bus crowds at Lake Louise. The drive takes about 2 hours and morning light makes for great photos. Spend about 90 minutes here before driving the Icefields Parkway to Jasper. "The Icefields Parkway drive was breathtaking - we saw bears elk and mountain goats along the way. Bring a zoom lens!"

  • Day 3

    Jasper National Park

    Spend the day exploring Jasper. You can start with a morning float trip on the Athabasca River but book it a day ahead. Visit Maligne Lake in the afternoon. The Spirit Island cruise runs May through October. "Maligne Canyon's paths can get slippery - wear shoes with good grip and bring layers as mountain weather changes quickly."

  • Day 4

    Columbia Icefield

    Book an Ice Explorer tour for mid-morning when it's warmer but not too crowded. The vehicle ride takes about 90 minutes total. "Sipping glacier water was incredible but dress extremely warm - it's about 20°F colder on the ice than in the parking lot." Stop at Bow Lake for photos on your afternoon drive to Banff.

  • Day 5

    Banff & Canmore

    Start with an optional 7am wildlife tour before the crowds arrive. Spend the afternoon in Canmore where you can try a Canadian hockey experience. "The hockey lesson was a trip highlight - even total beginners had a blast learning from real players. Just wear long pants under the gear they provide."

  • Day 6

    Banff National Park

    Take the Banff Gondola at 9am (book online to save 20%). You can visit Yoho National Park or Moraine Lake in the afternoon. In the evening learn about buffalo from a Cree guide. "The buffalo teachings were incredibly moving and gave us a whole new perspective on Canadian history."

  • Day 7

    Banff to Calgary (130 km)

    The 90-minute drive back to Calgary is best done with an afternoon flight after 2pm in case of mountain weather delays. Stop at Wild Flour Bakery in Banff for breakfast. "Their breakfast sandwiches make the perfect final taste of the Rockies."

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• 7 Days in Canadian Rockies, incl. Banff and Jasper

  The Rockies reveal their secrets in this 7-day journey covering Lake Louise, Jasper National Park's Spirit Island, and Banff's Sulphur Mountain. Features Athabasca Glacier walk, Indigenous Medicine Walk, and mountaintop dining while staying in comfortable mountain lodges.

  

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  • Day 1

    Calgary to Lake Louise

    Leave Calgary before 8 AM to beat traffic on your 1.5-hour drive to Banff National Park. Getting an early start is important since parking at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake fills up quickly during peak season from June through September.

    
  • Day 2

    Lake Louise Area

    Get to Moraine Lake when the access road opens at 7 AM to see the Valley of Ten Peaks at sunrise. Visit Lake Louise later in the day when crowds are smaller. The morning temperatures can be close to freezing even in summer before warming up substantially later in the day.

    
  • Day 3

    Icefields Parkway to Jasper

    The drive from Lake Louise to Jasper normally takes 3.5 hours but set aside 6-7 hours to really enjoy the Icefields Parkway. Stop at Peyto Lake for a quick 15-minute walk from parking and don't miss Sunwapta Falls. Bring binoculars and watch for elk and bears in the early morning.

    
  • Day 4

    Maligne Lake, Jasper

    Drive 45 minutes from Jasper town to catch the first Maligne Lake cruise at 9 AM. The 90-minute boat ride to Spirit Island offers fantastic views. Bring bug spray since mosquitoes are common around the lake in July and August.

    
  • Day 5

    Athabasca Glacier and Banff

    You'll need good shoes for walking on the glacier since it's slippery and cold. Book your Ice Explorer tour ahead of time during busy season. From here it's about 2.5 hours to Banff with plenty of scenic stops along the way.

    
  • Day 6

    Banff National Park

    Start with the Indigenous Medicine Walk to learn about traditional plants. Take the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain in late afternoon for the best photos. The last gondola down is usually around 9:30 PM in summer. Pack an extra layer since the summit is about 10°C cooler than town.

    
  • Day 7

    Banff to Calgary

    It's a 1.5-hour drive back to Calgary. If your flight is later stop in Canmore, just 20 minutes from Banff for one last mountain view and coffee at Beamer's Coffee Co.

    

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