Enjoy this 7-day small group tour escorted by a local that begins in Calgary and continues through Banff National Park, Lake Louise, the Icefields Parkway, and Jasper National Park. Your rides are both challenging and rewarding, delivering breathtaking scenery and unforgettable moments. This is the stuff of fantasies — snow-capped peaks, azure lakes, gleaming glaciers, and thriving woods. Many people only see the Canadian Rockies through bus windows.
Highlights
Explore through Calgary, a fun-filled and friendly city.
Discover the awe-inspiring landscapes of Banff National Park
Cruise on the magical Maligne Lake and navigate to the iconic Spirit Island
See the Athabasca Glacier up close and personal during a walk on an arm of the Columbia Icefield
Moderately active but not overly strenuous. This level includes activities like casual cycling, yoga, or excursions/activities that typically last 3-5 hours total each day.
Welcome to Calgary, eh? Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm, where you’ll be briefed on the upcoming activities and meet your local leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive in the city with time to spare, you might like to experience some renowned Canadian hospitality at Calgary’s budding dining scene. If you’d prefer to get out and about, you could check out Prince’s Island Park, see the skyline from the top of Calgary Tower or work up a sweat at Canada Olympic Park.
Day 2: Lake Louise
1 Breakfast
This morning you’ll head out from the city and into the mountains, your sights set on a pair of impossibly blue glacier-fed lakes. See the splendour of Moraine Lake, backed by ten snow-dusted peaks and world-famous Lake Louise. They'll leave you either wide-eyed, open-mouthed or some combination of the two, and there’ll be ample time to explore the lakes and their surrounding areas.
Included Activities:
Visit to Moraine Lake (seasonal)
Driving Distance: Approximately 2.5 hours
Day 3: Jasper National Park
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
Rise early to head up the Icefields Parkway into Jasper National Park. This is one drive where the journey really is the destination. The Parkway runs between towering glacier-capped peaks and past pristine lakes and offers plenty of opportunities to break for a short hike (which you’ll do). Before arriving in the town of Jasper, stop off at fox-shaped Peyto Lake the powerful Athabasca Falls. Throughout the day, keep your eyes peeled for quintessential Rockies wildlife like elk, moose, deer, bears and bighorn sheep. In the afternoon you’ll have some time to explore the park at your own speed. To pick up the pace you might consider renting a bike from one of the shops in town and exploring some of the local trails, or slow things down with a ride on the Jasper SkyTram up Whistlers Mountain – the highest and longest aerial tramway in Canada.
Included Activities:
Jasper National Park
Driving Distance: Approximately 3 hours
Day 4: Maligne Lake | Jasper National Park
1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner
Today you’ll find out for yourself why Maligne Lake is featured on so many jigsaw puzzles. Make sure your phone or camera is fully charged, ready to capture shots of the jagged mountains and bright green pine forests that surround its glacial waters. Take to the water on a panoramic cruise down the lake, sailing in a glass-enclosed and heated boat while a guide describes the area’s geology, ecology and history. The highlight will be a stop for a nature walk to views of iconic Spirit Island which is only accessible by boat, where you’ll learn about its significance to the Stoney Nakoda First Nation. This evening, join your group for an included dinner at a local restaurant.
Included Activities:
Jasper - Maligne Lake cruise
Driving Distance: Approximately 2 hours
Day 5: Athabasca Glacier | Banff
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
After gazing at glaciers from a distance, today you’ll get the chance to step foot on one! Board a custom-built all-terrain vehicle and head out on an ice explorer tour of the Athabasca Glacier. You will be able to walk on the glacier and even take a drink from its icy meltwater. Enjoy a picnic lunch to finish the outing before continuing to the town of Banff.
Included Activities:
Banff National Park
Columbia Icefield Adventure - Athabasca Glacier Explorer
Driving Distance: Approximately 3.5 hours
Day 6: Banff National Park
1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner
Buckle up for the beauty of Banff National Park. Today’s all about seeing as much of the park as you can, weaving your way through history as you see the Rockies’ valleys and mountain chains which began forming up to 75 million years ago. There’s also time to connect further with the land on an Indigenous Medicine Walk, where your guide will share traditional Cree knowledge of the area’s plants, trees and bushes. To end the day on a high, you’ll take the gondola up to the top of Sulphur Mountain. Named for the two sulphurous hot springs found on its lower slopes, the peak offers breathtaking, panoramic views of the Rockies – which you’ll be able to bask in during a farewell dinner on the mountaintop.
Included Activities:
Banff - Indigenous Medicine Walk
Banff - Cable Car up Sulphur Mountain
Driving Distance: Approximately 3.5 hours
Day 7: Calgary | Return Home
1 Breakfast
Today, you wrap up the Rockies tour and drive back to Calgary. There are no activities or accommodations planned, and the trip ends at approximately 12 pm on arrival in Calgary. You'll be dropped off at the same spot where you started. If you're flying out today, book your flight for after 3 pm.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$3,8352-3 travelers
Rates are dynamic and fluctuate based on capacity. Contact us for a specific quote.
Notes
Select a Date
A single supplement is available if you prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
Initial deposit is $400 per person, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check, or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and a maximum of $20,000 charge."
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
6 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
6 Nights Accommodations
4 Days Locally Hosted Guide Service
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Excluded
Gratuities
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Optional Activities
For those traveling internationally with Intrepid: emergency evacuation and medical insurance are mandatory, and comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended. See here for more details
Visa and passport fees
Map
When to Go
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
Chance for unpredictable weather but with fewer visitors.
Typically not offered during this period because of weather conditions.
Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.
Adventure Life seems to be an honest company and has been quite helpful in the planning process. Good about answering questions.
Chris Dralle
1 week ago
Wonderful personal attention to detail and very helpful suggestions by experienced travel experts
John K
1 week ago
Franny has been such an amazing help with all my trip planning. This is our 3rd trip to plan with her and she is always so willing to assist and find the best deals for my family and friends.
Suzanne Turbyfill
1 week ago
Our advisor at Adventure Life, Mary Curry, was knowledgable and quick to respond with answers to any questions we had. She made our booking efficiently and set up a time for us to make a secure payment through her directly. We’ve used Adventure Life repeatedly and would definitely recommend it.