Alberta
Holidays in Alberta and Rocky Mountains
Alberta, a province of superlatives, where the scenery is quite simply off the scale. A place of soaring mountain peaks, vividly coloured mountain-fed lakes, and ancient glaciers. Yet, it’s also a place of mind-boggling history that dates back millions of years.
Banff was Canada’s first National Park and has everything you could want from a Canadian holiday and more. Kayak the emerald waters of Lake Louise and explore the Valley of Ten Peaks, where you’ll find Moraine Lake. Surrounded by mountains and thundering waterfalls, the vivid turquoise colour intensifies in late June as the glaciers begin to melt under the warm summer sun. Jasper National Park is the largest in the Rockies, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the waterways with gentle float tours, canoeing and kayaking, or if you’re a thrill seeker at heart, take to the rapids with a white- water rafting adventure.
The Icefields Parkway is Alberta’s ultimate road trip. Starting in Jasper, this breath-taking drive winds its way through a vast wilderness of dramatic mountains, ancient glaciers, and truly outstanding scenery. Break your journey at the Columbia Icefields Glacier and Skywalk, a must-see experience where you can hop on one of the Ice Explorers for a memorable ride on to the Athabasca Glacier.
Jasper is also designated as a Dark Sky Preserve, and with little artificial light visible, the night skies are quite simply spectacular.
From ancient glaciers to the pre-historic age, Alberta is also where the dinosaurs once roamed. In the Canadian Badlands you’ll find towering hoodoo’s and walk in the footsteps of some of the largest creatures known to man. From the friendly city of Calgary host to the annual Calgary Stampede, a celebration of all things western, take a drive through the open prairies and pay a visit to Fort MacLeod, Head-Smashed-In- Buffalo-Jump and Waterton National Park. Alternatively, head north to Edmonton, home to the West Edmonton Mall, where you’ll find some of the best shopping in Canada, Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village and Elk Island National Park.
Rockies and Vancouver Self Drive
Explore the mountains, and coast of Alberta and BC
Rockies and Vancouver Self Drive with Rocky Mountaineer
Explore the coast and mountains by car, but travel between the two in the luxury of the Rocky Mounatineer.
Calgary Stampede
The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth
First Passage to the East
An tour with Rocky Mountaineer
Rocky Mountain Lakes
Explore the lakes of the Rocky Mountains.
Ultimate Canada
From Vancouver to Calgary and scenery in between.
Rockies and Vancouver Self Drive
Day 1 - Arrive in Calgary
Arrive in Calgary, transfer to hotel.
Day 2 - Drive to Banff
Collect your hire car and drive the Trans Canada Highway from Calgary to Banff. Enjoy the change in scenery as you leave the prairies behind and are in the heart of the Rocky Mountains when you arrive in Banff.
Day 3 - Views from Sulphur Mountain
Spend the day exploring see the views from the top of Sulphur Mountain, discover the history at the Cave and Basin. Hike one of the many trails or go rafting or canoeing on the Bow River. Overnight Banff.
Day 4 - Explore Banff
More time to explore Banff then travel to Johnston Canyon visit the falls and hike to the inkpots. Overnight Banff / Lake Louise or Field
Day 5 - Travel the Icefields Parkway
Travel the Icefields Parkway, stopping at various sightseeing opportunities on the way including the Athabasca Glacier part of the Colombia Icefield. Overnight Jasper
Day 6 - Visit Maligne Lake
Visit Maligne Lake and Canyon, take a boat ride on the lake or try your hand at canoeing round the lake. Overnight Jasper
Day 7 - Travel to Wells Gray Provincial Park
Continue to past the highest peak in the Rockies Mount Robson and travel to Wells Gray Provincial Park
Day 8 - Spend the day in Wells Gray Provincial Park
Spend the day in Wells Gray Provincial Park
Day 9 - Travel South to Kamloops
Travel South to Kamloops and the wine growing region of the Okanagan Valley.
Day 10 - Journey through small towns
The last part of the journey is through small towns on the way to Vancouver. Return you car.
Day 11 - Visit Grouse Mountain
Visit Grouse Mountain and Capilano Suspension bridge.
Day 12 - Fly home
Depart on an evening flight
Rockies and Vancouver including Rocky Mountaineer
Day 1 - Arrive in Calgary
Arrive in Calgary, transfer to hotel.
Day 2 - Drive to Banff
Collect your hire car and drive the Trans Canada Highway from Calgary to Banff. Enjoy the change in scenery as you leave the prairies behind and are in the heart of the Rocky Mountains when you arrive in Banff.
Day 3 - Views from Sulphur Mountain
Spend the day exploring see the views from the top of Sulphur Mountain, discover the history at the Cave and Basin. Hike one of the many trails or go rafting or canoeing on the Bow River. Overnight Banff.
Day 4 - Travel to Johnston Canyon
More time to explore Banff then travel to Johnston Canyon visit the falls and hike to the inkpots. Overnight Banff / Lake Louise or Field
Day 5 - Travel the Icefields Parkway
Travel the Icefields Parkway, stopping at various sightseeing opportunities on the way including the Athabasca Glacier part of the Colombia Icefield. Overnight Jasper
Day 6 - Visit Maligne Lake
Visit Maligne Lake and Canyon, take a boat ride on the lake or try your hand at canoeing round the lake. Overnight Jasper
Day 7 - Board the Rocky Mountaineer Train
Board the Rocky Mountaineer Train for a journey through spectacular scenery much of which can’t be seen from the road. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife and sit back and relax. Overnight in Kamloops.
Day 8 - Travel towards Vancouver
Day 9 - Visit Grouse Mountain
Day 10 - Fly home
Depart on an evening flight
Calgary Stampede
Day 1 - Arrive in Calgary
Arrive in Calgary
Day 2 - Watch the best cowboys in the world
This morning why not enjoy a pancake breakfast? This famous Calgary tradition started back in 1923 and is still held throughout the city during Stampede. As you explore Stampede Park see a wealth of attractions such as an authentic First Nations village, a variety of interactive displays, animal and agricultural events and shows. This afternoon watch in awe as the best cowboys in the world challenge each other in a spine tingling display of bull riding, steer wrestling barre riding and much more.
Day 3 - Explore Calgary
This morning is free to explore Calgary. Perhaps indulge in some shopping for cowboy boots and hats! Head back to Stampede Park with your two day pass for more cowboy action. Dress in your best western attire and learn how to two step and take a Skyride over the park for a birds eye view of the action. As the sun goes down see the astonoshing chuck wagon races and the finale extravaganza as hundreds of singers, dancers and musicians take to the stage for the Greatest Outdoor Show on earth.
Day 4 - Departure
Enjoy more time in Calgary this morning before your thrilling experience comes to an end and you eave with fond memories of cowboy city.
First Passage to the East
Day 1 - Arrive in Vancouver
Arrive in Vancouver and spend time exploring this scenic city on your own.
Day 2 - Explore Vancouver
Explore Vancouver and enjoy your choice of one of four activities: a sightseeing tour of Vancouver’s spectacular North Shore, a guided bicycle tour of Vancouver’s highlights, a small-group culinary walking tour at Granville Island market, or a Sea Safari zodiac boat tour along the Howe Sound coast.
Day 3 - Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer
Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from the coastal city of Vancouver to Kamloops, in the heart of British Columbia?s interior. On today’s journey you will see dramatic changes in scenery, from the lush green fields of the Fraser Valley, through forests and winding river canyons surrounded by the peaks of the Coast and Cascade Mountains, to the desert-like environment of the BC interior. Highlights include the rushing waters of Hell’s Gate in the Fraser Canyon and the steep slopes and rock sheds along the Thompson River. Your day concludes as the Rocky Mountaineer travels along the shores of Kamloops Lake into Kamloops.
Day 4 - Travel to Canadian Rockies
Your journey continues Eastward to the mighty Canadian Rockies and the province of Alberta. Once again you will see a spectacular array of scenery as you travel across ranchlands, along rocky lakeshores, over high mountain passes and through the remarkable tunnels that form part of the rich rail history of the Canadian Rockies. Today’s highlights include Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven, the climb over Rogers Pass, Kicking Horse Canyon, the Spiral Tunnels and, of course, the glaciers and snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies. Your rail journey ends this evening in the mountain hamlet of Lake Louise
Day 5 - Explore beautiful Lake Louise
This morning you are free to explore beautiful Lake Louise on your own. After lunch, a half-day tour takes you into Yoho National Park to view some of its natural wonders. Among the attractions are the Spiral Tunnels, Emerald Lake and a natural rock bridge that spans the Kicking Horse River. At the end of the tour you will be transferred to Banff.
Day 6 - Panoramic Helicopter Tour
Today you will enjoy a full-day tour concluding in Calgary. Begin the morning with a sightseeing tour of Banff. Among the points of interest are Bow Falls, Surprise Corner and the Hoodoos. Banff Gondola included. Continue on to Kananaskis for the highlight of today’s adventure, a 12-minute Panoramic Helicopter Tour over the remarkable landscape of the Rockies.
Day 7 - Checkout from your Calgary hotel
Your journey ends upon checkout from your Calgary hotel
Ultimate Canada
with Calgary Stampede
Day 1 - Arrive in Vancouver
Day 2 - Explore Vancouver
Spend the day exploring Vancouver, explore Stanley Park, perhaps hire a bike and watch the sunset from the top of Grouse Mountain.
Day 3 - Visit Capilano Suspension bridge
More exploring of Vancouver why not visit Capilano Suspension bridge, Gas town, visit Granville Island Market or do some shopping on Robson Street.
Day 4 - Board the Rocky Mountaineer Train
Board the Rocky Mountaineer Train for a journey through spectacular scenery much of which can’t be seen from the road. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife and sit back and relax. Overnight in Kamloops.
Day 5 - Travel to Banff
Board the train for a second day as you travel towards Banff
Day 6 - Views from Sulphur Mountain
Spend the day exploring see the views from the top of Sulphur Mountain, discover the history at the Cave and Basin. Hike one of the many trails or go rafting or canoeing on the Bow River.
Day 7 - Travel to Johnston Canyon
Day 8 - Travel to Calgary
Transfer by coach to Calgary.
Day 9 - Admission to the Calgary Stampede
Admission to the Calgary Stampede.
Day 10 - The second day of the Calgary Stampede
The second day of the Calgary Stampede
Day 11 - Fly home
Depart Calgary for your flight home.