Alberta’s Rockies, Lakes & National Parks

Today you'll enjoy complimentary lounge access at the airport before boarding your flight to Calgary, Alberta. Bordered by the Rocky Mountains to the west and the vast prairies to the east, this is an area of outstanding natural beauty. After checking into your hotel, head out to explore the city itself, perhaps viewing the skyline from the observation deck at the Calgary Tower or adding on a food tour of Calgary's hidden gems. Alternatively, relax in your hotel for the evening, which boasts an onsite fitness centre, spa, and charcuterie restaurant.

Stay: Le Germain, Calgary (Superior) 

After breakfast this morning, head out of the Stampede City with your hire car towards the magnificent Rockies. Your end-point is Canmore, an authentic Alpine town surrounded by cragged peaks. On the way, you might choose to stop at the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary, where you can observe wolf behaviour up close. When you reach Canmore, rent bikes and explore over 100km of local trails, or add on a thrilling raft tour on the Bow River. Your accommodation for the night features a heated outdoor pool and hot tubs with panoramic views over the Three Sisters mountain range.

Stay: The Malcolm, Canmore (Superior)

This morning enjoy one of Canmore's scenic walking trails, perhaps a leisurely loop to Grotto Canyon, before making the short drive to Banff through the unspoilt wilderness of Banff National Park. Arriving into Banff you'll check into your mountain-lodge hotel followed by a free afternoon to explore at your own pace.There's plenty to do here, whether you prefer hiking in alpine forests or paddling across ice-blue lakes or perhaps a visit to the geothermal hot springs.

Stay: Banff Caribou Lodge (Superior) 

Today, enjoy a cruise on Lake Minnewanka, the largest lake in the Banff National Park, sitting below the towering peaks of Mount Aylmer and Mount Inglismaldie to Devil's Gap. Look out for wildlife, including big horn sheep, deer and eagles, before returning to Banff to explore the town's shops and museums at your leisure.

In the evening, maximize your views of Banff National Park on an included return gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain and discover the sweeping scenes of six mountain ranges, the Bow Valley and the town of Banff, perhaps enjoy an À la carte dinner at the Sky Bistro, or enjoy live music in the summer on the rooftop patios, all accompanied by dazzling sunsets. 

Stay: Banff Caribou Lodge (Superior)

Today take the leisurely drive from Banff on the Bow Valley Parkway following the course of the Bow River. Make a stop at Johnston Canyon and take a walk to the lower or upper waterfalls, before continuing into British Columbia to visit Yoho National Park and stay at the wonderful Emerald Lake Lodge. The national park is filled with coloured glacial lakes and waterfalls, snow-covered peaks and dense forests of western red cedar and western hemlock. Crossed by historic railroads, spiral tunnels with mountain sides and steep rock faces where mountain goats roam.

Stay: Emerald Lake Lodge, Yoho National Park (Superior)

Travel through the spine of the Canadian Rockies along the Icefields Parkway. Stop along the way at the newly opened Glacier Skywalk and the magnificent Columbia Icefield and board a Brewster Ice Explorer for an unforgettable excursion onto the icy slopes of the Athabasca Glacier. Walk on the ancient ice and learn about glaciers and icefields. Stroll along a cliff-edged walkway that leads to the jaw-dropping glass floored Columbia Icefield Skywalk, separating you from the floor of the valley by a 918-foot drop. After the tour, spend some time at the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre and visit the newly expanded Parks Canada Interpretative Centre.

Stay: Forest Park Hotel (Superior)

Today you'll be introduced to Jasper with a short tour of the town before heading across the Athabasca River to Maligne Lake. A century after Mary Schaeffer's remarkable adventure, discover "World renowned" Maligne Lake for yourself. A stop at Maligne Canyon offers views of the river thundering through a series of waterfalls in a gorge 10,000 years in the making, before reaching Maligne Lake for an interpretive boat cruise bound for Spirit Island.

Stay: Forest Park Hotel (Superior)

Today you'll drive to the world-famous Lake Louise – one of Canada's most photographed spots – where ice-capped Alpine peaks rise above a pristine glacial lake. You might wish to ride the Lake Louise Gondola for wildlife-viewing opportunities and more scenic views, or simply stroll around the lake's shores and breathe in the fresh Alpine air. Lake Louise is the most famous glacial lake in the Canadian Rockies, and one of the most beautiful in the Western Hemisphere. The lake, named for Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, daughter of Queen Victoria, is 1730 metres above sea level.

Stay: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (Superior)

Departing Lake Louise, travel through the foothills of the Rockies retracing your journey through Banff and Canmore, perhaps make a brief stop at the mountain playground of Kananaskis, before heading back to the city of Calgary, nestled where the prairies ad mountains meet.

Stay: Le Germain, Calgary (Superior) 

On your final morning in Calgary, explore the city further on foot or add on a shopping trip at the CrossIron Mills. Then, head to the airport before your overnight flight to the UK arriving on Day 11.