Calgary City Walk & Brunch (120min) – Johnston Canyon (75min) – Vermilion Lake (30min) – Banff Town (60min) – Banff Gondola (optional, 90min) – Bow Falls & Surprise Corner (30min) - Banff

Begin the day with a relaxed Calgary city walk, exploring the city’s most representative neighborhoods at an unhurried pace, followed by a leisurely brunch that captures the balance between modern urban life and Alberta’s western heritage.

Leaving the city behind, travel west along the Bow River as prairie landscapes gradually give way to the Canadian Rockies. Arrive at Johnston Canyon and walk through its dramatic limestone walls, where clear streams and waterfalls shape one of Banff National Park’s most beloved trails.

Around midday, stop at Vermilion Lake, known for its tranquil waters and reflections of surrounding peaks. Continue on to Banff Town for free time to explore, shop, or enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, you may choose to ride the Banff Gondola (optional) to the summit of Sulphur Mountain, where panoramic views of the Bow Valley, Banff Town, and surrounding mountain ranges unfold. Before the day concludes, visit Bow Falls and Surprise Corner for iconic viewpoints overlooking the Bow River and the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. Overnight in Banff.

Banff Mount Royal Hotel, Banff Inn, Canalta Lodge or Similar

Banff – Lake Louise (75min) – Moraine Lake (seasonal, 60min) – Lake Louise Village Lunch (at own expense, 45min) – Emerald Lake (30min) – Natural Bridge (15min) – Icefields Parkway – Columbia Icefield Skywalk (mandatory, 60min)

Depart from Banff in the early morning and head deep into the heart of the Canadian Rockies. The day begins at iconic Lake Louise, where turquoise waters, fed by the Victoria Glacier, rest beneath towering peaks—one of the most celebrated alpine scenes in the world.

Continue to Moraine Lake (seasonal), famed for its striking blue color and the dramatic backdrop of the Ten Peaks. Moraine Lake is seasonally open, typically from late May to late September or early October, subject to park regulations. When closed, it will be replaced by Marble Canyon.

After free time for lunch at Lake Louise Village (optional), travel into Yoho National Park to visit tranquil Emerald Lake, followed by a stop at Natural Bridge, where the Kicking Horse River has carved a powerful natural rock formation over time.

In the afternoon, drive along the legendary Icefields Parkway, widely regarded as one of the world’s most scenic highways, with glaciers, snow-capped peaks, and sweeping mountain views unfolding along the way. The day concludes at the Columbia Icefield Centre, where guests may choose to experience the Icefield Skywalk (mandatory), a glass-floored walkway suspended above the Sunwapta Valley, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding glaciers and canyon below.

Overnight at Glacier View Lodge, located in the heart of the Columbia Icefield, for a rare opportunity to stay immersed in the alpine landscape.

Glacier View Lodge

Columbia Icefield – Ice Explorer (mandatory, 90min) – Athabasca Falls (40min) – Jasper Town Lunch (at own expense, 60min) – Maligne Lake / Maligne Lake Cruise (optional, 100min) – Medicine Lake (15min) – Jasper

Today’s journey ventures deep into the icy heart of the Canadian Rockies. At the Columbia Icefield, you may choose to board the iconic Ice Explorer Snowcoach (mandatory), riding directly onto the ancient Athabasca Glacier for a rare, close-up encounter with one of North America’s most accessible icefields.

Leaving the glacier behind, the route continues to the powerful Athabasca Falls, where roaring waters surge through a narrow gorge, showcasing the raw force of meltwater carving through rock.

Around midday, arrive in Jasper Town for free time to enjoy lunch at your own pace. Nestled among towering peaks, this laid-back mountain town offers a peaceful contrast to the dramatic landscapes of the morning.

In the afternoon, travel to stunning Maligne Lake, renowned for its crystal-clear waters and alpine surroundings. You may opt to join the Maligne Lake Cruise (optional), gliding across the lake toward Spirit Island as snow-capped mountains reflect on the glassy surface. On the return journey, stop at mysterious Medicine Lake, famous for its disappearing waters that rise and fall with the seasons, long regarded by Indigenous peoples as a place of natural wonder.

By evening, return to Jasper Town and check in to your hotel for a restful night.

Note:

**Maligne Lake Cruise operates seasonally (approximately late May to mid-October), subject to lake conditions. When unavailable, the visit will be replaced with Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and Pyramid Lake (total approx. 30 minutes).

**Maligne Canyon visits are subject to national park access following the 2024 wildfire impact.

Château Jasper/Tonquin Inn or Similar

Jasper Town – Pyramid Lake (40min) – Sunwapta Falls (20min) – The Crossing Lunch (at own expense, 45min) – Peyto Lake (40min) – Bow Lake (20min) – Calgary

Depart Jasper in the early morning as mist lingers among the evergreens, beginning the final chapter of the Rocky Mountains journey. Start with a peaceful walk at Pyramid Lake, where calm waters mirror the sharp peak of Pyramid Mountain, offering a quiet and scenic farewell to Jasper.

Travel south along the Icefields Parkway to Sunwapta Falls, where glacier-fed water rushes through a narrow gorge, showcasing the raw power of alpine meltwater. Continue to The Crossing for a casual lunch stop (at own expense), surrounded by vast mountain landscapes.

In the afternoon, arrive at the iconic Peyto Lake, famous for its striking turquoise color and distinctive shape, best viewed from the Bow Summit lookout. The journey continues to Bow Lake, where glacier reflections stretch across the water beneath Crowfoot Glacier, creating one of the most classic scenes along the parkway.

In the late afternoon, pass through Canmore before returning to Calgary, bringing this unforgettable Rocky Mountain adventure to a close.