Essential Rockies Road Trip 5 Days / 4 nights
Trip Overview
This trip visits all the Canadian Rockies must-see sights, including Banff, Jasper, the Icefields Parkway and the Athabasca Glacier. Because it is a self drive you can explore at your own pace without being stuck to a rigid timetable.But, we have also included four tour options to choose from, so you can hear from the locals a bit about their wilderness and history.
Wind down the windows, take in the mountain vistas and turn up the radio - but not too much please, as the Canadian Rockies Parks are full of our wildlife.
Trip Images
Driving is a great way to see plenty of beautiful scenery as you can stop when you want!
The Fairmont Banff Springs and golf course in the middle of the Banff valley.
Take a ride on the Ice Explorer right on the Athabasca Glacier.
Taking a break on a leisurely walk through the Canadian Rockies meadows.
Map
2 nights Banff
2 nights Jasper
Depart Calgary
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 Into the Canadian Rockies - Calgary to Banff
Pickup your car rental once you arrive at Calgary Airport and start your Essential Rockies Road trip. You can see the snow covered Canadian Rockies rising in the distance and you will be checking into your Banff hotel after a short drive. Then head out and explore the many bars and restaurants, Alberta is famous for its steak and visit to a steakhouse is a must on any Canadian Rockies vacation.
Overnight Banff
Day 2 Explore the Canadian Rockies
Choose between a sightseeing a tour of Banff, which includes a ride up Sulphue Mountain by gondola or enjoy 2-hour guided horseback ride through the Banff National Park today. Overnight Banff
Day 3 Canadian Rockies Vacation Most Spectacular Drive - The Icefields Parkway
The drive north along the spine of the Rockies to Jasper is regarded as one of the worlds classic scenic drives. The confluence of glaciers known as the Columbia Icefields is the largest area of ice and snow south of the Arctic Circle, covering 325 square kilometers and draining into the Arctic, Pacific and Atlantic oceans. After visiting the fascinating information center experience the Athabasca Glacier on a snowcoach ride onto the glaciers surface before continuing on to Jasper. Overnight in Jasper
Day 4 Heart Of The Canadian Rockies - Jasper
Jasper is a quaint Canadian Rockies town in the heart of the largest park in the Rocky mountains. Take a tour to Maligne Lake, one of the most spectacular areas in Jasper National Park and relax on a cruise of the lake. Or for a more energetic option choose to Canoe on Pyramid Lake, home to bald eagles, beaver and moose. The lake is in a carefully protected park with wonderful views of Jasper National Park’s rugged alpine relief. Overnight Jasper
Day 5 Jasper To Calgary - Your Final Canadian Rockies Vacation Day
The pace of life in Jasper is relaxed, enjoy a late brunch and explore the town of Jasper or head out into the wilderness by foot or on a mountain bike. On the return journey the main highway south towards Calgary cuts the driving time but still passes through the Canadian Rockies. Take a pit stop in Banff then descend from the Canadian Rockies to Calgary Airport for your flight home.
Depart Calgary
Need help making the most of your time?
Call one of our friendly local experts now.
| US & Canada | UK 0-800-917-5924 | AUS 1-800-992-872 |
Accommodations
Standard, Superior or DeluxeOptions & Upgrades
• Add an extra night at the famous Chateau Lake Louise• Drop your car at Jasper and take the Rocky Mountaineer to Vancouver
• Continue west from Jasper through British Columbia to Vancouver- wildlife, wineries and the West Coast
Dates & Prices
2010 Package Start DatesAvailable Daily from April 30 to October 15, 2010
| Standard | USD$ | |
| Double | Single | |
| Apr 30 - Jun 11 2010 | 1,034 | 1,778 |
| Jun 12 - Sep 24 2010 | 1,257 | 2,223 |
| Sep 25 - Oct 15 2010 | 1,014 | 1,737 |
| Superior | USD$ | |
| Double | Single | |
| Apr 30 - May 29 2010 | 1,321 | 2,370 |
| May 30 - Aug 20 2010 | 1,746 | 3,176 |
| Aug 21 - Sep 28 2010 | 1,694 | 3,069 |
| Sep 29 - Oct 15 2010 | 1,260 | 2,204 |
| Deluxe | USD$ | |
| Double | Single | |
| Apr 30 - May 29 2010 | 1,565 | 2,849 |
| May 30 - Sep 27 2010 | 2,016 | 3,707 |
| Sep 29 - Oct 15 2010 | 1,407 | 2,490 |
• Prices are per person
• Double is two people occupying a room
Includes
• 4 nights accommodation
• 4 days Intermediate Car rental
• 200Km per day included
• Loss Damage Waiver (LDW)
• Airport surcharges and fees for car rental where applicable
• Vehicle licensing fee
• Banff - choice of Discover Banff Tour with gondola ride, or a 2 Hour guided horseback ride traversing Sulphur Mountain (only avail. May 15 onwards)
• Ice Explorer ride across the Athabasca Glacier
• Jasper - choice of Pyramid Lake Canoeing tour, or a Maligne Valley Tour with cruise on lake (avail. June 1-Oct 5, only)
Not Included
• Fuel and refueling fees
• Additional km if used
• Additional drivers fees
• Personal Accident Insurance (PAI)
• Personal Effects Coverage (PEC)
• Meals and attractions unless otherwise specified
• Park entrance fees
• Trip Cancellation Insurance
• Canadian sales taxes (pre-rebated by 50% for visitors to Canada)
HAVE A CHAT
From UK toll-free: 0-800-917-5924
From Australia toll-free: 1-800-992-872
Other countries: (int.l prefix +) 1-604-737-8743
Your vacation is important and to make the most of it, we strongly advise talking to a local expert first.