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