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On this Canadian Rockies tour, crunch across the surface of the Athabasca Glacier and cross the Continental Divide as you hear local tales of brave buffalo runners centuries ago at the UNESCO world heritage site, Head-Smashed-In-Buffalo Jump also visiting Waterton Lakes and Glacier National Park. Learn from experts about bears, glaciers, and tradition, and be immersed in culture through a Be My Guest experience dinner.
On this Canadian Rockies tour, crunch across the surface of the Athabasca Glacier and cross the Continental Divide as you hear local tales of brave buffalo runners centuries ago at the UNESCO world heritage site, Head-Smashed-In-Buffalo Jump also visiting Waterton Lakes and Glacier National Park. Learn from experts about bears, glaciers, and tradition, and be immersed in culture through a Be My Guest experience dinner.
Don your Stetson and buckle up those cowboy boots. You've arrived in Stampede country. Get settled into the ways of the Wild West before meeting your Travel Director and fellow explorers for a Welcome Reception.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Hilton Garden Inn
Travel to the UNESCO-listed Head-Smashed-In-Buffalo Jump, where a Local Specialist explains how buffalo were once driven off a cliff by buffalo runners for this insightful MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Next, journey toward Waterton Lakes National Park.
The Big Skies of Montana beckon this morning as you cross the international border and travel along the shore of Lower St. Mary Lake and enter Glacier National Park, touted as the Crown of the Continent. Then, continue in a restored 1930s vintage touring red “jammer”. You will head up into the cirques of the St. Mary Valley along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, and stop at the Continental Divide continuing over Logan Pass. Traverse one of the few remaining rainforests in Montana as you drive alongside the glacially carved valley. Finally, you will arrive at the Lake McDonald Lodge, situated on the shore of Lake McDonald.
Today, you will exit Glacier National Park through West Glacier and head north, back into Canada. Travel along the Banff-Windermere Highway, one of the most scenic drives in British Columbia. Then, enter Kootenay National Park and drive through Sinclair Canyon. Make the climb up to Vermilion Pass at the Continental Divide, reaching an elevation of 1,680 m (5,510 ft) and enter Alberta and Banff National Park. Descending into the Bow River Valley, you will arrive in Banff where you check in at your Stays With Stories, the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs, the 'Castle in the Rockies'.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Lake McDonald Lodge
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 5
Explore Picturesque Banff
Our day begins with a morning at leisure, choose to take this time to relax or join one of our optional experiences. Choose to view the alpine forest from above during an optional helicopter ride or explore from the ground with a guided hike. Later, spend the afternoon exploring the rugged beauty of Banff, from its postcard viewpoint of Surprise Corner to Bow Falls, with an optional gondola ride.
An early rise today as we head for Moraine Lake. Take a walk on the Lakeshore Trail, or the Rockpile Trail for the best views of the Canadian Rockies with stunning Moraine Lake nestled in the Valley of the Ten Peaks. This afternoon we arrive at Lake Louise where your have Your Choice of activities: a stroll into the picture perfect image of Lake Louise, keeping an eye out for rock climbers, ground squirrels, marmots or even a mountain goat. Or perhaps the picture-perfect setting of Lake Louise will awaken the artist within you as you try your hand at plein air painting.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Lake Louise Inn
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 7
Traverse Across Athabasca Glacier
Your adventure begins with a ride onto the Athabasca Glacier in an all-terrain Ice Explorer—a massive vehicle specially designed for glacier travel. On this thrilling trip, an experienced driver-guide will share a wealth of fascinating information about glaciers and their impact on our environment. Take a sip of ice-cold glacier water and admire the surrounding snowcapped panorama before continuing your journey and heading to Jasper National Park.
Embark on a leisurely walk admiring the sheer limestone cliffs of Maligne Canyon and learning about the underground river system that flows out to Medicine Lake. Surrounded by a ring of mountains, we will indulge in a delicious regional lunch with wine at the Lake Maligne Chalet with views of the lake, followed by a cruise of Maligne Lake to Spirit Island (seasonal).
Journey through the National Parks by way of the Icefields Parkway through Jasper and Banff to arrive in the small resort town of Kananaskis. Connect With Locals and enjoy a Be My Guest experience with a short walk around the village rim trail. Followed by a Farewell Dinner hosted by a backcountry guide that will share wild stories about life in the Rockies, their expertise, passions and an insightful peak into mountain life.
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Trip details
Trip details
What's included
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9 nights
Accommodation
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15 Meals
1 Welcome Reception, 9 Breakfasts, 2 Dinners, 1 Regional Dinner, 1 Lunch, 1 Be My Guest
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On-trip Transport
All transport shown
The Trafalgar difference
Stays With Stories
Stay at The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, located in the heart of Banff National Park. Modeled after a Scottish baronial castle, it is known as the 'Castle in the Rockies'
Connect With Locals
Take a walk around the village rim trail in Kananaskis while learning about some local history. The walk ends at the dinner location at the Crosswaters Resort, where the you will toast to the last night of your vacation.
Sightseeing highlights
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Explore Columbia Icefield Adventure, Icefields Parkway
Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
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Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
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Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
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All transport and transfers shown
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Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
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Optional Experiences and free time
Live, unedited & independent traveler reviews
Secrets of the Rockies and Glacier National Park trip reviews
Our guests are at the heart of everything we do, their feedback fuels our innovation, inspiring us to improve continuously and craft Simply The Best vacations. That's why we ask each of our guests to leave a third-party verified, independent review after every trip. As testament to our commitment we have been given the Trusted Service Award from Feefo, recognising we deliver exceptional experiences as rated by real guests.
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Trip Rating
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4
Having traveled the world this would rank at the top for natural land beauty.
Our tour guide was excellent as well as the coach driver. A unexpected snow storm was dealt with by both very, very well. They didn't miss a beat and keep us intertained during the worst part. Real troopers.
Would have liked to have used a 4 1/2 stars. Only two things that could have been better. 1) Deer Lodge @ Lake Louise. They have a newer wing which is shown on their website. That is NOT where we had our rooms. We were all placed in the very old section, not the sort of rooms we would ever choose. Very disappointing. Trafalgar needs to request the new wing of the lodge. 2) Timing of the drop off on the last day. Didn't leave Banff till 11:00am, which put us @ the airport @ 1:00. That time worked for only 4 people on our tour. Everyone else would have missed their flight by only 1-2 hours, yet had to spend an extra night at Calgary. Every other morning we were out the door by 8:00am which would have worked, so why the late depart?
Donna Gieseke in Springfield,Donna Rae GiesekeMy Account Icon
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Magnificent Journey To The Canadian National Parks!
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5
Our itinerary was very complete and easy to follow. Especially with the help of a copy printed out each day and given out to us by Sheryl. The places we visited couldn't have be any more perfect experience than they were.
Our Travel Director Sheryl Galpin was absolutely amazing at her job, and knew everything about the areas we visited and made our experience at the Canadian Rockies, as well as the other National Parks more than an experience of a lifetime. Jonathan, or bus driver for the trip was also very helpful, helping the women on and off the bus, and Sheryl to get all of the luggage in and out of the bus at all times. He was very well rounded in his job and an excellent driver.
Maximum of only 34 guests on this trip to ensure a more exclusive exploration
Unless otherwise stated, trip prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and reflect applicable discount. Discounts are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice.
Trip prices are correct at the time of the products going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. All trip information is correct at time of trips going live, however are subject to change - please confirm all details at time of booking.
Twin-share option not available for trips to South America, Costa Rica, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, South Africa, Kenya & Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia or for any holiday & cruise combination, or in Asia and Eastern Mediterranean except Highlights of Turkey (without cruise) & Best of Turkey. It's also not available on Small Group trips. Guided Vacations included in this restriction are Newfoundland and Labrador (DNLA). Does not apply to trips operated by Inspiring Journeys & our Mini-stays.
For trips that are part of our Guaranteed Room Share, please note that there is a no smoking policy in all shared rooms. Solo travel is not accepted on guided Family Experiences holidays unless traveling as part of a family group.
Travel to Europe often requires an overnight flight. Please arrange your flights to arrive on or before day 1.
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Active Trip Details
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What is an Active Trip? This is an "Active" lifestyle itinerary, with walks and hikes most days. Hikes will range from easy/moderate to strenuous. No technical climbing skills are required but a reasonable level of fitness is required to make the trip more enjoyable. Understanding that not all people want to hike at the same pace or even on the same trail we will, where possible, host map orientation and then let everyone disperse to enjoy the trails best suited to them. What to Pack Guests should bring lightweight hiking shoes or boots, broad brimmed sun hats, sunglasses, layered clothing, reusable water bottle(s), a hiking day pack and hiking poles (optional)
Weather & Altitude While the itinerary is laid out below, we are at the mercy of the weather and so reserve the right to adjust the program as necessary. Please keep in mind that the higher elevations and possible variations in weather and temperature can increase the perceived level of difficulty of our activities. Elevation ranges up to 9,000 feet for Utah’s Mighty Five and up to 11,000 feet for California High Country Adventure.
Everyone reacts differently to altitude and so if you do have any health issues you should check with your doctor that this trip is suitable for you.