Self-Drive Rocky Mountain Journey

Day 1

Calgary

Fly to Calgary International Airport, pick up your rental car and make your way to your downtown hotel. Enjoy an evening stroll around the city, perhaps ascend Calgary Tower for your first glimpse of the Rockies and eat at one of the many great downtown restaurants.

Day 2

Calgary - Banff (79 miles)

Leaving Calgary behind, you will set your sights today on the magnificent Rocky Mountains. Feel the majesty of these mountains as you first travel through the foothills and then enter beautiful Banff National Park. Time to park the car and stretch your legs with a walk down to the Bow River and Bow Falls. Browse the boutiques of Banff Avenue and sample friendly Canadian hospitality in one of the many cafes and restaurants.

Day 3

Banff

A full day to experience Banff. Perhaps take a guided tour of the National Park to spot wildlife and learn about the geography. Or take the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain for spectacular views of several mountain ranges. At the top you'll also find a fascinating exhibition on the local area, plus a choice of cafe and restaurant where you can soak in the view. Or perhaps explore in that wholly Canadian way by kayak. We can book these and many other excursions for you.

Day 4

Banff - Lake Louise (36 miles)

Depart Banff today and travel to Lake Louise, the “Jewel of the Rockies”. Visit Moraine Lake and the Valley of the Ten Peaks. Perhaps rent a canoe at either Moraine or Lake Louise and see the area from a different perspective. Please note when visiting Moraine Lake personal cars are unable to drive to it and you must book and reserve a shuttle prior to visiting.

Day 5

Lake Louise - Jasper (145 miles)

Today travel the scenic Icefields Parkway. The Icefields Parkway is Canada’s second-highest paved highway, and is among the country’s most scenic drives. A kaleidoscope of new experiences is yours to discover amidst the waterfalls, mountain lakes and awesome glaciers, which dominate the landscape. We can book you a visit to the Columbia Icefield and ride on board an Ice Explorer to the Athabasca Glacier. This glacier is part of the Columbia Icefield, the greatest mass of ice outside the Arctic Circle where the ice is over a thousand feet thick. You can also experience the Skywalk - Winner of the 2011 World Architecture Future Projects award, the Glacier Skywalk consists of a 400 metre interpretive boardwalk and a glass-floored observation platform extending 30 metres out over the Sunwapta Valley.

Leaving the Athabasca Glacier, your camera should be ready to capture the majesty of the Athabasca Falls prior to your arrival into Jasper - set amid some of the most rugged peaks in the Rockies.

Day 6

Jasper - Sun Peaks (268 miles)

Today you have the longest drive of the itinerary, but what a scenic drive it will be. The Yellowhead Highway will take you on a route first explored by trappers and traders. You will see Mount Terry Fox as well as Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Rockies. We recommend a visit to Wells Gray Provincial Park, a nature reserve priding itself on the untamed and pristine state of its wilderness. Continue to Sun Peaks, a year-round resort catering to families as well as sports enthusiasts.

Day 7

Sun Peaks to Vancouver (256 miles)

Driving past Kamloops, you'll traverse the stunning, sage brush-covered ranch lands along the South Thompson River. This is still the land of vast herds of cattle and cowboys on horseback. Entering between the towering rock walls of the Fraser Canyon, you'll be amazed at the whitewater rapids of the Fraser River gushing far below. Over 750,000 litres of water surge through the 34-metre Hell's Gate gorge every minute and a gondola ride over this part of the canyon is sure to impress. Further downstream, the lush Fraser Valley opens up into the maritime basin characteristic of the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia as you approach Vancouver, Canada's Gateway to the Pacific.

Day 8

Vancouver departure

Today check out of your hotel, head to the airport to drop off your car rental before cacthing your flight home. How about exploring the beautiful Stanley Park or seeing the incredible Vancouver Capilano Suspension Bridge? Or extend your holiday with a few more days in Vancouver to explore the city and the beautiful surrounding area.