Tour Planning ... 5 Days - Jewels of the Rockies

Day 1
Arrive Calgary International Airport - Airport greeting, Hotel Check/in, City Tour and dinner atop the Calgary Tower Revolving Restaurant or Regency Palace (Canada's largest Chinese Restaurant). Evening tour of the Calgary "nightscene".
Overnight Calgary (Welcome Dinner)

Day 2
This morning we drive West to Kananaskis Mountain National Park for an exciting and fascinating (gentle) guided raft trip down the "Bow River" by whitewater raft. (all equipment supplied). Kananaskis is on the very edge of the eastern portion of the Rocky Mountains and the views are spectacular. We visit Kananaskis Village, a must to see, as it is one of the Jewels of the Rockies.

Get Ready. Now it's on to the most famous tourist town in the world: Banff. Situated in Banff National Park. We start with a trip to the top of the mountain. Sulphur Mountain Gondola
transports visitors to an elevation of 2,281m (7,486 feet) above sea level at the top of Sulphur Mountain in Banff. This offers the best view in the Canadian Rocky Mountains - an unobstructed 360 degree view of the most memorable mountain scenery you will ever witness!

This evening is free to discover the romantic beauty and excitement of this town and take in the breath-taking views of the majestic Rocky Mountains that surround this beautiful Jewel in the Rockies. A 'must' to see while in Banff is the legendary and world famous Banff Springs Hotel
with its 'castle-like' appearance and also famous for its multi-million dollar 'hot spring' pools and saunas.
Overnight Banff (B)


Day 3
After a hearty breakfast its away to another Jewel, Lake Louise with its grandeur hotel the "Chateau Lake Louise" and more breathtaking views of the Great Canadian Rocky Mountains. It is Canada's "Diamond in the Wilderness," set amid grandiose walls of ice and sheets of rock in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, shimmering like an emerald jewel. Each year more than two million visitors pay homage to the grandiose setting at the shores of Lake Louise, sightseeing, photographing, dining, hiking, climbing and canoeing.

We now travel north through the valley of glaciers, the Icefield Parkway. The canyon of the glaciers. Our next stop is Peyto Lake, chosen by Kodak because of its unbelievable colors. You won't believe the colors are real. Now get ready to get lost in a sea of ice and an ocean of mountains as we visit another Jewel and board the Snow-Coach and travel to the top of the only glacier in the world that is accessible by road. The Athabasca Glacier. Make sure you bring a warm jacket and sunglasses. After the Snow-Coach we pose for a Group Photo with the glacier in the background.

We now travel further north, winding our way through the mighty canyon to the town of Jasper, situated in Jasper National Park. Established in 1907, Jasper National Park is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies with 10,878 square kilometres of mountain wilderness. Jasper is the wildest of the mountain parks, and contains a superb backcountry trail system as well as the world famous Columbia Icefields. It is internationally-renowned for wildlife viewing, and is home to some of North America's rarest animals, including healthy populations of grizzly bears, moose, caribou and wolves.
Overnight Jasper (B)

Day 4
This morning we board the Jasper Skytram and travel to the top of the world where they say one can see for a thousand miles. The experience of being gently transported into Jasper National Park's alpine tundra will captivate all ages, you will discover views unsurpassed in the Canadian Rockies. Gaze over six mountain ranges, glacial-fed lakes, meandering rivers, and the scenic Jasper Townsite. Witness the snow-capped splendor of Mt. Robson, the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies. At 3954 meters (over 12,000 feet) above sea level, you will truly expand your horizons.(up-top restaurant & gift shop, hiking etc.) Time will be allowed for a nice hike along some of the finest and most scenic gentle hiking trails in the Rockies.

This afternoon its on to another Jewel, Maligne Lake for a breathtaking 1 1/2 hour Boat Cruise to Spirit Island. This lake is very famous and one of the most photographed in the world. It is said that a beautiful Indian Princess is buried there. She died from a broken heart after her warrior husband was killed in a battle. There are claims that she sometimes roams the island appearing out of the mist as if searching for her lover.

Evening free to hike and explore around the town of Jasper. (coach available for transporting guests to and from attractions in Jasper Park this evening.
Overnight Jasper (B)

Day 5
Today we head for Edmonton (4 hour drive) International Airport for our flight home.
(B)

* Depending on the groups departure time it may be possible to visit West Edmonton Mall and certain other attractions on the way to Edmonton or we can add an additional night to this tour. (your choice, of course)