Spectacular Rockies and Glaciers of Alberta
Spectacular Rockies and Glaciers of Alberta
$5175
Spectacular Rockies and Glaciers of Alberta
8 Days Starting and ending in Calgary, Canada
Visiting: Banff, Lake Louise, Yoho National Park, Jasper National Park, Kananaskis, Calgary
Tour operator:
Tour code:
SAGVLZN20
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the breathtaking landscapes of Alberta with the "Spectacular Rockies and Glaciers of Alberta" tour. Begin your adventure in Calgary and explore the majestic Banff National Park, where you'll delve into the rich history and culture of the Rocky Mountains at the Whyte Museum. Experience the vibrant turquoise waters of Moraine Lake and the awe-inspiring Icefields Parkway, one of North America's most scenic drives. Discover the serene beauty of Maligne Lake on a narrated cruise and walk the trails of Maligne Canyon. Enjoy authentic dining experiences at iconic locations like the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel and Glacier View Lodge. Engage with First Nations culture on a guided walk in the Boreal forest, and marvel at the stunning views from the Glacier Skywalk. Conclude your journey in the tranquil setting of Kananaskis, celebrating the wonders of the Canadian Rockies with newfound friends.
Choice Highlights
- Banff: Learn about the history of Fairmont Banff Springs, discover highlights and stories that took place around the iconic hotel.
- Banff: Discover the history and culture of the Rocky Mountains of Canada at the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies. With the mission of cultivating the exchange of knowledge, the museum engages you with the evolving history, peoples, cultures, environment and ideas of mountain cultures. Museum founders Peter Whyte and Catharine Robb Whyte were local artists and philanthropists who wanted to create a place where people could gather and appreciate the culture and beauty of the area.
Top Rated Highlights
- Moraine Lake: Enjoy a beautiful stop at glacier-fed Moraine Lake, a vibrant turquoise lake set in the rugged Valley of the Ten Peaks.
- Icefields Parkway: Travel along the Icefields Parkway Drive, one of the most scenic drives in North America. Made up of breathtaking glaciers, soaring mountain peaks and dramatic valleys.
- Maligne Lake: Relax on board a narrated cruise on the serene waters of Maligne Lake. Glide past jagged mountain peaks to Spirit Island, a world-famous destination accessible only by boat.
- Maligne Canyon: Join your Travel Director as you walk on the trails of Maligne Canyon, one of the most stunning gorges in the Canadian Rockies and the deepest canyon in Jasper National Park.
Make Travel Matter
Banff: Join a First Nations Cree Iroquois Local Expert and take a walk in the Boreal forest. Learn how their ancestors survived off the land and used the plants as medicines. Listen to amazing stories about First Nations culture and their relationship with local nature and wildlife. Your experience advances United Nations Global Goals 5 & 11: Gender Equality & Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Authentic Dining
Banff: Enjoy dinner at the historic and regal Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.
Icefields Parkway: Enjoy an evening reception at the Glacier View Lodge. After dinner, step out onto the viewing deck and marvel at the evening sky, relax with a drink in the library or hang out inside the Moraine Lounge with games and live entertainment.
Kananaskis: Celebrate your travels with your newfound friends and enjoy a flavourful dinner at the Kananaskis Mountain Lodge.
Insight Choice
Banff: Discover the history and culture of the Rocky Mountains of Canada at the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies. Venture out on to the amazing Glacier Skywalk where you will be treated to an after-hours visit onto the cliff-edged glass floored walkway or learn about the history of the Fairmont Banff Springs, highlights and stories that took place around and at the hotel.
Banff: Learn about the history of Fairmont Banff Springs, discover highlights and stories that took place around the iconic hotel.
Banff: Discover the history and culture of the Rocky Mountains of Canada at the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies. With the mission of cultivating the exchange of knowledge, the museum engages you with the evolving history, peoples, cultures, environment and ideas of mountain cultures. Museum founders Peter Whyte and Catharine Robb Whyte were local artists and philanthropists who wanted to create a place where people could gather and appreciate the culture and beauty of the area.
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Banff
Location: Banff
Accommodation: Fairmont Banff Springs.
Accommodation Name: Fairmont Banff Springs, Banff National Park
Meals Included: Dinner
Your stay at a historic mountain resort in Banff awaits. After your arrival at Calgary airport, if you have purchased an airport transfer, your driver will transport you to the hotel. Built in the distinctive Canadian Château style, it is one of the earliest examples of the country’s grand railway hotels. Tonight, join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for dinner.
Day 2: Exploring Banff
Location: Banff
Accommodation: Fairmont Banff Springs.
Accommodation Name: Fairmont Banff Springs, Banff National Park
Meals Included: Breakfast
Connect with nature as you join a memorable MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience with a First Nations Cree Iroquois Local Expert. Discover First Nations culture, such as how plants and animals like bears hold great significance. This authentic dive into the First Nations Cree community is not only enlightening but also helps assure the sustainability of the community and culture. Embark on a guided walk in the Boreal Forest and learn the Indigenous world of plant medicines as well as the historical and modern-day uses of plants and listen to fascinating stories about the First Nations. This afternoon, visit The Whyte Museum and enjoy artwork inspired by the local Rockies. Or, learn about the history of the Fairmont Banff Springs from a knowledgeable ambassador. Hear stories of events that took place around and at this hotel and receive a self-guided map of highlight locations for you to discover.
Day 3: A Trip To Lake Louise Relaxed Start
Location: Lake Louise
Accommodation: Fairmont Banff Springs.
Accommodation Name: Fairmont Banff Springs, Banff National Park
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
The Three Sisters Peak or Mt Assiniboine will impress on this morning’s optional helicopter flights (weather dependent). Make your way to Moraine Lake (seasonal) – the largest glacially fed lake in Canada – for a photo stop before a decadent lunch at Chateau Lake Louise. Marvel as you're surrounded by soaring peaks and the majesty of the Victoria Glacier. Capture a photo or two of the turquoise Lake Louise and rugged backdrop of one of the most famous mountain vistas in the world before returning to Banff and enjoying the rest of your day at leisure. This evening, opt for a scenic end to your day by taking the Banff Gondola ride.
Day 4: Lakes, Mountains And Glaciers
Location: Yoho National Park
Accommodation: Glacier View Lodge
Accommodation Name: Glacier View Lodge, Jasper National Park
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Glaciers, waterfalls and peaks of Yoho Park are revealed on this morning’s visit to Yoho National Park. Your journey includes photo opportunities at Emerald Lake (seasonal) before taking the Icefields Parkway, one of the most beautiful drives on the planet. Admire the dramatic scenery of the Rockies with plenty of photo opportunities. A warm welcome greets you at the country’s first and only glacier-view resort over a Champagne reception and nibbles. Before dinner, take advantage of the long daylight hours and set out for an after-hours visit to the Columbia Icefield Skywalk, a glass-floored walkway above the Sunwapta Valley featuring waterfalls and wildlife. After your Skywalk visit, indulge in a delicious, Canadian inspired, locally sourced dinner, sip cocktails and marvel at the spectacular glacier views that wrap the restaurant.
Day 5: Glacier Adventure Relaxed Start
Location: Jasper National Park
Accommodation: Sawridge Inn Jasper
Accommodation Name: Forest Park Hotel, Jasper National Park
Meals Included: Breakfast
Before other travelers arrive, venture onto the Athabasca Glacier in a massive Ice Explorer for your special, before-hours visit. Join your Local Expert and walk on the frozen flow of ice. Discover the beauty and immensity of the glacier as you learn about the history and geology of the region. Continue along the magnificent Icefields Parkway further into Jasper National Park with its soothing mineral hot springs, colorful meadows and majestic mountains.
Day 6: Exploring Jasper Relaxed Start
Location: Jasper National Park
Accommodation: Sawridge Inn Jasper
Accommodation Name: Forest Park Hotel, Jasper National Park
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a relaxed start this morning or join the fun and experience an optional easy rafting, scenic float trip down the Athabasca River, a designated Canadian Heritage River. A National Park licensed guide will provide commentary on the human and natural history of Jasper while navigating you along the same route used by the “fur traders” over 2 centuries ago. Don’t worry, the guides do all the rowing; you sit back and enjoy while exploring all the spectacular scenery. There is always a chance of seeing various wildlife including elk, deer, moose, coyotes, wolves, eagles, ospreys, mountain sheep and bears. Later, join your Travel Director on an informative walk in Maligne Canyon, the deepest gorge in Jasper National Park. As you cruise across the crystal waters of magical Maligne Lake (seasonal), fed by the glaciers of Jasper National Park and glide past the jagged mountain peaks, you'll discover why it's been declared the "Best Boat Cruise in Canada.”
Day 7: Journey To Kananaskis
Location: Kananaskis
Accommodation: Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, Autograph Collection
Accommodation Name: Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, Autograph Collection
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, enjoy a scenic drive down to Kananaskis, often kept as a secret mountain sanctuary for locals, away from the masses that visit neighbouring Banff National Park. Enjoy the late afternoon to yourself to discover the local trails surrounding your upscale hotel nestled in the wilderness, or head to the Nordic Spa located steps away from the lodge. Tonight, come together with your fellow travelers for a festive dinner and toast to your wonderful trip in the Canadian Rockies.
Day 8: Farewell Canada
Location: Calgary
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, you are transferred to Calgary Airport where your journey comes to an end. Arrival time at airport is approximately 12:00 pm.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Stay at the historic Fairmont Banff Springs, Glacier View Lodge, and Forest Park Hotel in Jasper National Park.
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Meals
Enjoy 3 dinners with wine, 7 breakfasts, and 1 lunch during the tour.
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Guided Tours
Join guided tours including a walk in the Boreal Forest with a First Nations Cree Iroquois Local Expert and a walk in Maligne Canyon.
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Transportation
Travel in a luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom.
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Unique Experiences
Experience an after-hours visit to the Glacier Skywalk and a special before-hours visit to the Athabasca Glacier.
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Cultural Experiences
Learn about First Nations culture and the history of the Fairmont Banff Springs.
What's Not Included
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Optional Activities
Optional activities such as helicopter flights and the Banff Gondola ride are not included.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers.
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Airport Transfers
Airport transfers are not included unless purchased separately.
Dining Summary
- 3 Dinner with Wine (DW)
- 7 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Lunch (L)
Insight Experiences
- Icefields Parkway: Enjoy an after-hours visit to the amazing Glacier Skywalk. Step onto the cliff-edged, glass-floored walkway rising 918 ft (280 meters) above the Sunwapta Valley offering sweeping views of the valley and Columbia Icefield.
- Icefields Parkway: After a delicious dinner, step out onto the viewing deck and stargaze. As you marvel at the dark night sky, relax with a drink in the library or hang out inside the Moraine Lounge with games and live entertainment. The perfect way to end any night.
- Icefields Parkway: Take a seat in a specially designed Ice Explorer for a visit onto the Athabasca Glacier before other travellers arrive. Follow your Local Expert as you stroll on its icy surface and experience the enormous glaciers up close.
Summary
- Visit Banff National Park • Lake Louise • Jasper National Park • Moraine Lake • Icefields Parkway scenic drive • Maligne Lake • Sunwapta Falls • Athabasca Falls • Maligne Canyon.
Well-being
- Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
Mode of Transport
Travel in comfort aboard Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Enjoy the scenic drives along the Icefields Parkway and other breathtaking routes in the Canadian Rockies.
Accommodation
Experience the grandeur of the Fairmont Banff Springs, a historic mountain resort in Banff National Park, and enjoy the luxurious Glacier View Lodge in Jasper National Park. Conclude your stay at the upscale Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, nestled in the wilderness.
Check out our Q&As
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What unique cultural experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience with a First Nations Cree Iroquois Local Expert, where you will learn about First Nations culture, including the significance of plants and animals, and hear fascinating stories about the First Nations community.
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What kind of dining experiences can I expect on this tour?
You will enjoy dinner at the historic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, an evening reception at the Glacier View Lodge with a viewing deck for stargazing, and a flavorful dinner at the Kananaskis Mountain Lodge.
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Are there any special activities planned for the Icefields Parkway?
Yes, you will have an after-hours visit to the Glacier Skywalk, a glass-floored walkway above the Sunwapta Valley, and a special before-hours visit to the Athabasca Glacier in a massive Ice Explorer.
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What opportunities are there to learn about the local history and culture?
You can visit the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies to learn about the history and culture of the Rocky Mountains, and hear stories about the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel from a knowledgeable ambassador.
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What wildlife might I see during the tour?
During the tour, especially on the scenic float trip down the Athabasca River, you might see wildlife such as elk, deer, moose, coyotes, wolves, eagles, ospreys, mountain sheep, and bears.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1978.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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Low Deposit
Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.
Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
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