Alberta
5
Day Itinerary •
Canada
Five days in Alberta's Rocky Mountain parks gives you the complete extraordinary experience of the finest mountain wilderness in North America. Beyond Moraine Lake and the Icefields Parkway lie the world's most important fossil site at Burgess Shale, the turquoise Emerald Lake of Yoho, the hidden mineral springs of Kootenay's Marble Canyon, the secret Kananaskis wilderness and the extraordinary prairie skyline of Calgary backed by the Rockies. This route covers the complete Alberta and BC Rockies experience from the iconic glacier lakes and the Icefields Parkway through the UNESCO fossil beds and the finest waterfalls in Canada to the hidden Kananaskis wilderness, the Banff Nordic spa and the most extraordinary drive-in mountain city on earth. Five extraordinary days in the finest national park landscape in the world.
Best Time To Visit
June to October
Getting There
Fly into Calgary (YYC)
Getting Around
Car essential throughout
Budget Per Day
Approx 300 to 875 CAD per person per day
Difficulity
Moderate to strenuous, long hikes
DAY 1
THE ICEFIELDS PARKWAY
MORNING
LAKE LOUISE AND MORAINE LAKE, THE TWO FINEST GLACIER LAKES IN CANADA
Lake Louise is the most extraordinary glacier lake in Canada, its extraordinary emerald water fed by the Victoria Glacier at the lake head, the Chateau Lake Louise hotel on its shore and the Plain of Six Glaciers tea house trail above giving the finest Alpine scenery in North America. Moraine Lake 14km away in the Valley of the Ten Peaks is the most photographed lake in Canada, its extraordinary turquoise water and the rockpile viewpoint above giving the finest single view in the Canadian Rockies. Park pass required approx 22 CAD. Drive/Travel: 1.5 hours drive
MIDDAY
THE ICEFIELDS PARKWAY, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY MOUNTAIN ROAD IN THE WORLD
drive The Icefields Parkway from Lake Louise to Jasper is the most extraordinary scenic drive in the world, its 232km through the heart of the Canadian Rockies passing the Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake, the Weeping Wall, the Columbia Icefield and the Athabasca Falls in the finest continuous mountain scenery on earth. The Columbia Icefield Skywalk glass platform at 280 metres above the Sunwapta Valley is extraordinary. Drive time without stops approx 3 hours. Drive/Travel: Drive
AFTERNOON
THE COLUMBIA ICEFIELD AND THE ATHABASCA GLACIER
The Columbia Icefield is the largest icefield in the Rocky Mountains south of Alaska, its extraordinary Athabasca Glacier accessible on foot to the marked safety boundary or by Ice Explorer vehicle onto the glacier surface. The glacier has retreated 1.5km since 1890 and the retreat markers are extraordinary. The Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre gives the finest account of glacial science in Canada. Ice Explorer approx 60 CAD.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Consolation Lakes trail from Moraine Lake, a 3km return hike through extraordinary boulder fields and subalpine forest, reaches two hidden lakes with the finest unrestricted view of the Ten Peaks above. Almost entirely unknown compared to the Moraine rockpile viewpoint directly above. Entirely free with park pass.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Chateau Lake Louise dining room Outstanding mountain breakfast facing the glacier. The lake turns emerald as the sun hits it at 8am. | Lunch: Num-Ti-Jah Lodge, Bow Lake Outstanding Canadian wilderness lunch at the finest historic lodge on the Icefields Parkway. | Dinner: Maligne Canyon Wilderness Kitchen, Jasper Outstanding Alberta dinner at the end of the Parkway drive. Local elk and bison are extraordinary.
DAY 2
JASPER NATIONAL PARK
MORNING
JASPER NATIONAL PARK AND THE MALIGNE VALLEY
Jasper is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies at 10,878 square kilometres and the finest for wildlife viewing, its extraordinary Maligne Valley containing Maligne Lake, the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies, Spirit Island in the lake photographed more than any other Canadian landscape and the extraordinary Maligne Canyon with its 50-metre walls. The Medicine Lake which drains underground through the world's largest known cave system is remarkable. Cruise approx 65 CAD. Drive/Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
THE JASPER WILDLIFE CIRCUIT AND ELK ISLAND
The Jasper townsite valley is the finest wildlife viewing area in the Canadian Rockies, elk walking the town streets at dawn and dusk, black bear and grizzly bear active in the Maligne Valley in spring and bighorn sheep on the Pyramid Mountain road year-round. The Whistlers Mountain gondola gives the finest panorama of the Jasper valley and the Columbia Icefield range beyond. Gondola approx 55 CAD. Drive/Travel: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE ATHABASCA FALLS AND THE SUNWAPTA FALLS
The Athabasca Falls below Jasper is the most powerful waterfall in the Canadian Rockies, its extraordinary volume of glacial meltwater forced through a 23-metre wide quartzite canyon creating extraordinary standing waves and whirlpools. The Sunwapta Falls 55km south on the Icefields Parkway is the finest double waterfall in Alberta. Both are accessible from short walks. Entry included in park pass.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Pyramid Island causeway walk on Pyramid Lake above Jasper at dusk is the finest hidden evening walk in the park. The island at sunset with the Pyramid Mountain reflection in the lake and elk frequently visible on the lakeshore is extraordinary. Entirely free. Best late August to October.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Coco's Cafe, Jasper The finest independent cafe in Jasper. Outstanding locally roasted coffee and Canadian breakfast. | Lunch: Maligne Lake Chalet Outstanding lake chalet lunch above the most photographed lake in Canada. Local Alberta trout. | Dinner: Fiddle River Restaurant, Jasper The finest restaurant in Jasper. Outstanding Rocky Mountain cuisine with local bison and elk.
DAY 3
YOHO NATIONAL PARK
MORNING
BANFF TOWNSITE AND THE BANFF UPPER HOT SPRINGS
Banff is the most extraordinary mountain resort town in North America, its extraordinary location inside a national park, the remarkable Cave and Basin National Historic Site where the park was created in 1885, the Banff Upper Hot Springs pool at 39 degrees on the mountainside and the extraordinary Banff Avenue boutiques and galleries making it the finest mountain town in Canada. The Bow Falls below the Banff Springs Hotel are extraordinary. Hot Springs approx 10 CAD. Drive/Travel: 45 min drive
MIDDAY
THE BANFF GONDOLA AND SULPHUR MOUNTAIN SUMMIT
The Banff Gondola to the Sulphur Mountain summit at 2,281 metres gives the finest panoramic view in the Canadian Rockies, its extraordinary 360-degree panorama of six mountain ranges, the Banff townsite far below and the extraordinary Sanson Peak weather observatory at the summit where Norman Sanson made 1,000 consecutive weekly weather observations. Gondola approx 65 CAD. The boardwalk to Sanson Peak is extraordinary. Drive/Travel: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
JOHNSTON CANYON AND THE INK POTS HIDDEN SPRINGS
Johnston Canyon is the most extraordinary slot canyon in Alberta, its extraordinary suspended iron walkways bolted into the canyon walls above the torrent, the Lower Falls at 30 metres and the Upper Falls at 40 metres both accessible and the extraordinary Ink Pots, seven cold mineral springs bubbling into turquoise pools 6km from the canyon entrance, making it the finest canyon hike in the Canadian Rockies. Entry free with park pass.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Plain of Six Glaciers tea house above Lake Louise, reached by a 14km return trail, serves the finest remote high-altitude tea and scones in Canada at 2,135 metres with extraordinary views of the Victoria Glacier. Operating since 1924. Cash only. No reservations. Arrive before 2pm. Entirely free to access
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Whitebark Cafe, Banff Outstanding Banff breakfast at the finest independent cafe. Local mountain honey and Canadian back bacon. | Lunch: Tooloulou's, Banff Outstanding Cajun-Canadian lunch at the most characterful restaurant in Banff. The gumbo is extraordinary. | Dinner: The Bison Restaurant, Banff The finest restaurant in Banff. Outstanding Alberta bison and wild mushroom menu. Book ahead.
DAY 4
BANFF AND KOOTENAY
MORNING
THE YOHO NATIONAL PARK AND THE TAKAKKAW FALLS
Yoho National Park just west of Banff in British Columbia contains the most extraordinary concentration of waterfalls in Canada, its extraordinary Takakkaw Falls at 373 metres the second highest waterfall in Canada fed by the Daly Glacier above, the remarkable Natural Bridge where the Kicking Horse River has carved through solid quartzite and the extraordinary Emerald Lake with its extraordinary turquoise water making it the finest single day in the Canadian Rockies. Entry with national parks pass. Drive/Travel: 1 hour drive
MIDDAY
THE BURGESS SHALE AND THE FINEST FOSSIL SITE IN THE WORLD
The Burgess Shale above Field in Yoho National Park is the most extraordinary fossil site in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage deposit of 508 million-year-old Cambrian sea creatures preserved in extraordinary detail including soft tissues preserved nowhere else on earth. The guided hike to the Walcott Quarry is 22km return with 760 metres of elevation. Day hike approx 90 CAD per person. Booking months ahead essential. Drive/Travel: 1 hour drive
AFTERNOON
KOOTENAY NATIONAL PARK AND THE MARBLE CANYON
Kootenay National Park south of Banff contains the extraordinary Marble Canyon, a 37-metre deep slot canyon of Cambrian dolomite limestone carved by glacial meltwater and accessible by a 1km trail with 7 footbridges over the torrent. The extraordinary ochre Paint Pots, iron-rich cold mineral springs sacred to the Indigenous Kootenai people, are remarkable. Both are free with national parks pass.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Peyto Lake viewpoint above the Icefields Parkway is the finest single view in the Canadian Rockies, its extraordinary wolf-head shaped turquoise lake in the Mistaya Valley visible from the Bow Summit lookout at 2,088 metres. Arrive before 8am to avoid the crowds. Entirely free with park pass.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Truffle Pigs, Field Outstanding mountain breakfast at the finest restaurant in the smallest town on the Icefields Parkway. | Lunch: Emerald Lake Lodge dining room Outstanding Rocky Mountain lunch overlooking the finest turquoise lake in Yoho National Park. | Dinner: Becker's Gourmet Restaurant, Jasper Outstanding Alberta wilderness dinner at the finest riverside lodge restaurant in the Rockies.
DAY 5
KANANASKIS AND CALGARY
MORNING
THE KANANASKIS COUNTRY AND THE FINEST HIDDEN VALLEY IN ALBERTA
Kananaskis Country southwest of Calgary is the most extraordinary and least visited mountain wilderness in Alberta, its extraordinary Spray Lakes reservoir, the remarkable Peter Lougheed Provincial Park and the extraordinary Elbow Valley giving wilderness hiking without the Banff crowds. The Rawson Lake trail from Upper Kananaskis Lake is the finest hidden hike in Alberta. The Kananaskis Nordic Spa is the finest outdoor spa in the Canadian Rockies. Entry free. Spa approx 60 CAD. Drive/Travel: 1.5 hours drive
MIDDAY
CALGARY, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY PRAIRIE CITY IN CANADA
Calgary is the most extraordinary prairie city in Canada, its extraordinary downtown skyline visible against the Rocky Mountains from the city centre, the remarkable Studio Bell National Music Centre in the extraordinary building by Allied Works Architecture, the Glenbow Museum containing the finest collection of Indigenous art in western Canada and the remarkable Peace Bridge by Santiago Calatrava over the Bow River making it the finest city in Alberta. Museum approx 20 CAD. Drive/Travel: 1.5 hours drive
AFTERNOON
THE CALGARY STAMPEDE GROUNDS AND THE FINEST RODEO HERITAGE IN NORTH AMERICA
The Calgary Stampede grounds at Stampede Park are the most extraordinary rodeo heritage site in North America, the home of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth held every July with 1.2 million visitors. The BMO Centre, the Scotiabank Saddledome and the extraordinary agricultural buildings are all remarkable. The Stampede itself runs 10 days each July with chuckwagon racing, rodeo and extraordinary grandstand shows. Grounds entry free year-round.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Ink Pots in Johnston Canyon, seven turquoise cold mineral springs bubbling through the canyon floor 6km from the trailhead, are the finest hidden destination in Banff National Park. Almost no day visitors reach them. The springs are vivid turquoise year-round from dissolved minerals. Entirely free with park pass.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Kananaskis Nordic Spa cafe Outstanding mountain breakfast before the spa session. Local Alberta honey and wild berry preserves. | Lunch: The Nash, Calgary Outstanding Calgary farm-to-table lunch at the finest market hall restaurant in the city. | Dinner: River Cafe, Prince's Island Park The finest restaurant in Calgary on its extraordinary island in the Bow River. Outstanding Alberta cuisine.
Where To Stay
Lake Louise, Night 1 Chateau Lake Louise or Post Hotel. Approx 400 to 900 CAD per night. Jasper, Night 2 Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. Approx 250 to 600 CAD per night. Field, Yoho, Night 3 Emerald Lake Lodge. Approx 400 to 800 CAD per night. Banff, Nights 4 to 5 Fairmont Banff Springs or Moose Hotel. Approx 300 to 700 CAD per night.
Top Tips
1. Burgess Shale hike: book on opening day in January. The 22km hike with a guide is the finest in Canada.
2. Takakkaw Falls: the access road to Yoho valley closes October to June and has extreme hairpin switchbacks.
3. Peyto Lake: arrive at dawn before the tour buses. The wolf-head shape is only visible from the main viewpoint.
4. Kananaskis Nordic Spa: book the outdoor pools in advance. The mountain views from the hot pools are extraordinary.
5. Marble Canyon: go at low light. The blue glacial water through the dolomite canyon is finest in morning shade.
6. Calgary River Cafe: the island location on Prince's Island in the Bow River is the finest restaurant setting in Alberta.
Total Budget
300 to 870 CAD/day