Secrets of the Rockies and Glacier National Park
Secrets of the Rockies and Glacier National Park
Secrets of the Rockies and Glacier National Park
9 Days Starting and ending in Calgary, Canada
Visiting: Calgary, Waterton Lakes National Park, Glacier National Park, Banff, Athabasca Glacier, Jasper, Lake Louise
Tour operator:
Tour code:
DRGPAM20
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the majestic landscapes of Canada and the USA with the "Secrets of the Rockies and Glacier National Park" tour. Begin your adventure in Calgary, exploring the rich indigenous culture with Painted Warriors and experiencing the thrill of Canada's national sport, hockey. Traverse the breathtaking scenery of Waterton Lakes, Glacier, and Banff National Parks, with highlights including the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road and the awe-inspiring Athabasca Glacier. Stay in the luxurious Fairmont Banff Springs, known as the 'Castle in the Rockies,' and enjoy unique experiences like a vintage Red Jammer tour and a gathering walk with indigenous guides. Conclude your journey with the serene beauty of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, creating memories to last a lifetime.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Hello Calgary
Location: Calgary
Accommodation: Hilton Garden Inn Calgary Downtown
Accommodation Name: Hilton Garden Inn Calgary Downtown
Meals Included: Dinner
Tip your Stetson to Canada’s ‘Cowboy Country’, kick-starting your adventure through the inimitable Rockies in Calgary. This evening, join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Reception.
Day 2: Unmask Painted Warriors
Location: Waterton Lakes National Park
Accommodation: Waterton Lakes Lodge Resort
Accommodation Name: Waterton Lakes Lodge Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Kick off your first full day with a Be My Guest Experience meeting Painted Warrior Tracey Klettl who’ll share her love for horses, archery, being outdoors and connecting with nature through traditional skills learned through her indigenous cultures with you. Join Tracey for a gathering walk learning about plants used for foraging and that add an earthy and spicy flavour to your shared lunch. Next, journey toward Waterton Lakes National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site. Tucked into the southwestern corner of Alberta, this national park boasts majestic Rocky Mountains and lakes carved out of rock by ancient glaciers. Discover its blend of unusual geology, mild climate, rare wildflowers and abundant wildlife that has remained unchanged for centuries.
Day 3: Take A Vintage Voyage Along St. Mary Lake
Location: Glacier National Park
Accommodation: Fairmont Banff Springs
Accommodation Name: Hilton Garden Inn Kalispell
Meals Included: Breakfast
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. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER ® Experience with Blackfeet and Cherokee member Mariah Gladstone as she welcomes you onto traditional Blackfeet territory for storytelling and history. After your visit, continue in a restored 1930s vintage touring red “jammer” 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 (seasonal). Traverse one of the few remaining rainforests in Montana as you drive alongside the glacially carved valley.
Day 4: Travel Through Kootenay National Park Stays With Stories
Location: Banff
Accommodation: Fairmont Banff Springs
Accommodation Name: Fairmont Banff Springs
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, we leave Montana. 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, Canada’s oldest National Park. Descending into the Bow River Valley, arrive in Banff where you Check in at your Stays With Stories, the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs, the 'Castle in the Rockies'.
Day 5: Explore Picturesque Banff
Location: Banff
Accommodation: Chateau Jasper
Accommodation Name: Fairmont Banff Springs
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Our day begins with a Dive Into Culture excursion experiencing the thrill and excitement of being a real Canadian hockey player. Learn the secrets and superstitions as a professional coach walks you through a day in the life of a player. Go inside the players' dressing room where you have the opportunity to try on full hockey gear before grabbing your stick and heading onto the ice. Then 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 optional gondola ride. Later, spend the afternoon exploring the rugged beauty of Banff, from its postcard viewpoint of Surprise Corner to Bow Falls before dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 6: Traverse Across Athabasca Glacier
Location: Athabasca Glacier
Accommodation: Chateau Jasper
Accommodation Name: Chateau Jasper
Meals Included: Breakfast
Take the Icefields Parkway, one of the most scenic drives in North America through Canada's breath-taking glaciers, sweeping valleys, cascading waterfalls and majestic mountain ranges along Continental Divide. Stop at glacier fed Peyto Lake, named for pioneer, mountain guide and early park warden Bill Peyto. Continue your adventure 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 fascinating information about glaciers and their impact on our environment. Take a sip of ice-cold glacier water and admire the surrounding snow-capped panorama before continuing your journey and heading to Jasper.
Day 7: The Joys Of Jasper
Location: Jasper
Accommodation: Lake Louise Inn
Accommodation Name: Chateau Jasper
Meals Included: Breakfast
Embark on a leisurely walk admiring the sheer limestone cliffs of Maligne Canyon, the deepest canyon in Jasper National Park. Learn about the underground river system that flows out to Medicine Lake and see how the power of water has eroded and carved this gorge over the years. Immerse yourself in more natural beauty on an optional cruise of Maligne Lake (seasonal), the largest glacially fed lake in the Canadian Rockies. Cruising these brilliant blue waters, discover world-famous Spirit Island, the crown jewel of Jasper National Park and one of the most photographed locations in the Rockies, accessible only by boat. Head back into Jasper where the rest of the day is free to relax or join a scenic float trip down the Athabasca River on a route that was once used by fur traders.
Day 8: Take In The Tranquility Of Lake Louise
Location: Lake Louise
Accommodation Name: Lake Louise Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
An early rise today as we head for Moraine Lake (seasonal). Take a walk on the Lakeshore or Rockpile Trail for the best views of the Canadian Rockies with stunning Moraine Lake nestled in the Valley of the Ten Peaks. Afterwards, head to the glacier-fed waters of Lake Louise where you can join your Travel Director for a walk along the lakeshore with a photo-worthy setting of rugged mountain backdrop and turquoise waters or set out exploring on your own. Enjoy lunch at leisure, then cap off your trip with a Farewell Dinner reminiscing about the highlights of your trip with your fellow travellers.
Day 9: Depart Calgary
Location: Calgary
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning make your way to Calgary International Airport where you will be dropped off by 11:30am or choose to extend your stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Calgary.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Stay at various accommodations including Hilton Garden Inn Calgary Downtown, Waterton Lakes Lodge Resort, Hilton Garden Inn Kalispell, Fairmont Banff Springs, Chateau Jasper, and Lake Louise Inn.
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Meals
Enjoy 3 dinners, 8 breakfasts, and 1 lunch during the tour.
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Guided Experiences
Join guided experiences such as the Be My Guest experience with Painted Warrior Tracey Klettl and a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience with Mariah Gladstone.
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Transportation
Travel in a restored 1930s vintage touring red 'jammer' and an all-terrain Ice Explorer for glacier travel.
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Cultural Experiences
Dive Into Culture with experiences like learning to play hockey in Banff.
What's Not Included
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Optional Experiences
Optional experiences such as helicopter rides, gondola rides, and a cruise of Maligne Lake are not included.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and travel insurance are not included.
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Flights
International and domestic flights to and from Calgary are not included.
Dining Summary
- 3 Dinner (D)
- 8 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Lunch (L)
Dive Into Culture
- Banff: Dive Into Culture and embrace Canada's national sport, learning the secrets and superstitions of hockey players as a team member walks you through a day in the life of a player. Go inside the players' dressing room and put on the full hockey gear. Grab your stick and it's onto the ice where you'll soon find out whether you are a lefty or righty and learn how to score the big goal.
- Banff: Dive Into Culture and embrace Canada's national sport, learning the secrets and superstitions of hockey players as a team member walks you through a day in the life of a player. Go inside the players' dressing room and put on the full hockey gear. Grab your stick and it's onto the ice where you'll soon find out whether you are a lefty or righty and learn how to score the big goal.
Mode of Transport
Travel through the stunning landscapes of the Rockies and Glacier National Park with scenic drives along the Icefields Parkway and Going-to-the-Sun Road. Experience a vintage voyage in restored 1930s red 'jammers' and enjoy the convenience of organized transportation throughout the tour.
Accommodation
Experience a blend of comfort and luxury with stays at the Hilton Garden Inn Calgary Downtown, Waterton Lakes Lodge Resort, Fairmont Banff Springs, and Chateau Jasper. Enjoy the iconic 'Castle in the Rockies' at Fairmont Banff Springs, offering a unique and memorable stay.
Check out our Q&As
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What unique cultural experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes a Be My Guest experience with Tracey Klettl, an indigenous guide, who will share her knowledge of traditional skills and foraging during a gathering walk. Additionally, there is a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience with Mariah Gladstone, who will share Blackfeet history and culture in Glacier National Park.
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What activities are available in Banff during the tour?
In Banff, you can experience the thrill of being a Canadian hockey player with a professional coach, explore the town's rugged beauty, and optionally take a helicopter or gondola ride for a bird's-eye view of the alpine forest.
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What is the significance of the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in the tour?
The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, known as the 'Castle in the Rockies', is a significant accommodation on the tour, offering a unique stay in the heart of Banff National Park, modeled after a Scottish baronial castle.
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What can I expect during the visit to the Athabasca Glacier?
During the visit to the Athabasca Glacier, you will ride on an all-terrain Ice Explorer vehicle, where an experienced driver-guide will provide insights about glaciers. You will have the opportunity to taste ice-cold glacier water and enjoy the surrounding snow-capped panorama.
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What is the highlight of the visit to Jasper National Park?
The highlight of the visit to Jasper National Park is a leisurely walk through Maligne Canyon, where you can admire the limestone cliffs and learn about the underground river system. You can also opt for a cruise on Maligne Lake to see the famous Spirit Island.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a guided holiday with us is that you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Vaccination against Covid-19 is not mandatory to travel with Trafalgar. However, we strongly recommend that guests are vaccinated before travelling. Please note that airlines and/or other authorities may have different requirements. It is the guest's responsibility to comply with these requirements at all times.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1947
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Trafalgar is a founding partner of the TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2008. So far, the charity has donated more than US$2 million to help underprivileged communities and support sustainable tourism around the world.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Low Deposit
Trafalgar requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of trafalgar charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions