Banff – After arrival in Calgary, rent your car and start heading west toward Banff.  You’ll quickly escape the city into the Rockies.  The attractive town of Canmore makes a good stop for lunch and some last-minute shopping.  Soon after Canmore, you’ll enter the National Park and reach the small town of Banff.

If you have time to explore today, you might consider riding the Banff gondola up to the Sulphur Mountain summit for incredible views of the region.  Afterwards check in to your hotel.  For our Classic tour, we like the warm and friendly Moose Hotel, with great rooms, a good restaurant and rooftop pool.  Our deluxe tour will be at the Fairmont in either Banff or Lake Louise.

Banff – A great hike to start of your stay in Banff is the hike to Bourgeau lake and Harvey pass. Start with a short 15 minute drive along the Bow river to the trailhead. The trail starts modestly enough in forest but steepens a bit as you get to the lake.

Bourgeau lake is very nice, but really you want to keep going, as the views just keep getting better. A bit further you’ll reach the smaller and higher Harvey lake, and then finally up to the pass, where you’re treated to views to Mount Assiniboine and down to Sunshine Meadows. Return to your hotel for your 2nd night.

Banff – Mt Norquay is Banff’s local mountain and home to great hiking trails.  Hike through lodgepole pine and spruce up to great views of whole region.  Along the way, enjoy views of Banff and the Vermilion Lakes as you ascend Cascade Ridge.

Mt Norquay also offers options for mountain biking and via ferrata climbing, so this can be a great multi-sport day.

Lake Louise – Today it is time to say goodbye to Banff and head northeast toward Lake Louise.  Today we’ll make a detour to nearby Jasper National Park. The driving route is known as the Icefields parkway, and is almost certainly one of the most scenic drives in the world. There are many small hikes along the way and viewpoints to enjoy as you go.

We’ll have you stop at the Columbia Icefields, avoiding all the fire damage further north in Jasper.  Near the icefields, take a great hike up to Wilcox pass, for wonderful views across the valley to Athabasca Glacier.  After the hike and glacier viewing, return to Banff to Lake Louise.  The drive itself, without stops, will take about 3 1/2 hrs round-trip

Lake Louise – Perhaps you’ll choose a classic today with a visit to Lake Louise and hike to the Plain of the Six glaciers.  Start with a local bus to stunning Lake Louise, a gorgeous turquoise lake ringed by high peaks.

The hike leads up to the Lake Agnes Tea House, where you can stop for a drink or a full lunch.  Keep heading up and the trail leads to stunning glacier views. To vary the route back, you can detour along the Highline trail to Lake Agnes before descending back to Lake Louise and return to Banff.

Lake Louise – Today you’ll make a short drive west to nearby Yoho National Park, to a wonderful valley filled with waterfalls and somewhat away from the crowds.  You’ll start at Takakkaw falls, one of the highest waterfalls around, with a name that means “it is magnificent” in the Cree language.

Hike from here on a big day that includes the Yoho River, Twin falls and Marpole lake as you make a lollipop loop around the valley.  The historic Twin Falls teahouse is expected to reopen in 2027.  Return to Lake Louise for your final night.

Depart – After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll leave for your post-trip destinations. It’s a 2 hour drive back to Calgary.