Best of Canadian Rockies

BEST OF THE CANADIAN ROCKIES
7 DAYS FROM $2,695 US
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Phone: 1-888-682-6449/1-303-670-5640
Fax: (425) 984-7676

This Canadian Rockies / Alberta travel experience is packed with breathtaking mountain scenery from beginning to end. See massive glaciers flowing out of a vast ice field, serene glacial lakes reflecting craggy, snow-capped peaks, and sparkling blue rivers. Enjoy an entertaining and educational wine tasting with a local wine expert – discover "ice wine." Ride across the Athabasca Glacier on a special Ice Explorer. Take in Banff, Jasper and Yoho National parks, all part of Canada's special Rocky Mountain UNESCO World Heritage Site. Attend a presentation given by a national park official on the history, legends and folklore found within the parks – and explore Jasper National Park "your way," choosing one of three wilderness adventures. See three of the most beautiful lakes in North America, and the spectacular scenery along the Icefields Parkway. Wildlife is abundant, from Elk to Bighorn Sheep, Moose and even the elusive Grizzly Bear. Stay in the best resorts in the Canadian Rockies, including The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and The Fairmont Banff Springs, on this memorable Alberta travel adventure.

Day 1: Alberta travel adventure – Kananaskis country
This Alberta travel experience in the Canadian Rockies departs at 3:00 p.m. from Calgary International Airport. For guests who are spending the previous night in Calgary, an airport transfer from Calgary International Airport to The Fairmont Palliser is included; pick-up time today will be 1:00 p.m. at The Fairmont Palliser. Best of the Canadian Rockies begins with a journey from Calgary International Airport that takes you across the last few miles of Canadian prairie to Kananaskis country, the foothills of Canada’s Rocky Mountains. Get to know fellow travelers at the welcome reception and dinner.
Meals: Dinner
Lodging: Delta Lodge at Kananaskis

Day 2: Spectacular glacial lakes
From Kananaskis, Alberta travel high up into the Canadian Rockies and cross the Continental Divide through Kicking Horse Pass. Enter Yoho National Park, where Emerald Lake sparkles with the surrounding peaks reflected in the green waters. See the Spiral Tunnels, a century-old railway engineering feat; Natural Bridge, a rock formation over the Kicking Horse River; and Moraine Lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks (providing the weather conditions are right). Arrive at your chateau-style hotel on the edge of Lake Louise overlooking Victoria Glacier in Banff National Park, where you'll enjoy lake-view accommodations.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Banff National Park

Day 3: Icefields Parkway, an Alberta travel highlight
Enjoy a free morning to take in the amazing views while walking around Lake Louise – one of the finest Alberta travel experiences. Drive the Icefields Parkway, featuring jaw-dropping views of mountains, waterfalls, glaciers, and snowfields around every turn. Watch for bears, moose, elk, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats – especially in the spring and fall – en route to your hotel in the heart of Jasper National Park. During your two-night stay, you'll have an opportunity to attend a presentation by a national park official to hear the history, legends and folklore that are the very essence of Canada's magnificent national parks.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Jasper National Park Map

Day 4: Explore Jasper your wayHikers
Continue your Alberta travel experience with a day spent exploring magnificent Jasper National Park with your choice of an included Jasper Your Way discovery tour. You may choose from among an "Experience Maligne Valley" tour offering a guided walk along the beautiful Maligne Lake shoreline; a "Wildlife Discovery Tour," joining a wildlife interpreter to search for bear, elk and more; an Athabasca River whitewater rafting adventure led by Rocky Mountain River Guides; or a trip on the Jasper Tramway through alpine tundra. Or you can engage in some of the optional activities at your lodge (available at an additional cost) including horseback riding, biking, tennis, golf, fishing or boating.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Jasper National Park

Day 5: Glacier Ice Explorer
Retracing your route along the Icefields Parkway, view Athabasca Glacier on the Columbia Icefield, the largest ice cap in the Canadian Rockies. Take a memorable ride across the glacier’s surface on an Ice Explorer, a specially designed vehicle, for a close look at the glacier's geological features -- another highlight of your Alberta travel adventure; nearby are powerful Athabasca Falls. Arrive in Banff National Park, the first national park in Canada – your grand hotel, one of the Rockies' finest resorts, was built more than a century ago to resemble a Scottish baronial castle.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: The Fairmont Banff Springs, Banff National Park

Day 6: The bounty of Banff
There are many optional activities to choose from (available at an additional cost) on a day at leisure in Banff National Park. You can ride the Banff gondola, take a guided nature walk, go horseback riding, mountain biking, or canoeing on the Bow River. Play a round of golf at your world-famous resort, perhaps book an alpine aromatherapy massage at the Willow Stream Spa, ranked among the top spas in Canada, or visit the town of Banff – where admission to the Whyte Museum, and two other museums, is included! The week comes to a conclusion tonight at a memorable farewell wine tasting reception that is both educational and entertaining, followed by dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: The Fairmont Banff Springs, Banff National Park

Day 7: Journey home
Travel back to Calgary, approximately 80 miles. Your Alberta travel adventure ends at 10:00 a.m. at Calgary International Airport. For guests spending additional nights in Calgary, they will be transferred to The Fairmont Palliser upon arrival; a transfer from The Fairmont Palliser to Calgary Int'l Airport is included. Allow a minimum of two hours for check-in; U.S. direct flights clear U.S. customs in Calgary.
Meals: Breakfast

Night 1: Delta Lodge at Kananaskis
Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada

Your hotel is located in the midst of the charming village of Kananaskis, surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery on earth. Originally built for the 1988 Winter Olympics, this wonderful resort offers many recreational activities including two Robert Trent Jones golf courses, tennis courts, horseback riding and mountain biking. Summit Spa and Fitness facilities include an indoor saltwater swimming pool, a fully equipped weight and cardio room and a full range of spa treatments. Guest rooms feature duvets, a small fridge, coffee maker, iron and ironing board, bathrobes, hair dryer and windows that open to let in the fresh mountain air. Guests enjoy gathering in the friendly Bighorn Lounge for a game of pool or just relaxing after an exciting day in the “Valley of Adventure.”

Night 2: The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is one of the world’s most-often photographed hotels and is one of Canada’s most renowned resorts. Built in 1890, this elegant hotel is set in the midst of extraordinary Banff National Park. Exuding old-world charm, this fine hotel is known to many as “the diamond in the wilderness.” Welcoming guest rooms, with their alpine decor, offer all the modern amenities that today’s sophisticated travelers expect. The well-equipped Health Club facilities include an indoor swimming pool and state-of-the-art exercise equipment. With its signature Palladian window offering stunning views of Victoria Glacier and rugged mountain peaks, the Lakeview Lounge is the perfect place for a pre-dinner cocktail. The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise richly deserves its five-star rating.

Night 3 & 4: The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada

Nestled in the midst of majestic Jasper National Park, The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is the epitome of rustic elegance. Once the world’s largest single-story log structure, today the hotel delights sophisticated travelers seeking top-drawer accommodations, amenities and hospitality in combination with countless opportunities for adventurous activities in a pristine wilderness location. Cozy guest rooms feature cable TV, coffee maker, hair dryer, iron and ironing board and windows that open for fresh air. The Health Club facilities include an outdoor heated swimming pool, an indoor whirlpool, an exercise room, and sauna, while the Insignia Salon & Spa waits with pampering treatments.

Night 5 & 6: The Fairmont Banff Springs
Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

Built in the style of a Scottish baronial castle, The Fairmont Banff Springs lies within the heart of Banff National Park. Well-appointed, cozy guest rooms feature cable TV, coffee maker, iron and ironing board and windows that open. Guests may take advantage of the hotel’s numerous facilities, which include a championship Stanley Thompson-designed golf course, tennis courts, heated indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a bowling center, beautifully landscaped grounds to explore and the acclaimed Willow Stream Spa. The Waldhaus Pub, one of Banff’s best-kept secrets, offers a wide selection of locally brewed beers while wine lovers can sample Canada’s extraordinary wines at The Fairmont Banff Springs Wine Bar.

Inclusive Prices

Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, motor coach transportation, sightseeing, admissions, luggage handling, and the services of the Tauck Director, local guides and drivers are included. A representative will meet you at Calgary International Airport and provide transportation to the Delta Lodge at Kananaskis promptly at 3 p.m. or earlier, if all confirmed guests have arrived. Those who choose to pre-stay at the Fairmont Palliser will be picked up at 1 p.m. If you do not join the tour in time for the group transfer, alternative transportation is available through Brewster Transportation and must be arranged at your own expense. On the last day of the tour, we will provide transportation from The Fairmont Banff Springs and arrive at Calgary International Airport at 10 a.m. Please allow at least two hours for flight check-in.

Hotel Accommodations – The tour price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. The Tauck standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality may differ slightly from place to place, this standard remains uncompromised. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are two-bedded rooms with a rollaway cot where available and are not recommended for comfort.

Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.

Tour Director – Best of the Canadian Rockies is conducted by a Tour Director who remains with the group throughout the tour. Your Tour Director is a professional.

Gratuities Included – All gratuities for restaurant and hotel staffs and local guides are included.

No Options Sold – Your Tour Director will assist you with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance but will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed and pleasant experience for you.

Not Included

Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from Tauck for travel originating in the United States.

Hotel Rooms Before and After Tours – To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, you may wish to make hotel arrangements for the nights preceding or following your tour. As a service, Tauck will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through us. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult the Extend This Journey section on this website and discuss it with the reservations agent when you book your tour.

Luggage Responsibility – Although every effort is made to handle your luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please refer to the Protection Plan for more information.

Personal Expenses – Phone calls, room service, alcoholic and bar beverages, laundry, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, visa fees and services, individual airport transfers, and other optional or incidental extras are not included and may be significant.

Tour Director Gratuities – The customary gratuities for the Tauck Director and driver are not included.

DEPARTURE DATES
May - October

PRICES
From $2,695 US per person double occupancy