8-Nights Tailor Made Canadian Rockies - Luxury Tailor Made Travel — CALL

Itinerary Details

Abercrombie & Kent: Tailor Made Canadian Rockies

Day 1 Calgary, Canada

On arriving at the airport, you are met and privately transferred to your accommodations. After settling in, enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure. Lake Louise is world famous for its turquoise hue, the Victoria Glacier, soaring mountain backdrops and incredible opportunities for adventure around every corner. Stroll along the lake path or opt for a more challenging hike up to one of two tea houses in the mountains. For a more immersive experience, paddle a canoe or kayak to the end of the lake, keeping an eye out for bears, which are often seen roaming the shore.

Join your guide early this morning for a journey to nearby Moraine Lake. Set in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, this alpine jewel rivals Lake Louise in popularity. Your guide points out the local peaks, waterfalls, and moraines as you stroll the lakeshore or simply enjoy the view. Afterward, travel with your guide to Yoho National Park. One of the four Canadian Rockies parks, Yoho is the quieter and less visited of these national parks. Experience a quieter side of the mountains at sites such as Takkakaw Falls and Emerald Lake, as well as myriad trails of all lengths. Watch for bears, elk, moose and other wildlife as you explore.

Experience one of the world’s most scenic drives: the Icefields Parkway. Lined with ridges, waterfalls, lakes and glaciers, this 143-mile road traverses the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Your driver narrates along the way, stopping at sites chosen according to your interests. Stop at the Columbia Icefields to don a set of ice spikes and take a walk on the famous Athabasca Glacier with a professional mountain guide. Get up close to deep crevasses, cascading waterfalls and other glacial features as your guide leads the way. At the end of your journey is the town of Jasper on the bank of the Athabasca River. Jasper National Park is home to a wealth of incredible natural features, including Mount Columbia, Alberta’s tallest mountain, Maligne Lake, the second largest glacially fed lake in the world, and diverse wildlife, including bears, moose, mountain goats, wolverine, elk, and bighorn sheep. Summer visitors can bike ride, hike, or fish, while in the winter, skiing, boarding, snowshoeing and dogsledding abound.

Early this morning, set out on a private wildlife tour of Jasper National Park, the largest in the Canadian Rockies and a haven for viewing moose, black bears, elk, bald eagles and many other animals. Your guide leads the way and helps you to find wildlife, including some of the park’s signature species. Continue up the Maligne Valley, stopping to explore Maligne Canyon, the deepest canyon in the park. Cross a series of bridges spanning the canyon for the best vantage into the depths of this natural wonder. Learn about the “disappearing” Maligne River as it makes its way down from Medicine Lake and Maligne Lake. Enjoy some time on the shore of Maligne Lake to stretch your legs.

Set out on a moderate hike up one of Jasper’s peaks with your guide, learning the area’s rich history and geology as well as how to identify edible plants and mushrooms. Having worked up an appetite, enjoy an authentic backcountry cooking lesson, and sit down to a fresh lunch in a beautiful alpine setting.

Depart Jasper and head south on the Icefield Parkway. The return journey to Banff provides a new perspective and fresh views, making it feel like a completely different trip. Stop along the way and explore iconic spots such as Athabasca Falls and stretch your legs with a short walk or two. Banff, a bustling resort town situated in Banff National Park, has a rich heritage as one of the world’s most awe-inspiring mountain destinations. Stroll through shops and art galleries downtown or ride the Banff Gondola for thrilling views of the area’s jewel-colored lakes, majestic mountains and the Bow River. In the evening, Banff comes alive with highly acclaimed restaurants and bars specializing in craft cocktails. Wildlife sightings, including bears, are common in the Banff townsite and surrounding area.

Start your day with a special, private Indigenous Medicine Walk. Stroll through mountain meadows and Banff National Park forest learning about the fascinating history of Cascade Ponds with a knowledgeable local guide who points out key plants and trees traditionally used for healing, food or starting a fire. Enjoy this exceptional opportunity for a mindful experience immersed in a natural environment. Afterward, take in the highlights of Banff with your guide, learning about the Canadian Pacific Railroad and the Swiss guides who helped develop tourism in the Rockies. Add optional experiences of interest to you, such as a visit to Banff’s historic cave and basin, the Whyte Museum or classic scenic viewing spots.

Trek through an alpine wilderness on a heli-hiking adventure, lifting off from the Canmore Heliport with your guide for a scenic flight through Cougar Canyon. Touch down deep in the mountains amid the solitude of an alpine meadow to begin a hike tailored to your wishes, perhaps including a gentle meadow walk or a trek along an alpine ridge. Listen as your certified mountain guide points out local peaks and talks about the plants and animals that call the Canadian Rockies home and marvel at the spectacular scenery all around you. Along the way, stop for an al fresco picnic lunch.

Your incredible journey comes to an end as you are met and privately transferred to Calgary for your departing flight.