6-Day Rockies Tour: Banff, Yoho & Kootenay National Parks Adventure

Meal

★Breakfast: Included (Hotel Breakfast)/ ★Lunch: Own Arrangement/ ★Dinner: Own Arrangement

­ 

Itinerary

Today, you will travel to Kootenay National Park, a place of unique contrasts, from icy mountain rivers to steamy hot springs.

­ 

【Great Divide】

The divide marks the border between Kootenay National Park to the west and Banff National Park to the east. (stop for about 15 minutes)

­ 

【Marble Canyon】

Take the enjoyable self-guided trail, 1km (0.6mi) each way, which leads to along this ice-caved, marble-streaked canyon and through the remains of a forest destroyed by wildfires in 2003. (stop for about 45 minutes)

­ 

【Kootenay Valley View Point】

This roadside viewpoint provides breathtaking views of the Mitchell and Vermillion mountain ranges and the Kootenay River far below. Watch the river wind through the rich, mountain forest following an ancient route to Castlegar, BC, where it unites with the great Columbia River. (stop for about 10 minutes)

­ 

【Radium Hot Springs (Optional)】

Soak in the naturally-heated, mineral-rich hot pool between the sheltering walls of Sinclair Canyon.  Radium is one of three thermal swimming pools in the Rocky Mountain National Parks - luxurious in summer and magical in the winter. (stop for about 90 minutes)

­ 

【Sinclair Canyon】

A scenic trail through open Douglas-fir forest along the edge of Sinclair Canyon. Features views of the Columbia Valley and verdant Sinclair Canyon falls. (stop for about 10 minutes)

Meal

★Breakfast: Included (Hotel Breakfast)/ ★Lunch: Own Arrangement (Group Meal Option Available)/ ★Dinner: Own Arrangement

­ 

Itinerary

Today you will visit the Banff National Park, Canada's first national park.

­ 

【Banff Sulphur Mt Gondola (Optional)】

Enjoy a 360º view of Banff. (stop for about 90 minutes)

­ 

【Johnston Canyon】

Known for its walking trail throughout the year. (stop for about 60 minutes)

­ 

【Bow Falls】

Location of the film "The River of no return" in 1960's. (stop for about 15 minutes)

­ 

【Surprise Corner】

Good view for the Castle in the Rockies. (stop for about 15 minutes)

­ 

【Hoodoos】

Hoodoos are composed sedimentary rock covered by harder rock that is harder to erode. Once softer sediment erodes rock needle, only tower like natural obstacles are left. (stop for about 15 minutes)

­ 

【Banff Town】

The biggest town of National towns, many shops and restaurants waiting for your discovery. (stop for about 90 minutes)

Meal

★Breakfast: Included (Compulsory Selection)/ ★Lunch: Own Arrangement (Group Meal Option Available)/ ★Dinner: Own Arrangement

Itinerary

Continue your journey to Jasper National Park, the biggest National Park in Canada. 

­ 

【Icefield Parkway】

One of Canada's national treasures and most rewarding destinations. Stretching 232km (144mi) through the heart of Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site, this world-class journey offers access to a vast wilderness of pristine mountain lakes, ancient glaciers and broad sweeping valleys. (pass through)

­ 

【Bow Lake】

It is the headwaters of the Bow River that runs south through the city Calgary and onto the Oldman River ultimately to Hudson Bay. (stop for about 20 minutes)

­ 

【Columbia Icefield】

Snocoach (Optional): Visit the Canadian Rockies and tour over the Athabasca Glacier in a giant Ice Explorer. A once in a lifetime experience. (stop for about 3.5 hours)

­ 

【Athabasca Falls】

It is not one of the highest waterfalls, However, it is rather known for the shear amount and force of the water that flows through it from the Columbia Glacier. (stop about 30 minutes)

【Jasper Town】

It is the heart of Jasper National Park. 2nd biggest town in the Canadian Rockies. (stop time – your own arrangement)

Meal

★Breakfast: Included (Compulsory Selection)/ ★Lunch: Own Arrangement (Group Meal Option Available)/ ★Dinner: Own Arrangement

Itinerary

Today, continue your journey in the Jasper National Park.

【Maligne Lake (Optional - Lake Cruise)】

It is the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies. You can take an optional cruise to enjoy the scenery of the lake. (stop for about 100 minutes)

【Maligne Canyon】

It is carved into the Palliser Formation, a layer of limestone deposited in a shallow tropical sea by lime-secreting plankton about 365-million years ago. (stop for about 30 minutes)

【Medicine Lake】

During the summer, glacier melt waters flood the lake, sometimes overflowing it. In fall and winter the lake disappears, becoming a mudflat with scattered pools of water connected by a stream. Medicine Lake is one of the largest known sinking rivers in the Western Hemisphere. It is also maybe the largest inaccessible cave system anywhere in the world! (pass through)

【Peyto Lake】

It is a glacier-fed lake in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies. During the summer, significant amounts of glacial rock flour flow into the lake, These suspended rock particles give the lake a bright, turquoise color. (stop for about 20 minutes) / (It will be replaced by Waterfowl Lake if it is closed)

【The Crossing】

A starting point for tours on the Columbia Icefield. It is also the only place for basic services including public bathrooms, gas station and a restaurant. (stop for about 10 minutes)

【Crowfoot Glacier】

Named after its shape when was discovered. A must-see stop with the climate change nowadays. The "Third Toe" was melted and barely visible. (stop for about 15 minutes)

Meal

★Breakfast: Included (Hotel Breakfast)/ ★Lunch: Own Arrangement (Optional Group Meal Available - Deluxe Lunch at Chateau Lake Louise)/ ★Dinner: Own Arrangement

­ 

Itinerary

Today you will visit the Lake Louise and Yoho National Park.

­ 

【Lake Louise】

This beautiful lake is named after Princess Louise Caroline Alberta. Famous photo-taking location. (stop for about 2 hours)

­ 

【Moraine Lake/Ten Peaks Valley】

Its waters are the most amazing color, a vivid shade of turquoise that changes in intensity through the summer as the glacier melt. Set in the rugged Valley of the Ten Peaks, Moraine Lake is surrounded by mountains, waterfalls, and rock piles, creating a scene so stunning it almost seems unreal. (stop for about 60 minutes)

*Moraine Lake open from (Late May or early June to early Oct). If closed, it will be replaced by the Vermillion Lake

­ 

【YOHO National Park】

Named for a Cree expression of awe and wonder, Yoho lies on the Western slopes of the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

­ 

【Spiral Tunnel】

It is one of the most bizarre feats of engineering to get the grade of a train line to be at or below 2.2%. The current two spiral tunnels where the railroad forms two spirals, crossing beneath itself twice, almost forming a figure eight, before continuing in the proper direction down the mountain were completed in 1909. (pass through)

­ 

【Emerald Lake】

Name comes from her green water color. (stop for about 20 minutes)

­ 

【Natural Bridge】

Sculpted by the erosive forces of rushing water over what had once been a waterfall, the Natural Bridge is a powerful reminder of how much influence water has in shaping the landscape. (stop for about 15 minutes)