9 days Glacier National Park & the Canadian Rockies (Tour CS)
Tour: CS - 9 Day Tour from Calgary to Calgary
What do you get when you combine ancient glaciers, a legendary icefield, and all the wonders beneath the snow-capped Canadian peaks? One of the coolest vacations there is! This nine-day tour through the Canadian Rockies and Montana’s Glacier National Park is an adventure filled with wild history, wild scenery, wildlife, and wild rides. Aboard a famous vintage Red Jammer, a massive ice explorer, a glass-walled boat (and even a flightseeing helicopter should you choose) you’ll relish the best views of big skies, bighorn sheep, and even bigger bears. From rugged gold rush territory to the sparkling turquoise waters of Banff and Jasper National Parks, there are so many gems to sink your teeth into on this Canadian Rockies vacation. We suggest starting with a tender filet of Alberta beef and a heavenly slice of homemade huckleberry pie. PLUS, your tour includes your choice of excursions in Banff so you can plan your day your way.
| Day | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Calgary, AB | Welcome to Calgary! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome drink. |
| 2 | Calgary - Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump - Waterton Lakes National Park | Native Traditions. Before departing Calgary, enjoy an orientation tour of the city’s highlights. Travel south along the Macleod Trail. Tour Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a local First Nations guide. Then on to scenic Waterton Lakes National Park with a photo stop at Cameron Falls. |
| 3 | Waterton Lakes National Park - Glacier National Park, MT - Going to the Sun Road - Whitefish, MT | Peak Perfection. Enter Montana through Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and behold the awesome snow-capped peaks of Glacier National Park. Next, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant featuring a made-from-scratch piece of Globus Local Favorite huckleberry pie. Take a scenic ride on the Red Jammer Bus on spectacular Going-to-the-Sun Road. |
| 4 | Whitefish - Cranbrook, BC - Kootenay National Park - Banff, AB | Life in the Wild West. Re-enter Canada this morning, with a stop at the Ktunaxa Interpretive Centre in British Columbia to learn of the history and culture of the Ktunaxa Nation of British Columbia, before crossing into Alberta. Drive through the steep red cliffs of Sinclair Canyon and Kootenay National Park before entering Banff National Park, the heart of the Canadian Rockies. The evening is free to enjoy the village’s shops, galleries, and restaurants. |
| 5 | Banff National Park | Spend your day your way in Banff. This morning, sightseeing includes a stop at beautiful Bow Falls. |
| 6 | Banff - Lake Louise - Jasper | Rocky Mountain Majesty. Follow breathtaking Icefields Parkway today and head for Jasper National Park. One highlight of your vacation: a visit to famous Lake Louise. Then, climb to Sunwapta Pass to savor stunning vistas of alpine meadows, waterfalls, and glacier masses. There’s time this afternoon for an optional float trip down the historic Athabasca River. |
| 7 | Jasper - Excursion to Maligne Lake | Spectacular Jasper. The morning is at leisure. Nearby activities include hiking, canoeing, and strolling the streets of Jasper. Later, journey to Maligne Lake for a Globus Local Favorite narrated cruise of the glacial lake and Spirit Island. Afterward, enjoy a lakeside dinner with incredible views and local fare including famous Alberta beef. |
| 8 | Jasper - Columbia Icefields Parkway - Calgary | Geologic Gems. This morning, visit Athabasca Falls and then retrace the route south along Icefields Parkway. Stop at the Columbia Icefield for a memorable ride aboard an Ice Explorer. Continue to Calgary, where your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner—a perfect ending to your vacation. |
| 9 | Calgary | Happy trails until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. |