Alberta Highlights

 

Calgary	Blackfoot Inn	1 night
Waterton	Kilmorey Lodge	2 nights
Banff	Buffalo Mountain Lodge	2 nights
Lake Louise	Deer Lodge	2 nights
Jasper	Jasper Park Lodge	2 nights

Click on the name of the hotel for details

 

11 days from £954

excluding international flights

 

DAY 1 - Arrive Calgary.

On arrival at Calgary International Airport complete the formalities and collect your rental car before driving into Calgary to your hotel. Recommended flight: Air Canada from London Heathrow (see below). If you are travelling from a country other than the UK we would be happy to give you guidance on your flight options.

 

DAY 2 - Drive to Waterton Lakes. 

After breakfast head south from Calgary down Highway 22, part of Alberta's 'Cowboy Trail' which traces the history of how the West was really won through its art, food, hospitality and culture. There are several places worth stopping off at, including the unusually named Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump [more] (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) with its fascinating museum. For thousands of years the Blackfoot peoples stampeded bison over the cliff here, using the meat, hide, bone, horns and almost everything else for their supplies and materials, a practice that lasted until the early 19th century. Near Crow's Nest Pass there is the moving Frank Slide Interpretive Center [more], which records Canada's worst mining disaster in 1903. Your destination today is Waterton Lakes National Park on the borders with the USA. One of the most spectacular destinations in the whole of the Rockies, the park is joined to Glacier National Park in Montana; the two parks were combined in 1932 to form the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, another UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Distance Calgary to Waterton Lakes: 265 kilometres.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 3 - Waterton Lakes National Park.

At leisure. This is an ideal base for walking to several trailheads, horse riding and cycling. Information can be obtained from the helpful and centrally-located Waterton Visitor Center [more]. A popular excursion is the 45-minute boat ride on Upper Waterton Lake, the deepest lake in the Canadian Rockies.

DAY 4 - Drive to Banff.

Your journey today will take you through the beautiful Kananaskis Country into Banff National Park, Canada's first and best known national park established in 1885. You will stay in township itself (pictured left) at one of our favourite lodges.
Distance Waterton lakes to Banff: 352 kilometres.

DAY 5 - Banff.

The day is free in Banff. There are lots of things to keep you busy. You might like to visit the Upper Hot Springs [more], where you'll find a soothing hot pool, steam room, spa and excellent mountain views. The springs are the very reason Banff was chosen as a resort for the wealthy in the 19th century. For an insight into the history of the early explorers, artists and the Canadian Pacific Railway, the fascinating Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies [more] is well worth a visit. You should find time to take the Banff Gondola [more] to the summit of Sulphur Mountain for spectacular views, or take a scenic cruise on Lake Minnewanka [more], or simply do some last-minute shopping on Banff Avenue..

DAY 6 - Drive to Lake Louise.

Leave Banff this morning and take a look at some of themost wonderful scenery of the Canadian Rockies. Visit Yoho National Park, Emerald Lake, Moraine Lake (pictured left) and Kicking Horse Pass before driving to Lake Louise for an afternoon and overnight stay. Known as the 'Jewel of the Rockies', Lake Louise is located in a small glacial valley surrounded by high peaks, and enjoys the almost theatrical backdrop of the awesome Victoria Glacier.
Distance Banff to Lake Louise: 53 kilometres.

 

DAY 7 - Lake Louise.

At leisure. You can rent canoes on the lake (left), or walk in the mountains. A classic walk is available from your hotel up to the Lake Agnes Teahouse; this popular and clearly signposted walk offers stunning views, and a teahouse for refuelling before the descent! It takes approximately 4 hours to complete the return trip (Distance: 7km/4.5 miles return; level of difficulty: moderate). For those who want a panoramic view without the walk, there is the option of taking a 14-minute ride on the Lake Louise Sightseeing Lift & Gondola [more] up to an elevation of 2,088m/6,850ft.

 

 

DAY 8 - The Icefields Parkway to Jasper.

Today's drive will take you along the Icefields Parkway through some ofthe finest mountain scenery to be found anywhere in the world. Bow Lake and Peyto Lake provide stunning photo stops. You might also like to take a side trip along the David Thompson Highway to join an exciting helicopter flight with Icefields Helicopter Tours [more] - if you pre-book one of these tours with World Discovery we will give you a 15% discount on the prices shown. Before reaching Jasper stop off at the Athabasca Glacier (pictured left) - a tongue of ice 6 kilometres long and one kilometre wide - where you will join a pre-booked ride by specially-designed vehicle on the glacier itself. On this fascinating 5 kilometre journey your driver/guide will explain how glaciers are formed and point out interesting geological features as you travel in safety and comfort. At the mid-point, you will have the option of stepping out onto ice formed from snow falling as long as 400 years ago. Arrive in Jasper in the late afternoon.
Distance Lake Louise to Jasper: 225 kilometres.

DAY 9 - Jasper National Park.

Jasper National Park lies in the very heart of the Canadian Rockies.The day is at leisure. There is much to see and do. A popular excursion is an enjoyable cruise on scenic Maligne Lake [more] to Spirit Island, or you may wish to take the Jasper Tramway (pictured left) [more] up Whistlers Mountain for a spectacular view over the surrounding area. For the energetic, there is also the option of descending the Maligne Canyon, a dramatic limestone gorge with roaring waterfalls and bizarre rock formations.

DAY 10 - Drive to Edmonton for your flight home.

Spend the morning in Jasper, or leave early for Edmonton to take a look at Alberta's capital city. Edmonton lies at the geographic heart of the province and is famous for its amazing West Edmonton Mall, a huge complex of more than 800 stores, 100 places to eat, and dozens of attractions. In the late afternoon drive to Edmonton Airport to drop off your rental car and check in for your return flight.
Distance Jasper to Edmonton: 383 kilometres.

 

DAY 11 - Arrive home.

Arrive London Heathrow in the morning.

International Flights.

We recommend the services of Air Canada from London Heathrow. Flights can be booked through their easy-to-use website www.aircanada.com using the 'Book multi-city' option. Current timings (subject to possible change) are as follows:
Heathrow/Calgary. Depart at 16.15; arrive Calgary at 18.45
Edmonton/Heathrow. Depart at 19.45 arrive Heathrow at 11.30 (next day)

Alberta Highlights (Tour Reference: WDCA006)
2010 Departures
Price per person based on a minimum of two persons travelling together:

Daily departures	Price
1 to 14 May	£954
15 to 25 May	£1090
26 May to 16 Jun	£1270*
17 Jun to 11 Sep	£1298
12 to 23 Sep	£1255
24 Sep to 5 Oct	£1220

* Supplement of £40 person during the Calgary Stampede (9 to 18 July 2010).

Single Room Supplements on request.

The price includes:

• Hotel accommodation as listed above in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities, on a room only basis (breakfast is included in Calgary).
• Guided Ice Explorer excursion at the Athabasca Glacier.
  
• 10 days car rental (Compact group - e.g. Ford Focus) including unlimited kilometres, Provincial Sales Tax, Loss Damage Waiver (LDW), Concession Free Recovery (CFR), Vehicle Licensing Fee (VLF), Passenger Vehicle Rental Tax (PVRT), Tax for fuel conservation (TFFC) and Air Conditioning Surcharge Recovery (ACSURCH). Upgrades are available to other vehicles.
• Document pack on arrival at your first hotel with maps and detailed information about your trip.
• Applicable taxes and General Sales Tax (GST) refunds.

Not included in the price:

• International flights (see our recommendation above). We are happy to discuss the flights with you and give you further guidance.
• International airport taxes.
• Optional sightseeing.
• Meals not specified.
  
• Car parking at hotels.
• National Park fees.
  

A deposit of £200 per person is required at the time of booking. The balance of the price for your travel arrangements must be paid at least 8 weeks before your departure date.