On arrival into Calgary International Airport, collect your bags and your rental car, before driving downtown to your hotel. After checking-in you will have some time to explore this western city:

• For spectacular 360° views of Calgary and the Rocky Mountains, head to the iconic 191-metre Calgary observation tower. It is a great way to get your bearings and there’s a rotating restaurant if you want to enjoy the view over a meal.
• In the heart of downtown Calgary is Prince’s Island Park. This urban park offers walking trails, picnic spots and outdoor events during the summer
• Stampede Park hosts the famous Calgary Stampede in early July, but even outside of this time it hosts concerts and events. You can also visit the seasonal markets and the Western Heritage Trail that tells the story of Calgary’s Stampede and cowboy culture.
• You can discover Canadian music history at Studio Bell, the National Music Centre. It houses more than 2000 instruments and rare music memorabilia. You can even try to make a recording yourself.

In the evening you may wish to visit 17th Avenue to visit Calgary’s most popular dining and nightlife district. With casual pubs and gourmet restaurants you are sure to find good food and entertainment here.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Calgary, or similar

After breakfast at your hotel, you can begin your journey through the Canadian Rockies by joining the Trans-Canada Highway that exits the city and transports you across the rolling hills towards the mountains on the horizon.

Alternatively, you could take the more scenic Bow Valley Parkway as you exit the city. Not only does this provide some early opportunities for wildlife viewing along the river valley, but it also allows you to stop in the small town of Cochrane, where you can sample some of MacKay’s ice cream, a local institution since 1948.

The two roads combine near Kananaskis as the mountains loom large ahead. Before you reach Banff National Park you may like to stop at the mountain town of Canmore. Less touristy than Banff, it still has excellent restaurants, coffee shops and the impressive Canmore Nordic Centre. From Canmore you can get excellent views of the Three Sisters Peaks.

Just before the town of Banff you will pass through the Banff National Park gates. This is a great photo opportunity and you will need a Parks Canada pass to continue. Once you reach Banff, drive to your hotel and begin exploring this picturesque town on foot. Downtown Banff offers some unique shops, galleries and restaurants, as well as Cascade Gardens that are beautiful in the summer.

Calgary > Banff | 137 kms

Banff Ptarmigan Inn, or similar

Breakfast

You could choose to begin today by exploring Banff town if you didn’t have time yesterday, alternatively head to the Banff Gondola for a ride up Sulphur Mountain. The ascent takes around 8 minutes and there are 360° views from the observation decks at the top. There are also boardwalks that lead to Sanson’s Peak.

You may also like to visit Banff Upper Hot Springs. These natural springs that maintain a temperature of 37 – 40°C and have been drawing visitors since the 1880s. You can enjoy a soak whilst enjoying the mountain views.

There are some excellent hiking opportunities around Banff, with the Vermillion Lakes just a few minutes walk from downtown. These three interconnected lakes can offer perfect mountain reflections and good wildlife spotting opportunities. Another hike accessible from downtown Banff is to Tunnel Mountain. This relatively easy hike rewards with views over Banff and the Bow Valley.

Bow falls are located near the imposing Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. These fast flowing waterfalls are accompanied by an easy walking trail that provides several viewpoints along the way. Another location with good views of the hotel and Sulphur Mountain is Surprise Corner, one of Banff’s best viewpoints.

Banff Ptarmigan Inn, or similar

Although it is only a short drive today, there is a lot to see and do, so we recommend setting off in the morning to allow ample time to explore Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.

The best way to visit both lakes is to utilise the Parks Canada shuttle from Lake Louise village. The shuttle must be booked in advance. On arrival at Lake Louise make your way to the Lake Louise Ski Resort, where there is a free park and ride. You can then board the shuttle to either lake and use the inter-lake shuttle to explore the other lake before returning back to the ski resort.

At Lake Louise you can follow the Lakeshore trail for incredible views or hike to the historic tea house on Lake Agnes.Both trails offer spectacular views and are only moderately challenging. For those not wanting to hike then it is also possible to rent a canoe for a peaceful paddle on the iconic turquoise waters. For those wanting to do something very special it is possible to book an elegant afternoon tea at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and enjoy sandwiches and pastries with exceptional views across the lake towards the glacier.

At the equally beautiful Moraine Lake you can climb the short Rockpile Trail to the viewpoint over the Valley of Ten Peaks (one of the most photographed scenes in the Rockies). Another hike takes you to the glacial fed Consolation Lakes. The Lakeshore Trail offers various viewpoints whilst the Larch Valley loop is more challenging.

Once the shuttle has returned you to the ski resort, you can collect your car and check-in at your hotel in Lake Louise.

Banff > Lake Louise | 57 kms

Lake Louise Inn, or similar

The Icefields Parkway (Highway 93 North) is one of the world’s most spectacular drives. There are many stopping points between Lake Louise and Jasper, but here are five of our favourites:

• The vibrant colours of Bow Lake are created by the Crowfoot Glacier above it. There are short walking trails along the shore if you want to stretch your legs
• See if you can make out the shape of a wolf from the viewpoint above Peyto Lake. Another lake with ridiculously vivid waters
• The largest icefield in the Rocky Mountains is the Columbia Icefield and you can join a tour onto the Athabasca Glacier to see it up close. The glass-floored Glacier Skywalk gives a different perspective
• The impressive Sunwapta Falls plunge into a limestone gorge and you can get great photos from the viewing platforms
• By contrast, the Athabasca Falls are known more for their dramatic force than for their drop height. They are still worth visiting to view the carved potholes from the viewing area.

Continue along the Icefield Parkway all the way to Jasper and check-in to your chosen hotel.

Lake Louise > Jasper | 232 kms

Pyramid Lake Lodge, or similar

The historic railway town of Jasper is situated within the largest Rocky Mountain National park, and it is ideally situated for exploring some of its natural wonders. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks, the town itself offers excellent dining and accommodation options, as well as an authentic mountain community atmosphere. However it is the surrounding National Park with its pristine lakes and high peaks that really take your breath away:

• Visit Maligne Lake, the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies, famous for its stunning azure waters surrounded by glacier-capped mountains. The iconic Spirit Island, one of the most photographed locations in the Rockies, is accessible via a scenic 90-minute boat cruise
• Ascend to 2,277 meters aboard the Jasper Sky Tram, Canada’s highest and longest aerial tramway, for breathtaking panoramic views of Jasper National Park. From the upper station, you can hike the 1.4 km trail to Whistlers Summit for even more spectacular views of six mountain ranges, glacial lakes, and the town of Jasper below
• Hike along Maligne Canyon, an impressive 50 metre deep limestone gorge. The trail crosses the the canyon via six bridges offering unique perspectives of the thundering waterfalls and curious rock formations carved by water over millennia
• Medicine Lake is on the road to Maligne Lake, but this “disappearing lake” is a natural phenomenon where water drains through unique underground karst systems. The route to the lake is renowned as one of the best wildlife corridors in Jasper. Early morning or evening drives often yield sightings of bears, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, and occasionally wolves.
• Relax in the hottest mineral springs in the Canadian Rockies while surrounded by magnificent mountain scenery. Miette Hot Springs are located 61 kms east of Jasper townsite, and offer the perfect way to unwind after hiking adventures.

Pyramid Lake Lodge, or similar

Departing Jasper, follow the scenic Yellowhead Highway west towards Yellowhead Pass, the state border between Alberta and British Columbia. Just beyond the pass, the beautiful Yellowhead Lake provides some lovely walking trails with potential for spotting elk, deer and possibly bears too.

The Yellowhead Highway continues past Moose Lake and into the foothills of the impressive Mount Robson. The Mountain is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies (3954 metres high) and there are plenty of viewpoints to stop at and take in the awe-inspiring vistas.

On leaving Mount Robson Provincial Park the Yellowhead Highway turns south (Highway 5) towards Kamloops. The road passes the mountain town of Valemount and continues along the valley, sandwiched between the high peaks.

If you have time you may like to detour off the Highway at Clearwater, to enter Wells Gray Provincial Park, home to the Helmcken Falls (with an impressive drop of 141 metres) and Mahood Lake, another good wildlife spotting area.

Just before the bustling town of Kamloops, turn off the main highway and climb up further into the mountains and the resort town of Sun Peaks, where your next hotel awaits you.

Japer > Sun Peaks | 449 kms

Sun Peaks Grand, or similar

Sun Peaks is a traditional ski resort boasting skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing routes in winter. In summer the resort has a more tranquil feel, overlooked by the peaks of Mounts Tod, Sundance and Morrisey. However, if you bore of looking at the views there are plenty of summer activities to enjoy too.

• Sun Peaks has of 40 km of mountain biking trails, with bike rentals available in the resort and a chairlift to take you to the top of the highest trails
• There are 35 km of well-maintained hiking trails, many through alpine meadows coloured by wildflowers in late summer.
• You can enjoy the mountain views from the 18-hole golf course and practice facilities.
• Alternatively you may like to try your hand at disc-golf, geocaching or outdoor yoga. You can also join guided trail rides and hikes to learn more about the alpine ecosystems during your activity.
• If all of this is too much then the pedestrianised village is also home to summer concerts, farmers markets and various dining options amongst the galleries and shops

Sun Peaks Grand, or similar

Today’s drive takes you back down to the main road and then south into the town of Kamloops. With parks along the Thompson River and a historic downtown area, Kamloops can be a welcome pit-stop on your route to Kelowna.

Continue out of Kamloops on the Trans-Canada Highway, following the South Thompson River, before turning south on to Highway 92 at Monte Creek. The scenery begins to change from high peaks to rolling hills as you continue south.

The town of Vernon offers a historic downtown area and access to Okanagan Lake. The lake is 135 kms long and there are multiple scenic pullouts around the lake, perfect for panoramic views and a picnic. As you continue south past Kalamalka Lake and Wood Lake you will notice the increase in vineyards and wineries that enjoy the weather and soils in this area.

On arrival in Kelowna you may like to head for the waterfront boardwalk to enjoy the lakeside air, or alternatively you could head to one of the 40 wineries in the Kelowna area to enjoy a tour and a tasting.

Sun Peaks > Kelowna | 221 kms

Royal Kelowna, or similar

If you didn’t have time yesterday or you would like to visit more wineries this morning, then there is still time to visit a local winery and sample some award winning wines. Some of the most well known Kelowna wineries include Mission Hill Family Estate, Summer Pyramid and Gray Monk Estate Winery. Alternatively, you may prefer to visit one of the local orchards and cideries to enjoy a craft beverage.

The route from Kelowna to Harrison Hot Springs traverses some of British Columbia’s spectacular interior landscapes. Departing the Okanagan Valley, you will first cross the Pennask Summit, climbing to 1,728 metres through ranching country and alpine meadows.

The Coquihalla Highway provides a dramatic mountain passage, connecting the interior to the coastal regions through the Cascade Mountains. Near Hope, the route enters the historic Fraser Canyon, a critical transportation corridor with significant Indigenous heritage.

The final approach reveals Harrison Lake, one of British Columbia’s largest lakes, dramatically framed by mountain ranges. Continue to the Harrison Hot Springs Resort, where you can relax with views across the lake, whilst enjoying the indoor and outdoor mineral pools. You can also take a stroll along the beach or join a boat tour to see more of this scenic lake.

Kelowna > Harrison Hot Springs | 280km

Harrison Hot Springs Resort, or similar

This morning you can enjoy breakfast by the lake before your last drive of the holiday into Vancouver. From the wilderness of Alberta and British Columbia you will now be returning to the hustle and bustle of a big city. Once checked-in at your hotel you can enjoy a walk or cycle around Stanley Park. You can follow the sea wall around the park or visit the iconic totem poles and freshwater lakes, in amongst the trees.

Elsewhere in Vancouver you could choose to shop for local produce at Granville Island Public Market, or visit the historic Gastown district to see the famous steam-powered clock and heritage buildings.

In the evening you may like to dine on fresh seafood by the harbour or enjoy cocktails in the trendy bars of Yaletown.

Harrison Hot Springs > Vancouver | 131 kms

Rosedale on Robson, or similar

There is still time to explore more of Vancouver before your flight home. If you want to do some shopping then Robson Street is the best location to start.

Just beyond Vancouver’s city limits the Capilano Suspension Bridge sways 230 feet above the river. Those brave enough to cross the 450 feet to the other side will be rewarded by thrilling cliff trails, elevated walkways through the rainforest canopy, and historic stories of early engineers and indigenous people.

When you have finished, return your car to the airport and check-in in time for your flight home.

Downtown Vancouver > Vancouver International Airport | 12 kms