Compare Canadian Rockies & Northern Lights by Intrepid Travel vs Exploring Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks by Road Scholar

Day 1 Edmonton

Welcome to beautiful Edmonton, Canada. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm today. If you arrive early, perhaps visit the biggest mall in North America: West Edmonton Mall, or instead, learn about Canadian living history at Fort Edmonton Park, visit the nearby Ukrainian Cultural Village, and explore the small theatres and diners of the University District.

Day 2 Slave Lake

This morning, visit the Telus World of Science in Edmonton where you can explore a variety of exhibits and experiences, including the new Indigenous Traditional Room. Here, you may have the opportunity to meet with a local elder and hear their stories and teachings, as well as ask questions and learn about Indigenous Ways of Knowing. Then, drive through spectacular wilderness to the town of Slave Lake. After dinner you will head out in search of a view of the spellbinding northern lights (clouds permitting). Enjoy a bonfire under the darkness of the night sky and cook some s’mores while you’re waiting.

Day 3 Slave Lake

We'll kick off the day with a lesson on winter survival skills at the local Boreal Centre for Bird Conservation. Learn how to light a fire, build a quick shelter and properly use snowshoes before setting out on a short snowshoe hike. Your afternoon is free to explore the town, and if the lake is properly frozen you may even try your luck at ice fishing. After dinner, head back again to look for the unpredictable northern lights in your second dedicated night of sky gazing. The lights occur when several factors, including local cloud levels, solar flares on the sun or solar wind, converge to produce magical hues dancing in the winter night sky.

Day 4 Jasper

Drive to Jasper National Park, arriving at your hotel in the late afternoon. Once settled in, go searching for wildlife such as moose, elk, deer, bears and coyotes. In the evening, perhaps take yourself out for dinner in Jasper, as there are a variety of restaurants to choose from. Ask your local leader for suggestions on where to go.

Day 5 Jasper

Experience the caves, icicles and frozen waterfalls of Maligne Canyon on an ice walk in the morning. The canyon’s name refers to its ethereal beauty in winter, where waterfalls freeze over and icicles cascade like teeth in the mouths of the park’s many caves. A local guide will safely escort you through this maze of natural ice sculptures (tread-enhancing cleats will be provided) while you learn about Jasper’s karst topography and the mystery of disappearing Medicine Lake. Included today is lunch at Jasper Brewing Co: Canada’s first National Park Brewery. The rest of the afternoon is free. Try one of Jasper’s short walking trails, admiring the scenic mountain ranges that greet you in every direction.

Day 6 Lake Louise

Prepare yourself for an unforgettable drive as you set out on the Icefields Parkway. The world-renowned roadway between Jasper and Banff stretches 232 kilometres (144 miles) through a landscape of jagged mountaintops and past 100 ancient glaciers. At its heart is the Columbia Icefield, the largest ice field in the Rocky Mountains. The massive Athabasca Glacier, measuring 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) long and 1 kilometre (.62 mile) wide flows within walking distance of the roadway, so take a hike to its toe (the current lowest endpoint of a glacier). Tonight, arrive at Lake Louise to relax and ready yourself for another active day tomorrow.

Day 7 Lake Louise

Lake Louise is an iconic snapshot of Canada, and today you’ll experience one of its many beautiful moods. There are many options on how to spend the day, including an optional horse-drawn sleigh ride past the glacial lake. You’ll be able to take a snowshoe hike along one of the lake’s many trails, or perhaps pop on a pair of skates and practice some figure eights (or ice stumbles) while gliding across the surface of the lake. Included today is lunch at The Station Restaurant – a heritage railway station which serves hearty Canadian favourites. If you’re looking to continue to put your feet up, the Fairmont Chateau does a beautiful afternoon tea. For those lucky enough to be in Lake Louise during its annual Ice Magic Festival in January, be sure to take a look at the precision and delicate skill on display in the various ice sculptures by the lake.

Day 8 Banff

Drive to nearby Banff, Canada’s most famous mountain resort town. While located inside a national park, Banff offers plenty of shops, restaurants and bars to distract you from the surrounding natural beauty. Gain a sense of Canadian Rockies culture at the Whyte Museum, where over 200 years of artwork tells the story of the rugged men and women who settled in Banff. Sub-zero temperatures turn Banff’s waterfalls into glittering ice sculptures, and today you will visit Johnston Canyon ice walk to see this all on display. Hike along steel catwalks built into the canyon walls and wander among massive pillars of ice. With all this adventuring, you must be hungry, and so it’s a perfect time for a Beavertail tasting experience. Beavertails are a deep-fried sweet dough made with whole wheat flour and pulled by hand to resemble the long flat tail of a beaver. Order a classic cinnamon and sugar or go a little bit wild with some whipped cream and decadent Nutella – you’ll be licking your lips for hours!

Day 9 Banff National Park

Enjoy a free morning in Banff before an included snowshoe hike with your group at Sunshine Village Ski Resort, about 20 minutes out of town. To start, head above the tree line, and then put on your snowshoes and trek across the white powder with a professional guide. Your backcountry hike will be made extra sweet with a stop for hot cocoa and cookies on top of the (Sunshine Village) world.

Day 10 Banff/Canmore

In the morning, take a short drive to Canmore, which is within the Kananaskis Country park system, and embark on an included ice walk at the Grotto Canyon, using special hiking crampons to grip the smooth frozen creek beds. Alternatively, you could book yourself a dogsledding adventure with a trusted provider, where you’ll meet and greet the dogs on your team before being pulled along the frosty trails by these canines. Return to Banff for the night – a group dinner in town may be on the cards.

Day 11 Calgary

Enjoy breakfast at the lodge before a drive to Calgary. Your trip will end at Calgary International Airport, the arrival time depends on each group however If you decide to fly out this day, please don't book a flight before 3pm. Drop off in Calgary city can be arranged, please discuss this with your Trip Leader. There are no activities and accommodation planned for the day. If you have the rest of the day here, why not visit the giant pandas at the Calgary Zoo, check out the urban neighbourhood of East Village, or walk across Peace Bridge and explore Prince Island’s Park on the Bow River.

Day 1 Check-In, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation Banff, Alberta

Transfer to the hotel from Calgary Airport at 3:00 p.m. included in program cost. Hotel check-in available from 4:00 p.m.

Arrive to Calgary and transfer with the group to the hotel in Banff. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in and the front desk will be happy to help you.

We’ll begin our evening with an orientation session where we’ll get to know each other as well as review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes. We’ll go over important information as well as have time for questions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars or settle in for the night. You may also wish to explore what the city has to offer.

At 6:00 p.m. in the hotel, we'll enjoy a welcome dinner

Day 2 Banff Geology, Cave & Basin, Bow River Banff, Alberta

Walking about 2 miles throughout the day; some stairs at historic site (can be avoided). Getting on/off motorcoach.

We will board our motorcoach and ride to the Cave and Basin National Historic Site. In a private room we will attend a presentation by a local geologist about the geology of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. We’ll also learn about the amazing thermal hot springs that resulted in the creation of Canada’s National Parks system. As we explore the site’s thermal waters and the surrounding wetlands, our local geologist will teach us about the wildlife that resides here. We’ll stroll down to the warm marshes below the springs, easily accessible along a boardwalk, and observe introduced tropical fish and warm-water plants. Bring binoculars if you have them!

Setting out by motorcoach and on foot, we’ll discover the history of the town of Banff with our Group Leader. Located within Canada's First National Park, Banff lies in a mountain-rimmed valley carved by the Bow River. Its development has always been determined by the federal government, tourism and the railway. In 1930, the Rocky Mountain Parks Reserve was renamed Banff National Park, Canada's first nature reserve, to encompass 2,564 square miles of valleys, mountains, glaciers, forests, meadows and rivers. While on our exploration, we’ll see the famous Banff Springs Hotel and, beneath this famous Banff landmark, the gushing Bow Falls. The spectacular falls are fed by the Bow Glacier upstream and, in turn, they feed the Bow River. An easy stroll along the Bow Falls Trail will get us up close to the rapids and roaring water falls with our Group Leader.

At leisure. You may wish to independently explore the sights and sounds of Banff. For live entertainment, check out one of the local pubs or the Banff Centre. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Be sure to prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

Breakfast at the hotel

We'll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant

We'll enjoy dinner at a local restaurant

Day 3 Yoho National Park, Emerald Lake Lake Louise, AB

Walking about 1.5 miles; approximately 2 hours over the course of the day; easy, flat lakeside trail with no elevation gain. Stops along the way for interpretation. Driving approximately 60 miles; about 1.5 hours.

We’ll transfer from the hotel to experience some of the foremost geological highlights of the Rockies on a field trip to Yoho National Park. Learn about area geology in trailside discussions with our expert naturalist.

We’ll then continue by motorcoach to Emerald Lake, another jewel of the Canadian Rockies, embark on an expert-led trail walk to learn about the interesting plant species found here and at the Burgess Shale quarries along Fossil Ridge. Thanks to its position on the west side of the Great Divide in Yoho National Park, a 360-degree view from Emerald Lake showcases four very different environments: a huge avalanche path, the pine forest, a dry and dramatic alluvial fan and the towering trees of the rainforest. Visit the nearby Field Visitor Centre where there are some exhibits to explore, including one that displays and explains some fossils from Burgess Shale. Parks Canada staff will be available to provide information and answer questions. We’ll then return to Lake Louise.

At leisure. You may wish to go with the Group Leader to continue exploring local sites, head off on your own, or just relax at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel

At a scenic spot, we'll enjoy a boxed lunch from a local restaurant

Dinner at the hotel

Day 4 Grizzly Bears & Glaciers, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake Lake Louise, AB

Walking about 2 miles during field trips. Getting on/off a gondola. Getting on/off the motorcoach.

Meet with a wildlife expert biologist and conservationist at the hotel who will give a presentation on how to share the land with grizzly bears. The Bow Valley is considered an internationally significant wildlife migration corridor within the Park and the Lake Louise area is notable for its critical grizzly bear, elk, lynx, bighorn sheep and mountain goat habitat. As protected areas, the mountain national parks make a weighty contribution to grizzly bear conservation in the Rocky Mountain ecosystem. These parks can contribute refuge in the greater landscape but this requires special considerations for how humans share the landscape with bears. During the presentation, we will also hear how Parks Canada is conducting land use and management policies. We will transfer by motorcoach to board the Lake Louise Gondola – one of the best places for a chance to see grizzly bears in their natural environment. If we’re lucky, we may experience this rare and awesome spectacle of nature from the comfort of an enclosed gondola. From atop a mountain, we’ll enjoy views of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake surrounded by peaks and a deep teal color – nothing less than stunning as it sits in the gorgeous Valley of the Ten Peaks.

After lunch we travel to Moraine Lake, one of the most photographed places in the Rocky Mountains. Learn about area ecology and geology along the way.

At leisure.

Breakfast at the hotel

At Chateau Lake Louise, we’ll enjoy afternoon tea with assorted pastries and traditional finger sandwiches. Free time to explore the hotel and grounds.

Dinner on own in Lake Louise

Day 5 Icefields Parkway, Athabasca Glacier, Ice Explorer, Jasper Jasper, AB

There are stairs leading up to the entrance of the Columbia Icefields Interpretive Centre. The remainder of the field trip will be by motorcoach. Driving about 150 miles throughout the day; approximately 4 hours total. The Ice Explorer ride on Athabasca Glacier is approx. 3 miles roundtrip; about 1.5 hours total.

We’ll travel via motorcoach along the Icefields Parkway, one of the most spectacular stretches of scenic driving in Canada. The highway follows a lake-lined valley along the Continental Divide. We’ll spend the majority of the day in the Main Ranges; the mountains here are the highest, craggiest and arguably the most scenic in all the Rockies. En route, we’ll stop at scenic overlooks and our Group Leader will provide an overview of the surrounding area.

Spend some time at the Columbia Icefields Interpretive Centre before boarding for travel in a specially designed Ice Explorer to the middle of the Athabasca Glacier on a 3 mile round trip journey. Our driver will explain how glaciers are formed and point out interesting geological features as we travel in safety and comfort. At the mid-point, we will be given the choice to step out onto ice formed from snow fallen as long as 200 years ago. We will then return from our drive on the glacier and switch vehicles back to our motorcoach to continue our journey to Jasper National Park. This scenic drive is lined with beautiful mountains, lakes and more than 100 glaciers providing a dramatic backdrop. Keep an eye out for mountain goats and bighorn sheep in the cliffs along the way. In the spruce forest above the Sunwapta River, watch for grizzly bears during spring, summer and fall. Upon arrival, we’ll check into the hotel.

An evening presentation at the hotel given by a local expert will examine Jasper from a historical perspective giving us the opportunity to learn about some of the early settlers and the First Nations.

Breakfast at the hotel

We'll enjoy a boxed lunch from a local restaurant

Dinner at the hotel

Day 6 Maligne Canyon, Pyramid Lake, Jasper National Park Jasper, AB

Field trips include up to 2 walks, no more than 1 mile (1.6 km) each in length on paved or maintained trails.

Our local expert naturalist will meet us at the hotel and accompany us in our explorations of Jasper National Park, Maligne Canyon and Pyramid Lake by motorcoach. We’ll make a stop for a walk along the Maligne Canyon Trail, which is rich in natural history, impressive geologic features and wildlife. On our walk, we’ll search for fossils and find out how this deep canyon formed during glacial ages. The forests of these wilderness areas are home to mountain goats, elk, moose, and bears as well as a variety of birds, including bald eagles. These scenic trails will allow us to explore the spectacular vantage points, flower meadows, and sapphire blue mountain lakes.

We’ll continue our expert-led exploration in Jasper National Park by motorcoach, making some stops for expert interpretation. Canada's largest and most northerly Rocky Mountain park, Jasper encompasses over 4,200 square miles and boasts healthy wildlife populations, including grizzly bears and wolves, which live among its grand peaks and emerald-green lakes. The combination of these startling blue-green mountain lakes, soaring peaks and broad, forested valleys makes this one of the world's premiere national parks.

At leisure.

Breakfast at the hotel

At a scenic spot along our journey, we’ll stop to enjoy a boxed lunch from a local restaurant.

Dinner on your own this evening to explore local flavours

Day 7 Palisades Stewardship Education Centre, Return to Banff Banff, Alberta

Walking about 1 mile; approximately 2 hours; paved and/or maintained trails. Driving approx. 190 miles; about 4 hours.

Transfer by coach to explore a homestead of an early pioneer family, Palisades Stewardship Education Centre is an historic ranch operated by Parks Canada as one of Canada’s premier outdoor education facilities. Located in the spectacular Athabasca Valley, the Stewardship Palisades Education Centre’s innovative programming is designed to stimulate a new kind of relationship with nature and to embrace the values of protected areas. During a field trip to the Centre, learn from a Parks Canada expert about the role of the National Parks in fostering conservation ethics.

We’ll then board the motorcoach for transfer back to Banff where we will check into the hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is free.

At leisure. You may wish to head off on your own to explore Banff, remain with the Group Leader or relax at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel

At the Education Centre, we’ll enjoy a cafeteria-style meal

Dinner on your own this evening to explore local flavours

Day 8 Whyte Museum, Free Time, Farewell Dinner Banff, Alberta

Walking about 1 mile during the field trip; approx. 1.5 hours; mostly on paved trails and streets. Minimal driving with some short transfers within the town of Banff.

Transfer by coach to explore the Whyte Museum, one of Banff's most culturally significant museums, and learn about the remarkable history of some of the locals and their cultural past through self-guided exploration. The museum features an art gallery and a vast collection of photographs telling the history of early explorers, artists and the Canadian Pacific Railway. Then take a walk back in time and get to know the colorful individuals who built the town of Banff. This guided exploration meanders through history to take you near the riverside site where Tom Wilson established one of the first outfitting operations in the area, St. Georges-in-the-Pines Anglican Church with its unique stained glass windows, and the Luxton Home and Garden. These and many other intriguing stops reveal the fascinating history of this town.

Free time.

We’ll have a wrap-up session at the restaurant after dinner. Share your favorite experiences of the program with new Road Scholar friends. We’ll then return to the hotel. Be sure to prepare for check-out and departures in the morning.

Breakfast at the hotel

Lunch on your own to explore local cuisine

At a local restaurant, we’ll enjoy a farewell dinner

Day 9 Airport Transfers, Program Concludes Banff, Alberta

Check-out is 11:00 a.m.

We’ll then check out of the hotel and transfer to Calgary International Airport (YYC); approximate arrival at the airport is 10:30 a.m. This concludes our program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!

Breakfast at 7:00 a.m. in the hotel