Enjoy a 10-day luxury road trip through Alberta that takes you to major urban cities, to the majestic Rocky Mountains and back.
This itinerary is great for travel enthusiasts who enjoy sightseeing and some of the finer things in life.
At a glance
- 10 day itinerary
- 1604 km (997 mi) total distance
- 19 hrs 36 mins drive time
- Your starting point is in Calgary
Glenbow Museum
With art works, sculptures and other artifacts originating from many corners of the world, there is something for everyone at the Glenbow. Showcasing western Canada’s largest art collection, world-renowned permanent and travelling exhibitions, and interactive hands-on activities.
Studio Bell – National Music Centre
Explore five floors of exhibitions that will inspire music lovers through innovation, exploration, and renewal through music. Marvel at the architecture, listen to live music and walk the interactive exhibitions that celebrate Canada's music story.
Check into the Fairmont Palliser
Located in downtown Calgary, the Fairmont Palliser has been the luxury hotel of choice since first opening its doors in 1914. This landmark property features elegant guestrooms, a spa and health club, fine dining restaurants and impeccable service.
Dinner at Major Tom
Enjoy dinner 40 floors above it all. Dine on global fare and sip craft cocktails served in a stylish, award-winning rooftop destination with sweeping city views.
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The Glenbow Museum is currently closed for renos, but select exhibits may be seen at Glenbow at the Edison.
Alpine Helicopter Tour
Sit back and enjoy the ride with Alpine Helicopters, which has been in the business of checking off bucket-list wishes since 1961. A “once in a lifetime” experience that offers the most spectacular sightseeing tours in the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
Carter-Ryan Gallery
The Carter-Ryan Gallery and Live Art Venue offers an immersive cultural experience. Celebrate visual and performing arts alongside two of Alberta’s most celebrated artists, contemporary Cree visual artist Jason Carter and actress and host Bridget Ryan.
Kananaskis Nordic Spa
Relax and recharge at the four-season Kananaskis Nordic Spa. Spanning 50,000 square feet of contemporary indoor-outdoor space, it features three outdoor pools, four stream and sauna cabin, eight indoor treatment rooms, and outdoor fireside lounges. A true refuge from the cadence of the modern world.
Check into the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge
Get swept up with luxury in the picturesque Kananaskis Valley. This full-service resort, surrounded by pristine, rugged wilderness offers modern alpine-chic guestrooms, three restaurants, a casual pub, exceptional children’s programming and an indoor pool and water play-zone.
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Many feature films have been shot in the Canmore area, so be on the lookout for recognizable scenery.
Banff Gondola
Journey to the top of the Banff Gondola to see a whole new side of Sulphur Mountain and the Canadian Rockies. Discover restaurants, interactive exhibits, a multi-sensory theatre and a breathtaking 360-degree rooftop observation deck. An experience that heightens every sense.
Alberta Food Tours – Eat the Castle
Experience the royal treatment at the “Castle in the Rockies” – the majestic Fairmont Banff Springs. Sip and savour the food and engage with the culinary teams while you enjoy stories of the history, art and architecture brought to life by your guide.
Check into the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
The historic Fairmont Banff Springs is styled after a Scottish Baronial Castle. Hallmarks of this iconic Canadian Rockies landmark include luxury accommodation, exceptional dining opportunities, an award-winning 18-hole Stanley Thompson designed golf course and a world-renowned destination spa.
Discover Banff Tours – Evening Wildlife Safari
Dusk is the ideal time for spotting wildlife in the Canadian Rockies. Learn about the area’s ecology and history on this two-hour guided tour and get a chance to see some of the national park’s most elusive residents, like elk, bears, deer and bighorn sheep.
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The weather in the Rockies can change quickly and is cooler at higher elevations, so dress in layers.
Check into the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Overlooking one of Banff National Park’s most iconic lakes, the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is surrounded by soaring mountain peaks and the majestic Victoria Glacier. Featuring elegant guest rooms, world-class dining, an award-winning spa and an endless array of outdoor recreational activities.
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Mountain Adventure Program
Step into a world of adventure and exploration and allow the Mountain Adventure Guides to show you around their incredible backyard. Hike to an iconic lookout point or take a leisurely walk around Lake Louise, while learning about the history of the area. A must-do for nature enthusiasts.
Lake Louise Sightseeing Gondola
Soar to an elevation of 2,088 m (6,850 ft) and experience some of the best grizzly bear viewing opportunities in the Canadian Rockies. At the top of the gondola, visit the Wildlife Interpretative Centre to learn about the mountain’s upper network of hiking trails.
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Keep your eyes peeled – wildlife sightings are common on the highway between Banff and Lake Louise.
Glacier SkyWalk
Step out onto a suspended platform where glass is all that separates you from rugged and wild terrain 280 m (918 ft) below. The Columbia Icefield Skywalk experience features fossils, waterfall views and incredible glacier landscapes along a one-kilometre (0.6 mi) interpretive walkway.
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Jasper is home to the tallest mountain peak in Alberta – Mount Columbia.
Check in at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge offers unique lakefront luxury accommodation. It’s nestled amidst pristine wilderness and sprawls across 283 hectares (700 acres). Resort highlights include an award-winning 18-hole Stanley Thompson designed golf-course, destination spa, and beautiful outdoor heated pool with mountain views.
Jasper Planetarium & Telescope Experience
Spend your night in cosmic exploration in the world's largest dark sky preserve. Take part in an inspiring guided tour of Jasper Dark Sky Preserve in a domed theatre. Then, venture outside for a chance to explore planets, stars, the aurora, and more under the darkest skies in the Rockies.
Jasper SkyTram
Take a ride on Canada’s longest and highest guided aerial tramway, offering the best view in Jasper. You will experience unprecedented views of six mountain ranges, the Athabasca River, glacier-fed lakes and the town of Jasper.
Warrior Women
Experience the heartbeat of Mother Earth at Warrior Women. Offering a truly unique and personal experience through drumming, singing and interactive storytelling that will take you back to another time, to a memory of the land, and to another language, which beats deeper than any words or syllables.
Jasper Food Tours
Sample delicious local food from some of Jasper’s best restaurants. This guided tour is a 1.5 km (0.9 mi) walk with stops at four restaurants. Taste four carefully selected dishes (one dish per restaurant), each paired with an alcoholic beverage.
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While at Warrior Women, enhance your experience with a Wapakwanis Plant Walk or Fireside chat.
Royal Alberta Museum
The Royal Alberta Museum is one of Canada’s leading human and natural history museums. Within the permanent exhibits you’ll find more than 2.4 million objects showcasing the history of Alberta’s people, animals and landscapes.
Check into the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald
Perched on a hillside overlooking the lush Saskatchewan River Valley, the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald has been one of the city’s most iconic landmarks since 1915. Beautiful guestrooms, exceptional dining opportunities, and picturesque gardens await you at this historic chateau on the river.
Spend the evening in Old Strathcona
After checking into your hotel, why not take some time getting to know the city? Spend the evening tasting your way through the historic Old Strathcona district with a local guide on a food tour or discover the thriving craft beer scene with a visit to a local brewery.
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Edmonton’s River Valley is 22 times the size of New York’s Central Park.
Heritage Ranch
Heritage Ranch is located in Red Deer, about halfway between Edmonton and Calgary. The onsite West Lake Grill specializes in made-from-scratch meals using fresh local ingredients. Ranch adventure activities include one-hour guided trail rides, pony rides and a capture-the-flag inspired game.
Check into Hotel Arts
Stay at a hotel where personalized service meets a boutique experience, and where locals and tourists alike feel like they belong. Lounge poolside and sip a delicious, unconventional cocktail, or indulge in culinary delights at the exceptional, award-winning restaurant.
Calgary Tower
See the city from a whole new perspective. Stand 191 m (627 ft) above ground on the glass floor of the world’s highest 360-degree observation deck, where you will enjoy panoramic views of the city skyline and the Canadian Rocky Mountains
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Enjoy dinner at Ten Foot Henry, a rustic-modern stop serving a vegetable-anchored menu plus brunch and cocktails in airy surroundings.
Royal Tyrrell Museum
Explore a prehistoric world at the Royal Tyrrell Museum in the Canadian Badlands. Located less than two hours from Calgary, the museum’s state-of-the-art galleries house one of the world's largest displays of dinosaur remains, and Canada’s largest collection of prehistoric plant descendants.
The Hoodoos
Before heading back to Calgary, stop by the Hoodoos to see unique rock formations that were formed over millions of years. The tall, thin spires of rock have been eroded by the forces of wind and water and can reach up to 20 m (65 ft) tall.
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Enroll in one of the museum’s guided programs to hunt for fossils or tour the surrounding badlands.
Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo
From lemurs to penguins, visit the Calgary Zoo to see animals from around the world. Don’t miss the butterflies and conservatory gardens. You may have come for the animals, but you could find yourself swept up in the steamy butterfly garden and jungle atmosphere – complete with banana trees and pineapple plants.
Calgary Food Tours
Dine your way through one of Calgary’s food-focused neighbourhoods with a private luxury food tour curated just for you! A perfect way to spend your evening, tantalizing your tastebuds, meeting local chefs and discovering hidden culinary gems.
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While visiting the zoo, enquire about their penguin walk for a more personal experience.
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