Itinerary Details
Heart Of The Canadian Rockies With Calgary Stampede
Day 1: CALGARY Welcome to Calgary, home of the Calgary Stampede! Your Tour Director is on hand from 3-6:00 p.m. to answer any questions.
Day 2: CALGARY Welcome to the Calgary Stampede—“The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.” Dust off your 10-gallon hat and mosey through the gates of Stampede Park into a world of wonder and “Wild West” ropin’-n-ridin' with your included admission. Step back in time to experience the traditions and culture of Canadian First Nations at Elbow River Camp or sample savory and sweet Western fare at the Midway. Enjoy a wide variety of exciting talent on the many entertainment stages and head into the dazzling array of international exhibits and displays of Western art. This evening, watch the heart-stopping Chuckwagon Races in an all-out dash for the finish line, an amazing contest of nerves and horsepower. You’ll be out of your seats cheering on your favorite driver during each heat. Afterward, get ready for an outdoor stage show featuring hundreds of singers, dancers, and musicians in a lavishly produced and choreographed musical variety spectacular.
Day 3: CALGARY Saddle up for another rip-roaring day exploring the Stampede grounds and grandstands for the famous Calgary Stampede Rodeo. Fuel up for the day’s activities by visiting Fluor Rope Square at Stephen Avenue Mall for a pancake breakfast. Return to the Stampede grounds this morning—a great opportunity to see anything you may have missed the day before. Complete your Western look with cowboy hats, shirts, or boots from one of the many vendors. Then take your seat in the grandstands for the Calgary Stampede Rodeo this afternoon and cheer on your favorite contenders. See the best of the best as they saddle up for world-class rodeo action where top riders and ropers take on the West’s wildest horses—and experience edge-or-your-seat bull riding action! Outside the ring, get in the rhythm of Western tradition with square dancing, mock gun fights, country bands, bars, restaurants, and livestock. So much to see!
Day 4: CALGARY–BANFF NATIONAL PARK The discovery of oil converted this ranching town into a sophisticated city. Sightseeing includes downtown, Fort Calgary, Stampede Park, the Saddledome, and Canada Olympic Park. Motor west through the foothills and into Banff National Park, gateway to the majestic Canadian Rockies. An orientation tour highlights Banff’s unspoiled beauty.
Day 5: BANFF NATIONAL PARK Enjoy a free day in Banff, one of Canada’s favorite year-round resorts, with summer activities such as hiking, biking, and fishing. Your Tour Director will have many suggestions, including a sky-high adventure with an unforgettable optional helicopter ride for incredible views of the Canadian Rockies. If you prefer keeping your feet on the ground, join the Panoramas & Peaks* optional excursion to see breathtaking Moraine Lake in the famed Valley of the Ten Peaks.
*This optional excursion begins operating in early June.
Day 6: BANFF NATIONAL PARK–LAKE LOUISE–COLUMBIA ICEFIELD–JASPER NATIONAL PARK Enjoy a day of scenic grandeur. First stop is Lake Louise, where turquoise waters create a natural mirror that reflects the surrounding mountains. Up next, a stop at the Columbia Icefield to ride the all-terrain Ice Explorer on ice measuring 750 feet thick! Continue north into Jasper National Park, where precipitous gorges, snowcapped summits, and lakes of exquisite blues and greens come into view as your journey scales three mountain passes. Enjoy an orientation tour of the town of Jasper upon arrival. Later, consider an optional float trip down the Athabasca River.
Day 7: JASPER NATIONAL PARK Today, experience the magic of nature on an optional excursion to Maligne Lake and Spirit Island* where you’ll embark on a narrated cruise to learn about the area’s history, geology, flora, and fauna amid stunning scenery. The balance of the day is free to enjoy everything Jasper has to offer—from guided hikes and quaint shops to meandering wildlife.
*This optional excursion begins operating in late May/early June.
Day 8: JASPER NATIONAL PARK–MOUNT ROBSON–KAMLOOPS Depart Jasper and follow the Fraser River to the base of Mount Robson, which at 12,972-feet is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. The Yellowhead Highway continues south along the mighty Thompson River, with spectacular views of the Monashee Mountains. Overnight in Kamloops.
Day 9: KAMLOOPS–FERRY CROSSING–VICTORIA Travel through British Columbia’s Cascade Mountains and the fertile Fraser Valley to the majestic Pacific coastline, where the desert landscape gives way to lush alpine forest. Board your ferry for the scenic crossing to Vancouver Island. Prior to arriving in Victoria, visit world-famous Butchart Gardens and view 55 acres of beautiful floral displays. Continue downtown and see the Inner Harbour, Bastion Square, and Thunderbird Park. This evening, consider a relaxing stroll along the lively Waterfront Promenade.
Day 10: VICTORIA Today is free to explore on your own. Your Tour Director will have ideas for enjoying this most British of Canadian cities. Perhaps enjoy high tea at the Empress Hotel or choose an adventure at sea with an optional Wildlife and Whale-Watching Expedition, looking for whales, porpoises, seals, and eagles.
Day 11: VICTORIA–FERRY CROSSING–VANCOUVER This morning, set sail across the Strait of Georgia, an arm of the Salish Sea, and through the scenic Gulf Islands. In Vancouver, city sightseeing includes the harbourfront, Stanley Park, and other famous landmarks. The remainder of the day is free to explore this vibrant city known for its incredible scenery, thriving art scene, and diverse culture. Perhaps visit Robson Street and experience British Columbia’s premier shopping and entertainment location.
Day 12: VANCOUVER Your vacation ends this morning. You may choose to extend your vacation with extra nights and explore Vancouver further.
