CALGARY ARRIVAL & CITY EXPERIENCES – GATEWAY TO THE ROCKIES

Journey Highlights:

• Complimentary Airport Transfer: Professional pickup service from Calgary International Airport with assistance for hotel check-in (scheduled service from 9am-9pm). Review our Complete Calgary Airport Pickup Guide for detailed information
• Premium Calgary Accommodation: Comfortable lodging in preparation for your mountain adventure (evening)
• Calgary City Tour (optional$$): Guided exploration of Calgary's highlights from historic districts to modern architecture, including the iconic Calgary Tower (3 hours)
  
• Heritage Park Visit (optional$$): Step back in time at Canada's second-largest living history museum, where the past comes alive through authentic buildings and costumed interpreters (3 hours)
• CrossIron Mills Shopping Experience (optional$$): Discover Alberta's largest single-level shopping center featuring over 200 specialty stores and premium outlets (4 hours)
• Calgary Zoo Adventure (optional$$): Observe nearly 900 animals from around the world, including gorillas, hippos, grizzly bears, penguins, and endangered species like red pandas and Amur tigers (afternoon)

Exploring Lake Louise and Yoho National Park

The journey continues through the heart of the Canadian Rockies with visits to the legendary Lake Louise and the awe-inspiring Yoho National Park. This spectacular day features some of the most photographed landscapes in Canada, from the turquoise waters of Lake Louise set against Victoria Glacier to the emerald-hued Moraine Lake nestled in the Valley of the Ten Peaks. In Yoho National Park, marvel at remarkable natural formations and engineering wonders while learning about the geological forces that shaped this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Journey Highlights

• Lake Louise: Admire the breathtaking turquoise waters of this iconic alpine lake named after Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, with time to explore the shoreline and capture perfect photographs. (Approx. 2hrs. stop)
  
• Moraine Lake: Discover the stunning valley of the Ten Peaks featuring one of the most beautiful lakes in the Rockies with its distinctive vivid blue waters created by glacial rock flour. (Approx. 60min. stop)
  **Note: If it is closed, it will be replaced by Vermillion Lake.
  
• Yoho National Park: Experience this spectacular park whose name means "awe" in the Cree language, featuring dramatic waterfalls, towering rock walls, and alpine meadows.
  
• Spiral Tunnels: Witness an engineering marvel where the railroad crosses over itself in a figure-eight configuration, an ingenious solution to the steep mountain grade. (Drive through with commentary)
  
• Emerald Lake: Visit the largest of Yoho's 61 lakes and explore its shoreline surrounded by towering mountain peaks, with striking green waters that give the lake its name.  (Approx. 20min. stop)
  
• Natural Bridge: Observe this fascinating rock formation carved by the powerful Kicking Horse River, demonstrating the incredible erosive force of water on the landscape.  (Approx. 15min. stop)

From Banff to Jasper Along the Icefield Parkway

Journey Highlights

• Icefield Parkway: Travel along this 232km stretch of highway connecting Banff and Jasper National Parks, renowned as one of the world's most scenic mountain routes. (Pass through)
  
• Bow Lake: Admire the striking blue waters of this glacier-fed lake, which forms the headwaters of the Bow River that flows through Calgary. (Approx. 20min. stop)
  
• Columbia Icefield: Marvel at one of the largest accumulations of ice south of the Arctic Circle, with the option to experience the glacier firsthand on the (Optional $$) Ice Explorer and Glacier Skywalk. (Approx. 3.5hrs stop)
  
• Athabasca Falls: Witness the raw power of nature as glacier-fed waters carve through ancient rock in this thundering waterfall. (Approx. 30min. stop)
  
• Jasper Town: Discover the charming mountain community that serves as the heart of Jasper National Park.

Exploring Jasper’s Natural Wonders

The exploration of Jasper National Park continues with visits to some of the park's most celebrated natural wonders. This day features the magnificent Maligne Lake and Maligne Canyon, alongside other remarkable attractions in this pristine wilderness area. Journey through diverse mountain landscapes while discovering unique geological features, crystal-clear lakes, and abundant wildlife habitats. The optional Maligne Lake cruise offers the chance to see the world-famous Spirit Island, one of the most photographed locations in the Canadian Rockies.

Journey Highlights

• Maligne Lake: Experience Canada's second-largest glacier-fed lake, renowned for its stunning azure waters and surrounding mountain peaks (Approx. 100min. stop; optional lake cruise available $$)
  
• Maligne Canyon: Explore this impressive limestone gorge with depths reaching 50 meters, carved over millennia by glacial waters (Approx. 30min. stop)
  
• Medicine Lake: Witness the fascinating "Disappearing Lake" phenomenon, where the water level dramatically changes due to an underground karst system. (Pass through with commentary)
  
• Peyto Lake: Marvel at the vivid turquoise waters of this glacier-fed lake, shaped like a fox and offering one of the most iconic views in the Rockies (Approx. 20min. stop)
  *If closed, it will be replaced by Waterfowl Lake.
  
• The Crossing: Visit this service hub that offers essential amenities for travelers exploring the Columbia Icefield area(Approx. 10min. stop)
  
• Crowfoot Glacier: Observe this ancient ice formation named for its distinctive shape, a poignant reminder of climate change as its "third toe" has largely receded(Approx. 15min. stop)

Banff National Park Exploration – Waterfalls, Canyons & Mountain Views

The journey continues with an exploration of Banff National Park, Canada's first and most iconic national park established in 1885. From dramatic canyons and waterfalls to unique rock formations and stunning mountain vistas, this protected wilderness has drawn visitors for over a century. The itinerary includes both natural landscapes and cultural highlights, with ample time to experience the charming mountain town of Banff.

Journey Highlights

• Banff Mountain Sulphur Gondola (Optional$$): Soar to an elevation of 2,281 meters on a state-of-the-art gondola for breathtaking 360° views of six mountain ranges and the Bow Valley below. (Approx. 90mins. stop)
  
• Johnston Canyon: Explore this dramatic limestone canyon with its series of waterfalls, catwalks, and forest paths that showcase the power of erosion over millennia. (Approx. 60mins. stop)
  
• Bow Falls: Visit this wide, cascading waterfall near the Banff Springs Hotel, which gained fame as a filming location for "The River of No Return" in the 1950s. (Approx. 15mins. stop)
  
• Surprise Corner: Discover one of the most iconic viewpoints in Banff, offering the perfect vantage point to photograph the majestic "Castle in the Rockies" - the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. (Approx. 15mins. stop)
  
• Hoodoos Viewpoint: Marvel at these unique geological formations - tall spires of sedimentary rock created by differential erosion that stand like sentinels overlooking the Bow Valley. (Approx. 15mins. stop)
  
• Banff Town: Enjoy free time in this charming alpine town with its array of shops, galleries, cafes and restaurants nestled among stunning mountain scenery. (Approx. 90mins. stop)
  

Important Notice: New U.S. National Park Fee Policy (Effective January 1, 2026)
This itinerary includes two national parks: Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park.
For detailed fee information, please refer to the ordering instructions.

Today, we will take you go straight and deep into Montana Glacier National Park

【St. Mary Village】
As the east entrance to Glacier National Park and the Going-to-the-Sun Road, St. Mary is a prime home base for exploring the east side of the park as well as the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.
While most of its offerings are seasonal, St. Mary has lodging accommodations, a grocery store, gas station, restaurants and a campground

【Glacier National Park USA】
Immersing yourself in the beauty of Glacier National Park. Venture up the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road, one of the most scenic drives in America.

DEEP IN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK & MONTANA LAKES – HOT SPRINGS, WATERFALLS & SCENIC LAKESIDE VIEWS

Journey Highlight

• Mammoth Hot Springs -Mammoth Hot Springs are a must-see feature of Yellowstone National Park in part because they’re so different from other thermal areas in the area. This is largely because limestone is a relatively soft type of rock, allowing the travertine formations to grow much faster than other sinter formations. It has been described as looking like a cave turned inside out
• Tower Fall -Tower Falls is a waterfall located in the northeastern region of Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, USA. Situated approximately 1,000 yards upstream from the confluence of Tower Creek and the Yellowstone River, the waterfall has a drop of 132 feet. Its name originates from the rocky pinnacle at the top of the falls.
• Flathead Lake -The largest natural freshwater lake in the western United States, known for its crystal-clear waters, scenic mountain views, charming lakeside towns, and excellent boating, fishing, and summer recreation.

FAREWELL AFTER SCENIC TRAIN RIDE

• Seattle - Nestled by Puget Sound, Seattle blends city life with nature. Enjoy coffee culture, vibrant music, and stunning harbor views. Visit iconic spots like the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, Chihuly Garden and Glass, and Olympic Sculpture Park. Don’t miss a Seattle Harbour Cruise for beautiful skyline and bay views.

Seattle Optional Activities

1. Hop-on Hop-off Bus Ticket (1-day pass)
   Adults (12＋ years): CAD$94
   Children (5-11 years): CAD$57
   The bus stops at major attractions, allowing you to hop on and off at your convenience to explore Seattle.
   Self-guided walking tour available to learn about Seattle’s early history and culture.
   Includes an English audio guide to discover the city's history and culture.
2. CityPASS (Includes tickets for 5 attractions)
   Adults (13＋ years): CAD$189
   Children (5-12 years): CAD$147
   The CityPASS provides one-time admission to the following5 major attractions:
   Space Needle (must-visit)
   Seattle Aquarium (must-visit)
   Chihuly Garden and Glass
   Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour
   Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP)
   Woodland Park Zoo
   Pacific Science Center