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)

Icefield Parkway & Columbia Icefield - Glaciers, Alpine Lakes & Wonders
The journey ventures into the Canadian Rockies along the renowned Icefields Parkway (Highway 93), consistently ranked as one of the world's most scenic drives. This spectacular route stretches 232 km through the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, leading to some of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders in North America.

Journey Highlights

• Jasper National Park:Canada's largest park in the Rockies, renowned for its relatively low development which preserves its vast natural wilderness and abundance of wildlife. As a major destination within the Canadian Rockies, the park offers pristine landscapes and excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing.
  
  
• Icefield Parkway: Travel along this world-famous scenic highway connecting Banff and Jasper National Parks, featuring breathtaking mountain vistas, glaciers, and turquoise lakes (Scenic drive)
  
  
• Bow Lake: Experience the most visited lake on the Icefield Parkway, where the reflection of Crowfoot Mountain on the mirror-like water creates a serene atmosphere perfect for photography. During summer, this area serves as a natural habitat for wildlife, including bears. (Approx. 20min. stop)
  
  
• Columbia Icefield Adventure (Optional $$):
  Explore the largest ice mass south of the Arctic Circle. Ride a massive Ice Explorer vehicle directly onto the Athabasca Glacier, or choose to walk onto the suspended, glass-floored Glacier Skywalk for jaw-dropping views of the Sunwapta Valley. This ancient ice sheet is the source of numerous glaciers and serves as a valuable record of climate history. (Approx. 3.5hrs stop)
  **Seasonal attraction: Closed before the 1st Saturday of May and after the 2nd Saturday of October.
  
  
• 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: It is the heart of Jasper National Park. 2nd biggest town in the Canadian Rockies.

A journey through Jasper National Park, a stunning destination known for its majestic landscapes, abundant wildlife, and scenic beauty. The park’s vast wilderness, breathtaking mountains, and serene lakes offering a perfect escape into nature.

Journey Highlights

• Maligne Lake/ Maligne Lake Cruise (Optional$$): Discover the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies. This glacially-fed lake is famous for its vibrant blue water and the iconic Spirit Island, one of the most photographed scenes in the world. In summer, you can take an optional cruise to enjoy the scenery of the lake and visit the legendary Spirit Island in person. (Approx. 100min. stop)
  
  
• Maligne Canyon: Explore this impressive limestone gorge with depths reaching 50 meters, carved over millennia by glacial waters (Approx. 30min. stop)
  *If closed, it will be replaced by Medicine Lakes with stopping time
  
  
• Medicine Lakes: Discover this unique series of interconnected lakes, known as "The Disappearing Lake." It is famed for its underground stream system where water levels dramatically change, framed by the surrounding mountains. This geological phenomenon is a peaceful spot perfect for photos and short walks. (Pass through with commentary)
  
  
• Peyto Lake: Marvel at one of the most photographed lakes in Canada, famous for its ever-changing turquoise colors. The high concentration of glacial minerals in the water creates a vivid blue appearance that sometimes looks almost unreal. (Approx. 20min. stop)
  **Note: If not accessible, this will be replaced with a visit to Waterfowl Lake.
  
  
• The Crossing: A starting point for tours on the Columbia Icefield. It is also the only place for basic services including public bathrooms, gas station and a restaurant. (Approx. 10min. stop)
  
  
• Crowfoot Glacier: Named after its shape when was discovered. A must-see stop with the climate change nowadays. The "Third Toe" was melted and barely visible. (Approx. 15min. stop)