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Itinerary · Alberta & British Columbia
Canadian Rockies Explorer
Ten days of glacier lakes, mountain railways, and alpine villages.
- Duration
- 10 days
- Pace
- Moderate
- Best months
- June – September
- Suggested cadence
- 2 – 3 nights per base
Trip overview
The classic Rockies loop, drawn for travellers who want to stand on a glacier, ride the Icefields Parkway in golden hour, and sleep within walking distance of Lake Louise. Designed around a Calgary in, Calgary out itinerary, with one optional rail leg from Banff to Vancouver.
- Route summary
- Calgary loop through Banff, the Icefields Parkway, Jasper, Yoho, and Kananaskis.
- Ideal traveller
- First-time Rockies travellers, photographers, and active couples.
- Recommended season
- Late June through September for full alpine access.
- Distance
- ≈ 1,400 km driving
- Provinces covered
- Alberta · British Columbia
- Major stops
- Calgary · Banff · Lake Louise · Jasper · Field (Yoho) · Kananaskis
Day by day
The full itinerary.
Day
01
Arrive Calgary
Land at YYC, collect the rental car, and overnight near the airport or in Inglewood. An easy first dinner at Bridgette Bar.
Day
02
Calgary → Banff
Drive west on the Trans-Canada (90 min). Settle into Banff. Ride the gondola up Sulphur Mountain at sunset for a six-summit panorama.
Photo: Six-summit panorama from Sulphur MountainDay
03
Overnight
Lake Louise & Moraine
Pre-dawn shuttle to Moraine Lake for sunrise. Mid-morning at Lake Louise — paddle a canoe, hike the Plain of Six Glaciers.
Highlights
- Moraine Lake sunrise
- Plain of Six Glaciers hike
Photo: Moraine Lake first light from the RockpileDay
04
Icefields Parkway
230 km of Canada's most cinematic road. Stops at Peyto, Bow Lake, the Columbia Icefield, and Athabasca Falls.
Photo: Peyto Lake from Bow SummitDay
05
Overnight
Jasper National Park
Maligne Canyon walk in the morning, a Maligne Lake cruise to Spirit Island in the afternoon, and a soak at Miette Hot Springs.
Wildlife: Elk along the Athabasca RiverDay
06
Overnight
Field, BC
~290 km · 4 hr
Jasper → Yoho
Drive back south to Field. Hike to Wapta Falls and dinner at Truffle Pigs Bistro.
Day
07
Overnight
Field, BC
Lake O'Hara
If you booked the bus six months ahead — congratulations. Spend the day on the Alpine Circuit, one of the great hikes in North America.
Day
08
Overnight
Kananaskis
~250 km · 3 hr
Field → Kananaskis
Slip out the back door of the Rockies into Kananaskis Country. Quieter, equally dramatic, with fewer crowds.
Day
09
Kananaskis → Calgary
Easy 90-minute drive back to the city. Visit the Glenbow Museum, eat at Major Tom for sunset above the skyline.
Day
10
Overnight
Depart Calgary
Fly home — or extend with the Rocky Mountaineer westbound to Vancouver.
Featured destinations
Places included in this trip.
National Park
Banff National Park
Glacier lakes, hot springs, and the Icefields Parkway.
Explore destination →Experiences
What you'll do along the way.
Adventure
Athabasca Glacier Ice Explorer
Photography
Moraine Lake sunrise photography
Wildlife
Elk and bighorn sheep viewing
Culture
Rocky Mountaineer rail extension
Camping
Sleep under Canadian skies.
Travel planning
Everything you need before you go.
Best time to go
Mid-June to late September for full alpine access. September brings golden larches and fewer crowds.
Weather
Cool mornings (5–10 °C) and warm afternoons (18–24 °C). Snow possible above 2,000 m any month.
Packing
Insulated layers, rain shell, hiking boots, bear spray, polarized sunglasses, and a 30 L daypack.
Driving notes
Trans-Canada and Icefields Parkway are paved and well-maintained. Watch for wildlife at dusk. Fuel up before Jasper.
Reservations
Banff and Jasper hotels book 6–9 months ahead for July/August. Lake O'Hara bus opens in early spring — set a reminder.
Budget
Mid-range CAD $300–$550 per day per person; backcountry/camping CAD $80–$130.
Family
Excellent. Lakeshore walks, gondolas, hot springs, and short hikes suit ages 5+.
Accessibility
Lake Louise lakefront, Maligne Canyon's first three bridges, and Banff Gondola are wheelchair accessible.
Pack smart
What to bring.
- 01
Layers for every season — even in July
- 02
Bear spray (rent or buy in Banff)
- 03
Park pass (buy online in advance)
- 04
Sturdy shoes for the alpine
Travel guides
Read before you go.
Guide
National Parks Pass
How to use the Discovery Pass, when to book ahead, and the lesser-known parks that rival Banff without the crowds.
Read guide →Guide
Packing by Season
A season-by-season packing list for a country that swings from -40°C in February to +35°C in July.
Read guide →Guide
Family Travel
Best regions by age, pacing your road trip, ski-with-kids tips, and the family deals worth knowing about.
Read guide →Frequently asked
Common questions.
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