Canadian Rockies & Glacier9 Day Tour from USD $1795#1 In Value

Dear Traveler, Welcome to a great vacation at an affordable price. Canadian Rockies tour is fully guided and includes all hotels, activities, and some meals. Happy Travels! Caravan
Glacier Park
Columbia Icefield
Tour Map

Caret DownCaret Up Red2024 Daily Tour Itinerary

2024 Daily Tour Itinerary

Day 1 • Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Your vacation begins in Calgary, where the foothills of the Rocky Mountains meet the Great Plains. Calgary is the closest international gateway to the Canadian Rockies. Transfer from the Calgary Airport by hotel courtesy shuttle to your hotel. Rooms are available for check-in after 3:00 p.m. Join Caravan for a 7:00 p.m. welcome briefing.

Lake Louise

Day 2 • Calgary, Buffalo Jump, Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village

Enjoy a brief sightseeing drive of Calgary. Then journey south through Alberta cowboy country. Visit Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you will learn about the importance of the Plains Buffalo to the First Nation People. Next, visit the renowned Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village, with displays on the Canadian Mounted Police and the history of Western Canada. Overnight at Pincher Creek, at the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, where the Rockies begin their dramatic rise out of the rolling prairies. Enjoy a relaxing two night stay.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 • Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, Alberta and Montana

Journey south this morning to Waterton Lakes National Park. You are now in the world’s first International Peace Park, formed in 1932 by combining Waterton Lakes Park in Canada with Glacier Park in Montana. The park is a celebration of the friendship between Canada and the United States. Free time this morning in the town of Waterton, Canada. Then, cross the border into Montana, USA. Explore the wonders of Glacier National Park. Journey on the spectacular “Going-to-the-Sun” Road into the heart of Glacier National Park at Logan Pass (weather and road conditions permitting). Logan Pass is at the summit of the “Going-to-the-Sun” road, at the central Continental Divide. Look for mountain goats and bighorn sheep at Logan Pass, (elevation 6,647 ft). See St. Mary’s Lake. Cross the Canadian border and return to your hotel at the foothills of the Canadian Rockies. Enjoy dinner tonight.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Elk

Day 4 • Banff, Gondola Ride

Head north through the beautiful Kananaskis Valley, weather and road conditions permitting (road opens June 15). Stop at the Bar U Ranch National Historic site. Arrive in Banff, a vibrant mountain town. Ride the Banff Gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain for panoramic views of six mountain ranges. Continue to your hotel in downtown Banff. Enjoy a two night stay surrounded by the wild beauty of 2,500 square mile Banff Park. Dinner tonight.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5 • Banff, Bow River Float

On your morning wildlife excursion, drive along the shores of Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake. Stop at Bow River Falls. Weather and river conditions permitting, enjoy a float trip on the scenic Bow River. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound. Return to Banff. Your afternoon is at leisure in Banff. Your ideally located Banff hotel is within easy walking distance to restaurants, taverns, shops and galleries.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 • Lake Louise, Jasper Park

This morning, you visit two beautiful Canadian lakes. First, visit Moraine Lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks. Then, enjoy a leisurely visit at Lake Louise, filled with turquoise colored water from Victoria Glacier. This afternoon, drive along the world-famous Icefields Parkway to Jasper. Waterfalls, glacier lakes and snow-capped mountains line your drive. The Parkway is home to elk, moose, bears, goats, sheep and caribou. Enter the vast, unspoiled grandeur of 4,200 square mile Jasper Park, Canada’s largest national park. Enjoy a relaxing two night stay. Dinner is at your lodge on the banks of the Athabasca River.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Moraine Lake

Day 7 • Maligne Lake Cruise to Spirit Island, Jasper Park

Enjoy a scenic morning drive to glacier-fed Maligne Lake, 14 miles long and ringed by dramatic snow-capped peaks. The road to Maligne Lake has some of the best wildlife viewing in the Canadian Rockies. Look for mountain goats, moose, elk, bear, bighorn sheep, caribou and bald eagles. Enjoy a scenic cruise on Maligne Lake to Spirit Island. For thousands of years, Spirit Island has held deep spiritual significance for the indigenous Stoney Nation. Next, visit Maligne Canyon. Then, free time to explore Jasper, a charming small town with many shops.

Please note: The tour that starts on June 3 will enjoy the cruise on Lake Minnewanka, during your stay in Banff, instead of on Maligne Lake.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 • Icefields Parkway, Ice Explorer

Another glorious day on the Icefields Parkway, this time traveling south. Each direction offers unique views. Ride across the surface of Columbia Icefield’s Athabasca Glacier on an all-terrain Ice Explorer (weather permitting). The meltwater from the Columbia Icefield feeds streams that flow into three oceans: the Arctic, the Atlantic, and the Pacific. Walk on the Athabasca Glacier. Continue along the Icefields Parkway. Photo stop at turquoise-colored Peyto Lake. Then, descend to the Great Plains of Canada. Return to Calgary. Farewell dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9 • Calgary

The tour ends after breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to the Calgary Airport by hotel courtesy shuttle. Thanks for vacationing with Caravan.

Meals: Breakfast

Maligne Lake

Banff Gondola

Your stay in Banff includes a ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain on the Banff Gondola. Your four passenger gondola cabin will transport you to the summit at an elevation of 7,486 feet (2,281m) above sea level. The total ride takes just 8 minutes each way. At the summit, you will enjoy 360 degree views of six mountain ranges comprising the heart of the Canadian Rockies from the rooftop observation area and view decks. These are some of the most spectacular mountain views in the world and are why the area has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can also explore the Summit Ridge interpretive boardwalk, a 1 km long elevated board-walk that leads you along Sulphur Mountain’s summit ridge to the Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site of Canada, and the historic Sanson’s Meteorological Station.

Bow River Float

During your stay in Banff, you will enjoy a gentle float trip on Canada’s “Jewel of The Rockies”, the scenic Bow River. Located just below the Banff townsite, this glacier-fed stretch of river winds through forested islands and Rocky cliffs of incredible beauty inside Banff National Park. The Park is home to over 53 species of mammals, such as beaver, elk, coyote, black bear, bighorn sheep, and more, including 260 species of birds. Floating along the Bow River is a perfect way to intimately experience Banff’s natural mountain beauty. Each raft seats approximately 15 passengers and has an experienced guide. Life jackets are required.

Elk
Moraine Lake
Maligne Lake

Caret DownCaret Up Red2024 Hotels

2024 Hotels

Accommodations in the hotels and lodges are rooms with two beds and private bath or shower. A limited number of single rooms are available. Triple rooms are usually two beds.


Hilton Garden Inn Airport

Days 1, 8 • Calgary

Hilton Garden Inn Airport

Hilton Garden Inn Airport

Calgary is the gateway to the Canadian Rockies. The Hilton Garden Inn Airport is a five floor mid-rise hotel located in northeast Calgary near the airport. Each of the rooms has all the modern amenities – high speed internet, two phone lines, television, iron & ironing board and hairdryer. The Hilton Garden Inn Airport has room service, a fitness center, a self-service laundry, a restaurant and the Pavilion Lounge.


Heritage Inn

Days 2, 3 • Pincher Creek

Heritage Inn

Heritage Inn

Formerly an outpost for the Canadian Mounted Police and their horses, the town of Pincher Creek is nestled in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies. The Heritage Inn provides complimentary wi-fi access in your room and throughout the property. Enjoy the indoor pool, in-room coffee and tea, hair dryer, iron & ironing board, tv, microwave & mini-fridge, and onsite restaurant and lounge. 100% smoke-free property.


Banff Park Lodge

Days 4, 5 • Banff

Banff Park Lodge

Banff Park Lodge

Banff is surrounded by the spectacular grandeur of the Canadian Rockies. The Banff Park Lodge is a full service hotel ideally located in the heart of Banff. You are one block from the Bow River and just two blocks from Banff Avenue shopping, dining and museums. The hotel has two restaurants, a bar, indoor swimming pool and hot tub, fitness room, hot plunge pool and eucalyptus steam room. All guest rooms have balconies or patios. Internet access is available for a fee.


Jasper House

Days 6, 7 • Jasper

Jasper House

Jasper House

Jasper House is located in the heart of beautiful Jasper National Park, in a secluded and peaceful setting along the banks of the Athabasca River. It is sheltered by Whistlers Mountain, home of the Jasper Tramway. Jasper House is the ideal setting in which to enjoy the true Canadian Rockies experience with walking trails leaving from your front door and hiking trails nearby.

Caret DownCaret Up RedAirport Transfers

Airport Transfers

arrival Transfers

Caravan’s hotel in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, the Hilton Garden Inn Calgary Airport, provides arrival transfers from the Calgary Airport (YYC). Upon arrival, please collect your luggage and then call the hotel directly at 1-403-717-1999 to request a pick-up. If you do not have a working phone, please go to one of the Information Desks located at the airport. You can ask them to make the call for you. Please allow 30-60 minutes for the shuttle to arrive. The drive to your hotel takes 20 minutes. For International Arrivals, pick-up is located at Bus Bay #37, outside of door #16. For Domestic Arrivals, please go to Bus Bay #17, outside of door #4. Taxis cost approximately $30-35 (Canadian Dollars).

departure Transfers

Caravan's hotel in Calgary, Canada, the Hilton Garden Inn Calgary Airport, provides departure transfers to the Calgary Airport (YYC) every hour. Please allow up to 20 minutes for the drive. Taxis cost approximately $30-$35 (Canadian Dollars).

Airfare is not included or sold by Caravan.

Caret DownCaret Up RedPassports & Visas

Passports & Visas

U.S. citizens traveling between the United States and Canada must carry a passport, valid for at least six months past your entry date into Canada. Non-U.S. citizens, please check your passport and visa requirements. Canada requires non-US citizens and Visa exempt foreign visitors to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) prior to travel to Canada. The most up-to-date information can be found at www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta.html. Children under 18 years old, traveling internationally without both parents or legal guardians, should carry a notarized letter of authorization signed by the missing parent(s) or guardian(s). See Travel Tips for more details.

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Weather & Clothing

Temperature °F (high/low) Rainfall (inches)

CalgaryBanffJasper
TempRainTempRainTempRain
Jan27/160.522/141.228/175.4
Feb32/210.632/220.935/223.6
Mar39/290.838/280.949/292.6
Apr52/401.048/381.359/351.6
May62/502.157/462.368/411.4
Jun68/573.265/542.474/481.3
Jul73/612.671/592.080/501.0
Aug73/602.270/582.077/481.3
Sep64/511.661/491.768/432.4
Oct54/420.750/401.254/385.1
Nov37/260.632/251.239/315.4
Dec30/190.622/151.430/236.6

Temperature °F (high/low) Rainfall (inches)

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Calgary
temp27/1632/2139/2952/4062/5068/5773/6173/6064/5154/4237/2630/19
rainfall0.50.60.81.02.13.22.62.21.60.70.60.6
Banff
temp22/1432/2238/2848/3857/4665/5471/5970/5861/4950/4032/2522/15
rainfall1.20.90.91.32.32.42.02.01.71.21.21.4
Jasper
temp28/1735/2249/2959/3568/4174/4880/5077/4868/4354/3839/3130/23
rainfall5.43.62.61.61.41.31.01.32.45.15.46.6

Clothing Tips

This is a casual tour. Casual wear is suggested for sightseeing and daytime travelling. Dress code for evenings is casual. Suit jackets for men and dresses for women are never required. See Travel Tips for more details.

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Travel Tips & FAQs

These are only the first 14 Travel Tips. Read all 54 Travel Tips

Are meals included?

Included meals for each tour are listed at the end of each day. Meals are shown by B (breakfast), L (lunch) and D (dinner). Full, buffet, or deluxe continental breakfasts are included everywhere. Free bottled water is provided on the motorcoach. Alcoholic beverages are not included unless specified.

Meals

Meals included in the land price are indicated at the beginning of each day by B (Breakfast), L (Lunch), D (Dinner). Dinner, when included, is served at your hotel except when, as indicated in the itinerary, it is at a special restaurant outside the hotel. Coffee or tea is provided at all included meals.

Children on Tour

Children age five (5) and older are welcome on tour when accompanied by an adult. Usually, children travel during the school vacation months of June, July and August, and also during spring and winter school breaks.

Canada’s National Holidays

Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Victoria Day (3rd Monday in May), Canada Day (July 1), Labour Day (1st Monday in September), and Thanksgiving (2nd Monday in October). Most provinces celebrate a civic holiday on the first Monday in August.

Family Trips

Families are always welcome on any of our tours, but we do not have any programs specifically for or limited to families. Families can make specific requests for connecting, adjacent, triple or quad rooms, when available. Children must be at least 5 years old.

My Tour Price Does Not Include

Prices do not include air travel, country entry or departure fees, airport porters, visas, phone calls, valet, laundry, all items of a personal nature, extra food and beverages not on the regular menu, and tips to the Caravan Tour Director, driver, and local guides. General fees and taxes are additional and listed separately beneath each tour’s price.

My Tour Price Includes

Virtually everything! Hotels, many meals, all of the activities described in the itinerary pages, airport transfers in select cities, gratuities to hotel porters, restaurant staff and local guides. Caravan’s professional Tour Directors and local guides will be with you every step of the way, ensuring a worry free vacation.

Age of Travelers on a Caravan Tour

Usually, you find a mix of different age adult travelers on a Caravan Tour. Children age five (5) and older are welcome, and children usually join tours offered during Christmas holidays, summer vacation and spring break vacation.

Forms of Payment

Caravan accepts payment (in U.S. funds only) via MasterCard, Visa, or Discover.

Many Tours Sell Out Each Year

The farther in advance that you book, the more likely it is that your preferred tour will be open. Late bookings are welcome if the space is still available.

Fully Guided Tours Since 1952

Caravan has been offering fully guided tours worldwide under the same family ownership and management since 1952. Caravan understands and truly cares about your great expectations.

Size of Tour Group

Group sizes will vary depending on the reserved rooms at the hotels and the capacity of the boats and motorcoaches used. Usually, group sizes range from 30 to 44 passengers.

A Well-Paced Itinerary

A well-paced and unhurried itinerary is our goal, after all, you are on vacation! Touring days begin and end at reasonable hours and include frequent stops. While the occasional early morning departure is necessary, we do our best to ensure a leisurely vacation.

Caravan’s $129 Travel Protection

Caravan Travel Protection offers peace of mind if you cancel for any reason whatsoever prior to the departure of the tour. The travel protection plan also includes air, baggage, evacuation, medical, and quarantine coverage. The cost is $129.

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Customer Reviews

Please note: Reviews are from 2019 and prior years. For 2022, the tour route will not be crossing the international land border into the USA. All references to Glacier Park and the Red Jammers are not applicable to the 2022 tours.

These are only the first 7 Customer Reviews. Read all 186 Customer Reviews

"This was a totally awesome and magnificent tour. Our first with Caravan and now certainly not our last, we couldn’t be more pleased. It went way above all our expectations. Extremely great value. Most spectacular place we have ever visited with the possible exception of the Grand Canyon. Timing of all the stops was excellent. Day after day we were amazed beyond words by the beauty of the sites visited. Don’t omit any stops. Information, history, stories and jokes from our director were outstanding, the most awesome we have ever had. She helped everyone on our bus in one way or another. I would love to have her on every tour and we would recommend this tour over and over."

Mr. & Mrs. D.G., Greenwood, Indiana

"This was our 7th Caravan tour. Needless to say, we keep coming back because we have great experiences on Caravan tours. Our lives are enriched on every tour by the places we visit and by the people we meet. The places we went, the things we saw, and the activities we experienced fulfilled my expectations for this trip. In every direction, the scenery was stunning...so beautiful. There were plenty of great activities such as the float on the Bow River, walking on the glacier, the cruise to Goat Haunt and the Peace Park, the gondola in Banff, the Red Jammer tour in Glacier...everything. Yet, there was enough time to explore on our own."

Mr. C.R., Lebanon, Pennsylvania

"This tour was so much fun and sold us on Caravan. This was our first Caravan tour following multiple trips with numerous other companies, including a previous one to the Canadian Rockies with another company. For the money, the Caravan Tour is a thorough and very enjoyable tour, good accommodations and an excellent value. Couldn’t believe what quality we got for such a low cost! As each day passed, the sights became more and more impressive, the mountains higher and more snow capped, culminating in the Columbia Icefield. Despite the cold, we were so happy that our director did everything on our itinerary. He was our all time favorite tour guide. So well-organized, professional, amiable and well-versed in the Canadian Rockies. Every day had its special moments, a complete itinerary. We had a wonderful time! We were pleased with every accommodation where we stayed. Great accommodations for comfort, accessibility, and service. Loved the Jasper House cabins and Banff Lodge."

Mr. & Mrs. W.H., Berea, Ohio

"A very refreshing, nature-filled trip. Excellent, beautiful scenery was absolutely breathtaking. In AWE of the views at Lake Moraine and Lake Louise. Although the weather was not typical for the time of our visit, we loved every bit of the variety of cold, snow, rain, and sun that we experienced. Loved the Red Jammer Road to the Sun. River rafting in the snow was fabulous. Glacier field was breathtaking. Ample time for rest and photo stops of views to have as cherished memories of this tour."

Mr. & Mrs. D.W., Vacherie, Louisiana

"A special family trip to celebrate my husband’s retirement. Loved the tour in full. The best trip I have ever taken. Just loved it. Our sightseeing and activities could not have been better. The Rockies were great. I enjoyed every activity and this is why I chose Caravan Canadian Rockies tour. Each day just got better and better. Everyday we kept saying “can’t get any better” and every day we were wrong. Just gorgeous. We got to see a lot but didn’t feel rushed, it was just right. The trip was broken up and we were able to stretch when tired of traveling. Our director was exceptional. The added knowledge of the area complemented each and every sight that we got to see. Words cannot begin to express our director’s expertise and his presentational skills, the best ever. I will use Caravan again."

Mrs. & Mr. S.L., Murrysville, Pennsylvania

"It was our first Caravan tour. We were amazed at how smoothly it all went. We were awestruck by the scenery and by the friendly ambiance of our travel group. We were glad to have walking available to whatever extent we wanted or could manage. Loved the wide range of offerings, rafting, gondola, Red Jammer ride, awesome scenery, seeing the stampede grounds. Excellent to have rotation of seats!! A smooth, expertly ride with local info and a tidy coach, our driver was a true gentleman. A very wide range of places to stay and something for everyone in the group, well done!"

Mr. & Mrs. P.W., Polo, Illinois

"Without a doubt, this was the best tour I have been on. Worth every dollar. The sights were the most beautiful I have ever seen and the stops, attractions, guides, free time, and overall schedule was just perfect. Perfect selection of activities and free time. Where to start! The cruise on Waterton Lake and dinner with friends was great. Our guide on the boat did a great job explaining everything we were seeing. The Red Jammer ride and Sun Highway and everything associated with that day was absolutely amazing. The drivers were outstanding and the scenery and wildlife was breathtaking. While we experienced fog going up Sulphur Mountain on the gondola, the views at the top were out of this world. Then the fog lifted and what a sight! All the other stops like Lake Louise and the many waterfalls were great additions to the trip. I would have not wanted to miss any of them. We saw so much more than I expected and I think because of the way our TD managed the tour and the group, we all developed personal relationships with each other early on in the tour and the entire group worked together to make sure no one was left out. Everything went just like clockwork and we had nothing to think about except to enjoy and take in the beauty of the country. Leave the work to Caravan! Another great tour, thanks!!"

Mr. W.S., Dayton, Ohio

Read All 186 ReviewsClick Here to Read All 186 Customer Reviews

Caret DownCaret Up RedWhy Travel with Caravan?

Why Travel with Caravan?

Excellence Since 1952

You can trust our years of experience with tours of superb quality and excellent value. Caravan has enjoyed the same family management and ownership since 1952.

PanAm Jet
In 1959, Pan Am invited Caravan to be the very first tour company to fly their clients on its new line of Clipper Jets.
Vintage Motorcoach
In 1964, Caravan introduced the very first fleet of air conditioned motorcoaches in all of Europe.
Leather Back Turtle Park
Caravan is a proud supporter of the Leatherback Turtle National Park and Costa Rica's efforts to protect this endangered giant.
Federal Reserve Bank Of Chicago

Caravan Care

For your safety, Caravan cancelled most 2020 and all 2021 tour departures and refunded 100% of all payments received. See Caravan’s Covid-19 Terms of Travel.

Caravan's Proud History

In 1965, Roger Mudd hosted a two-hour CBS TV special on Caravan Tours. This TV production took about one month to make and was so successful it inspired the 1968 romantic comedy movie “If it’s Tuesday this must be Belgium.” In the early 50’s the Mayor of Dublin presented Caravan with the Key to Dublin for bringing the first American tour to the city after WWII. Since then, Caravan has been recognized as a pioneer in travel. You can trust in our stability, experience and dedication to quality.

Great Hotels

Stay at park lodges, scenic resorts, and excellent hotels in great locations. See hotel descriptions on each tour page.

Meals

Most meals included within Latin America. For USA and Canada tours, included meals are listed on each itinerary page. Bottled water is provided on motorcoaches in Latin America.

Complete Sightseeing

Enjoy complete sightseeing with more visits, extra features, and local guides.

Fully Guided by Tour Directors

All tours conducted from start to finish by professional tour directors, who are fluent in English, experienced, and fun.

All-inclusive

Caravan includes all activities listed in the tour itinerary page. Caravan does not sell any optional activities which can add hundreds of dollars to your tour price. Your free time is scheduled in great settings where there is no need to buy additional expensive activities.

Shopping Freedom

Caravan will not bring you to overpriced shops in exchange for payments. Caravan gives you ample opportunity and time for great shopping, and the freedom to choose where and when to shop.

Great Value, Book Early

Caravan’s strong buying power gives you great vacations at prices much lower than you can find anywhere. In a typical year, most of our tours sell out quickly. Book early for the date you prefer and the best air fare.

How does Caravan Tours sell these tours for such a low cost?

Caravan delivers volume to our suppliers, who in turn reward us with their very best prices. We in turn pass these savings on to you, and you reward us by buying our tours. As volume continues to rise, we then receive even better prices from our suppliers, and we pass even greater savings on to you. This year our tours are better than ever.

Trade Association Memberships

Caravan is a member of ASTA (American Society of Travel Advisors), NTA (National Tour Association), ABA (American Bus Association), CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), and ACMA (American Catalog Association).

ASTA, NTA, ABA, CLIA, and ACMA