Prairies & Rockies Fly Drive Holiday

Day 1 - Fly to Calgary

Upon arrival at Calgary International Airport, pick up your hire car and proceed to your downtown Calgary hotel.

Day 2 - Calgary to Drumheller (137 KM)

Drumheller is the gateway to the Canadian Badlands and Dinosaur Provincial Park. The city lies in the heart of the eroded Alberta Badlands that may be the world’s greatest repository of dinosaur fossils. The town of Drumheller is home to the world-famous Royal Tyrrell Museum.

Day 3 - Discover Drumheller & Dinosaur Provincial Park

You may wish to take a journey to Dinosaur Provincial Park about 56km east of Drumheller. New species of dinosaur are discovered virtually every year in this 90km patch of the Alberta Badlands, making it one of the world’s richest fossil beds. The region was a prime dinosaur habitat 65 million years ago  and ongoing erosion of the sandstone and mudstone landscape regularly exposes remains of the ancient creatures. The park has been declared UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 4 - Drumheller to Maple Creek / Cypress Hills (344 km)

Today’s journey takes you to Cypress Hills – the highest elevation in Canada between the Rocky Mountains and Labrador.

Day 5 - Explore Cypress Hills & Fort Walsh National Historic Site

The park is home to a forest of lodge pole pines, rare wildflowers, wildlife including bobcat, elk and moose, as well as over 200 species of birds. Visit Fort Walsh National historic Site, the original headquarters of Canada’s Mounted Police. Nearby, prehistoric Saskatchewan can be explored at the impressive T.Rex Discovery Centre in Eastend. A visit to the region would not be complete without a trek through Grasslands National Park, where undisturbed prairie is preserved and protected, and plains bison roam freely.

Day 6 - Maple Creek to Moose Jaw (310 km)

Moose Jaw is known far and wide as “the friendly city”. The crown jewel of the city’s attractions is Temple Gardens Hotel & Spa, featuring its naturally relaxing geothermal mineral water pool. Across the street is the 1920s themed Casino Moose Jaw. While downtown, step back in time at the Tunnels of Moose Jaw and learn about Al Capone’s bootlegging operations, the experiences of Chinese immigrants in the early 1900s, and Canada in the 1950s Cold War through guided theatrical tours (not included).

Day 7 - Moose Jaw to Regina (77 km)

Saskatchewan's capital city, Regina, is home to some of the best collections of provincial history. The Royal Saskatchewan Museum is a Canadian natural history museum. Through interactive displays, learn about the world’s largest dinosaur and the rich history and traditions of Indigenous people from Saskatchewan. Visit the RCMP Heritage Centre, home to Canada’s sole basic training academy for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. During summer months, pre-register for a guided tour to visit the Historic Chapel or watch the cadets practicing drill in the Sergeant Major's Parade. (Admission to RCMP Heritage Centre Included)

Day 8 - Regina to Saskatoon (260 km)

Visit Manitou Springs Hotel & Mineral Spa (not included). This mineral spa is legendary for its natural buoyancy, unique mineral concentration and therapeutic skin and body care properties found only at a few places in the world. Visitors to Saskatoon are struck by the sight of the mighty South Saskatchewan River winding its way through the city. Attractions along the riverbank include the Ukrainian Museum of Canada and the Remai Modern Art Gallery (Admission by donation). For a glimpse into Saskatchewan’s past, head to the Western Development Museum.

Day 9 - Visit Wanuskewin Heritage Park

On the city’s northern edge sits Wanuskewin Heritage Park, a National Historic Site that has yielded evidence of human occupation dating back 6,400 years. Authentic First Nations culture and traditions are experienced through dance performances, exhibitions of Indigenous art and hands-on activities. An onsite restaurant serves traditional Indigenous cuisine with a contemporary twist.

Day 10 - Saskatoon to North Battleford (139 km)

North Battleford is a popular year-round vacation spot in the historic heart of Saskatchewan. Visit Fort Battleford National Historic Site – an attraction representing a period in history when Battleford was the capital of the Northwest Territories. At the North Battleford branch of the Western Development Museum, tour a working 1920s-era village and farm with a fully preserved grain elevator.

Day 11 - North Battleford to Edmonton (388 km)

There is a lot to do today. Visit Fort Edmonton park, a living history museum tracing the growth and development of Edmonton through four historical periods; The Fort, 1885 Street, 1905 Street and 1920 Street. Even the most jaded shopper will be impressed with the immensity of the West Edmonton Mall. Sprawling over an area big enough to accommodate 104 football fields, the complex claims to have one of the largest enclosed shopping centres and indoor amusement parks in the world.

Day 12 - Explore Edmonton

You may want to visit Fort Saskatchewan, a small downtown park overlooking the North Saskatchewan River and the setting for the Fort Saskatchewan Museum and Historic Site. Among its collection of restored buildings are 18th century homes, a school, a blacksmith shop, a church, vintage cars, farm equipment, and Alberta’s first courthouse (1909).

Day 13 - Edmonton to Jasper (365 km)

Jasper, fascinating in beauty and history, is set amid some of the most rugged peaks in the Rockies. You may wish to take a tram ride up Whistlers Mountain or soak in the pools at Miette Hot Springs (among the Rockies warmest natural hot springs).

Day 14 - Maligne Lake Guided Walk

This introduction to Jasper begins with a short tour of the town before heading across the Athabasca River to Maligne Lake. A century after Mary Schaeffer's remarkable adventure, come discover the world-renowned Maligne Lake for yourself! A short stop at the disappearing Medicine Lake, another one of Jasper's watery gems where you will learn about Karst topography of the area, and the mystery of why Medicine Lake disappears annually. Next we'll carry on to the pinnacle of our tour, breathtaking Maligne Lake! Enjoy a gentle walk along the shores of this pristine lake before heading back to Jasper.

Day 15 - Jasper to Lake Louise (208 km)

This morning depart on the scenic drive along the icefield parkway that takes you through the spine of the Canadian Rockies. You view a never-ending procession of mammoth mountains, jagged peaks, over 100 glaciers and pristine emerald coloured lakes. Along the way see such sights as the Columbia Icefield and take an Ice Explorer ride out onto the glacier (included). Stop at the award-winning Glacier Skywalk (included) to experience a glass floored observation platform 280 m over spectacular glacier-formed valleys and rushing waterfalls. Also watch for the Sarbach Glacier, Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, with the Bow Glacier providing the backdrop, and the Crowfoot Glacier before your arrival into Lake Louise.

Please note: Mountain lakes in this region will be frozen through mid-June 

Day 16 - Lake Louise to Banff (62 km)

Take the short drive from Lake Louise to Banff. Choose the Bow Valley Parkway, beside the Bow River. With an option for you to stop at Johnston Canyon and walk along the paved footpath to either the lower or upper waterfalls before continuing to Banff. This afternoon explore Banff.

Day 17 - Discover Banff & It's Wildlife with Gondola

This small group tour is the perfect introduction to Banff and includes some of Banff's most scenic and historically significant highlights such as the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Bow Falls, Surprise Corner Lookout, and Banff's largest lake, Lake Minnewanka. Plus, enjoy hot chocolate or fresh water (depending on the time of year) and maple cookies at one of the scenic stops. You'll then be transported to the base of Sulphur Mountain and ride the Banff Gondola to the top at 7,486 feet. At the summit, marvel at the unsurpassed view of Banff, the Bow Valley and a 360-degree view of six scenic mountain ranges. You'll feel like you're on top of the world when you are standing on the spacious main level observation deck. After your download on the Banff Gondola, the guide will transport you back to your Banff hotel. It's a great tour for seeing wildlife, so don't forget your camera!

Day 18 - Fly from Calgary

Drive to Calgary today, along the 1A Highway. En-route, you may wish to stop at the historic Cochrane Ranch (not included) before dropping off your rental car at Calgary International Airport before your homeward flight.