Prairies & Rockies Fly Drive Holiday

Day 1 - Arrive 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 Mineral Spa Resort Hotel, featuring its naturally relaxing geothermal mineral water pool. Across the street in the 2920s themed Casino Moose Jaw. While downtown, step back in time with a guided tour of the tunnels of Moose Jaw and learn about Al Capone’s bootlegging operations, as well as the experiences of Chinese immigrants in the early 1900s (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 provides a look at the many layers of this history from dinosaurs that used to roam this area as well as how the First Nations lived thousands of years ago. Canada’s sole training academy for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is located in Regina – visit the RCMP Heritage Centre. Visit the Historic Chapel or watch the cadets practicing drill in the Sergeants Major Parade. 

Day 8 - Regina to Saskatoon (260 km)

Visit Manitou Springs Hotel & Mineral Spa (not included). This European-style mineral spa is legendary for its natural buoyancy, curative power, and a mineral content high in sodium, magnesium and potassium. 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 Mendel Art Gallery. For a glimpse into Saskatchewan’s past, head to the Western Development Museum.

Day 9 - Visit Wanuskewin National Park

A journey of discovery awaits you at Wanuskewin Heritage Park, just north of Saskatoon (not included). As far back as 6,000 years, people assembled at this site to hunt, gather food, and seek refugee from the winter winds. Wanuskewin pays tribute to the long, meaningful heritage and culture of Saskatchewan’s First Nations with an internationally renowned interpretive centre, traditional and interactive displays, dance exhibitions, themed hiking trails, and more. The cultures of six Northern Plain tribes are described in the parks various attractions.

Day 10 - Saskatoon to North Battleford (139 km)

North Battleford is a popular year-round vacation spot in the historic heart of Saskatchewan. Visit Ford Battleford National Historic Site – the original Northwest Mounted police has five buildings, four with period furnishings, reconstructed stockade/bastions and costumed guides. Visit the Western Development/Heritage Farm and Village with its various agricultural equipment on display, supplemented by demonstrations of 1920 farming techniques and a 1920 Saskatchewan town.

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 - Sightsee Jasper

Explore this charming mountain village close to many terrific scene highlights. Visit Maligne Lake, one of the most photographed lakes in the world, and enjoy a 90-minute cruise heading toward the south end of this postcard setting (Maligne Lake cruise not included). You will marvel at the magnificent shoreline with dense forest and dense forest and glacial peaks rising abruptly from the water’s edge. Stopping at Spirit Island, you will have the opportunity to take your own version of the world-famous photograph of the lake.

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 - Banff sightseeing (Banff Gondola)

A full day to explore Banff and the surrounding area. In town you’ll find lots of excitement including shopping, cafes, nightlife and museums. Check out the Cave and Basin National Historic Site (not included), other suggestions are the Banff Gondola where you will see a panoramic view of the Bow Valley, you could also take a dip in the hot mineral pools at the Upper Hot Springs. 

Day 18 - Fly Calgary to UK

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 the Calgary International Airport or downtown location.