Stampede & Alberta Self Drive

Day 1 - UK to Calgary

Fly to Calgary. On arrival pick up your Intermediate Hire Car and take the short (less than 2 hour) drive from Calgary to Banff on either the Trans-Canada Highway or the more scenic 1A Highway. Once in Banff proceed to your selected hotel to check in and the remainder of the day is yours to explore at your own leisure.

Day 2 - Explore Banff

Day at leisure to explore Banff and it's National Park. Why ask one of our Canada Experts about pre-booking one of the many excursions on offer in Banff - such as Cowboy Cookout, Explore Banff with Gondola ride, Bow Horseshoe Canyon River Rafting, Evening Wildlife Safari and much much more.

Day 3 - Banff

Spend your final day in Banff exploring the town and the surrounding area. In town you'll find lots of excitment - shopping, cafes, nightlife and museums. Check out the Cave and Basin National Historic Site or Banff Gondola, where you will see a panoramic view of the Bow Valley, and then take a dip in the hot mineral pools at the Upper Hot Springs.

Day 4 - Banff to Jasper

Take the short drive from Banff to Lake Louise. Choose the Bow Valley Parkway, beside the Bow River with an option for you to take a stop at Johnston Canyon and walk along the paved footpath to either the lower or upper waterfalls before continuing to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. From Lake Louise your scenic drive along the Icefields Parkway takes you through the spine of the Canadian Rockies. 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 Sarbach Glacier, Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, with the Bow Glacier providing the backdrop, and Crowfoot Glacier before your arrival at the Columbia Icefield for an Ice Explorer ride out onto the glacier (included). Leaving the Athabasca Glacier, your camera should be ready to capture the majesty of the Athabasca Falls prior to your arrival into Jasper.

Day 5 - Explore Jasper

Explore this charming mountain village close to many terrific scenic highlights. Take a tram ride up Whistlers Mountain, or 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 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 6 - Jasper to Emerald Lake Lodge

This morning depart on the Icefields Parkway taking in lakes, waterfalls, wildlife and glaciers that you may not of seen first time around. You will then drive through majestic mountains passing into Yoho National Park. The word Yoho is the Cree word expressing awe. This 1313 sq. km (507 sq. miles) national park is filled with gem-coloured glacial lakes and waterfalls, snow-covered peaks and dense forests of western red cedar and western hemlock. Historic railroads, spiral tunnels within mountain sides and steep rock faces where mountain goats roam are just some of the sights to be seen. Other Yoho marvels include a natural rock bridge over the Kicking Horse River, Hoodoos, some of Canada’s highest waterfalls and the Burgess Shale fossil find where over 120 marine animal species dating back as far as 530 million years were discovered. (Breakfast & Dinner Included)

Day 7 - Explore Yoho National Park

Today is yours to spend at your leisure either exploring the lodge or the Yoho National Park.

Day 8 - Emerald Lake to Calgary

Enjoy the leisurely drive to Calgary before dropping off your hire car at a downtown location.

Day 9 - Calgary Stampede

You’re invited to attend the largest outdoor rodeo in the world!! Professional cowboys compete in a myriad of rodeo events, which includes bull riding, roping, chuck wagon racing, steer wrestling and barrel racing. Don your western duds, saddle up and join us for Stampede breakfasts galore, square dancing, parades, the fun of the midway, great exhibits, a spectacular Grandstand show, fireworks and of course, heaping helpings of Western hospitality.  

Day 10 - Calgary Stampede

The fun at the Stampede continues

Day 11 - Fly Calgary to UK