Calgary, Lake Louise, Banff

Jasper Edmonton

Explore Alberta Circle

Lake Louise Banff and

Canmore Drumheller

Calgary

calgary / drumheller / edmonton / jasper / lake louise / banff / canmore

Discover Western hospitality, majestic scenery, dinosaurs, national parks, museums and a host of outdoor activities on this Rocky Mountains highlights tour

DAYs 1-2 ExplorE CAlgArY

Alberta is one of the most breathtaking places on earth, as vast as it is varied in landscape and experiences.

Located in Western Canada, the province is bordered by the spectacular Canadian Rocky Mountains, with its jagged peaks and turquoise lakes to the west and the Badlands and rolling prairies to the east. Explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the many parks and wildlands the protect the bounty of wildlife that makes this place their home.

Alberta’s cities are known for their western hospitality, chef-driven cuisine, classic and quirky theatre and lively music events, outdoor festivals and accommodation to suit all tastes and budget.

You will arrive into Calgary, a vibrant city with an ever-changing list of “must-see” attractions, and pick up your rental car.

Whether you step back in time at Heritage Park, take in a sidecar adventure, visit one of the many museums and galleries, or join a food or brewery tour, make sure you plan some time to explore.

the turQuoise blue glacier-fed peyto lake located in banff national park

DAY 3 CAlgArY - DrumhEllEr

90 miles. Drive to Drumheller to visit the Royal Tyrrell Museum and walk amongst the impressive array of dinosaur fossils. The Grounds for Discovery hall introduces visitors to some of the incredible fossils that have been found through industry, and the workers who found them. Wander around the unique landscape shaped by sandstone pillar hoodoos. There is a good choice of hotels in Drumheller.

DAY 4 DrumhEllEr - EDmonton

Look out! The Columbia Icefield Skywalk looks out on mountain peaks and glaciercarved valleys

173 miles. Drive north to Alberta’s capital city, Edmonton, but along the way be sure to make a stop at Red Deer’s famous Doughnut Shack, which attracts visitors from near and far for its cinnamon buns and donuts. They also offer soups, sandwiches and a variety of coffee based drinks.

Look out! The world’s best-preserved armoured dinosaur was found at a mine near Fort McMurray in 2011

Top tip: Make sure to slow down and leave plenty of time to explore - it is often those unplanned walks down a trail that provide a goosebump moment

DAY 5 ExplorE EDmonton

From the continent’s first Fringe Theatre Festival to a shopping mall that at one time had more submarines than the Canadian navy, Edmontonians have never been afraid to do things a little differently. Glide along the beautiful river valley pathways of Edmonton during a fun and memorable Segway tour, then tantalise your tastebuds on a tour of historic Old Strathcona district accompanied by a local guide.

DAY 6 EDmonton - JAspEr

226 miles. Head towards to the mountains and take a soak in the warmest mineral rich water at the Miette Hot Springs before carrying on into Jasper National Park, the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it boasts untamed wilderness and a Dark Sky Preserve. Overnight options include the famous Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.

DAY 7 JAspEr - lAkE louisE

129 miles. Be sure to take your time to drive down the Icefields Parkway, one of the most scenic drives in the world. Your journey will take you along the spine of the Canadian Rockies – and there will be plenty of opportunities for stops to gaze at waterfalls, glaciers, canyons , lakes or just to breathe in the view.

DAY 8 lAkE louisE - BAnff

38 miles. Surrounded by rugged peaks, the bustling town of Banff has plenty of charm but also offers a line up of shops, restaurants, bars and nightlife. The long Banff Avenue has plenty of one-off shops and eateries featuring some of the top chefs in the country. Active visitors can paddle through the crystal-clear turquoise waters of glacier-fed lakes and keep an eye out for wildlife – then come back in winter and ski some of the world’s finest powder.

DAY 9 BAnff - CAnmorE - CAlgArY

18 miles / 74 miles. Leave Banff and head to Canmore, known for craggy summits like the Three Sisters and Ha Ling Peak. The town is home to authentic artisans and entrepreneurs while K-Country (as it is known by the locals) offers some of the best hiking, horseback trails and white-water rafting in summer and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. Then head to Calgary International Airport for your flight home.

Book it with... First Class Holidays

The operator’s 12-day Alberta Dinosaurs, Lakes and Glaciers self-drive tour incorporates many of the stops, attractions and experiences listed in this suggested itinerary. Prices starts from £1,959, including flights from London and Manchester, and car rental. fcholidays.com; 0161 888 5630.