Rocky Mountain Explorer

The Rocky Mountains of Canada are nothing short of breathtaking, mind-blowing, and absolutely amazing- and this itinerary takes you on a circle from Calgary through the very best of the peaks and the surrounding scenery. Pack warm clothes even in the summertime, and prepare to get active, as the Canadian Rocky Mountains are there to be hiked, biked, climbed, and explored!

Highlights

Indulge in the cultural charisma of Calgary from the zoo to the Aero Space Museum, and wander the city streets to find the perfect cup of espresso. Get your hiking boots for Banff National Park and hit the mountains for a healthy hike- or slice them with your skis, depending on the season. Chill out at Lake Louise (or warm up in a hot tub) and then check out the Athabasca Glacier in the Columbia Icefields; book a snow coach to walk on the glacier itself. Sleep under the stars in Jasper National Park and finally head back to Calgary for the bubbling nightlife.

Suggested Route

Starting Point: Calgary
Ending Point: Calgary

Time Frame: 10-14 Days or more

Start in Calgary and plan to spend a few days discovering the city’s charms at the beginning or end of your trip. Take the Trans Canada highway up to Banff National Park and from there head north, exploring Jasper National Park, Athabasca Glacier and the Columbia Icefields (in any order) before returning to Calgary via Banff. The distance on this itinerary is not far but the sights are many, so make sure to plan on plenty of time for exploring random paths and stopping to smell the mountains.