7 Days in Alberta
Seven days in Alberta is the classic Rockies loop — Calgary, the Icefields Parkway to Jasper, and back through Banff and Lake Louise. It's the trip most people picture when they think of Canada.
Seven days in Alberta is the classic Rockies loop — Calgary, the Icefields Parkway to Jasper, and back through Banff and Lake Louise. It's the trip most people picture when they think of Canada.
The full plan
Explore downtown Calgary and the Bow River pathway.
Lunch at the Simmons Building in East Village.
Visit Studio Bell or walk Prince's Island Park.
A steak dinner — Calgary's specialty.
Rest up; the mountains are tomorrow.
A downtown Calgary hotel.
Drive west on the Trans-Canada to Banff National Park.
Lunch in Banff town on Banff Avenue.
Ride the Banff Gondola and soak in the Upper Hot Springs.
Eat at the Banff Ave Lodge or the Bison.
Walk Banff Avenue under the peaks.
A Banff town hotel or the Fairmont Banff Springs.
Drive to Lake Louise early (before 8am) for the turquoise icon.
Lunch at the Lake Louise Village or the Chateau deli.
Take the shuttle to Moraine Lake and the Rockpile Trail.
Dine at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise or in Banff.
A quiet mountain evening.
Second night in Banff.
Drive the Icefields Parkway north, stopping at Bow and Peyto Lakes.
Lunch at the Columbia Icefield Centre.
Ride the Ice Explorer onto the Athabasca Glacier.
Eat in Jasper town on Connaught Drive.
Settle into Jasper's dark-sky night.
A Jasper town lodge or the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.
Cruise Maligne Lake to Spirit Island.
Lunch at the Maligne Lake day lodge.
Walk Maligne Canyon and ride the Jasper SkyTram.
Dinner in Jasper town.
Stargazing — Jasper is a Dark Sky Preserve.
Second night in Jasper.
Drive the Icefields Parkway back south, stopping at Sunwapta and Athabasca Falls.
Lunch en route at a highway picnic stop.
Detour into Yoho National Park for Emerald Lake and Takakkaw Falls.
Dinner at Lake Louise village or the Deer Lodge.
A final mountain night.
Lake Louise village or the Post Hotel.
Drive back to Calgary via the Bow Valley.
Final lunch in Canmore or Calgary.
Last-minute shopping or the Calgary Tower view before flying home.
A farewell dinner in Calgary.
Fly out or extend the trip west.
Airport hotel if flying out the next morning.
