If you’re interested in booking a trip to the Canadian Rockies this summer, you’re faced with plenty of questions to answer as you begin your planning.
The Canadian Rockies is a big place with so much beauty: what locations do you want to see? Where do you want to stay? How long do you want to spend in each location? Do you need to rent a car? What type of activities do you want to do? Do you need to rent outdoor equipment?
The questions to ponder go on and on…but I have some suggestions to help!
Some people absolutely love researching and planning the logistics of this type of travel! However, others are simply too busy to be able to put in the time and effort required, or just appreciate having an expert they can trust with every little detail.
Working with an expert can ensure that your itinerary is built with as much efficiency as possible, allowing you to cross many beautiful places off your bucket list during one awesome trip.
If you fall into this latter category, I highly recommend taking a peek at some of the packages offered by my friends over at Air Canada Vacations. They have some fantastic camping and hiking packages that will bring you safely to experience the best of the best in the Canadian Rockies.
All you’ll have to do is pack your bags and enjoy your getaway to the stunning Canadian Rockies!
The Benefits of Booking Your Trip to the Canadian Rockies with Air Canada Vacations:
- Enjoy cost savings (bundling your bookings into a package means you experience fantastic discounts vs. booking everything separately)
- Only one booking needed (includes flight, hotel, guided tours, meals, car rental etc as per package)
- Quick, easy and efficient to book online or through their call centre
- Their pre-built packages take you to experience the best, must-see views in the Canadian Rockies
- Assurance of knowing you will be working with trusted, pre-screened tour and accommodation providers
Here are two of my favorite packages to the Canadian Rockies offered by Air Canada Vacations in the summertime:
Best of Banff and Jasper – 9 days, 8 nights
Set off from Calgary and spend a week in the great outdoors. Discover the awe-inspiring natural beauty of
Banff, Yoho and Jasper National Parks as your knowledgeable and skilled guide leads you on hikes to
picture-perfect vistas, alpine meadows, and lakes. See the incredible glaciers at the Columbia Icefields and
marvel at this country’s natural wonders.
If you’re looking for a trip where someone takes care of the details while you get to focus on the fun, then a
Guided Tour is the perfect option for you. All of the flights, meals, activities, and accommodations are booked
and prepared in advance, which means all you have to do is explore, discover, and have the time of your life.
What’s Included in the Package:
- Round-trip flights to Calgary (if flight and tour option is chosen)
- 8 nights of accommodation (2 nights in a hotel and 6 nights of camping)
- Spacious 2-person tent with hard-foam mattress, camping gear (except sleeping bag), cooking and eating
utensils, camping fees - English-speaking tour guide throughout
- All meals from lunch on day 2 to lunch on day 8
- Earn Aeroplan® Miles
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Fly to Calgary
Fly to Calgary and make your way to your hotel.
Day 2: Calgary – Banff
Meet your guide and transfer to Banff National Park where you pitch your tent for the next two days. Enjoy your first hike along the shores of Minnewanka Lake.
Day 3: Banff National Park
A full-day hike takes you above the tree line to alpine meadows and lakes. On a full day hike you explore passes above the tree line and alpine meadows. For example 7.5 km with 725 m gain (4.6 mi, 2414 ft) to a small lake and possibly 2 km further into the pass at 2470 m (8225 ft). In the evening, enjoy a campfire or head into town for Banff’s many restaurants and shops.
Day 4: Yoho National Park
Picture perfect Lake Louise is your first stop today before a steep path of 7.5 km with 600 m gain to a viewpoint. Set up camp under the pines of Yoho National Park before you visit Takakkaw Falls, Spiral Tunnels and other attractions.
Day 5: Yoho National Park
Take an optional white water rafting trip on the Kicking Horse River. Or follow your guide along an 18 km circuit through two flower decorated passes at 1,830 m and 2,180 m and spectacular views of Emerald Lake.
Day 6: Jasper National Park
Enjoy frequent stops and short excursions along the Icefields Parkway. At the Columbia Icefields huge glaciers spawn rivers. Saskatchewan Glacier is best viewed from far above after hiking 2.5 km to a windy ridge at 2,260 m. Camp for the next two days is near the little holiday town of Jasper.
Day 7: Jasper National Park
A day full of possibilities. You could swim and picnic at Pyramid Lake, mountain bike, try canoeing and more. Or join the guide for a trip to Maligne Lake and an 8 km hike with 460 m gain into the hills above tree line at 2,150 m elevation and possibly all the way to a 2790 m (9290 ft) peak overlooking this beautiful lake.
Day 8: Jasper National Park to Calgary
Your final hike is an 11 km loop with 335 m gain through Wilcox Pass at 2,375 m with views of the glaciers and surrounding ranges. After lunch, transfer to Calgary.
Day 9: Fly home
Make your way to the airport for your flight home.
Who I Recommend This Package For:
I highly recommend this package for anyone who is interested in hiking and camping in some of the best locations around Banff and Jasper, but who could benefit from the guide services, as well as the gear rental.
If you’re just starting out with camping and hiking, this is an absolutely perfect way to safely immerse yourself in both and learn along the way!
To learn more, see prices and book your package, click here.
HIKING ESCAPES THROUGH THE ROCKIES – FLY & DRIVE – 12 days, 11 nights
See more of majestic Alberta as you drive from Canmore to Jasper and take the time to get out and explore
on your own and with carefully selected tours.
Age requirement: Guests must be at least 17 years old to participate in this tour.
Locations: Canmore, Saskatchewan River Crossing, Jasper, Calgary
What’s Included in the Package:
- Round-trip flight to Calgary (if flight and tour option is selected)
- 11 nights of accommodation
- 12-day midsize car rental
- 3 guided hikes
- Rafting float trip in Athabasca River
- Earn & Redeem Aeroplan® Miles
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Canmore
On arrival at Calgary International Airport, pick up your rental car and head to the mountains! Canmore is about 125km away, 1.5hrs down the Trans-Canada Highway. Your base for the first 4 nights of the tour is in Canmore, at the gates of Banff National Park. Your accommodation will be a 1-Bedroom Suite with a fully-equipped kitchen, so you will have the option of cooking some of your own meals, and have plenty of space to relax. You have 2 excursions booked while staying here, and the freedom to explore on your own too.
Day 2: Glaciers, Lakes and Peaks of Lake Louise
A short 30-minute drive brings you to Banff, where you will meet your tour leader this morning. Discover the majestic mountain views and turquoise lakes of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake with an active discovery tour of Banff National Park. Enjoy short guided hikes showcasing the best of the Canadian Rockies, a gondola ride to access breathtaking views, and a hot lunch. Your professional naturalist will give you a close-up look at nature in the mountains.
Meal(s): Lunch
Note: This tour operates daily and can take place on day 2 or 3 of the itinerary
Day 3: Wilderness and Nature in Kananaskis Valley
Today you will be picked up at your hotel and begin an amazing journey. Right next to Banff National Park sits provincially protected Kananaskis Country, a mountain area similar in size to Banff but wilder and less travelled. On this trip we leave early in the morning, and head south along a backcountry road into the Spray Valley, experiencing some off-the-beaten path and lesser known mountain locations. The mountain scenery of jagged peaks, lakes and glaciers provides a stunning backdrop to the wilder forests and streams found here. It‘s one of the best local areas for spotting moose, black and grizzly bears, and other wildlife. The highlight of the day’s tour is reaching the summit of Highwood Pass at 2,200m or walking along the shore of Upper Kananaskis Lake. Experience the crisp alpine air, rich views and opportunities to spot wildlife typically found only here.
Meal(s): Lunch
Note: This tour operates on Sunday, Tuesday and Friday and can take place on day 2 or 3 of the itinerary
Day 4: Canmore
Take time to explore Canmore region on your own.
Days 5 & 6: Canmore – Saskatchewan River Crossing (160 km)
Head out from Canmore for a 2-hour drive climbing high into the Rocky Mountains, on the Icefield Parkway, equidistant between Banff and Jasper is The Crossing Resort. Within a 30-minute drive of The Crossing Resort are 14 of the most accessible and spectacular hikes along the Icefields Parkway for every skill level. The resort has knowledgeable staff and all of the information material you need to choose the best hike for you. Helicopter tours ($) are also available if you’re interested in getting an aerial view of the mountains,
Day 7: Saskatchewan River Crossing – Jasper (160 km)
Enjoy staying in a fully-equipped cabin in the Canadian Rockies for the next 4 nights. There are some local hiking trails nearby and Miette Hot Springs is a short drive down the road. There will also be a few day excursions arranged for you too.
Day 8: Maligne Valley Sightseeing Tour
The Maligne Valley Sightseeing Tour is an amazing guided interpretive drive up the Maligne Valley. Our exploration will include a stop at Maligne Canyon for a gentle guided walk to the first two bridges above the gorge, a short stop at the “disappearing” Medicine Lake, and finally Maligne Lake. At this picturesque gem of the Canadian Rockies enjoy a guided hike along the Mary Schaffer Loop (3.2km / 2mile – weather and trail conditions permitting). The Maligne Valley Tour is mainly a nature, scenic, and geological voyage but it is also an excellent opportunity to see some of Jasper’s wildlife.
Note: This tour operates daily and can take place on day 8, 9 or 10 of the itinerary
Day 9: Athabasca Float Trip
Today you get a unique perspective of Jasper National Park. This 16km, float trip passes through many small sets of rapids and calm stretches. The guide will row the entire time and point out notes of history along the way, so you can sit back and enjoy a leisure exploration of Jasper. You may even see some wildlife!
Note: This tour operates daily and can take place on day 8, 9 or 10 of the itinerary
Day 10: Jasper
Take time to explore Jasper region on your own.
Day 11: Jasper – Calgary (500 km)
Take your time and make your way to Calgary for the last night of your adventure.
Day 12: Return home
Return your car rental to Calgary airport for your return flight home.
Who I Recommend This Package For:
I highly recommend this package for anyone who wants to experience the best of the Canadian Rockies at their own pace. You will have the added benefit of enjoying a handful of guided hikes along the way!
If you like to explore on your own and be immersed in nature, this package is perfect for you! It allows plenty of Independence and time to check out areas not included in the pre-planned tours. However, you still receive fantastic discounts by booking this package (and a few guided hikes, too!)
To learn more, see prices and book your package, click here.
Both of these are fantastic package options if you’re looking to experience the Canadian Rockies this summer!
By trusting in Air Canada Vacations to plan your perfect trip to the Canadian Rockies, you’re sure to experience the best of the best and make the most of your valuable vacation time.
Explore other packages to Canada with Air Canada Vacations here.
Disclaimer: This blog post was sponsored by Air Canada Vacations. However, as always, all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own. I will continue to promote only properties, destinations, products and services that I truly believe in and would recommend to others.
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Questions? Comments? If you’ve seen photos on my Instagram or website and want to know where the locations are so you can work them into your trip, just leave me a comment below!
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