10 Day Remote Lodges of the Canadian Rockies Rail and Drive Experience

Day 1: Arrive in Calgary

Welcome to Calgary, the largest city in the western Canadian province of Alberta. While you are here to experience the bucket list adventure experience of travelling through the breath-taking Canadian Rockies, take some time to explore the award-winning architectural masterpiece of Calgary’s Public Library, walk along the scenic Bow Valley River pathways or experience the buzz of downtown Stephen Avenue with its stores and restaurants. Calgary’s dining scene is incredibly diverse and absolutely the best in western Canada and the included Calgary Foodie Walking Tour will give you an excellent introduction.

Overnight: Calgary

Day 2: Calgary – Waterton

Today a drive south takes you to the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Interpretive Centre, a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site that preserves and interprets over 6,000 years of Plains Buffalo Indigenous culture. Through vast landscapes, exhibits, and diverse programming, you will learn from a Blackfoot Nations guide about the cultural significance of this cliff to the Plains People. From the Interpretive Centre, you can venture out along a paved trail that leads you to spectacular views of Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Cliff, Calderwood Buffalo Jump & Vision Quest Hill to the north, the great prairies to the east, and the Rocky Mountains to the south. A final 100 km drive south will take you close to the USA border and the Waterton Lakes National Park. A stay in Waterton set amidst the unparalleled scenic beauty of the Canadian Rockies is the perfect unwind after our days’ adventures.

Overnight: Waterton

Day 3: Waterton Sightseeing

Have an easy day to soak in the surroundings. Waterton Lakes National Park has an incredible mountainous landscape. A tour of the park should include a leisurely boat cruise on Waterton Lake and some time at leisure. There is something for everyone at Waterton Lakes: great hikes, horseback riding, canoeing, Red Rock Canyon, and even scooter rentals.

Overnight: Waterton

Day 4: Waterton– Kananaskis

Today take the famous cowboy trail north towards the picturesque mountain resort of Kananaskis. Your First stop for the day is at the Bar U Ranch. The Bar U Ranch is your opportunity to live like a cowboy! Ride into history on a wagon pulled by Percheron horses to discover the life of a ranching cowboy from the late 1800's. Try your hand at roping a steer or repair a bridle, learn the old-style ranching ways. Wander the trails and dirt roads to see the cattle, saddle horses, chickens and other farm animals. Venture into the 100-year-old barns, slaughterhouse, post office, and of course the cookhouse to experience "home on the range". Continue north to artisan town of Black Diamond, which along with Turner Valley boasts a lively arts community. Stop by the world’s largest black diamond, a tribute to the town’s coal mining history. Tour the galleries and shops and then have lunch at Marv’s Classic Soda Shop – a 1950s style diner complete with retro candy store. Continue North to Turner Valley, where oil was first discovered in 1914 and Bragg Creek where you can stop of a short hike and explore the many antique shops, galleries , gift shops and restaurants. You will continue deep into the Kananaskis country before you settle for the night.

Day 5: Kananaskis – Banff – Emerald Lake Lodge

Short drive through stunning landscapes to the town of Banff. The town of Banff is a spirited place and you are surrounded by strikingly beautiful and rugged mountains that seem to burst straight out of the ground. Banff is flanked on all sides by towering mountains, including Mount Rundle, Sulphur Mountain, Mount Norquay, and Cascade Mountain. You may see a herd of elk wandering down the main street during your early morning walk. The lively streets of downtown are lined with top-class restaurants, bars, and shops, as well as a vibrant range of art galleries and museums. Drive along the famous Bow Valley Parkway, where wildlife sightings of caribou, elk, and occasionally, bears, are common so keep your cameras handy. Take time to stop at Johnston Canyon for a walk through the deep rugged canyon with several waterfalls. This evening continue into British Columbia where you will spend the next 2 nights in the hidden gem that is the Emerald Lake Lodge.

Day 6: Emerald Lake Lodge

Emerald Lake Lodge is the only property on secluded Emerald Lake, surrounded by the breathtaking Rocky Mountains. The lodge is twenty minutes west of Lake Louise. Originally built in 1902 by the Canadian Pacific Railway, this historic property includes 85 comfortable units situated in 24 chalet-style cabins. The units feature cozy duvets, wood burning fireplaces and balconies or patios with magnificent views of the property.Ease your stress in the gorgeous outdoor hot tub while enjoying the stunning views; or savour the internationally renowned ‘Rocky Mountain Cuisine’ in the Mount Burgess dining room.. None of the units have their own television, creating a feeling of peace and tranquility in the rooms.You can take short trips into Yoho National Park, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Banff.

Day 7: Lake Louise – Jasper

Travel through the heart of the Canadian Rockies including a drive along the famous Icefields Parkway which has been voted one of the most spectacular drives in the world. You will see for yourself why this mountain road is famous for its unique landscape rich in history and natural beauty. At the summit of Bow Pass, take a quick side tour to see the turquoise blue waters of Peyto Lake and the beauty of the Mistaya River Valley below. Later, make a stop at the famous Columbia Icefields whose waters feed three oceans; visit the Interpretive Centre then have the experience of a lifetime - a ride on the Ice Explorer vehicle for a close up look at the Athabasca Glacier. Finally, at the end of this exciting day, you can see the powerful Athabasca Falls before arriving at the charming town of Jasper, your home for the next two nights. Pyramid Lake Resort is set on the a picturesque Pyramid Lake on a terraced hillside surrounded by the Canadian Rockies. This chalet-style alpine resort is open year-round and features 62 guest rooms with views of both Pyramid Lake and Pyramid Mountain and offers a wide variety of accommodation styles including kitchenettes and loft suites. They've re-designed the experience at Pyramid Lake Resort with industry-leading distancing and cleaning standards so you can safely relax.

Overnight: Jasper

Day 8: Jasper Sightseeing

Originally a tiny railway town, Jasper's small-town charm is very different from the alpine resort style glamour of Banff. Surrounded by towering mountains, crystal clear lakes, and abundant wildlife, Jasper town located within the Jasper National Park is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Start the day with a ride up Whistler Mountain on the Jasper SkyTram. On your day of sightseeing drive to Maligne Canyon and take a gentle walk down Maligne Canyon to see how the water has carved spectacular crevices out of the mountain. A further scenic drive will take you to Maligne Lake, the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Enjoy an amazing lake cruise on Maligne Lake to wrap up a day in a place of stunning natural beauty.

Overnight: Jasper

Day 9: Jasper to Kamloops on the Rocky Mountaineer

Travel through scenic valleys, the Coast Mountains range and the Fraser Canyon with its spectacular white-water rapids and dramatic landscape. You will follow the route of the Fraser River, home of British Columbia’s largest salmon run, pass by the Alberta Glacier and magnificent Pyramid Falls, and hopefully see wildlife on the way. The highlight of this route is majestic Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian RockiesTravel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from Jasper in the Canadian Rockies to Kamloops, in the heart of the British Columbia Interior. As you journey west and south you will be surrounded by the dramatic scenery of the Continental Divide and by the river valleys of the Monashee and Cariboo Mountains. Today’s highlights include Mount Robson, Pyramid Falls, the climb over Yellowhead Pass, and the journey along the North Thompson River as you approach Kamloops. Overnight in Kamloops.

Overnight: Kamloops

Day 10: Kamloops to Vancouver on Luxury Rail

Your journey continues west towards the Pacific Ocean and the coastal city of Vancouver. On today’s journey you will again see dramatic changes in scenery, from the desert-like environment of the Interior, through winding river canyons and pristine forests, to the Coast and Cascade Mountains and the lush green fields of the Fraser Valley. Highlights include the steep slopes and rock sheds along the Thompson River and the rushing waters of Hell’s Gate in the Fraser Canyon. Your rail journey ends on arrival in Vancouver this evening.