Itinerary Details
Glacier National Park & The Canadian Rockies With Calgary Stampede (Pre-Extension)
Day 1: ARRIVE IN CALGARY, ALBERTA Welcome to Calgary! Your adventure begins in Calgary, the Gateway to the Canadian Rockies. Meet your Tour Director between 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. in the hotel lobby.
Day 2: CALGARY The Wild Frontier Free time today to explore the Calgary Stampede grounds at your leisure with your included admission, including the First Nations village of [LF] Elbow River Camp. Join your Tour Director and travel companions for reserved seating at the Chuckwagon Races and stage show this evening. (B)
LOCAL FAVORITE
Immerse yourself in the local First Nations culture with a visit to Elbow River Camp. Discover the local history with traditional powwows, flag-raising ceremonies plus cultural demonstrations of artisanal work and hand games, utilizing skills and traditions passed down through generations.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Step through the gates of Stampede Park into a world of wonder, fun, and “Wild West” excitement. Explore the recreated frontier town and enjoy a wide variety of exciting talent at the many entertainment stages. Watch the heart-stopping chuckwagon races in an all-out dash for the finish line, an amazing contest of nerves and horsepower. This evening, enjoy an outdoor stage show featuring hundreds of singers, dancers, and musicians in a lavishly produced and choreographed musical variety spectacular.
Day 3: CALGARY Ropin’ & Ridin’ Ease into the day your way with time to discover Calgary or soak up the energy of the Stampede grounds. This afternoon, buckle up for the thrilling Calgary Rodeo, complete with reserved seating and a souvenir program, then spend the rest of the day enjoying the sights, sounds, and excitement of the Calgary Stampede. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Spend the day exploring the traditions of the Wild West. Visit Rope Square with its variety of Western entertainment and fun. This afternoon, see the best of the best as they saddle up for world-class rodeo action.
Day 4: CALGARY Blue Sky City Free time today to explore the city and relax at your hotel. Consider a stroll to the Calgary Tower for spectacular views, visit to Canada’s National Music Centre Studio Bell, or take a hands-on tour of Bridgeland Distillery. At 6:00 p.m., meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome drink. (B)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
Explore more in Calgary. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for additional sightseeing, shopping, and dining.
Day 5: CALGARY–HEAD-SMASHED-IN BUFFALO JUMP–WATERTON LAKES NATIONAL PARK Native Traditions Before departing Calgary, enjoy an orientation tour of the city’s highlights. Travel south along the Macleod Trail. Tour Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a local First Nations guide. Discover the longtime relationship between the First Nations culture and the vast herds of American bison that roamed the plains of southwest Alberta. Then on to scenic Waterton Lakes National Park with a photo stop at Cameron Falls. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Explore the remains of marked trails and an ancient burial mound where vast quantities of American bison skeletons can still be found at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump - evidence of a custom used by the Plains People. Using their excellent knowledge of the topography and of buffalo behavior, they skillfully chased the bison over a precipice to quickly kill their main source of sustenance, clothing, and products. As part of Globus family of brands Lighthouse Project, this historic site is one example of our commitment to supporting the people and places we share with you.
Day 6: WATERTON LAKES NATIONAL PARK–GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, MONTANA–GOING-TO-THE-SUN ROAD–WHITEFISH, MONTANA Peak Perfection Enter Montana through Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and behold the awesome snow-capped peaks of Glacier National Park. Next, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant featuring a local seasonal [LF] huckleberry treat. Take a scenic ride on the Red Jammer Bus on spectacular Going-to-the-Sun Road. (B,L)
LOCAL FAVORITE
Each summer and fall, the aptly named Huckleberry Mountain bursts forth with a purple bounty of berries for which it is named. These huckleberries are a favorite of bears who live in Glacier National Park, but you can enjoy the sweet rewards of summer with a homemade piece of traditional huckleberry pie with lunch at a local restaurant—our treat!
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
A highlight of your visit to Glacier National Park awaits you as you board the famous vintage Red Jammer bus that will take you along one of North America’s most spectacular highways: Going-to-the-Sun Road. After crossing the 6,646-foot-high Logan Pass, you’ll enter a geographical wonderland of alpine scenery where jagged mountain peaks dominate the landscape.
Day 7: WHITEFISH - KOOTENAY NATIONAL PARK, BRITISH COLUMBIA – BANFF, ALBERTA Life in the Wild West Re-enter Canada this morning, with a stop in British Columbia before crossing into Alberta. Drive through the steep red cliffs of Sinclair Canyon and Kootenay National Park enroute to Banff National Park, the heart of the Canadian Rockies. The evening is free to enjoy the village’s shops, galleries, and restaurants. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Get ready for a spectacular adventure to explore the beauty of Rocky Mountain peaks and turquoise glacial lakes in Banff National Park, part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site. This awe-inspiring natural wonder, where soaring peaks and sapphire lakes meet the heavens for a breathtaking experience like no other on Earth!
Day 8: BANFF NATIONAL PARK Spend Your Day Your Way in Banff This morning, sightseeing includes a stop at beautiful Bow Falls. (B)
Explore more of Banff with your choice of included Globus Choice excursions.
SADDLE UP!
Explore the Banff and Bow Valley area on horseback during a one-hour guided trail ride. Ride along the tranquil Bow River, where thick marshes and grassy meadows are home to a wealth of wildlife. Note: No riding experience necessary; closed-toe shoes and long pants are required to ride.
PEAK PERSPECTIVES
Soar to the summit of Sulphur Mountain aboard the Banff Gondola and take in breathtaking panoramic views of the Canadian Rockies. At the top, explore the interactive exhibits while taking in one of Banff's most scenic landscapes. This unforgettable experience offers the perfect blend of adventure, scenery, and alpine charm.
The balance of the day is at leisure. Consider an optional helicopter flightseeing trip for unsurpassed views of the Rockies or a cruise on Lake Minnewanka, a glacial lake surrounded by majestic mountain peaks.
ENHANCED FREE TIME
Explore more in Banff with a visit to the Cave and Basin National Historic Site or walk through downtown Banff, an idyllic mountain town.
Day 9:
BANFF–LAKE LOUISE–JASPER Rocky Mountain Majesty Follow breathtaking Icefields Parkway today and head for Jasper National Park. One highlight of your vacation: a visit to the famous Lake Louise. Then, climb to Sunwapta Pass to savor stunning vistas of alpine meadows, waterfalls, and glacier masses. There’s time this afternoon for an optional float trip down the historic Athabasca River. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Lake Louise is world famous for its turquoise lake in the setting of Victoria Glacier, with a soaring mountain backdrop, palatial Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise hotel, and jaw-dropping sights in the Canadian Rockies. The spectacular beauty of Lake Louise is a rare treasure and bucket list experience!
Day 10:
JASPER. EXCURSION TO MALIGNE LAKE Spectacular Jasper The morning is at leisure. Nearby activities include hiking, canoeing, and strolling the streets of Jasper. Later, journey to Maligne Lake for a [LF] narrated cruise of the glacial lake and Spirit Island. Afterward, enjoy a lakeside dinner with incredible views and local fare including famous Alberta beef. (B,D)
LOCAL FAVORITE
A cruise to Spirit Island on the turquoise waters of Maligne Lake is a spectacular sight to behold as one of the most photographed locations in the world for its jaw-dropping beauty.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Spanning nearly 4,250 square miles of spectacular natural beauty, Jasper is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. Its vast wilderness, majestic peaks, abundant wildlife, and breathtaking panoramic sights are complemented by some of the finest stargazing opportunities in the Canadian Rockies.
Day 11:
JASPER–COLUMBIA ICEFIELD–CALGARY Geologic Gems This morning, visit Athabasca Falls and then retrace the route south along Icefields Parkway. Stop at the Columbia Icefield for a memorable ride aboard an Ice Explorer. Continue to Calgary, where your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner—a perfect ending to your vacation. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Travel across the Athabasca Glacier aboard the all-terrain Ice Explorer and walk on the surface where the Earth’s geology is changing beneath your feet. Visit the Glacier Discovery Centre and feel the force of nature’s strength on an ancient glacier that still carves the face of the Rocky Mountains today.
Day 12:
CALGARYHappy trails until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
