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2024 Daily Tour Itinerary
2024 Daily Tour Itinerary
Day 1 • Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Your vacation begins in Calgary, where the foothills of the Rocky Mountains meet the Great Plains. Calgary is the closest international gateway to the Canadian Rockies. Fly to Calgary Airport (YYC). Transfer by hotel courtesy shuttle to your hotel. Rooms are available for check-in after 3:00 p.m. Join Caravan for a 7:00 p.m. welcome briefing.
Day 2 • Calgary, Buffalo Jump, Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village
Enjoy a brief sightseeing drive of Calgary. Then journey south through Alberta cowboy country. Visit Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Learn about the importance of the Plains Buffalo to the First Nation People. Next, visit the Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village. See historical displays about the Canadian Mounted Police and Western Canada. Overnight at Pincher Creek, where the mountains begin their dramatic rise out of the rolling prairies to create the Canadian Rockies. Enjoy a two-night stay.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 • Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, Alberta and Montana
Travel south to Waterton Lakes National Park. Free time to explore the town of Waterton. You are now in the world’s first International Peace Park, created in 1932 by combining Waterton Lakes Park in Canada with Glacier Park in Montana. The park celebrates the enduring friendship between Canada and the United States. Next, cross the border into Montana, USA. Explore the wonders of Glacier National Park (weather and road conditions permitting). See St. Mary’s Lake. Ascend the spectacular “Going-to-the-Sun” Road to Logan Pass (elevation 6,647 ft). The pass is the summit of the “Going-to-the-Sun” Road and straddles the Continental Divide. Look for mountain goats and bighorn sheep. Then, return across the Canadian border to your hotel in Pincher Creek. Enjoy dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 • Banff, Gondola Ride
Head north through the beautiful Kananaskis Valley, weather and road conditions permitting (road opens June 15). Stop at the Bar U Ranch National Historic site. Arrive in Banff, a vibrant mountain town. Ride the Banff Gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain for panoramic views of six mountain ranges. Continue to your hotel in downtown Banff. Enjoy a two-night stay surrounded by the wild beauty of 2,500 square mile Banff Park. Dinner tonight.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 • Banff, Bow River Float
Morning nature drive along the shores of Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake. Stop at Bow River Falls. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound during your float trip on the scenic Bow River (weather and river conditions permitting). Return to Banff. The afternoon is at leisure. Your ideally located hotel is within easy walking distance to restaurants, taverns, shops, and galleries.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 • Lake Louise, Jasper Park
Morning visit to two beautiful Canadian lakes. Stop at Moraine Lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks. Next, enjoy a leisurely visit at Lake Louise, with its turquoise colored water from Victoria Glacier. Then, head north on the Icefields Parkway to Jasper. Waterfalls, glacier lakes, and snow-capped mountains line your drive. The Parkway is home to elk, moose, bears, goats, sheep, and caribou. Enter the vast, unspoiled grandeur of 4,200 square mile Jasper Park, Canada’s largest national park. Enjoy a two-night stay at your lodge on the banks of the Athabasca River. Dinner tonight.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 • Maligne Lake Cruise to Spirit Island, Jasper Park
Morning cruise on Maligne Lake, the largest glacial lake in the Canadian Rockies. Learn about the history and geology of the area. Enjoy views of craggy, snow-capped peaks ringing the bright-blue lake and old growth forests. Look for local wildlife, including deer, bears, and eagles. Near the center of the lake stop for dramatic views at Spirit Island, a place of deep spiritual significance for the indigenous Stoney Nakoda First Nation. (The tour starting June 3 cruises on Lake Minnewanka, during the stay in Banff, instead of on Maligne Lake.) Next, visit Maligne Canyon. Then, visit the charming alpine town of Jasper. Free time to explore shops and cafes.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 • Icefields Parkway, Ice Explorer
Another glorious day on the Icefields Parkway, this time traveling south. Each direction offers unique views. Ride across the surface of Columbia Icefield’s Athabasca Glacier on an all-terrain Ice Explorer (weather permitting). The meltwater from the Columbia Icefield feeds streams that flow into three oceans: the Arctic, the Atlantic, and the Pacific. Walk on the Athabasca Glacier. Continue along the Icefields Parkway. Photo stop at turquoise-colored Peyto Lake. Then, descend to the Great Plains of Canada. Return to Calgary. Farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9 • Calgary
The tour ends after breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to the Calgary Airport (YYC) by hotel courtesy shuttle. Thanks for vacationing with Caravan.
Meals: Breakfast
Banff Gondola
Your stay in Banff includes a ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain on the Banff Gondola. Your four passenger gondola cabin will transport you to the summit at an elevation of 7,486 feet (2,281m) above sea level. The total ride takes just 8 minutes each way. At the summit, you will enjoy 360 degree views of six mountain ranges comprising the heart of the Canadian Rockies from the rooftop observation area and view decks. These are some of the most spectacular mountain views in the world and are why the area has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can also explore the Summit Ridge interpretive boardwalk, a 1 km long elevated board-walk that leads you along Sulphur Mountain’s summit ridge to the Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site of Canada, and the historic Sanson’s Meteorological Station.
Bow River Float
During your stay in Banff, you will enjoy a gentle float trip on Canada’s “Jewel of The Rockies”, the scenic Bow River. Located just below the Banff townsite, this glacier-fed stretch of river winds through forested islands and Rocky cliffs of incredible beauty inside Banff National Park. The Park is home to over 53 species of mammals, such as beaver, elk, coyote, black bear, bighorn sheep, and more, including 260 species of birds. Floating along the Bow River is a perfect way to intimately experience Banff’s natural mountain beauty. Each raft seats approximately 15 passengers and has an experienced guide. Life jackets are required.
2024 Hotels
2024 Hotels
Accommodations in the hotels and lodges are rooms with two beds and private bath or shower. A limited number of single rooms are available. Triple rooms are usually two beds.
Days 1, 8 • Calgary
Hilton Garden Inn Airport
Calgary is the gateway to the Canadian Rockies. The Hilton Garden Inn Airport is a five floor mid-rise hotel located in northeast Calgary near the airport. Each of the rooms has all the modern amenities – high speed internet, two phone lines, television, iron & ironing board and hairdryer. The Hilton Garden Inn Airport has room service, a fitness center, a self-service laundry, a restaurant and the Pavilion Lounge.
Days 2, 3 • Pincher Creek
Heritage Inn
Formerly an outpost for the Canadian Mounted Police and their horses, the town of Pincher Creek is nestled in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies. The Heritage Inn provides complimentary wi-fi access in your room and throughout the property. Enjoy the indoor pool, in-room coffee and tea, hair dryer, iron & ironing board, tv, microwave & mini-fridge, and onsite restaurant and lounge. 100% smoke-free property.
Days 4, 5 • Banff
Banff Park Lodge
Banff is surrounded by the spectacular grandeur of the Canadian Rockies. The Banff Park Lodge is a full service hotel ideally located in the heart of Banff. You are one block from the Bow River and just two blocks from Banff Avenue shopping, dining and museums. The hotel has two restaurants, a bar, indoor swimming pool and hot tub, fitness room, hot plunge pool and eucalyptus steam room. All guest rooms have balconies or patios. Internet access is available for a fee.
Days 6, 7 • Jasper
Jasper House
Jasper House is located in the heart of beautiful Jasper National Park, in a secluded and peaceful setting along the banks of the Athabasca River. It is sheltered by Whistlers Mountain, home of the Jasper Tramway. Jasper House is the ideal setting in which to enjoy the true Canadian Rockies experience with walking trails leaving from your front door and hiking trails nearby.
Movies
Movies
- Living Mountains02:15
- Banff and Jasper03:28
- Columbia Icefield02:21
Airport Transfers
Airport Transfers
arrival Transfers
Caravan’s hotel in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, the Hilton Garden Inn Calgary Airport, provides arrival transfers from the Calgary Airport (YYC). Upon arrival, please collect your luggage and then call the hotel directly at 1-403-717-1999 to request a pick-up. If you do not have a working phone, please go to one of the Information Desks located at the airport. You can ask them to make the call for you. Please allow 30-60 minutes for the shuttle to arrive. The drive to your hotel takes 20 minutes. For International Arrivals, pick-up is located at Bus Bay #37, outside of door #16. For Domestic Arrivals, please go to Bus Bay #17, outside of door #4. Taxis cost approximately $30-35 (Canadian Dollars).
departure Transfers
Caravan's hotel in Calgary, Canada, the Hilton Garden Inn Calgary Airport, provides departure transfers to the Calgary Airport (YYC) every hour. Please allow up to 20 minutes for the drive. Taxis cost approximately $30-$35 (Canadian Dollars).
Airfare is not included or sold by Caravan.
Passports & Visas
Passports & Visas
U.S. citizens traveling between the United States and Canada must carry a passport, valid for at least six months past your entry date into Canada. Non-U.S. citizens, please check your passport and visa requirements. Canada requires non-US citizens and Visa exempt foreign visitors to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) prior to travel to Canada. The most up-to-date information can be found at www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta.html. Children under 18 years old, traveling internationally without both parents or legal guardians, should carry a notarized letter of authorization signed by the missing parent(s) or guardian(s). See Travel Tips for more details.
Weather & Clothing
Weather & Clothing
Temperature °F (high/low) Rainfall (inches)
Calgary | Banff | Jasper | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Temp | Rain | Temp | Rain | Temp | Rain | |
Jan | 27/16 | 0.5 | 22/14 | 1.2 | 28/17 | 5.4 |
Feb | 32/21 | 0.6 | 32/22 | 0.9 | 35/22 | 3.6 |
Mar | 39/29 | 0.8 | 38/28 | 0.9 | 49/29 | 2.6 |
Apr | 52/40 | 1.0 | 48/38 | 1.3 | 59/35 | 1.6 |
May | 62/50 | 2.1 | 57/46 | 2.3 | 68/41 | 1.4 |
Jun | 68/57 | 3.2 | 65/54 | 2.4 | 74/48 | 1.3 |
Jul | 73/61 | 2.6 | 71/59 | 2.0 | 80/50 | 1.0 |
Aug | 73/60 | 2.2 | 70/58 | 2.0 | 77/48 | 1.3 |
Sep | 64/51 | 1.6 | 61/49 | 1.7 | 68/43 | 2.4 |
Oct | 54/42 | 0.7 | 50/40 | 1.2 | 54/38 | 5.1 |
Nov | 37/26 | 0.6 | 32/25 | 1.2 | 39/31 | 5.4 |
Dec | 30/19 | 0.6 | 22/15 | 1.4 | 30/23 | 6.6 |
Temperature °F (high/low) Rainfall (inches)
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Calgary | ||||||||||||
temp | 27/16 | 32/21 | 39/29 | 52/40 | 62/50 | 68/57 | 73/61 | 73/60 | 64/51 | 54/42 | 37/26 | 30/19 |
rainfall | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 2.1 | 3.2 | 2.6 | 2.2 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.6 |
Banff | ||||||||||||
temp | 22/14 | 32/22 | 38/28 | 48/38 | 57/46 | 65/54 | 71/59 | 70/58 | 61/49 | 50/40 | 32/25 | 22/15 |
rainfall | 1.2 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 2.3 | 2.4 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 1.7 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.4 |
Jasper | ||||||||||||
temp | 28/17 | 35/22 | 49/29 | 59/35 | 68/41 | 74/48 | 80/50 | 77/48 | 68/43 | 54/38 | 39/31 | 30/23 |
rainfall | 5.4 | 3.6 | 2.6 | 1.6 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 2.4 | 5.1 | 5.4 | 6.6 |
Clothing Tips
This is a casual tour. Casual wear is suggested for sightseeing and daytime travelling. Dress code for evenings is casual. Suit jackets for men and dresses for women are never required. See Travel Tips for more details.
Travel Tips & FAQs
Travel Tips & FAQs
These are only the first 14 Travel Tips. Read all 54 Travel Tips Included meals for each tour are listed at the end of each day. Meals are shown by B (breakfast), L (lunch) and D (dinner). Full, buffet, or deluxe continental breakfasts are included everywhere. Free bottled water is provided on the motorcoach. Alcoholic beverages are not included unless specified. Meals included in the land price are indicated at the beginning of each day by B (Breakfast), L (Lunch), D (Dinner). Dinner, when included, is served at your hotel except when, as indicated in the itinerary, it is at a special restaurant outside the hotel. Coffee or tea is provided at all included meals. Children age five (5) and older are welcome on tour when accompanied by an adult. Usually, children travel during the school vacation months of June, July and August, and also during spring and winter school breaks. Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Victoria Day (3rd Monday in May), Canada Day (July 1), Labour Day (1st Monday in September), and Thanksgiving (2nd Monday in October). Most provinces celebrate a civic holiday on the first Monday in August. Families are always welcome on any of our tours, but we do not have any programs specifically for or limited to families. Families can make specific requests for connecting, adjacent, triple or quad rooms, when available. Children must be at least 5 years old. Prices do not include air travel, country entry or departure fees, airport porters, visas, phone calls, valet, laundry, all items of a personal nature, extra food and beverages not on the regular menu, and tips to the Caravan Tour Director, driver, and local guides. Virtually everything! Hotels, many meals, all of the activities described in the itinerary pages, airport transfers in select cities, gratuities to hotel porters, restaurant staff and local guides. Caravan’s professional Tour Directors and local guides will be with you every step of the way, ensuring a worry free vacation. Usually, you find a mix of different age adult travelers on a Caravan Tour. Children age five (5) and older are welcome, and children usually join tours offered during Christmas holidays, summer vacation and spring break vacation. Caravan accepts payment (in U.S. funds only) via MasterCard, Visa, or Discover. The farther in advance that you book, the more likely it is that your preferred tour will be open. Late bookings are welcome if the space is still available. Caravan has been offering fully guided tours worldwide under the same family ownership and management since 1952. Caravan understands and truly cares about your great expectations. Group sizes will vary depending on the reserved rooms at the hotels and the capacity of the boats and motorcoaches used. Usually, group sizes range from 30 to 44 passengers. A well-paced and unhurried itinerary is our goal, after all, you are on vacation! Touring days begin and end at reasonable hours and include frequent stops. While the occasional early morning departure is necessary, we do our best to ensure a leisurely vacation. Caravan Travel Protection offers peace of mind if you cancel for any reason whatsoever prior to the departure of the tour. The travel protection plan also includes air, baggage, evacuation, medical, and quarantine coverage. The cost is $129.Are meals included?
Meals
Children on Tour
Canada’s National Holidays
Family Trips
My Tour Price Does Not Include
My Tour Price Includes
Age of Travelers on a Caravan Tour
Forms of Payment
Many Tours Sell Out Each Year
Fully Guided Tours Since 1952
Size of Tour Group
A Well-Paced Itinerary
Caravan’s $129 Travel Protection
Customer Reviews
Customer Reviews
Please note: Reviews are from 2019 and prior years. For 2022, the tour route will not be crossing the international land border into the USA. All references to Glacier Park and the Red Jammers are not applicable to the 2022 tours.
These are only the first 7 Customer Reviews. Read all 187 Customer Reviews "The tour was excellent." "This was a totally awesome and magnificent tour. Our first with Caravan and now certainly not our last, we couldn’t be more pleased. It went way above all our expectations. Extremely great value. Most spectacular place we have ever visited with the possible exception of the Grand Canyon. Timing of all the stops was excellent. Day after day we were amazed beyond words by the beauty of the sites visited. Don’t omit any stops. Information, history, stories and jokes from our director were outstanding, the most awesome we have ever had. She helped everyone on our bus in one way or another. I would love to have her on every tour and we would recommend this tour over and over." "This was our 7th Caravan tour. Needless to say, we keep coming back because we have great experiences on Caravan tours. Our lives are enriched on every tour by the places we visit and by the people we meet. The places we went, the things we saw, and the activities we experienced fulfilled my expectations for this trip. In every direction, the scenery was stunning...so beautiful. There were plenty of great activities such as the float on the Bow River, walking on the glacier, the cruise to Goat Haunt and the Peace Park, the gondola in Banff, the Red Jammer tour in Glacier...everything. Yet, there was enough time to explore on our own." "This tour was so much fun and sold us on Caravan. This was our first Caravan tour following multiple trips with numerous other companies, including a previous one to the Canadian Rockies with another company. For the money, the Caravan Tour is a thorough and very enjoyable tour, good accommodations and an excellent value. Couldn’t believe what quality we got for such a low cost! As each day passed, the sights became more and more impressive, the mountains higher and more snow capped, culminating in the Columbia Icefield. Despite the cold, we were so happy that our director did everything on our itinerary. He was our all time favorite tour guide. So well-organized, professional, amiable and well-versed in the Canadian Rockies. Every day had its special moments, a complete itinerary. We had a wonderful time! We were pleased with every accommodation where we stayed. Great accommodations for comfort, accessibility, and service. Loved the Jasper House cabins and Banff Lodge." "A very refreshing, nature-filled trip. Excellent, beautiful scenery was absolutely breathtaking. In AWE of the views at Lake Moraine and Lake Louise. Although the weather was not typical for the time of our visit, we loved every bit of the variety of cold, snow, rain, and sun that we experienced. Loved the Red Jammer Road to the Sun. River rafting in the snow was fabulous. Glacier field was breathtaking. Ample time for rest and photo stops of views to have as cherished memories of this tour." "A special family trip to celebrate my husband’s retirement. Loved the tour in full. The best trip I have ever taken. Just loved it. Our sightseeing and activities could not have been better. The Rockies were great. I enjoyed every activity and this is why I chose Caravan Canadian Rockies tour. Each day just got better and better. Everyday we kept saying “can’t get any better” and every day we were wrong. Just gorgeous. We got to see a lot but didn’t feel rushed, it was just right. The trip was broken up and we were able to stretch when tired of traveling. Our director was exceptional. The added knowledge of the area complemented each and every sight that we got to see. Words cannot begin to express our director’s expertise and his presentational skills, the best ever. I will use Caravan again." "It was our first Caravan tour. We were amazed at how smoothly it all went. We were awestruck by the scenery and by the friendly ambiance of our travel group. We were glad to have walking available to whatever extent we wanted or could manage. Loved the wide range of offerings, rafting, gondola, Red Jammer ride, awesome scenery, seeing the stampede grounds. Excellent to have rotation of seats!! A smooth, expertly ride with local info and a tidy coach, our driver was a true gentleman. A very wide range of places to stay and something for everyone in the group, well done!"
Read All 187 ReviewsClick Here to Read All 187 Customer Reviews
Why Travel with Caravan?
Why Travel with Caravan?
Excellence Since 1952
You can trust our years of experience with tours of superb quality and excellent value. Caravan has enjoyed the same family management and ownership since 1952.
Caravan Care
For your safety, Caravan cancelled most 2020 and all 2021 tour departures and refunded 100% of all payments received. See Caravan’s Covid-19 Terms of Travel.
Caravan's Proud History
In 1965, Roger Mudd hosted a two-hour CBS TV special on Caravan Tours. This TV production took about one month to make and was so successful it inspired the 1968 romantic comedy movie “If it’s Tuesday this must be Belgium.” In the early 50’s the Mayor of Dublin presented Caravan with the Key to Dublin for bringing the first American tour to the city after WWII. Since then, Caravan has been recognized as a pioneer in travel. You can trust in our stability, experience and dedication to quality.
Great Hotels
Stay at park lodges, scenic resorts, and excellent hotels in great locations. See hotel descriptions on each tour page.
Meals
Most meals included within Latin America. For USA and Canada tours, included meals are listed on each itinerary page. Bottled water is provided on motorcoaches in Latin America.
Complete Sightseeing
Enjoy complete sightseeing with more visits, extra features, and local guides.
Fully Guided by Tour Directors
All tours conducted from start to finish by professional tour directors, who are fluent in English, experienced, and fun.
All-inclusive
Caravan includes all activities listed in the tour itinerary page. Caravan does not sell any optional activities which can add hundreds of dollars to your tour price. Your free time is scheduled in great settings where there is no need to buy additional expensive activities.
Shopping Freedom
Caravan will not bring you to overpriced shops in exchange for payments. Caravan gives you ample opportunity and time for great shopping, and the freedom to choose where and when to shop.
Great Value, Book Early
Caravan’s strong buying power gives you great vacations at prices much lower than you can find anywhere. In a typical year, most of our tours sell out quickly. Book early for the date you prefer and the best air fare.
How does Caravan Tours sell these tours for such a low cost?
Caravan delivers volume to our suppliers, who in turn reward us with their very best prices. We in turn pass these savings on to you, and you reward us by buying our tours. As volume continues to rise, we then receive even better prices from our suppliers, and we pass even greater savings on to you. This year our tours are better than ever.
Trade Association Memberships
Caravan is a member of NTA (National Tour Association), ABA (American Bus Association), CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), and ACMA (American Commerce Marketing Association).