Alberta
Best of Banff: Our Mountain Heritage
Program No. 13178RJ
Delve deep into Canada’s history as you visit Banff National Park, and take expert walks through the Canadian Rockies to learn about artists and outdoorsmen.
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
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While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
11 meals (
5B, 3L, 3D
)
2 expert-led lectures
7 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
5 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Location:
Banff, Alberta
Meals:
D
Stay:
The Rundlestone Lodge
Activity Note
Road Scholar shuttle from Calgary International Airport at 3:00 p.m.; getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 88 miles, approximately 2 hours riding time to hotel. Hotel check-in available from 4:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Our group will transfer from the airport to the hotel. We’ll arrive around 5:00 p.m. En route, our Group Leader will conduct Program Registration, provide any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. After you check in at the hotel and get settled, take some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. The rest of the evening is at leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow participants, relax, and get a good night’s sleep for the full day ahead. You might like to explore the town on your own.
Day
2
Cave & Basin Historic Site, Gondola Ride
Location:
Banff, Alberta
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
The Rundlestone Lodge
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking up to 2 miles throughout the course of the day; some stairs at historic site (can be avoided). Getting on/off a gondola. Elevation of 8041 feet. Note: cameras are permitted on gondola ride.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board our motorcoach and ride to the Cave and Basin National Historic Site. In a private room, we will attend a presentation by a local expert about the geology of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. We’ll also learn about the amazing thermal hot springs that resulted in the creation of Canada’s National Parks system. As we explore the site’s thermal waters and the surrounding wetlands, our local expert will teach us about the wildlife that resides here. We’ll stroll down to the warm marshes below the springs, easily accessible along a boardwalk, and observe introduced tropical fish and warm-water plants. Bring binoculars if you have them!
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We’ll head up Sulphur Mountain in a four-passenger, glass-enclosed gondola (weather permitting). As we ride, we will have a 360-degree view of the breathtaking Rockies. If you brought your camera, feel free to take a picture of the amazing view from the top!
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
3
Icefields Parkway, Kootenay National Park
Location:
Banff, Alberta
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
The Rundlestone Lodge
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking up to 3 miles throughout the course of the day. Driving about 150 miles, approximately 4 hours riding time throughout the day.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll embark on a scenic journey along the Icefields Parkway, one of Canada’s most stunning routes. Travelling by motorcoach with our group leader, we’ll pass through unparalleled sights of a lake-lined valley traveling the Continental Divide. Along the way, there will be stops at unique spots such as Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, and Kootenay National Park. Our group leader will share fascinating insights about these natural wonders.
Lunch:
En route we’ll enjoy a boxed lunch from a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
This motorcoach exploration of the fascinating environment will continue on the journey back to Banff. The return route will make stops at scenic overlooks that will allow us to experience the turquoise lakes, mountain-framed valleys, and raging waterfalls.
Dinner:
On own.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
4
Women of the Rockies, Historic Banff & Museum, Free Time
Location:
Banff, Alberta
Meals:
B
Stay:
The Rundlestone Lodge
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking up to 2 miles throughout the course of the day. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will travel by motorcoach to the Whyte Museum, one of Banff's most culturally significant museums, where we will attend a presentation by a local historian on the Women of the Rockies. We’ll learn about the legendary women who influenced backcountry travel, ranching, climbing, scientific research, writing, drama and art in this area. Afterwards, we will explore the Whyte Museum even further and learn about the remarkable history of the locals and their cultural past through self-led exploration. The museum features an art gallery and a vast collection of photographs telling the history of early explorers, artists and the Canadian Pacific Railway. Then take a walk back in time and get to know the colorful individuals who built the town of Banff. This expert-led walk meanders through history to take us near the riverside site where Tom Wilson established one of the first outfitting operations in the area, St. Georges-in-the-Pines Anglican Church with its unique stained-glass windows, and the Luxton Home and Garden. These and many other intriguing stops reveal the fascinating history of this town.
Lunch:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon:
Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. You might like to experience High Tea at the Banff Springs Hotel (advance booking required), take a boat cruise on Lake Minnewanka, or just relax at the hotel.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Yoho National Park
Location:
Banff, Alberta
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
The Rundlestone Lodge
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 120 miles, approximately 2.5 hours total riding time. Walking up to 3 miles throughout the course of the day; flat, groomed trails.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll ride via motorcoach to Lake Louise. En route, a local expert will point out highlights and teach us about the history of the lake and the surrounding area. On arrival, we’ll have independent time to explore the lake shore and the Fairmount Château Lake Louise grounds. Those who wish to may join our local expert on a walk. Those who would prefer not to walk may continue exploring independently. We’ll ride via motorcoach to Moraine Lake. En route, our local expert will provide an overview of the area’s history. We’ll walk with our local expert to the base of the Rockpile trail. Those who wish to may walk up the Rockpile with our local expert. Those who do not wish to climb the rock stairs will have some time to explore the lake shore on their own. After the elective walk, we’ll board the motorcoach and ride to the Field Visitor Centre in Yoho National Park. We’ll stop to stretch our legs and have independent time to observe the fossil exhibits.
Lunch:
At a scenic spot near the Visitor’s Centre, we’ll enjoy a boxed lunch from a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We’ll ride via motorcoach to Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park with our local expert. Due to its position on the west side of the Great Divide in Yoho National Park, we’ll have a fantastic view of not only Emerald Lake, but also the diverse habitats of the surrounding area, including a huge avalanche path, pine forest, a dry and dramatic alluvial fan and the towering trees. We’ll take in the beauty of the landscape as we learn about the history behind this jewel of the Canadian Rockies. We’ll learn about the significance of the Burgess Shale Quarries. Those who wish to will set out on a trail walk with our local expert to learn about the flora found on the western side of the Rockies. Those who choose not to go on the trail walk will have independent time to explore or relax. The local expert will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant. Share your favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
6
Transfer to Airport, Program Concludes
Location:
Banff, Alberta
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 88 miles, approximately 2 hours to Calgary airport. Group transfer after breakfast; hotel check-out required by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll then check out of the hotel and transfer to Calgary International Airport (YYC); approximate arrival at the airport is 10:00 a.m. This concludes our program. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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