Alberta
Exploring Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks
Program No. 3856RJ
Explore the Canadian Rockies with local experts, learning about grizzly bears, visiting Château Lake Louise and taking an in-depth look at UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
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
8 days
7 nights
What's Included
17 meals (
7B, 6L, 4D
)
5 expert-led lectures
11 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
7 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 Kenrick
Activity Note
Transfer from Calgary Airport to hotel at 3:00 p.m. included in program cost. Hotel check-in available from 4:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Transfer from the airport to the hotel will arrive at approximately 5:00 p.m. En route, our Group Leader will conduct Program Registration. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. After you check in to the hotel and get settled, take some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
Orientation: 7:30 p.m. The Group Leader will lead introductions, 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/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
2
Gifts From The Land, Cave & Basin, Bow River
Location:
Banff, Alberta
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
The Kenrick
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 20 miles, approximately 1 hour time. Walking about 2 miles throughout the day; paved and gravel paths, some stairs at historic site (can be avoided).
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This morning, we’ll be joined by a local expert who will share insights into how Indigenous peoples live in harmony with the rhythms of the earth. We’ll learn how everything needed for daily life comes from the land, explore traditional trade between nations, and discover the tools and medicinal plants that were used for generations. This engaging, one-hour interactive session will include time for questions at the end. Following the presentation, we’ll board our motorcoach and travel to the Cave and Basin National Historic Site. There, we’ll uncover the fascinating story of Banff’s thermal hot springs — from their deep Indigenous significance and historic architecture to the mysterious cave that inspired the creation of Canada’s national parks. We’ll also learn about the unique ecosystem that supports the tiny, endangered Banff Springs Snail.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Back aboard our motorcoach, we’ll set out with our Group Leader to explore the charming town of Banff and discover its rich history. Along the way, we’ll make several stops to step off the coach and experience some of the area’s most captivating points of interest. Nestled in a mountain-rimmed valley carved by the Bow River, Banff is located within Canada’s first national park. Its growth and character have long been shaped by the federal government, tourism, and the railway. In 1930, the Rocky Mountain Parks Reserve was renamed Banff National Park, becoming Canada’s first nature reserve and encompassing 2,564 square miles of breathtaking valleys, glaciers, forests, meadows, and rivers. During our exploration, we’ll admire the iconic Banff Springs Hotel and visit the rushing Bow Falls, located just below this grand landmark. Fed by the Bow Glacier upstream, the falls pour into the Bow River, creating a stunning natural spectacle. A gentle stroll along the Bow Falls Trail will bring us close to the thundering rapids and cascading waters—a perfect way to experience the beauty and power of Banff’s landscape.
Dinner:
On own.
Evening:
At leisure. You are welcome to go out and explore the sights and sounds of Banff independently. For live entertainment, check out one of the local pubs or the Banff Centre. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
3
Rockies Geology, Yoho National Park, Moraine Lake
Location:
Lake Louise, AB
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Lake Louise Inn
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 60 miles, approximately 1.5 hours riding time. Walking about 1.5 miles, approximately 2 hours over the course of the day; flat lakeside trail, no elevation gain. Optional steep hike up a rock scramble at Moraine Lake.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Following breakfast, we’ll check out of the hotel and attend a fascinating presentation by a local geology expert, who will introduce us to the dramatic geological story of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. We’ll gain a deeper understanding of the natural forces that shaped this rugged landscape and discover the differences between the Front and Main Ranges. The talk will also explore the concept of the “Ring of Fire” and the powerful role of plate tectonics in shaping the region. After the presentation, we’ll board our coach and set out to explore some of the most remarkable geological highlights between Banff and Field, British Columbia. Along the way, we’ll enjoy trailside discussions with a local naturalist, deepening our appreciation of the area’s extraordinary geology and the stories written in its stone.
Lunch:
At a spot along the way, we’ll have boxed lunches.
Afternoon:
We will visit Emerald Lake, a jewel of the Canadian Rockies. We’ll set out on an expert-led walking field trip to learn about the Burgess Shale quarries along Fossil Ridge. Thanks to its position on the west side of the Great Divide in Yoho National Park, a 360-degree view from Emerald Lake showcases four very different environments: a huge avalanche path, the pine forest, a dry and dramatic alluvial fan, and the towering trees. We will visit the nearby Field Visitor Centre where there are exhibits to explore including one that displays and explains fossils from Burgess Shale. Parks Canada staff will be available to provide information and answer questions. Next we'll visit Moraine Lake, one of the most photographed places in the Rocky Mountains. Afterwards, we’ll then head to our Lake Louise hotel.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. You might like to head out on your own, spend time with fellow Road Scholars, or just relax at the hotel.
Day
4
Grizzly Bears, Lake Louise
Location:
Lake Louise, AB
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Lake Louise Inn
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 37 miles, approximately 1.5 hours riding time. Getting on/off a gondola. Walking about 2 miles; paved and gravel paths.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will be joined by an expert wildlife biologist and conservationist who will give us a presentation on how to share the land with grizzly bears. The Bow Valley is considered an internationally significant wildlife migration corridor within the Park and the Lake Louise area is notable for its critical grizzly bear, elk, lynx, bighorn sheep and mountain goat habitat. As protected areas, the mountain national parks make a weighty contribution to grizzly bear conservation in the Rocky Mountain ecosystem. These parks can contribute refuge in the greater landscape but this requires special considerations for how humans share the landscape with bears. During the presentation, we will also learn how Parks Canada is conducting land use and management policies. We will ride to board the Lake Louise Gondola, one of the best places for a chance to see grizzly bears in their natural environment. If we’re lucky, we may experience this rare and awesome spectacle of nature from the comfort of the gondola. From atop a mountain, we’ll have views of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake surrounded by peaks and a deep teal color: nothing less than stunning as it sits in the gorgeous Valley of the Ten Peaks.
Lunch:
At Fairmount Chateau Lake Louise.
Afternoon:
With our group leader we will explore the lakeshore of Lake Louise.
Dinner:
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.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
5
Icefields Parkway, Jasper
Location:
Jasper, AB
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Tonquin Inn
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 150 miles throughout the day, approximately 5 hours riding time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel, we will board a motorcoach and ride along the Icefields Parkway, one of the most spectacular stretches of scenic driving in Canada. We’ll spend the majority of the day in the Main Ranges; the mountains here are the highest, craggiest and arguably the most scenic in all the Rockies. En route, we’ll stop at scenic overlooks and our Group Leader will provide an overview of the surrounding area.
Lunch:
At a spot along the way, we’ll have boxed lunches.
Afternoon:
This afternoon we continue on to Jasper National Park. This scenic drive is lined with beautiful mountains, lakes and more than 100 glaciers providing a dramatic backdrop. Keep an eye out for mountain goats and bighorn sheep in the cliffs along the way. In the spruce forest above the Sunwapta River, watch for grizzly bears during spring, summer, and fall. We’ll check in to our hotel upon arrival.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. You might like to head out on your own, spend time with fellow Road Scholars, or just relax at the hotel.
Day
6
Pyramid Lake, Maligne Canyon
Location:
Jasper, AB
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Tonquin Inn
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 50 miles, approximately 2 hours riding time. Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day; paved or maintained trails.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This morning, we board our motorcoach with a local expert and begin the day at Pyramid Lake, where a short interpretive walk introduces us to the subtle wonders that make Jasper National Park so unique. Next, we make our way to the Maligne Canyon Overlook, where sweeping views reveal a deep, narrow limestone gorge sculpted over millennia by glacial meltwater. While here, we take part in a compelling wildfire presentation led by our local expert. Learn how the July 2024 Jasper Complex Wildfire impacted both the town and surrounding ecosystem. Through the lens of fire ecology, we explore themes of loss, resilience, and renewal as the landscape begins to heal and thrive once again.
Lunch:
At a spot along the way, we’ll enjoy our boxed lunches.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we enjoy a wildlife presentation highlighting the remarkable diversity of species found in Jasper—from large mammals to elusive birds and everything in between. We then visit Maligne Lake, where an interpretive walk along its scenic shores offers stunning alpine views and insights into the river’s glacial origins. On our return journey, we pause at the Medicine Lake viewpoint to step off the coach and explore the area’s fascinating geology and history. This tranquil stop invites reflection and a deeper appreciation of the powerful natural forces that have shaped Jasper’s landscape.
Dinner:
On your own to explore local flavors. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
7
Canmore, SAM Centre, Farewell Dinner
Location:
Calgary, Alberta
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
The Westin Calgary
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 250 miles, approximately 4.5 hours of coach time. Walking about 1 mile, approximately 2 hours walking inside and outside.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Travelling by motorcoach, we’ll embark on a scenic journey to Calgary back along the Icefields Parkway, passing through unparalleled sights of a lake-lined valley traveling the Continental Divide.
Lunch:
We’ll stop for lunch in Canmore; a picturesque mountain community nestled in the Bow Valley just outside Banff National Park. Once a bustling coal-mining town, Canmore has grown into a lively center for art, culture, and outdoor adventure while maintaining its friendly small-town character. Enjoy lunch while taking in the spectacular views of the surrounding peaks, including the iconic Three Sisters that rise prominently above the valley. With its stunning alpine scenery and relaxed mountain atmosphere, Canmore provides an ideal setting to pause and appreciate the natural beauty of the Canadian Rockies.
Afternoon:
After arriving in Calgary, we will set out on a guided walk through Stampede Park, learning about the origin and history of the Calgary Stampede. We will stroll across the infield, site of the famous rodeo held each July, and enjoy the park’s public art installations, including an interactive horse-themed display. Next, we’ll head to the Elbow River Encampment to learn about the First Nations peoples’ connection to the Calgary Stampede. The experience concludes at the SAM Centre, where interactive exhibits and an immersive film bring the stories, traditions, and excitement of this iconic event to life.
Dinner:
At the hotel, we will enjoy a farewell dinner and reflect on favorite memories with new friends. Just before the meal, a special ceremony, will add a memorable and surprising touch to the evening.
Evening:
Return to hotel and prepare for checkout in the morning.
Day
8
Program Concludes
Location:
Calgary, Alberta
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 12:00pm
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Check out and transfer on your own to the Calgary Airport. If you are returning home, safe travels. 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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Please Note:
This program has itinerary variations on certain dates.