Welcome to Wild Rose Country! Alberta has it all,
from the majestic Rocky Mountains to the International Peace Park of Waterton/Glacier National Park and the Badlands in
all their arid beauty and home to priceless dinosaur fossils. This tour traces Alberta's heritage from prehistoric to
the 21st century with fascinating museums and interpretive sites.
TOUR FEATURES
8 nights hotel accommodation, mid-size vehicle, Heritage Park, Calgary Zoo, Glenbow Museum, Bar U Ranch,
Waterton Lake Cruise, Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology, Rocky Mountain
House National Historic Site, Columbia Icefield Snocoach ride on the Athabasca Glacier,
Cave and Basin National Historic Site, Banff Gondola, Banff Upper Hot Springs, and National Park vehicle
entrance fee.
DAY 01
Pick up your rental vehicle, then take the day to explore Calgary. Don't miss Heritage Park (included)
in the city's south side, a "living museum" reconstructed Alberta town with costumed interpreters, a steam
train and scale-model sternwheeler, an old-fashioned candy store and much more. Visit Calgary Zoo and Glenbow
Museum as well - admission is included for both. Overnight in Calgary.
DAY 02
Travel south from Calgary today into foothills country to stop at the Bar U Ranch (admission included).
Pass through the ranching town of Pincher Creek with an array of high-tech windmills before broaching the
mountains at Waterton National Park. This afternoon board the International Boat for a breathtaking
interpretive tour of Waterton Lake (lake cruise is included). Overnight in Waterton.
DAY 03
A full day to explore Waterton and area, with an optional side-trip to Montana's Glacier National Park.
Waterton is a wildflower paradise with many scenic drives, hikes and strolls. Overnight in Waterton.
DAY 04
Today can be taken at a leisurely pace as you make the short drive to Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump (admission included),
a UNESO World Heritage Site. The Interpertive Centre documents the buffalo hunting culture of the Plains people. From
the Interpretive Centre, continue on to the town of Drumheller, perhaps taking a side trip to Dinosaur Provincial Park.
This site contains the greatest concentration of Late Cretaceous dinosaur fossils found on earth and some of the finds
are on display at the field station located in the park. Overnight in Drumheller.
DAY 05
Today you have a full day to explore the famous Royal Tyrrell Museum (admission included) and Drumheller area.
You will want to plan for a half day at the museum, and then perhaps take a drive around Dinosaur Trail, including the historic
Bleriot Ferry (free) across the Red Deer River before taking the short drive to Edmonton (approximately 2.5 hours). Overnight at the Fantasyland Hotel.
DAY 06
Today you have free time to experience the West Edmonton Mall and it's many attractions, such as the World Water Park, indoor ice rink, mini-golf and
amusement park. After that, it is off to Jasper National Park (approximately 5 hours) to see many natural wonders.
Overnight in Jasper.
DAY 07
Heading south on the spectacular Icefields Parkway, you should make a stop at Athabasca Falls before you reach the Columbia Icefield and experience a ride
on to the surface of the Athabasca Glacier on board a specially constructed "Snocoach" (included).
The Athabasca Glacier is part of the Columbia Icefield, the greatest mass of ice outside the Arctic Circle.
From the Icefield Centre, continue south to Lake Louise where you will make at least one photo stop at this
"Jewel of the Rockies." If your time and inclination agree, we recommend a walk around along lake or renting a
canoe from the Chateau to futher appreciate all that this setting has to offer. Overnight in Banff.
DAY 08
A full day to explore Banff and area. In town you'll find lots of excitement - shopping, caf‚s,
nightlife, museums. Check out the Cave and Basin National Historic Site (included), birthplace of Banff
and the Canadian national parks. Banff Gondola (included) will take you high above Banff townsite for an
incredible panoramic view. To complete your day, take a dip in the hot mineral pools at the newly-renovated
Upper Hot Springs (included). Overnight in Banff.
DAY 09
Your tour concludes as you travel along through the Bow Valley to Calgary to drop off your rental car.
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