Planning your vacation in Western Canada

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Consider the following when planning a visit to the  Canadian Rockies and Western Canada.

Everyone enjoys a visit to Banff & Jasper National Parks.   We recommend you schedule your flight into Calgary, Alberta (YYC) and that you plan to spend no less than 2 nights in each Banff, Jasper and Lake Louise.   Because Jasper is a 5 hour drive from Calgary, we suggest you visit Banff first, followed by Jasper, followed by Lake Louise.  This way you can allow a full day to explore the Icefields Parkway, the scenic Hwy 93 Northbound between Lake Louise and Jasper. Further, you will get to drive the Icefields Parkway twice, because you will return southbound on the Parkway in route from Jasper to Lake Louise.  This may seem like you are duplicating a day of sightseeing, but we promise the scenery is different when driving southbound, and who knows...changes in weather might allow for better visibility or the chance to see mountain wildlife. 

It is very easy driving between these destinations.  Should you prefer not to drive there are transfers and sightseeing excursions offered by Brewster, Discover Banff Tours, Anderson Vacations and Sun Dog airport transfer service.

Approximate driving times are as follows:

Calgary to Banff - 2 Hours

Banff to Lake Louise - 1 Hour

Lake Louise to Jasper - 3 Hours

Jasper to Banff - 4 Hours

The reason we recommend spending at least 2 nights in each destination is so you can take a day to explore each area, without having to check of the hotel by 11:00 A.M. the 2nd day.

For example you will want to spend a day exploring:

Banff - Half day sightseeing in and around the townsite including Tunnel Mountain Drive, the Hoo Doos viewpoint, Lake Minnewanka, Two Lake Lake, Bow Falls, the Cascade Gardens and the Cave & Basin Hot Springs Interpretive Centre. 

Lake Louise - Full day sightseeing to Moraine Lake and the Valley of the Ten Peaks, Emerald Lake, the Spiral Tunnels, the Natural Bridge and Takkakaw Falls.

Banff or Lake Lousie to Jasper - Full day sightseeing via the Icefields Parkway.   Highlights include Hector Lake, the Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake and Num-ti-jah Lodge, Peyto Lake (do not miss this lake!) the Saskatchewan River Valley, Athabasca Glacier, and more!. 

Jasper - Pyramid and Patricia Lakes, Maligne Canyon and Lake.

Watch for links to driving instructions for each of these days of sightseeing as we continue to update our webite.