Ultimate Canada

Receive a fantastic itinerary to the Canadian Rockies with our FREE trip planning service!

We parked the car and walked up a few steps to take this photograph

If you're looking to book a holiday to the Canadian Rockies then let us design an unforgettable trip for you. It doesn't matter whether you want to stay in the best hotels or would prefer cheaper, but clean budget options, we'll send you a wonderful itinerary that will take you to the best bits of the Rockies!

Initially, you'll get a fully costed itinerary showing where you'll be each day and what to see, and what the costs are. You can of course chop and change this as much as you wish until you are 100% happy with it.

So call us today and start planning an unforgettable tailor-made trip to the Canadian Rockies.

12 ways to make it special

1. Stay in a few cheaper hotels to make room for a luxury hotel at the end such as the world famous Fairmont Banff Springs
2. Go grizzly bear watching - our most popular trip is to Knight Inlet - an amazing close-up wildlife experience
3. Add on a 7-night cruise to Alaska - there are a range of different options (please call us for advice)
4. Stay at the most spectacular locations - one of our favourites is Moraine Lake Lodge near Lake Louise
5. Add a stopover in Toronto to see the Niagara Falls
6. Ride on the Rocky Mountaineer train - said to be the most spectacular journey in the world
7. Visit the glacier by the Icefields Parkway
8. Hire a motor home for complete freedom
9. Stay on a ranch
10. Be there for the Calgary Stampede - this is the normally around the first couple of weeks in July
11. Fly charter and upgrade to Premium Class for an exceptional service
12. Take a sea-plane excursion from Vancouver to Victoria, capital of Vancouver Island

Why book with us

1. GREAT DEALS on flights and hotels
2. Receive a FULLY COSTED ITINERARY with ideas and suggestions to make the most of your trip
3. MAKE UNLIMITED CHANGES to your plans until you decide to book
4. We have a GREAT COLLECTION OF CHARACTER HOTELS all with something special about them such as a fantastic location

When to go

The Canadian Rockies can't be more different between the seasons. In winter, much of British Colombia and Alberta is under a delightful blanket of snow, and outdoor activities such as dog sledding and skiing are the main reasons for coming. But in summer, you'll find long days of warm sunshine, the snow has all but melted, and you can enjoy the lakes, mountains and stunning scenery.

So, for a summer touring holiday to the Rockies, I would suggest May to September when it is relatively warm with plenty of sunshine. Hotel prices are often higher in the peak summer months, although it must be said that June, July and August is when the Rockies are at their warmest.

What about April, May or October? You'll enjoy cheaper prices especially in April and October, however nights will be cold although not unbearable. To be honest April is an extremely pleasant time to go, and you will enjoy several hours of sunshine each day. By the end of October though don't be surprised if you have a few grey days.

The Ultimate Itinerary

Here are a few of the highlights of the Canadian Rockies - in each place we have a good collection of hotels in excellent locations, for all budgets.

Banff

You will probably fly into Calgary Airport, however unless you are visiting in early July when the Calgary Stampede is on, there is not really much to see in Calgary – the best is further on. Collect your hire car and start your journey!

Banff is a delightful tourist town in the Rockies about 90 minutes drive from Calgary airport and a great base for many activities.

What to do...

• Enjoy the hot springs
• Wander round the charming shops and cafes
• Walk in the mountains
• Go horse riding in the Rockies and finish with a sunset BBQ
• Get to the top of Sulphur Mountain by gondola ride
• Experience a spectacular helicopter flight
• Go white-water rafting

Where to Stay?

Luxury - The luxury option is the world famous Banff Springs hotel which has been styled after a Scottish castle and offers world class golf courses, food and service, and of course its breathtaking location and views.

Affordable - Or a cheaper option is the charming Buffalo Mountain Lodge set within nine forested acres on the slopes of Tunnel Mountain

Lake Louise

Many tours that I see include Lake Louise as simply a stop-off between Jasper and Banff, or even a half-day excursion from Banff. However Lake Louise is quite simply almost the most beautiful lake in Canada with its blue-green water set against the Victoria Glacier. The drive is about an hour from Banff.

At the very least, it is worth walking through the forest to an incredible vantage point about half way along the lake, where you will find the most incredible view of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

At the hotel you can go on walks such as these or take a canoe out on to the lake. And when you are finished why not go inside and enjoy a coffee in the lounge, complete with more incredible views of the lake and glacier.

What to do...

• Lake Louise is all about admiring the views from different vantage points - there are marked walking paths leading through the forest leading to spectacular viewpoints
• Hire a canoe on the lake

Where to Stay?

Luxury - The luxury option is Fairmont Lake Louise Hotel which is situated right on the lake.

A little further on is what we would argue is the most beautiful lake in Canada – Moraine Lake. Again there is a hotel by the lake, Moraine Lake Lodge, although much smaller with only 33 rooms. This is for a quieter and less touristy experience.

Budget - For a more affordable stay around this area, we recommend Deer Lodge which is a good value 3* option serving great food. And even better it is within walking distance of the lake itself!

Jasper

The road to Jasper is one of the world’s most spectacular drives so don’t be surprised if you stop off so many times to take pictures that it takes all day!

Along the way you will come to the glacier where you should not miss the Icefield tour on a specially designed ice-buggy which transports you on to the glacier.

What to do...

• Medicine Lake cruise
• Maligne Valley wildlife tour – to see search of osprey, eagles, big horn sheep, mountain goats, moose, elk, deer and bears.
• The shimmering Patricia and Pyramid Lakes where you can take a stroll over a rustic footbridge to Pyramid Lake Island Jasper river rafting

Where to Stay?

Luxury - The luxury option is Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - it is the best hotel in Jasper by a long way, and in a stunning location just outside the town centre.

Favourite - Tekarra Lodge is just over a mile from Jasper town centre and in a spectacular location with stunning views over the river.

Budget - The budget option is Chateau Jasper, within easy distance of the centre and with an award winning restaurant.

Rocky Mountaineer

This is said to be most scenic train journey in the world, and takes you from Jasper to Banff over the course of two days, passing 600 miles of forests, river canyons, and snow capped mountains.

As the journey takes two days, the night is spent in Kamloops in a hotel.

The service includes breakfast and lunches, complimentary snacks and complimentary non-alcoholic beverages. An upgrade is possible allowing 180 degree views, gourmet food, complimentary alcoholic drinks, luggage delivery service and finally dinner at your hotel.

Vancouver

Vancouver is actually quite a small city and so many places are reachable on foot from your hotel. It is worth staying 3-4 nights here as there is quite a lot to see and do.

What to do...

• Hire a bike and ride around Stanley Park - there is a wonderful 5.5 mile route around the seawall with a succession of great views
• Visit the aquarium, also in Stanley Park.
• Go to Granville Island - this is a quaint area with unique shops, colourful cafes, live street entertainment and galleries.
• Take a gondola ride up to Grouse Mountain - as well as spectacular views over Vancouver, this is also home to grizzly bear cubs. Pass the Capilano Suspension bridge which rises above the canyon and enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery. Sunset tours also available.
• Go shopping on Robson Street
• Visit the Chinatown district and wander round one of the beautiful Chinese gardens
• Have lunch in Gastown which is a delightful district of quaint shops and cafes. This is also where you will find the famous steam clock.
• Whale watching - see orca or killer whales between April and October as they search for salmon, as well as porpoises, sea lions and bald eagles
• Seaplane experience
• Day trip to Whistler on the scenic Whistler Mountaineer
• Harbour cruise and sunset cruises around Vancouver. There is also a tour called Indian Arm which is a lunch cruise past spectacular fjord landscapes.

Where to Stay?

Luxury - The Pan Pacific is a deluxe hotel right on the harbour front by Canada Place with panoramic views of the city and the coastal mountains.

Victoria

Victoria is a small compact city on Vancouver Island, and is known as the 'Garden City' due to the number of flowers and gardens. It is worth spending a night down by the harbour area but it is the trips to the amazing Butchart Gardens and Tofino that make a trip to the island worthwhile.

There are a couple of ways to get here. One is to fly by seaplane from Vancouver and the other is to drive to the ferry terminal and take the ferry. Some day trips use a combination of both - i.e. drive + ferry there, and get the seaplane back to save time.

What to do...

# Visit Butchart Gardens # Go whale watching - April to October # See black bears in their natural habitat at Tofino. You can either take a day trip from Victoria or even better drive and spend the night. in Tofino. We can suggest a couple of excellent places to stay.

Where to Stay?

Our suggestion is the Executive House hotel by the harbour and close to the IMAX theatre.

Knight Inlet

Have an adventure of a lifetime watching grizzly bears up close.

On your first day, you will arrive at Campbell River (we will arrange to get you there from either Vancouver or Victoria), and spend the night. This town is known as the salmon capital of the world.

The next day you transfer to Knight Inlet Lodge by a 30 minute floatplane ride - the lodge is not accessible by road. It is a wild and remote area, and Knight Inlet is a rustic lodge with a large concentration of grizzly bears. There is a boat cruise which takes you to the bears through Glendale Cove.

You have the option of returning to Victoria or Vancouver the next day, or spending another night.

Images from our own trips

Spot black bears in many places in he Rockies, or for the ultimate wildlife experience visit the much bigger grizzly bears at Knight Inlet

If you have a car you have the freedom to visit serene lakes such as Emerald Lake taken here at the end of the day

This is the coffee lounge of the Fairmont Lake Louise, a world famous hotel

The tundra buggy that takes you to the glacier

Contact us!

Welcome!
Come and talk to us face to face about your holiday plans.

Monday to Saturday 9am - 6pm     65 Station Road     Letchworth Garden City     Hertfordshire     SG6 3BJ     see map   01462 677 111         holidays@onyourtravels.co.uk