Travel Kuoni

Rockies Road Trip

Drive them. Hike them. Sit back and see them. You decide how you want your Rocky Mountains adventure to go.

This is a sensational Canadian road trip, just as scenic and exciting as you imagine. Soaring mountains and bright blue lakes hold challenges for adventurers, and there are sweeping vistas from high-up vantage points for those who want to sit back and enjoy the view. On this self-guided road trip, you’ll hop westwards from Calgary until you reach gorgeous Vancouver on the Pacific coast.

Self-drive
9 nights
Calgary, Banff, Jasper, Sun Peaks & Kamloops, Vancouver
Adventure, Multi Centre

From £1,925 - £3,925 per person.An additional C$105pp (approx. £56.30) in taxes & fees is payable locally at your resort.

Itinerary overview

Day 1

Your journey begins in Calgary. The skyscraper-spiked downtown area is an excellent place to plan...

Days 2-3

Few places on the planet boast the astonishingly beautiful scenery you’ll lay eyes on in Banff Na...

Days 4-5

Mother Nature’s masterpiece, Jasper National Park, spans 11,000 square kilometres. It’s a raw, ru...

Day 6

Sun Peaks, a little outside Kamloops, is all about winter sports and is renowned for its light an...

Days 7-9

This cosmopolitan city on the water is known for its enviable lifestyle and a solid reputation fo...

Extend your holiday

The majority of Alaska cruises set off from Vancouver so this itinerary can easily be added to a ...

Day 1

Calgary

Your journey begins in Calgary. The skyscraper-spiked downtown area is an excellent place to plant roots for a day or two – you’ll find most of Calgary’s top attractions here. When night falls, the city sparkles, so whisk yourself to the top of the soaring Calgary Tower for a birds-eye view and dinner at its revolving restaurant.

National Hockey League (NHL) Tickets
Florida

The National Hockey League (NHL) is something of an institution across North America. Established in 1917, 32 teams compete against each other in ice hockey from October to June. Subject to availability, we can arrange tickets so that you can be rink side to witness the power and speed of the players as they attack and defend across the ice.

Days 2-3

Banff

Few places on the planet boast the astonishingly beautiful scenery you’ll lay eyes on in Banff National Park. This land has endless mountains, glaciers, valleys, lakes, and forests. But views are only the beginning of the appeal. Millions of people descend each year for skiing, hiking, canoeing, rafting, mountain biking and other outdoor pursuits. Banff is truly nature’s playground. Take a trip to the Columbia Icefield, catch sight of the startlingly blue water of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, or take a full-day wildlife tour to Bow Falls, Surprise Corner, and the lakes to learn more about the animals around Banff. You’ll want to allow at least a few days to explore Banff properly.

Discover Banff & its Wildlife & Banff Gondola
Banff, Lake Louise & Jasper

Discover the town of Banff and its unspoiled natural surroundings. Tour highlights include Bow Falls, the hoodoos that are curiously shaped by centuries of erosion, Surprise Corner, Tunnel Mountain Drive overlooking the beautiful scenery of the Bow River Valley, and the magnificent Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake. Also included are tickets for the Banff Gondola, check-in assistance and return transportation to your hotel. Maple cookies and refreshments are provided.

Sightseeing tour See the top sights of Banff and view wildlife in their natural habitat Learn about Banff and its wildlife from your experienced guide Ascend to the summit of Sulphur Mountain in Banff Gondola, offering amazing panoramic views

Mountains, Lakes & Waterfalls from Banff or Lake Louise
Banff, Lake Louise & Jasper

Take a journey deep into the Rocky Mountains, seeking out glacier and snow-fed lakes backed by towering peaks. You'll visit Banff and Yoho National Parks and stop off at Lake Louise (except if you have booked the tour to start from here), Moraine Lake*, the Valley of the Ten Peaks and Takakkaw Falls**.

As well as a barbecue lunch on the edge of Emerald Lake, you'll visit a view point that overlooks the Spiral Tunnels - an epic feat of engineering; see if you can follow the train tracks (or even a train if the timing is right) as they twist and turn and sporadically disappear into the mountain.

• Daily departures
• Operates from 4 May to 14 October
• Group experience

Good to know
*The road to Moraine Lake opens in late May (depending on snow conditions) and **the road to Takkakaw Falls opens in mid-June (depending on snow conditions). Alternative stops will be used before this date. Potential visits include Johnston Canyon, Marble Canyon, Field Visitor Centre, and Natural Rock Bridge. The itinerary will be at the driver's discretion on the day.

Banff Gondola Ride
Banff, Lake Louise & Jasper

This gondola ride is one of the easiest ways to get high above Banff for wide mountain views without a long hike. You’ll ride up Sulphur Mountain in a matter of minutes, spend time exploring the summit at your own pace, and enjoy panoramic scenery across the Bow Valley and surrounding peaks. It’s accessible, flexible, and easy to fit into a day in Banff.

Most visitors spend around an hour and a half to two hours at the top, wandering the well-maintained interpretive boardwalks that run along the ridge. They’re ideal for a gentle walk with big views and just enough context to deepen your appreciation without slowing things down. The gondola operates year-round, with hours varying by season. Clear days offer the widest views, but even when the weather rolls in, watching clouds drift through the peaks below the viewing platforms can be just as memorable.

• Duration: 2 hours
• Daily departures 
• Operates May to 13 October
• Group experience

Days 4-5

Jasper

Mother Nature’s masterpiece, Jasper National Park, spans 11,000 square kilometres. It’s a raw, rugged oasis with valleys, lakes, rivers, and mountains prowled by grizzly bears, wolves, moose, and elk. You’ll happen upon miles and miles of hiking trails, snow-dusted mountains, and gleaming alpine lakes. Take a wildlife tour or hitch a lift on Canada’s longest and highest guided aerial tramway for an epic panorama. Stand above the massive walls of Maligne Canyon for incredible views of rushing waterfalls, discover the mystery of the disappearing water at Medicine Lake, and stroll the shores of Maligne Lake. And after nightfall, gaze skywards – Jasper is a designated Dark Sky Preserve.

Explore Jasper with Maligne Cruise
Banff, Lake Louise & Jasper

Exchange life’s hectic hustle and bustle for a slice of pure serenity on our Maligne Lake Cruise. Voyage from Jasper to the Maligne Canyon, Medicine Lake and beyond, uncovering a melting pot of hidden treasures along the way. Channel your inner Robinson Crusoe as you explore the neverending wonders of the Canadian Rockies’ largest national park and take a moment to truly appreciate the majestic mount that surrounds you.

Get snap-happy at Maligne Canyon, where spectacular views of the rushing waterfalls are the jewel in the crown, and discover the mystery of the disappearing water at Medicine Lake. The slow shores of Maligne Lake serve up a postcard-perfect spot for a leisurely stroll, while Jasper’s rocky terrain welcomes animal lovers to delight in some truly magnificent wildlife watching.

• Duration: Six hours
• Daily departures
• Operates year-round
• Group experience

Good to know
Maligne Lake Cruise and a hot lunch are included. Light snacks & refreshments supplied for all guests. Please note that the Maligne Lake Cruise is seasonal. Additional programming will be provided when Maligne Lake is closed.

Jasper Wildlife Discovery Tour

Witness Jasper’s astonishing wildlife first-hand on this immersive discovery tour. Marvel at the miraculous natural beauty as your local guide lifts the lid on Jasper’s hidden gems, as well as a bunch of fun facts and stories from times gone-by. Jasper plays home to some iconic inhabitants and your guide will have all the insider knowledge on where to find them! Have your camera at the ready, all set to seek out the park’s wild and wonderful residents and relish the unique opportunity to view them in their natural habitat.

• Duration: Three and a half hours
• Daily departures
• Operates: 01 May - 30 Nov 
• Group experience

Good to know
This wildlife viewing tour is a driving tour with minimal walking. The maximum group size is 28 passengers. We advise that wildlife photographs are taken inside the vehicle or on the ground at a safe distance. Animal viewing is not guaranteed and depends largely on the season, the time of day, and the weather. The selected route is at the discretion of your guide.

Columbia Icefield Adventure
Banff, Lake Louise & Jasper

Discover Canada's most scenic mountain roadway, the Icefield's Parkway, featuring over one hundred visible glaciers, turquoise lakes and rushing waterfalls. Venture onto the surface of the Athabasca Glacier in a specially designated Ice Explorer for a spectacular Ice Age adventure. Experience Jasper National Park's Glacier Skywalk as you step out onto a glass-floored observation platform extending 30 metres out over the Sunwapta Valley.

• Departs daily from the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre
• Operates 4 May to 14 October
• Group experience

Good to know
You will need to make your own way to the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre.

Jasper Planetarium & Telescope Combo
Banff, Lake Louise & Jasper

Jasper National Park is the world's largest Dark Sky Preserve meaning that on clear nights, it is one of the best places to view the stars, planets, galaxies and any passing satellites. On this evening adventure, head to the town's planetarium where you'll learn about the universe and hear tales of indigenous Canadian constellations and the aurora borealis in the 40-seat dome theatre. It's then time to head outdoors to witness the night sky in more detail as you watch instant live footage captured through one of the most powerful telescopes in the Rockies (weather dependent).

• Times and departure days are different depending on the time of year; please call for details
• Operates year-round
• Group experience

Good to know
Clear skies for live telescope viewing cannot be guaranteed;be sure to dress warmly.

Day 6

Sun Peaks & Kamloops

Sun Peaks, a little outside Kamloops, is all about winter sports and is renowned for its light and dry powder. The ski-through village has everything you’d expect from a prime ski resort, including being poised and ready for a lively après scene. Despite its snowy wonderfulness, Sun Peaks is equally appealing in summer, when active types come to hike and bike the trails once the ice has melted.

Days 7-9

Vancouver

This cosmopolitan city on the water is known for its enviable lifestyle and a solid reputation for delicious food and blossoming arts, theatre, and music scenes. The rosy-cheeked locals (fresh from escapades on the surrounding mountains and sea) speak highly of their beautiful city. Don’t leave Vancouver until you explore Granville Island, a creative hub of Vancouver and home to a beloved market. Take a floatplane flight to Vancouver Island or appreciate Vancouver’s coastal rainforest as you tiptoe across the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Allow three days to explore the city or more if you also plan to visit Vancouver Island.

Granville Island market tour
Vancouver

Granville Island is Canada's second most visited destination and Vancouver's destination for lovers of food, art and culture. Offering fresh, local seasonal produce, it's where you might see Vancouver's chefs shopping for their menus. During the tour, you'll savour a variety of foods from independent farmers and food artisans from Vancouver and beyond. Award-winning charcuterie, local cheeses, artisan bread, melt-in-your-mouth donuts, and world-class coffee and chai.

Walking tour Indulge in more than 20 food and drink tastings Tour the market with the expertise of a friendly local guide Soak up the vibe of the market, filled with artisans, musicians and performers

Hop-on hop-Off Sightseeing Vancouver - 48hr Classic Pass
Vancouver

The Classic Pass is a fun and flexible way to see the best of Vancouver. This ticket gives you unlimited access to all of the highlights and stops available along the route - 14 in total. The tour will provide you with commentary, lending a local's authentic take on the magic that makes Vancouver great. The clear-top buses are equally special. Your view of the city will be like no other as you tour the streets with the wind in your hair.

Hop-on-hop-off bus A flexible way to take in the sights of Vancouver Stops include Granville Island, Queen Elizabeth Park, and Chinatown Explore Vancouver with a guide's commentary for genuine local insight.

Vancouver City Tour & Capilano Suspension Bridge
Vancouver

Ride and relax with guided commentary through Vancouver's vibrant downtown. See spectacular waterfront landmarks including the sails of Canada Place and the bustling Robson Street shopping strip. Then soak in the view over Lions Gate Bridge as we venture to the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. Here you'll be thrilled with both the natural surroundings and all the park has to offer. Take a stroll on the Cliffwalk, or saunter with the clouds in the Treetops Adventure. Next up are the sandy shores of English Bay on the west side of Stanley Park, and then a stop to tour the wonders of Granville Island. Finally, a scenic drive through the historic neighbourhoods of Chinatown.

Sightseeing tour Combine city sightseeing with forest adventure Explore Vancouver with a guide's insight Drive through downtown, Stanley Park, Granville Island and China Town, amongst others.

Whistler & Sea to Sky Gondola Tour
Vancouver

This is a classic West Coast road trip, doable as a day trip from Vancouver, without the stress of driving it yourself. Leaving Vancouver behind, you’ll travel north along the Sea to Sky Highway, a stretch of road that manages to be genuinely distracting in the best possible way. One minute you’re skirting the edge of Howe Sound fjord with ocean views, the next you’re climbing into forested mountains. It’s a constant swap of scenery and one of the most scenic drives in Canada.

The first stop is Shannon Falls, dropping 335 metres down a sheer rock face and proving very quickly that British Columbia doesn’t do things by halves. From there, you continue to the Sea to Sky Gondola. A ten-minute ride lifts you up to the top of Habrich Ridge, where the perspective shifts dramatically. 

Back on the road, the journey continues towards Whistler, with views of the Tantalus Glacier appearing as the landscape opens up. Whistler itself is a purpose-built mountain resort with a pedestrian-only village, making it easy to explore on foot. You’ll have free time to browse the shops, grab a coffee, head out on an easy trail or simply sit back and enjoy the fresh alpine air.

The return journey is part of the appeal. As the coach winds south, the mountains slowly give way to the ocean, the forest thins, and the skyline of Vancouver comes back into view. It’s a full-circle day that shows off just how close serious wilderness sits to the city.

• Duration: full day
• Daily departures 
• Operates 1 May - 31 October
• Group experience

Vancouver Scenic Seaplane Flight (Classic Panorama)
Vancouver

Harbour Air Seaplanes' most popular tour of the North Shore Mountains. This ideal introduction to seaplane aviation departs from downtown Vancouver's bustling Coal Harbour and includes a complete aerial view of the city. Photographers will especially enjoy a bird's eye view of Horseshoe Bay, English Bay and Deep Cove. The sensation of landing on water is always a memorable.

Sightseeing tour 20 minute seaplane flight Aerial views of the downtown skyline, Stanley Park, English Bay, the Lions Gate Bridge and the North Shore Mountains

National Hockey League (NHL) Tickets
Florida

The National Hockey League (NHL) is something of an institution across North America. Established in 1917, 32 teams compete against each other in ice hockey from October to June. Subject to availability, we can arrange tickets so that you can be rink side to witness the power and speed of the players as they attack and defend across the ice.

Extend your holiday

Add a cruise

The majority of Alaska cruises set off from Vancouver so this itinerary can easily be added to a voyage northward. We work with a selection of handpicked cruise lines that operate round-trip and one-way trips along the majestic coastlines of British Columbia and the USA’s ‘last frontier’, including Celebrity Cruises and Holland America Line. For more information, contact one of our Personal Travel Experts.

Personalise your trip

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