Glacier National Park & Canadian Rockies

After much research, Monarch Tours/Towson Travel recommends this as the most comprehensive itinerary to see the highlights of the Canadian Rockies and Glacier National Park.



Day 1 – Calgary, Alberta, Canada - Your vacation begins in Calgary, where the foothills of the Rocky Mountains meet the Great Plains. Calgary is the closest international gateway to both the Canadian Rockies and Glacier Park. Transfer from the Calgary Airport by hotel courtesy shuttle to your hotel. Welcome briefing in the evening.








Day 2 – Waterton Park - Journey south through Alberta cowboy country to Waterton Lakes National Park, where the Rockies rise dramatically out of the rolling prairies. You are now in the world’s first International Peace Park, formed in 1932 by combining Waterton Lakes Park in Canada with Glacier Park in Montana. Together, these parks form Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, a celebration of the friendship between Canada and the United States. Enjoy a relaxing two-night stay on the shores of Waterton Lake. Your hotel is centrally located in Waterton, the undiscovered jewel of Canada. Cafes, bars, shopping, wildlife viewing and nature walks are outside your door. Enjoy dinner. BD



Day 3 – Glacier National Park, Montana - Cross the border into Montana, USA. Today explore the wonders of Glacier National Park. Board the stylish “Red Jammers,” restored vintage touring coaches from the 1930’s. Journey on the spectacular “Going-to-the-Sun” Road into the heart of Glacier National Park (weather and road conditions permitting). See St. Mary’s Lake and the majestic Garden Wall, the cliff that makes up the central Continental Divide. Look for mountain goats and bighorn sheep at Logan Pass. Enjoy free time at Many Glacier, along the shores of Swiftcurrent Lake. Cross the Canadian border and return to Waterton. B


Day 4 – Banff, Gondola Ride - Drive north through the beautiful Kananaskis Valley (road opens in mid-to-late June). Enjoy free time in Canmore, a vibrant mountain town. Arrive in Banff. Ride the Banff Gondola (webcam) to the summit of Sulphur Mountain for panoramic views of six mountain ranges. Continue to your hotel in downtown Banff. Enjoy a two night stay surrounded by the wild beauty of 2,500 square mile Banff Park. B

Day 5 – Banff, Bow River Float - On your morning wildlife excursion, drive along the shores of Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake. Stop at Bow River Falls. Then (weather permitting) enjoy a float trip on the scenic Bow River. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound. Return to Banff for an afternoon on your own. Your Banff hotel is ideally located adjacent to restaurants, shops and galleries. B


Day 6 – Lake Louise, Jasper Park - This morning visit two beautiful Canadian lakes: Moraine Lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks and Lake Louise, filled with turquoise-colored water from Victoria Glacier. This afternoon, drive along one of the most scenic roads in the world - Icefields Parkway to Jasper. Waterfalls, glacier lakes and snow-capped mountains line your drive. The Parkway is home to bears, elk, moose, goats, sheep and caribou. Arrive for a relaxing two night stay in Jasper National Park at your lodge on the banks of the Athabasca River. You are in the midst of the vast, unspoiled grandeur of 4,200 square mile Jasper Park, Canada’s largest park. Enjoy dinner. BD

Day 7 – Maligne Lake, Jasper Park - This morning visit Maligne Canyon. Then, a scenic drive to glacier-fed Maligne Lake, 14 miles long and ringed by dramatic snow-capped peaks. The road to Maligne Lake has some of the best wildlife viewing in the Canadian Rockies. Look for mountain goat, moose, elk, bear, bighorn sheep, caribou and bald eagles. Then, free time to explore Jasper, a charming small town with many shops. Afternoon at leisure to enjoy the natural beauty of Jasper Park. B

Day 8 – Icefields Parkway, Ice Explorer - Another glorious day on the Icefields Parkway, this time travelling south. Each direction offers unique views. Ride across the surface of Columbia Icefield’s Athabasca Glacier on an all-terrain Ice Explorer (weather permitting). The meltwater from the Columbia Icefield feeds streams that flow into three oceans: the Arctic, the Atlantic, and the Pacific. Walk on the glacier. Next, a photo stop at turquoise-colored Peyto Lake. Then, descend to the Great Plains of Canada. Return to Calgary. Farewell dinner. BD


Day 9 – Calgary - The tour ends after breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to the Calgary Airport by hotel courtesy shuttle.  B

This itinerary has weekly departures between May and September 2010.


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