GLACIER NATIONAL PARK & THE CANADIAN ROCKIES
9 days from Calgary to Calgary

This compact escorted tour delivers the pristine wilderness of several national parks and the soaring beauty of the Rockies on both sides of the Canada/U.S. border. From Calgary, travel south along the Macleod Trail to Waterton Lakes National Park, a beautiful national park with rugged mountains, beautiful water, and wilderness. Enter Montana through Glacier National Park, where you enjoy a thrilling drive on the spectacular Going-to-the-Sun Road aboard the famous red "Jammer" bus. The Going-to-the-Sun Road crosses 6,664-foot-high Logan Pass and offers alpine scenery where jagged mountain peaks, deep green forests, pristine lakes, and meadows dominate the landscape.

Take in the magnificent scenery as you cross the Continental Divide to the town of Whitefish. Then re-enter Canada and visit the historic mining town of Fort Steele, the famous health spa at Radium Hot Springs, and Kootenay National Park in British Columbia. On to Alberta for two-night stays in both Banff and Jasper National Parks. In Banff, enjoy a ride on the Banff gondola up Sulphur Mountain and leisure time to explore on your own. As you head to Jasper National Park, stop for a memorable ride aboard an Ice Explorer at the 1,000-foot-thick Columbia Icefield. Visit famous Lake Louise, a highlight of your vacation, before returning to Calgary. Your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner in Calgary-a wonderful way to end this scenic, thrilling vacation to Glacier National Park and the Canadian Rockies.

Day 1 Arrive in Calgary
Welcome to Calgary! At 6 pm, meet your traveling companions for a welcome drink. Your Tour Director will prepare you for your upcoming adventure.

Day 2 Calgary-Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump-Waterton Lakes National Park
Travel south along the Macleod Trail. Just outside the town of Fort Macleod, visit HEAD-SMASHED-IN BUFFALO JUMP, designated a World Heritage Site. Then, on to scenic WATERTON LAKES NATIONAL PARK with a photo stop at Cameron Falls. (B)

Day 3 Waterton Lakes National Park-Glacier National Park-Going-to-the-Sun Road-Whitefish
Enter Montana through Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park and behold the awesome snowcapped peaks of GLACIER NATIONAL PARK. A highlight awaits you as you board the famous vintage red "JAMMER BUSES" that will take you along one of North America's most spectacular highways: Going-to-the-Sun Road. After crossing 6,664-foot-high Logan Pass, enter a geographical wonderland of alpine scenery where jagged mountain peaks, deep green forests, pristine lakes, and meadows dominate the landscape. Arrive later this afternoon at your resort, nestled in the heart of a mountain valley. (B)

Day 4 Whitefish-Banff
Re-enter Canada today with two stops in British Columbia before crossing into Alberta. First, visit the restored town of FORT STEELE, where fortunes were made during the Kootenay Gold Rush; then, stop at RADIUM HOT SPRINGS, a famous health spa. Drive through the steep red cliffs of Sinclair Canyon and KOOTENAY NATIONAL PARK before entering BANFF NATIONAL PARK, the heart of the Canadian Rockies. (B,D)

Day 5 Banff National Park
Morning sightseeing includes stops at Bow Falls and the Hoodoos. Also enjoy a scenic ride on BANFF GONDOLA up Sulphur Mountain. The balance of the day is at leisure, or join one of the optional helicopter flightseeing trips offering unsurpassed views of the Rockies. This evening, a fun-filled musical about Canada awaits you at the optional dinner theater, Oh Canada Eh? (B)

Day 6 Banff-Columbia Icefield-Jasper
Follow the breathtaking Icefields Parkway today and head for JASPER NATIONAL PARK. Scale Bow Pass, with splendid views of Peyto Lake. Then, climb to Sunwapta Pass to savor stunning vistas of alpine meadows, waterfalls, and glacier masses. Next is the highlight of the day: stop at the 1,000-foot-thick Columbia Icefield for a memorable ride aboard an ICE EXPLORER. See Athabasca Falls before reaching Jasper. Still time this afternoon for an optional float trip down the historic Athabasca River. (B)

Day 7 Jasper National Park. Excursion to Maligne Lake
The morning is at leisure. Optional activities include hiking, canoeing, and strolling the streets of Jasper. Maybe take an optional hike to learn about glacier formations found in the area. This afternoon, journey to Maligne Lake for a fully narrated CRUISE of the glacial lake and Spirit Island. Afterward, you are treated to dinner. (B,D)

Day 8 Jasper-Lake Louise-Calgary
This morning, retrace the route south along the Icefields Parkway. One more highlight saved for the last day of your vacation: a visit to famous LAKE LOUISE. Continue to Calgary, where your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner. Wonderful conversation and cuisine make the perfect finale for your vacation. (B,D)

Day 9 Calgary
The vacation ends after breakfast this morning with guests departing on individual schedules. Transfers are provided to Calgary International Airport. (B)

Vacation Highlights:

INCLUDED FEATURES
Calgary: Farewell dinner
Head-Smashed-in Buffalo Jump: Visit the World Heritage Site
Waterton Lakes National Park: Sightseeing
Glacier National Park: Travel along Going-to-the-Sun Road in Red Jammers
Fort Steele: Visit restored town and Radium Hot Springs
Banff National Park: Gondola ride up Banff's Sulphur Mountain
Columbia Icefield: Ice Explorer ride on the Columbia Icefield
Jasper National Park:Cruise Maligne Lake
Lake Louise: Visit the lake

Note: Maximum elevation on vacation: 7,500 ft. Waterton Lakes Park properties are all considered moderate 2-or 3-star hotels. The area does not offer any hotels in the superior category.

INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.

MEALS - (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner
American breakfast daily (B); 3 three-course dinners (D), including a farewell dinner in Calgary.

SUPERIOR HOTELS - (D) Deluxe (SF) Superior First-Class (F) First-Class
Calgary Delta Bow Valley (SF), Waterton Waterton Lakes Resort (BA), Whitefish Grouse Mountain Lodge (SF), Banff Banff Park Lodge (F), Jasper Sawridge Hotel (F)

Dates:
June - September

Prices:
Priced from $2,069.00 US per person based on double occupancy
Departures on or within the seasons shown will determine the price