Day 1 - Arrive
Calgary
Transfer
by private sedan to your Calgary downtown hotel.
The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore the
city on your own.
Moderate:
Overnight
Sandman Inn Downtown Calgary
Superior: Overnight Delta Bow Valley Hotel
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Palliser Hotel - Fairmont Gold
Day 2 - Breakfast
at Calgary Tower / Calgary Tour
You start your
day and tour off with a dining experience that features a
revolving view of the city of Calgary. The Calgary Tower's
famous revolving dining lounge offers a unique setting for
breakfast. After breakfast, your first stop is The Canadian
Wilds Exhibit at the Calgary Zoo. A Calgary Zoo Interpreter
will lead you on a walk through this immersion habitat
featuring animals from the Aspen Woodlands to the Rocky
Mountains. It is a perfect location to start your wildlife
viewing - you are guaranteed to see animals here that you
may not have a chance to see anywhere else during your trip.
Get a close-up view of mountain goats, cougars and
grizzlies, wolves and wood bison, as well as one of North
America's most endangered species ' the whooping crane.
Next, savour the delicious taste and aroma of a hearty lunch
at Heritage Park. Heritage Park is a real frontier town.
Travel back in time and discover the treasures of Western
Canada's past. All the sights and sounds of pre-1914 life
are recreated at Canada's largest living historical village.
You can cruise the lake aboard the S.S. Moyie steam wheeler,
or tour the town by steam train, horse-drawn wagon, carriage
or old-fashioned bus. Or just take a stroll down Main
Street.
From Heritage Park you are transported across Alberta's
rolling countryside to a rustic guest ranch, where you will spend the next three
nights. A variety of wildlife can be frequently seen here, and you will enjoy
the very best of western hospitality in this restful western hideaway.
But, before you retire, you will enjoy stories of the west and a traditional
western dinner.
Moderate:
Overnight
Guest Ranch**
Superior:
Overnight
Guest Ranch**
Deluxe:
Overnight
Guest Ranch**
**
The specific guest ranch, hotel or B&B may vary
depending on availability of accommodation.
All the members of each tour departure will stay in
the same accommodation.
All accommodations are of an equal standard.
Day 3 - Rodeo
You will enjoy a hearty
breakfast before you head off to attend the rodeo and/or
powwow. For those who are not familiar with the Native
American culture, powwows are celebrations, social
gatherings and friendly competitions of traditional dancing,
drumming, singing, ceremonies and feasting, and the bringing
of many nations of people together. Everyone is welcome
regardless of race, creed, religion, or color.
At the rodeo you will experience the adrenalin rush of the
cowboys' eternal battle to overcome the raw power of the
untamed animals of the west. You will spend the day enjoying
the exhilaration and excitement of bucking broncos, bull
riders, steer wrestlers, calf ropers, and barrel racers.
Don't forget that your tour guides are also professional
photographers, and they are always available and willing to
help you with your photography questions.
In addition, you will have
the opportunity to meet some of the rodeo cowboys and/or
clowns for conversation and photographs. At the conclusion
of the rodeo we head back to the Guest Ranch for their
terrific dinner, and another restful night in the foothills.
Moderate:
Overnight
Guest Ranch**
Superior:
Overnight
Guest Ranch**
Deluxe:
Overnight
Guest Ranch**
Day 4 - Columbia
Icefields & Lake Louise Tour
Today
you will experience the incomparable beauty of the rugged
and majestic Rocky Mountains. Our first stop is the Columbia
Icefields, an area of glacial ice covering some 390 sq. km
with a maximum depth of 365 m (1210 ft). Bigger than the
City of Vancouver, the continuous accumulation of snow feeds
eight major glaciers and its meltwater feeds streams and
rivers that pour into the Arctic, Atlantic, and Pacific
oceans. You will take a tour of the icy slopes in a
specially designed Snocoach that goes to the middle of the
glacier on a 5 kilometer round trip journey. Your
driver/guide will explain how glaciers are formed and point
out interesting geological features as you travel in safety
and comfort. At the icefall below the glacier headwall, you
will have the option of stepping out onto ice formed from
snow that fell as long as 400 years ago.
After lunch at the Icefields, it's a short trip to your
first view of the imposing Victoria Glacier nestled behind
beautiful Lake Louise. You will be left with no doubt as to
why this is known as the Jewel of the Rockies."
Not only have international royalty, Hollywood stars and
heads of state come to Lake Louise to relax, but
increasingly the rest of the world is discovering its simple
charms as well. Lake Louise, with its blue-green water set
against the stark backdrop of Victoria Glacier, is probably
the most beloved and most photographed scene in the Canadian
Rockies. Chateau Lake Louise presents lake-side views of the
glacier, while offering old-world charm and elegance amidst
the wilderness.
And, you're not done yet. Your last stop, before heading
home for the day, is the town of Banff. Here you can take an
eight minute ride in a glass enclosed gondola to the 2288 m
(7500 ft) summit of Sulphur Mountain, where three levels of
outdoor observation decks offer a panoramic 360 degree view
of Banff and the surrounding area. Also, you can tour the
many fine museums and natural history centres, in addition
to sampling the extensive and unique shopping opportunities.
Then it's back to the Guest Ranch. Where, after a leisurely
dinner, you can settle into your comfortable accommodations,
and enjoy a good night's rest in preparation for another
full day tomorrow.
Moderate:
Overnight
Guest Ranch**
Superior:
Overnight
Guest Ranch**
Deluxe:
Overnight
Guest Ranch**
Day 5 - Trail
Ride / Kananaskis
Country & Calgary
After breakfast, you can go on
a trail ride, savour the majestic scenery on the beautiful
hiking trails as you watch for birds and wildlife, or just
sit back and soak it all in. The morning and the choice is
yours.
Then, after lunch the next
leg of your journey is a drive through Kananaskis Country.
This is an unspoiled paradise of towering mountains,
pristine lakes, evergreen valleys, and glacial streams.
Located in the midst of the beautiful Kananaskis Valley is
Boundary Ranch. A perfect venue to stop for an afternoon
break amidst the surrounding beauty. The Ranch is located on
Highway 40 just five minutes south of the Kananaskis
Village, and Calgary is just an hour away. At the end of the day you
arrive back in Calgary, where we'll be dropped off at your
post tour hotel.
Moderate:
Overnight
Sandman Inn Downtown Calgary
Superior: Overnight Delta Bow Valley Hotel
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Palliser Hotel - Fairmont Gold
Day
6 - Depart
Calgary
Your
exciting Calgary & Rockies experience comes to an end. A transfer
by private
sedan to the Calgary Airport in time for your homeward flight concludes your stay.
PACKAGE
INCLUDES:
-
2 Nights pre/post accommodation in Calgary, room tax and any
mandatory services charges
-
3 Nights at a Guest Ranch - Includes trail
ride & traditional Western or Native American
entertainment
-
Kick-off breakfast at the Calgary Tower Revolving restaurant
-
Guided tour of the Canadian Wildlife Exhibit at
Calgary Zoo
-
Guided tour and visit to Heritage Park
-
Rocky Mountain Tour - Includes Columbia
Icefields,
Lake Louise & Banff
-
1 Day Rodeo and/or Native American Powwow
-
Tour of Kananaskis Country
-
Professional Photographer in attendance
-
All meals
from Breakfast on Day 2 to Lunch on Day 5 including gratuities
-
Round trip transfers by private
sedan
between Calgary Airport and your Calgary hotel
-
Personalized documentation package
PACKAGE DOES
NOT INCLUDE:
-
Meals not
listed as included
-
Food and beverage purchases outside of provided meals
and receptions
-
Personal expenses such as laundry, and room service
-
Optional activities
-
Gratuities
not listed as included
-
Trip Cancellation Insurance (Insurance can be purchased from your Vacation
Specialist, ask for more details)