I’d been to the Canadian Rockies with my parents when I was still in college. The majestic mountains and glacial lakes made a lasting impression on me. In fact, I thought it would be fun to work a summer job at one of the Canadian Parks like Banff or Jasper. Somehow, those plans never materialized, and I got busy with life.

When DH (Dear Hubby) and I were trying to figure out where to travel this summer, I came across a picture of the Canadian Rockies. Since DH had never been, I put together an 8-day trip with six weeks’ advance notice. My hope was to combine the sites I’d seen with my parents on the Tauck Tour, as well as see new places such as Emerald Lake at Yoho National Park.

Check out our itinerary below and click on the links for detailed posts and pictures.

8 Days in the Canadian Rockies

Day One – Calgary

• Fly into Calgary, Alberta
• Stay at Hotel Arts downtown
• Dinner at hotel – Freestyle Social Club on hotel property

Day Two – Banff and Lake Louise

• Drive to Banff National Park
• Breakfast in Canmore – Blondie’s Bakery
• Open Top Tour of Banff
• Banff Gondola
• Dinner at Sky Bistro
• Lake Louise – Fairview Overlook hike
• Stay at Emerald Lake Lodge, Yoho National Park, British Columbia

Day Three – Emerald Lake, Yoho

• Hike around Emerald Lake
• Lunch at Cilantro on the Lake on hotel property
• Dinner at Kicking Horse on hotel property
• Stay at Emerald Lake Lodge

Day Four – Columbia Icefields (part 1)

• Hamilton Falls hike at Emerald Lake
• Columbia Icefields Parkway – Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, Glacier Adventure/Skywalk, Athabasca Falls (ate sandwiches prepared in advance by Emerald Lake Lodge)
• Stay at Pyramid Lake Lodge, Jasper National Park
• Dinner at Aalto on hotel property

Day Five – Jasper

• Pick up breakfast and lunch sandwiches Lost Lands Cafe
• Lake Maligne – cruise and Moose Lake hike
• Dinner at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
• Stay at Pyramid Lake Lodge, Jasper National Park

Day Six – Jasper

• Pyramid Overlook Hike
• Lunch at Mad Grizzly Jasper
• Lake Annette and Lake Edith
• Canoe on Pyramid Lake
• Dinner at Aalto on hotel property
• Stay at Pyramid Lake Lodge, Jasper National Park

Day Seven – Columbia Icefields (part 2) , Banff

• Columbia Icefields: Sunwapta Falls, Big Bend Overlook, Mistaya Canyon
• Lunch – sandwiches purchased at Sunwapta Falls Lodge
• Johnston Canyon – hike to Upper and Lower Falls
• Lake Moraine – hike Shoreline Trail
• Stay at Buffalo Mountain Lodge, Banff National Park
• Dinner at The Prow on hotel property

Day Eight – Lake Louise and Lake Moraine

• Breakfast and pick up lunch sandwiches from Good Earth Coffeehouse
• Guided bus tour of Lake Louise and Lake Moraine (Rockpile hike)
• Dinner Juniper Hotel Bistro
• Stay at Buffalo Mountain Lodge, Banff National Park

Day Nine – Fly Home

• Drive to Calgary International Airport
• Fly home