Self Drive 5 nights accomm and sightseeing guide per/person

"TASTE OF THE ROCKIES" - 5 NIGHTS
3 nights Banff
2 nights Lake Louise
GyPSy Guide

** 2015 Book Special!! - FREE Evening Wildlife Safari Tour (2 Adults) Banff - Enjoy an evening travelling through the area around Banff, spotting wildlife, learning about them and how they live within the National Park

Base yourself in Banff National Park and take a mini adventure to your choice of 3 different National Parks each day. A short break to experience beautiful scenery, exciting adventure and soaking up that fresh mountain air! In the evenings, stay in the town of Banff to enjoy great dining, shopping and nightlife and then the village of Lake Louise for a little relaxation.

Highlights include: Banff townsite, Village of Lake Louise, Jasper Townsite, Lake Minnewanka, Bow Falls, Hoodoos, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Johnston Canyon, Icefields Parkway, Maligne Canyon and Lake, Mt Edith Cavell, - spectacular scenery, mountains, lakes, glaciers, and if you have a keen eye, wildlife.

PLEASE NOTE IF BOOKING ONLINE, QUOTE WILL BE ADJUSTED BY AGENT TO REFLECT YOUR REQUESTED DATES, INCLUDE TAXES AND CONFIRM AVAILABILITY.

INCLUDED:

ACCOMMODATION:
Choose from Luxury, Superior or Economical accommodation levels, or mix and match.  Want to splurge for a night?  Packages can be modified to upgrade accommodations, extend or shorten nights.

GYPSY GUIDE:
GyPSy Guide is a small device that you plug into your car stereo and will automatically play commentary on the best thigns to see and do as they come into view. It's like having your own personal tour guide.

Prepared and presented by local professional tour guides with over 1000 points of interest in the Rockies. Follow recommended set routes or enjoy at your leisure throughout your days travel. Topics cover special viewpoints, photo opportunities, history and stories of past adventurers, advice on where to spot wildlife, notice of important intersections and quirky local stories.

RATES:
Rates are based on 2 adults, in the popular peak summer months (mid June - mid Sept), double occupancy, taxes are excluded.

Call us for off season or low package prices.

ADDON OPTIONS:

ACTIVITIES:
Activities are not included, but easily can be, depending upon your activity level and interests.

Suggested add on activities for this tour include:
Banff Gondola, Banff Hot Springs, canoe rentals, Lake Minnewanka cruise, variety of guided hikes, wildlife spotting tours, whitewater rafting, horseback riding, golf, sightseeing helicopter tours, cave tours, guided fishing trips, Ice Explorer tour, Maligne Lake cruise, Jasper Tramway, Jasper Hot Springs, half day sightseeing train trips.

CAR RENTAL:
Car rental can be arranged as a pick up/drop off from the Calgary Airport or from downtown Banff.  Please note there are additional drop fees for other drop locations.


A SUGGESTED DAY BY DAY ITINERARY:
Self-Drive Packages are to be enjoyed at your own pace and leisure, but here is our suggestion for Must See's.

Day 1. In and around Banff.
Begin your vacation by visiting the Tourist Information Centre on Banff Ave to pick up maps, brochures and check out what's on this week. Then follow the GyPSy Guide's tour around the townsite, stopping at Bow Falls, Surprise Corner, the Hoodoos and Lake Minnewanka. If time allows, stop by the Vermillion Lakes. Don't forget to take your camera - the changing colours on Mt Rundle make for a great sunset photo.
Overnight Banff

Day 2. Banff and Johnston Canyon.
A day to spot wildlife. Drive slowly along the Bow Valley Parkway 1A from Banff to Lake Louise. This is a wilderness corridor so keep the speed down and allow plenty of space if you do see wildlife. The short trail hike to Johnston Canyon and view the lower and upper falls while enjoying the breathtaking gorge cut into the mountain rock. This is a great way to cool off if a hot day or stretch the legs. On the way back to your hotel, we suggest picking up tomorrow's picnic lunch from the Wild Flour Deli on Bear St on Bear St.
Overnight Banff.

Day 3. Banff - Icefields Parkway - Road to the Glaciers - Jasper
Over 100 Glaciers line the spectacular Icefield Parkway, making it one of the most stunning drives in the world.

Drive north on the Icefields Parkway #93, stopping at the many viewpoints, all are spectacular. The GyPSy OnBoard Car Guide will entertain and inform you all along the way of the places not to miss like Bow Summit and Peyto Lake. Just before the Athabasca Glacier stop at Parker Ridge, you may want to take the picnic lunch we suggested, and after a short but steep trail (250m elevation gain), you will be rewarded with great views of the Saskatchewan Glacier. Finally drive onto the Icefield Centre and enjoy the highlight of the Icefields, the Athabasca Glacier. At your leisure drive onto the townsite of Jasper.
Overnight Jasper.

Day 4. Jasper
An early start to the day, enjoy the scenic drive to Maligne Lake, whose beauty is legendary. On the way back to Jasper, stop over at Maligne Canyon (about 15 mins east of Jasper) and hike the 3.7 km interpretive trail with foot bridges over and around the canyon. If you have time to also drive out to Mt Edith Cavell, there is a chance to get up close to a glacier, or a hike in the wildflowers. End the evening by driving at dusk to the hot springs - great chance to spot for wildlife so drive slowly and carefully road.
Overnight Jasper.

Day 5. Jasper - Lake Louise.
There are many viewpoints along the Icefields Parkway, a morning to catch up on some of that you missed on the way up. You can avoid any crowds at popular Lake Louise by arriving late in the day. Walk the lakeshore trail to the end of the lake towards Victoria Glacier.
Overnight Lake Louise.

Day 6. Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.
Drive out to Moraine Lake and enjoy the early morning calm on the lake - the best time for scenic reflections. A time to reflect and plan your next and longer vacation in the Canadian Rockies.