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Columbia Icefield Discovery Tour, From Canmore

  • 12 Hours
  • May to October

The peaks and falls of the mountains, to the wildflower carpeted meadows and the rushing valley waters, Alberta is Canada’s Rocky Mountain playground, representing everything that is beautiful and pure about the outdoor wilderness.

Undoubtedly renowned for the awe inspiring Rockies which form the backbone to this incredible province and the spectacular breathtaking beauty of its Rocky Mountain parks; Banff, Jasper, Kananaskis and Waterton. The gateway to a myriad of outdoor pleasures at every time of year, the snow dusted Rockies offer hiking, skiing, heli-biking, fishing, horse riding, climbing and rafting adventures to name but a few of its popular pursuits.

Beyond the glimmering lakes and towering mountain peaks are a host of other treasures. Alberta boasts five World Heritage Sites: Dinosaur Provincial Park, Waterton Glacier International Peace Park, Glacier National Park in Banff, Jasper National Park and Wood Buffalo National Park. A vacation to Alberta has it all.

Take an expedition along Icefields Parkway and come face to face with dramatic mountain vistas and towering walls of ice, head north along the Northern Lights trail to Fort McMurray to view the extraordinary spectacle of dancing lights or visit Heritage Park Historical Village to experience life in Alberta in a bygone era. Try travelling in the tracks of the Dinosaurs and join a dig in Drumheller or why not unravel thousands of years of Aboriginal culture at Glenbow or Royal Alberta Museums. Enjoy a scenic rail journey aboard VIA Rail or Rocky Mountaineer and experience the fabulous sights and landscapes of Alberta!

Banff, Lake Louise & Canmore

Bordered by the Canadian Rockies, Alberta has an almost embarrassing abundance of spectacular and dramatic scenery that will take your breath away. There are over 1,600kms of hiking trails to explore and, come winter, the landscape lends itself to a whole array of exhilarating winter activities including world-class skiing.

Protected by towering mountains in the middle of the park, it was the area’s natural hot springs that first attracted people to the town of Banff over a century ago. You can still take a soak in the warm mineral waters at Banff Upper Hot Springs, ideal for resting tired legs after a day of sightseeing, cycling or hiking. Take to the skies in the popular Banff Gondola and witness the sweeping landscape of six stunning mountain ranges or head to Banff Avenue, in the centre of town and enjoy a drink and tasty meal in one of the many local restaurants.

Glacial waters give Lake Louise that pristine, Instagram vibe. Not far from Banff, this turquoise jewel is a natural draw and ideal for canoeing and hiking in the summer and skiing in the colder months. And yes, you can skate across the frozen surface.  

The picturesque town of Canmore, situated among the peaks of the Canadian Rockies, and Kananaskis Country (K-Country as it’s affectionately known by locals) is home to some of the best scenery and experiences in the Rockies, it also has a great art scene, and often is less busy than its famous neighbours.

Jasper

The charming alpine town of Jasper is situated in the heart of Jasper National Park, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set against a backdrop of impressive mountains and surrounded by lakes, forest, and wildlife, it’s compact enough to explore on foot, with a good range of restaurants, bars and shops and has a cool mountain vibe.

The park is the real draw here and whatever season you visit, you’ll find endless opportunities for adventures both big and small. Hiking, biking, canoeing, skiing, and white-water rafting are just some of the outdoor pursuits you can enjoy.

When night falls the celestial array will make you star struck. Jasper National Park is one of the world’s largest Dark Sky Preserves.

Calgary

A young and modern city Calgary, sometimes known as Cowtown due to the famous Calgary Stampede, that takes place every July is a fascinating city with a thriving food and music scene. Downtown is a grid of sleek glass, chrome, and granite skyscrapers, and many of the key tourist sights are located close together here. If you’re looking for the ‘real’ Calgary experience visit the city’s dynamic neighborhoods, each with its own diverse and special appeal.

Meandering down from the Canadian Rockies, the city is divided by the Bow River, offering endless opportunities for hanging out on or beside the water. Calgary has the longest urban pathways system in North America, with over 900km of regional paths and trails.  The Bow River pathway is perfect for hiking, cycling or riverside shopping and dining.

Edmonton

Edmonton is North America’s northernmost city. Surrounded by prairie, it offers a great blend of urban, big city vibe and exhilarating outdoors adventure. Explore Alberta’s and Canada’s history at the interesting Royal Alberta Museum or shop at one of the largest malls in North America. West Edmonton Mall is part adventure park, part entertainment complex, part retail and part dining destination.

Edmonton’s history of immigration may explain the sheer range of culture and cuisine on offer; the city has a diverse and dynamic foodie focus. Don’t miss Whyte Avenue where historic buildings house a youthful, bohemian spirit that is uniquely Albertan.

Elk Island

Less than an hour from Edmonton, you’ll find the rolling hills and clear blue lakes of Elk Island National Park, a UNESCO designated Biosphere Reserve. Look for herds of bison, elk, spot a moose or marvel at over 250 bird species that frequent this special place.

Take an Indigenous wildlife tour to see where and how the Cree and Metis lived and hunted. Don’t forget to look up! The park is also part of the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve, meaning it’s a stellar location for stargazing.

Drumheller & Dinosaur Provincial Park

Set in a deep river valley amid Alberta’s Badlands, Drumheller is a small town with a big reputation. Known as the Dinosaur capital of the world, see the skeleton of the world’s largest dinosaur, incredible well-preserved fossils and visit the renowned Royal Tyrrell Museum for remarkable prehistoric specimens. Further out, explore the Badlands where you can survey the beauty of Horseshoe Canyon and see the Hoodoos, impressive sandstone pillars, standing 5 – 7 meters tall and taking millions of years to form.

Just two hours from Calgary, you’ll find Dinosaur Provincial Park a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This extraordinary place is a palaeontologist’s dream. More than 150 full dinosaur skeletons have been unearthed here and over 50 species discovered. You can even search for and often find real dinosaur bones yourself; little wonder it’s a very popular day trip from the city.

Waterton Lakes

Amongst the Rockies in the very south of the province, Waterton Lakes might be one of the smallest parks in Canada, but this is the only spot where you will find a UNESCO World Heritage site, a dark sky Preserve and a biosphere reserve.

Bordering Glacier National Park in Montana, Waterton makes up Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, the first of its kind in the world. Visit for the hiking, wildlife and views and stay for the peace and tranquility.

Suggested Itineraries

Alberta Adventure Holidays

Hiking, heli-hiking, biking and horseriding holidays… and much more

Alberta has 10,627 square miles of protected land in over 500 sites including 75 provincial parks. It boasts no fewer than five national parks encompassing 24,000 square miles, and three of them are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This is a land where the active amongst you can really explore, whilst enjoying your pursuit.

Hiking and heli-hiking holidays, biking trips, canoeing and even horseriding breaks beckon for your attention. If you dont want to commit multi-day’s to one activity, there are also a plethora of day experiences that you can build into your itinerary.  

Click here to see our active holiday options

Sightseeing in Alberta

Turning a great holiday into lasting memories just got a whole lot easier. We have a wide range of day trips for you to consider, from relaxed tours to high-adrenaline activities. Why not jump on a guided sightseeing tour? They can be taken on foot, by bicycle, by boat, and even by Segway. We have a range of food and drink tours, showcasing some of the area’s best establishments. In addition, you’ll find a wealth of outdoor activities, plus admission tickets to museums and galleries. We also offer a selection of private tours, perfect for those with limited time or travelling with family.

Our hope is that this selection will provide inspirational ideas to enhance your holiday. If you are interested in something which isn’t featured, tell us and we will do what we can to make it happen.

It is strongly suggested that you pre-book anything which is important to your holiday enjoyment to avoid disappointment, particularly if you are travelling in high season or it is an activity with limited availability. Also, having everything planned and booked will save you time and hassle when you arrive, leaving you with more time to relax and enjoy your holiday.

All of these trips can be included in your holiday quotation or, if you have already booked your holiday with us, they can be added to enrich your adventure.

Click here to view our digital sightseeing booklet for Alberta

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