Day 1 Arrive in Banff, Alberta. Banff was Canada’s first national park and became so because of a discovery of a "fantastic dream of from a tale of the Arabian Nights", referring to the hotsprings discovered here in 1885. Johnston Canyon is a fascinating and relatively easy hike. See two waterfalls, the upper falls more than a 100 feet high, upper cascade and the fascinating Ink Pots. We can pre-arrange horseback riding for horse lovers.

Day 2 Enjoy a day of hiking at one or more of the 45 trails in Banff area, some of which are walkable right from town. We recommend Johnston Canyon (4 hours+), Tunnel Mountain (2-3 hours+), Vermilllion Lakes (3 hours+), Peyto Lake Viewpoint (1 hour), Hoodoo Walk (2 hours), Discovery Historic Trail (15 minutes), Cave and Basin Marsh trail (30 minutes).

Day 3 We are up early and enjoy breakfast before visiting the Whyte Museum of Rockies history. Take a 30 minute guided tour of Banff Springs hotel to learn of its history and then head East. World famous Lake Louise shines with an incredible aquamarine blue found only in the Canadian Rockies. Learn about rock flour and the cause of this amazing phenomenon. Cross the continental divide which is also another important man-made line, the Alberta-British Columbia border.

Day 4 Spend a couple more days in a hikers paradise or depart North on the Icefields Parkway. We ride a sno-coach onto the Columbia Icefield, the largest ice-cap south of the Arctic Circle (Sno-Coaches available mid-April through early November). What river(s) and oceans does this massive ice cube feed? How far does this water flow? What affect does the nearby continental divide play in the path this water will follow to the ocean? We’ll learn that the great glacier is receding 16 feet per year and is as tall as a hundred story building. Stare in awe at the rush of water at Athabasca Falls. Continue to world beautiful Jasper, Alberta for our overnight.

Day 5 We tour Maligne Lake, one of the jewels of the Rocky mountains. Later we hike Pyramid Lake (bicycle rentals can be pre-arranged). See hidden lakes and wildlife while riding through primary forest. We’ll also see the lake where top-secret experiments were carried out in the Second World War. The allies desperately needed a way to get men and equipment across the Atlantic Ocean and an ingenious idea was hatched and tested in a lake right here. We’ll soak in the hottest hotsprings (53 degrees C) in Canada at Miette, in the Fiddle Valley. There is no better way to "get in touch" with Alberta. Depart late day for Edmonton with evening arrival or extend the tour for another day in beautiful Jasper.

Day 6 Transfer to Edmonton International Airport for the flight home.