Canadian Rockies & Northern Lights
Experience Overview
Experience the rugged mountains of Canada and go in search of the northern lights in the night skies of Alberta. Watch for moose, white-tailed deer and elk as you drive through the Canadian wilderness. Admire curtains of ice along a steel catwalk built into the rock walls of Johnston Canyon and be immersed in Indigenous Métis culture during a stay in Smoky Lake. Hear about traditional stories from local Métis guides and see a herd of bison (including the rare white bison!). Meet and greet a team of canines before ticking dogsledding off your bucket list – this is one of the many optional activities on offer – or just wrap your hands around a mug of hot chocolate and lose yourself in the beauty of the Rockies. Packed with eye-popping views of snow-capped mountain ranges and frozen wonderlands, this 11-day adventure is the ultimate great white north escape.
Highlights
- Spend time exploring Edmonton, Smoky Lake and Banff, stopping to admire the surrounding mountain ranges.
- Navigate the frozen waterfalls, ice caves and ice formations of Johnston and Grotto Canyons on guided explorations among these sparkling landscapes.
- Spend two nights at an Indigenous-owned lodge within a designated Dark Sky Preserve, where you’ll learn about Indigenous Métis culture by day and search for the Aurora Borealis by night.
- Cruise from Jasper to Banff driving on the Icefields Parkway and enjoy the roadside views – made even more scenic when you’re not the one driving!
- Discover the natural beauty of renowned Lake Louise, and perhaps join an optional sleigh ride around its snow-covered banks.
Trip Details
Product Code: 2647
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Comfortable
Transport: Private vehicle
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Intrepid Travel
Supplier Code: SWKW
Starts: Edmonton, Canada
Finishes: Calgary, Canada
Duration: 11 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Average
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (10), Lunch (2),Accommodation: Hotel (10 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $5,316 ($483 /day)
Itinerary
Welcome to beautiful Edmonton, Canada. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm today. If you arrive early, perhaps visit the biggest mall in North America: West Edmonton Mall, or instead, learn about Canadian living history at Fort Edmonton Park, visit the nearby Ukrainian Cultural Village, and explore the small theatres and diners of the University District.
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, visit the Telus World of Science in Edmonton where you can explore a variety of exhibits and experiences, including the new Indigenous Traditional Room. Then, drive North to Metis Crossing, located near the town of Smoky Lake. After dinner you will head out in search of a view of the spellbinding northern lights (clouds permitting). Enjoy a bonfire under the darkness of the night sky and cook some s’mores while you’re waiting.
Included Activities:
- Smoky Lake - Bonfire and Smore's
- Edmonton - Telus Science Centre
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Get ready for a day of activities. Engage in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the beauty of heritage species with access to a wildlife park. After lunch, the group will participate in Tales from the Trapline: A Métis Traditional Experience. Build a shelter, walk the land and connect with nature. When there is snow on the ground, strap on traditional snowshoes. After dinner, head back out again to look for the unpredictable northern lights during your second dedicated night of sky gazing. Alberta takes great pride in its wide-open spaces, and Métis Crossing is recognized for being located in one of these expansive areas. The Northern Lights are often spotted in these regions, and the dark, wide, and unpolluted night skies make your aurora borealis viewing experience most optimal. As a designated Dark Skies Preserve, Metis Crossing is committed to protecting the beauty of our dark skies by minimizing light pollution in all its forms.
Included Activities:
- Smoky Lake - Snowshoeing
- Métis Crossing - Indigenous Knowledge & Wilderness Survival Course
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Drive to Jasper National Park, arriving at your hotel in the late afternoon. Once settled in, go searching for wildlife such as moose, elk, deer, bears and coyotes. In the evening, perhaps take yourself out for dinner in Jasper, as there are a variety of restaurants to choose from. Ask your local leader for suggestions on where to go.
Included Activities:
- Jasper National Park - Entrance Fee
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Today you’ll find out for yourself why Maligne Lake is featured on so many jigsaw puzzles. You'll be treated to stunning views of turquoise waters surrounded by snow-capped peaks as you enjoy a snowshoe along the shore or a hike through the surrounding landscape, taking in breathtaking vistas and the peaceful winter beauty of the area. With glimpses of Spirit Island and possible wildlife sightings, it's the perfect way to experience Jasper's serene, wintery landscape up close. In the afternoon head back to Jasper for an included lunch at a local distillery.
Included Activities:
- Maligne Lake walk
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Prepare yourself for an unforgettable drive as you set out on the Icefields Parkway. The world-renowned roadway between Jasper and Banff stretches 232 kilometres (144 miles) through a landscape of jagged mountaintops and past 100 ancient glaciers. At its heart is the Columbia Icefield, the largest ice field in the Rocky Mountains. The massive Athabasca Glacier, measuring 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) long and 1 kilometre (.62 mile) wide flows within walking distance of the roadway, so take a hike to its toe (the current lowest endpoint of a glacier). Tonight, arrive at Lake Louise to relax and ready yourself for another active day tomorrow.
Included Activities:
- Icefields Parkway - Hike to toe of Athabasca Glacier
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Lake Louise is an iconic snapshot of Canada, and today you’ll experience one of its many beautiful moods. There are many options on how to spend the day, including an optional horse-drawn sleigh ride past the glacial lake. You’ll be able to take a snowshoe hike along one of the lake’s many trails, or perhaps pop on a pair of skates and practice some figure eights (or ice stumbles) while gliding across the surface of the lake. Included today is lunch at The Station Restaurant – a heritage railway station which serves hearty Canadian favourites. If you’re looking to continue to put your feet up, the Fairmont Chateau does a beautiful afternoon tea. For those lucky enough to be in Lake Louise during its annual Ice Magic Festival in January, be sure to take a look at the precision and delicate skill on display in the various ice sculptures by the lake.
Included Activities:
- Lake Louise - Snowshoeing
- Lake Louise - All Canadian Lunch
Optional Activities:
- Lake Louise - Sleigh Ride (52 CAD)
- Lake Louise - Ice Skating including Hockey Stick (33 CAD)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Drive to nearby Banff, Canada’s most famous mountain resort town. While located inside a national park, Banff offers plenty of shops, restaurants and bars to distract you from the surrounding natural beauty. Gain a sense of Canadian Rockies culture at the Whyte Museum, where over 200 years of artwork tells the story of the rugged men and women who settled in Banff. Sub-zero temperatures turn Banff’s waterfalls into glittering ice sculptures, and today you will visit Johnston Canyon ice walk to see this all on display. Hike along steel catwalks built into the canyon walls and wander among massive pillars of ice. With all this adventuring, you must be hungry, and so it’s a perfect time for a Beavertail tasting experience. Beavertails are a deep-fried sweet dough made with whole wheat flour and pulled by hand to resemble the long flat tail of a beaver. Order a classic cinnamon and sugar or go a little bit wild with some whipped cream and decadent Nutella – you’ll be licking your lips for hours!
Included Activities:
- Banff National Park
- Banff - Johnston Canyon Icewalk
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Enjoy a free morning in Banff before an included snowshoe hike with your group at Sunshine Village Ski Resort, about 20 minutes out of town. To start, head above the tree line, and then put on your snowshoes and trek across the white powder with a professional guide. Your backcountry hike will be made extra sweet with a stop for hot cocoa and cookies on top of the (Sunshine Village) world.
Included Activities:
- Banff - Guided snowshoe hike on Top of the World
Optional Activities:
- Banff - Cable Car up Sulphur Mountain (60 CAD)
- Banff - Hot springs (18 CAD)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
In the morning, take a short drive to Canmore, which is within the Kananaskis Country park system, and embark on an included ice walk at the Grotto Canyon, using special hiking crampons to grip the smooth frozen creek beds. Alternatively, you could book yourself a dogsledding adventure with a trusted provider, where you’ll meet and greet the dogs on your team before being pulled along the frosty trails by these canines. Return to Banff for the night – a group dinner in town may be on the cards.
Included Activities:
- Canmore - Grotto Canyon Guided Icewalk
Optional Activities:
- Canmore - Dog-sledding (300 CAD)
- Canmore - Fat Biking Tour - (2 hours) (60 CAD)
- Canmore - Cross-Country Skiing - (Rentals) (60 CAD)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Enjoy breakfast at the lodge before a drive to Calgary. Your trip will end at Calgary International Airport, the arrival time depends on each group however If you decide to fly out this day, please don't book a flight before 3pm. Drop off in Calgary city can be arranged, please discuss this with your Trip Leader. There are no activities and accommodation planned for the day. If you have the rest of the day here, why not visit the giant pandas at the Calgary Zoo, check out the urban neighbourhood of East Village, or walk across Peace Bridge and explore Prince Island’s Park on the Bow River.
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Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Matthew - Traveled, March 2024
Fantastic tour. I saw the Northern Lights and many amazing sights. Itinerary is exactly what was promised and tour leader Sara did an amazing job. Highly recommended.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/19/2024
Cheryl - Traveled, February 2024
Overall, the Canadian Rockies are spectacular. All of the people in our group were fun to be with, and we made some great friends. Our tour guide was knowledgeable, patient, and flexible given the physical abilities (or inabilities) of the members of the group and tried to tailor the tour to accommodate as many people in the activities as possible. My issue was with Intrepid's misrepresentation of the physical activity level rating, the inaccurate pricing of optional activities, the required travel insurance policy, the sub-par lodging, and the labeling of the trip as a Northern Lights trip when there were only 2 nights out of 10 listed in the itinerary that gave us an opportunity to see them.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/25/2024
Robyn - Traveled, February 2024
Toured in Feb 2024. This is not a level 2 Physical Rating tour. More like 3-4. The sighting of the Northern Lights is very random. Lots of walking on Icy steeps, , creek beds and steep Paths, requiring sliding down between rocks. Hours spent on winding roads. Suggest if you have motion sickness, the front seat positions in the minibus are not guaranteed. Hotels do not always provide in-house breakfast. So wrap up.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/21/2024
Jenni - Traveled, February 2024
Alberta is beautiful, and worth visiting, but this trip did not meet expectations and requires improvements. I can't recommend it at this stage unfortunately, but do visit via a different trip!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/01/2024
Ashley - Traveled, December 2023
No northern lights were seen (I think including this in the name of the trip is a bit of false advertising) but the the views and activities made up for it. Wonderful group and tour guide!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/19/2023
Louise - Traveled, December 2023
This is a great trip full of amazing activities that one could never do unless they were in a winter wonderland, like the Rocky Mountains in Canada. We would not have accessed the type of scenery and places and activities had not been for a skilled guide and driver this made it all possible.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/17/2023
Alexander - Traveled, December 2022
The trip was amazing and with a great bunch of people. Seeing Lake Louise in the winter was amazing and I highly recommend dog sledding
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/20/2022
Thomas - Traveled, March 2022
Great trip with a great tour guide. He was very helpful, considerate, caring, and worked hard to see everyone had a great adventure.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/31/2022
Lisa - Traveled, December 2021
Amazing trip that exceeded all of my expectations. If you're craving an outdoor winter adventure this is the perfect trip!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/21/2021
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