Alberta
Exploring Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks
Program No. 3856RJ
Explore the Canadian Rockies with local experts, learning about grizzly bears, visiting Château Lake Louise and taking an in-depth look at UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
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800-454-5768
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DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Sep 1 - Sep 9, 2025
Starting at
4,899DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Sep 1 - Sep 9, 2025
Starting at
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9 days
8 nights
19 meals
8B 6L 5D
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Banff, Alberta
2
Banff Geology, Cave & Basin, Bow River
Banff, Alberta
3
Yoho National Park, Emerald Lake, Moraine Lake
Lake Louise, AB
4
Grizzly Bears, Lake Louise
Lake Louise, AB
5
Icefields Parkway, Jasper
Jasper, AB
7
Jasper Yellowhead Museum, Return to Banff
Banff, Alberta
8
Whyte Museum, Free Time
Banff, Alberta
9
Airport Transfers, Program Concludes
Banff, Alberta
At a Glance
Straddling the Continental Divide for 14,300 square miles, the seven contiguous Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks are richly adorned with mountain peaks, glaciers, waterfalls, limestone caves and fossils. Explore in depth three of these UNESCO World Heritage Sites to see how they each bear distinct ecological, geological and historical characters while sharing a common rugged beauty renowned worldwide.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Keep the Pace: Walking up to two miles daily on varied terrain. Elevations up to 4,540 feet. Riding between 20 – 150 miles (1-4 hours) in a motorcoach each day.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Celebrate the environmental efforts that led to the establishment of Banff National Park, Canada’s first national park, and its unique geothermal hot springs.
- Explore Banff and Yoho National Parks with experts and learn about their rich geological history.
- Experience a bird’s-eye view of the Continental Divide atop the Lake Louise gondola.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Kirsten Schmitten
Kirsten Schmitten has spent over 30 years exploring, researching, writing and working in the Canadian Rockies. From her career as a park naturalist to her adventures with her warden husband, Kirsten’s love and knowledge of the natural and cultural history of Jasper makes her a captivating and sought after speaker. She is the owner of All Things Wild, a company specializing in connecting people to the natural and cultural history of Jasper National Park.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Kirsten Schmitten
View biography
Kirsten Schmitten has spent over 30 years exploring, researching, writing and working in the Canadian Rockies. From her career as a park naturalist to her adventures with her warden husband, Kirsten’s love and knowledge of the natural and cultural history of Jasper makes her a captivating and sought after speaker. She is the owner of All Things Wild, a company specializing in connecting people to the natural and cultural history of Jasper National Park.
Brent MacDonald
View biography
Brent Macdonald has been a resident of the Canadian Rockies for almost 30 years. As a geology expert, he provides a wealth of knowledge about geography and geomorphology. Brent has had a diverse career as a freelance natural history interpreter, also working as a consultant for a geotechnical engineering company. He has shared his knowledge of geology and natural history as an interpreter and guest lecturer. Brent is also a certified mountain leader and ski instructor.
Greg Allemang
View biography
Growing up in the military has brought Greg across Canada and given him a real taste of everything the country has to offer. Finally settled now in the Calgary area, Greg has followed his passions for his country to study travel management and become a certified hiking instructor. Greg also enjoys climbing and enjoying the beautiful wilderness that surrounds his home. His love of nature has fueled his passion for connecting people to their environment and showing off his country to visitors.
Michele LaPointe
View biography
Michele LaPointe was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, and later moved to Banff to fulfill her dreams of being an outdoor enthusiast. She has worked in the travel industry for many years as a ski instructor and interpretive expert. Michele now splits her time between Calgary and Golden. She is a director in the Golden Rotary Club and is on the board of directors for the Kicking Horse Country Chamber of Commerce. Michele is an avid skier, mountain biker and hiker.
Sonya Pollock
View biography
Sonya Pollock grew up in Calgary, Alberta and loved taking trips out to the Rocky Mountains as a child. These trips with her family solidified her love of nature and wildlife. Her passion for helping animals resulted in her pursuit of an MSc in animal behavior and welfare where she studied thermoregulation in the Indian rhinoceros. She’s currently a Ph.D. candidate in wildlife ecology at the University of Alberta where she studies grizzly bear habitat selection in Banff National Park.
Suggested Reading List
(14 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Exploring Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks
Program Number: 3856
Switchbacks, True Stories from the Canadian Rockies
Marty recalls the colorful tales of his friends, colleagues and his own youth in this collection of tales.
Handbook of the Canadian Rockies
Geology, plants, animals, history and recreation from Waterton/Glacier to the Yukon.
National Geographic 7th Edition Field Guide to Birds of North America
With more than 2.75 million copies in print, this perennial bestseller is the most frequently updated of all North American bird field guides. Filled with hand-painted illustrations from top nature artists (including the ever-popular hummingbird), this latest edition is poised to become an instant must-have for every serious birder in the United States and Canada. The 7th edition includes 37 new species for a total of 1,023 species; 16 new pages allow for 250 fresh illustrations; 80 new maps; and 350 map revisions.
The Great Rocky Mountain Nature Factbook
Ewing's family-friendly guide, with black-and-white drawings throughout, answers the curiosity of engaged visitors about the plants, animals and natural features of the Rockies.
Moon Handbook Canadian Rockies
GUIDEBOOK, 2010, PAPERBACK, 347 PAGES
Canada resident and avid outdoorsman Andrew Hempstead knows the best way to experience the Canadian Rockies, from rafting on the Bow River and hiking Lake O'Hara to staying in a remote log cabin. Packed with information on dining, transportation, and accommodations, Moon Canadian Rockies has lots of options for a range of travel budgets. With must-see sights, maps, aadvice on planning and itineraries -- and an essential dose of humor. (CND231, $17.95)
Rocky Mountain Natural History, Grand Teton to Jasper, A Trailside Reference
Offers in-depth scientific information on the natural world found between Grand Teton, Wyoming, and Jasper, Alberta. It is beautifully illustrated with color photographs and line drawings, covering a thousand species of plants, animals, fish, birds, and insects found in the northern Rocky Mountains.
After the Ice Age: The Return of Life to Glaciated North America
Eighteen thousand years ago, an immense sheet of ice covered all of present-day Canada and northernmost U.S. This story tells of how a harsh terrain was transformed into the environment we know today.
Mountain Home: Tales of Seeking a Family Life in Harmony with Nature
Getting back to the land isn’t easy, as Mr. Hungry Wolf will testify, after 25 years of raising his family in the wilderness of the Canadian Rockies. He shares tales of natural foods, wild animals, home schooling his four children, and living without running water, phone, TV or electricity.
Scats and Tracks of the Rocky Mountains: A Field Guide to the Signs of 70 Wildlife Species
Scats and Tracks of the Rocky Mountains will help you determine which mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians have passed your way and could still be nearby. Clearly written descriptions and illustrations of scats, tracks, and gait patterns will help you recognize seventy Rocky Mountain species
This Wild Spirit: Women in the Rocky Mountains of Canada
In 1912, Mary Vaux, a botanist, glaciologist, painter, and photographer, wrote about her mountain adventures: “A day on the trail, or a scramble over the glacier, or even with a quiet day in camp to get things in order for the morrow's conquests? Some how when once this wild spirit enters the blood…I can hardly wait to be off again." Vaux's compulsion was shared by many women whose intellects, imaginations, and spirits rose to the challenge of the mountains between the late-nineteenth and mid-twentieth centuries. This Wild Spirit explores a sampling of women's creative responses—in fiction and travel writing, photographs and paintings, embroidery and beadwork, letters and diaries, poetry and posters—to their experiences in the Rocky Mountains of Canada.
Selected Stories
This collection of 28 short stories represents some of Munro's finest work. A powerful range of emotional, evocative tales set throughout the cities and rural towns of her native country.
The Amazing Death of Calf Shirt and Other Blackfoot Stories, Three Hundred Years of Blackfoot History
A wonderful collection of stories, illuminating the history of the Blackfoot people of the prairies of southern Alberta and northern Montana.
Northern Rocky Mountain Wildflowers, Including Glacier, Waterton Lakes, Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, Mount Revelstoke, and Yoho
This field guide features more than 300 species found in the northern Rockies of Montana, Idaho, Washington, and adjacent British Columbia and Alberta, including Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks. Packed with vivid photos and informative text, this field guide will help you identify and appreciate the varied flora of these wooded mountains, deep valleys, and rugged canyons.
Lonely Planet Banff, Jasper & Glacier National Parks
This informative, compact guidebook in the excellent Lonely Planet series includes details on the history, geology and wildlife of the region.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
9 days
Program Begins
Banff, Alberta
Program Concludes
Banff, Alberta
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
19
| 8B |
6L |
5D |
Activity Level
Straddling the Continental Divide for 14,300 square miles, the seven contiguous Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks are richly adorned with mountain peaks, glaciers, waterfalls, limestone caves and fossils. Explore in depth three of these UNESCO World Heritage Sites to see how they each bear distinct ecological, geological and historical characters while sharing a common rugged beauty renowned worldwide.)
Best of all, you'll...
- Celebrate the environmental efforts that led to the establishment of Banff National Park, Canada’s first national park, and its unique geothermal hot springs.
- Explore Banff and Yoho National Parks with experts and learn about their rich geological history.
- Experience a bird’s-eye view of the Continental Divide atop the Lake Louise gondola.
Featured Expert
Kirsten Schmitten
Kirsten Schmitten has spent over 30 years exploring, researching, writing and working in the Canadian Rockies. From her career as a park naturalist to her adventures with her warden husband, Kirsten’s love and knowledge of the natural and cultural history of Jasper makes her a captivating and sought after speaker. She is the owner of All Things Wild, a company specializing in connecting people to the natural and cultural history of Jasper National Park.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Brent MacDonald
Brent Macdonald has been a resident of the Canadian Rockies for almost 30 years. As a geology expert, he provides a wealth of knowledge about geography and geomorphology. Brent has had a diverse career as a freelance natural history interpreter, also working as a consultant for a geotechnical engineering company. He has shared his knowledge of geology and natural history as an interpreter and guest lecturer. Brent is also a certified mountain leader and ski instructor.
Michele LaPointe
Michele LaPointe was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, and later moved to Banff to fulfill her dreams of being an outdoor enthusiast. She has worked in the travel industry for many years as a ski instructor and interpretive expert. Michele now splits her time between Calgary and Golden. She is a director in the Golden Rotary Club and is on the board of directors for the Kicking Horse Country Chamber of Commerce. Michele is an avid skier, mountain biker and hiker.
Sonya Pollock
Sonya Pollock grew up in Calgary, Alberta and loved taking trips out to the Rocky Mountains as a child. These trips with her family solidified her love of nature and wildlife. Her passion for helping animals resulted in her pursuit of an MSc in animal behavior and welfare where she studied thermoregulation in the Indian rhinoceros. She’s currently a Ph.D. candidate in wildlife ecology at the University of Alberta where she studies grizzly bear habitat selection in Banff National Park.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Keep the Pace: Walking up to two miles daily on varied terrain. Elevations up to 4,540 feet. Riding between 20 – 150 miles (1-4 hours) in a motorcoach each day.
Small Group
(13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List
(14 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call
800-454-5768
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
9 days
8 nights
What's Included
19 meals | 8B | 6L | 5D |
4 expert-led lectures
12 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
8 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Location:
Banff, Alberta
Meals:
D
Stay:
High Country Inn
Activity Note
Transfer from Calgary Airport to hotel at 3:00 p.m. included in program cost. Hotel check-in available from 4:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Transfer from the airport to the hotel will arrive at approximately 5:00 p.m. En route, our Group Leader will conduct Program Registration. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. After you check in to the hotel and get settled, take some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
Orientation: 7:30 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
2
Banff Geology, Cave & Basin, Bow River
Location:
Banff, Alberta
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
High Country Inn
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 20 miles, approximately 1 hour time. Walking about 2 miles throughout the day; paved and gravel paths, some stairs at historic site (can be avoided).
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board our motorcoach and ride to the Cave and Basin National Historic Site. We’ll be joined in a private room by a local expert who will give us a presentation on the geology of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. We’ll also learn about the amazing thermal hot springs that resulted in the creation of Canada’s national parks system. As we explore the site’s thermal waters and the surrounding wetlands, we will learn about the wildlife that resides here. We’ll stroll down to the warm marshes below the springs, easily accessible along a boardwalk, and observe introduced tropical fish and warm-water plants. Bring binoculars if you have them.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Back aboard the motorcoach, we’ll ride to the town of Banff and set out with our Group Leader to learn about its history. We will stop along the way and disembark to explore points of interest. Located within Canada’s First National Park, Banff lies in a mountain-rimmed valley carved by the Bow River. Its development has always been determined by the federal government, tourism, and the railway. In 1930, the Rocky Mountain Parks Reserve was renamed Banff National Park, Canada’s first nature reserve, to encompass 2,564 square miles of valleys, mountains, glaciers, forests, meadows, and rivers. While on our exploration, we’ll see the famous Banff Springs Hotel and, beneath this famous Banff landmark, the gushing Bow Falls. The spectacular falls are fed by the Bow Glacier upstream and, in turn, they feed the Bow River. An easy stroll along the Bow Falls Trail will get us up close to the rapids and roaring waterfalls.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. You are welcome to go out and explore the sights and sounds of Banff independently. For live entertainment, check out one of the local pubs or the Banff Centre. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
3
Yoho National Park, Emerald Lake, Moraine Lake
Location:
Lake Louise, AB
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Lake Louise Inn
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 60 miles, approximately 1.5 hours riding time. Walking about 1.5 miles, approximately 2 hours over the course of the day; flat lakeside trail, no elevation gain. Optional steep hike up a rock scramble at Moraine Lake.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll check out of the hotel and begin our ride to experience some of the foremost geological highlights between Banff and Field, B.C. We’ll learn about area geology in trailside discussions with a local expert naturalist.
Lunch:
At a spot along the way, we’ll have boxed lunches.
Afternoon:
We will visit Moraine Lake, one of the most photographed places in the Rocky Mountains and stop at Emerald Lake, another jewel of the Canadian Rockies. We’ll set out on an expert-led walking field trip to learn about the interesting plant species found here and at the Burgess Shale quarries along Fossil Ridge. Thanks to its position on the west side of the Great Divide in Yoho National Park, a 360-degree view from Emerald Lake showcases four very different environments: a huge avalanche path, the pine forest, a dry and dramatic alluvial fan, and the towering trees of the rainforest. We will visit the nearby Field Visitor Centre where there are exhibits to explore including one that displays and explains fossils from Burgess Shale. Parks Canada staff will be available to provide information and answer questions. We’ll then head to our Lake Louise hotel.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. You might like to head out on your own, spend time with fellow Road Scholars, or just relax at the hotel.
Day
4
Grizzly Bears, Lake Louise
Location:
Lake Louise, AB
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Lake Louise Inn
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 37 miles, approximately 1.5 hours riding time. Getting on/off a gondola. Walking about 2 miles; paved and gravel paths.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will be joined by an expert wildlife biologist and conservationist who will give us a presentation on how to share the land with grizzly bears. The Bow Valley is considered an internationally significant wildlife migration corridor within the Park and the Lake Louise area is notable for its critical grizzly bear, elk, lynx, bighorn sheep and mountain goat habitat. As protected areas, the mountain national parks make a weighty contribution to grizzly bear conservation in the Rocky Mountain ecosystem. These parks can contribute refuge in the greater landscape but this requires special considerations for how humans share the landscape with bears. During the presentation, we will also learn how Parks Canada is conducting land use and management policies. We will ride to board the Lake Louise Gondola, one of the best places for a chance to see grizzly bears in their natural environment. If we’re lucky, we may experience this rare and awesome spectacle of nature from the comfort of the gondola. From atop a mountain, we’ll have views of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake surrounded by peaks and a deep teal color: nothing less than stunning as it sits in the gorgeous Valley of the Ten Peaks.
Lunch:
At Fairmount Chateau Lake Louise.
Afternoon:
With our group leader we will explore Fairmount Chateau Lake Louise hotel and grounds.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
5
Icefields Parkway, Jasper
Location:
Jasper, AB
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Maligne Lodge
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 150 miles throughout the day, approximately 5 hours riding time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel, we will board a motorcoach and ride along the Icefields Parkway, one of the most spectacular stretches of scenic driving in Canada. The highway follows a lake-lined valley along the Continental Divide. We’ll spend the majority of the day in the Main Ranges; the mountains here are the highest, craggiest and arguably the most scenic in all the Rockies. En route, we’ll stop at scenic overlooks and our Group Leader will provide an overview of the surrounding area.
Lunch:
At a spot along the way, we’ll have boxed lunches.
Afternoon:
This afternoon we continue on to Jasper National Park. This scenic drive is lined with beautiful mountains, lakes and more than 100 glaciers providing a dramatic backdrop. Keep an eye out for mountain goats and bighorn sheep in the cliffs along the way. In the spruce forest above the Sunwapta River, watch for grizzly bears during spring, summer, and fall. We’ll check in to our hotel upon arrival.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. You might like to head out on your own, spend time with fellow Road Scholars, or just relax at the hotel.
Day
6
Maligne Canyon, Pyramid Lake, Jasper National Park
Location:
Jasper, AB
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Maligne Lodge
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 50 miles, approximately 2 hours riding time. Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day; paved or maintained trails.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will gather in the hotel for a presentation by a local expert where we will learn about the abundance and diversity of wildlife in Jasper Park. We will then board the motorcoach, accompanied by the local expert to explore Maligne Canyon in Jasper National Park. We’ll walk along the Maligne Canyon Trail that is rich in natural history, impressive geologic features, and wildlife. On our walk, we’ll search for fossils and find out how this deep canyon formed during glacial ages. The forests of this wilderness area are home to mountain goats, elk, moose, and bears as well as a variety of birds including bald eagles. Along this scenic trail, we will explore spectacular vantage points, flower meadows, and sapphire blue mountain lakes.
Lunch:
At a spot along the way, we’ll enjoy our boxed lunches.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue our field trip in Jasper National Park by motorcoach with stops along the way for expert interpretation. Pyramid Lake located at the foot of the iconic Pyramid Mountain will be one of our stops.
Dinner:
On your own to explore local flavors. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
7
Jasper Yellowhead Museum, Return to Banff
Location:
Banff, Alberta
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
High Country Inn
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 190 miles, approximately 4 hours riding time. Walking about 1 mile, approximately 2 hours; standing in museum.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will check out of the hotel, board the motorcoach, and set out on a field trip to Jasper Yellowhead Museum. Before our local expert leads us around the museum, we will have a presentation on Jasper from a historical perspective and talk about some of the early settlers and the First Nations.
Lunch:
Boxed lunch en route.
Afternoon:
Back aboard the motorcoach, we will ride on to Banff and check in to our hotel. The remainder of the afternoon will be free.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy the cuisine of your choice. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure. You might like to head out on your own to see more of Banff, spend time with fellow Road Scholars, or just relax.
Day
8
Whyte Museum, Free Time
Location:
Banff, Alberta
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
High Country Inn
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; city driving. Walking about 1 mile, approximately 1.5 hours riding time; paved streets and trails.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll transfer by motorcoach to explore the Whyte Museum, one of Banff's most culturally significant museums, and learn about the remarkable history of some of the locals and their cultural past through a self-led exploration. The museum features an art gallery and a vast collection of photographs telling the history of early explorers, artists, and the Canadian Pacific Railway. Then, we’ll take a walk back in time and get to know the colorful individuals who built the town of Banff. This expert-led walk meanders through history to take us near the riverside site where Tom Wilson established one of the first outfitting operations in the area, St. Georges-in-the-Pines Anglican Church with its unique stained glass windows, and the Luxton Home and Garden. These and many other intriguing stops reveal the fascinating history of this town.
Lunch:
On your own to savor the local flavors of your choice. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon:
Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
We’ll have a wrap-up session at the restaurant then return to the hotel. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
9
Airport Transfers, Program Concludes
Location:
Banff, Alberta
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; transfer from hotel to Calgary Airport included in program cost. Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel
Morning:
We’ll check out of the hotel and transfer to Calgary International Airport (YYC); approximate arrival time is 10:30 a.m. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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MEALS
19 Meals
8 Breakfasts
6 Lunches
5 Dinners
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
- Jun 09, 2025 - Jun 17, 2025
- Jun 09, 2025 - Jun 17, 2025
- Jun 16, 2025 - Jun 24, 2025
- Jul 07, 2025 - Jul 15, 2025
- Jul 14, 2025 - Jul 22, 2025
- Aug 04, 2025 - Aug 12, 2025
- Aug 18, 2025 - Aug 26, 2025
- Aug 25, 2025 - Sep 02, 2025
- Sep 01, 2025 - Sep 09, 2025
- Sep 08, 2025 - Sep 16, 2025
- Sep 15, 2025 - Sep 23, 2025
Participant Reviews
Based on 26 Reviews
Sort By:
The program was interesting, informative and well organized. There were opportunities to increase the activity level by optional hiking or walking which I really appreciated. Most of the lectures were also interesting and informative.
— Review left September 27, 2024
What more could you ask for! High Tea at Lake Louise then a lovely walk at the lake. The Canadian Rocky Mountains and glacier lakes with take your breath away. I especially enjoyed hiking Johnson and Marble canyons (Bring a hiking stick). Michele and the local guides know and appreciate the history and geology of their land. A must do tour!
— Review left September 21, 2024
Exploring the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks was an excellent program. It was well described in the RS literature and was true to the descriptions. The scenery was fabulous, the lectures were truly informative and the personalities of the RS crew plus participants made the trip fun and interesting. I highly recommend this program.
— Review left July 30, 2024
Wonderful experience. Excellent leader and bus driver. Beautiful scenery. Enjoyed being on the move and going on many walks to different sites. Great itinerary. Friendly group.
— Review left June 22, 2024
Expand your knowledge about geography, wildlife, and Indigenous peoples while viewing breathtaking mountains, walking around stunning lakes, hiking to waterfalls and enjoying the companionship of affable fellow travelers and enthusiastic, knowledgeable local experts.
— Review left June 20, 2024
The Canadian Rockies were beautiful and we enjoyed every minute of our trip and learning about the history of the land, explorers and indigenous people and their impact. Especially awesome was standing on the Athabasca Glacier and drinking glacier water flowing from a crevasse. I learned a lot on this first trip with Road Scholar and made several new friends. Again, the Rockies are stunning!
— Review left September 28, 2023
This was a fabulous trip, one of my favorite Road Scholar experiences! The Canadian Rockies are stunningly beautiful, and this trip was structured in a way that allowed us to see and do so much. Ileana, our overall Road Scholar guide, was wonderful - very friendly, organized, knowledgeable, and accommodating to everyone's needs! Our Jasper guide, Marie, was also great - energetic, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable. The educational presentations were very interesting. Our lodging in all three locations was great, meals were well arranged and tasty, and our bus driver, Martin, got us around in great comfort. I like to be active and was happy to find that there was ample opportunity to walk/hike. Overall, this was a wonderful trip, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves the beauty of the outdoors!
— Review left September 21, 2023
The Exploring Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks program of Road Scholar is brilliantly organized opportunity to see and experience some amazing lakes, glaciers, and wildlife in a mountainous setting.
— Review left September 20, 2023
Great trip!
— Review left September 19, 2023
September is a great month for this trip, as the fall colors were really beginning to pop, the crowds while still there, I'm sure were thinning out from summer. It's not a strenuous trip, as there is no real hiking, except for one short trek up to Lake Moraine and was WORTH IT. There is a lot of walking, but nothing too taxing. You are also on the coach a good bit traveling to these places. Highlights - those lakes! those views! Glaciers! The Icefalls Parkway was one of the most beautiful drives I've ever seen.
— Review left September 18, 2023
GREAT experience in the Canadian Rockies! Spectacular views and learning experiences on geology, history, and wildlife.
— Review left September 14, 2023
Positives: Michele Lapointe was an excellent leader. She was very engaging and contributed great insights into what we were seeing. Everything ran pretty much according to schedule. She changed the sight visit day for Morraine Lake because it was extremely clear and she knew that might not be the case for the next day (originally scheduled). For the last full day afternoon free time, Michele suggested that we go to Sunshine Mountain (not listed in optional activities in the packet) and take the gondola and ski lift to view the Banff area and three lakes in particular. A small group (8 of us) took her suggestion; the scenery and hikes were spectacular. Michele made sure everyone could get to all the meals that were not in the hotels and made several recommendations for the optional meals. The three instructors were also very good. The topics they spoke on enhanced the entire experience.
Negatives: Unfortunately, the smoke from the fires obscured many of the views for more than half the days. That is the reason Michele moved the Morraine Lake visit.
Suggestions: It would be nice if there was a geologist among the instructors. The Rocky Mountains of Canada are significantly different geologically from the American Rockies. We personally would have appreciated spending more time at the outdoor sights in place of some of the free time in the afternoons. For example, after lunch at Chateau Lake Louise, we were scheduled for free time back in the village; instead of taking the bus, a few of us took the 2 mile hike back.
— Review left August 23, 2023
We thoroughly enjoyed this trip; our first with Road Scholar. The group got along very well and we made some new friends who we hope to see on a future trip. Our group leader, Michele Lapoint was superb (as were the other subject experts/lecturers) which made for an excellent trip. We will strongly consider traveling with Road Scholar again.
*Greetings to our fellow travelers from Bob & Lisa Bentkofsky*
— Review left July 27, 2023
This was an excellent trip with majestic mountain scenery, blue glacial lakes, and grizzly and black bear sightings. The guest lecturers were superb. The restaurant meals were high quality. The price is justified by the upscale nature of Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper in peak tourist season. The physical activity required was reasonable with some short hikes on mostly flat terrain. Participants should be prepared for several hour scenic bus rides. As usual, getting to know the fellow Road Scholars was delightful. Despite the smoke from local forest fires and the remoteness of the location, I found this to be one of the better Road Scholar trips that I have attended.
— Review left July 18, 2023
Scenery so beautiful that people think my pictures are fake! An amazing combination of active and passive activities. Had such a wonderful time. Best guides and guest speakers.
— Review left June 20, 2023
Canadian National Parks tour was wonderful! So many beautiful rivers, lakes, and glaciers to see. It was amazing to drive along a river with it flowing one way, and watch it flow the other way once we passed the Continental Divide. Being able to actually walk on the glaciers was a dream. I recommend this trip to anyone who loves beauty and nature.
— Review left October 7, 2022
This group tour of Banff was outstandingly planned and organized. Because of wildfires near Jasper National Park our particular group was unable to visit that location, but our leader took us to additional, beautiful areas of Banff that we otherwise would have missed. The food and accommodations were an excellent value, and the camaraderie among the Road Scholar participants was an added bonus. Banff is a popular place to visit during summer and fall, so potential participants should anticipate some crowds. But despite this, the tour was a real success that featured many pleasant experiences my wife and I will never forget.
— Review left September 13, 2022
The instructor and the experts are what make Road Scholar so valuable. You see and learn about places and things you wouldn't normally know about if you weren't with the group. The bus is very comfortable and our fellow travelers were all lovely.
— Review left September 7, 2022
This was our second Road Scholar tour and it was wonderful. Not too much time traveling, lots of time seeing and experiencing. Other tours may make it to more sites but not see as much as we did. The other folks added to my experience, they did not detract. We tried to meet as many folks as we could.
— Review left August 30, 2022
This program is a must see. I cannot begin to describe the beautiful scenery, wild animals and daily trips we experienced. The trip was very well organized and exceeded my expectations. The accommodations and food was above average. Group leader, Susan Carr was phenomenal. Each day was packed full of stunning scenery, waterfalls, glaciers, wild animals and so much more. Add this trip to your bucket list.
— Review left August 23, 2022
Everyone should experience the beauty of the Canadian Rockies with extremely knowledgeable guides.and experts. Thank you for an opportunity of a lifetime.
— Review left July 20, 2022
The Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks program was awesome! The views and hikes of mountains, lakes and waterfalls were breathtaking. The guides and lectures were excellent and so informative. The program was on my "bucket list" and definitely met my expectations!
— Review left July 13, 2022
I recommend the trip to the Canadian Rockies! So gorgeous, and the guides were so well informed. They helped me to see the spaces more intelligently.
— Review left July 13, 2022
If you love mountains and lakes, this is the trip for you!
— Review left June 22, 2022
Great trip, make certain to take the correct clothing esp. a raincoat and sweater. The slimate in the mountains varies more during the day than we anticipated. Layers are best. Had a wonderful time. A long dream to return since we had been in the same areas MANY years ago.
— Review left July 28, 2019
The scenery in the Canadian Rockies will absolutely take your breath away!
— Review left June 28, 2019
