TOUR DAH9: 10 DAYS / 9 NIGHTS
Welcome to Wild Rose Country! Alberta has it all, from the majestic Rocky Mountains to the International Peace Park of Waterton/Glacier National Park and the Badlands in all their arid beauty and home to priceless dinosaur fossils. This tour traces Alberta's heritage from prehistoric to the 20th century with fascinating museums and interpretive sites.
TOUR FEATURES: 9 nights hotel accommodation, mid-size vehicle, Heritage Park, Bar U Ranch, Waterton Lake Cruise, Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, Fort Macleod, Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology, Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site, Columbia Icefield Snocoach ride on the Athabasca Glacier, Cave and Basin National Historic Site, Banff Gondola, Banff Upper Hot Springs, National Park vehicle entrance fee, and Brewster travel bag.
DAY 1
Pick up your rental vehicle, then take the day to explore Calgary. Don't miss Heritage Park (included) in the city's south side, a "living museum" reconstructed Alberta town with costumed interpreters, a steam train and scale-model sternwheeler, an old-fashioned candy store and much more. Overnight in Calgary.
DAY 2
Travel south from Calgary today into foothills country. Pass through the ranching town of Pincher Creek with an array of high-tech windmills before broaching the mountains at Waterton National Park. Overnight in Waterton.
DAY 3
A full day to explore Waterton and area, with an optional side-trip to Montana's Glacier National Park. Waterton is a wildflower paradise with many scenic drives, hikes and strolls. To aid in your exploration, a lake cruise has been included. Overnight in Waterton.
DAY 4
Today can be taken at a leisurely pace as you make the short drive to Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump (admission included), a UNESO World Heritage Site. The Interpertive Centre documents the buffalo hunting culture of the Plains people. From the Interpretive Centre, continue on to the town of Fort Macleod, where the Northwest Mounted Police built their first western outpost in 1874 (admission included). Overnight in Lethbridge.
DAY 5
Depart Lethbridge this morning and travel north to Dinosaur Provincial Park (no admission fee) in the heart of the Badlands. This site contains the greatest concentration of Late Cretaceous dinosaur fossils found on earth. You may wish to stop at the Royal Tyrrell Museum Field Station to see a preview of the museum, view a short film, or take one of many daily guided tours into the Badlands (not included). Overnight in Drumheller.
DAY 6
A full day to explore the famous Royal Tyrrell Museum (admission included) and Drumheller area. You will want to plan for a half day at the museum, and then perhaps take a drive around Dinosaur Trail, including the historic Bleriot Ferry (free) across the Red Deer River. Overnight in Drumheller.
DAY 7
It's west to Rocky Mountain House and a visit to the Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site (admission included). This site shows the history of the fur trade from 1799 when both the Hudson Bay Company and the Northwest Companies built trading posts at Rocky Mountain House. From there, you will continue into the heart of Canadian Rockies. One of the world's most scenic higways, the Icefields Parkway guides you to the Columbia Icefield Centre. Overnight Columbia Icefield Chalet.
DAY 8
Before your departure to Banff, experience a ride on to the surface of the Athabasca Glacier on board a specially constructed "Snocoach" (included). The Athabasca Glacier is part of the Columbia Icefield, the greatest mass of ice outside the Arctic Circle. From the Icefield Centre, continue south to Lake Louise where you will make at least one photo stop at this "Jewel of the Rockies." If your time and inclination agree, we recommend a walk around along lake or renting a canoe from the Chateau to futher appreciate all that this setting has to offer. Overnight in Banff.
DAY 9
A full day to explore Banff and area. In town you'll find lots of excitement - shopping, caf‚s, nightlife, museums. Check out the Cave and Basin National Historic Site (included), birthplace of Banff and the Canadian national parks. Banff Gondola (included) will take you high above Banff townsite for an incredible panoramic view. To complete your day, take a dip in the hot mineral pools at the newly-renovated Upper Hot Springs (included). Overnight in Banff.
DAY 10
Your tour completes as you travel along through the Bow Valley to Calgary to drop off your rental car.

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