Overview
If you are visiting Canada on holiday in search of awe-inspiring scenery, then you have to visit Alberta. Home of the legendary Canadian Rockies, you will never forget the feeling that you get the first time you find yourself surrounded by the incredible jagged, snow-capped mountains. Spine-tingling, beautiful views are around every corner here. Whether you choose to travel onboard the famous Rocky Mountaineer, fly-drive or join an escorted Canada tour we can ensure that you visit the hottest areas of the province to capture the best scenic sights.
Calgary is known as the gateway to the Rockies, and as the place to be from 3rd-12th July 2020 when the annual Calgary Stampede, the “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth”, takes over the city. The Calgary Stampede is the ultimate Western Canadian experience where you can enjoy rodeos, chuckwagon races, live concerts and much more. We think that the Stampede should be on everyone's to-do list, as you will experience nothing else like it in the world - truly spectacular!
On your Alberta holiday, make sure you head into the Rocky Mountains, one of the world’s most spectacular wonders. When you visit the Rockies, there are a few places that must be on your list, such as Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper.
Lake Louise is known as the Jewel of the Rockies, and what a dazzler it is! One of the most photographed lakes in the world, and still the photographs don't give justice to the feeling you experience when you first lay eyes on the incredible blue beauty. In the winter, the lake is frozen and becomes one of the best and most iconic outdoor skating rinks.
A scenic 40 minute drive from Lake Louise will bring you to the bustling mountain town of Banff. Nestled high in Banff National Park, it is surrounded by awe-inspiring mountain views and as the highest town in Canada, it is a real tourist hot spot during the months of July and August. It is the perfect stop for those that enjoy summer hiking in incredible scenery. Banff is an ideal base to explore the surrounding area; an exciting and adventurous day can be followed with a lively night as the town boasts a vibrant nightlife and a great choice of restaurants and bars.
Travel the scenic Icefields Parkway en route to the magical town of Jasper. The historic town, which has flourished around the landmark Canadian National Railway station, oozes old-worldly charm for you to discover. Channel your inner-explorer as you unravel the story of Jasper and how the community has grown since its inception to the beautiful mountain town it is today.
Alberta is also home to some of the world's most popular ski resorts nestled in the Canadian Rockies with amazing après ski, unparalleled views and varied terrain.
Map
Things to do
Popular things to do in Alberta
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Admission to Calgary Tower
from £18pp
Located 191 metres above the downtown core, the Calgary Tower observation deck offers a spectacular 360° view of the bustling city, the majestic Rocky Mountains, the rolling foothills, and the expansive prairie landscape. If you dare, stand on the amazing glass floor for a birds-eye view of the city streets directly below.
Departures: Daily (except Dec 25)
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Heritage Park Historical Village
from £18 pp
Explore Heritage Town Square, which includes restaurants, shopping and the world-class Gasoline Alley Museum. Discover how the introduction of the automobile changed Canada's culture. Seasonally, from May until October, step back in time to the lively Historical Village. Meet friendly pioneers, visit the First Nations encampment, ride an authentic steam train, enjoy the antique midway and immerse yourself in the old west. All rides are included with admission.
Departures: Selected dates between May 16 - Dec 31
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Banff gondola ride
from £54pp
A breathtaking ascent to the pinnacle of sulphur mountain for an awe-inspiring 360-degree panorama of sheer mountain majesty, enjoy the interpretative hiking trails that lead along the ridge of the mountain.
Duration: 2 hours
Departures: Daily- weather permitting -
Discover Banff & its Wildlife
from £62pp
Discover the town of Banff and its unspoiled natural surroundings. The highlights include Bow Falls, the hoodoos that are curiously shaped by centuries of erosion, Surprise Corner, Tunnel Mountain Drive which overlooks the beautiful scenery of the Bow River Valley, and the magnificent Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake. Maple cookies and fresh water are provided
Duration: 3 hours
Duration: Daily between May 01 - Nov 30 -
Explore Banff tour including Gondola
from £163pp
Participants learn about culture, geology and wildlife while exploring the spectacular sights of the renowned mountain town of Banff. view natural attractions like the wind-shaped hoodoos and take a gondola ride to the summit of Sulphur Mountain for magnificent 360 degree views over Banff National Park.
Duration: 5.5 hours
Departures: Selected dates between May 1 - Oct 12 -
Mountain Lakes and Waterfalls tour
from £185pp
Discover the beauty of Banff and Yoho National Parks and other landmarks. Enjoy hiking or simply appreciate the spectacular mountain scenery. You’ll stop at some of the many lakes including the most famous Lake Louise often known as the ‘Jewel of the Rockies’, so have your camera ready. The tour includes lunch.(Also available from Lake Louise)
Duration: 9.5 hours
Departures: Daily between May 1 to Oct 17 -
The Icefields Parkway Tour including Ice Explorer & Glacier Skywalk
£224pp
Prepare yourself for the experience of the Columbia icefield!this impressive icefield forms one of the largest masses of ice south of the Arctic Circle. Your route along the scenic Icefields Parkway provides a spectacular view, and also includes a trip directly onto the Athabasca Glacier – which represents a substantial portion of the entire ice blanket - in a special Ice Explorer snow coach. Following your on-ice adventure, you will head over to the Glacier Skywalk. Step out on a cliff-edge walkway where giant glaciers perch above you and the spectacular Sunwapta Valley spreads out below
Duration: 11 hours
Departures: Daily between May 1 to Oct 18 -
Lake Louise Sightseeing Lift
from £44pp
Enjoy the panoramic splendour of the majestic Canadian Rockies in an open chair or gondola and thrill to the beauty of gleaming glaciers, alpine vistas, tranquil crystal lakes and really wild wildlife. At a top elevation of 2088m (6850ft) you will discover why this magical place is home to so many grizzly bears as you watch over one of the best bear habitats in Banff National Park and then view wildflowers and abundant plant life where two eco-regions meet. And when your aerial ride ends your adventure at the award-winning Wildlife Interpretation Centre begins.
Duration: 15 minutes each way
Departures: Daily between May 25 - Oct 13 -
Mountains, Lakes and Waterfalls
from £185pp
The tour begins with a visit to Moraine Lake and the Valley of the Ten Peaks. This is one of the great photo opportunities in the Canadian Rockies. Cross the Great Divide into Yoho National Park via the scenic Kicking Horse Pass. Takakkaw Falls, in the magnificent Yoho Valley, will be the final stop before beginning the trek back home.
Duration: 6.5 hours
Departures: Daily between May 01 - Oct 17 -
Rockies Discovery Sightseeing tour from Lake Louise to Jasper
from £287pp
Travel from Lake Louise to Jasper with a guide and learn all about the famous local characters that made their mark on one of the world’s most amazing mountain highways. In the comfort of a luxury motor coach, your trip will allow opportunities for mountain wildlife viewing and visits to scenic viewpoints. Stop at the Columbia Icefield where modern day explorers can take an Ice Explorer out on to the surface of the Athabasca Glacier for a spectacular ice age adventure. Also included within this tour is the Glacier Skywalk, a 277m high glass platform overlooking the Sunwapta Valley with amazing views.
Duration: 8 hours
Departures: Daily between May 01 to Oct 12 -
Admission to the Jasper Skytram Including Shuttle
£43pp
Jasper SkyTram is the longest and highest guided aerial tramway in Canada and the only guided aerial ropeway in the Canadian Rockies. Providing you with unprecedented views of six mountain ranges, glacial fed lakes, the Athabasca River (Alberta’s longest) and the scenic mountain town-site of Jasper. Enjoy the views from the interpretive boardwalks at an elevation of 7,500 feet or venture out onto the Summit Trail to explore the unique alpine plants and wildlife at an elevation of 8,100 feet above sea level!
Departures: Daily between May 1 - Oct 15
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Experience the Athabasca Glacier
from £150pp
Rated by National Geographic as one of the most scenic drives in the world, this full day tour will have you venturing down the Icefields Parkway to the famous Columbia icefields. From there, gear up and step onto the breathtaking Athabasca Glacier for a 2-hour guided walk. Walk through snow and ice while your experienced guide navigates crevasses so that you may explore the glacier and ice caves safely.
Duration: 7 Hours
Departures: Daily between Jun 01 - Aug 31 -
Spirit Island Cruise on Maligne Lake
from £69pp
Enjoy a cruise on one of the Rockies most picturesque lakes. This tour is operated in a glass enclosed, heated cruise boat and is fully narrated by a coastguard licensed crew. Midway through there’s a photo stop at Spirit Island where passengers disembark for a short walk to the lookout point, a wonderful photo opportunity not to be missed!
Duration: 1.5 hours
Departures: Daily between May 25 - Oct 7 -
White Water Rafting Tour
from £65pp
This trip is an excellent introduction to white water rafting. Travelling approximately 9-kilometres, you will encounter many Class 2 white water rapids. In rain or shine, people from ages 6 to 90 have greatly enjoyed this memorable experience. Join the fun and incomparable views of Jasper National Park with your National Park licensed guide on the Athabasca River.
Duration: 2 hours
Departures: Daily betwen May 07 - Sep 20 -
River Valley Walking Tour
from £15pp
Discover the beautiful Edmonton River Valley and the blooming buds of spring, the lush greens of summer or the colourful fall foliage. This guided walking tour takes you along the river’s edge to Louise McKinney Park with spectacular views of the valley. All tours are led by a Park Expert who reveals facts and trivia about the park and the city of Edmonton.
Duration: 1 hour
Departures: Daily -
Segway Adventure
from £45pp
Experience Edmonton in a whole new way! Glide through North America's largest urban parkland on this one-of-a-kind tour of the Edmonton River Valley. After a short Segway training clinic you will ride at varying speeds along a route designed to provide you with maximum exposure to the beauty of this natural parkland.
Duration: 1 hour
Departures: Daily
Holidays
Browse our amazing range of holidays in Alberta
Popular Alberta holiday ideas
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Banff Ptarmigan Inn
from £48
Charming and cosy, this hotel is just a few minutes’ walk from the centre of Banff and has an on-site pizza/pasta restaurant ‘The Meatball’, great for...see more
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Banff Caribou Lodge
from £43
Caribou Lodge welcomes you into a charmingly rustic reception area, complete with huge fieldstone fireplace and roaring log fire. The rooms are comfortable...see more
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Banff Rocky Mountain Resort
from £43
Set amid eight acres of private parkland, The Rocky Mountain Resort is a relaxing mountain retreat yet still within walking distance of Banff town.
Suites...see more
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The Fox Hotel and Suites
from £69
From the beautiful fireplace and Rocky Mountain reception to the cosy plaid bedrooms with pine beams, the hotel echoes mountain character throughout. Chili’s restaurant...see more
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Banff Aspen Lodge
from £44
Right in the centre of Banff, this hotel has an elegant modern feel but still retains mountain lodge cosiness. Rooms are beautifully decorated with crisp...see more
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Fairmont Banff Springs
from £174
Known as the ‘Castle in the Rockies’ the Fairmont Banff Springs is a luxury hotel within walking distance of Banff town centre. Styled after a Scottish...see more
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Rimrock Resort Hotel
from £97
The Rimrock Resort is a luxurious hotel nestled in the forest on the lower slopes of Sulphur Mountain with spectacular views of Banff and the Rockies.
There...see more
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Lake Louise Inn
from £58
Ten minutes from the picturesque Lake Louise itself, the hotel and its mixture of oak beams and stylish modern twists, is a little haven. Floor to ceiling...see more
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Sandman Signature Calgary Downtown Hotel
from £34
A comfortable and conveniently located hotel in the heart of downtown Calgary. The rooms are spacious with dark wood furnishings. Some rooms offer a small...see more
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Chateau Jasper
from £61
Nestled among pine trees, this lovely mountain hotel is a short stroll from the town centre. The rooms are cosy and the on-site restaurant and lounge,...see more
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Delta Hotels By Marriott Calgary Downtown
from £69
Located in downtown Calgary but close to the Bow River, the hotel’s guest-rooms are comfortable and classy, neutrally decorated with dark wood furnishings....see more
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Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
from £191
Located on the shores of Lake Louise, and surrounded by the spectacular Rocky Mountains, the hotel’s rooms have stunning views and are elegantly furnished...see more
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Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
from £148
Nestled between Mildred and Beauvert lakes, the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is a beautiful resort with rustic rooms and lovely large windows to maximise...see more
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Ski Jasper
from £1,123
The drive to Jasper is an experience in itself, as you travel along one of the world’s most scenic roads 'The Icefields Parkway'. Once in Jasper,...see more
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Ski Banff
from £1,040
Banff is one of the world’s most popular ski resorts, in the heart of the incredible Canadian Rocky Mountains. On one lift ticket you can ski at...see more
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Western Highlights Holiday
from £2,408
Take in all the West Coast’s best attractions on this magical fly-drive journey. The adventure begins in the Stampede City of Calgary discovering stunning...see more
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Banff and Jasper Short Break
from £1,286
Nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountains lies the wonderful mountain towns of Banff and Jasper. Picturesque and the perfect base for exploring...see more
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Rocky Mountain Getaway Holiday
from £3,263
This is one of our most popular tours as you can easily fit it into whatever you have planned for your holiday...see more
Top tips
Top tips for visiting Alberta
Top Tip 1
• Alberta’s scenery is some of the most spectacular in Canada; take a moment when you arrive to take in the awe-inspiring scenery as you feel very small amidst its splendour.
Top Tip 2
• Visit Canada’s Wild West of Calgary, also known as Stampede City. Every July this is Canada’s hottest destination, home to the ‘Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth’ - the amazing Calgary Stampede, which is a great example of Western Canadian culture.
Top Tip 3
• Calgary is also the gateway to the Rocky Mountains, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Canada. Visit the charming mountain towns of Lake Louise, Banff and Jasper and explore some of Canada’s most beautiful mountain scenery.
Top Tip 4
• Practise your photography – Lake Louise is the jewel of the Rockies and one of the most photographed lakes in the world. Get a snap for your photo album!
Top Tip 5
• Visit a ranch and saddle up! This a great opportunity to experience the best of the Canadian west – horse riding in the day and relaxing in a traditional ranch by night, what could be better?
Top Tip 6
• Adrenaline junkies should visit the Glacier Skywalk in Jasper National Park, which stands a massive 918 feet (280 metres) over spectacular glacier-formed valleys and rushing waterfalls.
Top Tip 7
• Keep an eye out for our ‘Canadian Big 5’ – Alberta is a great destination for spotting wildlife.
Top Tip 8
• Foodies should try eating steak in Alberta – absolutely delicious!
If you’d like more information about booking your trip to Alberta call one of our dedicated team who will help you plan the trip of a lifetime!
