Highlights of Banff and Jasper National Parks

Select Date

Air Details

Customize

Summary

My Trip Plan

Check Out

Banff And Jasper National Parks Self Drive Discovery

Love

Duration

6 Days

Starts In

Banff

Route

Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise

Your journey begins in Banff National Park, Canada's first and most visited national park, from there you will continue onto Jasper National Park, the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, and finally, you will conclude your Canadian vacation, in Lake Louise, named Horunnumnay meaning Lake of Little Fishes by the Stoney Nakota First Nations people. Both parks are part of UNESCO's Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks which also include Kootenay National Park, Yoho National Park, Mount Robson Provincial Park, Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park, and Hamber Provincial Park.

Includes

Rental vehicle with outlined inclusions
Keytours 24-hour emergency assistance
Accommodations of your choice

Excludes

Items of a personal nature
All other items not mentioned as included
Rental vehicle gas, parking, tolls, and all other items not listed as included
Select local taxes where applicable
One-way fee for rental car

Itinerary

Day
1

Day 1

Arrival- Calgary- Banff

Welcome to Calgary! Upon arrival at the Calgary International Airport, you will pick up your rental vehicle and drive approximately 1-hour, 30-minutes to Banff in Banff National Park. You will traverse Kananaskis Country which includes five provincial parks, four wildland provincial parks, one ecological reserve, and several provincial recreation areas. It also encompasses the Canmore Nordic Centre, a world class facility built for the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics as well as the Nakiska Ski Resort at Kananaskis Village, which was specially designed for the alpine events. A plethora of activites can be enjoyed in this region including horeseback riding, whitewater rafting, hiking, golfing, mountain biking, and fishing.

Day
2

Day 2

Banff

Banff National Park is famous for its surreally colored lakes, majestic mountains, and endless outdoor adventures. Canada’s first national park and the world’s third, it has a rich heritage as one of the world’s most awe-inspiring mountain destinations. What makes Banff National Park so special is its easy access and close proximity to the vast unspoiled wilderness of the Canadian Rockies. The park spans 2,564 square miles of mountainous terrain, packed with spectacularly scenic valleys, peaks, glaciers, forests, meadows, and rivers. Adventurers can enjoy incredible alpine day hikes, great paddling, Via Ferrata, and much more. For those looking for a more relaxed pace, you can ride the Banff Gondola up Sulpher Mountain for spectacular 360-degree views, enjoy a cruise on Lake Minnewanak, enjoy a soak in the Banff Upper Hot Springs, visit the Cave & Basin or Banff Park Museum National Historic Sites, take in one of the many scenic drives or enjoy unique wildlife viewing.

Day
3

Day 3

Banff- Jasper

Today you will drive approximately 3-hours, 30-minutes from Banff to Jasper in Jasper National Park. Unlike any other, the stretch of road from Jasper to Lake Louise known as the Icefields Parkway is rated as one of the top drives in the world by Condé Nast Traveler, it is dotted with more than 100 ancient glaciers, cascading waterfalls, dramatic rock spires, and emerald lakes set in sweeping valleys of thick pine and larch forests. The abundance of wildlife in Jasper and Banff National Parks will have you peering around every turn. So take your time, stop for a hike to a breath-taking viewpoint, capture that stunning photo to share with friends, and enjoy a roadside picnic amidst the splendor of the Canadian Rockies pristine wilderness. Highlights include Athabasca Falls, Sunwapta Falls, the Glacier Skywalk, the Columbia Icefield Centre, the Weeping Wall, Peyto Lake, and Bow Lake.

Day
4

Day 4

Jasper

The town of Jasper is located in the heart of Jasper National Park. Originally a railway town, its unpretentious charm has a timeless appeal. The park’s abundant wildlife, crystalline lakes, deep canyons, evergreen forests, shimmering glaciers, and thundering waterfalls — all surrounded by towering mountains — are some of the reasons the park was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At 4,335 square miles, Jasper National Park is Canada's largest park in the Rocky Mountains and the second largest Dark Sky Preserve in the world. Jasper offers breathtaking sites and memorable experiences. Adventurers can enjoy incredible adrenaline-pumping mountain biking, alpine day hikes, great paddling, and much more. For those looking for a more relaxed pace, you can picnic amongst majestic peaks, enjoy a cruise on Maligne Lake, take in one of the many scenic drives or enjoy unique wildlife viewing.

Day
5

Day 5

Jasper-Lake Louise

Today you will drive approximately 3-hours from Jasper to Lake Lousie in Banff National Park as you retrace your steps along the Icefields Parkway. For the outdoor enthusiast, ensure to check out one of many shorter-easier hiking opportunities along the route-Bow Glacier Falls, Parker Ridge Trail, Warden Lake, or Wilcox Pass.

Day
6

Day 6

Lake Louise-Calgary-Departure

After breakfast, you will check out of your hotel and drive approximately 2-hours to the Calgary International Airport where you will return your rental vehicle and check-in for your onward flight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What cities and how many nights are included in this package?

This package includes 2 nights in Banff, 2 nights in Jasper, and 1 night in Lake Louise, making it a total of 5 nights over 6 days.

What is included in the Banff and Jasper National Parks Self Drive Discovery package?

The package includes a rental vehicle with outlined inclusions, 24-hour emergency assistance, and accommodations of your choice. Gas, parking, tolls, and one-way fees for the rental car are not included.

How do I travel between the cities in this package?

You will travel between the cities using a rental vehicle, starting from Calgary and driving to Banff, Jasper, and Lake Louise, before returning to Calgary.

What are the highlights of Banff National Park?

Banff National Park is known for its surreally colored lakes, majestic mountains, and endless outdoor adventures. It offers activities like alpine day hikes, paddling, and wildlife viewing, as well as attractions like the Banff Gondola and Lake Minnewanka.

What can I expect to see on the drive from Banff to Jasper?

The drive from Banff to Jasper along the Icefields Parkway is renowned for its stunning scenery, including ancient glaciers, cascading waterfalls, and emerald lakes. Highlights include Athabasca Falls, Sunwapta Falls, and the Columbia Icefield Centre.

What activities are available in Jasper National Park?

Jasper National Park offers mountain biking, alpine day hikes, paddling, and scenic drives. For a more relaxed pace, you can enjoy a picnic, a cruise on Maligne Lake, or unique wildlife viewing.

What should I know about Lake Louise?

Lake Louise, known as the Lake of Little Fishes, is a stunning natural area in Banff National Park. It's a perfect spot for hiking and enjoying the breathtaking scenery of the Canadian Rockies.

Book Your Trip

Include Flights?

Yes

Help

Monday through Friday 9 am to 7 pm EST

Reach us by phone

+1 (800) 576-1784

Reach us by email

info@keytours.com

Your Trip Plan is Empty

Banff and Jasper National Parks Self Drive Discovery