6-Day Rocky Mountain Explorer Tour**From Calgary**

Upon arrival in Calgary, we'll head right to Lake Louise, one of the most gorgeous lakes in the Canadian Rockies. Along the way we'll travel through the foothills of the Rockies, past the mountain towns of Canmore and Banff, into Lake Louise, the “Jewel of the Rockies.” Take the rest of the day to explore this lovely area on your own. Enjoy a walk to the lake shore or visit the magnificent Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, the gorgeous hotel that dominates the lakeside.

Today’s journey travels north along the famous Icefields Parkway, one of the most spectacular highways in North America. Crossing through Banff and Jasper National Parks, we'll stop at the Columbia Icefield to take the visit the Glacier Skywalk. At the Columbia Icefield, we'll enjoy lunch at the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre before boarding the Columbia Ice Explorer to travel onto the icy slopes of the Athabasca Glacier. This excursion allows you to travel in a specially designed Ice Explorer to the middle of the glacier while your driver explains how the glaciers are formed and points out interesting geological features - such as the fact that the ice is 365 meters (1,200 feet) thick - about the height of the Empire State Building! At the icefall below the glacial headwall, you can step out onto ice that formed from snow that fell 400 years ago. Only a few minutes from the Athabasca Glacier is the Glacier Skywalk. Winner of the 2011 World Architecture Future Projects award, the Glacier Skywalk consists of a 400 meter interpretive boardwalk and a glass-floored observation platform extending 30 meters out over the Sunwapta Valley. The walkway contains interpretive stations highlighting the ecology, geology, glaciology, Aboriginal history and social history of the area. After your adventure, your camera should be ready to capture the majesty of the Athabasca Falls, prior to your arrival into Jasper.

Experience Jasper National Park through the travels of the early explorers and view the unspoiled grandeur! This morning excursion will begin along the mighty Athabasca River, learning about David Thompson and the valley ecosystem. En-route to Maligne Lake learn of the local Native legends of the mysterious Medicine Lake with its disappearing waters! Make sure to bring your camera, because you are sure to see a variety of mountain wildlife.

Your morning will be free to continue enjoying this lovely natural landscape! In the afternoon, we'll travel south along the scenic Icefields Parkway to Banff.

We'll begin today with a half-day excursion through the town of Banff and its surroundings. Take a ride on a gondola car to the peak of Sulphur Mountain for a 360 degree view of the Banff Town site and the Bow Valley. Then, we'll visit Bow Falls before ascending Tunnel Mountain Drive to view Surprise Corner and the Hoodoos, overlooking the Bow River, before continuing to Lake Minnewanka, the largest lake in Banff National Park. At Lake Minnewanka enjoy an hour long cruise beneath the jagged peaks of Mount Aylmer and Mount Inglismaldie. Big horn sheep, deer and eagles are often spotted at the water’s edge. We'll return to Banff via Minnewanka Loop with a stop at Two Jack Lake. The remainder of your day is free to explore on your own or wander through Banff’s boutiques, cafes and museums.

Today, we'll travel past the mountain town of Canmore, through the frontal range of the Rockies and continue into the foothills to the city of Calgary.