Heart of the Canadian Rockies Self-Drive

Highlights

Discover the stunning scenery of Emerald Lake and Lake Louise

Travel through the spine of the Canadian Rockies along the amazing Icefields Parkway

Experience the scenic natural beauty and stunning wildlife of the Canadian Rockies

Witness the gem-coloured glacial lakes and waterfalls and snow-covered peaks of Yoho National Park

Entire Bonus

Peace of Mind, Every Step of the Way
This holiday package is carefully designed by our team to give you complete Peace of Mind, with access to trusted local partners and expert support at your destination

Leading Industry‑Accredited Canada Specialist
Canada Travel is a leading, industry‑accredited Canada specialist, combining genuine destination expertise with the strength and stability of an established travel group – so you can book with total confidence.

7 days

From

AUD 3,018

per person, twin share

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Travelling with kids? Read more

All services are subject to availability.

Overview

Commence your adventure in Calgary, where you will pick up your rental car for a week-long journey into the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Drive to Banff and enjoy a two-night stay in the alpine town. Whilst in Banff, you have the opportunity to be hosted by local experts. You can observe wildlife in their natural habitat (think black bears, elk, and coyotes to name a few!), cruise Lake Minnewanka, take the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain, or ride on horseback along the Bow River.

From Banff, you journey into Yoho National Park for a stay at the stunning Emerald Lake Lodge. From Emerald Lake, you head up one of the world's most scenic drives along the Icefields Parkway to Jasper.

In Jasper, you have the option to cruise Maligne Lake and marvel at Spirit Island, enjoy a gentle rafting trip or a guided nature walk. From Jasper, your drive journey takes you to Lake Louise. Lake Louise is the most famous glacial lake in the Canadian Rockies and one of the most beautiful in the Western Hemisphere. Your week long self-drive experience comes to an end back in the Stampede city of Calgary.

Inclusions

2 nights in Banff at Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa

1 night in Emerald Lake at Emerald Lake Lodge

2 nights in Jasper at Jasper Inn & Suites

1 night in Lake Louise at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

7 days Intermediate car rental

Ice Explorer ride onto Athabasca Glacier

Glacier Skywalk

Freedom of Choice Days

Freedom of Choice

Our Freedom of Choice program offers flexibility, by allowing you to choose from different options on pre-selected days.

Our per person price includes one tour on each Freedom of Choice day, as follows:

One "Freedom of Choice" tour on day 2
One "Freedom of Choice" tour on day 5

Expand the itinerary below for more details.

Please note, if more than one room is selected during the booking process, our team will contact you afterwards to discuss options.

Itinerary

Download Itinerary Expand All

Day 1 Calgary Banff

Leave the Stampede City of Calgary and travel west toward the rising peaks of the Canadian Rockies. As the prairie landscape gives way to foothills and mountain views, continue into Banff National Park and the resort town of Banff, one of Canada’s most iconic alpine destinations. Surrounded by dramatic peaks, forested valleys and glacier-fed rivers, Banff offers a spectacular introduction to the natural beauty and wildlife of the Rockies.

Overnight in Banff at Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa

Calgary | Credit: Travel Alberta

Day 2 Banff

Today, you can personalise your day by choosing one of the five freedom of choice activities below.

Overnight in Banff at Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa

Freedom of Choice Options

Banff Gondola:
Ride the Banff Gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain for sweeping views over Banff, the Bow Valley and the surrounding peaks of Banff National Park. At the top, enjoy viewing platforms, interpretive exhibits and time to take in one of the most impressive panoramas in the Canadian Rockies.

Lake Minnewanka Cruise:
Cruise across the turquoise waters of Lake Minnewanka, surrounded by mountain peaks, forested shoreline and open alpine scenery. As you travel toward Devil’s Gap, enjoy a relaxed and scenic perspective of one of Banff National Park’s most beautiful glacier-fed lakes.

River Explorer Canoe Tour:
Enjoy a gentle guided canoe tour along the Bow River, where calm waters, mountain views and riverside scenery create a peaceful way to experience Banff National Park. This fun and interactive excursion is ideal for families, with no paddling experience necessary

Bow River Horseback Adventure:
Saddle up for a guided horseback ride through the celebrated landscapes of Banff National Park. Follow scenic riverside trails, take in mountain views and experience the Rockies in a classic western style.

Banff Townsite E-Bike Tour:
Explore Banff on a relaxed guided e-bike ride to some of the town’s most scenic highlights, including Bow Falls, Surprise Corner, downtown Banff and the Cave and Basin National Historic Site. Enjoy mountain views, local history and an easy-paced ride suitable for beginners and families.

Banff | Credit: Travel Alberta

Day 3 Banff Emerald Lake

Depart Banff and travel west through the heart of the Canadian Rockies toward Yoho National Park. In summer, travellers may enjoy either the Bow Valley Parkway, known for its quieter pace, forested scenery and wildlife viewing opportunities (subject to seasonal closures), or the Trans Canada Highway, which offers a faster route with sweeping mountain vistas. Along the way, Johnston Canyon is a popular highlight, where a paved trail follows the canyon walls to rushing waterfalls, turquoise pools and dramatic limestone scenery. Continue through mountain passes into Yoho National Park, whose name is a Cree expression of awe. This spectacular park is known for gem-coloured glacial lakes, waterfalls, snow-covered peaks, dense cedar and hemlock forests, historic railways, spiral tunnels and steep rock faces where mountain goats may be seen. Arrive at Emerald Lake Lodge, set beside one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in the Canadian Rockies.

Overnight in Emerald Lake at Emerald Lake Lodge

Emerald Lake | Credit: Destination BC Dave Heath

Day 4 Emerald Lake Jasper

Depart Emerald Lake Lodge and travel east through the dramatic mountain scenery of Yoho National Park before continuing into Banff National Park and north along the Icefields Parkway, one of the most spectacular mountain drives in the world. This unforgettable route follows the spine of the Canadian Rockies, passing glacier-fed lakes, sweeping valleys, waterfalls and towering peaks. At the Columbia Icefield, step aboard the Ice Explorer for a journey onto ancient glacier ice, then continue to the Glacier Skywalk, where a glass-floored platform extends high above the Sunwapta Valley. These included experiences offer a powerful perspective on the scale, beauty and geology of this treasured region before you continue to Jasper.

Overnight in Jasper at Jasper Inn & Suites

Ice Explorer | Credit: Pursuit / Mike Seehagel

Day 5 Jasper

Today, you can personalise your day by choosing one of the three freedom of choice activities below.

Overnight in Jasper at Jasper Inn & Suites

Freedom of Choice Options

Maligne Lake Cruise:
Cruise across Maligne Lake, one of Jasper National Park’s most photographed settings. Surrounded by mountain peaks, forested shoreline and brilliant alpine water, the journey includes views toward Spirit Island, one of the Canadian Rockies’ most iconic natural landmarks. Operating season is weather dependent.

Jasper River Float:
Enjoy a gentle rafting experience on the Athabasca River, offering a relaxed and scenic perspective of Jasper National Park. Drift through a wide mountain valley with views of forests, peaks and wildlife habitat while your guide shares stories of the area’s natural and human history.

Jasper Nature Walk:
Explore Jasper National Park on a guided nature walk through a landscape of rolling hills, jagged peaks, forests, meadows, marshes, streams and glacial lakes. Along the way, learn more about the plants, wildlife and mountain ecology that make this region so remarkable.

Pyramid Lake | Credit: Tourism Jasper / Andrew Penner

Day 6 Jasper Lake Louise

Depart Jasper and travel south once more along the Icefields Parkway, where the return journey reveals the Canadian Rockies from a new perspective. Towering peaks, glacier-carved valleys, rushing rivers and alpine forests frame the route as the scenery shifts with each bend in the road. Time permitting, pause at scenic viewpoints such as Athabasca Falls, Sunwapta Falls, Bow Lake or Peyto Lake, where turquoise waters, mountain reflections and sweeping valley views showcase the scale and beauty of this remarkable corridor. Continue toward Lake Louise, often called the “Jewel of the Rockies.” Set 1,730 metres above sea level and surrounded by soaring peaks, this famous glacier-fed lake is renowned for its vivid turquoise colour and breathtaking alpine setting. Spend time walking one of the nearby trails, paddling across the lake by canoe, or simply taking in one of the most iconic views in the Canadian Rockies.

Overnight in Lake Louise at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise | Credit: Finn Beales

Day 7 Lake Louise Calgary

Say goodbye to the turquoise waters and soaring peaks of Lake Louise as you travel east through Banff National Park toward Calgary. The route follows the Trans-Canada Highway past glacier-carved valleys, forested slopes and dramatic mountain scenery before the Rockies gradually give way to rolling foothills and wide-open prairie landscapes. If time permits, consider a scenic detour to Cochrane, a western foothills town set above the Bow River, where ranching heritage, river pathways and views back toward the mountains make a relaxed final stop. Continue to Calgary, where your journey ends after one last look back at the skyline of the Canadian Rockies.

Accommodation

Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa

Banff
Located in Banff National Park, the Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa offers a mountain lodge hotel, a great steakhouse restaurant and a full-service spa, all in one outstanding location. This ideal vacation spot is located on Banff Avenue, the main street in the town of Banff. Surrounded by mountains, there are plenty of activities to keep you busy.

Emerald Lake Lodge

Emerald Lake
Set on a 13-acre peninsula on Yoho National Park’s Emerald Lake, this upscale lodge is 13.4 km from the Canadian Rocky Mountains Parks World Heritage Site and 14.8 km from Mount Field. The posh rooms feature private balconies with lake views, wood-burning fireplaces and coffeemakers, plus sitting areas. A refined restaurant serves regional cuisine, and there's a seasonal bistro. A stately lounge features a stone fireplace, plus an oak bar from an 1890s saloon.

Jasper Inn & Suites

Jasper
Set amidst the spectacular scenery of the Canadian Rockies, Jasper Inn & Suites offers a comfortable and welcoming base for exploring Jasper and its surrounding natural wonders. With a range of accommodation options, including pet-friendly rooms, the hotel provides a convenient retreat for enjoying the beauty and year-round adventures of Jasper National Park.

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Lake Louise
Surrounded by soaring mountain peaks, the majestic Victoria Glacier and a glistening emerald lake, the iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise hotel is located in Alberta's Banff National Park. Discover endless outdoor recreational activities including hiking, canoeing, horseback riding, fishing, mountain biking and river rafting.

Additional information

FROM price reflects the lowest available price within the advertised travel period (e.g. April to October). Pricing varies depending on travel dates, availability and demand, and may not be available on all departures. Higher pricing applies during peak and shoulder periods. Final pricing is confirmed at the time of enquiry or booking. Please refer to Pricing & Price Conditions for full details, including inclusions, exclusions and other conditions.

FAQs

Who are Entire Travel Group?

Welcome to Entire Travel Group. We offer exceptional travel experiences across our extensive range of Entire Holiday Packages, Entire Group Journeys, Entire Rail Journeys, and Entire Cruise Journeys. With our industry-leading Peace of Mind Booking Plan, you can Book Now with flexibility and confidence.

Entire Travel Group is celebrating over 50 years of passionately delivering unique and memorable travel experiences. We are an Australian, family-owned, award-winning business with a friendly team ready to match your expectations to the perfect holiday experience.

Entire Travel Group used to be known by the individual brands shown in the footer of the website. The company has not changed, but we have amalgamated under one brand - Entire Travel Group.

For more details please visit - About Us | Entire Travel Group

Is Entire Travel Group Australian owned and operated?

Entire Travel Group is proudly Australian family owned and operated and as it stands today represents 50 years of experience, progress, and evolution. We proudly support the community with our long-term commitment to many important charity organisations. We were awarded the best operator in our class at the most recent National Travel Industry Awards.

Is Entire Travel Group industry accredited?

Entire Travel Group is both ATIA and CATO Accredited. The Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) is the trade association representing the land supply sector of the Australian Travel Industry.

Does Entire Travel Group have industry awards?

Entire Travel Group was honoured at the 2023 National Travel Industry Awards with Most Oustanding Wholesaler - Product / Service.

As our team works tirelessly to deliver exceptional holiday experiences, it was exciting to have this acknowledged with the highest recognition. The award is also a testament to the quality of our partners around the globe, and we take this opportunity to thank them for their tremendous support of our customers.

Are the Entire Travel Group holiday packages exclusive?

In some cases, we are the sole representative in Australia for the overseas travel operator. In other circumstances the product developed has been exclusively built for Entire Travel Group and can’t be found elsewhere.

What’s unique about Entire Travel Group Holiday Packages?

They are not group tours with set departures - they are pre-designed, purpose built, independent holiday packages full of unique and memorable experiences.
Our holiday packages have been exclusively built for us in collaboration with our handpicked suppliers, who also offer full on-ground support for the clients.
We are offering unique travel experiences which cannot be found elsewhere.
Many packages include our “Freedom of Choice” options which allow you to tailor the holiday experience. Like a sommelier matching wine to a meal, we have used our experience to carefully select and offer the right experiences in each location.
They include our Peace of Mind Booking Plan.
A wide selection of our packages are compliant with the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Covid Safe Travels.

Our motto for Independent Holiday Packages is start your holiday when and with who you want!

Our Independent Holiday Packages are NOT group tours with set departure dates. Group Tours have specific set departure dates, and of course, you are travelling with unknown passengers in a coach. These tours are great for certain travellers and there are many reputable tour operators providing a wide range of options around the world.

At Entire Travel Group, our focus is Independent Holiday Packages. Available daily, they are pre-designed, purpose built, packaged itineraries full of memorable experiences delivered by our hand-picked local partners.

Our holidays suit every demographic, from couples to singles, to retirees to families and everyone else in between.

Why travel with Entire Travel Group?

Of Entire Travel Group's attributes, we have settled on "When Experience Matters" as the quality we believe adds the most value to our customers. We have the experience to ensure your itinerary makes the dream holiday possible. Our continually enhanced technology allows our team to provide a quality customer service experience, and our partnerships with outstanding operators ensure we are confident of the on-ground experience for our customers.

For more details please visit - About Us | Entire Travel Group

How does the Peace of Mind Booking Plan work?

Our Peace of Mind Booking Plan allows you to book with confidence in the new international travel environment. With low deposits, a cooling off period and a flexibility period where you can cancel and rebook later, we really do have you covered.

For more details please visit - Peace of Mind Booking Plan | Entire Travel Group

Is there a cooling-off period?

Look for packages with our Peace of Mind Booking Plan logo on the website.

We understand that occasionally plans may change, so we give you the confidence to proceed with a cooling off period.
You may cancel for any reason within 7 days, where you will receive a 100% refund of your $100 per person deposit.

For more details please visit - Peace of Mind Booking Plan | Entire Travel Group

What is Freedom of Choice?

At Entire Travel Group we understand that our customers have their own personal tastes and interests - so throughout our packages look for “Freedom of Choice” which gives you the ability to tailor your holiday from the various experiences offered on selected days. Like a sommelier matching wine to a meal, we have used our experience to carefully select and offer the right experiences in each location.

The Freedom of Choice options are included in the package price, and the price remains the same regardless of the choice you make on each day.

Our Freedom of Choice program offers flexibility, by allowing you to choose from different options on pre-selected days in the itinerary.

Our per person price includes one tour on each Freedom of Choice day in the itinerary.
The price of the package remains the same regardless of the choice you make on each day.

For more details please visit - Freedom of Choice | Entire Travel Group

What is Book Now?

Book Now offers you the ability to make a reservation on our website for Holiday Packages that include our Peace of Mind Booking Plan. But it’s not just a static offer – you have complete flexibility from travel dates, passenger numbers, single supplements, room upgrades, optional extras, flexible booking terms and more.

Our team will contact our overseas suppliers and confirm all arrangements.
A Confirmation from our reservation system will be sent in the coming days.
The Booking Number on this confirmation supersedes the website reference.

How secure is the Entire Travel Group's on-line payment portal?

Entire Travel Group have partnered with TravelPay to ensure secure on-line credit card payments.
TravelPay is a level 1 PCI DSS compliant, which gives you peace of mind that your payment card data is in safe hands.
Entire Travel Group does not store any credit card information.

For more details please visit - Security and Compliance - TravelPay

What forms of payment can be used at Entire Travel Group?

To confirm a booking using our on-line Book Now process, a credit card must be used to pay the refundable deposit.
For additional payments on the booking, Entire Travel Group supports bank transfer, credit card, TravelPay B2B, PaymentGate.
For further details please visit our Payments page.

Can you book my international airfares?

On some Islands Holiday Packages (e.g. Fiji), it is practical to include flights, so where we have done this it is indicated by the plane icon.

However, on the majority of our Holiday Packages, we do not include international flights.

We found that many customers may prefer to:

Travel on a specific airline of their choice
Have the flexibility to book flights with Frequent Flyer points
Select flight dates that may be different to our Holiday Package start/end dates
Use a Travel Credit already held with the airline
Use their travel agent for this service

We are able to assist with flights on any Holiday Package, so please just notify us during the Book Now process or contact our team.

Should I take travel insurance?

Travel insurance is strongly recommended. During the Book Now process please confirm you require assistance, and our team will be in contact with you.

What should I do before travelling?

Before you travel it is your responsibility to ensure you have the appropriate documentation including visas. If you are travelling on a passport other than Australian or New Zealand, you will require a permit to re-enter Australia. It is your responsibility as the traveller and/or travel booker to meet all government entry requirements.

For more information please visit - Before you travel | Entire Travel Group

How does a Travel Agent make a booking?

Please visit the Entire Travel Group's Agent Portal. We are here to support our industry partners with a range of informative updates, marketing collateral for campaigns and a reward & recognition program.

How do I start a Booking?

On any page that has Book Now simply follow the booking process.
You must select the Travel Agent tick box and provide correct details.
To confirm a booking only the refundable deposit is required.
An agency credit card must be used for this initial payment.

How do I contact Entire Travel Group?

For more information please visit - Contact us | Entire Travel Group