Duration: 7 nights
Best months: March–September
Country: Canada
Region: Calgary · Banff National Park · Lake Louise · Moraine Lake · Banff Upper Hot Springs · Icefields Parkway · Glacier Skywalk · Jasper National Park · Maligne Lake · Spirit Island · SkyTram · Edmonton
A Journey Through Alberta’s Most Iconic Landscapes
If you want “classic Canada” without trying to cover the whole map, Alberta delivers—fast. This itinerary blends city flavor, alpine stillness, and big-sky wilderness in a clean, well-paced arc: Calgary → Banff → Jasper → Edmonton. Expect private guidance where it matters, thoughtful downtime between highlights, and a plan built to keep families energized (kids-first without compromising adults). For more ideas across the region, explore North America with EscapeXperts®.
At EscapeXperts®, your planning/design fee becomes practical deliverables: a discovery session, curated options for stays and experiences, iteration rounds to refine pacing, and a final trip plan with checklists—plus support for changes as travel details evolve.
Calgary: A Food-Forward Start with Culture on Tap
Land in Calgary and settle into Kensington Riverside Inn, Calgary—a relaxed base along the Bow River with an easy neighborhood feel. Your first afternoon is intentionally light: a soft landing, a wander, and a dinner reservation at one of the city’s most respected tables.
In the morning, meet your private guide for a food tour through Calgary’s markets and culinary hotspots—part tasting, part storytelling. Then choose your afternoon rhythm: the Glenbow Museum for art and history, or Heritage Park Historical Village for a family-friendly look at the West (especially good with curious kids and teens).
Banff National Park: Lake Louise Calm and Nature’s Reset Button
Next, head into Banff National Park for a stay at the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs. Once you’ve dropped bags, you’ll go straight for a classic moment: a serene canoe paddle on Lake Louise—blue water, towering peaks, and that rare feeling of time slowing down.
Between the lake days, make space for Moraine Lake (a local favorite for its glassy views), then lean into restoration at Banff Upper Hot Springs—a warm soak with mountain panoramas that makes everyone feel better instantly.
The Rockies, at your family’s perfect pace
Icefields Parkway to Jasper: The World-Class Drive and a Skywalk Thrill
The transfer from Banff to Jasper is not just a “drive”—it’s a highlight. The Icefields Parkway is one of the most scenic routes on earth, and we design it with smart stop timing so it feels immersive, not rushed.
A must along the way is the Glacier Skywalk: a cliff-edge walkway that curves out to a glass platform above the valley below. It’s a bold, memorable moment—especially for older kids and adventurous travelers—before the road continues into deeper wilderness.
Jasper National Park and Edmonton: Spirit Island, SkyTram, and a City Finale
In Jasper National Park, you’ll check into Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and focus on two of the region’s signature experiences. First: a boat journey on Maligne Lake to Spirit Island, one of the Rockies’ most photographed scenes—quiet, cinematic, and only reachable by water. Then: the SkyTram, an aerial ascent that trades treeline for wide-open views and a real “top of the world” feeling.
To finish, travel onward for one last night in Alberta’s capital, Edmonton. Spend time at the Art Gallery of Alberta, browse local farmers’ markets, and toast the trip along Whyte Avenue—a lively final chapter before you head home.
Signature Experiences
- Calgary market-to-table tastings on a guided food tour
- Culture options in Calgary: Glenbow Museum or Heritage Park Historical Village
- Fairmont Banff Springs as your Rockies base in Banff
- Canoeing on Lake Louise plus time at Moraine Lake
- A restorative soak at Banff Upper Hot Springs
- The Icefields Parkway drive with scenic stop planning
- The glass-floor thrill of the Glacier Skywalk
- Spirit Island on Maligne Lake and a summit-style ascent on the SkyTram
- An Edmonton finale: Art Gallery of Alberta, markets, and Whyte Avenue
Ready for Something Extraordinary?
EscapeXperts® designs Alberta with calm precision—private support, smart pacing, and access that keeps the trip effortless for families. From curated stays to well-timed drives and standout experiences, you’ll receive a polished itinerary, practical checklists, and responsive support for changes—so you can focus on the moments that matter.
Why Travel to Alberta with Escape Xperts
Alberta is iconic—but it’s also a destination where sequencing and timing shape everything: lake visits that avoid peak crowds, the right windows for the Icefields Parkway, and stays that simplify logistics for families. EscapeXperts® curates trusted local partners, private transfers, and a rhythm built around your travelers’ ages and energy. We balance “must-sees” like Lake Louise and Spirit Island with real downtime, ensuring kids stay engaged while adults still get space to relax. The result is a premium, smooth-flow journey through Canada’s greatest hits—without the planning stress.
