Canada — the trip that made us
fall completely in love with it
In 2024 we did what we reckon is one of the greatest trips on earth — flying into Calgary for the world-famous Stampede, doing a 3-day guided tour of the Canadian Rockies through Yoho, Banff and Jasper National Parks, walking on the Athabasca Glacier with the Icefield Explorer, marvelling at the turquoise lakes, and finishing in Vancouver where we boarded an Alaskan cruise. Three weeks. One country that absolutely blew us away.
Calgary — where the adventure begins
Calgary is the gateway to the Canadian Rockies and a brilliant city in its own right. The skyline is stunning, the people are some of the friendliest we've encountered anywhere, and the food scene is seriously underrated. But the real reason to time your Canada trip for early July is simple — the Calgary Stampede.
The Stampede is genuinely one of the greatest events on earth. Ten days of world-class rodeo, chuckwagon racing, incredible live music, insane fairground rides, and an atmosphere that's completely unique. Every single person in the city gets involved — Stetsons on, boots out, party on. We absolutely loved every second of it. Beyond the Stampede, Calgary itself is worth a couple of days — we did a sightseeing tour of the city which gave us a brilliant overview before we headed into the mountains.
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The Canadian Rockies — nothing prepares you for it
Between us we've been to 57 countries. We've seen mountains in New Zealand, Norway, Nepal and Switzerland. And the Canadian Rockies still stopped us in our tracks. The scale is extraordinary. Driving west from Calgary, the mountains appear on the horizon and just keep getting bigger. By the time you reach Banff and then Lake Louise, you're genuinely pinching yourself.
We did the 3-Day Canadian Rockies National Parks Tour — covering Yoho National Park, Banff, the Columbia Icefield and Jasper in three action-packed days. Having expert guides meant we saw far more than we ever would have independently.
Day by day — Calgary through the Rockies
- Lake Louise — the famous turquoise glacial lake backed by the Victoria Glacier. No photo does it justice. Named after Princess Louise Caroline Alberta.
- Moraine Lake — arguably even more stunning than Lake Louise. Set in the Valley of the Ten Peaks with an impossibly vivid turquoise colour that changes intensity through summer as the glaciers melt.
- Natural Bridge — sculpted by rushing water over what was once a waterfall. A powerful reminder of how water shapes the landscape.
- Emerald Lake — the largest lake in Yoho National Park with stunning turquoise water surrounded by the peaks of the Continental Divide.
- Lower Spiral Tunnels — one of the most bizarre feats of railway engineering in the world. The railroad forms two spirals crossing beneath itself twice to reduce the gradient.
Overnight: Banff Town Core hotel
- Bow Lake — headwaters of the Bow River that runs south through Calgary. A beautiful glacial lake with stunning mountain reflections.
- Icefields Parkway — 232km of the most dramatic scenery you'll ever drive through. One of Canada's national treasures.
- Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre — at the edge of the largest icefield in North America. The optional Icefield Explorer takes you out onto the Athabasca Glacier itself — an absolutely extraordinary once-in-a-lifetime experience.
- Athabasca Falls — famous not for height but for sheer force and volume of water flowing through from the Columbia Glacier.
- Jasper National Park — the second biggest town in the Canadian Rockies. Quieter and more laid-back than Banff with just as much beauty.
Overnight: Jasper Town hotel · Breakfast included
- Maligne Lake — the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies. An optional cruise lets you enjoy the extraordinary scenery from the water.
- Maligne Canyon — carved into limestone deposited 365 million years ago. One of the most spectacular canyons in the Rockies.
- Medicine Lake — one of the largest known sinking rivers in the Western Hemisphere. A fascinating and unusual natural phenomenon.
- Peyto Lake — a glacier-fed lake in Banff National Park with bright turquoise colour from suspended glacial rock flour. One of the most photographed spots in Canada.
- Crowfoot Glacier — named after its shape when discovered. A striking reminder of the effects of climate change on the Rockies.
Return to Calgary · Breakfast included
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The Icefield Explorer — walking on the Athabasca Glacier
One of the most extraordinary and unusual experiences of the entire trip. The Columbia Icefield is one of the largest icefields in North America — and the Icefield Explorer takes you right out onto the Athabasca Glacier in a specially designed vehicle so you can actually step out and walk on the ice. Standing on a glacier that has been there for thousands of years, surrounded by mountains, with the ice crunching under your feet — it's one of those moments that genuinely makes you stop and take it all in.
Our Icefield Explorer reel — watch before you book!
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The Lakes of the Canadian Rockies — genuinely unreal
Nothing prepares you for the colour of the lakes in the Canadian Rockies. The turquoise and jade hues come from glacial rock flour suspended in the water — and no filter, no camera setting, no photo does it justice. You simply have to be there. Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, Emerald Lake, Maligne Lake — each one more beautiful than the last. Watch our reel and you'll see exactly why we kept stopping every five minutes.
The Lakes of the Canadian Rockies — our reel
Vancouver — the perfect end to a perfect trip
After the mountains, arriving in Vancouver felt like landing in a completely different world. Glass towers, ocean views, mountains still visible on the horizon — it's one of the most visually striking cities on earth. We arrived a few days before our Alaskan cruise departed, which gave us just enough time to explore properly.
The highlight was the Panorama Seaplane tour — taking off from the downtown waterfront and flying over the city, Burrard Inlet and the surrounding mountains. One of the most spectacular things we've done anywhere in the world. We also did the hop-on hop-off bus which was perfect for covering Vancouver's different neighbourhoods at our own pace.
✈️ The Panorama Seaplane tour — watch before you book
One of the most spectacular things we've done in 57 countries. Watch our reel and you'll understand why we'd recommend this to everyone visiting Vancouver.
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🚌 The Vancouver Hop-on Hop-off Bus
Perfect for covering Vancouver's neighbourhoods at your own pace — Gastown, Chinatown, Stanley Park, Granville Island and the waterfront.
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More things to do in Vancouver
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Setting sail for Alaska — the perfect finale
Vancouver is one of the most popular embarkation points for Alaskan cruises — and once you arrive you immediately understand why. Sailing out of Vancouver Harbour with the city skyline behind you and the mountains ahead is a genuinely spectacular departure. The Inside Passage route from Vancouver up through British Columbia and into Alaska is considered one of the great cruising routes in the world — glaciers calving into the sea, humpback whales breaching alongside the ship, bald eagles overhead.
If you're already going to Vancouver — and you absolutely should be — seriously consider adding an Alaskan cruise onto the end of your trip. It turns a brilliant holiday into an extraordinary one.
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Common questions
Canada trip FAQ
What to pack for Canada
Canada packing essentials — what we'd bring
From the Rockies to Vancouver — Canada covers a huge range of terrain and weather. These are the things we'd pack without hesitation for a Calgary to Vancouver trip.
The Rockies and Vancouver both get wet. A proper waterproof set is essential — especially on the Icefields Parkway and glacier walks.
View on Amazon →Non-negotiable for the Rockies — glaciers, forest trails, cobbled town centres. Good waterproof boots cover all of it.
View on Amazon →Essential for the Icefield Explorer and early morning Rockies excursions. Temperatures drop fast at altitude.
View on Amazon →Wildlife spotting in the Rockies is extraordinary — elk, moose, bears, bighorn sheep. Binoculars make it so much better.
View on Amazon →Signal can be patchy in the national parks. An eSIM gives you data without roaming charges — essential for navigation on the Icefields Parkway.
View on Amazon →Long driving days and full days on excursions drain your phone fast. A power bank means you never miss a photo because your battery died.
View on Amazon →Canada uses Type A and B plugs — different to Ireland. A universal adaptor covers you everywhere.
View on Amazon →Canada's national parks have brilliant fresh water everywhere. A reusable bottle saves money and keeps you hydrated on long driving days.
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Ready to plan your Canada trip?
Whether you want the full Rockies experience, the Icefield Explorer, a seaplane over Vancouver or all of the above — start with GetYourGuide for activities and TourRadar for the Alaskan cruise.
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