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 7-day guided tour of the Canadian Rockies, 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.
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 any glacier walks.
View on Amazon →Non-negotiable for the Rockies. The terrain varies enormously — from glaciers to forest trails to cobbled town centres. Good waterproof boots cover all of it.
View on Amazon →A quick spray before you travel keeps your boots performing at their best. Small, light and well worth packing.
View on Amazon →Essential for the Icefield Explorer and any early morning Rockies excursions. Temperatures drop fast at altitude — these are a lifesaver.
View on Amazon →You'll be taking photos constantly — on the seaplane, at the lakes, on the glacier. Keep your phone protected from rain and splashes.
View on Amazon →Wildlife spotting in the Rockies is extraordinary — elk, moose, bears, bighorn sheep. Binoculars make the whole experience 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 →Canada's national parks have brilliant fresh water everywhere. A reusable bottle saves money and plastic — and keeps you hydrated on long driving days.
View on Amazon →When you're hours from the nearest town in the Rockies, a compact first aid kit is just sensible. Blisters, cuts, headaches — covers all the basics.
View on Amazon →Perfect for shore excursions, day hikes and city exploring. Keeps your hands free and your essentials close — waterproof jacket, snacks, camera, water bottle.
View on Amazon →Long driving days and full days on excursions drain your phone fast. A power bank means you never miss a photo opportunity because your battery died.
View on Amazon →Canada uses Type A and B plugs — different to Ireland. Don't get caught out on day one with nothing charged. A universal adaptor covers you everywhere.
View on Amazon →Disclosure: These are Amazon affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. These are all things we'd genuinely pack for a Canada trip.
Stop 1 — Calgary
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.
Calgary — our photos
Book the Calgary sightseeing tour we did
This 3-hour city tour is the perfect way to get your bearings before heading into the mountains. Covers all the key sights with a local guide who actually knows Calgary.
Disclosure: If you book through this link we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Stop 2 — The Rockies
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. Turquoise glacial lakes, snow-capped peaks, moose and elk on the roadside — it's all completely real and completely unbelievable at the same time.
We did the Premium Western Canadian Rockies 7-Day National Parks Tour which was the perfect way to experience the Rockies properly. Having expert guides and everything organised meant we could focus entirely on the experience rather than the logistics — and we saw far more than we ever would have independently.
The crown jewel of the Canadian Rockies. The town of Banff sits surrounded by mountains on all sides — it's surreal.
The famous turquoise glacial lake backed by the Victoria Glacier. No photo does it justice. Go early to beat the crowds.
232km of the most dramatic scenery you'll ever drive through. Glaciers, waterfalls, and mountain views at every single turn.
Elk, moose, bighorn sheep and black bears on the roadside. Keep your eyes open and drive slowly through the parks.
A quieter, more laid-back alternative to Banff. Just as beautiful, with half the crowds. Worth at least two nights.
Arguably even more stunning than Lake Louise. The Valley of the Ten Peaks reflected in that impossibly blue water — breathtaking.
Book the 7-Day Western Canadian Rockies Tour we did
This is the exact guided tour we did — 7 days through the Canadian Rockies national parks with expert guides, accommodation and transport all included. The most stress-free and comprehensive way to experience the Rockies properly.
Disclosure: If you book through this link we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This is the exact tour we did.
Walking on a glacier
The Icefield Explorer — walking on the Athabasca Glacier
One of the most extraordinary and unusual experiences of the entire trip. The Columbia Icefield on the Icefields Parkway 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. We loved every second of it.
Our Icefield Explorer reel — watch before you book!
Book the Icefield Explorer
Disclosure: If you book through this link we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
The most beautiful water you've ever seen
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 and Moraine Lake are the most famous, but the Rockies are dotted with stunning glacial lakes at every turn — Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, Emerald Lake, Herbert Lake. Each one more beautiful than the last. Watch our reel and you'll see exactly why we kept stopping the car every five minutes.
The Lakes of the Canadian Rockies — our reel
Stop 3 — Vancouver
Vancouver — the perfect end to a perfect trip
After the mountains, flying into 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.
Vancouver — our photos
✈️ 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.
Book the Panorama Seaplane tour
Disclosure: If you book through this link we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This is the exact tour we did.
🚌 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. Hop off when something catches your eye, explore, then jump back on.
Disclosure: If you book through this link we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
More things to do in Vancouver
Whale watching, Whistler day trips, Stanley Park tours, kayaking and more:
Disclosure: If you book through these links we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
The finale — Alaska
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, and port towns with more character per square metre than almost anywhere else on earth.
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.
Disclosure: If you book through our link we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Common questions
Canada trip FAQ
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 — GetYourGuide makes it easy to book everything in one place.
Affiliate disclosure: if you book through our links we may earn a small commission at no cost to you. We only recommend experiences we've done ourselves and would book again.