
Authentic Alberta
About the Trip
Embark on a truly authentic adventure through vibrant Western Canada, with cowboys, royals and breathtaking sights. Start out sightseeing in multicultural Calgary before moving onto pristine Waterton Lakes. There, you’ll visit Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which has thousands of years of significance to Indigenous communities, and enjoy an unforgettable Afternoon Tea at the iconic Prince of Wales Hotel. Next, take an idyllic ride to Banff, stopping at a true-blue ranch for delicious barbeque. In Banff, stop at the breathtaking Banff National Park, take a hoodoo float tour at Bow Falls, hop on a gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain and take a snow coach to the Athabasca Glacier. Finish off with a cowboy cookout among the mountains.
Member-exclusive Benefits
We reward all our CAA Members on our Extraordinary Explorations® tours/cruises.
- $25 CAD Beverage card†
- 25 CAA Dollars®^
- 25% savings on CAA Travel Insurance◊
Extraordinary Experience
CAA has curated an exceptional experience unique to your tour. Details of this Experience are listed below:
Royal-worthy tea service at Prince of Wales Hotel
Featuring a selection of teas from Tea Forté and a variety of delectable sandwich squares and pastries. Tea is served in the Prince of Wales lobby, which overlooks Waterton Lake for some of the most spectacular views around.
Package Includes:
- Return airfare from Toronto or Winnipeg to Calgary
- 2-night stay in moderate-class accommodation in Calgary
- 2-night stay in moderate-class accommodation in Waterton Lakes
- 4-night stay in moderate-class accommodation in Banff
- Breakfast daily, 4 lunches, 3 dinners and 1 afternoon tea
- Land transportation via first-class motorcoach
- Sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary
- Professional English-speaking tour director throughout
- Hotel porterage of 1 suitcase per person
- Destination transfers
Authentic Alberta: Mountains, Glaciers and Lakes
Activity Level: Light. Travel through Banff National Park, admire the turquoise waters of Lake Louise and take in the stunning mountain views.
Day 1
Calgary – Depart from Toronto or Winnipeg to Calgary. Upon arrival, meet your tour director and transfer to your hotel for check-in. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure before a group welcome dinner. D
Day 2
Calgary – Take a morning sightseeing tour of vibrant Calgary. Remainder of the day is at leisure. B
Day 3
Waterton Lakes – Travel along the pristine lakes and white-capped mountains that surround Waterton Lakes National Park. En route, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump. B/D
Day 4
Waterton Lakes – Explore one of the most beautiful places in the Rockies at your leisure. This afternoon, your Extraordinary Experience: A traditional afternoon tea at the Prince of Wales Hotel. B/AT
Day 5
Banff – Depart on a scenic ride to Banff. Along the way, stop at the Boundary Ranch in Kananaskis for a BBQ lunch. B/L
Day 6
Banff – Enjoy a full-day sightseeing tour of Banff National Park. Stop at Bow Falls for a Hoodoo Float Tour down the river. Have lunch before returning to the hotel. Tonight, take the gondola up to the top of Sulphur Mountain for dinner with one of the world’s best views. B/L/D
Day 7
Banff – Travel north along the breathtaking Icefields Parkway. Take a snow coach ride along the Athabasca Glacier at the Columbia Icefield. Return to Banff with a stop at Lake Louise along the way. B/BL
Day 8
Banff – Morning at leisure. This afternoon, enjoy a cowboy cookout lunch at a covered wagon. Ride the wagon along the scenic Bow River with mountain views. B/L
Day 9
Transfer to the Calgary airport for your return flight to Toronto or Winnipeg. B
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | BL - Boxed Lunch | AT - Afternoon Tea | D - Dinner

Terms & Conditions
*All CAA Member prices are per person, based on double occupancy, in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated and are subject to change without prior notice until final payment is paid. All prices are correct at press time and apply to new bookings only, based on availability at time of booking. To receive CAA Member-exclusive benefits, there must be one valid CAA Member travelling per booking. Non-members booking Extraordinary Explorations will not receive Member-exclusive benefits.
†Beverage card is one per person, in Canadian funds and has no cash value.
^CAA Dollars awarded per adult Member. To earn and redeem CAA Dollars, you must be a current CAA Member in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). CAA Dollars will be credited at time of departure. For more information on CAA Dollars, please visit www.caasco.com/caadollars.
◊CAA Travel Insurance is underwritten by Orion Travel Insurance Company, a CAA Company. Twenty-five percent (25%) Member savings is made up of a ten percent (10%) Member savings as well as a promotional fifteen percent (15%) savings when you purchase an Extraordinary Explorations tour through CAA Travel, applies to CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba Members in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). This promotional offer is valid until December 31, 2023. Ten percent (10%) Member savings applies to Members in good standing of all other CAA clubs. Savings apply to the total premium excluding applicable taxes. Minimum premium applies. Visitors to Canada Insurance is limited to the promotional savings. Certain exclusions, limitations and restrictions apply. Subject to change without notice. A Medical Questionnaire may be required to purchase travel insurance. Extraordinary Explorations vacations are organized and booked by CAA Travel (South Central Ontario) Inc. and CAA Manitoba (“CAA Travel”) on behalf of CAA Club Group (o/a CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba). In the event of an increase in any of the cost factors, CAA Travel reserves the right to increase the price whereby the provisions of the Travel Industry Act shall prevail. CAA Extraordinary Explorations packages are 100% non-refundable at final payment. CAA Travel service fee for cancellation prior to final payment varies by program. For full payment terms and conditions, please ask your CAA Travel Consultant. CAA Travel reserves the right to cancel or reschedule any tour departure in accordance with operating requirements (minimum number of participants) or circumstances beyond its control. Additional fees for checked luggage or other incidentals may be incurred and vary according to itinerary and airline. Air schedules with some tours are not available at press time and may include several connections or forced overnight at passenger’s expense. CAA Travel strongly recommends the purchase of trip cancellation and emergency travel and emergency medical insurance at the time of booking.
Please note: Participants must be able to embark and disembark cruise ships and coaches without assistance as well as have a good level of mobility for walking tours in destinations where stairs and traditional cobblestone streets can be challenging. International transportation vehicles and facilities may not meet accessibility standards.
Flight
IncludedTour Itinerary
Day 1
Toronto or Winnipeg to Calgary
Depart Toronto or Winnipeg to Calgary. Upon arrival at Calgary International Airport meet your tour guide and transfer to your Calgary hotel. You will have the remainder of the day at your leisure. Tonight, you will have a group Welcome Dinner. (D)
Day 2
Calgary
After breakfast at the hotel, board your coach for a Calgary sightseeing tour. Highlights include downtown area, a view of the Calgary Tower, Stampede Grounds, Pengrowth Saddle Dome, the financial and shopping district and many other points of interest. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure. (B)
Day 3
Waterton Lakes National Park
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then travel south toward the Montana border to Waterton Lakes National Park. Gorgeous pristine lakes and white capped mountains surround this site and make it a hidden gem in the Canadian Rockies. On the way, stop at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump. For over 10,000 years, the First Nations stampeded herds of buffalo over sandstone cliffs to their deaths. An 11-metre-thick layer of bones has accumulated along the base of this cliff, one of the oldest and best-preserved of the jump sites. This UNESCO World Heritage Site includes a multi- story interpretative centre that documents the buffalo-hunting culture of the Plains tribes and a recreated archaeological dig. On arrival in Waterton, check into your hotel with some time at leisure before dinner together with the group this evening. (B/D)
Day 4
Waterton Lakes National Park
This morning after breakfast at the hotel, you will have time at leisure to explore the area or relax. This afternoon, enjoy a traditional British afternoon tea at the Prince of Wales Hotel. The afternoon tea features a selection of teas from Tea Forté and a variety of delectable sandwich squares and pastries. Tea is served in the Prince of
Wales Royal Stewart dining room which overlooks some of the most spectacular views around. (B/AT)
Day 5
Banff National Park
This morning, enjoy a scenic ride to Banff with wonderful wildlife and the majestic Canadian Rockies. En route stop at the Boundary Ranch in Kananaskis for a BBQ lunch: a true cowboy feast in a country and western setting. Experience the ambience of Boundary Ranch and the picturesque views of the Kananaskis Valley. Upon Arrival in Banff, check into your Banff hotel for a 4-night stay. (B/L)
Day 6
Banff National Park
Enjoy a full day sightseeing tour of Banff National Park including the town of Banff, Johnston Canyon, the Hoodoos and Bow Valley Parkway. Stop at Bow Falls for a Hoodoo Float Tour down the river. Have lunch at a local restaurant before heading back to the hotel. Tonight, you will take an evening Gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain and enjoy dinner with a view. (B/L/D)
Day 7
Banff National Park
The journey today is one of the highlights of this trip. After breakfast, travel north along the Icefields Parkway to experience a wealth of breathtaking scenery. Crystal blue-green lakes, fresh mountain streams, deep forests and snow-capped mountain peaks are the order of the day. After taking a snow coach ride along the Athabasca Glacier at the Columbia Icefields, you will return to Banff with a stop at Lake Louise along the way. (B/L)
Day 8
Banff National Park
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and some time at leisure this morning. This afternoon, enjoy a scenic river wagon ride along the Bow-River with mountain views to 3 Mile Cabin. Experience genuine western hospitality and a tasty BBQ lunch. But before digging in, work up an appetite with a few western-style games, like lassoing and horseshoes. After lunch, your wagon will follow the base of Sulphur Mountain returning to Warner Stables where you began your journey. After some time at leisure, tonight will be your group Farewell Dinner. (B/L/D)
Day 9
Toronto/Winnipeg
After breakfast, transfer to Calgary International Airport for your return flight to Toronto or Winnipeg. (B)
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | BL - Boxed Lunch | AT - Afternoon Tea | D - Dinner