Self-Drive Lakes & Lodges

Day 1

Calgary to Banff (72 miles)
Upon arrival into Calgary, pick up your rental car and begin your Rockies adventure. Take the short (2-hour) drive from Calgary to Banff on either the Trans-Canada Highway or the more scenic 1A Highway. Once in Banff proceed to your selected hotel to check in and the remainder of the day is yours to explore at your own leisure.
Included in your FlexiDrive package is the Parks Canada Discovery Pass allowing admission to:
• Cave & Basin National Historic Site
The birthplace of Canada’s National Parks System. Visitors can walk into the Cave and learn the fascinating story of the springs’ discovery. Historical exhibits, geological displays, and videos tell the park’s history. Explore the effect of heated spring water on the surrounding marshes and the flora and the fauna. Interpretive displays, self-guided trails accessible year-round.
• Banff Park Museum
One of Canada’s oldest and grandest Natural History Museums. This turn of the century museum displays an extensive collection of birds, mammals, insects, and curiosities of Banff National Park. The site is well known for its fine wood architecture. It also offers a reading room plus a hands-on discovery room.
Overnight in Banff at Buffalo Mountain Lodge (Deluxe Room)

Day 2

Banff
A full day to explore Banff and area. In town you’ll find lots of excitement - shopping, cafes, nightlife, museums. Check out the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, Banff Gondola (Included) where you will see a panoramic view of the Bow Valley, and then take a dip in the hot mineral pools at the Upper Hot Springs.
Overnight in Banff at Buffalo Mountain Lodge (Deluxe Room)

Day 3

Banff to Emerald Lake (60 miles)
Enjoy the leisurely drive to Banff. Choose the Bow Valley Parkway, beside the Bow River with an option for you to take a stop at Johnston Canyon and walk along the paved footway to either the lower or upper waterfalls before continuing to Yoho National Park and Emerald Lake Lodge for a 2 night stay. The word Yoho is the Cree word expressing awe. This 1313 sq. km (507 sq. miles) national park is filled with gem coloured glacial lakes and waterfalls, snow-covered peaks and dense forests of western red cedar and western hemlock. Historic railroads, spiral tunnels within mountain sides and steep rock faces where mountain goats roam are just some of the sights to be seen. Other Yoho marvels include a natural rock bridge over the Kicking Horse River, Hoodoos, some of Canada’s highest waterfalls and the Burgess Shale fossil find where over 120 marine animal species dating back as far as 530 million years were discovered.
(Dinner Included)
Overnight in Emerald Lake at Emerald Lake Lodge (Deluxe Room)

Day 4

Emerald Lake Lodge
Built of hand-hewn timber and featuring massive stone fireplaces, the Lodge includes a formal dining room, quiet reading and sitting rooms. From the upper or lower large verandahs, enjoy the serene views of this wilderness landscape
(Breakfast & Dinner Included)
Overnight in Emerald Lake at Emerald Lake Lodge (Deluxe Room)

Day 5

Emerald Lake to Moraine Lake (23 miles)
Return back through scenic mountain passes to Moraine Lake Lodge located on the shore of Moraine Lake and known for its iridescent turquoise colour, Moraine Lake has become known as The Jewel of the Rockies. (Please note: Mountain lakes in this region will be frozen through to mid June)
(Breakfast & Dinner Included)
Overnight in Moraine Lake at Moraine Lake Lodge (Lodge Double Room)

Day 6

Moraine Lake to Jasper (148 miles)
Today, travel through the spine of the Canadian Rockies along the amazing Icefield Parkway. You’re sure to be enthralled by the scenery, wildlife, incredible blue lakes and sparkling waterfalls en route (Please note: Mountain lakes in this region will be frozen through to mid June). A stop at Peyto Lake along the way is a must. Don’t miss the Columbia Icefield for a ride onto the Athabasca Glacier on board a Snocoach (Included) before continuing your journey to Jasper.
(Breakfast Included)
Overnight in Jasper at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge (Deluxe Room)

Day 7

Jasper
Today, explore this charming mountain village close to many terrific scenic highlights. Take a tram ride up Whistlers Mountain or a boat cruise on Maligne Lake, in the evening soak in the pools at Miette Hot Springs, and watch the sunset over Pyramid and Patricia lakes. (not included)
Overnight in Jasper at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge (Deluxe Room)

Day 8

Jasper to Lac Le Juene (297 miles)
Leaving Jasper National Park, travel the ’Yellowhead’ route past the sprawling grandeur of Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Beyond Mount Robson Provincial Park, the highway follows the Thompson River through the snowy peaks of the Monashee and Caribou Mountains to Lac Le Jeune Resort Located in a stunning wilderness setting where fish jump from the glassy surface of the lake and Ospreys soar overhead. Please note this rustic lodge offer peace and relaxation with out having phones or a television in the room.
Overnight in Lac Le Jeune at Lac Le Juene Resort (Cabin)

Day 9

Lac le Jeune to Gold Bridge (203 miles)
Begin the day traveling along Logan Lake route to the gold rush town of Cache Creek. Continue the journey south to Lillooet, known as the land of the Gold Rush Trail and was ’Mile Zero’ of the Old Caribou Wagon Road during the Gold Rush Years. Now the area is home to the largest Canadian producers of the medicinal plant, Ginseng. Departing Lillooet travel for 2 hours along a well maintained gravel road to Tyax Mountain Lake Resort nestled on the shores on Tyaughton Lake.
(Dinner Included)
Overnight in Gold Bridge at Tyax Mountain Lake Resort (Standard Room)

Day 10

Tyax Mountain Lake Resort
Tyax offers a wide array of optional activities for all ages including western horseback riding, guided fly fishing tours, fly casting and gold panning lessons, mountain biking on gentle rolling or challenging single track, floatplane adventures over the Chilcotin Wilderness and drop off’s at remote alpine lakes; as well as ATV safaris along old mining trails leading to the wildflower carpeted alpine meadows.
(Breakfast & Dinner Included)
Overnight in Gold Bridge at Tyax Mountain Lake Resort (Standard Room)

Day 11

Gold Bridge to Vancouver (145 miles)
Departing Gold Bridge travel back to Lillooet and onto the Duffey Lake Road to Whistler. On the upper elevations of the Duffey Lake Road enjoy breath-taking views of Joffee Glacier and snow capped Mount Currie that rises to a height of 2,596 meters (8,518 feet). Continue on through the mountain village of Whistler and along the scenic Sea to Ski Highway to Vancouver. Highlights along the way include the cascading Shannon Falls and the Stawamus Chief Rock where climbers from all over the globe migrate to climb the granite cliffs.
(Breakfast Included)

What's Included

• Hotel accommodation for 10 nights
• Car rental (economy) for the duration of the trip
• Admission to either Banff Upper Hot Springs or Miette Hot Springs Jasper.
• Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier.
• Sulphur Mountain Gondola.
• 4 Breakfasts, 4 Dinners
• Exclusive travel documentation package including personalized maps, itinerary and driving directions