Tour Code: 27WCA
Tour Manager: Darren Frazier
Tour Leaders: Joel Kvarnberg & John Warren
Group Size: 10 - 12
Activity level: Moderate
This 14-day journey highlights the best of the Canadian Rockies across Alberta and British Columbia. Beginning in Calgary, the tour explores regional history at Drumheller and the UNESCO-listed Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump. Traveling west to Banff, guests enjoy mountain views from a gondola, visit the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, and relax in the Upper Hot Springs. The route continues past iconic scenery including Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Peyto Lake, and the Columbia Icefield, where walking on a glacier is a highlight. In Jasper, a Maligne Lake cruise reveals Spirit Island. The journey ends in Edmonton with cultural and historical landmarks and a visit to Elk Island National Park’s bison herd.
Friday, June 12
Afternoon arrival into Calgary, aka “Cowtown” due to its cattle industry. Your guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel. Rest and recover. Enjoy a welcome dinner. Stay in Calgary for 3 nights.
Saturday, June 13
A whole day exploring the sights and learning the history around Calgary: Stevens Avenue, Calgary Tower, Heritage Park, Eau Claire Market, Peace Bridge, Kensington Village, The Bow, Central Library, Calgary’s skyline view, and more.
Sunday, June 14
A day trip to Drumheller. See the unique landscape, aka “The Badlands” or “Hoodoos.” Ride through many bridges to Wayne, a town that’s part of the historic mining region. Get scared inside the Royal Tyrell Museum, supposedly the best dinosaur museum in the world. Return to Calgary.
Monday, June 15
Check out of the hotel and head south toward the U.S. border. Visit the fascinating Frank Slide. See the famed Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump site. View the picturesque Pincher Creek. See the massive Lethbridge. Time permitting, explore Fort Macleod or Waterton Lakes National Park. Overnight in Pincher Creek.
Tuesday, June 16
Finally, we hit the road to Banff, home to the 1991 Winter Deaflympics. Stop by Bar U Ranch, one of the oldest and most successful ranching sites. Get on the famed Highway 1, the gateway to the Canadian Rockies! Visit an adorable town, Canmore, for shopping and light bites. See the Three Sisters peaks. Arrive in Banff. Stay in Banff for 3 nights.
Wednesday, June 17
View the Vermillion Lake before a morning drive through Bow Valley and catch any wildlife, if lucky. Return to town but stop at the Cave and Basin National Historic Site. During the afternoon, we check out the Bow Falls and the famous Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.
Thursday, June 18
Go up in a gondola in Banff in the morning and enjoy the panoramic view of the Rockies. Free time for the rest of the day. Optional with a fee: take a dip in the Upper Hot Springs Pool during late evening before it closes.
Friday, June 19
Back on the highway to stop at the amazing Columbia Icefields. Ride in a behemoth ‘Star Wars’-like vehicle to the glacier. Step and walk on the actual glacier. Dare to walk the Skywalk. Continue to Jasper. Stay in Jasper for 3 nights.
Saturday, June 20
Hop on a tramway to the top and view Jasper from above. In the afternoon, we board a lake cruise and see the picturesque Spirit Island in Lake Minnewanka.
Sunday, June 21
Take an easy to moderate hike through the stunning Maligne Canyon with its narrow gorges, waterfalls, and limestone formations. Return to town with free time afterward. Optional with a fee: dip in a local hot spring in the evening.
Monday, June 22
Say goodbye to the Rockies. Check out of the hotel early for a long drive to Edmonton (4 hours) with a few quick stops. Visit Alberta School for the Deaf. Meet and greet Deaf Canadians at Edmonton Association of the Deaf. Have dinner at Craft Beer Market, home to 100 Canadian microbrews. Stay in Edmonton for 2 nights.
Tuesday, June 23
After a hearty breakfast, head to Elk Island National Park for wildlife viewing: bison, deer, beaver, and more. Nearby, make a quick stop at this unique Ukrainian Cultural Center where Ukrainians settled from 1890 to 1930. Return to Edmonton and visit the historic Ft. Edmonton Park. Ride on a vintage streetcar and enjoy our farewell dinner.
Wednesday, June 24
Check out of your Edmonton hotel in the morning and drive to Calgary, stopping along the way at the fascinating Reynolds-Alberta Museum to explore Alberta’s rich transportation and aviation history. Enjoy a leisurely farm-to-table lunch at a ranch, savoring fresh, locally-sourced cuisine in a peaceful countryside setting. Continue the drive to Calgary, arriving in the afternoon to check in at your hotel. In the evening, come together for a memorable farewell dinner, sharing stories and reflections from the journey. Overnight in Calgary.
Thursday, June 25
Transfer to Calgary airport for your flight destination at any time.
Let me know if any further adjustments are needed!
Updated as of 11/13/2025
Joel, a proud Edmonton, Alberta native, grew up in a Deaf family and has always been passionate about exploring the world. A lifelong Oilers fan and VW enthusiast, he loves hitting the road to discover new places. Now based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Joel is known for his expertise with cars and his curiosity about world history. His first experience in the travel industry was as a Tour Assistant with Hands On Travel in Alberta, exploring the stunning landscapes of Banff and Jasper. This sparked his passion for travel, and he’s now eager to lead more tours and share his love for adventure.
John, born and raised in British Columbia, Canada, is the proud father of four adult daughters and a grandfather. In retirement, he leads tours for people eager to explore the stunning geography and rich Aboriginal culture of B.C.’s coastal regions. His favourite place to wander is the rainforest, where towering ancient trees rise above moss-covered ground. John’s enthusiasm keeps him youthful and fuels his love for breathtaking landscapes—mountains, islands, and vast ocean views. He has travelled to China twice, as well as throughout Europe, Israel, Mexico, and the United States. The Canadian Rockies remain one of his favourite places to unwind. Currently, he resides in White Rock, British Columbia.
13 nights in 3/4-star accommodations.
15 meals: Breakfast (13), Dinner (2)
Services of a deaf Tour Leader on call 24 hours a day.
Services of local deaf guides.
All transportation expenses.
All city and/or tourist taxes.
Airport transfers at beginning and end of tour.
All admission fees for attractions and museums mentioned in the itinerary.
Informative travel preparation packet.
$100 Repeat Customer Discount per person on your next regular tour.
Domestic and/or international airfares.
All other meals not mentioned in the itinerary and personal expenses.
Travel Insurance.
All types of transit and tourist visas (if applicable) - e.g. ETIAS.
Tips for your Tour Leader, Tour Assistant(s) and/or Local Guides
Tour begins and ends in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Tour will be confirmed when we meet the minimum number of participants
When the tour is confirmed, additional deposits or payments may be required
Significant walking is expected during the tour, and moderate physical fitness is required
Hands On Travel recommends purchasing a travel insurance plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected
Last but not least, please read Hands On Travel's Terms & Conditions.
We're here to help you plan the perfect adventure! For any inquiries or assistance, feel free to reach out:
Email: darren@handson.travel
With this tour confirmation, your $500 deposit is now non-refundable in any event you need to back out. However, it may be transferable to a future tour.
All tour itineraries and prices are subject to change, and such change is not cause for refund. We also reserve the right to amend typos and misprints in pricing and other trip information.