Overview

 Highlights


  • Travel the spectacular Icefields Parkway, one of the world’s most scenic mountain drives
  • Visit iconic turquoise lakes including Lake Louise, Peyto Lake, and Lake Minnewanka
  • Explore Banff and Jasper National Parks with guided hikes and outdoor adventures
  • Experience dramatic natural features like Maligne Canyon, Johnston Canyon, and Bow Falls
  • Take in breathtaking glacier views at the Columbia Icefield
  • Enjoy free time in the charming mountain towns of Banff and Jasper

Get ready for an unforgettable journey through the Canadian Rockies, combining vibrant city life with some of the most breathtaking natural landscapes in the country. Beginning in Calgary, this itinerary takes you deep into the heart of Banff and Jasper National Parks, where you’ll experience turquoise lakes, powerful waterfalls, scenic hiking trails, and the dramatic peaks of the Rocky Mountains. Travelling along the world-renowned Icefields Parkway, you’ll stop at iconic locations like Lake Louise, Peyto Lake, and the Columbia Icefield, while also discovering hidden gems along the way. With a balance of guided activities, outdoor adventures, and free time to explore charming mountain towns, this trip offers the perfect blend of exploration, relaxation, and unforgettable scenery.

Countries:

Start and Finishing Point:

Calgary

Activities:

Grading:Introductory to Moderate   


After arriving at Calgary International Airport, you’ll meet your guides and hop on a shuttle to your accommodation in the city. In the evening, there’s an optional guided walk through Prince’s Island, Chinatown, and along nearby Stephen Avenue—perfect for stretching your legs and getting a feel for Calgary. You’ll spend the night at a hostel in the city.

Meals:  D

In the morning, you’ll drive from Calgary to Banff, stopping along the way at the Hoodoos Lookout and for a short walk to the base of Bow Falls, where you’ll enjoy great views of the falls and the iconic Banff Springs Hotel. From there, it’s a quick drive to the Banff International Hostel to drop off your bags, followed by a relaxed picnic lunch or a meal at the hostel. In the afternoon, you’ll head to nearby Lake Minnewanka for a walk along the shoreline and an easy hike to Stewart Canyon with beautiful views of the lake and surrounding mountains throughout. In the evening, you’ll take part in Triviography, a fun, team-based scavenger hunt using your smartphone—working together to find hidden locations, answer questions, and compete against other teams in real time (non technology version also available). Driving time: approximately 128 km (80 mi) 1.5 hours Hiking Distance for Stewart Canyon: 2.6 km (1.5 mi) round trip

Meals:  B,L,D

Today’s adventure offers a choice between two hikes, with the final decision made as a group the day before—both promise incredible scenery, though the Castle Mountain Lookout involves a bit more elevation. You’ll head out with a packed lunch to enjoy along the way. The Johnston Canyon and Ink Pots trail is a favourite in Banff National Park, leading you through a dramatic canyon past rushing waterfalls before opening up to the vibrant, mineral-rich Ink Pots. Alternatively, the Castle Mountain Lookout hike is shorter but offers sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding peaks, valleys, and the iconic Castle Mountain. On the way back to Banff, you’ll make a memorable stop at Marble Canyon in Kootenay National Park, just across the continental divide in British Columbia. Here, a series of bridges takes you over an increasingly deep and narrow canyon, culminating in a powerful waterfall, with drops reaching more than 50 metres below. Hiking distance: Johnston Canyon and Ink Pots: 11.4 km (6.5 mi) round trip + 275 m (900 ft) approximately 4-5 hours round trip Hiking distance: Castle Mountain Lookout: 5.7 km (3.5 mi) round trip + 450 m (1,480 ft) approximately 4-5 hours round trip

Meals:  B,L,D

In the morning, you’ll depart Banff and travel along the spectacular Icefields Parkway toward Jasper, packed with unforgettable scenery. Along the way, you’ll stop at Bow Lake to take in its striking turquoise waters framed by rugged peaks, followed by a short uphill walk to the viewpoint over Peyto Lake, where sweeping views of the lake and Mistaya Valley await. Continuing north, you’ll pause at the Columbia Icefield for a classic view of the massive glacier and surrounding mountains. By late afternoon, you’ll arrive in Jasper and check in to your hostel, ready to relax after a day of incredible landscapes. If there’s time, you may also enjoy a short walk around Jasper townsite or along the Old Fort Point Trail, where you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the town and the surrounding mountains. Driving distance: 288 km (180 mi) approximately 3.5-4 hours Hiking distance Peyto Lake: about 1 km round trip (0.5 mi)

Meals:  B,L,D

The day begins with a visit to Maligne Canyon, one of Jasper’s most striking natural features. You’ll enjoy a short, scenic walk along the canyon’s edge, crossing bridges that offer views down into the narrow limestone gorge, where waterfalls and fast-moving water have carved dramatic shapes into the rock. In the afternoon, you’ll head to Pyramid Lake and nearby Patricia Lake for relaxed walking along their peaceful shorelines. Surrounded by mountain views and calm waters, it’s a great chance to take in the scenery, spot wildlife, and enjoy a slower pace. Later in the day, you’ll return to Jasper townsite, where you’ll have free time to explore as you wish—whether that’s browsing local shops, stopping for a coffee, or simply unwinding after a day outdoors. Hiking distance: 3.2 km (2.1 mi)

Meals:  B,L,D

In the morning, you’ll leave Jasper and begin the journey back to Calgary along the breathtaking Icefields Parkway, with plenty of opportunities to stop and take in the scenery. Along the way, you’ll visit Tangle Falls for a quick photo stop, where the cascading water and surrounding peaks make for a perfect snapshot. If time allows, you’ll also stretch your legs with a short walk to Mistaya Falls, a powerful waterfall set in a dramatic canyon. Around midday, you’ll arrive at the iconic Lake Louise, where you can wander along the lakeshore and admire its famous turquoise waters framed by towering mountains and glaciers. In the afternoon, you’ll continue your drive through the Rockies, soaking up the last of the incredible views before arriving back in Calgary in the late afternoon or evening.

Meals:  B,L,D

Free time in Calgary until airport departure.

Meals:  B


Learning outcomes for students

World Expeditions Schools journeys are designed to encourage positive personal development and the learning of life skills, while leaving the communities and environments we travel to, in a better condition than when we arrived.
The programs are designed to:
• Build strong friendships and bonds with their peers, their teachers, and the local people they meet.
• Increase the confidence to engage with new people, and collaboratively make informed decisions.
• Discover the benefits of working cooperatively together as a cohesive team, to achieve a common objective.
• Increase the ability to face, and cope with, mental and physical challenges and therefore increase resilience.
• Give students a chance to appreciate and care for the natural world. The environments we travel through are beautiful and often pristine, invariably the students will gain a deeper appreciation and understanding about how their individual actions impact on the environment.
• Learn personal skills i.e., time management, personal hygiene, responsibility for personal gear, patience, tolerance, and public speaking.
We help encourage students to learn what it means to be a true global citizen.


Inclusions

  • 6 nights hostel accommodation in quad rooms
  • 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 6 dinners
  • Private transportation throughout the tour, including pick up from and drop off to the airport
  • Experienced local guides
  • All permits, sightseeing and National Park entrance fees

  • International or domestic airfares
  • Personal expenses
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Travel insurance
  • Applicable taxes of 5% when booking made in North America

Grading

Introductory to Moderate


Why travel with us

Why travel with us

Assisted over
14,000 Students Worldwide

Since the 1980's, we have helped students from around the globe to experience the world's most exciting destinations, allowing them to travel, give, grow.

400+ Service Learning
Programs

Together with students, we have completed over 400 Service Learning programs in developing countries. We will always continue to support causes including social justice, animal welfare, the environment and more.

Fully Customised
School Travel Programs

Want to include service learning, your school curriculum and a physical challenge, or any of the above? Contact us and we can design a program fully catered for your students and budget.

Safety and
Support - Our #1 Priority

Every school receives a detailed risk management plan that is guided by government advisories and the local partners we work with. We never compromise on the safety of your students to reduce the price of the program.

Testimonials


Want to find out more?

Our educational travel experts are ready to help you tailor an itinerary or service learning project to suit your school’s needs and budget. Contact us today to receive a free consultation.


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