Canadian Rockies Explorer

Itinerary best for

History Buffs
Outdoor Explorers
Road Trippers

Plan your trip to Canada with this Southern Alberta and Canadian Rockies road trip, with stops in Banff, Lake Louise, Canmore, Waterton and historic sites.

This one is for travellers who want mountains in every direction and history at every turn. From Calgary, wind through Banff, Lake Louise and Canmore, then push south to the red-rock canyons and quiet lakes of Waterton. Along the way, stand atop an ancient buffalo jump, tour a frontier fort and soak up the stories that shaped the West.

At a glance

10-day itinerary
1,435 km (892 mi) total distance
19 hrs 25 mins drive time
Your starting point is in Calgary

7 destinations

Starts in

Calgary

Day 1 drive time: 26 min, 10 km (6 mi)

Day 1

Calgary

Absorb Calgary through its early history and impressive architecture — plus a stop for cute animals.

Calgary Tower

Take in the city's iconic architecture: sandstone city hall, award-winning new Central Library, the twisted silhouette of Telus Sky, and the Bow — the tallest skyscraper west of Toronto. On a clear day, you’ll see the Canadian Rockies to the west. Don't miss walking on the glass floor.

A child crouches, looking at a curious gorilla through the glass at the Calgary Zoo.

Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo

Scampering lemurs, playful penguins and clever gorillas are just some of the nearly 1,000 animals you can meet at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo. Learn about critically endangered species from around the world and how the Wilder Institute helps. Zoo staff are always nearby to share facts about the animal residents.

The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland

Tune into a self-guided audio tour of the Indigenous history of the land. Then, head into the interpretive site to explore the permanent and rotating exhibits that dig into the complex history of colonialism and immigration in Calgary and shed light on what life was like here in 1875.