Hidden gems of the Rockies self-drive tour

This is a customisable itinerary to provide you with a start point and suggestions for your travel plans. We’ll work closely with you and our travel partner to design your ideal trip, paying close attention to your interests, your travel style and your budget. Our partner’s specialists know the country inside out and can lead you to experiences you won’t find in a guidebook.

Day 1 International return flight

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Calgary. On arrival in Calgary make your own way to your downtown accommodation. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 2 Waterton Lakes National Park

Collect your hire car from downtown Calgary and drive south along the Cowboy Trail to Waterton Lakes National Park. The afternoon is free to go walking or explore the small town of Waterton.

Day 3 Waterton Lakes National Park

Spend a day discovering the beauty of Waterton Lakes National Park. We recommend a leisurely cruise on the lake to the USA border, looking out for moose and bald eagles.

Day 4 Fernie

Drive from Waterton Lakes National Park into British Columbia. The two and a half hour route to the mountain town of Fernie takes you from rolling prairies to deep valleys and craggy mountains. You also cross the Crossnest Pass and have views of Turtle Mountain, where a huge landslide occurred in 1903. Once at Fernie, settle into your accommodation and begin exploring this historic town

Day 5 Fernie

Spend the day in the small alpine town of Fernie. There's plenty here to satisfy an array of interests from hiking trails and mountain biking, to fishing and boating on the region's scenic rivers and lakes.

Day 6 Kootenay National Park

Today continue your journey into the mountains and on to Kootenay National Park. This three-hour drive passes through several towns, including Cranbrook, Invermere and Radium Hot Springs. You then climb to the Sinclair Pass before arriving in Kootenay National Park. After settling in to your accommodation, you can set out to explore the park's beautiful wilderness scenery, perhaps following one of the area's shorter walking trails while looking out for moose, elk and bears.

Day 7 Kootenay National Park

Spend a full day in Kootenay National Park. There are many activities available and some wonderful scenery to explore. You may wish to take a picnic and hike to the beautiful Cobb, Dog or Olive mountain lakes or try fishing, mountain biking or kayaking.

Day 8 Canmore

Drive for around two and a half hours from Kootenay National Park through Banff National Park to the small town of Canmore. You may wish to stop and explore the shops of Banff en route or take the gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain.

Day 9 Canmore

Spend a full day exploring the iconic scenery of Banff National Park or trying some of the many available activities, including mountain biking, white-water rafting, canoeing and hiking. We like the trail that leads along the Johnston Canyon to the Ink Pots — seven cold mineral springs that bubble to the surface of open meadows.

Day 10 International return flight

The morning is free for last minute sightseeing or shopping before driving to Calgary Airport to drop off your hire car prior to boarding your onward flight.

Day 11 International return flight

Arrive home today to complete your journey.