10 Day Luxury Alberta Self Drive

You’ll spend the first night of your holiday in the dynamic city of Calgary. Check into one of the city’s premier hotels, Fairmont Palliser, where you can expect a friendly Canadian welcome. The hotel is centrally located in the heart of the city, near the best shops and venues for arts, culture and entertainment – so you wont have to walk far to explore and see Calgary’s top attractions.

After a comfortable night’s stay, it’s time to pick up your car. We’ve included a full size car, so you can travel in comfort as you make your way to Banff National Park and Jasper, then on to Edmonton.

Head out of Calgary and make the 90-minute drive to Banff. On this lovely drive you’ll be able to marvel at the majestic Rocky Mountains and, as you get closer, you’ll see snow-capped peaks. En route to Banff, you’ll drive past Canmore. Why not stop off in this quaint town for a spot of lunch, before continuing your journey?

We’ve suggested three nights in Banff, to give you plenty of time to explore this world-famous national park. Banff town itself has lots going on, too, but this part of the world is all about the great outdoors. Make the most of the hiking trails, outdoor activities and wildlife-watching opportunities. Catch the Banff Gondola up into the mountains to get great views of the surrounding area. After a long hike, why not unwind at the Upper Banff Hot Springs?

You’ll stay at the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs. Known as the ‘Castle in the Rockies’, this luxury hotel offers world-class amenities, first-class service and beautiful rooms. After a busy day in the national park, you can enjoy a dip in the pool, or tuck into a delicious dinner at one of the hotel’s restaurants.  

There’s a lot to see between Banff and Jasper, so we’d recommend setting off early. Lake Louise should be your first point of call, it’s better to see it without the crowds. If you have time, Lake Moraine is definitely worth a visit, too. Just 20 minutes’ from the main village of Lake Louise, this glacier-fed lake is bright blue and makes a fantastic photo spot.  

Back on the highway, you’ll travel up Icefields Parkway – one of the most scenic drives in the world. You’ll pass Bow Lake, the Saskatchewan River Crossing, the Weeping Wall viewpoint and the Columbia Icefields Skywalk. You could stop off at the latter, walk out on the glass walkway – which hangs over the cliff edge – and admire the giant glaciers and Sunwapta Valley.

Jasper is just an hour away from the Columbia Icefield, so you’re on the home stretch now. You’ll be staying at the gorgeous Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, on the shores of Lake Beauvert. Check in to your chalet-style accommodation and admire the stunning location.

There’s so much to do in Jasper National Park. Spend your time hiking along scenic trails, canoeing on glass-clear lakes, or playing golf on Canada’s number one course. You can go mountain-biking in the summer or skiing in winter. There’s also the SkyTram, which goes up to the top of The Whistlers Mountain, where stunning views await.

The town of Jasper itself has a selection of shops and restaurants, but you may find it hard to tear yourself away from Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. Go for a swim in the heated outdoor pool, unwind with a treatment in the spa, or hire a kayak or canoe and paddle across the lake.

Jasper to Edmonton is a four-hour drive, but there are plenty of places to stop on the way, if you fancy a break. Just half an hour from Jasper you’ll come to Miette Road Junction, which leads to Miette Hot Springs – the hottest mineral springs in the Canadian Rockies. You could enjoy a revitalising soak, or simply go for a stroll and admire the views.

Continuing down the highway, you’ll pass Hinton. You could stop here and stretch your legs along Beaver Boardwalk, which runs past through wild wetlands – you might even see a beaver building its dam. Further along Highway 16, Galloway Station Museum has pop-up exhibits where you can learn about the area’s history. From here on out, you can simply pop on cruise control and admire the scenery, until you reach Edmonton.

Built on the North Saskatchewan River, Edmonton is the capital city of Alberta. It’s where you’ll find the Art Gallery of Alberta – which features visual arts with an emphasis on Western Canada – and the open-air museum of Fort Edmonton Park. Nature lovers will enjoy the University of Alberta Botanic Garden, and kids will love seeing the animals of Edmonton Valley Zoo. Or you could browse West Edmonton Mall. The largest mall in Canada, this place houses a cinema, ice rink, aquarium and indoor amusement park, as well as hundreds of shops and restaurants.

Your luxury Alberta adventure comes to an end today. Return your car to Edmonton Airport, then catch your flight back to the UK.