11 Days | Keep an eye out for moose and elk, and the northern lights, on a Rockies wilderness adventure.
![Experience the Northern Lights over Canada](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/bltdd718d6341cc6ea2/63c9917d0523e71fc782f43b/Intrepid_Travel-canada_alberta_calgary_northern-lights_ss_419517769.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Make some delicious smores on a beach bonfire](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blte421f78050f5be3d/63c991823d70c442da6b5db2/smores-ingrediens-bonfire-beach_shutterstock_701874622_web.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Up close and personal with frozen waterfalls in Johnston Canyon](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/bltec15b19b6cdc801d/63c991866dbe4737b9bf3c37/Johnston-Canyon-devans_20161216-105.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Enjoy an included snowshoeing hike in Banff, Canada](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/bltfd6dcb6ba37f4263/63c9918b0ac27946ea454e63/canada-snowshoeing_shutterstock_465860705_web.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Athabasca glacier in Canada](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blte502376dd4198d16/63c99190ddcc4240d68626e8/canada-athabasca-glacier.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Experience the rugged mountains of Canada and go in search of the northern lights in the night skies of Alberta. Watch for moose, white-tailed deer and elk as you drive through pristine Canadian wilderness. Admire curtains of ice along a steel catwalk built into the rock walls of Johnston Canyon. Meet and greet a team of canines before ticking dogsledding off your bucket list – one of the many optional activities on offer. Otherwise, just wrap your hands around a mug of hot chocolate and lose yourself in the beauty of the Rockies. Packed with eye-popping views of snow-capped mountain ranges and frozen wonderlands, this 11-day adventure is the ultimate great white north escape.
Trip overview
![Map of Canadian Rockies & Northern Lights including Canada](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt9de8748332199caa/65312763774ce8a0d7d1d531/swkw_2024.gif?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
- Start
- Edmonton, Canada
- Finish
- Calgary, Canada
- Theme
- Explorer
- Destinations
- Canada
- Physical rating
- Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
- Style
- Comfort
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 12
- Trip code
- SWKW
- Spend time exploring Edmonton, Slave Lake and Banff at your own pace, stopping to admire the surrounding mountain ranges.
- Navigate the frozen waterfalls, ice caves and ice formations of Maligne Canyon on a guided exploration of the deepest accessible canyon in Jasper National Park.
- Gaze at the clear night skies of Slave Lake and witness the natural phenomenon of Aurora when conditions are right, often referred to as the northern lights.
- Cruise from Jasper to Banff driving on the Icefields Parkway and enjoy the roadside views – made even more scenic when you’re not the one driving.
- Discover the natural beauty of renowned Lake Louise, and perhaps join an optional sleigh ride around its snow-covered banks.
- Less time spent in a vehicle; more time to explore each destination. This trip has been carefully designed to give you the best experience of a region by reducing the number of one-night-only stops, giving you extra time in the places that matter.
- This trip includes time spent travelling in a private vehicle with your group. Extra space can be tight, and conditions may feel a little cramped. It’s all part of the adventure and a great way to get to know your fellow travellers. Please read the itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.
- The diversity of the seasons here makes for incredible scenery, but the weather in this region can be unpredictable. It’s best to wear layers at all times of the year in case conditions change during the day. At night the temperature can really drop, so bring your warm clothes. Camping can be especially cold at the start and end of the season. Even in the warmer months the temperature can be low in the mountains.
- Winter weather can be unreliable. Roads in these areas are well-maintained and regularly ploughed, but in the event of unusually heavy snowfall there may still be delays and closures. The weather may also mean that some events are cancelled or scheduled activities become unsafe. We will attempt to rearrange the itinerary or schedule replacement activities if this is the case.
- Please be aware that this itinerary does not allow time for skiing and snowboarding, and due to the safety risks inherent in these activities, we are unable to offer them as optional activities. If you wish to ski or snowboard while in Canada we suggest you arrive early in Whistler or stay in Banff after the trip. If you wish to ski or snowboard during free time during the trip, that's up to you, but please note that our leaders are unable to help you book these activities as per Intrepid's safety policy.
Itinerary
Inclusions
10 breakfasts, 2 lunches
Private vehicle
Hotel (10 nights)
- Slave Lake - Bonfire and Smore's
- Edmonton - Telus Science Centre
- Slave Lake - Snowshoeing
- Boreal Centre For Bird Conservation - Wilderness Survival Course
- Jasper National Park - Entrance Fee
- Jasper - Maligne Canyon Icewalk
- Jasper - Lunch at a National Park Brewery
- Icefields Parkway - Hike to toe of Athabasca Glacier
- Lake Louise - Snowshoeing
- Lake Louise - All Canadian Lunch
- Banff National Park
- Banff - Johnston Canyon Icewalk
- Banff - Guided snowshoe hike on Top of the World
- Canmore - Grotto Canyon Guided Icewalk
- Lake Louise - Sleigh Ride - CAD52
- Lake Louise - Ice Skating including Hockey Stick - CAD33
- Banff - Cable Car up Sulphur Mountain - CAD60
- Banff - Hot springs - CAD18
- Canmore - Dog-sledding - CAD300
- Canmore - Fat Biking Tour - (2 hours) - CAD60
- Canmore - Cross-Country Skiing - (Rentals) - CAD60
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm on Day 1 in Edmonton. And final day the arrival time depends on each group however If you decide to fly out this day, please don't book a flight before 3pm.
2. Seeing the Northern Lights is of course dependant on weather and geomagnetic activity, clear sky and dark nights. Warm clothing is a must.
3. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information
4. Please note that the legal drinking age in the US is 21 and in some parts of Canada it's 19.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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