OVERVIEW
We will be running Glacier and the Canadian Rockies again in 2023. We apologize for the delay in this but travel into Canada was a bit difficult the last couple of years.
The beauty of the area is not to be missed and if you have loved our other tours you will love this one as well. All the great service you have come to expect from SUST and our guides in a new and exciting area. You will love the Red Jammer tour over the Going To The Sun Road, Hiking along the lakes, and taking the custom-designed ice vehicles onto the Columbian Ice Field you will love the views as well as the activities.
We look forward to traveling with you,
The SUST Staff.
PRE TOUR: FLY INTO KALISPELL, MONTANA
You fly into Kalispell, Montana, and meet our guide and be taken to the nearby Hotel In the late afternoon, we take a brief tour of downtown Whitefish and Whitefish Lake, have dinner and then return to our hotel for the evening.
DAY ONE: GLACIER NATIONAL PARK: JAMMER TOUR OF GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
We take an early morning drive into Glacier National Park, where we will take a guided tour of the key parts of the park on board one of the famous “Jammer Cars”, replicas of cars once used to tour the park back in the 1930s. A brief description of the tour is as follows:
“The most inclusive tour of Glacier National Park starts with a morning drive over Marias Pass, with wildlife viewing at Goat Lick. After an optional lunch at Lake McDonald Lodge, tour the grand cedar and hemlock forests that lie within the Lake McDonald Valley. Ascend to the high alpine region of the Going-to-the-Sun Road at Logan Pass and down into the St. Mary Valley. Stop at the Wild Goose Island overlook for another incredible photo opportunity. The tour finishes with grand vistas of grassland, prairie, and mountains as you arrive back at Glacier Park Lodge. This is an all-day tour of many of the parks ideal scenery.”
Lodging again in Whitefish, MT
DAY TWO: GLACIER NATIONAL PARK HIKING/SIGHTSEEING
We want to revisit Logan Pass and for those who are into hiking, walk up to the Hidden Lake Overlook which offers some great views of the surrounding area. This 2.5 round trip hike involves a 500’ climb and is relatively easy. From there, we want to travel over to the Many Glacier Lodge. Built in 1914, this historic lodge is located on beautiful SwiftCurrent lake and offers outstanding views of nearby mountains. There, one can take a boat ride on the lake, take your choice of a number of world-class hikes. If hiking isn’t what you want to do, the lodge is a great place to sit quietly and read a book in a magnificent setting. Late that afternoon, We will want to stop by Lake McDonald Lodge for a drink and or dinner and then head back to Whitefish for the evening.
Lodging in Whitefish, MT
DAY THREE: BRITISH COLUMBIA, RADIUM HOT SPRINGS, AND BANFF
After breakfast, we begin our drive North into Canada’s British Columbia (bring your passport) travelin
g along the beautiful Western Side of the Canadian Rockies. We will pass through many small communities. We should arrive in Radium Hot Springs Resort around midday and plan on a dip in this natural hot springs. Afterward, we have lunch in town and continue our drive through Yoho National Park.
We want to stop at a roadside pull out for some incredible views of the Canadian Rockies and take a short walk along a beautiful stream. From there, we drive into Banff and check into our hotel. The rest of the afternoon and evening is yours to explore the many shops and galleries in downtown Banff.
Lodging tonight will be in Banff.
DAY FOUR: BANFF GONDOLA AND LOCAL SITES AND LAKES
First thing in the morning we drive up to the Banff Gondola parking area and take the Banff Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain (7,000’ plus) for a great view of the town of Banff, several nearby mountain ranges and lakes in the beautiful Canadian Rockies.
Afterward, we check out the Banff Springs Hotel and the statue of Cornelius who was instrumental in developing this hotel and the other spectacular Canadian Pacific Railroad Hotels in many parts of the western parts of Canada. You are on your own for about a half hour then we continue our tour.
Our next stop is the “falls” on Bow River, a must see place in Banff. This glacial-fed river flows through Banff, and the river falls was once a location used in the movie “River of No Return” starring Marilyn Monroe.
Our next stop will be at Surprise Corner for a distant and fantastic view of Banff Springs Hotel. Many say this is one of the best views in Banff.
We will then drive to the Lake Minnewanka Loop. This drive to a pristine, nearby lake is a very popular thing to do while in Banff. A beautiful lake, surrounded by picturesque mountains is well worth visiting. We also want to stop at Two Jack lake on our way, as we can’t get enough of these scenic mountain lakes.
In the afternoon, we are on our way to Johnston Canyon for lunch. Then, we take a rather easy hike up along Johnston Creek, a rushing mountain stream, to the lower falls. This hike is less than a mile long or, if you want, you can walk to the upper falls about a mile and a half away. A stop for ice cream is in order on the way back, and then we head towards Banff stopping at the nearby peaceful Vermillion Lakes and wetlands for one of the best view sites in the area and then return to our hotel.
The remaining afternoon is yours to visit more of downtown Banff’s restaurants and shops.
Second night at a local Banff hotel.
DAY FIVE: LAKE LOUISE AND MORAINE LAKES
We take an early morning drive to one of the jewels of the Canadian Rockies, Lake Louise. This lake is one of the premier destinations for millions of visitors each year. Nestled nearby is the famous Chateau Lake Louise, another Canadian Pacific Railroad Hotel, built in 1890.
There are some easy, moderate and moderately difficult hikes to be taken near this beautiful location depending upon your interests.
The guide will explain your hiking options. You may want to hang out and enjoy one of the Canadian Rockies best views if you don’t feel like hiking. A favorite thing to do is to hike around a portion of the lake orrent a canoe for a ride on the lake.
After lunch, we will take a shuttle to Moraine Lake, a nearby amazingly beautiful lake. Once the lake and surrounding mountains were part of the Canadian $20 bill and the favorite of many who visit the area. We return to our nearby hotel for dinner and lodging.
DAY SIX: YOHO NATIONAL PARK AND JASPER
A short drive into Yoho National Park to see and experience the interesting Spiral Tunnel railroad viewpoint; the glacier-fed Takakkaw waterfall, (one of the highest in Canada). We want to view Emerald Lake and the Natural bridge viewpoint and then head North along the famous Icefields Parkway, one of the most beautiful drives in Canada (or anywhere else in the world).
As we travel up this scenic road, we will see the famous Crowfoot glacier and then take a short hike up to the Peyto Lake overlook. Some say this the most beautiful lake in the Canadian Rockies for its turquoise color.
As we continue on our tour towards Jasper, we will stop at Sunwapta falls and later Athabasca Falls. Amazing to see what fast-moving water can create as it flows through surrounding rock.
Once we arrive in Jasper and check into our hotel, you are free to tour the downtown area for shopping and dinner.
DAY SEVEN: JASPER AND MALIGNE LAKE CRUiSE
“If Lake Louise is the jewel of the Canadian Rockies then Maligne Lake is the whole necklace” a longtime residence once said. We will want to leave early and drive an hour or so to this amazingly beautiful lake. Once there, we take a boat ride on the lake to Spirit Island, undoubtedly, the most photographed spot in Canada. One would love to spend several days in this beautiful spot.
Upon our return from the boat tour, we will journey to Maligne Canyon for some optional hiking of various lengths. Finally, we return to Jasper for free time in the afternoon. That evening, we want to go to Pyramid Lake, above Jasper, for a short walk on a nearby island and then have dinner at a restaurant with a great sunset view of the lake.
Lodging again in Jasper.
DAY EIGHT: COLUMBIA GLACIER AND THE COLUMBIA ICEFIELDS
We depart early for the Columbia Icefields and once there, take a tour on large, custom designed vehicles that will drive us down the steep roads onto the glacier itself. Once there, an opportunity to walk on the icy glacier is offered for a half hour or so. (Bring a warm jacket) We then depart for a nearby skywalk, for a unique experience looking down through the glass floor at trees and a small stream thousands of feet below. Later, after lunch, we take the 4 to 5-hour drive to the Calgary Airport where your tour will end and we will say goodbye.