Banff and Jasper vacations and adventure tours bring you to the heart of the Canadian Rockies to hike scenic trails and icy glaciers under a big, blue sky.
Spend your days trekking among the most beautiful scenery in the world, where you and your fellow travelers are the only living souls in sight (except for the occasional flock of bighorn sheep). On our Banff & Jasper vacations and adventure tours in Alberta, you can expect to hike the stunning Athabasca Glacier, tackle the Class III and IV rapids of Kicking Horse River, and set off on daily hikes amid the soaring peaks of the Canadian Rockies.
After all that adrenaline-pumping fun, we promise plenty of relaxation, too. Delicious food and luxurious accommodations await, perfect for unwinding over good conversation, a soak, or perhaps reading a book by a warm fire. Also, we promise not to let you leave before you check out the internationally acclaimed shops and galleries of Banff.
Alberta Vacation Packages
Alberta Vacation Packages
When is the best time to visit Alberta?
Alberta enjoys four distinct seasons from snowy winters to mild summers. With the highest number of sunny days in all of Canada (more than 2,300 hours of sunshine each year), Alberta is the perfect place to explore. Alberta adventure vacations can be taken any time of year, but our top pick for the best time to visit Alberta is the summer months from June to August.
Spring (March to May)
You’ll find that the beginning of spring (March and early April) is still quite snowy, and the temperatures will stay on the cooler side (10-25 degrees Fahrenheit). This is the perfect time to take advantage of “spring skiing” and other snow sports, when the weather is warmer than mid-winter, but the snow is still powdery and fresh. Late April and early May will warm up day by day until you see late spring temperatures in the 60s. You’ll still need that jacket for cool evenings.
Summer (June – August)
Most of our Alberta adventures take place during the summer months and this seems to be when the weather is at its finest. You’ll see upper-60s to mid-70s for high temperatures, which is just perfect for scoping out wildlife, taking on the Class II to IV rapids of the Kicking Horse River or taking on a full day hike over Sentinel Pass. Even in mid-summer, you’ll likely run into plenty of snow in the high country and will even get to experience walking on a glacier – it doesn’t get much cooler than that!
Autumn (September – November)
Alberta in the fall is a real treat as the tourist season winds down, the aspens turn a dazzling shade of gold, and sunshine-filled days continue to hold throughout October. This is the perfect time to hike in the high country as most of the snow has melted with constant exposure to summer sunshine and the winter storms haven’t hit yet. Expect highs in the upper 40s to 60-degree range.
Winter (December – February)
Albertans spend half of their year in the snow, so they’ve found lots of ways to enjoy the cold winter! Spending a wintry vacation in Alberta means you’ll likely be downhill or cross-country skiing, sledding, ice skating, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, or engaging in the ultimate snowball fight. While temperatures will be chilly (below 0 to 20 degrees F), you can wage a war on the cold by throwing on the layers when playing outside during the day.
How to plan for your Banff and Jasper Vacation
If you’re planning a Banff & Jasper vacation in Alberta, you may be wondering what the experts know that you should, too. Below are a few tips to get you started from our seasoned team...
1. Training will make your active Alberta vacation that much easier
On your Alberta vacation, you will take advantage of all kinds of activities: hiking, biking, glacier trekking, rafting, and more! You’ll find that these activities will probably be more enjoyable for you if you practice being active before you ever step foot in Alberta. Many of the hikes and bike rides are hilly (you are in the Canadian Rockies after all!) and probably at a higher elevation than what you’re used to at home. Walking, running, cycling, swimming, and taking fitness classes are all great ways to prepare your body for an active vacation. Find an exercise you enjoy and stick with it three to five times per week to get yourself ready.
2. Pack layers – and your raincoat!
You’re headed to the Rockies which means the weather can be unpredictable. You’ll want to check the weather forecast before you pack so you know what to prepare for. One thing we can tell you to pack with certainty is layers of clothing. Often it will be cool in the morning and warm up to shorts and t-shirt weather later in the day. You’ll want to have your lighter under-layers packed, but you’ll also want some light pants and mid-weight pullovers or jackets as well. Don’t forget to bring a quality raincoat – afternoon thunderstorms are common in the Rockies and you can enjoy so much more when you’re comfortable!
3. Research the host city for things to do
If you’re headed to Alberta, you’ll likely fly into Calgary, a dynamic city situated on the banks of the Bow River. There are tons of things to see and do, whether you want to visit a zoo, take the kids to an amusement park, walk around a museum, sip on local beers at a brewery, shop downtown, or eat at one of the delicious eateries scattered around the city. It also seems that there is a different festival going on every week and you can find an up-to-date list of events on the VisitCalgary.com website.
Travel Tips for Visiting Alberta
A trip to Alberta should be on every traveler’s bucket list. The snow-capped Canadian Rockies, turquoise blue mountain lakes, and abundant wildlife promise an unforgettable adventure in Alberta’s high country.We’ve compiled a few Alberta travel tips from our team to make your travels easy and enjoyable:
1. Keep an eye out for Alberta’s “Big Five”
On your Alberta vacation, you’ll have the opportunity to spot Alberta’s “Big Five” – grizzly and black bears, big horn sheep, elk, moose, and mountain goats. Keep your eyes peeled while you’re hiking the trails, cycling the bike paths, or just riding in the van down the Bow Valley Parkway. You never know what you’ll see!
2. Passport requirements
Unless you’re native to Canada, you’ll need a passport for entry, but if you’re coming from the United States, you won’t need a visa. If you reside in a different country, you’ll want to check out the Government of Canada’s website to see if you need to apply for a visitor visa prior to entering Canada.
3. Prepare for unpredictable weather
In the Canadian Rockies, you should count on a wide range of weather. First, prepare yourself mentally to enjoy your vacation, regardless of the type of weather! It could be sunny, windy, rainy, or snowy at any time of year (especially in the higher elevations). With a positive attitude and good gear, you’re likely to enjoy your vacation in any type of weather. You always want to have a light hat and gloves (even in the height of summer) and lots of layers to pile on or shed off, depending on the conditions.
FAQs About Alberta Adventures
Accommodation
We've spent years finding places to stay that are quaint, perfectly-located, and comfortable when we take you to the most amazing parts of North America. We offer a wide variety of accommodations on our trips ranging from locally run inns and first-class hotels to resorts, dude ranches and historic national park cabins. Accommodations are selected for their location, unique charm and history, and offer a true feel for the region. We strongly believe in the value of a good night's sleep and our accommodation reflects this. We also like to have somewhere comfortable to relax after the day's activities.
Transport
We're really focused on ensuring that we spend as little time as possible sitting in vehicles, and that we optimize your vacation for adventuring in the great outdoors. Our average driving time is just over two hours a day, and we make plenty of stops for bathroom breaks and sightseeing along the way. We use modern, comfortable 15-passenger vans for all of our transfers and a second van is added to most departures to provide more flexibility and more room to spread out while seeing the sights! Make no mistake - our trips are not typical bus tour vacation packages! Picture more of a road trip with family complete with good music, tasty snacks, and plenty of guide-supplied fun facts along the way to keep you entertained!
Meals
Just about all your meals are included when you travel with Austin Adventures in North America. We provide a wide variety of cuisine - breakfasts are typically eaten at your hotel on your own time in the morning before meeting up with the group. Lunches feature everything from elaborate picnics to roadside cafes to sandwiches trailside. Dinners are usually eaten at our hotel's dining room or a local restaurant with plenty of options to choose from. We easily cater to vegetarians, picky kids, and people with particular dietary needs. All our guides have food safety certificates and are well-practiced in the art of food prep and serving while on-the-move. You'll find the meals are a real highlight of your trip!
Guides
Our trips are all led by experienced guides who are very proud to work with us and often lead our trips for many years, for which we are very lucky and very grateful as it means we're able to consistently offer a fantastic level of service. Our guests are often drawn to North America by the beautiful scenic landscapes, promise of wilderness and clean air - and there's no doubt you'll find all that, though what you may not be expecting is to forge real, genuine friendships with your fellow tripmates, including our wonderful guides. They're hands-down the BEST guides you'll ever come across.
As an Austin Adventures traveler, it’s highly recommended you take out travel insurance to cover the likes of travel delays, missed connections, medical expenses or injury, or lost baggage for your travel with us. Please head to our Travel Protection page for more in-depth information and our recommended insurance provider.
We generally take up to 18 people per trip, although this can vary, and all our trips have at least two of our guides to look after you (apart from the occasions we have a small group). We have found that our trips tend to attract a particular kind of person and many people have commented that the social scene was one of the highlights of their trip!
Our adult-only departures require a minimum age of 16 years and our family departures require a minimum age of 6 years to join (7 years on our Alaska Family Adventure) and are a great way to meet other like-minded families who like to get outside.
Please note child rates apply to children 12 years and under.
You are allowed one piece of luggage on your trip, plus a daypack. Your main piece of luggage should not exceed 50 pounds (23 kilograms) and can be anything from a duffle bag to a sports bag with wheels or a suitcase. You’ll also want a good quality backpack sized 25-30 liters (2000 cubic inches) to use throughout the days.
We’re accustomed to catering to the following special diets:
- vegan (no meat or animal products)
- vegetarian (no meat products)
- pescatarian (vegetarian, and eat fish)
- no red meat (eat chicken & fish)
- no pork (eat chicken & fish)
- gluten intolerant (no wheat, rye, barley or oats)
- lactose intolerant (no dairy products)
- picky kids (send us a list of what your child will eat and we'll make sure to have it!)
You will get the opportunity to specify your particular requirements when you fill in your travel wallet. If you have any other dietary requirements please let us know well in advance, via email or in your Account.
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Take 10% off the trip price when you book a trip and pay in full
By paying in full, we are able to pass on savings to our guests, but please note that by opting for this payment plan, your booking becomes non-refundable, non-cancellable, and non-changeable. This offer is only valid for reservations where the trip is no sooner than 180 days from the departure date at time of booking.
We highly recommend that you purchase Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance. We recommend Redpoint Insurance – you can find details here.
T+Cs Apply. Read more here.
Moments from Alberta
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Why Travel With Us
Just-right group sizes allow you to get off the beaten path
With an average of 12 guests per departure and an industry-leading average 6:1 guest-to-guide ratio, you’ll enjoy a highly personalized experience.
Award-winning guides lead the way
It’s so much easier to relax and enjoy your adventure when you have fun, caring guides who know the land, sweat all the details and whip up incredible meals, too!
You’ll never need to sweat the details
When we say all inclusive, we mean it! Meals and snacks, activities, lodging, transportation, guiding services and more. All you need to do is show up!
Enjoy freedom to push your boundaries – safely
Every aspect of your trip is thoroughly considered for your safety, from highly vetted partners and well-maintained equipment to extensively trained guides.
Decades of expertise mean you’ll experience only the best
Family travel and North American National Parks are our specialty. We’ve perfected our itineraries for decades, ensuring you'll experience your destination to the fullest.
"Wow Moments” take your trip from enjoyable to extraordinary
For us, the extra mile is never extra, it’s part of the way! Count on special touches throughout your trip that will amplify your experience.
