Family Travel | Stay Inside National Parks at Aomori Lodge - 6-Day Tour with Calgary Airport Transfer, Banff, Jasper & Yoho Parks, 7 Lakes

Day 1: Place of Origin - Calgary

Calgary

# Airport Pick-up Arrangement

Airport pick-up service is included in the itinerary. Please provide your flight information at least 3 days in advance. If flight details are submitted less than 3 days before departure, complimentary airport pick-up will not be available.

## Complimentary Airport Pick-up Service

Each booking entitles you to one free airport pick-up at YYC Airport on the itinerary start date. Paid pick-up service is available for multiple pick-up trips.

### Service Hours for Complimentary Pick-up

6:30 – 22:30. Please note that the last departure for guide-led pick-up is 22:00, and the final hotel shuttle bus departs at 22:30. Guests who miss these departures will need to make their own way to the hotel.

## Paid Private Car Pick-up

Private car pick-up can be booked for flights arriving between 7:00 and 23:00. Please contact customer service for pricing. A maximum of 4 passengers are allowed per booking.

## Pick-up Method

We will flexibly arrange pick-up via West Star tour guides or hotel shuttle buses based on flight arrival times. Guests with similar arrival times will share the same pick-up shuttle, which may result in a short waiting period at the airport. We appreciate your understanding.

## Pick-up Locations

- West Star Guide Pick-up: 10:00 / 12:00 / 14:00 / 16:00 / 18:00 / 20:00 / 22:00 (exact time subject to flight details)

Waiting area inside Door 11 on the Arrivals Level

- Hotel Shuttle Pick-up: 6:30 – 22:30 (exact time subject to flight details)

Parking Space 16 outside Door 4 of Calgary Airport Arrivals Hall

## Important Reminders

The exact pick-up time and location shall be subject to the SMS notification sent 3 days prior to tour departure. If you hold a mobile number starting with +86, you may leave your WeChat ID when placing your order. We will contact you via WeChat with pick-up information if SMS delivery fails.

If your itinerary includes airport transfer service, and the scheduled pick-up cannot be completed due to delayed or inaccurate flight information provided by guests, guests must travel to the hotel independently. Should you require a rearranged pick-up, the travel agency can arrange a paid private car service at an additional cost based on actual circumstances.

# Itinerary Overview

Welcome to Calgary! Embark on a journey immersed in nature’s bounty here. Snow-capped peaks, lush alpine meadows, turquoise glacial lakes, dense ancient forests and diverse wildlife unfold right before your eyes. Immerse yourself in nature, unwind your mind, savour local cuisine, leisurely embrace the serenity of wilderness, and leave all worldly worries behind.

Guests arriving one day early or before 12:00 noon on the arrival day may pre-book the optional "Calgary City Fun" paid excursions:

1) CityWalk Full-Day Tour (YYCCW): Time Travel at Heritage Park (admission ticket included) + Stroll through Calgary’s Central Business District + Visit popular local landmarks

(Departs at 09:00, includes round-trip transfers and guided tour, approximately 8 hours; minimum 4 passengers required for departure)

2) Calgary City Fun Half-Day Tour A (YYC-A): Stroll through Calgary’s Central Business District + Visit popular local landmarks + The Core Shopping Centre

(Valid for flights arriving before 12:00 noon; departs at 13:30, lasts 5 hours; minimum 4 passengers required for departure)

3) Calgary City Fun Half-Day Tour C (YYC-C): Discount Outlet Shopping Trip

(Valid for flights arriving before 12:00 noon; departs at 13:30, lasts 5 hours; minimum 4 passengers required for departure)

4) Calgary City Fun Half-Day Tour D (YYC-D): Shopping Spree at Chinook Centre

(Valid for flights arriving before 12:00 noon; departs at 13:30, lasts 5 hours; minimum 4 passengers required for departure)

• Breakfast: On your own; Lunch: On your own; Dinner: On your own
• Best Western Premier Calgary Plaza Hotel in Calgary or similar
• Things to Know
  • The sequence of itineraries for this product will be rearranged according to tourists' group admission dates, local weather and other conditions, while the sightseeing contents remain unchanged. The itinerary order displayed below is for reference only and shall be subject to the final group departure notice.

Day 2: Calgary - Banff Gondola - Bow Falls - Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Johnston Canyon - Banff

Banff National Park

Sulphur Mountain

Banff Gondola

Bow Falls

The Fairmont Banff Springs

Johnston Canyon

# Itinerary:

Calgary – Banff Gondola (at your own expense, 90 mins) – Hoodoos (15 mins) – Bow Falls (15 mins) – Surprise Corner (15 mins) – Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel with lunch (at your own expense; French bistro-style meals available for add-on booking, 90 mins) – Johnston Canyon (60 mins) – Check in to hotel

In the morning, take a coach to Banff National Park and arrive at Sulphur Mountain, where you will ride the Banff Gondola (at your own expense). As the gondola ascends slowly, you can admire the snow-covered mountain scenery surrounded by rolling peaks blanketed in snow. Afterwards, head to the Hoodoos towering above the banks of the Bow River, then witness the magnificent Bow Falls rushing down in a grand, sweeping flow, where dark rocks contrast vividly with foamy white water. Next, proceed to Surprise Corner for distant views of the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel and the Bow River landscape. You will then visit the Scottish castle-style Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel and stay here for lunch at your own expense. After lunch, explore Johnston Canyon, one of the three major canyons in the Rocky Mountains, and follow the trail to the rushing waterfalls. (In case of force majeure such as scenic area closure for maintenance, the tour will be replaced with visits to Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake.) Check in to your hotel in Banff in the evening.

• Breakfast: available for additional order; Lunch: available for additional order; Dinner: at your own expense
• Mount Royal Hotel / Banff Inn / Canalta Lodge / Caribou Lodge / Rundlestone Lodge in Banff Town or similar
• Things to Know
  • You may tick to add a gourmet package if needed. **Lunch will be served with French bistro-style cuisine at Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.
  • The arrival time in Banff is subject to change depending on the schedule of activity programs, and we appreciate your understanding.
  • The actual itinerary sequence may be adjusted according to different departure dates to ensure a smooth trip.

Day 3: Banff - Peyto Lake - Icefields Parkway - Ice Explorer, Glacier Skywalk - Athabasca Falls - Jasper

Columbia Icefield

Peyto Lake

Rocky Mountain Icefields Parkway

The Glacier Skywalk

Athabasca Falls

Jasper Town

# Itinerary:

Banff - Crowfoot Glacier - Peyto Lake (30 mins) - Icefields Parkway - Lunch (at your own expense; buffet lunch upgrade available, 45 mins) - Ice Explorer & Glacier Skywalk (at your own expense, 150 mins) - Athabasca Falls (30 mins) - Check in at hotel in Jasper

Depart from your hotel in Banff in the morning, and catch distant views of Crowfoot Glacier along the route. Next, arrive at Peyto Lake. If the scenic spot is closed due to maintenance or other force majeure events, we will substitute it with Waterfowl Lake. This maple-leaf-shaped lake is like a turquoise ribbon embedded in the valleys of the Rocky Mountains. Afterwards, a buffet lunch (self-paid) will be arranged at The Crossing. Continue driving along the scenic Highway 93 Icefields Parkway to reach the Icefield Centre. Board the self-paid Ice Explorer to travel across the Athabasca Glacier and witness the natural formation accumulated over millions of years. You may also walk along the 280-metre-high Glacier Skywalk (self-paid) for panoramic views of the Sunwapta Valley. When mist shrouds the area, it feels as if you are strolling above the clouds. Later, head to Athabasca Falls, a waterfall carved by glacial meltwater erosion with a drop of 23 metres. Finally, drive to Jasper Town and check into the local hotel.

*Ice Explorer & Glacier Skywalk (self-paid) operate from May 1 to October 12.*

From October 13 onwards, the tour will only stop at the scenic sites without the Ice Explorer and Glacier Skywalk add-on activities.

On fine weather days: Guests can take an easy hike up the hills in front of the glacier (around 60 minutes) to get up-close views of the glacial landscape.

On poor weather days: Following the tour guide’s arrangement, guests will view the glacier from a distance, with an extra stop at Waterfowl Lake added to the itinerary.

• Breakfast: available for additional order; Lunch: available for additional order; Dinner: at your own expense
• Comfort Package: Chateau Jasper / Tonquin Inn / Lobstick Lodge / Jasper Inn & Suite or equivalent; Budget Package: Athabasca Hotel or equivalent

Day 4: Jasper - Medicine Lake - Maligne Lake - The Crossing - Bow Lake - Banff

Maligne Lake

Maligne Canyon

Banff Town Area

Medicine Lake

Bow Lake

# Itinerary:

Jasper – Medicine Lake – Maligne Lake (Optional Boat Cruise, 90 mins) – Lunch at Maligne Lake (Self-paid, 45 mins) – The Crossing – Bow Lake (20 mins) – Banff, Check in to Hotel

Depart from your hotel in Jasper and pass by Medicine Lake. At the end of the lake lies Maligne Lake, the world’s second-largest glacial lake. Take the optional seasonal Maligne Lake Cruise* and sail across the 22-kilometre-long lake to slowly approach Spirit Island, known as "the meeting place of the gods". After the self-paid lunch at Maligne Lake, proceed to Maligne Canyon*, the longest and deepest canyon in the Rocky Mountains. Due to the 2024 wildfires, this stop may be replaced with Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and Lake Beauvert subject to the national park’s opening status. Carved by glacial erosion, the canyon features deep, craggy rock formations that offer breathtaking scenery. Afterwards, drive south along the Icefields Parkway, stop for a rest at The Crossing, then visit Bow Lake for photos with its sweeping panoramic views before heading south back to Banff.

*The optional Maligne Lake Cruise operates from May 29 to October 11. Its schedule is subject to change depending on ice thaw conditions. When the cruise is unavailable, the alternative itinerary includes Pyramid Lake (45 mins) and Patricia Lake (15 mins).

Due to the impact of the 2024 wildfires, Maligne Canyon* may be substituted with Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and Lake Beauvert for a total of 30 minutes, based on the national park’s opening arrangements.

• Breakfast: Add-on available; Lunch: Add-on available; Dinner: At your own expense
• Mount Royal Hotel / Banff Inn / Canalta Lodge / Caribou Lodge / Rundlestone Lodge in Banff Town or equivalent hotels

Day 5: Banff - Lake Louise - Moraine Lake - Yoho National Park - Emerald Lake - Natural Bridge - Calgary

Lake Louise

Moraine Lake

Emerald Lake

Yoho National Park

Emerald lake

Natural Bridge Banff

Calgary

# Itinerary:

Banff – Lake Louise (75 mins) – Moraine Lake (60 mins) – Lunch at Lake Louise Village (Self-paid; Grill & Bar lunch add-on available, 45 mins) – Emerald Lake (20 mins) – Natural Bridge (15 mins) – Banff – Calgary

Depart the hotel early in the morning and head west along Trans-Canada Highway 1 (1 Hwy). The rugged, imposing Castle Mountain comes into view, and shortly after, you will reach Lake Louise, the most renowned lake in the Rocky Mountains. Bathed in sunlight, its mineral-rich waters shimmer with a mesmerizing sapphire blue, encircled on three sides by the towering Victoria Glacier. Resembling a jade gem scattered amid the mountains, it has earned the moniker "Sapphire of the Rockies". Glance back from the lakeshore, and you will spot Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise standing serenely amid pine forests, welcoming all visitors. Afterwards, hike to the top of the trail, where the vivid, crystal-clear waters of seasonal Moraine Lake* reflect the jagged Ten Peaks. Standing at this vantage point, you can take in the full splendor of the lake and mountain scenery, losing all sense of time. After leaving Moraine Lake, proceed to Lake Louise Village for lunch (self-paid; Chinese or Western plated meals are available as add-ons). Following lunch, continue westward, passing through the Spiral Tunnels, constructed through the grueling labor of Pacific Railway workers, before entering Yoho National Park. You will then arrive at the secluded Emerald Lake, where red canoes trail rippling waves across its tranquil surface. Next, visit Natural Bridge, carved over centuries by the rushing Kicking Horse River. The waterway, ancient pine trees, distant mountain ranges and shallow shoals together form a breathtaking natural painting. On the return journey, stop over in Banff Town before driving back to Calgary.

*Moraine Lake: Seasonal access. The typical operating window runs from Victoria Day long weekend in May through late September/early October, subject to official notices from Parks Canada. When closed and inaccessible, the alternative attractions will be Lake Minnewanka (30 mins) and Two Jack Lake (15 mins). Mandatory fees for Moraine Lake will be waived in such cases.

• Breakfast: Available for additional order; Lunch: Available for additional order; Dinner: At your own expense
• Best Western Premier Calgary Plaza Hotel in Calgary or equivalent hotel
• Things to Know
  • You may tick to add a gourmet package if needed. **Lunch featuring Chinese or Western plated meals will be served at Lake Louise Village Grill & Bar in Lake Louise Village.**
  • Please kindly understand that the arrival times in Banff and Calgary are subject to change depending on the schedule of activities.

Day 6: Calgary – Badlands – Drumheller "Dinosaur Valley" – Horseshoe Canyon – Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology – Calgary

Royal Tyrrell Museum

Hoodoos Trail

Horseshoe Canyon

# Itinerary:

Calgary – Horseshoe Canyon (30 mins) – Royal Tyrrell Museum (self-funded admission and lunch, 150 mins) – World’s Smallest Church (15 mins) – World’s Largest Dinosaur Model (drive-by viewing) – Hoodoos Trail (30 mins) – CrossIron Mills Outlet Shopping (120 mins) – Calgary, end of itinerary.

Board the coach and head east in the morning. After travelling across vast, boundless grasslands, the rolling hilly terrain of Horseshoe Canyon in Drumheller unfolds before your eyes. Weathered fissures and alternating red-and-white rock strata showcase the magnificent craftsmanship of nature. Next, arrive at the Royal Tyrrell Museum brimming with dinosaur fossils (admission at your own expense), where the dominant creatures of prehistoric Earth come vividly to life. Following self-paid lunch, continue your journey to visit a wildly popular local quirky landmark. This tiny church can only hold around six visitors at once, yet it features complete church architecture and a solemn ceremonial atmosphere, earning it the title of "the world’s smallest yet coziest Little Church". Later, catch sight of the World’s Largest Dinosaur Model from the vehicle en route. You will soon reach Hoodoos Trail, where wind-sculpted mushroom-shaped rock pillars of varied shapes stand tall in the valley. Wandering among these stone spires and rolling hills, you cannot help but marvel at humanity’s insignificance. On the drive back, indulge in shopping at Alberta’s largest integrated shopping mall and take pleasure in Canada’s lowest provincial sales tax rates. Finally, drive back to Calgary.

• Breakfast: Available as an add-on; Lunch: At your own expense; Dinner: At your own expense
• Things to Know
  • The arrival time in Calgary may vary depending on the schedule of activities. Thank you for your understanding.
  • If you need to catch a flight departing Calgary on the same evening, please book domestic Canadian flights scheduled to take off after 21:30 and international flights scheduled to take off after 22:30 to avoid disrupting your travel itinerary.