Alberta Dinosaurs, Lakes & Glaciers Self-Drive

Highlights

Escape the ordinary and venture into the rugged Canadian Badlands

Freedom of Choice days in both Banff and Jasper

Travel through the Canadian Rockies along the scenic Icefields Parkway

Experience wildlife watching at Elk Island National Park

Overview

Commencing in Calgary, your self-drive adventure starts with a short drive to the stunning mountain resort town of Banff. Admire views of the Canadian Rockies either from the top of Sulphur Mountain or by boat on Lake Minnewanka. Enjoy the serenity of being surrounded by majestic lakes and awe-inspiring mountains.

Your journey then continues on to Lake Louise, including a memorable stay at the iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Be sure to stop at Johnston Canyon to view the magnificent waterfalls. From Lake Louise, you head north to Jasper National Park. Discover Canada's most scenic mountain roadway, the Icefield's Parkway, featuring over one hundred visible glaciers, turquoise lakes and rushing waterfalls. Venture onto the surface of the Athabasca Glacier in a specially designed Ice Explorer for a spectacular Ice Age adventure.

Jasper National Park features a spectacular array of rolling hills, jagged peaks, forests, meadows, marshes, streams, and stunning glacial lakes. From Jasper, you head east to Edmonton to experience West Edmonton Mall and take in some wildlife spotting at Elk Island National Park.

Depart Edmonton and head south towards the badlands of Alberta and the city of Drumheller. Escape the ordinary and venture into the rugged Canadian Badlands before concluding your memorable holiday in Calgary.

ENTIRE Cooling-Off Period
ENTIRE AUD Prices
ENTIRE Change of Mind
ENTIRE Industry Accredited
ENTIRE On Ground Support
ENTIRE Australian Owned

Inclusions

2 nights in Banff at the Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa

1 night in Lake Louise at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

2 nights in Jasper at the Forest Park Hotel

2 nights in Edmonton at the Sandman Signature Downtown

2 nights in Drumheller at the Canalta Jurassic Hotel

10 days full-size car rental

Ice Explorer ride onto Athabasca Glacier

Glacier Skywalk Admission

Admission to Royal Tyrrell Museum

Freedom of Choice Days

Freedom of Choice

Our Freedom of Choice program offers flexibility, by allowing you to choose from different options on pre-selected days.

Our per person price includes one tour on each Freedom of Choice day, as follows:

One "Freedom of Choice" tour on day 2
One "Freedom of Choice" tour on day 5

Expand the itinerary below for more details.

Please note, if more than one room is selected during the booking process, our team will contact you afterwards to discuss options.

Itinerary

Download Itinerary Expand All

Day 1 Calgary Banff

Leave the Stampede City of Calgary for the short drive to Banff, a resort town renowned for its scenic natural beauty and stunning wildlife.

Overnight in Banff at the Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa

Calgary | Credit: Travel Alberta

Day 2 Banff

Today, you can personalise your day in Banff by choosing one of the four Freedom of Choice excursions below.

Overnight in Banff at the Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa

Freedom of Choice Options

Banff Gondola:
Maximise your views of Banff National Park with minimal exertion on a round-trip gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain.

Bow River Horseback Adventure:
Saddle up for a journey through the celebrated landscape of Banff National Park on this guided horseback riding adventure.

Lake Minnewanka Cruise:
Admire views of the Canadian Rockies by boat as you cruise across the turquoise-hued Lake Minnewanka and over to Devil’s Gap.

River Explorer Canoe Tour:
Enjoy the serenity of the Bow River and marvel at the surroundings. A fun & interactive way with your guide to explore the waterways of Banff National Park. Perfect for families. No paddling experience necessary.

Banff | Credit: Travel Alberta Paul Zizka

Day 3 Banff Lake Louise

Today we suggest taking the scenic Bow Valley Parkway route which runs parallel to the Trans-Canada highway. Be sure to stop at Johnston Canyon and walk along the paved footpath to either the lower or upper waterfalls.

Overnight in Lake Louise at The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Lake Louise | Credit: Finn Beales

Day 4 Lake Louise Jasper

Today, travel through the spine of the Canadian Rockies along the amazing Icefields Parkway and encompass the ultimate glacier exploration. From walking on ancient ice with the Ice Explorer ride, to standing on a glass platform almost one thousand feet in the air at the Glacier Skywalk (included), today’s experiences will leave you with a special appreciation for this treasured region of the Rockies.

Overnight in Jasper at the Forest Park Hotel

Icefields Parkway | Credit: Roman Koenigshofer

Day 5 Jasper

Time to explore all that Jasper has to offer! Today you can personalise your day by pre-selecting one of the three Freedom of Choice excursions below.

Overnight stay in Jasper at the Forest Park Hotel

Freedom of Choice Options

Jasper Nature Walk:
A guided nature walk featuring a spectacular array of rolling hills, jagged peaks, forests, meadows, marshes, streams, and stunning glacial lakes.

Jasper River Float:
Enjoy a gentle rafting tour on the Athabasca River for a unique perspective of Jasper National Park.

Maligne Lake Cruise:
Cruise Maligne Lake, where you can marvel at the magnificent shoreline and Spirit Island.

Jasper National Park | Credit: Tourism Jasper

Day 6 Jasper Edmonton

Journey through the beautiful landscapes of Jasper National Park, and into the golden prairies of Alberta. Arrive in the city of Edmonton, and spend the remainder of your day exploring. Don’t miss the walking trails and parks of the downtown River Valley, and the eclectic shops and cafes of Whyte Avenue.

Overnight in Edmonton at the Sandman Signature Downtown Hotel

Edmonton | Credit: Travel Alberta

Day 7 Edmonton

Spend a day exploring West Edmonton Mall, the largest shopping centre in North America. Complete with an expansive water park, amusement park, indoor skating rink, mini golf park, and over 800 stores. For those looking to get outside, Elk Island National Park is less than an hour’s drive from the city, and offers great wildlife watching and hiking trails.

Overnight in Edmonton at the Sandman Signature Downtown Hotel

West Edmonton Mall

Day 8 Edmonton Drumheller

Depart Edmonton and head south towards the badlands of Alberta and the city of Drumheller. This fascinating destination is home to a unique landscape shaped by sandstone pillar hoodoos. Many dinosaur fossils have been excavated from this area, drawing palaeontologists from around the world. Visit the Royal Tyrrell Museum (included) and walk amongst the impressive array of dinosaur fossils.

Overnight in Drumheller at the Canalta Jurassic Hotel

Badlands near Drumheller | Credit: Travel Alberta Todd Nix

Day 9 Dinosaur Provincial Park Exploring

From Drumheller, travel two hours to Dinosaur Provincial Park, where you will have a chance to escape the ordinary and venture into the rugged Canadian Badlands. Two interpretive displays allow you to see what a dig site really looks like. Check out the bones of a “duck-billed” dinosaur still partially encased in the sediment that buried them. Or, a full body (articulated skeleton) of a Corythosaurus, the “helmet-headed lizard”. Continue to Cypress Hills Provincial Park – the hidden gem of Southern Alberta.

Overnight in Drumheller at the Canalta Jurassic Hotel

Dinosaur Provincial Park | Credit: Andy Best

Day 10 Drumheller Calgary

Conclude this memorable holiday with a quick drive from Drumheller to Calgary.

Drumheller

Accommodation

Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa

Banff
Located in Banff National Park, the Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa offers a mountain lodge hotel, a great steakhouse restaurant and a full-service spa, all in one outstanding location. This ideal vacation spot is located on Banff Avenue, the main street in the town of Banff. Surrounded by mountains, there are plenty of activities to keep you busy.

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Lake Louise
Surrounded by soaring mountain peaks, the majestic Victoria Glacier and a glistening emerald lake, the iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise hotel is located in Alberta's Banff National Park. Discover endless outdoor recreational activities including hiking, canoeing, horseback riding, fishing, mountain biking and river rafting.

Forest Park Hotel

Jasper
Set amidst the breathtaking Canadian Rockies, the Forest Park Hotel (formerly the Sawridge Inn) is a resort style hotel that offers the rustic charm you’d expect in Jasper National Park. Beautiful guest rooms, on-site spa, decadent dining and heated pool with jacuzzi and steam room add to the luxury you want in your mountain getaway.

Sandman Signature Edmonton Downtown Hotel

Edmonton
The Sandman Signature Edmonton Downtown Hotel is in the perfect location to marry comfort, style, and convenience, right in the heart of downtown. You’ll appreciate the refined aspects, including overstuffed pillow-top beds, fluffy duvets, contemporary furniture, and so many more offerings that are provided for you.

Canalta Jurassic Hotel

Drumheller
The Jurassic Inn is located at the heart of the magnificent Drumheller Badlands. Famous for its dinosaur and fossil specimens, Drumheller offers spectacular scenery and recreational opportunities include the Royal Tyrell Museum and Dinosaur Trail Golf and Country Club.

Additional information

Excluded

International airfares and taxes
Domestic airfares and taxes, unless otherwise specified in our holiday package
Visa expenses, processing and issuance fees
Meals other than as specified in our holiday package
Travel Insurance or expenses of a personal nature (mini-bar, phone call, laundry, etc.)
Tips or gratuities to guides, drivers, porters, hotel, restaurant or boat staff, etc.
Or any other travel expense that has not been included in our holiday package
Fuel, road tolls, parking fees, as well as any extra charges associated with car rental
One-way car rental fees (if applicable). If any one-way surcharges apply, this will be advised at the time of booking and is payable locally upon collection of the vehicle
Car rental rates exclude optional coverage such as Personal Accident Insurance Plus (PAI Plus) and Personal Effects Protection (PEP)
GPS rental is not included and can be requested (at an additional supplement paid locally) if required

FAQs

Who are Entire Travel Group?

Welcome to Entire Travel Group. We offer exceptional travel experiences across our extensive range of Entire Holiday Packages, Entire Group Journeys, Entire Rail Journeys, and Entire Cruise Journeys. With our industry-leading Peace of Mind Booking Plan, you can Book Now with flexibility and confidence.

Entire Travel Group is celebrating over 50 years of passionately delivering unique and memorable travel experiences. We are an Australian, family-owned, award-winning business with a friendly team ready to match your expectations to the perfect holiday experience.

Entire Travel Group used to be known by the individual brands shown in the footer of the website. The company has not changed, but we have amalgamated under one brand - Entire Travel Group.

For more details please visit - About Us | Entire Travel Group

Is Entire Travel Group Australian owned and operated?

Entire Travel Group is proudly Australian family owned and operated and as it stands today represents 50 years of experience, progress, and evolution. We proudly support the community with our long-term commitment to many important charity organisations. We were awarded the best operator in our class at the most recent National Travel Industry Awards.

Is Entire Travel Group industry accredited?

Entire Travel Group is both ATAS and CATO Accredited. ATAS is actively administered by the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA). The Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) is the trade association representing the land supply sector of the Australian Travel Industry.

Does Entire Travel Group have industry awards?

Entire Travel Group was honoured at the 2023 National Travel Industry Awards with Most Oustanding Wholesaler - Product / Service.

As our team works tirelessly to deliver exceptional holiday experiences, it was exciting to have this acknowledged with the highest recognition. The award is also a testament to the quality of our partners around the globe, and we take this opportunity to thank them for their tremendous support of our customers.

Are the Entire Travel Group holiday packages exclusive?

In some cases, we are the sole representative in Australia for the overseas travel operator. In other circumstances the product developed has been exclusively built for Entire Travel Group and can’t be found elsewhere.

What’s unique about Entire Travel Group Holiday Packages?

They are not group tours with set departures - they are pre-designed, purpose built, independent holiday packages full of unique and memorable experiences.
Our holiday packages have been exclusively built for us in collaboration with our handpicked suppliers, who also offer full on-ground support for the clients.
We are offering unique travel experiences which cannot be found elsewhere.
Many packages include our “Freedom of Choice” options which allow you to tailor the holiday experience. Like a sommelier matching wine to a meal, we have used our experience to carefully select and offer the right experiences in each location.
They include our Peace of Mind Booking Plan.
A wide selection of our packages are compliant with the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Covid Safe Travels.

Our motto for Independent Holiday Packages is start your holiday when and with who you want!

Our Independent Holiday Packages are NOT group tours with set departure dates. Group Tours have specific set departure dates, and of course, you are travelling with unknown passengers in a coach. These tours are great for certain travellers and there are many reputable tour operators providing a wide range of options around the world.

At Entire Travel Group, our focus is Independent Holiday Packages. Available daily, they are pre-designed, purpose built, packaged itineraries full of memorable experiences delivered by our hand-picked local partners.

Our holidays suit every demographic, from couples to singles, to retirees to families and everyone else in between.

Why travel with Entire Travel Group?

Of Entire Travel Group's attributes, we have settled on "When Experience Matters" as the quality we believe adds the most value to our customers. We have the experience to ensure your itinerary makes the dream holiday possible. Our continually enhanced technology allows our team to provide a quality customer service experience, and our partnerships with outstanding operators ensure we are confident of the on-ground experience for our customers.

For more details please visit - About Us | Entire Travel Group

How does the Peace of Mind Booking Plan work?

Our Peace of Mind Booking Plan allows you to book with confidence in the new international travel environment. With low deposits, a cooling off period and a flexibility period where you can cancel and rebook later, we really do have you covered.

For more details please visit - Peace of Mind Booking Plan | Entire Travel Group

Is there a cooling-off period?

Look for packages with our Peace of Mind Booking Plan logo on the website.

We understand that occasionally plans may change, so we give you the confidence to proceed with a cooling off period.
You may cancel for any reason within 7 days, where you will receive a 100% refund of your $100 per person deposit.

For more details please visit - Peace of Mind Booking Plan | Entire Travel Group

What is Freedom of Choice?

At Entire Travel Group we understand that our customers have their own personal tastes and interests - so throughout our packages look for “Freedom of Choice” which gives you the ability to tailor your holiday from the various experiences offered on selected days. Like a sommelier matching wine to a meal, we have used our experience to carefully select and offer the right experiences in each location.

The Freedom of Choice options are included in the package price, and the price remains the same regardless of the choice you make on each day.

Our Freedom of Choice program offers flexibility, by allowing you to choose from different options on pre-selected days in the itinerary.

Our per person price includes one tour on each Freedom of Choice day in the itinerary.
The price of the package remains the same regardless of the choice you make on each day.

For more details please visit - Freedom of Choice | Entire Travel Group

What is Book Now?

Book Now offers you the ability to make a reservation on our website for Holiday Packages that include our Peace of Mind Booking Plan. But it’s not just a static offer – you have complete flexibility from travel dates, passenger numbers, single supplements, room upgrades, optional extras, flexible booking terms and more.

Our team will contact our overseas suppliers and confirm all arrangements.
A Confirmation from our reservation system will be sent in the coming days.
The Booking Number on this confirmation supersedes the website reference.

What forms of payment can be used at Entire Travel Group?

To confirm a booking using our on-line Book Now process, a credit card must be used to pay the refundable deposit.
For additional payments on the booking, Entire Travel Group supports bank transfer, credit card, TravelPay B2B, PaymentGate.
For further details please visit our Payments page.

How secure is the Entire Travel Group's on-line payment portal?

Entire Travel Group have partnered with TravelPay to ensure secure on-line credit card payments.
TravelPay is a level 1 PCI DSS compliant, which gives you peace of mind that your payment card data is in safe hands.
Entire Travel Group does not store any credit card information.

For more details please visit - Security and Compliance - TravelPay

Can you book my international airfares?

On some Islands Holiday Packages (e.g. Fiji), it is practical to include flights, so where we have done this it is indicated by the plane icon.

However, on the majority of our Holiday Packages, we do not include international flights.

We found that many customers may prefer to:

Travel on a specific airline of their choice
Have the flexibility to book flights with Frequent Flyer points
Select flight dates that may be different to our Holiday Package start/end dates
Use a Travel Credit already held with the airline
Use their travel agent for this service

We are able to assist with flights on any Holiday Package, so please just notify us during the Book Now process or contact our team.

Should I take travel insurance?

Travel insurance is strongly recommended. During the Book Now process please confirm you require assistance, and our team will be in contact with you.

What should I do before travelling?

Before you travel it is your responsibility to ensure you have the appropriate documentation including visas. If you are travelling on a passport other than Australian or New Zealand, you will require a permit to re-enter Australia. It is your responsibility as the traveller and/or travel booker to meet all government entry requirements.

For more information please visit - Before you travel | Entire Travel Group

How does a Travel Agent make a booking?

Please visit the Entire Travel Group's Agent Portal. We are here to support our industry partners with a range of informative updates, marketing collateral for campaigns and a reward & recognition program.

How do I start a Booking?

On any page that has Book Now simply follow the booking process.
You must select the Travel Agent tick box and provide correct details.
To confirm a booking only the refundable deposit is required.
An agency credit card must be used for this initial payment.

How do I contact Entire Travel Group?

For more information please visit - Contact us | Entire Travel Group