Explore the Canadian Rockies' untamed beauty year-round, but winter presents a unique chance for photography in otherwise inaccessible spots. Come along as we capture frozen waterfalls, traverse ice-filled canyons, and wander across lakes adorned with methane bubbles and icy crevices. Even amidst January's chill, pockets of open water remain. These locales offer stunning sunset and sunrise reflections against majestic peaks. And if luck is on our side, we may even glimpse the aurora borealis, thanks to our northern vantage point!

Highlights

☆Experience the enchanting vistas and majestic panoramas of the Canadian Rockies.
☆Dive into the crystal-clear waters of Banff, Jasper, and Yoho, from Lake Louise and Moraine Lake to Maligne Lake.
☆Stroll through a glacial valley rich with fossils and discover an ancient lakebed brimming with life.

Full description

Day 1: Calgary - Banff
Tour Overview：
After breakfast, check out and head to Banff National Park, a journey of 130 kilometers taking about an hour and a half. Upon arrival in Banff town, you can choose to take a self-paid ride on the Sulphur Mountain gondola, ascending to over 2200 meters above sea level to overlook the town known as the "Little Switzerland of North America." You can also explore freely on Banff Avenue, see top outdoor brands like Arc'teryx, Canada Goose, taste the best Canadian ice cream from Cow's, grab a bag of caramel popcorn, or enjoy a cup of locally brewed beer. After checking into the hotel room in the afternoon for a brief rest, head out to capture the sunset at Vermilion Lakes.

Day 2: Banff - Basca Falls
Tour Overview：
Wake up early to capture the sunrise over the Bow River Valley. After lunch, hike to Johnston Canyon, approximately 5.2 kilometers round trip, to photograph waterfalls and streams, making it a great place for imaginative photography. In the evening, capture the sunset at Castle Mountain. After returning to Banff for dinner, you can choose to relax in the hot springs at Sulphur Mountain, enjoying the view of the snowy mountains and soaking in the hot springs to wash away the fatigue of the journey, instantly feeling full of happiness.

Day 3: Banff - Lake Louise
Tour Overview：
Wake up early to capture the sunrise at Vermilion Lakes. After the sunrise shoot, return to the hotel, pack up, check out, and head to the Lake Louise area. Lake Louise is the pearl of the Rockies, AAAAA-rated scenic spot. The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, located on the shores of Lake Louise, is one of the top ten most beautiful hotels in the world. The tea room on the ground floor of the hotel faces Lake Louise, with each window offering a picturesque view. Sitting by the window, sipping a latte, gazing at the distant Victoria Glacier, calming down, savoring the aroma of coffee, life is not just about the immediate hustle and bustle, but also about poetry and distant places. In the evening, capture the sunset at Emerald Lake.

Day 4: Lake Louise - Abraham Lake
Tour Overview：
Wake up early to capture the sunrise at Lake Louise. When the rising sun illuminates the Victoria Glacier for a moment, you'll find that no matter how good your camera is, it cannot capture this magnificent moment. After the sunrise shoot, return to the hotel, pack up, check out, and head to Abraham Lake, a journey of 170 kilometers taking about two hours. Abraham Lake, commonly known as Ice Bubbles Lake, is named for its unique phenomenon of "frozen bubbles." Decaying plants on the lake bed release methane gas, which becomes trapped beneath the ice as the lake begins to freeze, creating a unique landscape of bubbles. Therefore, Abraham Lake has become a popular destination for photographers. In the evening, capture the sunset at Abraham Lake.

Day 5: Abraham Lake
Tour Overview：
Wake up early to capture the sunrise at Abraham Lake. Abraham Lake stretches 32 kilometers in length and covers an area of 53 square kilometers. At the shallow end of the lake, large chunks of blue ice are pushed and piled on top of each other. In the central area of the lake, where the water is deep and opaque, there are no visible bottoms, and beneath the deep blue ice, there are clusters of milky white ice bubbles. Therefore, we have multiple shooting locations available for photography enthusiasts. In the evening, capture the sunset at Abraham Lake.

Day 6: Abraham Lake - Jasper
Tour Overview：
Wake up early to capture the sunrise at Abraham Lake. After the sunrise shoot, drive to Jasper National Park. Upon arrival in Jasper town, check into the hotel, take a short rest, and in the evening, capture the sunset at Athabasca Falls. Jasper town is far from the hustle and bustle of the city; there are no neon lights here, no bustling traffic. We slow down to watch the stars twinkle in the sky, getting closer to nature, feeling the tranquility and peace that belong to us. If we're lucky, we might even see the beautiful Milky Way and the dazzling auroras.

Day 7: Jasper
Tour Overview：
Wake up early to capture the sunrise at Athabasca River. After lunch, head to Maligne Canyon to photograph the icefalls. Wearing ice cleats, we walk on the icy surface at the bottom of the canyon, with blue icefalls hanging on the cliffs on both sides. This experience offers both the joy of photography and the excitement of outdoor adventure. In the evening, capture the sunset at Maligne River.

Day 8: Jasper - Calgary
Tour Overview：
Wake up early to capture the sunrise at another section of the Athabasca River. After the sunrise shoot, drive directly back to Calgary, a journey of 420 kilometers taking about five hours. For dinner, we'll have hot pot. Outside, snowflakes are falling gently, while inside, steam rises from the hot pot. We'll all gather around, dipping ingredients into the hot pot, drinking beer, and chatting. We'll share every sunrise and sunset we witnessed during the trip.

Guide language

English, Chinese

Includes

√ Bottle water
√ Air-conditioned vehicle
√ GST (Goods and Services Tax)
√7 nights Double occupancy accommodation in hotels (single occupancy available at additional cost)
√ Banff Sulphur Mountain Gondola
√ Breakfast
× Gratuities
× Dinner

Not suitable for

Children under 5 years
Wheelchair users

Important information

Not allowed

Drones
Intoxication
Smoking in the vehicle
Drinks in the vehicle

Know before you go

This tour is scheduled to proceed rain or shine, barring road closures, apocalyptic storms, or temperatures reaching -50 Celsius.
The itinerary serves as a guideline only. Stops will be flexible and tailored to accommodate traffic, weather conditions, and most importantly, your preferences.
No shows, missed departures or unused services will be non-refundable.

Notes: For safety reasons, ice bubble lake can only be accessed for photography after January 10th, making this itinerary suitable for January and February.