Road Scholar : Exploring Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks - Alberta

Exploring Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks

Program Number:

3856RJ

Start and End Dates:


	7/22/2012 - 7/30/2012; 7/21/2013 - 7/29/2013; 8/4/2013 - 8/12/2013;

Duration:

8 nights

Location:

Banff, Alberta

Price starting at:

$2,372.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city

Program Type:

On the Road; National Parks; Independent City Discoveries

Meals:

20; 8 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 6 Dinners

Meal Options:

Vegetarian

Straddling the Continental Divide for 14,300 square miles, the seven contiguous Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks are richly adorned with mountain peaks, glaciers, waterfalls, limestone caves and fossils. Explore in depth three of these UNESCO World Heritage Sites to see how they each bear distinct ecological, geological and historical characters while sharing a common rugged beauty renowned worldwide.

Highlights

� With local experts explore Banff, Yoho and Jasper National Parks. Learn about the rich geological history of the Canadian Rockies.
� Experience a bird's eye view of the Continental Divide and Victoria Glacier atop the Lake Louise Gondola. Cross over meadows of wildflowers and open green slopes where grizzly bears love to graze.
� Journey along the spectacular Icefields Parkway and set foot on the tip of the Athabasca Glacier on an expert-led ice walk. Experience the largest accumulation of ice and snow south of the Arctic Circle � one of the most breathtaking sights in the Rockies.

Activity Particulars

Walking up to two miles per day on uneven terrain; altitudes of more than 3,000 feet in Jasper, 4,500 feet in Banff. Good walking shoes recommended.

Date Specific Information

7-21-2013, 8-4-2013

Enjoy the latest in hearing technology � listening devices � on this date.

Itinerary Summary

Independent arrival Banff, 2 nights; coach to Lake Louise, 2 nights; coach to Jasper, 2 nights; coach to Banff, 2 nights; independent departure.

Coordinated by Routes to Learning Canada.

Banff

A storied gateway to Banff National Park � with more than 25 mountain peaks towering over 8,000 feet � Banff welcomes adventurers and nature-lovers to take in the alpine wonders and colorful history of the Canadian Rockies.

Jasper

Located within a national park, the municipality of Jasper shares its governance with the Parks Canada Agency. Born as a fur-trade supply depot in the early 1800s, the 4,000-resident town benefits from the nearly 3 million visitors that pass through Jasper National Park annually.

Accommodations
Banff: Family-owned inn with sauna and steam room. Lake Louise: Inn with mountain views. Jasper: Centrally located lodge.

Road Scholar Instructors

These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.

Ben Gadd

Ben Gadd is one of Canada�s better-known naturalists and Rockies writers. Author of the ground-breaking �Handbook of the Canadian Rockies,� Ben has written eight other books and contributed to several more. His novel, �Raven�s End,� has become a prize-winning Canadian best-seller. Ben has received three Banff Mountain Book Festival awards for his work. Educated as a geologist, Ben has pursued a career mainly in natural history, including a stint as a Parks Canada naturalist. He has also taught writing at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and Grant MacEwan College. For nearly 30 years, he has worked in the summer as a freelance interpretive guide � he is one of only six master guides in Canada�s professional Interpretive Guides Association � and in the winter as a writer and sought-after lecturer on Rockies topics. Heard frequently on CBC radio, Ben has also appeared in many television items and several documentaries on the Rockies.

Meals and Lodgings
	Irwin's Mountain Inn
		Banff, Alberta	3 nights
	Amethyst Lodge
		Jasper, Alberta	3 nights
	Irwin's Mountain Inn
		Banff, Alberta	2 nights

Irwin's Mountain Inn
	Type:	Hotel
	Description:	Family owned and operated for over thirty years, Irwin's Mountain Inn was completely reconstructed by the fall of 1995 making the property one of Banff's newer accommodations. Originally built in 1967 by Paul and Elizabeth Irwin with their two sons, Arlen and Larry, Irwin's Motor Inn was recognized as one of the best values in Banff. With farming as their previous livelihood, the Irwins extended the same hospitality to their guests at the motel as was characteristic of the way they greeted and treated visitors and friends to their farm. A tradition of hospitality and friendliness was established in those early years and the Management to this day still endeavors to live up to Paul and Elizabeth's example in the service and quality of comfort they provide guests to Irwin's Mountain Inn. The name has changed and three times the motel has undergone major rebuilding phases, but the standard of excellence in hospitality that Paul and Elizabeth Irwin exemplified over thirty years ago still serves as the benchmark for the next generation of Irwins that share in the ownership and management of the Irwin's Mountain Inn.
	Contact info:	429 Banff Avenue Banff, AB T1L 1B2 Canada phone: 403-762-4566 web: www.irwinsmountaininn.com/
	Room amenities:	Satellite TV and movie channel.
	Facility amenities:	Coin laundry, small gift shop, 10 person jetted pool, sauna and steam room, games room and massage therapy.
	Smoking allowed:	No
	Elevators available:	Yes
	Additional nights prior:	Call for availability & prices Please contact the hotel directly on your own OR if you require personal assistance contact Cleland Travel toll free at 1-888-905-5959. A service fee MAY apply.
	Check in time:	4:00 PM
	Additional nights after:	Call for availability & prices Please contact the hotel directly on your own OR if you require personal assistance contact Cleland Travel toll free at 1-888-905-5959. A service fee MAY apply.
	Check out time:	11:00 AM

Amethyst Lodge
	Type:	Lodge
	Description:	The Amethyst Lodge is close to the center of Jasper and just a short walk from rail and bus terminals, museum and art galleries. Amazing wildlife viewing and unspoiled wilderness are just blocks away.
	Contact info:	200 Connaught Drive Jasper, AB T0E 1E0 Canada phone: 780-852-3394 web: www.mpljasper.com/hotels/amethyst_lodge/index.html
	Facility amenities:	The hotel offers a number of amenities, including: in-room coffee makers and hair dryers and two outdoor hot tubs. A coin-operated laundry facility is nearby.
	Smoking allowed:	Yes

Travel Details
	Start of Program: 4:00 pm, Banff, Alberta. You will be staying at Irwin's Mountain Inn that night.
	End of Program: Independent departures after breakfast, Banff, Alberta; check out of hotel is 11:00 AM. You will be staying at Irwin's Mountain Inn the night before.
	Required documents: The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. A passport is required for ALL travel to/from Canada. A US law known as the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requires those traveling to/from the United States by land & sea to also have a passport or other appropriate secure documents (NEXUS card). Passport requirements are subject to change. Visit www.travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html for information.
	Parking availability: Parking is available at the Banff hotel for a flat rate of $50. This rate is subject to change without notice. To arrange, please contact the hotel directly at 403-762-4566.

Transportation

	To Start of Program
	Location:	Banff, Alberta
	Transportation to site:	By Air Hourly shuttle services to Banff is available from the Calgary International Airport (CAD $53-106). Check out banffairporter.com/ for the most up to date shuttle information. Reservations are required. Please call 1-888-449-2901. Approximate travel time from Calgary International airport to the start of the program in Banff is 2.5 hours. Should you plan on arriving into Calgary by air, mid to late morning arrivals are strongly recommended. Volunteers on the Arrivals level at the Calgary Airport (wearing white cowboy hats and red vests) are very helpful in getting people on their way to transportation and the hotels. Taxi from airport (CAD approx. $160 one way) - Subject to change. Car: Approx. 140 km along the Trans Canada Highway Please contact Road Scholar Travel Services for assistance with air travel at: 1-800-854-3418; travelinfo@roadscholar.org. Hours of operation: 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday. For assistance with pre/post add on hotel accommodations, medical/travel insurance, car rentals, or to customize your extended stay please contact Denise Tracey at Maritime Travel, toll free 1-888-905-5959 or by email at dtracey@maritimetravel.ca.

	From End of Program
	Location:	Banff, Alberta
	Transportation from site:	Hourly shuttle services to the Calgary International Airport is available from Banff (CAD $53-106). Check out banffairporter.com/ for the most up to date shuttle information. Reservations are required. Please call 1-888-449-2901. Car: Approx. 140 km along the Trans Canada Highway Taxi to airport (CAD approx. $160 one way) - Subject to change. NOTE: When booking your departure/return flight, confirm with your airline the amount of time required for pre-flight check-in procedure. Make sure you have enough time upon arrival at airport to comfortably make your flight.
		(Additional transportation information same as above)

Elevation Note: Altitudes reaching up to 4,540 feet in Banff and up to 3,484 feet in Jasper.

The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Daily Schedule

Day 1:

Independent Arrivals/Orientation
(Sunday, July 22)

Arrive To:	HOTEL CHECK-IN: Available from 4:00pm. Independent arrivals in Banff.
Dinner:	Enjoy casual dining at the hotel.
Evening:	ORIENTATION: Meet your group leader and fellow participants during an orientation to the program and Banff.

Accommodations:	Irwin's Mountain Inn
Meals Included:	Dinner

Day 2:

Introduction and History of the Rocky Mountain Parks/Whyte Museum
(Monday, July 23)

Breakfast:	Breakfast at hotel
Morning:	LECTURE: Get an in-depth look at Canada�s Rocky Mountain Parks with a local expert, who will provide insight to the history of the parks and touch on the majesty of the small mountain village of Banff.
Lunch:	Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon:	FIELD TRIP: Whyte Museum. Explore one of Banff's most culturally significant museums, and learn of the remarkable history of some of the locals and their cultural past. The Whyte Museum is the gateway for experiencing and enjoying the art, culture and history of the Canadian Rockies.
Dinner:	Dinner at a local restaurant.
Evening:	FREE EVENING: Take this evening to explore some of the sights and sounds of Banff on your own. For live musical entertainment, check out one of the local pubs or the Banff Centre (www.banffcentre.ca)

Accommodations:	Irwin's Mountain Inn
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3:

Banff/Sulphur Mountain Gondola/Johnston Canyon/Bow Valley
(Tuesday, July 24)

Breakfast:	Breakfast at your hotel.
Morning:	PRESENTATION: Geology of Banff. Gain insight into the natural forces that formed the rugged landscape of the Rocky Mountains and the differences between the Front and Main Ranges. Learn about what geologists call, "The Ring of Fire", and how some believe that this uplift still continues today. EXCURSION: Sulphur Mountain Gondola. Journey to the top of Sulphur Mountain in a four-passenger, glass-enclosed gondola (weather permitting). This activity will reinforce what you have learned during this morning's lecture. Along the way, you will have a 360-degree view of the breathtaking beauty of the Rockies. Bring your camera along - you will be awe-struck by the panoramic view from the top!
Lunch:	Lunch at Melissa's, a local favorite in a landmark building.
Afternoon:	FIELD TRIP: Banff National Park - Johnston Canyon. Explore Johnston Canyon - a narrow canyon cut into 350 million year old limestone. You will be awed by spectacular cascading falls, copper-colored cliffs and Black Swifts, found only in a few places in Alberta, nesting in the canyon walls. At the Bow Valley Parkway, study the biodiversity, forest ecology and outstanding geological and ecological features of this area. Your local guide will examine important aspects of the Rocky Mountain region including geology, ecological zones, fire and erosion processes.
Dinner:	Dinner on your own, to explore the wide variety of local cuisine in downtown Banff.
Evening:	Free evening to explore Banff on your own.

Accommodations:	Irwin's Mountain Inn
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4:

Columbia Icefield/Jasper National Park
(Wednesday, July 25)

Breakfast:	Breakfast at hotel
Morning:	FIELD TRIP & LECTURE: Icefields Parkway & the Columbia Icefield. En route to Jasper National Park, your local guide will introduce a range of topics including glaciology of the Icefields Parkway, Burgess Shale fossils and bears of the Rockies. Gain insight into the creation, impact and maintenance of the glaciers and Iicefields in the Canadian Rockies. Hear about the discovery of unique marine fossils in the Burgess Shale and their significance to the field of palaeontology. Further along the Icefields Parkway, considered one of the most scenic highways in the world, we will visit the Columbia Icefield. Here, learn about this impressive glacial feature. The Icefields are the largest accumulation of ice and snow in the Canadian Rockies, covering an area of nearly 125 square miles and straddling the Continental Divide with an average elevation of 9,800 feet. The Icefields feed eight major glaciers, including the Athabasca, Dome and Stutfield glaciers, all of which you will see from the coach. The Icefields lie on the boundary between Banff and Jasper national parks, and its meltwaters flow to three of Canada's largest river systems and eventually to three oceans: the Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic. There is only one other such watershed in the world, and that is in Siberia.
Lunch:	Lunch en route
Afternoon:	Arrive in the town of Jasper - located in the centre of Jasper National Park, deep in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Jasper is known around the world for its pristine and rugged beauty. Its distance from large urban centers and its relatively intact ecology give you a real sense of the early days in the Rockies.
Dinner:	Dinner at your hotel. Enjoy stunning mountain views and fantastic food at Anthony's Restaurant.
Evening:	Free evening to enjoy the local townsite or rest after a long day of travelling.

Accommodations:	Amethyst Lodge
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5:

Jasper National Park/Maligne Canyon/Pyramid Lake/History of Jasper National Park
(Thursday, July 26)

Breakfast:	Breakfast at your hotel
Morning:	FIELD TRIP: Maligne Canyon & Pyramid Lake. Meet your local expert naturalist who will introduce you to Jasper National Park. Explore together Maligne Canyon and Pyramid Lake. Discover the Maligne Canyon trail, rich in natural history, with impressive geologic features and wildlife. Search for fossils and find out how this deep canyon formed during glacial ages. The forests of these wilderness areas are home to mountain goats, elk, moose, and bears as well as a variety of birds, including Bald Eagles. Scenic trails let you explore the spectacular vantage points, flower meadows, and sapphire blue mountain lakes.
Lunch:	Picnic lunch en route (weather permitting)
Afternoon:	FIELD TRIP: Jasper National Park. Discover the history of Jasper National Park - Canada's largest and most northerly Rocky Mountain park, encompassing over 4,200 square miles. Healthy wildlife populations, including grizzly bears and wolves, live among its grand peaks and emerald-green lakes. The combination of these startling blue-green mountain lakes, soaring peaks and broad, forested valleys makes this one of the world's premiere national parks.
Dinner:	Dinner at your hotel
Evening:	LECTURE: History of Jasper. Our expert naturalist will discuss the history and development of Jasper National Park.

Accommodations:	Amethyst Lodge
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6:

Mount Robson Provincial Park/Jasper National Park
(Friday, July 27)

Breakfast:	Breakfast at your hotel
Morning:	FIELD TRIP: Mount Robson Provincial Park. Explore this incredible park with your local naturalist and learn about the landscape and ecology of Mount Robson. It is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies at 12,972 feet. The park consists of 536,484 acres of stunning mountains, valleys and waterways. Forests of spruce, fir, balsam, cedar and alder are home to an array of wildlife, including mountain goats, moose, deer, elk, marmot, squirrels, birds and chipmunks.
Lunch:	Boxed lunch in the park (weather permitting).
Afternoon:	PRESENTATION: Jasper & the Rockies. Enjoy an in-depth presentation on the history of Jasper comparing current community development with its former days. Learn about the Overlanders - gold seekers heading for the Cariboo in the 1860's, the first ascent of Mount Robson, and the mountain's effect on the local ecology.
Dinner:	Dinner on your own to explore local fare.
Evening:	Evening is free to explore Jasper on your own or relax at your hotel.

Accommodations:	Amethyst Lodge
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7:

Lake Louise/Athabasca Falls/Banff
(Saturday, July 28)

Breakfast:	Breakfast at your hotel
Morning:	FIELD TRIP & PRESENTATION: Depart for Banff. Travel south along the Icefields Parkway. The day will reflect the theme "Twenty Switzerlands from One Highway!" During today's presentations you will learn about the area's wildlife and mountaineering. The Icefields Parkway travels terrain that has been heavily glaciated, and the features left in the wake of many ice ages are a highlight of the trip, with well over 80 glaciers within sight of the highway.
Lunch:	Picnic lunch en route (weather permitting)
Afternoon:	FIELD TRIP: As we journey south, we will stop at Athabasca Falls and several mountain lakes including spectacular Lake Louise. You can drink in nature's wonder at Lake Louise - one of the Canadian Rockies' most beloved destinations, with turquoise waters sparkling underneath the towering Victoria Glacier. The 23-meter Athabasca Falls is not very high by Canadian Rockies standards, but the size of the river makes it one of the most powerful falls to be found in the mountain parks. Flowing from the glaciers of the Columbia Icefield, the Athabasca River is the largest river system in Jasper. Arrive/check into the hotel.
Dinner:	Dinner at a local restaurant.
Evening:	Free evening to explore Banff on your own or indulge in the Hot Springs.

Accommodations:	Irwin's Mountain Inn
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8:

Banff Springs Hotel/Farewell Celebrations
(Sunday, July 29)

Breakfast:	Breakfast at your hotel.
Morning:	PRESENTATION and FIELD TRIP: Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel & Bow Falls. Discover the history of the town of Banff, located within Canada's First National Park. Banff lies in a mountain-rimmed valley carved by the Bow River. Its development has always been determined by the federal government, tourism and the railway. In 1930, the Rocky Mountain Parks Reserve was renamed Banff National Park, Canada's first nature reserve, to encompass 2,564 square miles of valleys, mountains, glaciers, forests, meadows and rivers. Beneath the famous Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel is gushing Bow Falls. The spectacular falls is fed upstream by the Bow Glacier which in turn feeds the Bow River. An easy stroll along the Bow Falls Trail gets you up close to the rapids and roaring water falls.
Lunch:	Lunch on your own to explore local fare.
Afternoon:	Free afternoon to explore Banff on your own.
Dinner:	Dinner at El Toro
Evening:	Farewell celebrations

Accommodations:	Irwin's Mountain Inn
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9:

Independent Departures
(Monday, July 30)

Breakfast:	Breakfast at your hotel.
Morning:	Independent departures from Banff. Approximate travel time from Banff to the Calgary International airport is 2.5 hours. When booking your departure/return flight, confirm with your airline the amount of time required for pre-flight check-in procedure. Make sure you have enough time upon arrival at airport to comfortably make your flight.

Meals Included:

Breakfast

Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Canadians, A Portrait of the Country and Its People

Author: Roy MacGregor

Description: CULTURAL PORTRAIT, 2008, PAPERBACK, 320 PAGES A journalist and popular author, MacGregor takes the full measure of Canadian life in this irreverent, entertaining portrait of a people. (CND320, $18.00)

Moon Handbook Canadian Rockies

Author: Andrew Hempstead

Description: GUIDEBOOK, 2010, PAPERBACK, 347 PAGES Canada resident and avid outdoorsman Andrew Hempstead knows the best way to experience the Canadian Rockies, from rafting on the Bow River and hiking Lake O'Hara to staying in a remote log cabin. Packed with information on dining, transportation, and accommodations, Moon Canadian Rockies has lots of options for a range of travel budgets. With must-see sights, maps, aadvice on planning and itineraries -- and an essential dose of humor. (CND231, $17.95)

Scats and Tracks of the Rocky Mountains

Author: James Halfpenny | Todd Telander

Description: FIELD GUIDE, 2001, PAPERBACK, 145 PAGES An essential pocket guide to tracks, scats and signs of not just the mammals of the region, but also of the reptiles, amphibians and birds. Each of 70 species gets a double-page spread, with line drawings of the animal, scat and track, range map and description. Winner of the 1999 National Outdoor Book Award in the Nature Guidebook Category, it features shaded pencil drawings by Todd Telander. (USW118, $9.95)

Switchbacks, True Stories from the Canadian Rockies

Author: Sid Marty

Description: PAPER, 328 PAGES, $18.95 Marty recalls the colorful tales of his friends, colleagues and his own youth in this collection of tales. (Item no. CND186)

You can't find a better value than Road Scholar.

As a not-for-profit organization, we are dedicated to providing all-inclusive educational programs at great value. From lectures to gratuities to field trips to accommodations - the tuition you pay up front is all that you pay.

Specifically, this program includes:

8 nights accommodations
20 meals: 8 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners
Expert-led lectures: 7
Expert-led lectures

Led by one or more of our world-class instructors, typically in a classroom setting, lectures come in the form of presentations, discussions or workshops and offer expert insight into your area of study.
Field trips: 10
Field trips

The world is your classroom, as you're on location with an instructor to pursue your educational theme firsthand.

Plus these special experiences...

Experience a bird's eye view during an excursion to the top of Sulphur Mountain.
Journey along the magnificent Icefield's Parkway, with stops along the way in picturesque mountain towns.
Explore some of Alberta's finest attractions with local experts guiding the way.
Delve into local culture and learn about the history of different areas of interest in the Canadian Rockies.

View the Daily Schedule to see more

And included with all Road Scholar programs:

Learning led by expert instructors who are authorities in the field of study.
An experienced Group Leader attuned to the needs of Road Scholar participants.
Customary gratuities throughout the program that you would normally pay yourself.
The Road Scholar Travel Assistance Plan, providing 24-hour-a-day emergency assistance coverage.
Taxes