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Highlights
Experience the rancher life while exploring the spectacular landscapes of Western Canada
Visit Drumheller and discover the famous dinosaur residents while you explore the Badlands.
Experience the spectacular views and mountain passes as you drive the famous Icefields Parkway.
Take an afternoon trail ride across the prairies and enjoy the beauty of a mountain farm during your ranch stays.
Choose your own activities as you explore the magnificent glacial lakes and National Parks of the Rocky Mountains.
The prairies naturally evoke images of the lonesome cowboy riding into the sunset, but the mountains are horse-country, too! On the Rocky Mountain Ranches Tour self-drive road trip, you’ll experience the peace that living in harmony with nature brings during your ranch stays.
This tour takes you to two ranches, one in the prairies and one in the heart of the great Rocky Mountains. Your journey between the two ranches will take you along spectacular scenic roads, including the famous Icefields Parkway and Rogers Pass. You’ll have the flexibility to spend your time exploring the mountain gems such as Jasper, Banff, and Yoho National Parks however you wish. So you can hike, paddle, and explore as much or as little as you like while revelling in the majestic mountain views. This tour will show you many ways to enjoy your incredible natural surroundings, from the endless prairie fields to the canyons of the Badlands and snow-capped mountain peaks.
The prairies naturally evoke images of the lonesome cowboy riding into the sunset, but the mountains are horse-country, too! On the Rocky Mountain Ranches Tour self-drive road trip, you’ll experience the peace that living in harmony with nature brings during your ranch stays.
This tour takes you to two ranches, one in the prairies and one in the heart of the great Rocky Mountains. Your journey between the two ranches will take you along spectacular scenic roads, including the famous Icefields Parkway and Rogers Pass. You’ll have the flexibility to spend your time exploring the mountain gems such as Jasper, Banff, and Yoho National Parks however you wish. So you can hike, paddle, and explore as much or as little as you like while revelling in the majestic mountain views. This tour will show you many ways to enjoy your incredible natural surroundings, from the endless prairie fields to the canyons of the Badlands and snow-capped mountain peaks.
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Rocky Mountain Ranches Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Tour Begins in Calgary
When you arrive at the Calgary International Airport, you can collect your rental vehicle and drive to your Calgary accommodation. You have the evening free to explore Alberta’s urban centre, home to the famous Stampede Rodeo.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Calgary
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Journey to Cowboy Country
Today, you’ll start your road trip into the prairies and drive to Bindloss, where you’ll find your ranch home for the next two nights. You’ll already feel like a cowboy the moment you step into the heritage lodge and begin exploring the idyllic surroundings. Tonight, you’ll be treated to a spectacular night sky that is unpolluted by city lights, and if you’re lucky, you might see the northern lights.
Overnight Location: Ranch in Bindloss
Distance: 327km
Meals: None
Day 3 Trail Rides and Ranch Life
Start your day with a hearty country breakfast, and then hit the trails with your wrangler guide. Enjoy horseback riding under the endless prairie sky, and then discover the relaxing effect of grooming your horse after your ride. Feel free to explore the ranch in the afternoon or relax on the porch and enjoy total serenity.
Overnight Location: Ranch in Bindloss
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 4 Discover Dinosaur Provincial Park
Enjoy your final perfectly peaceful morning at the ranch before you start your drive to Red Deer. Follow the Dinosaur Trail into the badlands, where you’ll find the world’s largest deposit of dinosaur fossils. You’ll also want to spend some time exploring the spectacular cliffs, canyons, hoodoos, and fairy chimney rock formations in Drumheller before you end your day in Red Deer.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Red Deer
Distance: 377km
Meals: None
Day 5 Travel into the Mountains
As you begin your drive from Red Deer, you’ll start to see the prairies rise into the foothills and then grow into the Rocky Mountains. You’ll follow the route of historic explorers as they searched for a route through the mountains to the coast. Finish your drive at Saskatchewan Crossing, where you’ll spend the night by the rushing river surrounded by spectacular rocky peaks.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Saskatchewan Crossing
Distance: 260km
Meals: None
Day 6 Drive the Icefields Parkway
Today, you’ll travel along the famous Columbia Icefields Parkway. The options for how to spend your day are endless. Take your time exploring the stunning alpine lakes, glaciers, and waterfalls as you drive the Parkway’s scenic route.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Jasper
Distance: 153km
Meals: None
Day 7 Discover Jasper
The startling blue waters of Maligne Lake are a symbolic sight in the Rockies, and you have the entire day to spend enjoying the view and exploring Jasper. There are endless hiking, paddling, and wildlife viewing opportunities in this scenic alpine town. You can opt to book an hour-and-a-half Maligne Lake Boat Cruise.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Jasper
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 8 Mount Robson and the Road to Clearwater
Today, you’ll cross the border between Alberta and British Columbia. Take a break from your drive at the base of Mount Robson. The jagged peak above you is the highest in the Canadian Rockies and is a beautiful sight to behold. Your road ends for the day at your ranch in the heart of the mountains in Clearwater.
Overnight Location: Ranch in Clearwater
Distance: 347km
Meals: None
Day 9 A Day on the Ranch
Wake up to the sounds of a working ranch in Clearwater. Watch the cows and horses graze in front of the spectacular mountain backdrop. Take a trip to Wells Gray Park for a beautiful hike to the waterfalls or take out a canoe or kayak for a quiet paddle on the lake.
Overnight Location: Ranch in Clearwater
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 10 Explore the Meadows in the Sky
Continue your drive into the mountains and discover the gorgeous Meadows in the Sky. Spend some time exploring the deep forests and alpine meadows in Mount Revelstoke National Park.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Revelstoke
Distance: 309km
Meals: None
Day 11 Drive Rogers Pass and Visit Yoho National Park
Today, you’ll drive Rogers Pass, where the up-close views of the snow-topped peaks reaching for the sky will take your breath away. Stop at Glacier National Park’s interpretive centre for help deciding how you want to enjoy the mountains today. Nearby, Kicking Horse River offers exciting rafting excursions or you can hike to beautiful Wapta Falls in Yoho National Park. Tonight, you’ll stay in the welcoming town of Golden.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Golden
Distance: 148km
Meals: None
Day 12 Visit Iconic Lake Louise
Banff may be calling your name, but you don’t want to rush the drive there. Take in the spectacular scenery during your drive and stop to spend some time in Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. The beautiful waters of Moraine Lake reflecting the horizon of dramatic rocky peaks is a sight you’ll never forget (and one you’ve probably seen on a computer desktop). Take a stroll on the lakeshore, go for a quiet canoe ride, or take a scenic gondola ride for a panoramic perspective. Finish the day with a visit to the Banff hot springs or wander the famous Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Banff
Distance: 139km
Meals: None
Day 13 Hike and Enjoy Banff National Park
You have all day to explore the incredible resort town of Banff. The Banff National Park is full of hiking trails and beautiful places to discover. The gondola offers magnificent views from the top of Sulphur Mountain, where you can enjoy a mountain-top meal. You can also book one of the optional activities, a Banff Tour and Wildlife Discovery.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Banff
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 14 Tour Ends in Calgary
Sadly, today marks the end of your time in the mountains. Drive back to Calgary to return your rental vehicle at the airport, where your tour comes to a close.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: None
Rocky Mountain Ranches Tour Price and Dates
This partially-guided tour to the Canadian Rockies is run as private tour for your group only, and the price per person depends on how many people are in your group.Prices below are per person:
- Groups of 2+: from CAD2675 per person*
Accommodation on the Rocky Mountain Ranches Tour
This tour is based on two types of accommodations: you’ll stay in standard 3-star hotels and two authentic horse and cattle ranches.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. Single rooms, including those for solo travellers, are by request.
What’s Included in the Rocky Mountain Ranches Tour?
Meals
Meals are not included on this tour.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 13 nights are included. Accommodations before and after the tour in Calgary are not included but can be added as a supplement.
Transportation during the Tour
This is a self-drive tour, and you’ll be provided with a rental vehicle for the duration of the itinerary.
Also Included
- Standard vehicle rental, Category B
- Canadian taxes
- 24/7 access to helpline
Not included
- Flights to and from Calgary
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Optional activities
- Entrance fees to national parks
- Gratuities for tour guides or other staff if desired
- Vehicle insurance
- Fuel
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Optional activities or excursions
- Banff Tour and wildlife discovery on Day 13
- How hard is the Rocky Mountain Ranches Tour?
- Is my driver’s licence valid in Canada?
- Is the vehicle insurance included?
- What does partially-guided mean?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Canada?
- Are meals included on the Rocky Mountain Ranches Tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Calgary to start this tour?
- Is the Rocky Mountain Ranches Tour in English?
- Where does the Rocky Mountain Ranches Tour end?
- Do I need to have horseback riding experience for this tour?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Canada?
- When is the best time to travel to Canada for this tour?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Canada?
We rate this tour as a 1/5. This tour has a flexible itinerary that allows you to choose your own hikes and activities so that you can tailor them to your fitness level.
Most standard driver’s licences are valid in Canada; however, International Drivers Permit might be required, or some exemptions might apply. Please check this source about driving with foreign license in Canada.
No, vehicle insurance is not included in the package. We strongly suggest having one for this tour to avoid liability in case there is damage caused to the vehicle. You can either book vehicle insurance during the booking process, or get one by yourself.
Booking a partially-guided tour is a perfect choice for those who like to be in charge of some of their time while travelling, but also don’t want to be on their own during activities. In most cases, a partially-guided tour doesn’t have a tour leader assigned to a group, but some or most of the activities, such as hikes, city walks, or historic site visits, are led by different guides. Also, in most cases, booking a partially-guided tour is way cheaper than booking a fully-guided tour!
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
Meals are not included on this tour.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover any activities you plan to do. Get your Travel Insurance.
Fly into Calgary International Airport (YYC). You’ll pick up your rental vehicle at the airport.
The route guide, maps, and programs provided will be in English.
This tour ends in Calgary, where you can drop off your rental vehicle at the Calgary International Airport (YYC).
No, the ranches have horses suitable for all levels of riders and will provide instructions for beginner riders.
Check with your family doctor.
The best time to travel to the Canadian Rockies for this overland tour is during the summer, so you can enjoy warm weather for hiking and other outdoor activities. This tour is available from June to September.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
Customer Ratings
In the two decades since Toundra Voyages Inc. was founded in 1998, the company has become North America’s go-to travel agency in customized independent and group tourism.
Tounda takes a flexible, responsive approach to developing adventure travel tours. By listening to the wants and wishes of travellers, they’ve been able to create memorable, affordable tours complemented by impeccable service.
Toundra’s mission is to create and organize tailor-made travel. They select, adapt, and personalize travel experiences in North America for each and every guest, ensuring your adventure is one you’ll never forget.
Meeting your expectations is just the beginning of what Toundra aims to accomplish. Exceeding them by providing exceptional experiences in beautiful North America is their standard, and their track record of knockout customer service and customized tour planning speaks for itself.
