Canada: Vancouver, Banff, Lake Louise & Jasper
Vancouver between the ocean and the mountains, then the turquoise lakes of Banff and Lake Louise, the Icefields Parkway's glaciers and Jasper's wildlife, by road or aboard a glass-domed train.
- Best time to go
- Mid-June to mid-September for lakes, hiking and the train; late September for golden larches and fewer crowds. December to March for skiing at Whistler, Banff and Lake Louise.
- Flying from India
- Non-stop flights from Delhi to Vancouver take about 15 to 16 hours (schedules vary by season); otherwise one stop via Europe or East Asia. Calgary is the airport for Banff.
- Visa for Indian passports
- Indian passport holders need a Canadian visitor visa (Temporary Resident Visa), applied for online with biometrics at a visa application centre. Processing can take several weeks or more, so apply early.
- Currency
- Canadian dollar (CAD). Cards and tap-to-pay are accepted almost everywhere.
Canadian Rockies & Vancouver at a glance
Vancouver is one of the world's most beautiful cities, with the ocean, rainforest and mountains all close at hand. Cycle or walk the seawall around Stanley Park, explore Granville Island and Gastown, cross the Capilano Suspension Bridge and, on longer trips, take the Sea-to-Sky Highway to Whistler for the Peak 2 Peak Gondola.
The Rockies are reached by a short flight to Calgary or on the Rocky Mountaineer, a daylight rail journey with an overnight stop in Kamloops. Banff and Lake Louise are home to the famous turquoise lakes; the Icefields Parkway runs 230 km north past Peyto Lake and the Columbia Icefield to Jasper, a quieter town with elk, bears and Maligne Canyon nearby. Fly home from Calgary or Edmonton, or return west by train.
Must-see
- Stanley Park and the seawall
- Moraine Lake and Lake Louise
- The Icefields Parkway
- Athabasca Glacier
- Maligne Lake and Spirit Island
Food to try
- Pacific salmon and spot prawns in Vancouver
- Alberta beef
- Butter tarts and Nanaimo bars
- Maple syrup treats
- Vancouver's excellent Indian and Asian food
Where to shop
- Granville Island Public Market
- Gastown boutiques
- Indigenous art in Vancouver and Banff
- Banff Avenue outdoor stores
- Ice wine and maple products
Where to Stay
Areas and styles of stay we book most often. We shortlist specific hotels once we know your dates and budget.
Vancouver, Coal Harbour and downtown
Waterfront hotels
Hotels along Coal Harbour and the downtown waterfront, with views of the mountains and floatplanes, a short walk from the seawall and Stanley Park.
Banff town
Mountain-town hotels and lodges
Hotels in and around Banff town, close to the gondola, the hot springs and the restaurants of Banff Avenue, with mountains on every side.
Lake Louise
Lakeside and village lodges
Hotels on the shore of Lake Louise and in the village below, best for early starts at the lakes before the day visitors arrive.
Signature Experiences
Moments we build Canadian Rockies & Vancouver journeys around
Rocky Mountaineer
Two days by rail from Vancouver to Banff or Jasper, travelling only in daylight, with an overnight stop in Kamloops and meals served at your seat. Runs from April to October.
Walking on the Athabasca Glacier
A giant Ice Explorer vehicle drives onto the glacier at the Columbia Icefield, followed by the glass-floored Skywalk above the Sunwapta Valley.
Banff Gondola
Eight minutes to the summit of Sulphur Mountain, with a boardwalk along the ridge and views over six mountain ranges. Soak in the Banff Upper Hot Springs afterwards.
Capilano Suspension Bridge
A 137-metre bridge swaying 70 metres above the Capilano River in North Vancouver, with treetop walkways and a cliffside walk.
Maligne Canyon
A short walk along a deep, narrow limestone canyon near Jasper, crossing six bridges; in winter, guided ice walks go along the frozen floor.
Wildlife in Jasper
Elk graze around Jasper town, and early-morning drives look for bears, moose and mountain goats with a naturalist guide.
Planning Your Journey
Timing, routing and what our specialists tell every Canadian Rockies & Vancouver traveller
When to visit
June to August
Lakes thawed and turquoise, long days and all roads, trails and attractions open. Busiest and most expensive.
September to early October
Golden larches, elk rut, crisp days and fewer people. Some services begin closing in October.
December to March
Skiing and snowshoeing, frozen lakes for skating and the Christmas markets; the Icefields Parkway may close in storms.
Getting there and around
International
Fly into Vancouver and home from Calgary (or Edmonton for Jasper), connecting via Vancouver, Toronto or Europe.
Between stops
Vancouver to Calgary is a 1½-hour flight, Calgary to Banff 1½ hours by road, Banff to Lake Louise 45 minutes, and Lake Louise to Jasper about 3½ hours on the Icefields Parkway.
Insider notes
Moraine Lake has no private parking
The road to Moraine Lake is closed to private cars. Use the Parks Canada shuttle, public transit or a private tour, and book shuttle seats early.
Book summer early
July and August are very busy; Banff, Lake Louise and the Rocky Mountaineer fill up months ahead.
Jasper is recovering
Part of Jasper town and the park was burned in a 2024 wildfire. Most areas have reopened; we check current access for Maligne Lake and trails before you travel.
You need a park pass
A Parks Canada pass is required in Banff and Jasper. We include it in your plan.
Canadian Rockies & Vancouver: Common Questions
The Rocky Mountaineer is a memorable two-day journey with excellent service; driving or a private chauffeur gives more flexibility for stops. Many travellers do the train one way.
Plan your Canadian Rockies & Vancouver journey
Speak to a specialist.
Share a few details and one of our Canadian Rockies & Vancouver specialists will get in touch, usually within a working day.
Journeys from here
Itineraries that include Canadian Rockies & Vancouver
Journey · Scenic Rail
Canadian Rockies by Glass-Dome Rail
Journey · Mountains & Wildlife
Banff, Lake Louise & Icefields
Journey · City & Nature
Vancouver, Sea to Sky
Journey · Expedition Cruise
Alaska Inside Passage Cruise
Ready to plan Canadian Rockies & Vancouver?
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. We reply with a costed, day-by-day plan you can change as much as you like.