Holidays

Canadian Cowboy Adventure

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Canadian Cowboy Adventure

Exploring the cowboy ranches & wheat fields of Alberta

from £3,390 pp

15 days

Canada

Go Local, Off-the-beaten-track, Adventure, Culture & History, Self-drive

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What Makes it Special?

Ride horseback across the vast prairies at an authentic cowboy ranch.
Walk in the footsteps of Indigenous peoples at Wanuskewin Heritage Park.
Drive the Icefields Parkway, one of the world’s most scenic routes.
Cruise across Maligne Lake to the stunning Spirit Island.
Spot wildlife in Jasper National Park, from elk to black bears.
Take a gondola ride above Banff for jaw-dropping mountain views.

Your tailor-made holiday will be as unique as you are. These itineraries are just a starting point, a bit of inspiration to show what’s possible. Your own trip all starts with a conversation with one of our Canada experts, who’ll take the time to understand what matters most to you and design the perfect holiday to match.

Discover a world of fossils, cowboy culture, and central Canadian treasures on this unique holiday that combines destinations in Saskatchewan and Alberta. The communities and landscapes that dot the roads west to the country's grass and wheat fields are rarely seen by larger tours, offering a great opportunity to gain a distinctive perspective on the area and its history. You’ll learn how to “cowboy” at an authentic ranch and find out what life on horseback was like for the settlers of the 19th century, while stays in modern cities highlight the changing face of their communities and philosophies.

9 hours from London

When to go

June to September

Average temperature

9-22°C

Average rainfall

55mm/month

Itinerary at a Glance

Calgary

1 Night

Drumheller

1 Night

La Reata Ranch

3 Nights

Regina

1 Night

Saskatoon

2 Nights

Smoky Lake

2 Nights

Jasper

2 Nights

Banff

2 Nights

Day by Day

Here's a summary of what you might get up to day-to-day on this Canada holiday. As always, this is just an idea. Every single day of your trip will be tailored to suit you.

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Once you arrive in Calgary, pick up your car hire and make your way downtown to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore this former frontier town—perhaps visit Heritage Park or head up Calgary Tower for a 360-degree view of the landscapes below.

Leaving the city behind and heading east, you enter the Badlands – a region showcasing the geological and palaeontological history of the last 200 million years. This area is one of the largest accessible dinosaur fields in the world, producing thousands of fossils with new discoveries every year. Visit the Royal Tyrrell Museum, which tells the story of the ancient animals that roamed the land eons ago.

Today you’ll journey across Alberta, crossing into Saskatchewan – the Bread Basket of Canada. Although famous for its wheat fields, the province boasts a diverse environment of rolling plains, forests, and waterways. Upon arriving at La Reata Ranch, the next two days are yours to explore this beautiful landscape on horseback during the day and spend the evenings experiencing the social life of a Canadian cowboy. With knowledgeable guides, you’ll discover the natural wonders, history, and stories of the land’s ancient and modern peoples. The ranch offers a fantastic opportunity to see how cowboys lived and worked, and how a modern ranch has adapted to today’s world.

The journey today takes you farther into the heart of Saskatchewan, passing lakes, grasslands, and the vast expanse of the 'Big Sky.' Arriving in Moose Jaw, you find yourself in what was once one of only two major settlements in the province during its early years. As a result, the cultures of immigrants who came to the prairies over the last century have left their mark on the buildings and architecture of this small but intriguing town. Explore the Asian influences in the area with a historical tour and re-enactment in the tunnels beneath the town’s streets. Afterwards, visit the Heritage Centre of the world-famous Royal Canadian Mounted Police, then continue to Regina for the evening.

Driving northward, the road leads to Saskatoon – once a meeting place and formative centre for popular rock and folk music in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Spend the remainder of the day exploring this quintessential Canadian town.

Today, you’ll visit Wanuskewin Heritage Park, known for centuries as "The Gathering Place." Six thousand years ago, this land echoed with the thundering hooves of bison and the voices of Indigenous peoples. Today, you can relive the stories of the people who came here to hunt bison, gather food and herbs, and escape the winter winds. Walking in their footsteps through the incredible interactive displays, you will understand why this site was a place of worship and celebration, a place of renewal with the natural world, and one of deep spirituality.

Today, you’ll continue driving into the heart of the Canadian Prairies. As you head towards Smoky Lake, you’ll notice the landscape transition from gently rolling plains and fields of wheat to forests and small lakes, signalling that your destination is just around the corner.

Known for its Pumpkin Festival and rich Ukrainian heritage, Smoky Lake offers a warm and welcoming destination. Surrounded by hills and lakes, the town is a perfect spot to get out in nature, whether for a bit of fishing or exploring the many walking trails.

The Rocky Mountains await! As you drive west into the foothills, the mountains gradually grow in the distance until they suddenly appear outside every window on today’s scenic drive. Winding through passes and valleys, you’ll arrive in the outdoor-adventure hub of Jasper. This alpine town is home to quaint lodges and serves as a great spot for excursions, tours, and other exciting attractions in Jasper National Park. This is your time to explore the charming town at your leisure. Perhaps enjoy lunch at one of the many restaurants or browse some of the local shops. Jasper is renowned as the gateway to countless adventures in the park, such as a Maligne Lake boat cruise or a ride on the Jasper SkyTram. With abundant outdoor activities and wildlife opportunities, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Drive to Banff via the spectacular Icefields Parkway. Enjoy unlimited photo opportunities of snowcapped peaks, waterfalls, and alpine meadows as you travel along this route, considered one of the most scenic drives in the world.

Make today a day of discovery in Canada’s most famous Rocky Mountain community! The shops and restaurants along Banff Avenue bring the tastes and goods of Canada to your fingertips. Elk stroll freely through the surrounding area, so have your cameras ready. You may want to arrange a visit to the Banff Natural History Museum or take a gondola ride. For the more adventurous, try river rafting or a sidecar tour.

Today, it's time to leave the mountains behind, passing through the foothills en route to Calgary International Airport in time for your return flight home.

Where You'll Stay

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Fairmont Banff Springs

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What You'll Do

All Excursions In Canada

Excursion

Calgary – Ideas for Free Time

The best way to explore Calgary is by making use of the city’s well-established pathway system, which enables locals and visitors alike to move around on foot or by bicycle, away from traffic. The Bow River meanders through the downtown area, flanked by footpaths and green spaces that provide a welcome escape from the otherwise bustling streets. Prince's Island Park, located in the heart of downtown, is a favourite spot for picnics, festivals, and leisurely walks along the riverbanks. For a taste of the city’s history, head to the Heritage Park Historical Village, located about a twenty-minute drive from the downtown area (with free parking available). This is the largest living history museum in Canada and offers a fascinating glimpse into Western Canada’s past between the 1860s and 1950s. The site features a mix of genuine historic buildings and re-creations, antique automobiles, and staff dressed in period attire who bring the era to life. Calgary is also a vibrant urban centre with plenty to offer beyond its historical and natural attractions. The Calgary Tower provides a panoramic view of the city skyline and the surrounding Rocky Mountains, offering an ideal introduction to the city’s layout and stunning natural backdrop. Art enthusiasts can visit the Glenbow Museum, home to an impressive collection of Western Canadian art, Indigenous artefacts, and cultural exhibits. If you’re here in July, the city comes alive with the world-famous Calgary Stampede, a 10-day celebration of rodeo, music, and Western heritage that transforms Calgary into a festive hub of entertainment. Year-round, the lively neighbourhoods of Inglewood and Kensington are perfect for exploring quirky shops, local art galleries, cafés, and restaurants. Food lovers will appreciate Calgary’s growing culinary scene, with its diverse range of eateries and breweries showcasing innovative cuisine and locally sourced ingredients. Whether you’re strolling along the Bow River, immersing yourself in history at Heritage Park, or enjoying the city’s modern culture, Calgary offers an ideal blend of urban vibrancy and natural beauty that’s well worth exploring.

Excursion

Banff and Canmore - Ideas for Free Time

This southern end of the Rockies is a haven for outdoor activities, and once you’ve taken a few deep breaths of the magnificent scenery, you can dive right in. There are many walking trails around both Canmore and Banff that can be tackled on your own, many leading to splendid vantage points. Maps are available from the tourist information centres, or you can join a guided walk with a local expert. A particularly popular spot is Johnston Canyon, where Johnston Creek tumbles impressively over limestone rocks into the gulley below. A scenic walkway hugs the canyon walls, and for those who venture further, it leads into pretty meadows above the falls. We recommend visiting early in the day to avoid the crowds. Taking to horseback is another lovely way to appreciate the scenery around Banff and Canmore. Gentle rides are available, taking you along valley floors and across the lower mountain slopes, providing a unique equine perspective on the beautiful surroundings. Nearby, the Cave & Basin National Historic Site is a collection of hot springs that have been known to Indigenous peoples for thousands of years but were more recently "discovered" by Canadian Pacific Railway workers. To protect the heritage of this spot, bathing in the thermal waters is not allowed. However, there is an interpretive boardwalk and a small museum explaining how the discovery of the hot springs led to the creation of Banff National Park and modern-day Banff. If you wish to take a dip, the Banff Upper Hot Springs nearby offers hot pools, steam rooms, and a spa, all with excellent mountain views. For further cultural insight, the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies in Banff has an excellent collection of artwork, photographs, and exhibits depicting the history of the town and the national park, as well as showcasing local and international talent. Finally, whether Banff is your first or last stop in the Rockies, we highly recommend a trip on the Banff Gondola to put the landscape into perspective. From the observation deck at the summit, you’ll enjoy superb views of the surrounding mountain ranges and the Bow River Valley winding its way into the distance.

Excursion

Calgary Stampede

Taking place every July the Calgary Stampede is one of Canada’s most iconic events, combining traditional cowboy entertainment, such as rodeo riding and chuck wagon racing, with some modern festival flare to create a rip-roaring ten days of fun. People come from far and wide to enjoy the shows, exhibitions and other entertainment at the Stampede Ground. Live music, agricultural demonstrations, fairground rides, an arts and craft showcase, parades and competitions keep the whole family entertained until, at the end of the day, a spectacular fireworks display lights up the sky. Tickets to the main races give you entry to the whole grounds for a day and with so much to see and do we recommend spreading your time over two days so you don’t feel too rushed. &;

Excursion

Jasper - ideas for free time

Perhaps even more so than Banff, Jasper is well set up for hiking, whatever your ability. There are several short loops leading out from the town, including the eight-kilometre Discovery Trail, which circles Jasper, highlighting its natural, historical, and railway heritage, while more challenging trails weave up the hillsides and through the forest. Mountain biking is another very popular activity here, with several excellent off-road tracks close to the town. Keep an eye out for wildlife — bighorn sheep and elk are common here. While the views of the mountains from street level are pretty impressive, if you would like to get a bird's-eye perspective, then take a ride on the Jasper Tramway to an elevation of over 2,200 metres. From the top, as you can imagine, there are spectacular 360-degree views of the seemingly endless Rockies and Jasper National Park. Nearby Maligne Lake is one of Jasper's gems — a glistening turquoise, glacier-fed lake set against a stunning mountain backdrop. You can drive there yourself and join a boat trip, then take a stroll along the water's edge or even rent a canoe for an hour before enjoying a coffee at the lakefront café. The drive to the lake in itself is fairly breathtaking, and en route, make time to stop at Maligne Canyon to view a series of waterfalls as the Maligne River tumbles over the limestone rocks.

Excursion

Icefields Parkway & Bow Valley Parkway - self-drive ideas

The Icefields Parkway is a scenic road that links Lake Louise at the southern end to Jasper at the northern end, taking you through the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site. Here, you will find a simply breathtaking landscape — soaring mountain peaks in every direction, gushing ice-fed rivers, sparkling turquoise lakes, and majestic glaciers. The route extends to Banff via the Bow Valley Parkway, which runs parallel to the faster-moving Highway 1, and the two parkways combined are considered one of the most beautiful drives in Canada. There are many scenic spots and points of interest along the way, so make sure you allow time for the following: Athabasca Falls: about 30 kilometres south of Jasper, these impressive falls can be seen from various viewing platforms and walking trails. Sunwapta Falls: just slightly further south than Athabasca Falls, these falls have a drop of around 18 metres and are at their most impressive in spring and summer when the snowmelt is at its peak. Big Hill and Big Bend: tucked into a hairpin bend, this spot offers a fantastic view of the Athabasca River valley and the towering mountains on either side. Peyto Lake: a striking turquoise, glacier-fed lake nestled amongst the peaks. It is accessed by a short, uphill walking trail to Bow Summit, the highest point on the Icefields Parkway. Bow Lake: another sparkling lake, overlooked by Crowfoot Mountain and Mount Thompson, and a great place to view the Crowfoot and Bow Glaciers. Athabasca Glacier: Where you can hike to the Toe of the Glacier for a closer look. Glacier Skywalk: Not for the faint-hearted, as it is a glass-floored platform that extends over the Sunwapta Valley, but the reward is stunning views of the glacier, mountains, and surrounding wilderness.

Excursion

Spirit Island Cruise on Maligne Lake

Maligne Lake is the largest glacially formed and fed lake in the Canadian Rockies, stretching between the mountains south-east of Jasper. As with Lake Louise further south, it is part of a spectacular vista, framed by snow-capped peaks and flanked by spruce and fir trees and this one-and-a-half hour interpretive cruise is a fantastic way to access the best views. The tour is accompanied by interesting commentary and mid-way through there is a photo stop at Spirit Island where you disembark for a short walk to the lookout point.

Excursion

Rockies Sightseeing Tour - Banff to Jasper

The road between Banff and Jasper is considered one of the most scenic drives in Canada. Skirting the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains there are spectacular vistas around every corner, as the majestic mountains loom and lakes glisten with ice-fed waters. If you are not self-driving this section then a guided coach transfer offers you the transportation along with interesting commentary to ensure you get the most out of this journey. Departing from Canmore or Banff your first stop is Lake Louise, where you can hop off to view the striking turquoise waters of this famous natural attraction. From here you make your way north along the Icefields Parkway – stopping at a number of scenic spots to take photos and enjoy the fabulous views. At the spectacular Colombia Icefields you can journey on to the ice in a specially adapted Ice Explorer vehicle and then have time to look around the Discovery Centre and take lunch. You will also have the opportunity to experience the Glacier Skywalk attraction – a glass-floored platform which stretches out over the Sunwepta Canyon, before continuing your journey to Jasper. The totally journey time is around 9.5 hours.

Excursion

White-Water Rafting on the Bow River

As it passes through Banff and Yoho National Parks, the Bow River and its tributaries (including the Kananskis) create some excellent conditions for both gentle and thrilling white-water rafting. With an experienced guide you will spend time negotiating the various rapids, as well as enjoying truly spectacular scenery as you pass through canyons and gulleys which open out to breath-taking mountain vistas. Along the way your guide will comment on points of interest and talk about the natural history of the area, as well as giving expert instruction on how to manoeuvre the raft. There are a number of excursions available differing in length and grade which makes the experience suitable for both families and thrill-seekers. Your specialist will be able to advise on the best suited to you.

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We offer tailor-made holidays to suit a wide range of tastes. Our expert Paul is dedicated to all things Canada and is here to help you plan your perfect trip.

Paul Turner

Destination Manager

Paul’s love for Canada began on a snowboard in Whistler and hasn’t stopped since. From scenic rail journeys to Rocky Mountain adventures, he’s full of ideas for seeing both the wild and city sides of Canada.

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Canadian Cowboy Adventure

What Makes it Special?

Itinerary at a Glance

Day by Day

Day 1 Welcome to Calgary

Day 2 Badlands & Royal Tyrrell Museum

Days 3-5 Experience life on a working ranch

Day 6 Travel to Moose Jaw

Day 7 Discover Saskatoon

Day 8 Walk in the footsteps of the First Nations

Day 9 Journey into the heart of the Prairies

Day 10 Smoky Lake

Days 11-12 Adventure in Jasper National Park

Day 13 Drive to Banff via the Icefields Parkway

Day 14 Explore Banff

Day 15 Time to fly home

Where You'll Stay

Elk & Avenue Hotel

Mountain Lily Bed & Breakfast

Banff Caribou Lodge and Spa

Mount Royal Hotel

Lady McDonald Country Inn

Fairmont Banff Springs

Jasper Inn & Suites by Sunrise

Ready to
pack your bags?