Holiday Overview
In prehistoric times, much of North America was a lush subtropical habitat embracing a vast inland sea. This is where the dinosaurs roamed 70 million years ago. Fast forward to present-day central and southern Alberta where their bones now rest in ancient riverbeds, framed by the maroon-striped canyons of the mysterious Canadian Badlands. Find yourself a little bit out there. Wander through the cottonwoods along the banks of meandering rivers.
There is nowhere quite like the Drumheller Valley; Dinosaur Capital of Canada! Being here will take you into another world - the world of startling contrasts between the deep past and the exciting present. Rolling fields suddenly give way to steep, dry coulees ridged with the strata of hundreds of years of erosion by time, wind and water.
Jurassic Adventure in Southern Alberta Fly Drive includes:
- Return UK flights
- Accommodation for 9 nights
- Intermediate Car Hire
- Banff Gondola
- Admission to Banff Upper Hot Springs
- Admission to Royal Tyrrell Museum
- Admission to Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Interpretive Centre
Day 1 - Fly UK to Calgary
Arrive in Calgary, a place buzzing with innovative energy while embracing its rich western heritage. Take a trip up the Calgary Tower (not included). Another highlight worth visiting is the Heritage Park Historical Village (admission not included) on the city’s south side, a “living museum” representing turn of the century Calgary with costumed interpreters, a steam train and scale-model sternwheeler, an oldfashioned candy store and much more. In the evening, embrace Calgary’s vibrant entertainment and culinary scene.
Featured accommodation
Hotel Arts Calgary
Enhance your experience
Alt Hotel Calgary East Village
Fairmont Palliser
Day 2 - Calgary to Banff (155km/72mi)
Take the short (2-hour) drive from Calgary to Banff on either the Trans- Canada Highway or the more scenic 1A Highway. Once in Banff proceed to your selected hotel to check in and the rest of the day is yours to explore at your own leisure.
Featured accommodation
Elk+ Avenue Hotel
Enhance your experience
Hotel Canoe & Suites
The Fairmont Banff Springs
Day 3 - Banff Exploring
A full day to explore Banff and the surrounding area. In town you’ll find lots of excitement including shopping, cafés, nightlife and museums. Check out the Cave and Basin National Historic Site (not included), Banff Gondola (included) where you will see a panoramic view of the Bow Valley, and then take a dip in the restorative hot mineral pools at the Upper Hot Springs (included).
Featured accommodation
Elk+ Avenue Hotel
Enhance your experience
Hotel Canoe & Suites
The Fairmont Banff Springs
Unmissable Experiences
Banff Gondola
Day 4 - Banff to Drumheller (251km/156mi)
Depart Banff, heading east toward Drumheller. There is nowhere quite like the Drumheller Valley; Dinosaur Capital of Canada! Being here will take you into another world - the world of startling contrasts between the deep past and the exciting present. Rolling fields suddenly give way to steep, dry coulees ridged with the strata of hundreds of years of erosion by time, wind and water. Don’t miss the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology (included) - Canada’s largest dinosaur museum where you can journey through time and come face-to-face with incredible creatures that lived millions of years ago.
Featured accommodation
Canalta Jurassic Hotel
Day 5 - Drumheller to Dinosaur Provincial Park to Cypress Hills Provincial Park
From Drumheller, travel two hours to Dinosaur Provincial Park, where you will have a chance escape the ordinary and venture into the rugged Canadian Badlands. Two interpretive displays allow you to see what a dig site really looks like. Check out the bones of a “duck-billed” dinosaur still partially encased in the sediment that buried them. Or, a full body (articulated skeleton) of a Corythosaurus, the “helmet headed lizard”. Continue to Cypress Hills Provincial Park – the hidden gem of Southern Alberta.
Featured accommodation
Canalta Jurassic Hotel
Day 6 - Drumheller to Lethbridge (261km / 163 mi)
Today make the journey to from Drumheller to Lethbridge.
Featured accommodation
Coast Lethbridge Hotel
Day 7 - Cypress Hills Provincial Park to Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park to Lethbridge (297 km/185 mi)
Travel west on the Red Coat Trail toward Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park to experience the largest concentration of rock art on the plains. Explore this National Historic Site with an interpreter, lounge by the bubbling Milk River and hike the hoodoo trails. Visit the Interpretive Centre for a behind the scenes guided experience with a local aboriginal guide to explore the Archaeological Preserve. Drive approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes from Writing-On-Stone to Lethbridge where you’ll spend the night.
Featured accommodation
Coast Lethbridge Hotel
Day 8 - Lethbridge to Waterton Lakes National Park (119 km/74 mi)
On your way out of Lethbridge, you may wish to stop in at Fort Whoop-Up, an old fort and outlaw trading post, allowing visitors to step into life at a frontier outpost on the Great Plains, to discover exhibits about Canada’s first Mounties, whiskey and firearms traders and Blackfoot history and culture (not included). In Waterton, stroll through the town to shop, dine at the restaurants, visit the beach or hike the trails that start from the town site. You may wish to visit the Prince of Wales Hotel – a National Historic Site – for afternoon tea and lots of opportunities to take amazing photographs.
Featured accommodation
Bayshore Inn
Day 9 - Waterton Lakes National Park Exploring
The day is yours to discover the wonders of this beautiful region. You may wish to travel to Montana’s Glacier National Park (the U.S. half of this International Peace Park) via the famous Going to the Sun Road, an astonishing feat of engineering and spectacular scenery as well. A popular activity is the 16-km drive from the Waterton town site to Red Rock Canyon - a colourful canyon of red, green and white banded rock cliffs, green alpine forests and bubbling white waterfalls.
Featured accommodation
Bayshore Inn
Day 10 - Waterton Lakes National Park to Calgary (290 km/180 mi)
Travel north for 1 hour and 10 minutes to experience Head-Smashed-In-Buffalo Jump (included), a UNESCO World Heritage Site that tells the story of the hunting practice of the native people of the North American plains for the past 6000 years. A native guide leads you through the exhibit and out to the cliff jump, sharing the history and lifestyle of the first people. There may even be drumming in the plaza. Continue north for 2 hours to Calgary airport, drop-off your car and check-in for your flight back to the UK.
Hotel Arts Calgary
The Hotel Arts is located in Calgary city centre with Calgary Zoo and various shops are within 1.9 miles and CORE Shopping Centre is 3 minutes’ drive away.
Alt Hotel Calgary East Village
The Alt Hotel calgary east Village is conveniently located in the Downtown Calgary of Calgary, within walking distance of many local tourist attractuions such as: The Calgary Telus Convention Centre, Calgary Zoo and Calgary Zoo Botanical Garden & Prehistoric Park.
Fairmont Palliser, Calgary Alberta
Welcome to Canada's most dynamic city and Calgary's premier hotel. Centrally located in downtown Calgary, Fairmont Palliser is conveniently situated near the city's business and financial district and is within walking distance to the city's most exciting retail shopping, arts, culture and entertainment venues. Calgary's friendly spirit, coupled with the city's vibrant urban ambience makes for a metropolis of wonderful contrasts. Set in the heart of the city, Fairmont Palliser is a historical landmark offering distinctive accommodation in elegant surroundings.
Elk+ Avenue
Just a few steps from the quaint streets and ample restaurants, shopping and nightlife of downtown Banff, Elk + Avenue Hotel brings an upscale twist to the classic mountain escape.
Hotel Canoe & Suites, Banff
Nestled on Banff Avenue, the Hotel Canoe & Suites is Banff's latest addition, conveniently located just a short stroll away from the bustling downtown area. With its contemporary design subtly blending into the surrounding mountain landscape, this modern yet nature-inspired hotel offers an ideal retreat for guests seeking a mountain escape.
The Fairmont Banff Springs
The Fairmont Banff Springs hotel in Alberta, Canada is one of the world's leading luxury hotels set in its own extensive grounds. This resort, built in 1888, is styled after a Scottish Baronial castle and is a National Historic Site. Located in Banff National Park, the Banff Springs hotel boasts stunning views, exceptional regional cuisine and impeccable service offering an unforgettable retreat.
Canalta Jurassic Hotel
Whether you are here to visit the world class Royal Tyrrell Museum or to check out the sweeping beauty of the badlands, The Canalta Jurassic has all the home from home touches
Coast Lethbridge Hotel
If you’re looking to explore all that Lethbridge has to offer, there’s no better place to do it from than the Coast Lethbridge Hotel & Conference Centre.
Bayshore Inn
The Bayshore Inn Resort & Spa provides everything you need for the perfect mountain getaway right in the heart of Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta. As the only hotel located right on the shores of beautiful Waterton Lake, the rustic family owned and operated Bayshore Inn, provides guests with friendly service and a relaxing environment to enjoy the beauty of Waterton Lakes National Park.
Alternative Holidays That May Interest You
Below you will find a small selection of 2024, 2025 holidays that may interest you. Remember, we tailor-make each holiday to your exact needs, so please call us on 0800 270 0009 and let one of our Holiday experts design the perfect trip for you
Rockies & Rainforest East Bound Fly Drive
- Vancouver
- Victoria
- Tofino
- Parksville
- Whistler
- Clearwater
- Jasper
- Banff
- Calgary
- Whale watching from Tofino
- Ice Explorer Ride
- SAVE! £100 per booking book by 24 December
15 Nights from £3609pp
Lakes & Lodges Self Drive
- Calgary
- Canmore
- Banff
- Moraine Lake
- Jasper
- Clearwater
- Whistler
- Vancouver
- Sulphur Mountain Gondola
- Admission to either Banff Upper Hot Springs or Miette Springs
- Vancouver Hop on Hop Off
- Victoria & Butchart Gardens Day Tour
- SAVE! £100 per booking book by 24 December
14 Nights from £4149pp
Ultimate West Fly Drive
- Vancouver
- Kelowna
- Revelstoke
- Banff
- Jasper
- Clearwater
- Whistler
- Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
- Victoria
- Winery tour
- Wildlife tour
- Whale watching tour
- SAVE! £100 per booking book by 24 December
18 Nights from £4559pp
Klondike Gold Rush Self Drive
- Whitehorse
- Carmacks
- Dawson City
- Vancouver
- Amazing Yukon Fly Drive Holiday
- Step into Gold Rush History
- Visit the SS Klondike
- SAVE! £100 per booking book by 24 December
10 Nights from £2999pp
Peaks & Grapes Fly Drive
- Vancouver
- Whistler
- Sun Peaks Resort
- Jasper
- Banff
- Kelowna
- Ice Explorer ride at the Athabasca Glacier
- Admission to Hat Creek Ranch
- Sulphur Mountain gondola ride
- Tour of the Okanagan wine region
- SAVE! £100 per booking book by 24 December
12 Nights from £3049pp
Rockies & Rainforests Fly Drive
- Calgary
- Banff
- Jasper
- Clearwater
- Whistler
- Parksville
- Tofino
- Victoria
- Vancouver
- Whale watching from Tofino
- Ice Explorer Ride
- Grouse Mountain Admission
- Historic Hat Creek Admission
- SAVE! £100 per booking book by 24 December
15 Nights from £3609pp