Itinerary Summary
Fly into Calgary (YYC), drive 1.5 hours to Banff, and hike: Bow Valley trails in Banff town, the 14 km Plain of Six Glaciers from Lake Louise, Moraine Lake's Ten Peeks trail (private cars banned in su…
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Calgary arrival and the drive into Banff National Park
14:00
2.5h
Calgary airport pickup and park pass stop
Collect the car and secure a Parks Canada Discovery Pass before reaching the park gate, either online or at the visitor centre. The pass covers entry to Banff, Jasper and Lake Louise for your stay.
📍 Calgary to Banff
17:30
1.5h
Banff Avenue orientation walk
Walk the length of Banff Avenue to get your bearings and pick up bear spray from an outdoor shop. The town sits at 1,380 m, so take the first evening gently and drink more water than usual.
📍 Banff
💡 Pro Tip: Banff is on Mountain Time (UTC-7 in summer). Entry rules depend on your passport, so check the Canada visa section. Buy the Parks Canada Discovery Pass online before arrival to skip the gate queue. Summer thunderstorms build through the afternoon, so plan the big hikes for the morning.
Days 2-6 are member-only
Members get the complete day-by-day plan with timing, transport and on-the-ground tips.
Budget Breakdown
AccommodationUS$89035%
Banff lodges, 5 nights
Food & DiningUS$51020%
Alberta burgers and trail lunches
Remaining cost categories are member-only
Members see the full breakdown for flights, hotels, food, tickets and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to reserve the Parks Canada shuttle to Moraine Lake in summer?+
Yes. Private cars are barred from the Moraine Lake road in summer, so the Parks Canada shuttle from the Lake Louise park-and-ride is the standard way in. Reservations open months ahead and popular morning slots go first. Without a booking, your options are a licensed commercial shuttle or the Lake Louise lakeshore trails instead.
When do the Lake Louise and Moraine Lake hiking trails open in spring?+
Most high trails, including the Plain of Six Glaciers, stay snowbound into late May or early June and only clear properly from mid-June. June is when Moraine Lake and Lake Louise first open fully, while September brings larches and fewer crowds. Carry microspikes for early-season ice and check trail reports at the Banff visitor centre.
How hard is the 14 km Plain of Six Glaciers hike at Lake Louise?+
It is a moderate full-day walk of about 14 km with steady climbing and roughly 350 m of gain to a teahouse above the lake. Most reasonably fit walkers manage it in five to six hours with breaks. Carry two litres of water, layers and bear spray. Summer thunderstorms build fast in the afternoon, so start early.
What does a 6-day Banff hiking trip cost beyond flights?+
This itinerary is priced as Comfort at about $2,090-2,990 or EUR 1,820-2,600 per person, excluding international flights. It covers a rental car, mid-range Banff lodging and the park pass. Trail food, shuttle reservations and gear rental are extra. June and September rates sit below the July-August peak, when Banff hotels cost far more.
Attractions in This Guide
Guide at a Glance
- Duration: 6 days
- Budget: Comfort · approx. $2,090–2,990 (≈ €1,820–2,600), excl. int'l flights
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best for: Outdoor Hiking
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