Traveling from India to Calgary
Your adventure begins with a flight from India (Delhi, Mumbai, or Bangalore) to Calgary International Airport (YYC). While there are no direct flights, popular one-stop options include Air Canada, Lufthansa, Emirates, and British Airways, with layovers in cities like Toronto, Frankfurt, or Dubai. The journey takes around 18–24 hours, depending on the route.
Once you land in Calgary, pick up your rental car from the airport — this is essential, as the Canadian Rockies are best explored by road!
Why Visit Banff and Jasper?
Banff and Jasper National Parks, located in Alberta, are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site – Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks. They’re packed with dramatic mountains, turquoise lakes, wildlife, glaciers, and epic hiking trails.
This guide is perfect for a 7 to 10-day self-drive trip covering all the must-see highlights.
Day 1: Arrive in Calgary & Drive to Banff (1.5 hours)
- Pick up your rental car at Calgary Airport
- Stop for groceries/snacks (especially if you’re staying in a lodge or cabin)
- Drive to Banff townsite – the charming mountain town inside Banff National Park
- Check into your hotel/lodge (top choices: Rimrock Resort, Moose Hotel, or Airbnbs)
- Explore Banff Avenue, try BeaverTails, and enjoy your first glimpse of the mountains
Optional evening activity: Take the Banff Gondola for sunset views from Sulphur Mountain
Day 2: Banff Sightseeing
- 🌊 Lake Minnewanka Loop – great for scenic drives, photography, and wildlife
- 🥾 Hike Johnston Canyon (easy walk with waterfalls)
- 🚠 Take the Banff Gondola (if not done on Day 1)
- 🛁 End the day with a soak in Banff Upper Hot Springs
Day 3: Iconic Lakes – Lake Louise & Moraine Lake
- Start early! These spots get crowded
- 🏞️ Lake Louise – rent a canoe or hike up to Lake Agnes Tea House
- 💙 Moraine Lake – climb the Rockpile Trail for the best views
- 🏨 Stay overnight in Lake Louise village or head back to Banff
Note: Moraine Lake is now only accessible by shuttle, tour, or biking – book ahead!
Day 4: Drive the Icefields Parkway to Jasper (One of the World’s Most Scenic Roads)
- Start early from Banff/Lake Louise and head north on Icefields Parkway (Highway 93)
- Must-see stops:
- 🌊 Bow Lake
- 🏞️ Peyto Lake (famous wolf-head-shaped lake)
- 🧊 Columbia Icefield & Athabasca Glacier – optional Glacier Adventure tour
- 🌈 Sunwapta Falls & Athabasca Falls
- Reach Jasper town by evening
Day 5: Explore Jasper National Park
- 🐻 Wildlife watching – look out for elk, moose, and bears!
- 🛶 Maligne Lake – do a boat cruise to Spirit Island
- 🥾 Hike Valley of the Five Lakes or Maligne Canyon
- Optionally visit Miette Hot Springs for a relaxing soak
Day 6: More of Jasper or Head Back to Banff
- You can either:
- Spend another day hiking/exploring around Jasper
- Or drive back down the Icefields Parkway, stopping at spots you missed
Day 7: Return to Calgary
- Drive back to Calgary (about 5–6 hours from Jasper)
- If time allows, explore Calgary city attractions:
- Calgary Tower
- Peace Bridge
- Heritage Park
- Try Alberta’s famous AAA steak
Accommodation Tips
- Banff: Moose Hotel, Rimrock Resort, Tunnel Mountain Resort
- Lake Louise: Paradise Lodge, Post Hotel, Deer Lodge
- Jasper: Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Pyramid Lake Resort, Airbnbs
Food Tips
- Banff: Park Distillery, Bear Street Tavern, Nourish Bistro (vegetarian)
- Jasper: Jasper Pizza Place, The Raven Bistro, Coco’s Café
- Indian food: Masala Authentic (Banff), Curry House (Jasper), and various options in Calgary
Quick Tips for Indian Travelers
- ✅ Visa: Apply for a Canada Visitor Visa (TRV) online via IRCC. Processing time: ~3–6 weeks.
- ✅ Currency: 1 CAD ≈ ₹61–63 INR
- ✅ Best Time to Visit: June to September (summer hikes) or December to February (snowy winter magic)
- ✅ Connectivity: Buy a local SIM card at Calgary Airport (Telus, Rogers, Fido)
- ✅ Clothing: Layers are key – it can snow in the mountains even in July!
Final Thoughts
This Banff to Jasper road trip is truly a bucket-list journey—filled with surreal views, glacial lakes, and wildlife encounters. It’s ideal for couples, families, solo travelers, and even honeymooners from India looking for a unique international vacation.
