Northern Lights in Yellowknife & the Rockies

After included VIP airport lounge access, arrive in Calgary on a daytime flight from the UK and check in to your overnight airport hotel. 

Stay: Hotel Arts, Calgary (Superior)

Head north today on a flight to Yellowknife and transfer to your hotel on arrival. You'll then be picked up for an informative guided tour of the city which includes an epic drive along an ice road before, later today, the real adventure begins. After a trip orientation, you'll be taken to a viewing point outside the city – warm winter clothing to hand – where you'll, with luck, spot the beautiful blue and green tendrils of the lights under the clear night sky while enjoying snacks and hot drinks.

NB: While every effort will be made to ensure guests see the aurora, success is dependent on favourable weather conditions.

Day three will see you enjoy a two-hour tour of Yellowknife as you learn about the rich gold-rush history of the town, witnessing the tunnels of the gold mines that lie directly under the city's modern streets. Other tour highlights include the Old Town, the Prince of Wales Heritage Centre and the N'Dilo Indian Village. The following day is left free for you to enjoy the city and its spectacular surroundings, including an aurora viewing session on the first evening, with warm drinks provided as you watch the skies from around a blazing bonfire.

Stay: Capital Suites Yellowknife

Fly south again to Calgary and transfer to your stylish downtown hotel. You'll have the afternoon to explore – perhaps visit the Olympic Plaza, or book a table for dinner at the revolving restaurant at the top of the Calgary Tower.

Stay: Hotel Arts, Calgary (Superior)

Today, after an ultra-scenic drive through Alberta's rolling ranchlands, you'll reach Lake Louise, its iconic milky-blue instantly recognisable. Glazed over with ice, it's a truly spectacular sight during winter, nestled at the foot of the snow-capped Rockies and colossal Victoria Glacier. Enjoy an afternoon among its surrounding towering peaks and snow-covered forests – we can help you arrange ice skating, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and more. Be sure to make time to take advantage of your hotel for this evening – the iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, where a full-service spa lies alongside several gourmet restaurants, from authentic Swiss fondue at an alpine-style chateau to fine dining and cocktails at The Fairview.

Day seven will see you enjoy a sleigh ride along the shores of Lake Louise before you head north to the alpine town of Jasper, passing huge hanging glaciers, deep river valleys, waterfalls, forests and the famous Columbia Icefield, one of the largest accumulations of ice south of the Arctic Circle. We've included a wildlife excursion to Jasper National Park the following day, where there's a chance of spotting moose, elk and even wolves. Return each evening to the cosy log-cabin feel of your city-centre hotel.

Stay: The Crimson, Jasper (Superior) 

Today the final leg of your journey begins as you head to the resort of Banff, a charming alpine town surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Canadian Rockies. We've included a sleigh ride around the snow trails – but we also recommend a trip to the top of the Sulphur Mountain for stunning panoramic views of the snowy surrounds.

Transfer to Calgary airport in time for your flight home, arriving on day 12.