WESTERN CANADA - BANFF, JASPER ETC.

 

 Day 1:

Google Link

1: Kalamalka Lake View

Kalamalka Lakeview Drive Lookout, 55 Kalamalka Lakeview Dr, Vernon, BC V1H 1L7, Canada

 

2: Kal Beach on Kalamalka Lake 

Kal Beach, Coldstream, BC, Canada

Parking for Kal Beach is in front of the lake. take Husband Rd to reach the free parking area.

 

3: Stop at Walmart to buy supplies for the trip

Walmart Supercentre, 2200 58 Ave, Vernon, BC V1T 9T2, Canada

 

4: Ice Cream at Dutch Men Dairy 

https://dutchmendairy.ca/

 

4: Mount Revelstoke National Park Hike 

(Fees till 8 pm - $11/person) 

The entry pass once bought is valid till next day 4 pm. 

Hike -> 

- Length 1.9 mi Elevation gain 354 ft Route type Out & back

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/british-columbia/upper-summit-trail?u=i

- Balsam Lakes, Columbia-Shuswap, BC V0E 2S0, Canada

Walk around the lake surrounded by meadows. 

Bug spray is a must in this area. 

On the way to the top, stop along the way to view the mountains and meadows.

 

5: Dinner  takeout at Paramjit's Kitchen, 116 1 St W, Revelstoke, BC V0E 2S0, Canada

https://pamskitchen.ca/

6: Spend the night at Boulder Mountain Resort

https://bouldermountainresort.ca/

Amazingly spacious cabins with relaxing stay. 

 

Day 2 :

 Google Maps

1: Glacier National Park Canada

$11/person fee (Use the entry pass from previous day)

Hike

Meeting of the Waters Trail

Length 0.8 mi, Elevation gain 190 ft, Route type Loop

 

2: Drive through 

Rogers Pass, Columbia-Shuswap, BC V0X 1R0, Canada

3: Bear Creek Falls Hike 

Length0.7 mi Elevation gain118 ft Route type Out & back

 

4: Yoho National Park Of Canada : Emerald Lake

Most beautiful lake (as scenic as the famous Lake Moraine of Banff). There is a café at the lake where you can grab lunch and also kayaks for rent.

5: Yoho National Park: Takkakaw Falls

Magnificent falls reachable by a very easy hike. 

Length 1.1 mi Elevation gain 255 ft Route type Out & back

6: Banff National Park: Shuttle to lake Moraine and Lake Louise

You need to reserve the shuttle at least 48 hours in advance from the National Park Website 

https://reservation.pc.gc.ca/

Shuttle Pickup Location>  1 Whitehorn Rd, Lake Louise, AB T0L 1E0, Canada

First stop is at Lake Moraine where you can hike the short path of  Moraine Rockpile

 to view the lake from top

Second stop is at Lake Louise where you can walk around the lake, rent  Kayak or explore the Chateau Lake Louise. 

                                                                          

                                                       

7: Town of Banff

 Start with the Banff sign at the beginning of the town. If you are lucky, you may see some wandering moose nearby. 

Next stop is the Surprise Corner Viewpoint from where you can see the The Castle of The Rockies

Not to far from here is a short drive to Bow Falls. 

 The downtown of Banff has many restaurant options along with shopping places for souvenirs etc. 

Stay the night at -> JOHNSTON CANYON LODGE

https://www.johnstoncanyon.com/

Couple of perks of staying at the Johnston Canyon Lodge are - you get free breakfast and free admission to the Canyon which gets crowded very quickly! 

                            

                                                   

                                                   

                                                   

Day 3:

 Google Link

1: Johnston Canyon Lower Falls Trail

Take a short hike to the Lower Falls of the Canyon to see the beautiful waterfall up close. 

Length 1.4 mi Elevation gain 344 ft Route type Out & back

2: Bow Lake
The most spectacular view at the Bow Lake which is a short walk from the parking lot. 

3: Peyto Lake

Another Short hike (mostly uphill) from the parking is the Peyto lake where you can see water from the glacier flowing to the lake. 

Length1.5 mi Elevation gain324 ft Route type Loop 

4: Toe of Athabasca Glacier 

Spectacular views of the glacier on a short walk from the parking. You can take guided walking tour of the glacier or take the bus tour. 

Trail

Length 0.9 mi Elevation gain 200 ft Route type Out & back

5: Tangle Creek Falls

 AB, Icefields Pkwy, Improvement District No. 12, AB T0E 0E0, Canada

6: Sunwapta Falls

Improvement District No. 12, AB T0E 1E0, Canada

7: Athabasca Falls

 Improvement District No. 12, AB T0E 1E0, Canada

8: Town of Jasper

9: Stay at Hi Jasper Hostel 

HI Jasper, 708 Sleepy Hollow Rd, Jasper, AB T0E 1E0, Canada -- hostel

Walking distance from jasper downtown. 

                        

Day 4 

Google Link

1: Maligne Canyon 

Length2.3 mi Elevation gain429 ft Route type Loop

                        

2: Pyramid Lake, Jasper, AB T0E 1E0, Canada

3: Patricia Lake, Pyramid Lake Rd, Jasper, AB T0E 1E0, Canada

4: Mount Robson Visitor Centre, BC-16, Mount Robson, BC V0E 2Z0, Canada

                                                     

                                                     

5: Helmcken Falls, Helmcken Falls Rd, Thompson-Nicola, BC V0E 1J0, Canada

                                                     

6: The Mushbowl, Clearwater Valley Rd, Clearwater, BC V0E 1J0, Canada

7: Dawson Falls, Myrtle Point, BC V0E 1J0, Canada

8: Spahats Creek Falls, Clearwater Valley Rd, Wells Gray Country, BC V0E 1N0, Canada

 9: Stay the night at Hotel Civilia Lakeside by Civilia Golf Retreat

The hotel is by a lake with private access where you can swim among lotus flowers.

Day 5 

Google Link

Mission Hill Family Estate Winery, 1730 Mission Hill Rd, West Kelowna, BC V4T 2E4, Canada

Quails' Gate Winery, 3303 Boucherie Rd, Kelowna, BC V1Z 2H3, Canada 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mexico - Playa Del Carmen, Chichen Itza, Tulum and Cancun

 Mexico 

Day 1: 

Google Map

- Land at Cancun International Airport and take ADO bus from airport to Playa Del Carmen. (1.5 hours and 110 Mex Peso for ticket).

The bus is very comfortable and most affordable way to travel. Tickets can be bought at airport in Pesos or by the ADO app. 

- ADO bus stops at ADO Terminal Turistica Playa Del Carmen, 5 Av. Nte. LTE 2, Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico

Walk to the beach and the beach sign from there (less than a minute)

-Letras Playa del Carmen, Centro, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico

- Playa Del Carmen Beach

-Street shopping at the Quinta Aveda Street (5th avenue) which is full of touristy shops and restaurants

                                                                      Elote (Corn on the Cob)

-Walk to Walmart (less than 10 minutes from ADO stop)

 Walmart, 30 Avenida Nte., Gonzalo Guerrero, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico

Buy fruits, souvenirs, bakery items, local chocolates etc. for much lesser price compared to Mexico Airport or some of the street shopping. 

- Check-in at (10 minutes walk from ADO stop) the hotel.

Hotel Hacienda María Bonita, 10 Avenida Nte. 215, Gonzalo Guerrero, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico 

Closest beach is just 2-3 minutes walk from the hotel. Quinta Aveda Street (5th avenue) is 2 minutes of walk from the hotel. 

Day 2:

Google Map

Tour to Chichen Itza, Cenote and Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico (great tour) 8 am - 9 pm.

USD 95 includes all tickets and buffet lunch. Pick up at Coco Bongo (just next to the hotel).

First stop is at Cenote which includes swimming and lunch. Lockers available for rent at 50 pesos, life jackets for another 50 pesos/person. The cenote is extremely refreshing and safe to swim with the life jacket.

Second Stop at Chichen Itza (one of the 7th wonders of the world). The bus guide was very helpful with the history of the Sun Temple. There are many street vendors in the area who sell magnets, souvenirs and other local knick-knacks.  Bargaining is definitely required for any purchase. 

Last stop at Valladolid for less than half hour where you can see the church. The plaza in front of church has several food options. 

Dinner back at Playa Del Carmen 

Don Sirloin, Av. Constituyentes, Calle 25 Nte., Gonzalo Guerrero, 77720 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico

Must eat in Playa Del Carmen - Marquesitas 60 - 100 pesos each

These are stuffed waffle cones topped with Nutella and fruits. 

Day 3:

-Bus from ADO to Tulum Ruins stop (110 peso, 1 hour)

-10 minutes walk to the Ruins.

- 90 pesos per person to enter the ruins

-Spend couple of hours walking around the ruins

- Tulum beach is another 5 minutes of walk from the Ruins and worth visiting. 

-Take colectivo (shared shuttle) from Tulum Ruins to Playa Del Camren (50 pesos).

-From the Colectivo stop to the ADO stop is few minutes of walk. On the way to the ADO stop, grab all fruits or fruit juices you can get!

-Take bus from Playa Del Carmen to Cancun (ADO or Colectivo) 1.5 hours and 110 pesos

-From ADO stop in Cancun ADO bus station take Hotel Zone bus (12 pesos) to Hotel Casa Turquesa, Km. 13.5, Blvd. Kukulcan, Zona Hotelera, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico

Day 4:

Google Maps

Explore Hotel Casa Turquesa and the beach near it. 

Take the Hotel zone bus to Cancun ADO stop (12 peso 20 minutes). Take the bus from there to Cancun Airport (125 peso/person 40 minutes).