The Rockies and the Badlands: geology and dinosaurs in Canada
7 days
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Small Group Tour
This geology tour of the majestic Rocky Mountains near Banff and the otherworldly Badlands brings the stunning scenery of southern Alberta to life. Participants will join a working palaeontologist to visit two World Heritage Sites with world-class rock outcrops and outstanding dinosaur fossils.
The leader will develop the story of rocks and life from the Ca...
$8,424
From$6,240
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Overview
Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule
Highlights
- Marvel at the spectacular peaks of the Canadian Rockies and the rugged landscapes of the Badlands, and at the colossal forces that generated and shaped them.
- Walk in three beautiful glacial settings: Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Grassi Lake.
- Visit two UNESCO World Heritage sites: the glacially carved peaks of the Banff portion of Canadian Rocky Mountain Park and the bone-riddled Badlands of Dinosaur Provincial Park.
- Examine world-class dinosaur fossils at the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology in Drumheller.
- Travel with expert guide Jon Noad, a geologist and working paleontologist, and stay in hotels with dramatic views of the scenery.
What's this trip about?
This geology tour of the majestic Rocky Mountains near Banff and the otherworldly Badlands brings the stunning scenery of southern Alberta to life. Participants will join a working palaeontologist to visit two World Heritage Sites with world-class rock outcrops and outstanding dinosaur fossils.
The leader will develop the story of rocks and life from the Cambrian (~541 million-years-ago) to the present, a tale that includes massive reefs, dinosaur playgrounds, mountain formation and, more recently, ice sheets that carved out spectacular landscapes.
We will explore the structural geology (the landscape) and the stratigraphy (the layers of rocks) of the stunning Kananaskis Valley and then visit the magnificent Banff and Lake Louise area, surrounded by mountains composed of uplifted limestones which originally formed in ancient warm seas.
Heading east, we will see multi-hued canyons and wind-sculpted hoodoos in the Badlands, named by early French explorers as “bad lands to cross”. Dinosaur fossils were first discovered in 1884, and the area remains a renowned location for their study. We will tour one of the world’s most-celebrated dinosaur museums, the Royal Tyrrell, and have a talk from a fossil preparation expert. Our last full day will be spent walking the bonebeds of Dinosaur Provincial Park, visiting areas normally off-limits to the general public.
Details
Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIntimate group - max of 12 people
Age range18 years and up
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityCalgary
End CityCalgary
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Min Group Size
Max Group Size
Trip includes
- The services of your tour expert, who will be with the group throughout the tour, providing pre-visit briefings, walking seminars and available to answer questions.
- A tour manager, who will attend to logistical matters, oversee the group’s health and safety and assist participants with their queries.
- All transportation costs from the start to the end of the tour, including the services of a professional coach driver.
- All accommodation costs for the nights stated, assuming double occupancy rooms. Single occupancy rooms are generally available for a surcharge. See Single Supplement in Need to Know tab.
- All breakfasts, lunches and four dinners (dinners in Banff on Day 2 and Drumheller on Day 5 are excluded).
- Entry fees, local guide fees and activity fees, where arranged as part of the tour.
- All service charges and most gratuities.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Calgary and introductions
We begin with an afternoon get together in central Calgary, where the tour leader will introduce the geology of Alberta. This will be followed by a visit to the Calgary Tower where the spectacular views will serve to orient us for the tour ahead.
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Day 2: Calgary to Banff - the formation of the Rockies and glaciation
NOTE: Unfortunately, Kananaskis Valley is closed due to G7 Summit 15-17 June 2025, alternative stops will be added to the journey to Banff
An early departure will lead to the Kananaskis Valley to view a classic feature that is a standard illustrat...
Day 3: Sights in and around Banff
During the morning the tour will visit outcrops of the Pekisko Limestone, named after the Blackfoot native tribe word for “rolling hills”, and the Mazama Ash Beds, deposited around 7600 years ago by the ash fall from the volcanic eruption that created Crater Lake in...
Day 4: Lake Louise and on to Drumheller
Today we travel along the scenic Icefields Parkway on a short journey to Lake Louise. Expect fantastic views of ancient glaciers, waterfalls, rock spires and reflective lakes, all set in landscapes that owe their origin to powerful ice flow processes. There will be ...
Day 5: Drumheller: Dinosaurs, extinction and hoodoos
The day will begin with an excursion to one of the world’s premier dinosaur museums and a highlight of the tour, the Royal Tyrrell Museum. We will enjoy a talk on fossil preparation and visit a fossil preparation lab, followed by lunch at the museum.
<...Day 6: Drumheller to Brooks - Dinosaur Provincial Park
Today we visit Dinosaur Provincial Park, a World Heritage Site. We will spend the day at the park and see the sites of some of the best and most famous dinosaur fossils finds in the world. Our visit will follow a 6km (4 mile) walking trail (we won’t walk the entire ...
Day 7: Brooks to Calgary and tour's end
A two-hour journey will return us to Calgary, where participants are free to return home or to continue exploring Alberta.
Note: If required for reasons beyond our control, GeoCultura reserves the right to substitute alternative accommodation of equal or higher quality or adapt the itinerary if required.
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Dates & Availability
Price From $6,240
Price per day$891
Last Updated: 4/3/2025
Departure Date
End Date
Base Price
Double room for single occupancy in USD
Available
16 Jun 2025
22 Jun 2025
$6,240
$7,501
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with GeoCultura.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
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Logistics
What's excluded
- Travel insurance. Guests should carry their own health and travel insurance.
- Alcoholic drinks with meals are not included.
- Optional activities as described in the tour itinerary or extra activities that are not described in the itinerary.
- Personal expenditures, including bar bills, laundry bills, and the cost of meals on two free evenings.
- Transportation to the start venue or from the end venue of the tour (air fares are not included).
- Passport and visa fees.
Accommodation
Night 1: Le Germain hotel, central Calgary
A full-service and classy refuge within walking distance of many restaurants and museums.
A full-service and classy refuge within walking distance of many restaurants and museums.
Nights 2 and 3: Canoe & Suites, in Banff
Banff’s newest hotel, nestled below the peaks of Banff National Park and within easy reach of the sights and activities of downtown Banff. It boasts comfortable, spacious rooms with balconies and mountain views.
Banff’s newest hotel, nestled below the peaks of Banff National Park and within easy reach of the sights and activities of downtown Banff. It boasts comfortable, spacious rooms with balconies and mountain views.
Nights 4 and 5: Canalta Jurassic in Drumheller
Close to central Drumheller and near the Royal Tyrell Museum, the hotel is ideally situated to explore the Badlands of Alberta.
Close to central Drumheller and near the Royal Tyrell Museum, the hotel is ideally situated to explore the Badlands of Alberta.
Night 6: Canalta Brooks Hotel in Brooks
The Canalta has all you need to make the most of your stay: spacious rooms and enjoyable amenities such as a pool and hot tub.
The Canalta has all you need to make the most of your stay: spacious rooms and enjoyable amenities such as a pool and hot tub.
Note: If required for reasons beyond our control, GeoCultura reserves the right to substitute alternative accommodation of equal or higher quality or adapt the itinerary if required.
Transportation & Flights
Transport will be in a comfortable vehicle suited to the number of attendees.,
Requirements
The activity level is rated as MODERATE, requiring a fair level of fitness (view our activity level definitions).
The tour will involve walks of up to 3km (2 miles) with elevation gains up to 100m (300 ft) on most days and a 4km (3.2 mile) walk with a maximum elevation gain of 50m (150 ft) on day 5. All walks will be on prepared paths or trails. Some paths will be uneven and loose underfoot so sturdy footwear is required.
Elevations are between 1000–1400m (3000–4500 ft); participants unused to such elevations may find activities a little more strenuous than usual. ,Double room for single occupancy is £970.
Cancellation policy
Deposit: A deposit of 10% of the tour price is due upon registration for a tour.
Final payment: Full payment is due 60 days before a tour begins, or upon registration if within the 60-day window.
Cancellation by participant: A participant may cancel a registration after securing a confirmed place on a tour for any reason. The following refund terms will apply:
- Greater than 60 days before tour begins: Any monies paid plus half of the deposit will be refunded
- 30 to 59 days before tour begins: 35% of tour price will be refunded
- 15 to 29 days before tour begins: 25% of tour price will be refunded
- Within 14 days of tour or during the tour: No monies will be refunded
Cancellation by GeoCultura: GeoCultura reserves the right to cancel any tour due to low enrolment, inability to run the tour or concerns about the safety, health or welfare of participants. If a tour is cancelled before it begins, all monies paid will be refunded (including any deposit).
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against
unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies.
It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before
or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination.
It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements.
For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements,
please visit this link
.
Meals Included
All breakfasts, lunches and four dinners (dinners in Banff on Day 2 and Drumheller on Day 5 are excluded).
Age Requirements
18 years and up
Optional Activities
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Additional Information
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Trip ID
geocul-RoBaGeDiCa
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