Bugaboos Adventure: Featuring Heli-Exploring

Tour begins: 2:00 PM, Calgary International Airport. A transfer from Calgary International Airport to Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in Alberta, Canada, is included upon arrival. The evening begins with a welcome reception and dinner at your historic Fairmont resort, ideally located on the shores of beautiful Lake Louise deep in the wilderness of Banff National Park. Stay Two Nights: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (D)

Wake up for an easy morning walk around Lake Louise with a naturalist guide, pausing to picture yourself in alpine settings that will take your breath away as you learn about the history and environmental influences at play here. From the turquoise tinted lake to the forest greens, the colors alone will have you searching for words that adequately describe the beauty that surrounds you. Spend the remainder of the day as you wish; your resort offers canoeing, horseback riding, river rafting, a health club, and a spa (additional costs may apply). Dine at your leisure tonight. (B/D)

Drive to Spillimacheen for your first head-turning helicopter ride* – whirring up into the high country of the Bugaboos in the Purcell Mountains of British Columbia for a three-night stay at the CMH Bugaboos Lodge. The sweeping views from the helicopter are jaw-dropping everywhere you look – rocky ridges, snow fields, evergreen forests – the world as the mighty eagle sees it. When you land at your lodge, you're surrounded by peaceful mountain landscapes. This is a unique place filled with nothing but the sounds of nature and the uplifting beauty of the wilderness. Enjoy lunch at the lodge before finding your footing on a mountain walk.

Your expert mountain guides will explain the activities that are available to you, fitting you with the appropriate gear and seeing what your comfort level is. Up here, anything goes, from just savoring the scenery at the lodge to hikes that match your ability and interest. Your first dinner tonight will be a memorable one as you dine family style on some of the best home-cooking anywhere! A photography presentation after dessert entices with eye-opening pictures of the places you can choose to explore during your stay here. Stay Three Nights: CMH Bugaboos Lodge (B/L/D)

Imagine a day to do as much or as little as you like in a natural paradise untouched by crowds and accessible only by helicopter; the feeling of being one with nature is palpable. See wildflowers blanketing mountain valleys in Technicolor carpets. Catch sight of the locals, marmots, white tailed deer and woodpeckers among them, and take in the pure mountain air as you stretch and breathe without a care in the world.

Expert mountain guides and helicopters stand ready to take you to places where you feel comfortable going; all levels of hiking and mountain climbing can be accommodated to meet your interests and ability. Choose your gear and go where your guide takes you. Today's adventure is yours for the making. After free time and dinner at the lodge, enjoy a mountaineering presentation that will make you want to do it all over again tomorrow. (B/L/D)

Switch it up today as you like, lifting off by helicopter for a hike on trails less traveled along a marble-specked ridge, a gentle walk in a flower-filled meadow dotted with Indian Paintbrush, wild roses, buttercups and fairy bells, or a rocky climb above the clouds on terrain that challenges your inner alpine mountaineer. Each heli adventure is paced to your liking and level, without having to leave anyone behind. Of course, simply savoring the views from the lodge is always an inviting way to spend the day. Enjoy your last night at the lodge, feasting on freshly prepared fare, putting your feet up by the fire, playing chess and checkers, sharing stories and making memories of your adventure at the top of the world. A dip in the hot tub under an impossibly starry night sky is a great way to cap off the day. (B/L/D)

After spending three nights up in a heavenly lodge, it's only fitting that you stay at a castle when your helicopter brings your back down to Earth. A scenic drive through the mountains brings you to the chic little town of Banff, where you'll have free time for exploring before checking into Fairmont Banff Springs. Modeled after a Scottish castle and regal in every way, the resort was built in the 19th century as one of Canadian Pacific's grand railway hotels. Join us this evening for our farewell reception and dinner at a restaurant overlooking your hotel's golf course. Stay: Fairmont Banff Springs (B/D)

Tour ends: Calgary International Airport. Drive back to Calgary this morning for your flight home. A group transfer is included from Fairmont Banff Springs to Calgary International Airport, approximately 80 miles. Flights should be scheduled after 12 noon. Allow a minimum of two hours for flight check in. Direct flights to the US will clear customs in Calgary. (B)