CANADA - From Calgary to Vancouver
Day 1 - Calgary
Our journey begins in Calgary, where we arrived in the afternoon. Unfortunately, I soon discovered that my suitcase had decided to stay behind in Amsterdam and would only be delivered a few days later. After sorting out the claim, we headed to pick up our rental car from Enterprise.
After comparing all the major rental companies, Enterprise offered the best deal when paying in advance. Since we had travel cancellation insurance, we didn’t hesitate to go for it.
With the keys in hand, we drove into the city to our first stop — the Residence Inn by Marriott Calgary Downtown/Beltline District.
We spent our first afternoon exploring Calgary.
Day 2 - Snow and the road to Canmore
Originally, we planned to leave early in the morning and spend the whole day exploring Canmore and its surroundings. However, because my luggage was still on its own little adventure, we decided to stay in Calgary for the morning and see a bit more of the city.
We started the day with a walk through Prince’s Island Park and the nearby Eau Claire district — and were greeted by a beautiful surprise: the first snowfall of the trip. The city suddenly turned quiet and white, giving us a magical start to the day.
In the afternoon, we finally hit the road towards Canmore along Highway 1. The further we drove, the heavier the snow became, and by the time we arrived, we knew we’d be waking up to a snow-covered landscape the next morning.
We stayed at the Lodges at Canmore, where we had a cozy apartment with a small kitchen, living room, underground parking, a hot tub, and a heated pool — perfect after a chilly day on the road. And to top it all off, my suitcase finally arrived that evening — a very welcome ending to a snowy day!
Day 3 – Exploring Canmore, Banff and the road to Castle Junction
We woke up early again — well before 5 a.m. After a calm breakfast, we headed to the first open café to warm up and wait for sunrise. As the first light touched the mountains, the frosty landscape around us slowly came to life, shimmering under a thin blanket of snow. It was the perfect start to a new day in Canmore.
Our first stop was Rundle Forebay, where we met a couple of photographers from Calgary who, just like us, had come to capture the first snowfall of the season in the Canadian Rockies at sunrise. The air was crisp, the reflections on the lake magical — it felt like the world had just woken up.
Later in the morning, we continued exploring the surroundings — Grassi Lakes, Quarry Lake, and the Canmore Engine Bridge near Bridge Road, each place offering its own charm and stunning views.
By late morning, it was time to move on — next stop: Banff!
In the afternoon, we left Banff and headed towards Castle Junction, making a few scenic stops along the way. We first paused at the beautiful Vermilion Lakes, where the calm water mirrored the snow-covered peaks, and then continued to Johnston Canyon, where we took a short hike to the waterfalls — a perfect way to end the day surrounded by the sound of rushing water and fresh mountain air.
Just before sunset, we arrived at our next accommodation — Castle Mountain Chalets, where we stayed in a cozy cabin with its own small kitchen and fireplace. It was the perfect place to unwind after a long day on the road.
Day 4 – Lake Louise
We woke up early and set out at sunrise towards Lake Louise, making a few short stops along the way to enjoy the morning views. When we arrived at the parking lot, we were surprised by how many tourists were already there — not entirely unexpected at one of the most visited spots in Banff National Park. Still, I can hardly imagine what it must look like here in the summer high season.
Later we learned that the average visit to Lake Louise lasts only about 30 minutes — people arrive, take a few photos, and leave. But that’s not our style. After making our way through the crowd, we started hiking up the Bee Hive Trail — named, quite literally, after the mountain shaped like a beehive. Along the way, we passed Mirror Lake and Lake Agnes, surrounded by fresh snow and quiet forest trails.
After about three hours, we finally reached the top — hungry, since we’d forgotten our snacks. For the descent, we chose a different route — longer, steeper, and definitely tougher — but the views made it absolutely worth it. At times, it felt almost like walking through Middle-earth, on Frodo’s path to Mount Doom.
Later in the afternoon, we arrived at our next accommodation — the Mountaineer Lodge, where we stayed for €159.
Day 5 – Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, Mistaya Canyon and more
For our fifth day, we had only about 80 kilometers planned — which, by Canadian standards, is practically nothing. Yet despite leaving before sunrise, we didn’t reach our next accommodation until around 5 p.m., just before sunset. There’s simply so much along the way that’s worth stopping for.
Throughout the day, we stopped at Hector Lake Viewpoint, Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, Snowbird Glacier Lookout, Upper and Lower Waterfowl Lakes, Mistaya Canyon, and finally at a stunning overlook of the North Saskatchewan River.
It was a day full of breathtaking views, vivid experiences, and wonderful people we met along the way. By evening, we checked into The Crossing Motel.
Day 6 – On the way to Jasper
On our sixth day, we continued north towards Jasper. Along the way, we stopped at the impressive Athabasca Glacier and later at the powerful Athabasca Falls, where the roaring water echoed through the canyon.
As we entered Jasper National Park, the scenery changed dramatically. For the first time, we saw vast areas scarred by the wildfires that had swept through the region the previous summer. Most of the trees were completely burned, leaving behind a stark, almost lunar landscape — a haunting reminder of nature’s power and fragility.
Day 7 – Medicine Lake, Maligne Lake and Jasper
Our seventh day was much more relaxed — a slower pace after several intense days on the road. The plan was simple: visit Medicine Lake, Maligne Lake, and then spend the rest of the day exploring Jasper and its surroundings.
Early in the morning, on the way to Medicine Lake, we spotted three moose standing among the charred tree trunks — the remains of a forest burned the previous year. They were quite far away, but we were thrilled to finally see some larger wildlife.
As we continued toward Maligne Lake, the landscape began to heal — the forests around Medicine Lake were already showing signs of recovery. Twice on the road, I had to hit the brakes to let moose cross — they seemed perfectly content sharing the road with cars rather than pushing through the forest. Just before reaching the lake, we came across a mother moose with her calf walking along the roadside, and we quietly followed them for a while before heading to the lake itself.
At Maligne Lake, we were rewarded with breathtaking mountain views reflected in the calm water. In the nearby area, we spotted a few more female moose, peacefully grazing in the distance.
On our way back, we got incredibly lucky — two bull moose with massive antlers were feeding right beside the road. Together with another photographer, I quietly stepped out of the car and hid behind the trees on the opposite side of the road. The result? Some of the most stunning wildlife photos I could ever have hoped for.
And as if the day hadn’t already been perfect, we were greeted by a bighorn sheep on the way back — calmly standing by the roadside, completely unfazed by the passing cars.
Day 8
We left Jasper National Park and began the 320 km journey to Clearwater, our stopover on the way to Whistler. Along the route, we paused at several scenic viewpoints and lakes, watching the landscape gradually transform. The charred, conifer-covered forests gave way to rolling hills filled with deciduous trees glowing in autumn colors. The entire drive felt like traveling through a painting — every curve of the road offered new shades of gold, orange, and red...
From Clearwater, we continued deeper into Wells Gray Provincial Park, following a long scenic road lined with dozens upon dozens of waterfalls. Despite a bit of rain, we couldn’t resist stopping at every viewpoint, visiting one waterfall after another — each surrounded by vibrant fall colors and the fresh scent of rain-soaked forest.
Day 9 – From Clearwater to Whistler
We left Clearwater and headed south toward Whistler, with rain accompanying us for the first part of the drive. Then, almost as if on cue, the rain stopped — right when the landscape began to change into something we never expected. The lush deciduous forests gradually gave way to dry, open plains, almost resembling a desert. We had entered the Thompson–Okanagan semi-arid region, a unique area caught in the rain shadow between two mountain ranges, where rain clouds rarely pass.
We made several short stops along the way — at viewpoints or for a quick snack — and each time, the air carried a distinct, salty scent, strangely reminiscent of the Mediterranean coast. We passed long stretches of fenced-off land and occasionally saw open pits from old and still-active mines, where gold, silver, and molybdenum are extracted to this day.
After several hours on the road, the scenery changed once again, giving way to mixed forests glowing with autumn colors as we approached Whistler.
In the evening, we explored downtown Whistler and met up with some friends. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to stay longer — not just because of its cozy alpine charm, but also for the endless opportunities for outdoor sports and hiking that surround it.
Day 10 – From Whistler to Vancouver
On our final travel day, we made our way from Whistler to Vancouver, stopping only occasionally as the weather turned grey and rainy again. Along the way, we took a short walk in Lighthouse Park, where we caught our first glimpse of Vancouver’s skyline across the water — a striking contrast to the wilderness we had just left behind.
Further down the road, we made one last quick stop at a waterfall viewpoint, and then continued straight into the city. Our first destination in Vancouver was Stanley Park, where I set up my tripod and captured a long-exposure shot of the Lions Gate Bridge — one of my favorite photos from the entire trip.
In the afternoon, we joined a whale-watching tour, an unforgettable experience that took us far out into the open water. We were lucky enough to get close to a pod of orcas, spot several humpback whales, and watch sea lions lounging on the rocks near the coast. At one point, we even saw a bald eagle perched high on a tree, calmly overlooking the ocean — a perfect symbol of the wild Pacific Northwest.
From there, we headed to our final accommodation, a hotel located on the University of British Columbia campus, where my conference would begin the next day — marking the transition from an incredible road trip to the start of a new adventure.
In the evening, we visited the famous Capilano Suspension Bridge Park — a forest park built around elevated walkways and treetop paths. The whole place was beautifully illuminated and decorated in a Halloween theme, creating a magical and slightly spooky atmosphere to end our journey with.
VANCOUVER
Vancouver is truly a chapter of its own — a city full of life, nature, and endless things to explore. From the coastline and mountain views to its vibrant neighborhoods and parks, there’s always something happening around every corner.
Here are just a few photos captured during my remaining days in this incredible city — and, to wrap it all up, a few shots of the northern lights taken on my flight back to Europe while passing over Greenland.
