The Rockies and the Badlands: geology and dinosaurs in Canada
This vacation package with expert-led guided walks and back-room museum visits explores the wildly contrasting landscapes of the Rockies and Badlands in southern Alberta.
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.
Moraine Lake
Overview
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.
- Start / finish: Your tour starts and finishes in Calgary, Alberta.
- Activity Level: Moderate, with walks of up to 3km (2 miles) on most days and a longer walk of 4km (3.2 miles) in Dinosaur Provincial Park (view our activity definitions). All walks will be on prepared paths or trails.
- Transport: We will use a comfortable coach suited to the number of attendees.
- Weather: Generally good in early summer, with mild temperatures expected during the day (12–23°C/55–76°F) and cooler ones at night (6–10°C/40–50°F).
- Accommodation: We will be in very comfortable hotels in Calgary, Banff, Drumheller and Brooks. The hotels in Calgary and Banff are well positioned to offer views of the city and/or surrounding mountains. See our list of hotels in the Need to Know tab.
Where you will visit…
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.
- Hotel: Hyatt Regency, Calgary
- Group dinner at Calgary Tower
An early departure will lead to the Kananaskis Valley to view a classic feature that is a standard illustration in numerous geology books: the Lewis Thrust Fault. This impressive feature at the top of Mount Kidd has moved a slab of rock miles thick for ~80km from the west and terminates in a fold in the rock layers of the mountain’s south peak. The morning continues with examination of a series of outcrops that include a Triassic (~240-million-year-old) bone bed.
Afternoon stops include views of the striking McConnell Thrust on Yamnuska Mountain, exposures of 70-million-year-old strata with unusual sedimentary features, and excellent trace fossils (a trail or burrow of an animal). A short final leg takes the tour to the overnight stop in Banff, nestled in a stunning setting amid the mountains.
- Hotel: Canoe & Suites, Banff
- Free evening
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 Oregon, 1500km (900 miles) to the southwest. After lunch in Canmore the tour will move on to view the 400-million-year-old Devonian sediments rich in amazing stromatoporoids (reef-building sponges) and take in the stunning scenery on a comfortable 2km (1.5 mile) walk at Grassi Lakes.
After returning to Banff there will be a group meal in the evening and a chance to hear more about the story of Banff, a town famous not just for its astounding scenery but also for its hot springs, formed from hot water emerging from the Sulphur Mountain Thrust Fault.
- Hotel: Canoe & Suites, Banff
- Group dinner
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 a viewing stop at the Banff Meadows to take in a spectacular vista before moving on for a stroll along Lake Louise and a picnic lunch at Moraine Lake, considered by many to be the most beautiful lake in the world.
In the afternoon, a longish drive (~3 hours) takes us to Drumheller, with stops to introduce the Badlands along the way. We will dine at a renowned bar and restaurant in Wayne, an outlying part of the town and previously home to a number of coal mines. Drumheller itself has a fascinating history which, like much of western Canada, is dominated by the development of the railway network in the early 1900s. It is the largest town by land area in Alberta, despite having a population of under 10,000 people.
- Hotel: Canalta Jurassic, Drumheller
- Group dinner
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.
The afternoon begins with a visit to Horseshoe Canyon, where the stunning scenery has been used as backdrop for a variety of films and TV series. The exposed rocks lie just beneath the K/T (Cretaceous-Tertiary) boundary, which marks the end of the reign of the dinosaurs 66 million years ago. Further stops will include hoodoos (impressive spires of rock), world-class sedimentary structures formed by the sideways migration of ancient channels (known as lateral accretion surfaces), evidence of ancient shorelines, some awesome giant fossil tree stumps and preserved burrows formed by bivalves in the wood (Teredolites traces).
- Hotel: Canalta Jurassic, Drumheller
- Free evening for dinner
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 trail!) that is not usually open to the public, allowing us to immerse ourselves in the setting. A picnic lunch will be provided.
The itinerary will include the Hadrosaur House, home of a sub-complete dinosaur skeleton featuring skin impressions, as well as ancient river channel deposits, whose fossils tell a tragic tale of flash flooding and its impact on Cretaceous fauna. One of Alberta’s most extensive groves of cottonwoods, flanking the Red Deer River, provides a fitting backdrop.
Supper will be at the famous steak pits (vegetarian options available) in Patricia, where everyone can cook their own meal, before we continue on to Brooks.
- Hotel: Canalta Hotel, Brooks
- Final group dinner
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.
Double room for single occupancy is £970.
Your tour starts and finishes in Calgary, Alberta.
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.
Transport will be in a comfortable vehicle suited to the number of attendees.
The weather is generally good in early summer with mild temperatures expected during the day (12–23°C/55–76°F) and cooler ones at night (6–10°C/40–50°F), although it can be warmer or cooler. Rain is always possible.
The tour 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.
The tour excludes:
- 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.
Individuals who prefer not to participate in certain activities might consider these options:
Day 2: A half-hour helicopter overflight out of a base in Canmore. This one-of-a-kind flight amongst the peaks of the Rockies will reinforce the geological messages of the tour by providing a 3-D appreciation of the vertical relief of the individual ranges and the widespread distribution of the rock layers. Participants will need to book this activity separately.
Alternatively, participants may wish to spend the day in Banff for sightseeing, museum visits or a gondola ride to the crest of Banff’s Sulphur Mountain for alpine hikes, an interpretative centre and a three-course meal as the sun sets over the Rockies.
Day 4: In Drumheller there are opportunities for sightseeing, shopping for dinosaur fossils and antiques or hiking.
Dinosaur Provincial Park: A Spectacular Ancient Ecosystem Revealed (2005), edited by Philip Currie and Eva Koppelhus. Published by Indiana University Press.
Badlands of Drumheller – Eastern Area (2017), David Eberth. Published by Bedrock Press.
Tales from the Canadian Rockies (2013), Brian Patton. Published by McClelland & Stewart.
Canadian Rockies Geology Road Tours (2008), Ben Gadd. Published by Corax Press.
Dinosaur Country: Unearthing the Badlands’ Prehistoric Past (1998), Renie Gross. Published by Badlands Books.
The Trade (2010), Fred Stenson. Published by Douglas & McIntyre. Historical fiction.
Icefields (1995), Thomas Wharton. NeWest Press. Historical fiction.
Night 1: Hyatt Regency Calgary, central Calgary
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Please refer to our Terms and Conditions page for additional details.
Your tour leader
Jon Noad
Jon Noad resides in Calgary, Alberta, where he is in demand for running “Geology for Non-geologists” courses. Jon is a consulting geologist and palaeontologist, an Adjunct Professor at Mount Royal University, Calgary, and a Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Adelaide. Jon specializes in sedimentology and trace fossils and is currently researching Cretaceous river systems and fossil localities in Dinosaur Provincial Park in Alberta.
Jon has led groups in the field for many years, and is an enthusiastic teacher and presenter. He has taught university courses in Alberta and internationally. He has recently developed a popular portfolio of geology-focused videos across western Canada.
In addition to fieldwork, Jon loves hiking, wildlife photography and travel. He has run more than 30 marathons and skies in the winter. He also enjoys cooking and eating hot curries.
Hoodoos near Drumheller, Alberta.
View of Horseshoe Canyon, Alberta Badlands.
Moraine Lake, Banff National Park, Alberta.
View of Calgary, Alberta.
Royal Tyrrell Museum, Drumheller, Alberta.
Testimonials
I thoroughly enjoyed this fun and educational tour; I got to take a great many photos of spectacular scenery and it was just the right length. I recommend it to anyone seeking a vacation that combines an educational experience with hiking in beautiful scenery.
The Geology and Dinosaurs of Alberta, Canada | Dan S, June 2024
The tour was a great success for us. We do not normally do tours as they are often too “touristy”. This tour was a bit like taking an advanced class that was fun and enjoyable throughout. Dinosaur Provincial Park was spectacular.
The Geology and Dinosaurs of Alberta, Canada | Jeanine S, June 2024
Loved, loved, loved the tour!
The entire tour was excellent! Jon explained the geologic history and how Rockies, lakes, sediment layers and streams formed as well as explained trace fossils and dinosaur beds. I would love if you can get Jon to lead a “part 2”, for those of us who would like more. Due to this tour, I will take other tours by GeoCultura!
The Geology and Dinosaurs of Alberta, Canada | Terri P, June 2024
In this landscape, through the eyes of an expert, you see the world in four dimensions. You can interpret the landscape to see how mountains rise, rivers shape their environment and sea levels rise and fall. The joy is that once pointed out, it is completely obvious and difficult to unsee. I think the museum and dinosaur park were probably the highlights, but frankly each day was interesting in a different way. My most memorable moment was the first time we got out of the bus, walked 20m and saw the (Lewis) Thrust.
The Geology and Dinosaurs of Alberta, Canada | Mark E, July 2023
[Our favourite parts were] Dinosaur Provincial Park and the Lewis Thrust, but really it was the care, preparation and enthusiasm that you, Sue and Jon have put into the tour that made it special.
The Geology and Dinosaurs of Alberta, Canada | Cherie T, July 2023
UPCOMING TOURS
Prices from GBP £4,800 pp
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