The Rockies and the Badlands: geology and dinosaurs in Canada
- Durée: 7 Jours (environ)
- Lieu: Calgary
- Code produit: NS008
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.
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 level 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.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
