Tag: culture

Insiders view on Banff Lake Louise

The Wanderers in conversation with Lukas Prochazka

Everything the guide books or tourism websites won’t tell you about the place.

One little known fact/trivia that everyone should know about when travelling to Banff Lake Louise.

Banff was established as Canada’s first national park back in 1885. It is the World’s 3rd oldest national park (#1 is Yellowstone NP in USA, established in 1872, #2 is Royal National Park in Australia, 1879).

Once ‘Siding 29’ on the Canadian Pacific Railway, the Town of Banff was intended to be a tourist town from its very inception. The park’s first superintendent, George Stewart, even oriented the town’s first street in such a way that it would offer the best possible views of Cascade Mountain.

What is a must buy when in Banff Lake Louise?

With over 200 shops, outdoor retailers and art galleries in Banff and Lake Louise, there is endless selection of souvenirs to take home for every type of traveller. That includes art, jewellery, locally made chocolate and hand-made local beauty products at the Rocky Mountain Soap Company.

One take-away after a visit to Banff Lake Louise?

Everlasting memories, created by enjoying this vast mountain playground, and perhaps a photo of local wildlife if you are lucky.

What is your advice to first time travellers?

Make sure you spend enough time in Banff National Park to really enjoy its attractions and activities at a leisurely pace. Take time to slow down and breathe fresh mountain air. Try one of our outdoor adventures, go for a soak in the hot springs or enjoy a spa treatment. Stroll down Banff Avenue with its many shops, restaurants and pubs.

Banff National Park is not only a place to see, it is a place to explore!

One thing to definitely pack when travelling to Banff Lake Louise.

Enough memory cards for your camera, as Banff National Park offers unparalleled scenic beauty, with opportunities to admire high peaks, majestic glaciers, turquoise lakes, and a chance to spot wildlife, such as black and grizzly bear, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, elk, moose, or deer.

One activity anyone travelling to Banff Lake Louise should not miss.

A hike or horseback ride to Plain of Six Glaciers in Lake Louise in summer or Johnston Canyon Ice Walk in winter!

By far one of the most scenic hikes in the Canadian Rockies, the Plain of Six Glaciers hike offers expansive views of the impressive mountain features that surround Lake Louise, including Mount. Lefroy, Mount. Victoria and the Victoria Glacier. After your steady hike up, enjoy a snack at the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse.

A canyon full of rushing water in summer, Johnston Canyon freezes in winter to form sparkling walls of ice. Formed by ancient glaciers, this is a spectacular geological landmark that is well worth the visit on a guided tour.

Where should anyone, travelling to Banff Lake Louise, definitely get their picture taken.

On the Rock Pile, a beautiful viewing spot only 5 minutes away from the parking lot at Moraine Lake (short 15 min drive from Lake Louise).

Which is the best place to get a panoramic photo?

The top of Sulphur Mountain that can be easily reached by the Banff Gondola.

Best place to enjoy sunset/sunrise?

Vermillion Lakes just outside the town of Banff.

Most romantic place to take a special someone to?

Any of the two “Castles in the Rockies” – The Fairmont Banff Springs and The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Imagine yourself a turn of the century railway baron at the European inspired Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, nestled amidst the Rocky Mountains on the shores of the world’s most famous emerald glacier lake. Ask about the rich history of the Banff Springs, the renowned “Castle in the Rockies”, a National Historical Site located in the heart of Banff National Park.

Best place to have local food?

Maple Leaf Grille & Lounge, right on Banff Avenue.

Head Chef Morne Burger has created an award-winning menu showcasing the best in Rocky Mountain cuisine. Choose from a variety of fresh seafood from both Canadian coasts or enjoy succulent cuts of Alberta bison, beef and elk. With over 600 wine selections, the Maple Leaf has won nine consecutive Awards of Excellence from Wine Spectator Magazine.

Your favourite local dish and drink that you would recommend.

With over 120 restaurants, pubs, and lounges, it’s almost impossible to pick one favourite dish. This travel destination has attracted some of the very best in Canadian and internationally inspired foods, also known as Canadian Rocky Mountain Cuisine. Many restaurants help you sample the regional fare, bringing in organic and sustainably sourced Alberta beef and bison, fine cheeses and wines. If you’re in the mood for sushi, Thai, Chinese, Mexican, Swiss fondue or pizza, you’ve got more than enough choice of restaurants to try. After dark, kick up your heels at a local dance club or relax with a beverage at a groovy lounge.

One place only the locals would know.

With over 1,600 km of hiking trails of various lengths and difficulties, there is many options to get off the beaten path and visit hidden jewels visited mostly only by knowledgeable local people.

The best pub and best place to catch up for a drink.

The Wild Bill’s Legendary Saloon on Banff Avenue.

A local festival you feel more travellers should come and see

Ice Magic – international ice carving competition taking place outside in front of The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

The things guide books won’t tell anyone about Banff Lake Louise?

Banff National Park is such a magical place that many people who originally came only for a short visit, move and stay here permanently. That is why tourists visiting Banff and Lake Louise will encounter workers from many different regions of Canada and even from different countries, when staying in local hotels, eating in local restaurants and shopping in our gift shops.

Is there any particular month you would not recommend travel to Banff Lake Louise and what would that reason be?

Banff National Park is a four season destination that offers unique experiences and world class attractions 365 days a year.

There is no wrong time to visit Banff and Lake Louise!

In one sentence, Banff Lake Louise is Canada’s first national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering a unique combination of unspoiled wilderness, modern amenities and opportunities for active exploration.

Lukas Prochazka is Manager, Asia at Banff Lake Louise Tourism and in charge of all sales and marketing activities in India, China, Japan and Korea. Born and raised in Czech Republic in Europe, Lukas moved to Banff in 2004 and has made it his new home.

On his days off, Lukas can be found hiking, running, climbing, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing in the most remote corners of Banff National Park, enjoying everything this unique protected mountain playground has to offer.

Check out our latest package on Canada

Climbing Gobi’s highest dune

By Alifiya Calcuttawala

Its 6.30 am on 20th, June 2013.  The alarm goes off but today is a relaxed day. I get up for my morning cuppa and sit outside my ger watching the sand dune at a distance. Thats where I am going shortly. After breakfast and a quick shower we huddle into the car, excited like school kids – on our way to visit the tallest sand dunes in the world. I am in the midst of the Gobi desert in Mongolia, the largest desert in Asia and the 5th largest in the world.

Eventually after a drive of about 40 minutes we were there. Standing at the base of the tallest sand dune in the world!

I check my gear:

water bottle – check
sunglasses – check
hat – check
shoes laces tightened – check

Ok all set – the weather is kind to us today – its overcast, else it would have been a very big challenge to climb up in the heat. It’s not hot and there’s no wind, which is good as its difficult to climb a dune with the sand blowing in your face.

As I start climbing, it dawns on me that its not as easy as it looks – with every two steps forward, I come down one step as the sand keeps sliding down. With my feet buried in the sand, going forward and up gets more and more challenging. The peak of the dune now looks quite elusive. Panting and out of breath I am soon at, what feels like, the half way mark. It has taken me 45 panting minutes to get here and WHAT A VIEW IT IS!! The landscape from the top is simply wow. Sand dunes rolling into the horizon interspersed with semi arid land on one side with patches of green on the other; a small pool of water (at least that’s what it looks like from here) and the blue mountains in the distance. People and cars look so tiny from up here. An incredibly awesome view. I decide to continue the climb but finally give up as its very difficult towards the end as the dune sucks my legs in up to my knees. I sigh! ‘Am almost there.

Coming down is, however, a fun experience – I feel so “free.” I kind of roll and slide down the dune, falling, laughing with the sand in my eyes, hair, mouth, clothes and shoes. By the time I return to the base, my feet feel 2 kg heavier. I take off my shoes and empty all the “gobi” sand out.

We drive out.

Next stop is the herders camp, where we stop to get onto the camels. These camel herders camp here in the summers and raise camels and horses. All of us alight on the camels and go off for a short “spin” – this too is a unique experience – getting freakier in parts as the camels snort and get too close to each other with one of them scratching his face on my legs .. eekss!!!! But every minute on the camel is worth it. It makes my experience of the Gobi complete.

I walk around the camp, taking pictures and trying to chat up with them through my guide and interpreter. Quite strangely, the herders in the middle of this stark wilderness terrain cannot resist the ease that technology brings. I see a washing machine with a generator next to it to power it! They need clean clothes too, I guess.

We return to the camp, take a hot shower followed by lunch – all of us are famished and tired.

Most of us retire to our ger for an afternoon nap. Lying on my bed, I look back at the morning with a sense of achievement.

I think of the days to come. There’s a lot of Mongolia left in the trip. I drift off to sleep with the wind howling around my ger.

(Alifiya Calcuttawala is the Regional Director of The Wanderers based in Kolkata. When she is not busy sending people to distant places on the planet, she is herself at some distant place on the planet. She wandered off to Mongolia this summer with a small band of travellers)

Check out our latest Photography Trip in Mongolia