Saskatchewan's ranches, history & scenery self-drive

This morning, collect your car at the airport. All car hire includes all taxes, third-party liability insurance, loss damage waiver and an additional driver. Begin your journey by driving through eastern Alberta into the prairie province of Saskatchewan. You may wish to stop at Dinosaur Provincial Park en route; it’s one of the world’s richest fossil fields and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arrive at Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park which is located in both Alberta and Saskatchewan.

You have a day at leisure to explore the park with its many hiking trails and opportunities for canoeing, fishing and swimming. These never-glaciated hills have a rich geological history and, with a mix of forests, wetlands and grasslands, are home to a wide diversity of plants and animals. Two outstanding features of the park are Bald Butte and Lookout Point, the highest point in the Centre Block of the Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, and the Conglomerate Cliffs viewpoint in the West Block will offer visitors an alluring view of the tree-covered slopes and valley below.

Drive southeast to Grasslands National Park, Canada's only park that protects one of the last intact grasslands of the original North American prairie. There are many ways to explore, including walks and horse rides through the prairie landscape. Wildlife is a highlight here, and in 2005, the park successfully reintroduced prairie (or plains) bison. Keep a look-out for them as it's an unforgettable experience to see these magnificent animals in their original habitat.

Spend today at leisure in Grasslands National Park. It’s divided into two blocks — east and west — and each offers a paved scenic highway for you to explore from. There are plenty of opportunities to get out for a walk, spot wildlife and learn about the park at the interpretive stops. Besides bison, look out for prairie dogs, rattlesnakes and short-horned lizards, especially in the west block’s Frenchman River Valley. The east block’s Badlands scenery is a photographer’s delight. The whole national park is also a dark sky preserve and a great place for stargazing.

Drive to the small town of Moose Jaw, about 70 km (43 miles) west of the provincial capital, Regina. There is time this afternoon to explore the town’s historic buildings, huge murals and many independent shops. Included is a trip back in time at the Tunnels of Moose Jaw, where Al Capone operated excessive bootlegging during the time of Prohibition. Today, the 1920s gangster feeling is brought back to life through interactive tours in the catacombs and corridors beneath the streets.

Spend the day exploring Regina, Saskatchewan’s capital, and home to Canada’s Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Academy, Depot Division. Every year, new ‘Mounties’ cadets complete their basic training here. Learn all about this legendary police force using state-of-the-art technology at the RCMP Heritage Centre with admission included in your trip. There are also plenty of spectacles in the parade of cadets during the summer, including Sunset Ceremonies or the Sergeant Major’s Parade.

Drive to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan's largest metropolis. Seven bridges span the South Saskatchewan River, which meanders through the city. There is plenty to see and do on arrival, including visiting the Remai Modern Art Gallery, the city’s excellent Farmers’ Market, and Wanuskewin Heritage Park, which explains the province’s significant indigenous heritage. In the evening, you can enjoy the sunset while strolling along the river promenade before sampling a drink or two in some of the city’s many local breweries and distilleries.

Enjoy a day at your own leisure exploring Saskatoon. We recommend starting your day with a relaxing boat trip on the South Saskatchewan River and then strolling through the historic streets of Broadway and Riversdale to savour their local charm. For a taste of prairie history, we suggest heading to the Western Development Museum where a complete Western town from 1920 has been recreated. Visitors get authentic insights into the life of the early settlers.

Today's journey takes you through the geographical heart of North America. Along the Trans-Canada Highway, you will pass endless cornfields — the original prairie gave way to wheat here on a massive scale. Your destination is Lake Diefenbaker, set in a landscape of rolling prairies. Idyllic and completely secluded on the shores of a lake is La Reata Ranch. Your host, George, will introduce you to the cowboy way of life.

Suitable for beginners and experienced riders alike, La Reata Ranch offers horse rides through the open prairie landscape, over the rolling hills with their many canyons, and across the gently sloping sandy beaches of Lake Diefenbaker. This is a working ranch, which means helping out is encouraged, but not a must. In the evening, you can gaze at the starry sky of the prairie or talk about the experiences of the day in the La Reata Saloon.

Spend another day at La Reata Ranch. More horse riding awaits, and we recommend learning some traditional cowboy skills. The ranch also has over 14 km (8.6 miles) of lake shore, including swimming beaches. Canoeing, fishing, waterskiing or swimming in the sparkling lake provide varied recreation and relaxation after your horse rides. In the evening, cosy up by the bonfire and reflect on your stay here.

Your route today takes you west to Drumheller, back in the province of Alberta. On the way, if you missed it before, we recommend making a small detour to Dinosaur Provincial Park. The town of Drumheller lies on the Red Deer River in a region known as Alberta’s ‘Badlands’, so-called for its unusual lunar-like landscape. On arrival, settle into your hotel and explore the town.

Spend the day exploring Drumheller. There are well-signposted circular driving routes through the scenic landscape surrounding Drumheller. Highlights include delightful scenic views, hoodoo rock formations, and charming river landscapes that are home to migratory birds. We highly recommend visiting the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, which interprets the fascinating dinosaur heritage of the region. Their Dinosaur Hall has one of the world's largest displays of dinosaur remains.

It's time to leave the unique geology and landscapes of Saskatchewan and Eastern Alberta behind as you drive back to Calgary Airport to return your car and take your onward flight.

Arrive home today to complete your journey.