We meet at our hotel at 9:am in Calgary, Alberta Canada. At the end of this adventure we have some time to explore Calgary, so we hit the road right away and start our journey West towards the amazing Canadian Rockies. Have your walking shoes on this morning as we will stop for a beautiful hike around Grassi Lakes. You will have free time for lunch in the beautiful mountain town of Canmore today and see the Bow River before we make our way deeper into the heart of the Rocky Mountains. We must make a stop at Vermilion Lakes to enjoy the iconic view of Mount Rundle. Depending on time we may be able to make additional stops/walks before arriving at our beautiful base camp near the famous Lake Louise within Banff National Park, where we will call home for the next 4 nights.
*Camping night, dinner included
Included Activities
After a camp breakfast, and packing our lunch for the day, we will have a full day to explore and experience two of the most famous lakes in the Canadian Rockies, Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. Known for its vivid turquoise waters and soaring peaks, Lake Louise will take your breath away. The turquoise color of the water comes from rock flour carried into the lake by melt-water from the glaciers that overlook the lake. Several hiking trails exist around the lake and your guide will go over different hiking options for your fellow travelers. Sometimes everyone in the sticks together on the same hike, but often times we split up into 2 or 3 smaller group that fit with how you want to spend your time. Hiking in the Rockies is extremely beautiful but can also be challenging, and each traveler might have a different idea of the right amount of time on the trial today. Some examples of possible hikes are Lake Agnes, Moraine Lake shoreline, Big Beehive, Fairview, Consolation Lakes trail..the list goes on and on! Your guide will go over all the different options, and help your group come up with a plan that works for everyone and get you to and from all the different trail heads. You may also want to spend some time in a canoe paddling out onto Lake Louise with your new friends which is a popular option activity here..
*Camping night, breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Included Activities
Optional Activities
Today you will wake up with sore legs because yesterday you couldn’t resist putting down the trail miles, and it was worth it! After breakfast we will hop in the van and travel deeper into the mountains on what is described as the most beautiful drive in the world along the Icefields Parkway. We will get to see all the most famous viewpoints and can get out of the van and take many shorter walks today. Highlights will include Athabasca Glacier, Peyto Lake, Bow Lake and more! Depending on availability, there is a fun optional activity that is possible today. You guide will talk to you about the all-terrain Ice Explorer that take you on to the surface of the Athabasca Glacier. During this activity you get to walk on the ancient ice while you learn about glaciers and icefields. You also get to a to take a cliff-edged walkway that leads to the jaw-dropping glass floored Columbia Icefield Skywalk, separating you from the floor of the valley by a 918-foot drop…it’s pretty wild! Your guide will talk to the group and will put together a plan that works best for the group the night before depending on who would like to do this extra and depending on availability.
*Camping night, breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Included Activities
Optional Activities
Today we will be traveling south to explore Yoho National Park and surrounding area. Make sure you pack a good lunch today because we will have the chance to do some amazing hiking. We will get to see the famous Takakkaw Falls, one of the highest waterfalls in all of Canada and easily one of the most dramatic. Hiking around Emerald Lake is on the must do list for today. We will also want to hike to Wapta Falls, the “Niagara of Yoho,” a 492ft wide, 98ft high, thundering waterfall on the Kicking Horse River. The hiking is fairly easy today, but the miles can start to add up. It is possible for you to cover between 7-9 miles on foot today if you want to see it all, but all the hiking options are not mandatory. Occasionally, travelers may decide to find a relaxing place to sit out one of the longer hikes or take a shorter walk and just enjoy the scenery for an hour or two while the group puts down the miles. We also have the option today to cut out hiking for a very popular white water river option down the Kicking Horse River. You guide will talk with the group about how to plan the best day possible the night before.
*Camping night, breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Included Activities
Optional Activities
This morning we will pack up our camp and move to a new location closer to the famous town of Banff. We will have all afternoon to spend time in and around this unique mountain town and there is no shortage of options for us. You may be in the mood for more hiking, while other may be more inclined to take advantage of the Banff Gondola which will take you to 2,281m above sea level in just about 8 minutes. With six stunning mountain ranges and the majestic Bow Valley before you, views from the Sulphur Mountain summit are nothing short of breathtaking. And what better way to rejuvenate and relax after all hiking you have been doing than with a soak in the soothing waters of Banff Hot Springs. These natural springs are a favorite among visitors and locals; it’s the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy the healing properties of the mineral-rich waters. This evening you will get to explore Banff town with your group and find a fun local spot for dinner on your own to experience some local flavor.
*Camping night, breakfast, lunch included
Included Activities
Optional Activities
Today we will sadly have to pack up camp for the final time, but we won’t leave the Rockies without one last amazing group hike. Plan on giving those legs one last stretch up Johnston Canyon, a moderate hike that will usually take 2 hours to complete. It will be a fantastic way to bring our time in the Canadian Rockies to a close. After one last picnic lunch, we will make our way back to where we started, Calgary. Your guide will help you with understanding the orientation of this unique city and how to spend your time before getting you checked into your hotel. This evening is yours to spend with you group or on your own, exploring Calgary’s original main street, a historic neighborhood described as a bohemian paradise of unique shops, restaurants, and live music venues that are all part of the Music Mile.
*Hostel night, breakfast, lunch included
Included Activities
Optional Activities
There are no activities planned for today. The tour is officially over at 8am…but you can stay at the hotel until check-out time at 10am. If you need, you can have the hotel hold your luggage while you spend more time exploring Calgary. We recommend you get a flight home sometime this afternoon.
*no meals today
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