Canadian Rockies: Hike, Paddle, and Explore

Day 1: Calgary
Transfer from the Calgary International Airport to your hotel. Meet your guide for pre trip information in the hotel.

Accommodation: Acclaim Hotel Calgary Airport (or similar)

Day 2: Banff National Park
After breakfast you board the bus for the drive through ranch country and the foothills of the Rocky Mountains into Banff National Park. After an orientation drive of the surrounding area you check into the hotel in the lively town of Banff, where you will spend the next two nights.

Now it is time to stretch your legs. You’ll head out for the first hike along the shores of Minnewanka Lake or on one of the many mountain trails near Banff. Hiking time 2 – 3 hours.

Accommodation: Banff Inn (or similar)

Day 3: Banff National Park
Explore alpine meadows and passes above the treeline on a full-day hike. Hike 7.5 km with 725 m gain (4.6 mi, 2414 ft) to a small lake and possibly 2 km further into the pass at 2470 m (8225 ft).

After the hike you might want to relax in the warm sulphur pool at the Banff Upper Hot Springs or walk along the busy streets of Banff to explore its many shops and restaurants. Hiking time 5 – 7 hours.

Accommodation: Banff Inn (or similar)

Day 4: Lake Louise
You’ll be whisked off on a scenic 90-minute drive to Lake Louise where you’ll hike the 3.5 km (2 mi) path with 400 m gain (1325 ft) to the historic tea house by an alpine lake.

You’ll reach a network of trails (from easy to demanding) which will tempt you to go further and higher. Some options include the 15 km (9.3 mi) circuit into the Plain of Six Glaciers or a 2.5 km (1.6 mi) climb with 515 m (1705 ft) gain to a summit with exceptional views of nearby peaks and distant landscapes. Hiking time 3 – 5 hours.

Accommodation: Lake Louise Inn (or similar)

Day 5: Lake Louise

Today you will have a choice of taking a great white-water rafting trip on the Kicking Horse River or choosing another amazing mountain hike.

Among the choice of trails is an 18 km (11 mi) circuit through passes filled with wildflowers at 1830 m and 2180 m (6093 ft and 7250 ft) and spectacular views of Emerald Lake. The Natural Bridge, Takakkaw Falls, Spiral Tunnel are other attractions you can enjoy in nearby Yoho National Park. Hiking time 6 hours.

Accommodation: Lake Louise Inn (or similar)

Day 6: Jasper National Park

Today you’ll head out along one of the most scenic drives in the world, the Columbia Icefields Parkway that connects Lake Louise to Jasper National Park. You’ll enjoy frequent stops and short excursions along the Icefields Parkway on your way into the heart of the Rockies, including famous spots like Peyto Lake and Bow Summit.

At the Columbia Icefields huge glaciers spawn rivers, which eventually reach three different oceans. Saskatchewan Glacier is best viewed from far above after hiking 2.5 km (1.6 mi) to a windy ridge at 2260 m (7525 ft). Then on to Jasper and the hotel in this small mountain town.
Hiking time 2 hours.

Accommodation: Chateau Jasper (or similar)

Day 7: Jasper National Park

The vast expanse of Jasper National Park presents so many possibilities for adventure: swimming and a picnic at Pyramid Lake, mountain biking, trail rides, canoeing and more.

You’ll have the option to join the guide for a side trip to Maligne Lake and a 8 km (5 mile) loop hike with 460 m gain (1532 ft) into the hills above tree line at 2150 m (7160 ft) elevation and possibly all the way to the 2790 m (9290 ft) peak overlooking this beautiful lake.
Hiking time 2 – 6 hours.

Accommodation: Chateau Jasper (or similar)

Day 8: Jasper National Park

Explore one of the top attractions of Jasper NP: the mighty Athabasca Falls. Trails near the Columbia Icefields start at tree line and are especially rewarding thanks to their magnificent views of the glaciers and surrounding ranges. Here you hike 8 km (5 mi) with 335 m (1155 ft) gain into a pass at 2375 m (7980 ft).

Return to Jasper to begin the camping part of your holiday. You receive your tent, sleeping bag and self-inflating mattress and spend this night on a campground. All camping meals from this evening to the end of the canoe trip are included. Hiking time 2 – 3 hours.

Day 9: Canoe Training

Start the morning with a walk along Maligne Canyon, the river roaring through the narrow gorge, up to 50 m (165 ft) below you. Then take a short drive to a generously laid out campground in the foothills. Here you might meet other adventurers and a new guide for the canoe trip. During the canoe training on a quiet lake, you’ll learn the basic paddle strokes and safety precautions.

You’ll receive tips regarding personal equipment, work sharing of the crews and conduct in the wilderness. The selected river stretches can be mastered by novice paddlers with at least some basic paddling skills, but the current, numerous rapids, and gravel bars demand constant vigilance. Even advanced canoeists will find plenty of challenge in this wilderness setting. Safety and the comfort of the participants are the main concerns of the guide.

Accommodation: camping

Days 10 to 12: On the River

For the next 3 nights you’ll pitch your tent on sandy islands or comfortable spots along the shore. The Athabasca River, fed by glaciers and clear forest streams, runs high and fast in the early season, clear, blue and lazy later into the summer. In the densely forested, uninhabited valleys you have excellent opportunities to spot wild geese, beavers, eagles, elk, bear, and moose. Five or six hours daily are spent on the river, sometimes leisurely drifting downstream, but always with an eye out for rapids and obstacles. There is time for swimming, fishing, exploring and campfires under the Northern Lights.

Accommodation: camping

Day 13: Edmonton

After paddling 160 km (100 miles), you’ll reach the end of the canoe trip. The bus is loaded for the return to Edmonton. The hotel is not far from West Edmonton Mall, the gigantic shopping and amusement centre.

Your tour ends when you reach the hotel at approximately 6:30 p.m.

Accommodation: Quality Hotel West (or similar)

Day 14: Transfer to the Edmonton airport

Transfer to the Edmonton Airport for your departure flight.

No-charge transportation from Edmonton to CALGARY is available for most of these tours on Sundays. We’ll gladly reserve an additional night for you in the hotel in Edmonton. Arrival in Calgary app. 3:30 p.m.