Canadian Rockies hiking tour and canoe trip

Transfer from the Calgary airport to your hotel. You meet your guide and fellow travellers for the pre-trip information with the guide in the hotel.

Through ranch country in the foothills you reach Banff National Park. In the generously laid out, forested campground (showers) you pitch your tent for the next two nights. Lunch on the campground and then you go for the first hike, perhaps following the shore of Lake Minnewanka or one if the many mountain trails around Banff. Dinner on the campground by the fire. Walking time 2 – 3 hours.

A full day hike into the mountains. Your guide knows the best destinations for the time of the year, even the lesser known. For example 7.5 km with 725 m gain (4.7 mi, 2415 ft) to a hidden lake and perhaps another 2 km into the pass at 2470 m (8225 ft). After the workout you might want to relax in the warm sulphur pool or browse through the stores and boutiques in the little town of Banff. Walking time 5 – 7 hours.

You take the Transcanada Highway up the valley of the Bow River to famous Lake Louise in picture postcard scenery. The guide suggests the 3.5 km (2 mi) path with 400 m gain (1325 ft) to the historic tea house by an alpine lake. Here a network of easy to demanding trails is tempting you to go further and higher. For example 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. Camp for today and tomorrow (showers) near the alpine village of Lake Louise.
Hiking time 3 – 5 hours.

The Kicking Horse River, rushing west out of the mountains, is perfect for white water rafting. Take the opportunity for 5 hours of thrills and lots of action in 8-person rubber rafts. But Yoho Park is also famous for its most outstanding network of trails to snow fields, waterfalls, fossil beds and other wonders in the high alpine. Instead of rafting, let the guide take you on an 18 km (11 mi) loop with 880 m (2930 ft) gain through two passes alpine meadows and birds eye views of turquoise coloured Emerald Lake. The Natural Bridge, Takakkaw Falls, Spiral Tunnel are among the attractions you visit in Yoho Park. Walking time 6 hours.

There are countless photo opportunities along the Icefields Parkway on your way into the heart of the Rockies. For example the short path up to the viewing platform at Bow Summit overlooking the stunning blue of Peyto Lake. In these 17000 sqkm (6538 sqmi) parks you probably see wapiti, bighorn sheep and sometimes bears right by the side of the road. The best view of Saskatchewan Glacier is gained after a steep, 2.5 km ascent of a windswept ridge. Three days on a campground near the little mountain town of Jasper. Walking time 2 hours.

A side trip to Maligne Lake. Here you may follow your guide on an 8 km (5 mile) circuit through flower covered alpine meadows to an elevation of 2160 m (7190 ft). It is possible to reach the peak at 2789 m (9290 ft). Trail rides or a boat cruise can be arranged as options. How about renting a mountain bike to explore the surroundings? Walking time 2 to 6 hours.

The Athabasca Falls and a walk into it’s canyon count among the attractions of this park. Trails at the Columbia Icefields start almost at tree line which makes hiking in this area most rewarding. The guide recommends an 8 km hike with 335 m gain (5 mi, 1115 ft) into a pass at 2375 m (7908 ft) and a great view of the Athabasca Glacier. Walking time 2 -3 hours. The first part, the hiking tour in the Canadian Rockies, is now over. One more night on the campground in Jasper and then you prepare for the canoe trip.

You walk along Maligne Canyon, the river roaring through the narrow gorge, up to 50 m (165 ft) below you. Now a short drive to a pretty lake in the foothills for the afternoon of canoe training. Lunch, dinner and all meals during the canoe trip are included in the price. In 2- person open Canadian canoes you learn the basic paddle strokes and safety precautions. You receive tips regarding personal equipment, work sharing of the crews and conduct in the wilderness. The selected stretch of the river can be mastered by novice paddlers, but the current, some rapids, overhanging trees, driftwood and gravel bars demand constant vigilance. Seasoned canoeists find plenty of challenge in this wilderness setting. Safety and the comfort of the participants are the main concerns of the guides.

Not needed luggage stays with the bus in safe keeping. Now you start the canoe adventure: For the next 3 nights you pitch your tent on sandy islands or comfortable spots along the shore. Your progress depends on the water level. 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.

One more day on the Athabasca and after 160 km (100 mi) you reach the end of the canoe trip. The bus with the luggage you left behind is already waiting for the two hour ride to Edmonton. The hotel is not far from West Edmonton Mall, the gigantic shopping and amusement center. Your tour ends when you reach the hotel at app. 18:30 for the last night.

If you stay another night in Edmonton we might be able to offer no-charge transportation to CALGARY for these tours. Please ask to confirm that we have a bus going. We gladly reserve an additional night for you in our hotel in Edmonton. Arrival in Calgary on Sunday at app. 3:30 pm.