Certified wilderness hiking guide and the comfort of a bed at night

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7 Days$2560USD

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Activities

5 day hikes

Accommodation

6 nights hotel/lodge

Meals

1 Dinner
5 Lunches
6 Breakfasts

Introductory

Traveller Rating

Overview
Itinerary
Map
Thoughtful Travel
Inclusions
Accommodation
Cabins
Bike Information
Trail Surface
About your leader
Departure dates
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Trip highlights

Hike some of the most scenic trails in the Canadian Rockies
Explore Banff and the natural playground that surrounds it
Enjoy views of limestone peaks and hanging glaciers
Challenge yourself on Sentinel Pass and/or the Iceline Trail
Take in the views at scenic Lake Louise and its surrounding peaks and glaciers
Get off the beaten path in Kananaskis Country

The Canadian Rockies surrounding Canmore, Banff and Lake Louise contain a lifetime of walking and hiking opportunities. Eight National and Provincial Mountain Parks are within easy driving distance. The scenery is classically magnificent - steely grey limestone peaks are clothed in forests, waterfalls, craggy cliffs and, not far west of Canmore, glaciers! The forest cover of the valley floors is broken by frequent lakes and beaver ponds. Towards treeline the forest thins, alpine larches appear as forests give way to alpine meadows. From late May to mid August the forest and especially the meadows are lit in glorious wildflower shades of red, blue, yellow and white. By late August wildflower color is replaced by the reds and golds of Fall. September is in some ways the most spectacular month as the alpine larches turn the treeline into a blazing line of gold and incandescent aspens that speckle the valley floors.

Itinerary

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Day 1
Arrive in Calgary

We will meet you at the airport in Calgary and transfer you to Kananaskis. A welcome meeting will take place this evening. Please arrive prior to 4pm on day 1. Exact time and location to be advised with your final documents. We'll go over plans and options for the following days, look at maps of the area and check to see that you are properly outfitted.

Meals: Nil

Day 2
Kananaskis Day Hike

Your guide will meet you at the hotel after breakfast and you'll head out on your first hike which will be in one of the parks in Kananaskis country. Our choice to break the ice is Prairie View Lookout Trail. This trail, located in the Front Ranges, will allow you to see the incredible difference there is looking east towards Calgary and the Prairies or looking west towards the incredible Canadian Rockies. Hike: Approx 13 km, 3-4hrs, +/-420m

Meals: B,L

Day 3
Chester Lake or Burstall Pass

Our drive to Banff will be done through the scenic Spray Lakes road. About half-way through, we will stop for our day hike, Chester Lake or Burstall Pass. Your guide will make the best decision depending on the group's ability and to let everyone get acclimatized to our higher elevation and air. We spend the next two nights at a comfortable lodge in Banff. Hike: Approx 10-15km, 3-5hrs, +/-350-450m Drive: Approx 2.5hr

Meals: B,L

Day 4
Kootenay National Park Day Hike

We head into Kootenay National Park where we hike the Stanley Glacier Trail. You'll walk through a remarkable valley of Fire and Ice: Fire being the remains of a 1968 wildfire almost regrown now, and Ice being the Stanley Glacier overhanging the cliffs at the head of the valley. Return to lodge for overnight. Hike: Approx 13km, 4-5hr, +/-600m

Meals: B,L

Day 5
Lake Louise Day Hike

After breakfast we drive to world famous Lake Louise. Here we will have a choice of hikes including a walk to the Lake Agnes Teahouse or to the Plain of Six Glaciers. We can even do a full circuit to include both incredible trails. We spend the next two nights at a comfortable inn in the village of Lake Louise. Hike: Up to 18km, 6-8hrs, +/-400m Drive: Approx 1hr

Meals: B,L

Day 6
Sentinel Pass or Iceline Trail

For our final day of hiking, we'll choose between either Moraine Lake and Sentinel Pass or the Iceline Trail in Yoho National Park. It's a difficult choice to make as both trails are considered in the list of top hiking trails of the Canadian Rockies. Tonight we are rewarded with a farewell dinner as we sit together and recall the week of spectacular hiking. Hike: Approx 12-20km, 6-8hrs, +/-750m

Meals: B,L,D

Day 7
Transfer to Calgary (approx. 2hrs)

Breakfast at Lake Louise and complimentary shuttle to Calgary included this morning. Please do not schedule departing flights earlier than noon, if possible, as it's about a 2hr drive from Lake Louise to Calgary without stops.

Meals: B

Inclusions

What's included

6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 1 dinner
professional guides
double occupancy accommodation in generally 3-star central hotels and lodges
private transportation
national park entry fees and sightseeing as indicated
return transfers from Calgary

What's not included

airfare and transfers not indicated in the itinerary
items of a personal nature
travel insurance
tips and gratuities
applicable taxes

About Your Leader

A local guide (who also drives) will accompany the group throughout the itinerary. The leaders are highly experienced wilderness certified guides, have strong local knowledge and a love and understanding of their country.

Departure dates

Notes

Note:

Some accommodations may not have twin rooms. If you do not wish to share a bed with your travel companion you will have to pay a single supplement on those nights. Rooms with two beds may require an additional fee.

Dates don't fit?
Create a Private Trip

If you have your own group, talk to us about turning this itinerary into your own private adventure.

Priceper person from

$2560USD

Options & Supplements*

Single SupplementUSD$1230

*Prices listed are per person

Essential Information

Ready to book? Make sure you download and read the detailed Scenic Trails of the Rockies trip notes which contains all the essential information you need to know before booking. Once you’ve booked, we will supply you with a Pre-Departure document which contains a detailed gear list and other important information to help you prepare for your adventure ahead.