Day 1 Calgary | Arrival
Transfer from the airport to your hotel. Meet your guide for pre-tour information in the hotel.
Day 2 Calgary to Banff | Hike
After breakfast you board the bus for the drive through ranch country in the foot hills into Banff National Park. After an orientation drive of the surrounding area you will check into the hotel in the lively little holiday town of Banff for the next two nights. Now it is time for the first hike along the shores of Minnewanka Lake or on one of the many mountain trails near Banff. Hiking time is 2 – 3 hours.
Day 3 Banff National Park Region | Hike
On a full day hike you will explore passes above the tree line and alpine meadows. For example, 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 or walk along the busy streets of Banff with its many stores and visitors from around the world. Hiking time is 5 – 7 hours.
Day 4 Banff to Lake Louise | Hike
Start the day with a 90-minute drive into the postcard scenery surrounding Lake Louise. Hike the 3.5 km (2 mi) path with 400 m gain (1325 ft) to the historic tea house by an alpine lake. 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. Spend the night at a hotel in Lake Louise. Hiking time is 3 – 5 hours.
Day 5 Lake Louise Region | Hike
There is an opportunity for a great white-water rafting trip on the Kicking Horse River today, but of course hiking is always an alternative. Among the choice of trails, your guide will show you an 18 km (11 mi) circuit through two flower decorated passes at 1830 m and 2180 m (6093 ft and 7250 ft). The Natural Bridge, Takakkaw Falls, Spiral Tunnel are other attractions of Yoho Park. Hiking time is 6 hours.
Day 6 Lake Louise to Jasper National Park | Hike
Enjoy frequent stops and short excursions along the stunning Icefields Parkway on your way into the heart of the Rockies, including Peyto Lake and Bow Summit. At the Columbia Icefields, huge glaciers spawn rivers which eventually flow into 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 your hotel in this small mountain town. Hiking time is 2 hours.
Day 7 Jasper National Park | Hike
So many possibilities, including swimming and a picnic at Pyramid Lake, mountain biking, trail rides, canoeing, or join your guide for a side trip to Maligne Lake and an 8 km (5 mile) loop hike with 460 m gain (1532 ft) into the hills above the 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 is 2 – 6 hours.
Day 8 Jasper to Calgary | Hike
Mighty Athabasca Falls count among the attractions of this park. Trails near the Columbia Icefields start at tree line and are especially rewarding thanks to their magnificent views of the glaciers and surrounding ranges. Your farewell to the Rockies is the 8 km (5 mi) hike with 335 m (1155 ft) gain into a pass at 2375 m (7980 ft). Now the transfer back to Calgary. Arrival at the hotel at about 7:00 pm. Hiking time 2 – 3 hours.
Day 9 Calgary | Departure
Breakfast on your own and transfer to the airport with the hotel shuttle bus.
