Canadian Rockies Wilderness Walk 13 Days
 
 
 
 
Itinerary
DAY 1 – CALGARY
Welcome to Calgary, the gateway to the Canadian Rockies, where you can take time before the tour begins to explore this cosmopolitan city with its skyscrapers and booming oil industry. Calgary has historically been famous for its ‘Wild West’ roots but in recent years has become a dynamic and exciting city. It oozes Western culture, a feature that earned it the nickname ‘Cowtown’ – evident in the Calgary Stampede. Join your tour guide and fellow travelers for a welcome meeting at 18:00 hrs in the hotel lobby.
Included: Hotel
Optional Activities: Calgary Tower CAD $18 | Canada Olympic Park CAD $12+ depending on the number of activities (20 minutes by car or 1-hour using public transport) | Western saloon evening CAD$10
Meals: Meals paid locally

DAY 2 – LAKE LOUISE
Today we go west in the heart of the Rockies, onto Lake Louise, your base for the next three nights. Upon arrival, take in the epic panorama of the Chateau Lake Louise and warm up those hiking boots with a walk on the Lake Agnes beside the emerald-colored lake for views of Victoria Glacier. Hike through old-growth forest before reaching spectacular views of Lake Louise from above and then continue along the trail until you reach Lake Agnes and a rustic teahouse, providing much-needed refreshment before the descent back down to your campsite near Lake Louise.
Included: Camping
Optional Activities: Aerial gondola/tramway – Banff CAD $62
Meals: Lunch and dinner

DAY 3 – LAKE LOUISE
Take a short transfer to Moraine Lake, neighbor to Lake Louise and situated in the scenic Valley of the Ten Peaks. Hike along the Larch Valley before climbing to Sentinel Pass for magnificent views of Banff National Park backcountry. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife including elk, porcupine, and bears, which are often sighted on the trail. From here you can either hike back or start your descent along the Paradise Valley to end this loop trail. This is one of Banff’s premier hiking trails, so do expect to see a few fellow hikers on the trail too.
Included: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included

DAY 4 – YOHO NATIONAL PARK
Cross the Continental Divide north along the Kicking Horse River towards Yoho National Park. Yoho, meaning ‘wonder’ in the Cree Indian language, is home to some beautiful alpine scenery, which is best explored on foot. Your trail today delivers striking views of Takakkaw Falls, Daly Glacier, and Yoho River. Overshadowed by the neighboring parks of Banff and Jasper, Yoho National Park is the hidden treasure of the Canadian National Parks System. If you don’t fancy seeing the trail through the entire 21kms, you can hike a section of the trail and join an optional rafting excursion in the afternoon, on the glacier-fed Kicking Horse River.
Included: Camping
Optional Activities: Whitewater rafting on the Kicking Horse River CAD $100-$170 (you will not have time to hike and white-water raft)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included

DAY 5 – JASPER NATIONAL PARK
Today you journey over to Jasper National Park so keep your eyes peeled for wildlife such as Black Bears and Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep which are in abundance. On your way, you will hike the Parker Ridge trail with the chance to see Saskatchewan Glacier. The trail climbs quickly until it gets above the treeline. The trail does not actually reach the summit of Parker Ridge, but it comes within about 60 vertical meters of it and the views are simply incredible. Tonight, you’ll set up camp underneath the watchful gaze of Jasper’s rugged peaks, your home for the next three nights. En route, along the Icefield Parkway, you’ll have the opportunity for a hike on Athabasca Glacier (please let your guide know on day one if you’re interested as this activity is prone to selling out).
Included: Camping
Optional Activities: Mountain biking in Jasper CAD $15-$75 | Miette hot springs in Jasper CAD $7
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

DAY 6 – JASPER NATIONAL PARK
Jasper is much quieter than some other national parks, making it easier to leave the crowds behind. Take the trail to Cavell Meadows at the foot of Angel Glacier for a true wilderness feel. After climbing up, you reach the alpine terrain with a great chance to watch caribous! This is a great way to find out more about the ever-changing environment of this stunning national park.
Included: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included

DAY 7 – JASPER NATIONAL PARK
Today you hike the Sulphur Skyline trail which has some of the most breath-taking panoramas that Jasper has to offer. You hike the five-mile trek to the mountain peak overlooking a phenomenally rugged section of the Canadian Rockies. Of course, a great way to finish the day is with a soak in Miette Hot Springs to ease those aching muscles, which is why we’ve included this for you (don’t forget your swimwear).
Included: Camping
Optional Activities: Miette hot springs CA$7 | Mountain biking CA$15-$75 | SkyTram cable car CA$45
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included

DAY 8 – ICEFIELDS PARKWAY – LANDSLIDE LAKE
Today you take a short helicopter flight to Landslide Lake where you are dropped in the alpine, far away from other hikers, to trek through the wilderness. You’ll set up our camp here for the next three nights at a wilderness camp devoid of other travellers, facilities, picnic tables or the modernities of everyday life. It is important to be aware that you will not be staying in a campsite, this is the Canadian wilderness and your guide will set up tent where it’s best; there is no determined camping spot. You will not have access to showers or modern toilets during your three-night stay, and each day your guide will hoist food into the trees and away from bears. After arrival and having set up your camp, your guide will take you on a hike around the Landslide Lake area.
Please note: We ask that customers take no more cargo than 20 pounds each (including carry-on) for 3 nights and that it is packed in a soft small gym bag. If you wish to leave luggage behind, this can be stored inside the trailer, which is left parked at the helicopter company.
Included: Wild camping
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included

DAY 9-10 – LANDSLIDE LAKE
You have many options for the next two days ranging from steady walks through alpine meadows to strenuous treks to surrounding ridges. Your tour guides will suggest hiking choices such as Lake of the Fall hike or an unnamed pass hike (amongst others). All hikes offer a true experience in the wilderness of the Rockies, but it is important to remember that there are no designated trails, you’re in the wilderness and there are no ‘official trails’. It is public land and ungoverned by a national park. Your guides will make decisions based on the capabilities of the group. Bear spray on hand in the rare event it is required.
Included: Wild Camping
Optional Activities: One-day fishing permit CA $30 | Seven-day fishing permit CA$60 (Plus CA8.50 wildlife identification
number (for both options))
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included

DAY 11 – BANFF NATIONAL PARK
This morning you fly out in a spectacular helicopter flight to reach Cline River before heading to Banff National Park by road. You’ll be based out of Banff for a two nights stay and be able to explore more thrilling hiking trails by foot. In the afternoon, you will discover Minnewanka Lake, a large glacier lake of 5 kilometers, for an easy hike by the rocky shore or simply relax by the water. Visit the Banff area, relax on Banff Upper Hot Springs or rent a canoe and paddle along the Bow River for a little watery adventure.
Included: Camping
Optional Activities: Sulphur Mountain hot springs CAD $8
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
DAY 12 – BANFF NATIONAL PARK
This 14-km loop trail is well worth the strenuous workout up 981m to the Cory Pass, behind Mt. Edith, past Mt. Louis and through the Edith Pass on the way back to the trailhead. From the Fireside Picnic area, you follow the trail 1 km to the Cory pass junction. You then climb most of the 915 m over 4.5 km, eventually reaching above the tree line. There are several points to take photos and catch your breath along the way. Once through the Cory pass, you will follow a rough trail for about 3.5 km through scree fields and across avalanche paths until you regain the main hiking trail at Edith Pass. Descend along the drainage through the forest between Mt. Norquay and Mt. Edith until you loop past the Cory Pass junction again and then to the trailhead. This is a nice hike and a favorite of the local climbing community.
Included: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
DAY 13 – KANANASKIS COUNTRY – CALGARY
The tour is nearly coming to an end but there is time for one last chance to hit the trails and sample the Canadian Rockies. Today (depending on weather conditions) you will more than likely hike the Cascade Amphitheatre trail. This hike begins at the Mt. Norquay ski area, crosses a bridge over Forty Mile Creek, then traverses through dense forest to the Cascade Amphitheatre. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled as you emerge into the amphitheater, enclosed by limestone cliffs, as there are common wildflowers early season. After this, you make a beeline for Calgary where your tour ends at approximately 17:00 hrs.
Included: None included. Tour ends at 17:00 hrs
Meals: Breakfast included
 
Included
•    Trek through the wilderness of the Canadian Rockies with a series of named hiking trails
•    Enjoy a three-night Heli-hike experience within the Canadian wilderness area of Landslide Lake
•    Drive the breathtaking Icefields Parkway
•    Wildlife viewing opportunities
•    Sweeping views of Moraine Lake
•    Forested walks through alpine covered valleys
•    Views of Saskatchewan Glacier
•    Three nights in the Lake Louise area
•    Walk to Takakkaw Falls in Yoho National Park
•    Three nights in Jasper National Park
•    Two professional tour guides to allow greater support
•    All transportation by private vehicle
•    11 breakfasts, 11 lunches and 9 dinners
Not Included
•    Optional Activities
•    Tour Guide Gratuities