Canadian Rockies Hiking Tour

Long steep wooded valleys, flowery meadows within walking distance of glaciers descended from majestic peaks, lakes of changing colors from navy blue to emerald green, wildlife everywhere, ranches, hot springs, and so on. A beautiful journey in the sumptuous backdrop of the Canadian Rockies.

• Day 1/ Arrival in Calgary
• Day 2/ Lake Louise, Moraine Lake
• Day 3/ Yoho National Park, Iceline trail (Little Yoho Valley, Stanley Mitchell hut)
• Day 4/ Icefield Parkway, Parker ridge, Jasper
• Day 5/ Maligne Lake
• Day 6/ Suwwapta falls, Athabsaca falls, Cave and basin hot springs, Banff
• Day 7/ Cory pass, Calgary
• Day 8/ Depart from Calgary.

The Canadian Rockies, "The Rockies", among these gems that nature has fashioned for the pleasure of the eyes.
The immensity, hundreds of miles without encountering villages, the "wilderness" - one can climb on a summit without seeing any trace of human civilization, everything here is grand and fascinating.
Long steep wooded valleys, flowery meadows at a walking distance from glaciers descending from majestic summits (although of modest altitude i.e. Mount Robson rises to 13,041 feet), lake of changing colors from navy blue to emerald green - this is only a small taste of what we offer through this trip.
We have selected some wonderful spots for you where you can admire the nature and wildlife, still omnipresent.

Day 1/ Arrival in  Calgary
Arriving in Calgary (alt. 3,533 feet), welcome at the hotel. Dinner reception and night at the Sandman Hotel.

Day 2/ Moraine Lake
Route for "Lake Louise" (alt.5,052 feet): 111 miles, 2 H
Hike  to Sentinel Pass (8,547 feet)
Discover "Moraine Lake", "Ten Peaks" and "Larch Valley"
Settle in for two nights in at the Castle Mountain Chalets (2 room chalets with 3 beds and shared shower).
+2,362 feet, 7 miles, 5/6 H walk

Day 3/  Yoho
Route for "Takkakaw Falls" in Yoho National Park: 44 miles, 1 H round trip
Hiking loop: Little Yoho Valley/Stanley Mitchell Hut/Iceline Trail/Whiskey Jack Youth Hostel (highest point 7,349 feet)
Discovery of one of the highest waterfalls in Canada (833 feet height), the secret valley of "Little Yoho "and a panoramic and spectacular journey at the foot of" Vice President "(10,059 feet) and then  a balcony path in the terminal moraines of the Emerald Glacier.
2 nd night at the Castle Mountain Chalets.
+3,543 feet, 13 miles, 7 H walK

Day 4/  Icefields Parkway
Full day exploration of « Icefields Parkway », one of the most beautiful mountain roads of North America- 158 miles
Multiple panoramic stops: Crowfoot Glacier, Peyto Lake etc.
Hiking: Parker Ridge, for a spectacular view of the Saskatchewan Glacier
At Sunwapta Pass, we discover the "Columbia" ice cap and Mount Athabasca (11,460 feet).
We visit the Icefield Information Center and we have the option (cost is 30 CAD/person) to visit the Athabasca Glacier via a snow coach.  The glaciers stretch .6 miles wide and is 984 feet thick.
Arriving in Japser (alt. 3,481 feet): settle in for two nights at the Patricia Lake Bungalows (2 room cottages, 2 beds each room).
+ 820 feet, 3 miles, 2 H walk

Day 5/ Maligne Lake
Route for Lake Maligne: 60 miles, 2 H round trip
Partial loop hike by the Skyline Trail on Bald Hills, incomparable viewpoint from gazebo where we contemplate the most beautiful panorama of Jasper National Park: Maligne Lake, Samson Peak (10,095 feet), Leah Peak (9,219 feet), Opal Peak (8,989 feet) and the Queen Elizabeth Range. We follow the ridges, well above the tree line, which link 3 summits in an area of alpine tundra; caribou habitat.
It is possible to pay as an option, a 1 H 30 boat cruise on the lake to admire the famous "island spirit" (35CAD/person)
2 nd night in Jasper at the Patricia Lake Bungalows
+ 3,248 feet, 12.5 miles, 7 H walk
 
Day 6/  Banff
Route to Banff with new stops at the Icefields Parkway: Sunwapta Falls, Athabasca Falls... 323 miles, 6 H.
Free visit of Banff (alt. 4,541 feet), the capital of the Canadian Rockies. Tempting purchases: Amerindian and Inuit crafts, cowboy hats, mountain hardware.... Two museums to possibly visit, one devoted to the fauna of the Rockies and one to the history of the pioneers of the West. The famous "Banff Springs Hotel" has to be seen and the hot water cave springs are a must! This cave is the origin of all Banff development. To see the city from above, an ascent by cable car (paying option 23.50CAD/person) can be planned.
Overnight in Canmore Hotel (Best Western Pocaterra Inn) at 12 miles from Banff (rooms with two beds, shower).

Day 7/ Cory pass
Hiking Loop, near Banff; Cory-Pass (7,762 feet)/Edith Pass.
Crossing of the Cory Pass hole at the foot of the monolithic Mount Louis south face provides access to Gargoyle valley through which we descend on Edith Pass to complete our loop.
Cory Pass is very wild, stuck between Mount Cory (9,186 feet) and Mount Edith (8,383 feet)
Route to Calgary: 80 miles 1 H 30 walk
Farewell dinner in a restaurant typical of the great western Canada. Night at the Sandman Hotel
+ 3,002 feet, 8 miles, 5 /6 H walk

Day 8/ Depart from Calgary
Breakfast at the rotating and panoramic restaurant on top of the Calgary Tower (627 feet high). Separation.
Return flights back home.

Average distance: 8.5 miles, average climb: + 2,608 feet, average time: 5 / 6 H.
Longest uphill gain in altitude: 3,543 feet
Longest Distance: 13 miles
Maximum duration: 7 H
Maximum altitude: 8,547 feet.

- The walking time schedules are given only as an estimate.
- For different reasons involving trip organization, daily schedules and planned altitude gains (ascent or descent) may be modified without any prior  notice. 

All of your belongings will be divided in two bags: A back-pack that you will be carrying while walking, and a traveling bag that will be carried by the logistics team following us.

An experienced Mountain World Travel English speaking professional guide, specializing in the Rockies Mountains (fauna, flora, history, customs, geology....).

Ground transportation by large air conditioned private van, driven by a driver/guide, and a trailer for luggage.

Calgary (2 nights), Canmore (1 night): Hotel and Inn (excellent category)
Lake Louise (2 nights), Jasper (2 nights): Chalet and/or Hostel
Due to our goal of providing quality accommodations, we seek charming and reputable places located in the middle of the most beautiful landscapes, on the most beautiful view-points or close to the departure of the excursions.
We choose those hotels and lodges, not only for the excellent price/quality ratio, but also for its cordiality and hospitality.

The names of accommodations (hotels, lodges, etc...) when they are indicated, are only indicative.
Depending on availability, accommodations (hotels/Lodges, etc...) may be replaced by another equivalent type.
It is possible that accommodations may change without prior notice due to a number of factors. 

Breakfasts and dinners taken at the accommodation or in restaurant, sometimes prepared by the guide (when nights are spent in hostels-chalets)
Lunch, as a picnic, taken on site.

Although we are an experienced adventure travel company doing our best to respect the itinerary schedule as presented on this detailed itinerary, there is always the possibility that we may need to modify it for different reasons beyond our control. Please read the Registration Conditions: Terms and Booking conditions – Limitations of Liability.

• International flights in/out Calgary
• Transfer airport-hotel round trip
• All services mentioned in Services +/extensions/options
• Personal medical & Travel Insurance
• All items not expressively mentioned in "What's included".

• Drinks
• Personal expenses.
• Tips for guides
• All items not expressively mentioned in "What's included".

As airfare is NOT included in our adventures, please check if your trip is "a guaranteed departure" before confirming your own airline travel arrangements. You can check your trip status at the Mountain World Travel website or contact the Mountain World Travel office at 1 888-MWT-TREK (698-8735).

Our preferred airlines to fly to Calgary:
-      Air Canada
-      all the American airlines.

Formalities for US, Canada, Australia, NZ passports travelers: a valid pasport.
For US citizens, please check with   US Government Travel Entry Exit Requirements
For other nationalities, please contact the Canadian embassy of your country.

Vaccines
No vaccine is obligatory. We advise you, however, to be up date for traditional vaccinations: Diphtheria - Tetanus - Poliomyelitis, Typhoid fever. Vaccination against hepatitis A and B is recommended.

Dentist and doctor
A check up before departure is recommended.

Our advice
Although present in Canada from June 15th to mid-August, mosquitoes are less numerous than in Lapland or in Alaska and they do not carry any disease. Your guide will advise you upon your arrival of the most effective products to buy on the spot.

LEVEL 4
3 months prior:  Hike 10 to 12 miles every weekend or on two consecutive days OR if you are regularly committed, on an annual basis, to another sports activity that develops stamina (jogging, cycling or swimming) for a cumulative duration of 2 to 3 hours per week (without excessive shortness of breath or exceptional fatigue), you should be up to speed.  

 

Basic equipment
- A warm fleece hat
- A cap or a hat to protect from the sun
- Sun glasses (minimum index 3 or 4 for high mountain)
- Thermal top and bottom, short and long) underwear (fast drying).
- Fleece turtle neck top
- A warm fleece jacket (light weight/well insulated).
- A waterproof/breathable shell jacket (Gore-Tex).
- A pair of gloves
- A rain poncho
- Hiking shorts
- Lightweight hiking long pants
- A Camelback or a water bottle.

Shoes and technical material
- Hiking socks
- Light ventilated hiking shoes with a good traction on different type of terrain, for people with fragile ankles: waterproof ankle hiking boots and a sole offering good traction.
- A pair of telescopic walking poles

Luggage
- A back pack equipped with broad straps, with an adjustable anatomical back reinforcement, and a capacity of 7 to 9 gallons, for your daily belongings
- A soft travel bag, which can hold between 18 to 23 gallons that will be transported by the porter team or by vehicle during the day.

Miscellaneous
- A change of clothes.
- A pair of replacement shoe laces
- A dop-kit and a bath towel.
- Toilet paper.
- A pocket knife (not in carry on luggage).
- Some plastic bags to protect your belongings.
- A bathing suit.
- A small pocket anti-theft protection device, to always keep on yourself, along with your identity papers, money, certificate of insurance.

Some advice
During your flight your back pack should contain fragile and useful items that you might need while on the plane (camera, memory cards, jacket, books, magazines, medication, dop-kit etc).