Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival
A driver picks you up from the airport and takes you to your hotel. Once you arrive, you'll meet your guide and get to know the other people on your tour during a pre-tour briefing.
- Start point
- Acclaim Hotel, 123 Freeport Blvd. NE, Calgary, Alberta T3N 2A3, Canada (Lobby of the Acclaim Hotel Airport, 18:30 - 18:30)
- Day 2
Banff National Park
After breakfast, you'll head out by bus through ranch country and the Rocky Mountain foothills into Banff National Park. You'll check in at your hotel for a two-night stay, then get on the trail along Minnewanka Lake or nearby mountain paths. The hike runs about 2 to 3 hours, so you're back with plenty of daylight left.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Orientation drive through Banff National Park
- Hike along Minnewanka Lake or mountain trails (2-3 hours)
Landmarks Banff National Park Minnewanka Lake 
- Day 3
Banff
This is a bigger hiking day with options for how far you want to push. You can trek 7.5 km up 725 m to reach a small alpine lake, and if you're feeling up to it, continue another 2 km into a pass at 2470 m. The views from above the tree line with alpine passes and meadows are what you came for. Later, soak in the warm sulphur pool or walk around Banff's shops to wind down. Plan on 5 to 7 hours of hiking.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Alpine hiking with options for multiple trail difficulties and distances
Optional Activities
- Relax in warm sulphur pool
- Walk through Banff streets and shops
Landmarks Banff National Park - Day 4
Lake Louise
You'll travel to Lake Louise and see why it shows up in every postcard. A 3.5 km hike with 400 m elevation gain gets you to a historic tea house by an alpine lake, but the trails around here open up into much longer options if you want them. The Plain of Six Glaciers circuit is 15 km, or you could tackle a 2.5 km climb with 515 m gain to a summit with exceptional views. You'll set up camp near Lake Louise for two nights. Expect 3 to 5 hours of hiking.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hike to historic tea house at Lake Louise (3.5 km, 400 m gain)
- Access to network of alpine trails
Optional Activities
- Circuit into Plain of Six Glaciers (15 km, 9.3 mi)
- Summit hike with 515 m (1705 ft) gain
Landmarks Lake Louise 
- Day 5
Yoho National Park
You can choose between whitewater rafting on the Kicking Horse River with a trip to Golden, British Columbia, or stick with hiking. If hiking is your pick, you'll do an 18 km circuit through two flower-covered passes and see Emerald Lake from above. There's also time to check out the Natural Bridge, Takakkaw Falls, and Spiral Tunnel in Yoho Park if you want. Hiking takes about 6 hours.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Access to Yoho National Park trails and attractions
Optional Activities
- Whitewater rafting on Kicking Horse River
- Alpine circuit hike (18 km, 11 mi) through two passes
- Visit Natural Bridge, Takakkaw Falls, Spiral Tunnel
Landmarks Emerald Lake Takakkaw Falls Natural Bridge Spiral Tunnel Kicking Horse River 
- Day 6
Icefields Parkway to Jasper
The Icefields Parkway is basically one of the world's top high alpine drives, and you're on it today. Your guide stops frequently at scenic spots like Peyto Lake and Bow Summit for short walks. At Columbia Icefields, you'll hike 2.5 km to a windy ridge at 2260 m for views of Saskatchewan Glacier. Then it's on to Jasper for the night. Total hiking time is about 2 hours.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Travel on Icefields Parkway with scenic stops
- Hike to Saskatchewan Glacier viewpoint (2.5 km, 1.6 mi, 2260 m elevation)
Optional Activities
- Short walks at Peyto Lake and Bow Summit
Landmarks Icefields Parkway Peyto Lake Bow Summit Columbia Icefields Saskatchewan Glacier 
- Day 7
Jasper
Jasper gives you flexibility to structure the day however you like. You could swim and picnic at Pyramid Lake, go mountain biking, trail riding, or canoeing. Or join your guide for a trip to Maligne Lake where you'll do an 8 km loop hike with 460 m elevation gain. The hike takes you up to 2150 m above tree line, and if you're interested, you can reach the 2790 m peak overlooking the lake. This one can be anywhere from 2 to 6 hours depending on what you choose.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Swimming and picnic at Pyramid Lake
- Mountain biking
- Trail riding
- Canoeing
- Guided hike to Maligne Lake (8 km, 5 mile loop)
- Optional ascent to 2790 m peak overlooking Maligne Lake
Landmarks Pyramid Lake Maligne Lake - Day 8
Jasper to Campground
Start by visiting Athabasca Falls, one of the park's main attractions where the water really powers through. Then hike 8 km with 335 m elevation gain into a pass near the Columbia Icefields for glacier and mountain views. Once you're back in Jasper, you'll pick up your camping gear including a tent, sleeping bag, and mattress. Camping meals start tonight, so your first night will be at a campground. The hike takes 2 to 3 hours.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Camping meal)
Included Activities
- Visit Athabasca Falls
- Mountain hike to pass at 2375 m (7980 ft) with glacier views (8 km, 5 mi, 335 m gain)
Landmarks Athabasca Falls Columbia Icefields - Day 9
Maligne Canyon to Canoe Launch
You'll walk through Maligne Canyon where the river cuts through a narrow gorge up to 50 m below you. Then travel to a scenic lake in the foothills to prep for your canoe adventure. There you'll meet new group members and possibly a different guide for the water portion. Instructors teach you paddle strokes, safety, and everything about 2-person open Canadian canoes before you hit the river.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Camping meal)
Included Activities
- Walk along Maligne Canyon
- Canoe instruction and safety training on the lake
Landmarks Maligne Canyon - Days 10 - 12
Athabasca River Canoe Adventure
Your 3-day canoe trip on the Athabasca River kicks off today. You'll pitch tents on sandy islands or along the riverbank for the next 3 nights and spend 5 to 6 hours on the water each day. The river flows fast early season and gets clearer and calmer later in summer. The uninhabited, densely forested valleys are great for spotting wildlife like geese, beavers, eagles, elk, bear, and moose. You'll have time for swimming, fishing, exploring, and campfires.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Camping meal), Lunch (Camping meal), Dinner (Camping meal)
Included Activities
- Multi-day canoe trip on Athabasca River (approximately 160 km)
- Wildlife viewing opportunities (geese, beavers, eagles, elk, bear, moose)
- Campfire activities under the northern lights
Optional Activities
- Swimming
- Fishing
- Exploring along riverbank
Landmarks Athabasca River - Day 13
End of Canoe Trip to Edmonton
After your final day paddling, you'll have completed roughly 160 km of river travel. The bus with your luggage meets you for a 2-hour drive to Edmonton. You'll check into your hotel near West Edmonton Mall, the massive shopping and recreation center. The tour wraps up when you reach the hotel around 18:30.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Camping meal), Lunch (Camping meal)
Included Activities
- Final canoe paddle on Athabasca River
Optional Activities
- Visit West Edmonton Mall (shopping and amusement center)
Landmarks West Edmonton Mall - Day 14
Departure
A driver takes you to Edmonton airport for your flight out.
- End point
- 17803 Stony Plain Road NW, Edmonton, Alberta T5S 1B4, Canada (Quality Inn West Edmonton, 18:30 - 19:30)
