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Tour F |
The Rocky Mountain Parks and Canoe Tour |
Active and close to nature in awe inspiring landscapes during this 2-week trekking tour in Canada's most famous National Parks. A week of exploring your guide's favorite mountain trails is followed by a glorious 4-day wilderness canoe trip down the untamed Athabasca River. An ideal combination of sightseeing, physical challenges and a genuine nature experience.
Demands: easy to moderate mountain hikes with light day pack, no experience necessary for the
canoeing. Your guide has the required qualifications and licenses and accompanies the group on all hikes. |
Tour details:
Day 1: Calgary, Alberta - Transfer from the airport. You meet your guide for pre trip information of your trekking tour during dinner.
If your arrival airport is Edmonton, please ask if transportation to Calgary or Banff is available.
Day 2: Banff National Park - Through ranch country in the foothills you reach Banff National Park. In the forested campground you pitch your tent for the next two nights. This afternoon you go for the first hike, perhaps following the shore of Lake Minnewanka or even reach your first peak at 2508 m (8220 ft). Dinner on the campground by the fire. Hiking time 2 to 3 hours.
Day 3: Banff National Park - A full day hike into the mountains. Your guide knows the best destinations for the time of the year, even the lesser known. For example 7.5 km with 725 m gain (4.7 mi, 2415 ft) to a hidden lake and perhaps another 2 km into the pass at 2470 m (8225 ft). After the workout you might want to relax in the warm sulphur pool or browse through the stores and boutiques in the little town of Banff. Hiking time 5 to 7 hours.
Day 4: Yoho National Park - You take the Transcanada Highway up the valley of the Bow River to famous Lake Louise in picture postcard scenery. One of the choices here is a 7 km trek with 600 m gain (4.6 mi, 1998 ft) to a lookout at 2135 m (7660 ft) with a view across the lake. Through Kicking Horse Pass you enter Yoho Park at the western flank of the Rockies. Before heading into the back country you set up camp for the next two nights. Hiking time 3 to 5 hours.
Day 5: Yoho National Park - The Kicking Horse River, rushing west out of the mountains, is perfect for white water rafting. Take the opportunity for 5 hours of thrills and lots of action in 8-person rubber rafts. But Yoho Park is also famous for its most outstanding network of trails to snow fields, waterfalls, fossil beds and other wonders in the high alpine. Let the guide take you on an 18 km (11 mi) loop with 880 m gain (2930 ft) through two passes alpine meadows and birds eye views of turquoise coloured Emerald Lake. Hiking time 6 hours.
Day 6: Icefields Parkway - There are countless photo opportunities along the Icefields Parkway on your way into the heart of the Rockies, famous names like Peyto Lake and Bow Summit. In these 17000 sqkm (6538 sqmi) parks you probably see wapiti, bighorn sheep and sometimes bears right by the side of the road. The best view of Saskatchewan Glacier is gained after a steep, 2.5 km ascent of a windswept ridge. Three days on a campground near the little mountain town of Jasper. Hiking time 2 hours.
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| photo: J. Coles |
the camp fire |
Day 7: Jasper National Park - A side trip to Maligne Lake. Here you can follow your guide on an 8 km (5 mile) circuit through flower covered alpine meadows to an elevation of 2150 m (7190 ft) or even climb higher up to the peak at 2789 m (9290 ft). Trail rides or a boat cruise can be arranged as options. How about renting a mountain bike to explore the surroundings? Hiking time 2 to 6 hours.
Day 8: Jasper National Park - The Athabasca Falls and a walk into it's canyon count among the attractions of this park. Trails at the Columbia Icefields start already near tree line which makes hiking in this area most rewarding. The guide recommends an 11 km loop with 335 m gain (6.8 mi, 1115 ft) through a pass at 2375 m (7908 ft). Hiking time 3 hours.
Day 9: Canoe Training - You walk along Maligne canyon, the river roaring through a narrow gorge, up to 50 m (165 ft) below you. Now a short drive to a pretty lake in the foothills where you prepare for the canoe tour. In 2-person open Canadian canoes you learn the basic paddle strokes and safety precautions. You receive tips regarding personal equipment, work sharing of the crews and conduct in the wilderness. No experience is necessary. The selected river stretches are not dangerous, even for the beginner, but the current, numerous rapids, and gravel bars demand constant vigilance. Experienced canoeists find plenty of challenge in this wilderness setting. Safety and the comfort of the participants are the main concerns of the guides.
Days 10 to 12: On The River - Not needed luggage may stay in safe keeping. Now you start the river adventure: For the next 3 nights you pitch your tent on sandy islands or comfortable spots along the shore. The route depends on the water level. The Athabasca River, fed by glaciers and clear forest streams, runs high and fast in the early season, clear, blue and lazy later into the summer. Even at low water, portaging is never necessary. In the densely forested, uninhabited valleys you have excellent opportunities to spot wild geese, beavers, eagles, elk, bear, and moose. Five or six hours daily are spent on the river, sometimes leisurely drifting downstream, but always with an eye out for rapids and obstacles. There is time for swimming, fishing, exploring and campfires under the northern lights.
Day 13: Edmonton, Alberta - One more day on the Athabasca and after 160 km (100 mi) on the river you reach the end of your canoe tour. The bus is waiting for the return trip to Edmonton. Your guided trekking tour ends with arrival at the hotel.
Day 14: Transfer to the Edmonton airport.
No-charge transportation to the Calgary airport is most probably availabe tomorrow (Sunday). Arrival app. 15:30
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Tour Slideshow
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Tour Map
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Tour Price:
 CAD$ 2390.00
including 2.5% taxes
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Schedule 2010
 seats available
 almost full
 sold out
13.06 - 26.06 G
27.06 - 10.07 G
04.07 - 17.07
11.07 - 24.07 G
18.07 - 31.07
25.07 - 07.08 G
01.08 - 14.08
08.08 - 21.08 G
15.08 - 28.09
22.08 - 04.09 G
29.08 - 11.09
05.09 - 18.09 G
guaranteed departures
G with the date means the guide is bilingual (English and German).
start time: 6:30 pm
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Included:
all transfers, transportation in passenger van, 2 nights in hotels (twin) with breakfasts, other nights in spacious tents (2 pers./tent), welcome gift, all meals to arrival in Edmonton, camping equipment (except sleeping bag), hard-foam mattress, admission to the National Parks, camping fees, 5 days with 2-pers. canoes, paddles, life vest, 30 liter canoe bag, services of a bilingual guide (English and French for above dates without "G").
Not included:
personal equipment, alcoholic everages.
Extras:
mountainbike rental: $30.00
whitewater rafting: $120.00
Single room and tent: $230.00 including 2.5% taxes.
Group size: max 12 persons, dates are guaranteed.
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 Tour description as PDF document
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©Timberwolf Tours, August 2010