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Alberta: Banff & the Canadian Rockies
6 Days
Starting From
$3,348
7 Days
Starting From
$4,048
per person, double occupancy
Want more from your experience?
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Alberta’s majestic wildlife and Rocky Mountain landscapes are well worth whistling over.
Somewhere near the Continental Divide, a marmot greets you with a whistle. This is what wildlife looks like 7,000 feet above sea level in Banff’s Sunshine Meadows. Waves of mountains stretch to the horizon, and infinite green meadows blaze with fireweed and purple fleabane. By the cobalt waters of Rock Isle Lake, you pause to absorb it all. Wildlife and breathtaking views are par for the course on this Banff walking tour in the Canadian Rockies. Moose outnumber people some mornings at your Kananaskis lodge, and “traffic jam” just means families of bighorn sheep crossing the road at Lake Minnewanka. North American nature doesn’t get any grander.
Highlights
- Gaze upon the glassy waters of Lake Minnewanka.
- Marvel at the vibrant display of wildflowers from a gondola over Sunshine Meadows, surrounded by soaring, snowcapped mountain peaks.
- Take in magnificent scenery in Banff National Park, pausing to appreciate the enduring beauty of the Canadian Rockies.
- Learn about Banff’s pioneers and artists on a guided historical tour.
- Engage in farm-to-table dining experiences with traditional, fine cuisine.
- Explore pristine Spray Valley Provincial Park in Kananaskis, as you hike the scenic Chester Lake Trail for gorgeous alpine lake views.
- Stretch out by the warm fireplace with your group members at the end of each fulfilling day.
- Spot local wildlife amid sweeping landscapes in what is sure to make a jaw-dropping photograph.
Itinerary
Depart from home for Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Please refer to your air itinerary for your specific flight details.
Upon your arrival at Calgary International Airport, a representative holding a Country Walkers sign meets you as you exit the baggage claim area. A complimentary small-group transfer is provided to your city center hotel approximately 30 minutes away. The remainder of the day is at your leisure (no meals included).
If you are going to be delayed meeting our transfer representative for more than 15 minutes due to delayed or lost luggage, please contact Allianz Global Assistance to advise of your delay and they will contact our transfer service. Our drivers are generally able to wait for up to 45 minutes from the time your flight lands, after which you would be responsible for your own transfer.
Please note: If you arrive early, your hotel room may not be available until 3:00 p.m., in which case you may store your luggage with the reception desk.
Country Walkers provides you with City Information including recommendations on what to see and do in Calgary during your stay.
Accommodation: Hotel Arts, Calgary
Lake Minnewanka; 4–6 miles, easy
Breakfast is included at your hotel. You will have the morning to visit a few sites in Calgary, perhaps strolling the cobbled streets of Stephen Avenue, lined with historical buildings and shops. Your guide(s) meet you at 12:00 p.m. in the lobby of your Calgary hotel. Please be dressed for walking and plan to eat lunch before meeting your group.
If your arrival at the Calgary hotel is scheduled for later than 12:00 p.m. or if you are delayed, you must travel at your own expense to our Banff hotel. Banff Airporter (banffairporter.com) and Brewster Banff Airport Express (brewster.ca/transportation/brewster-banff-airport-express) offer shuttles between Calgary International Airport and Banff. Costs are approximately $65 CAD per person one-way. Please contact the Moose Hotel and Suites to advise of any travel delays or changes, and the staff will pass your message on to your Country Walkers guide(s). Please note that if you miss the Country Walkers’ transfer from Calgary, you will miss the first walk in Banff. Once you arrive in Banff, check into your room. Meet your guide(s) as soon as they return from the walk with the rest of the group (around 5:00 p.m.).
Once you arrive in Banff with your guide(s) enjoy a first walk at Lake Minnewanka. As you follow its pathways along the glassy-surfaced lake, marvel at your first up-close views of Banff National Park, a stunning canvas of spruce and fir trees and rugged peaks skirted by pine-green forest.
Tonight, gather for a welcome reception followed by dinner in Banff.
Accommodation: Moose Hotel & Suites, Banff
Included Meals: Dinner
Banff walking tour; 2 miles, easy. Lake Louise; 2.5-4 miles, easy to moderate
Satisfied from a hearty breakfast, head out for a historical walking tour of Banff followed by free time to visit the Whyte Museum and learn about the cultural heritage of the Canadian Rockies or browse the shops in town.
After lunch on your own in Banff, transfer to Lake Louise for a casual stroll along the lake. If time allows, ascend along the trail toward Plain of Six Glaciers. Transfer back to your hotel to relax.
Tonight, your guides will provide recommendations for dinner on your own.
Accommodation: Moose Hotel & Suites, Banff
Included Meals: Breakfast
Sunshine Meadows Monarch Viewpoint; 3 miles, easy or Sunshine Meadows Standish & Rock Isle Viewpoints; 4.5 miles, easy to moderate. Available until mid-September
Awake to the cool mountain air and another full breakfast. Shuttle 20 minutes to Sunshine Village, a ski resort that straddles the Continental Divide and the border between Alberta and British Columbia. Here, you will ascend the summit by gondola and chairlift, admiring sweeping views. At the top, take time to marvel at Banff’s magnificent Sunshine Meadows, a vast natural garden set in an enormous valley surrounded by breathtaking peaks. Take in its riot of colorful wildflowers, rolling green slopes and glistening lakes. During your visit to the summit, learn about the vegetation and ecosystem of this fascinating world above the tree line from your guides. You will have an opportunity to hike one of the ridgeline trails, a thrilling preview of more magnificent landscapes to follow throughout your walking vacation. Enjoy a boxed lunch on top of the world, with stunning views of the pyramidal Mount Assiniboine. Nicknamed the “Matterhorn of the Rockies” for its resemblance to the Swiss peak, it is the highest mountain in the southern range of the Canadian Rockies.
Transfer to your lodge in Kananaskis (1 ½ hours driving time), your home for the next three nights. Upon arrival, check in and unwind before joining your group for dinner at the lodge.
Please note: For guests on our late September departures, you will hike to Stanley Glacier instead of Sunshine Meadows as the gondola and shuttle bus service to Sunshine Meadows does not operate in from mid-September. Located in Kootenay National Park, this easy half-day outing runs from the Vermillion River to a rockbound hanging valley containing Stanley Glacier. The hike is especially rewarding in the early summer when wildflowers blanket the trailside, and numerous waterfalls and avalanches tumble off Stanley Peak’s northeast face.
Accommodation: Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, Kananaskis Country
Alternate Accommodation: Crosswaters Resort, Kananaskis Country for the September 12-17, 2021 tour
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Chester Lake; 6 miles, 1,391-ft. elevation gain, easy with some moderate sections or Karst Spring; 6 miles, 990-ft. elevation gain, easy with some moderate sections
After breakfast and a one-hour shuttle, you hike the Chester Lake Trail, one of the most scenic hikes in Spray Valley Provincial Park, in Kananaskis Country. The wide and easy-to-follow trail meanders through forests and stunning alpine meadows surrounded by towering peaks.
While it’s a bit steep at points and there are a few switchbacks, the trail eventually opens into a scenic mountain valley. Enjoy a boxed lunch on the trail before returning to the lodge for an afternoon tea. Note: Because of Covid restrictions only massages are currently available at the spa. Maybe catch a nap before rejoining your group for another relaxing dinner at the lodge.
Accommodation: Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, Kananaskis Country
Alternate Accommodation: Crosswaters Resort, Kananaskis Country for the September 12-17 2021 tour
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ptarmigan Cirque; 3 miles, moderate, 760-ft. elevation gain. Coal Mine Trail; 3 miles, easy. 839-ft. elevation gain.
This morning, you journey to Elbow Sheep Wildland, the north end of Kananaskis Country and the start of the Ptarmigan Cirque, a high mountain bowl between Mount Arethusa and Mount Rae.
You begin climbing up the Highwood Pass through a forest of alpine larch, subalpine fir, and Engelmann spruce. Along the way, the wooded path opens and levels out into a breathtaking circular alpine meadow filled with wildflowers, complete with a glacial stream. As you bask in the grand views of the meadow and surrounding mountain peaks, you enjoy a trailside snack by the waterfall while keeping an eye out for bighorn sheep. This loop trail is rated moderate due to a short section of steep switchbacks in the beginning. Aside from the switchbacks, the hike takes little effort.
Next, shuttle to the Coal Mine Trail. The coal mine operated from 1947 to 1952. This hike has a steady incline on a wide trail through the forest and then narrows and opens up to great views. Pause here to enjoy your bag lunch while the wind blows through the grass, and perhaps you will be inspired to make an Inuksuk before heading back down. Alternatively, you may prefer an optional afternoon horseback riding at Boundary Ranch. Your guides will provide more information on tour.
Tonight, you dine at the lodge. During our special farewell dinner, savor locally sourced food served family-style accompanied by wines from British Columbia.
Accommodation: Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, Kananaskis Country
Alternate Accommodation: Crosswaters Resort, Kananaskis Country for the September 12-17, 2021 tour
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy an early breakfast and bid farewell to your hosts. Then, shuttle to Calgary International Airport (YYC) at 8:15 a.m. (1 ½ hours travel time); you’ll arrive by 9:45 a.m. for your return flight. We recommend a flight out of Calgary no earlier than 12:00 p.m.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Lake Minnewanka; 4–6 miles, easy
Your guide(s) meet you at 12:00 p.m. in the lobby of your designated meeting point hotel in Calgary. Your guide(s) will be wearing a Country Walkers shirt. Please be dressed for walking and plan to eat lunch before meeting your group.
If your arrival at the Calgary hotel is scheduled for later than 12:00 p.m. or if you are delayed, you must travel at your own expense to our Banff hotel. Banff Airporter (banffairporter.com) and Brewster Banff Airport Express (brewster.ca/transportation/brewster-banff-airport-express) offer shuttles between Calgary International Airport and Banff. Costs are approximately $65 CAD per person one-way. Please contact the Moose Hotel and Suites to advise of any travel delays or changes, and the staff will pass your message on to your Country Walkers guide(s). Please note that if you miss the Country Walkers’ transfer from Calgary, you will miss the first walk in Banff. Once you arrive in Banff, check into your room. Meet your guide(s) as soon as they return from the walk with the rest of the group (around 5:00 p.m.).
Once you arrive in Banff with your guide(s) enjoy a first walk at Lake Minnewanka. As you follow its pathways along the glassy-surfaced lake, marvel at your first up-close views of Banff National Park, a stunning canvas of spruce and fir trees and rugged peaks skirted by pine-green forest.
Tonight, gather for a welcome reception followed by dinner in Banff.
Accommodation: Moose Hotel & Suites, Banff
Included Meals: Dinner
Banff walking tour; 2 miles, easy. Lake Louise; 2.5-4 miles, easy to moderate
Satisfied from a hearty breakfast, head out for a historical walking tour of Banff followed by free time to visit the Whyte Museum and learn about the cultural heritage of the Canadian Rockies or browse the shops in town.
After lunch on your own in Banff, transfer to Lake Louise for a casual stroll along the lake. If time allows, ascend along the trail toward Plain of Six Glaciers. Transfer back to your hotel to relax.
Tonight, your guides will provide recommendations for dinner on your own.
Accommodation: Moose Hotel & Suites, Banff
Included Meals: Breakfast
Sunshine Meadows Monarch Viewpoint; 3 miles, easy or Sunshine Meadows Standish & Rock Isle Viewpoints; 4.5 miles, easy to moderate. Available until mid-September
Awake to the cool mountain air and another full breakfast. Shuttle 20 minutes to Sunshine Village, a ski resort that straddles the Continental Divide and the border between Alberta and British Columbia. Here, you will ascend the summit by gondola and chairlift, admiring sweeping views. At the top, take time to marvel at Banff’s magnificent Sunshine Meadows, a vast natural garden set in an enormous valley surrounded by breathtaking peaks. Take in its riot of colorful wildflowers, rolling green slopes and glistening lakes. During your visit to the summit, learn about the vegetation and ecosystem of this fascinating world above the tree line from your guides. You will have an opportunity to hike one of the ridgeline trails, a thrilling preview of more magnificent landscapes to follow throughout your walking vacation. Enjoy a boxed lunch on top of the world, with stunning views of the pyramidal Mount Assiniboine. Nicknamed the “Matterhorn of the Rockies” for its resemblance to the Swiss peak, it is the highest mountain in the southern range of the Canadian Rockies.
Transfer to your lodge in Kananaskis (1 ½ hours driving time), your home for the next three nights. Upon arrival, check in and unwind before joining your group for dinner at the lodge.
Please note: For guests on our late September departures, you will hike to Stanley Glacier instead of Sunshine Meadows as the gondola and shuttle bus service to Sunshine Meadows does not operate in from mid-September. Located in Kootenay National Park, this easy half-day outing runs from the Vermillion River to a rockbound hanging valley containing Stanley Glacier. The hike is especially rewarding in the early summer when wildflowers blanket the trailside, and numerous waterfalls and avalanches tumble off Stanley Peak’s northeast face.
Accommodation: Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, Kananaskis Country
Alternate Accommodation: Crosswaters Resort, Kananaskis Country for the September 12-17, 2021 tour
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Chester Lake; 6 miles, 1,391-ft. elevation gain, easy with some moderate sections or Karst Spring; 6 miles, 990-ft. elevation gain, easy with some moderate sections
After breakfast and a one-hour shuttle, you hike the Chester Lake Trail, one of the most scenic hikes in Spray Valley Provincial Park, in Kananaskis Country. The wide and easy-to-follow trail meanders through forests and stunning alpine meadows surrounded by towering peaks.
While it’s a bit steep at points and there are a few switchbacks, the trail eventually opens into a scenic mountain valley. Enjoy a boxed lunch on the trail before returning to the lodge for an afternoon tea. Note: Because of Covid restrictions only massages are currently available at the spa. Maybe catch a nap before rejoining your group for another relaxing dinner at the lodge.
Accommodation: Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, Kananaskis Country
Alternate Accommodation: Crosswaters Resort, Kananaskis Country for the September 12-17 2021 tour
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ptarmigan Cirque; 3 miles, moderate, 760-ft. elevation gain. Coal Mine Trail; 3 miles, easy. 839-ft. elevation gain.
This morning, you journey to Elbow Sheep Wildland, the north end of Kananaskis Country and the start of the Ptarmigan Cirque, a high mountain bowl between Mount Arethusa and Mount Rae.
You begin climbing up the Highwood Pass through a forest of alpine larch, subalpine fir, and Engelmann spruce. Along the way, the wooded path opens and levels out into a breathtaking circular alpine meadow filled with wildflowers, complete with a glacial stream. As you bask in the grand views of the meadow and surrounding mountain peaks, you enjoy a trailside snack by the waterfall while keeping an eye out for bighorn sheep. This loop trail is rated moderate due to a short section of steep switchbacks in the beginning. Aside from the switchbacks, the hike takes little effort.
Next, shuttle to the Coal Mine Trail. The coal mine operated from 1947 to 1952. This hike has a steady incline on a wide trail through the forest and then narrows and opens up to great views. Pause here to enjoy your bag lunch while the wind blows through the grass, and perhaps you will be inspired to make an Inuksuk before heading back down. Alternatively, you may prefer an optional afternoon horseback riding at Boundary Ranch. Your guides will provide more information on tour.
Tonight, you dine at the lodge. During our special farewell dinner, savor locally sourced food served family-style accompanied by wines from British Columbia.
Accommodation: Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, Kananaskis Country
Alternate Accommodation: Crosswaters Resort, Kananaskis Country for the September 12-17, 2021 tour
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy an early breakfast and bid farewell to your hosts. Then, shuttle to Calgary International Airport (YYC) at 8:15 a.m. (1 ½ hours travel time); you’ll arrive by 9:45 a.m. for your return flight. We recommend a flight out of Calgary no earlier than 12:00 p.m.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations
Hotel Arts
The Hotel Arts exudes an original and contemporary atmosphere in the heart of Calgary. This fine hotel is located in the up-and-coming Victoria Park neighborhood, home to a wave of exciting new developments, including a mile-long stretch of restaurants and bars. Four blocks north, explore the historic Stephen Avenue, lined with chic bistros, cocktail bars and the citys most fashionable boutiques and shopping. During your stay, sample the hotels raw bar or enjoy dinner on the outdoor poolside patio. If youd like to explore the city by bicycle, the property offers complimentary use of Brooklyn Cruiser bikes.The hotel is air conditioned and free WiFi is available throughout.
Moose Hotel & Suites
Located just a minute’s walk from downtown Banff, the new Moose Hotel & Suites is a four-star boutique hotel. The property’s rich, natural materials combine to create warm mountain elegance. During your stay, you may wish to partake of the on-site Meadow Spa & Pools, featuring treatment rooms, an indoor swimming pool, and two spectacular rooftop hot tubs with splendid mountain views. Modern amenities include in-room WiFi and air conditioning.
Linger Longer with a Tour Extension
2021 Post-Tour Extension - Calgary
- 1 breakfast
- 1 night at Hotel Arts or Hotel Clique Calgary Airport
- City Information
- Airport transfer
1 Night From $198
per person, double occupancy
Single Supplement: From $148
Once you’ve had an early breakfast at your lodge, bid farewell to your hosts. At 7:30 a.m. a shuttle will depart for your downtown Calgary hotel, with a drop-off at Calgary International Airport (2 ¼ hours travel time). You’ll arrive at your Calgary city hotel by 11:00 a.m.
After settling in, you can explore this sophisticated city with ease, walking to many of its landmarks and attractions from your hotel. Browse the art collections at the Glenbow Museum, ascend the Calgary Tower for splendid city views, wander among the shops on Stephen Avenue, lined with historical buildings, or explore Prince’s Island Park, a peaceful urban green space in the Bow River. Local favorites include Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, and (just a short stroll away) the Sidewalk Citizen Bakery. From there, continue on the urban pathways along the Bow River to Fort Calgary (a five-kilometer walk). This evening, you will have many options for dinner on your own.
Accommodation: Hotel Arts, Calgary
Alternate hotel: Hotel Clique Calgary Airport (for one tour July 4 – 9)
Included Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, transfer to Calgary International Airport for your flight home.
A complimentary small-group transfer is provided to Calgary International Airport based upon your departure time. (Transfer time to be communicated by your guides on tour.)
Included Meals: Breakfast
What's Included | Flight + Tour Combo | Tour Only |
|---|---|---|
| Exceptional mountain accommodations |  |
|
| All on-tour meals except 2 lunches and 1 dinner | |
|
| Local guides with you throughout tour (two guides for groups of 8 or more) | |
|
| Local wine and/or beer with dinner | |
|
| Entrance fees and special events as noted in the itinerary | |
|
| Travel assistance available 24/7 provided by Allianz | |
|
| Roundtrip airfare | |
|
| One extra night in Calgary | |
|
| Airport car service for arrival and by your guides at departure | |
|
| Pre-tour breakfast | |
|
| Business-class upgrades available | |
Expert Local Guides
Experience your destination like an insider with people who call it home.
David Bazin
Despite being a true French Canadian, David Bazin’s accent might surprise you with it’s Australian twang with a bit of British and even some French! One might say that he is well traveled, but, as he likes to say : “as long as we understand each other”! The mountains are David’s first love, although his passion for wildlife is a close second. His dedication to and knowledge about the environment are true assets as he takes you to some of the most spectacular places in Canada.
Simon Fortier
Simon Fortier is always in pursuit of the next adventure and his desire to discover Canada’s natural wonders has taken him all over the country. Particularly memorable are the times he’s guided wildlife observation and multi-sport expeditions across the Canadian arctic, where he has sometimes spent more than 30 consecutive days out on the land! He has trekked, skied, rafted, kayaked, and canoed through some of the most beautiful areas his native Canada has to offer. Simon is known for having kept his childish heart with his endless energy and curiosity and it’s his desire to live great experiences that makes every trip with Simon inspiring and so much fun.
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