Day 1:
Calgary
During this two-week camping holiday in the Canadian Rockies and the Rocky Mountain national parks your playground is surrounded by the most spectacular peaks and summits. There are no technical ascents, no backpacking, only moderate to demanding day hikes. Between sightseeing and specially selected and rewarding outings you also have time to try something new like a trailride or whitewater rafting. Get to know the Rockies the way they were meant to be discovered: with adventure, sweat and pride. Transfer from the airport to your hotel. Pre trip information for your guided hiking tour during dinner tonight.
Day 2: Calgary – Banff National Park
It is only a 1.5 hour drive to the National Park. Here you set up your tent, base camp for the next four nights. Today's hike, probably in the front ranges of the Rocky Mountains, is an easy warm-up and a chance to test the equipment and the condition of the participants. Your guide knows the best trails for the different seasons. Dinner by the campfire.
Day 3: Banff National Park
A full day of alpine hiking. Summit number one is a 3 to 4 hour round trip with 700 m (2296 ft) gain to 2408 m (7900 ft) elevation and a superb view of the broad valley below and the mountain ranges beyond.
Day 4: Banff National Park
Today you might want to rent a mountainbike to explore the Bow River valley and the surrounding area of Banff. There is an extensive network of smooth to very rugged paths. How about rewarding yourself afterward with a relaxing soak in the pool of the Banff Hot Springs (bike rental and pool optional). There is no shortage of other activities you can try here in Banff and the guide will be happy to help with the arrangements.
Day 5: Banff National Park
So much to explore: Options include ascents to peaks of 2135 m (7005 ft) and elevation gain of 875 m (2870 ft) or up to 2769 m (9085 ft) with a gain of 1400 m (4593 ft). Hiking time is 5 to 9 hours.
Day 6: Banff – Yoho National Park
On the drive into the British Columbia side of the Rockies you visit famous Lake Louise. A day hike into the Valley of the Ten Peaks and Sentinel Passs at 2610 m (7955 ft) is recommended. Yoho Park with Takakkaw Falls and Emerald Lake in incredibly beautiful scenery. We established a camp for the next three nights.
Day 7: Yoho National Park
The Wapta Highline, Yoho Pass, Burgess Pass loop is a 19.2 km (12 mi) circuit to 2180 m (7152 ft) maximum elevation. You traverse alpine meadows with birds eye views of the Kicking Horse River valley and Emerald Lake. The peak of Mt. Burgess at 2599 m (8527 ft) is temptingly close. Gain of 880 m (2687 ft), 6 hours hiking time for the loop.
Day 8: Yoho National Park
How about rafting on the Kicking Horse? This option allows you to rest your legs but adrenaline keeps your heart pumping as you and seven others paddle the raft through the whitewater. Of course you can also join the guide hiking the famous Iceline trail.
Day 9: Yoho National Park – Icefield Parkway
An early morning start for the drive north along the spectacular Icefields Parkway. The road climbs past picture book scenery like Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, Saskatchewan Crossing to the Columbia Icefields. Mount Wilcox, 2884 m (9462 ft), is looking?ross the valley to the icy giants guarding the vast glacier region. Up to the pass it is an easy two hours with 325 m (1065 ft) gain to a hight of 2360 m (7740 ft).
Day 10: Jasper National Park
You can drive right to the toe of the Athabasca Glacier and have a chance of walking on the surface of the ice. On the campground near the small holiday town of Jasper you stay for the following three nights. Time to explore some of Jasper's magical and inspiring landscapes, mighty Athabasca Falls, the depths of Maligne Canyon.
Day 11: Jasper National Park
A 5 km (3 mi) hike and there it is: one of the finest views you will find in the area. From an abandoned fire lookout site at 2170 m (7120 ft), the greenish blue waters of Maligne Lake stretch towards the Narrows with glacier-clad 3000 m summits rising beyond. It is easy to work your way through the open meadows of this rolling ridgetop, a carpet of flowers during the summer. The highest point reaches 2600 m (8530 ft). Elevation gain from 480 to 910 m (1575 to 2985 ft), 4 to 7 hours.
Day 12: Jasper National Park
Planned for today is a side trip to Mount Robson, with 3954 m (12964 ft) highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, where you walk between huge cedar and hemlock trees up to Kinney Lake. This massive mountain creates it's own micro climate comparable to the the mountains along the pacific coast.
Day 13: Jasper National Park
Today's summit requires an easy scramble, mostly over open slopes. From a rocky outcrop partway up you can admire the panorama of the Athabasca valley below. The summit at 2260 m (7415 ft) is not a specific peak, but a series of high points along a broad, undulating ridge, a delight to explore. This corner of the park does not see many visitors, bighorn sheep and other animals pose for the camera. 4 to 7 hours hiking time, gain 1230 m (4035 ft). Camp is set up at the eastern border of the park near the pleasantly warm Miette Hot Springs.
Day 14: Jasper National Park - Edmonton
A 3 to 4 hour morning hike on the magnificent Sulphur Skyline at 2070 m (6787 ft) altitude and 700 m (2295 ft) elevation gain is a magnificienl last impression of your holiday to take home with you. The tour ends with arrival at your hotel in Edmonton, modern capital city of Alberta.
Day 15: Edmonton
Breakfast in the hotel and transfer to the airport in Edmonton.
A no-charge transfer to the Calgary airport can most probably be arranged for this afternoon.