A memorable hiking adventure visiting icefields, glaciers and lakes in magnificently forested valleys surrounded by immense snow-capped mountain ranges. This short twin centre tour introduces travellers to some of the most impressive conservation areas of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Our itinerary includes the national parks of Banff and Yoho.

Western-Style Living & Horseback Riding
Our first tour days are spent at the Brewster's Mountain Resort in Banff. One full day's hike in Banff National park and a further half day's hike in Kananaskis county's Peter Lougheed Provincial Park allow us to appreciate the rugged majesty of this spectacular county blessed by nature and offering stunning scenery. A highlight of our stay is a half day trip on horseback accompanied by a local guide and finished off with a traditional western-style BBQ dinner. On our final day here we take the scenic Icefield Parkway towards Jasper, visiting the Columbia Icefield and its incredible Athabasca Glacier.

Banff & Lake Louise
Leaving Banff village, we continue to the beautiful blue-green Lake Louise. We then climb the deservedly popular trail to Lake Agnes and relax in the Tea House from where we admire the famous glacier and the lake and valley below. We progress to Moraine Lake for a further short hike and at the end of the day we continue on to our lodge in Golden which will be our base for the rest of the tour. There are excellent views from each room and the lodge has large grounds with nature trails and access to its own river front.

Yoho National Park
We visit the great glacial valley of the Yoho National Park and admire the breathtaking Takakkaw Falls exploding off a clifftop to fall a thousand feet. Later, and in contrast, we discover the beauty and serenity of placid Lake Emerald and its surroundings. Throughout these trips, stops are taken for short hikes and picnic lunches. In the evenings, after dinner in the guest lodge, we relax on the terrace surrounded by mountains.

Itinerary:

Day 1 Join Calgary airport, drive to Banff for 4 night stay. 2 Hiking in Banff National Park. 3 Guided trail ride on horseback; hiking in the Peter Lougheed Provincial Park; Western BBQ dinner. 4 Drive along the Icefield Parkway en route to Jasper with several stops for short hikes and visits to the Columbia Icefields and the Athabasca Glacier. 5 Visit Lake Louise and glacier; hike to Lake Agnes; visit Moraine Lake; drive to Golden for 4 night stay. 6 Hiking in Yoho National Park; visit Takakkaw Falls and Emerald Lake. 7 Hike in Kootenay NP; optional whitewater rafting or optional bus ride to Lake O'Hhara in Yoho NP. 8 Drive to Calgary where tour ends.

Accommodation: 7nts lodge; 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 4 dinners included.
Transport: On Foot/Horse/Minibus.
Comment: An exciting twin centre trip offering the very best of the Rockies. We split our time between a lodge in Banff and Golden to get a real feel for the area. Hiking is graded as easy to moderate and we include a morning on horseback, with optional whitewater rafting.
Group: Approx. 9 to 12.
Staff: Explore Tour Leader/driver plus Horse guide.
Trip Reference: LRK