Close to Calgary in the state of Alberta, the Rocky Mountain wilderness comprises forest, glaciers and towering, snow-capped peaks. We begin our exploration of this breathtaking region with a 3-day Canadian canoe trip on the Red Deer River, before travelling west into the Banff National Park. From our Banff campground, a series of scenic day hikes (including the Cory Pass circuit and the Plain of Six Glaciers loop) will take us on stunning mountain trails high above Lake Louise. Continuing our journey northwards on the spectacular Icefields Parkway, we will take a break at the David Thompson Resort and enjoy an afternoon of horseback riding. Then, it's on to the old fur-trading town of Jasper, stopping off en route to walk on Parker Ridge above the Saskatchewan Glacier. A day of hiking in the Bald Hills above Maligne Lake provides a great finale to this unique Canadian Rockies experience.

Trip Guide
This trip includes a week of day-hikes from campground bases close to Banff and Jasper. On each day, we will have a guided hike, varying in duration from 2 or 3 hours to 6 or 7 hours, depending on the time available to us. We will usually be following well-established routes and, for the most part, the paths are excellent. The trip also includes 3 days in Canadian canoes, making a descent of the Red Deer River. This is relatively easy canoeing, suitable for beginners. During this descent, all of the group’s equipment will be carried in the canoes. During the trip, group members will be invited to participate in camp chores including the cooking of meals.