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Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks & Canoe Trip

| CA-TT1401

14-Day Guided Hiking and Canoeing in Banff, Yoho and Jasper National Parks

Overview

Discover three of Canada’s most famous national parks with a multi-day hiking and canoe expedition in the wilderness!

Highlights

  • All inclusive package with airport transportation
  • Visiting Banff, Yoho and Jasper National Parks
  • Guided mountain hikes with light day packs
  • Canoe training on a quiet lake
  • 4-day canoe trip on the Athabasca River
  • Camping in the heart of the Canadian wilderness

Tourists from every corner of the world flock to the Canadian Rockies for unparalleled hiking opportunities and some of the most striking natural wonders on the planet. Join us on this multi-sport tour across world-famous landmarks within Banff, Yoho and Jasper National Parks.

From hiking, canoeing, trail riding, mountain biking or whitewater rafting, you’re sure to find an activity to suit your pace and travel style. Then it’s time for a full-blown 4-day canoe trip into the heart of the Canadian wilderness.

Whether you’re looking for a perfect getaway in nature or a family adventure, this action-packed tour guarantees an incredible vacation!

  • Trusted Tour Operator
  • Small group
  • Expert guides
  • Personal Experience
Availability Jun - Sept
Duration 14 days
Departs From Calgary, AB
Difficulty Easy / Moderate Suitable for most people in fair condition.
Minimum age 12
Group maximum 12
Meet on Location No
Pick Up Yes

From

2 244
Per
Adult
  • Best Price Guarantee
  • International number: +1 778 348 1676

Availability (2025):
Price: $3175 CAD per person
Based on double occupancy.
Single tent supplement: $360 CAD

  • June 1-14
  • June 8-21
  • June 15-28
  • June 22-July 5
  • June 29-July 12
  • July 6-19
  • July 13-26
  • July 20-Aug 2
  • July 27-Aug 9
  • August 3-16
  • August 10-23
  • August 17-30
  • Aug 24-Sept 6

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What's Included

Included

  • Transfers from and to airports
  • 1-night hotel in Calgary and 1-night hotel in Edmonton
  • Accommodations in tent campsites along the way
  • Van transportation
  • Park fees
  • Camping fees
  • Camping gear
  • Hard foam mattress
  • 2-person canoes and equipment
  • Welcome gift
  • Expert hiking and canoeing guide (English, German, French)
  • All taxes

What to bring

  • Warm jacket
  • Hiking boots
  • Rain gear
  • Hat
  • Bathing Suit
  • Towel

Not Included

  • Camping meals from lunch day 2 to lunch day 13. A cash food kitty will be collected from each participant at the beginning of the tour and the guide will purchase groceries and the group will cook meals together. Dietary requests such as vegan and gluten free are available.
  • Personal equipment
  • Sleeping bag, sleeping pad, day pack
  • Meals in the hotels
  • Mountain bike rental
  • Whitewater rafting
  • Trail riding around Maligne Lake
  • Boating on Maligne Lake
  • Gratuities

Contact us for more Information about this tour

INTERNATIONAL NUMBER: +1 778 348 1676

You can also send an email to info@adventures.com, or use the contact form here below.

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Itinerary

Find out more details about the tour and its highlights

Information

canoes lined up near a river in canada

Blessed with the jaw-dropping mountainous scenery, the Canadian Rocky Mountain Park certainly earns its UNESCO World Heritage Site status. The great natural reserve encapsulates Banff, Jasper, Kootenay and Yoho National Parks, alongside Mount Robson, Mount Assiniboine and Hamber Provincial Parks.

We’ll scout out this magical area on challenging hikes, discover the region’s most spectacular scenery and soak up everything from rugged mountaintops and rushing waterfalls to lofty alpine meadows and turquoise lakes.

En route, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to spot dense and wide flora and fauna, go river-rafting and enjoy lake cruising or biking. We’ll be camping on established campsites serviced by the national parks.

To top it off, the tour also includes a 4-day canoe trip on the Athabasca River for beginners and experts alike. The river is Alberta’s longest waterway and offers a window to true Canadian

aerial view of calgary city skyline

You’ll arrive in Calgary and transfer to your hotel. Transfer from Calgary Airport is included in the package. After there’ll be time to relax and meet your guide along with the rest of the group during a welcome dinner at the hotel. We’ll discuss the upcoming adventure and answer any questions you might have.

Lake Minnewanka view in summer

Today we start our action-packed tour. After breakfast, we’ll head west of Calgary towards Banff National Park. Stretching a colossal 6,641 km2  (2,564 mi2 ), the park is Canada’s first national park and one of the oldest in the world. This natural paradise is dotted with hiking trails leading to stunning landscapes punctuated by towering peaks, turquoise lakes, waterfalls tumbling down cliff faces, and deep canyons.

Once there, we’ll pitch our tents in a generously sized, forested campground for the next two nights. In the afternoon, we’ll set out on our first hike along the beautiful Lake Minnewanka or one of the many mountain trails. The estimated hiking time is around 2-3 hours.

In the evening, enjoy an appetizing dinner by the fire.

hiking in banff national park in summer

Today we’ll embark on a full day hike into the mountains. This 5-7-hour long hike is the perfect introduction to Banff, one of the most popular parks in Canada. Explore the best destinations for this time of year and immerse yourself deep into the heart of the country’s natural beauty.

Along the way, we’ll discover the hidden gems of Banff National Park. Your guide will show you the best-kept secrets of this pristine parkland. So, lace up your hiking shoes and be the first to witness one of the lesser-known lakes or a high mountain pass ordinarily tucked far away from the crowds.

After an adventure-filled day, unwind in a heavenly hot pool or wander around the many stores and boutiques in the charming town of Banff.

clear blue water at lake louise in summer

In the morning, we’ll go on a scenic drive up Bow Valley to the world-renowned Lake Louise. This turquoise-hued lake is the crown jewel of Banff National Park and a bucket-list must for every nature lover. Known for its hiking trails, this iconic destination will simply take your breath away!

Delve into the spectacular landscape on a series of hikes for around 3-5 hours. Take the 2-mi (3.5-km) route with 1325 ft (400 m) gain to the historic Lake Agnes Tea House situated on the shores of a serene alpine lake. It’s the perfect place to catch your breath and have a relaxing afternoon tea in truly breathtaking surroundings.

For even more stunning vistas, a network of easy to challenging trails will take you further and higher. For example, the 9.3-mi (15-km) path takes you to the Plain of Six Glaciers or the 2.5-km (1.6-mi) climb with a 1705 ft (515 m) gain to a summit with extraordinary views of surrounding landscapes.

We’ll make camp near the alpine village of Lake Louise for two nights.

wooden walking path towards takakkaw falls

Situated on the western flank of the Rocky Mountains, Yoho National Park is another hiker’s paradise. The park boasts the majestic Emerald Lake, the second highest waterfall in Canada, Takakkaw Falls, and a world-renowned fossil site, the Burgess Shale. Not to mention a seemingly never-ending supply of sublime mountainous scenery!

Your guide will take you on an 11-mi (18-km ) loop with 2930 ft (880 m) gain through stunning alpine landscapes to get a bird’s eye view of the glistening Emerald Lake. The estimated hiking time is about 6 hours.

The park is also home to the mighty Kicking Horse River, which offers fun whitewater rides for adventurous souls. Choose to take a 5-hour ride in an 8-person rubber raft and experience a thrilling rafting adventure!

Saskatchewan Glacier View in canada

Today we head towards Jasper National Park, the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. We’ll set out on a scenic drive along the famous Icefields Parkway, chocked-full of landscapes gorgeous enough to rival anywhere in the world. As we travel through this iconic driving route, it’s the perfect time to snap some outstanding pictures for your travel album. The estimated walking time is about 2 hours.

We’ll go on a short hike from the parking lot of the highway to Bow Summit for a stunning panoramic view of the vibrant glacier-fed Peyto Lake. Its heavenly blue color comes from glacier rock flour and is reminiscent of color palette used by Renaissance painters. After 1.5 mi (2.5 km) ascent to the magnificent Saskatchewan Glacier, we’ll take a moment to enjoy the calm of this tranquil area.

Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for some incredible wildlife including elk (or wapiti, from the Shawnee tongue) and bighorn sheep, known for its impressive horns. We might even see a ferocious bear, which often appears by the side of the road.

Our camp for the next three days will be on a campground near the town of Jasper.

blue water lake maligne in canada

We’ll make a trip to Maligne Lake, the second-largest glacier-fed lake in the world. Known for its azure-blue color, surrounding rugged mountain peaks, and the islet Spirit Island, the lake is one of the most photographed places in the Canadian Rockies.

Your guide will take you on a 5 mi (8 km) loop through lofty alpine meadows that explode with flowers come midsummer, to an elevation of 7190 ft (2160 m). Test your mettle on a hike to a peak of 9290 ft ( 2789 m).

Choose between a trail ride or boat cruise across the waters of the sublime Maligne Lake. You can also rent a mountain bike and explore the surrounding area.

The estimated time on trails around Maligne Lake is about 2-6 hours.

athabasca falls in canada

Visit the enchanting Athabasca Falls, a must-see attraction in Jasper National Park. The powerful cascade drops 75.5 ft (23 m) down into a rugged canyon below. There are plenty of walkways where you can explore this awe-inspiring natural wonder from multiple perspectives. The gorge itself is an oasis of verdant flora, including mosses, lichens, and trees.

Here you’ll enjoy one of the best hikes on the Icefield Parkway. We recommend an 6.8-mi (11-km) route with 1115 ft (335 m) gain through a pass at 7908 ft 2375 m). Along the way, expect to see lush landscapes punctuated by towering peaks.

The estimated walking time is about 3 hours.  

maligne canyon in a lush forest

Discover the jaw-dropping Maligne Canyon, renowned as the deepest gorge in the Canadian Rockies. With a depth of up to 165 ft (50 m), the canyon will make your head spin! Explore its intricate belt of crevasses, before we continue with our journey.

Next up, we’ll take a short drive to a small lake in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies in preparation for your canoe trip. Expert guides will provide you with some canoeing instructions  and any relevant safety information. You’ll learn some basic paddle strokes that will help you to move your canoe more effectively.

This selected stretch of the Athabasca River is safe and enjoyable for beginners and experts alike. However, the numerous exhilarating rapids and gravel bars demand constant diligence. More experienced paddlers will find plenty of challenges to keep themselves engaged.

steep cliff near athabasca river in canada

Today we start our canoe adventure on the untamed Athabasca River. You can leave any non-essential luggage in the hold of the bus. We’ll gear up and start paddling along the forested river valley. En route, we’ll be rewarded with some of the best views in the Canadian wilderness.

Over the following days, we’ll spend 5-6 hours on the river daily. Our route will switch between a languid drift downstream and more challenging rapids and turns. Along the way, be sure to keep an eye out for wild animals such as geese, beavers, eagles, elk, bear, and moose.

For the upcoming 3 nights, we’ll pitch our tents on sandy islands or comfortable spots along the shore. You’ll also have plenty of opportunities to enjoy fishing or swimming under open skies. We’ll spend the evenings around warming campfires reliving the experiences of the day.

edmonton city view from a drone

Today will be our last day on the Athabasca River. After another enjoyable morning on the water, we’ll reach the end of our canoe trip and congratulate ourselves on finishing the epic 100-mi (160-km) route.

The bus with your luggage is loaded for the 2-hour ride to Edmonton. Your hotel is not far away from the gigantic West Edmonton Mall, where you can browse through numerous shops or kick back and relax at an atmospheric coffee bar or restaurant.

Estimated arrival time at the hotel is 18:30 p.m. (6:30 p.m.).

We offer transfer to Edmonton Airport at no charge. If you decide to stay another night in Edmonton, we’ll gladly reserve an additional night for you in our hotel in Edmonton. We don’t charge for transportation from Edmonton to Calgary on the next day, which is available for most of our tours but please confirm that we have a bus going.

We thank you for joining this tour and hope you had a life-changing adventure! Until next time!

  • At this time of year, expect pleasant weather. Summer temperatures run around 59-77°F (15-25°C) on average. However, don’t forget to bring a warm jacket for chilly mornings. A recommended packing list will be provided upon booking.

  • Minimum age of participants is 12 years old. Family tours can be arranged for families with kids as young as 8 years old.

  • No previous experience is required for the canoe trip on the Athabasca River. International classification of difficulty (1 is lowest, 5 is highest) rates this stretch of the Athabasca River as Class I overall with a few Class I and II rapids & one Class III rapid.

  • Many tour departures include a German-and/or French-speaking guide.

Payment Details

Deposit and Taxes

  • Taxes included
  • No deposit is required to hold your reservation
  • Balance of payment is due 30 days before trip commencement

CANCELLATION POLICY & DETAILS

In case of cancellation of the travel agreement, we are entitled to a cancellation fee. The cancellation should be in writing and forwarded to us. From the date of receipt the cancellation fee is calculated as follows:

  • 31 or more days before the start of the tour: full refund less credit card fees
  • 21st -30th day before the start of tour: full refund less 20%
  • 14th -20th day before the start of tour: full refund less 40%
  • 8th -13th day before the start of tour: full refund less 60%
  • 1st -7th day before the start of the tour: no refund unless you find a replacement.