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Waterton Lakes National Park: Wildflower Capital of Canada

Program Number: 13770RJ
Start and End Dates:
6/18/2013 - 6/23/2013;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: Waterton, Alberta
Price starting at: $1,398.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Festivals, Misc.; National Parks Activity Level: t (see description)
Meals: 14; 5 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 5 Dinners    
Meal Options: Low Fat; Vegetarian; Low Salt    

From bear grass to rare orchids, nature is on full display in a panorama of blossoms at the annual Waterton Wildflower Festival. Spectacular Waterton Lakes National Park spans diverse habitats from prairies, forests and mountains, and includes an amazing variety of wildflowers — 50 of Canada’s rarest species! There is no better time to experience this UNESCO treasure.




Highlights

• Take a study cruise on scenic Waterton Lake and learn about the unique features of this World Heritage Site.
• See and learn about the intimate connection between wildflowers and wildlife in this National Park setting.
• Discover how the unique and unusually diverse physical, biological and cultural resources found in “the Crown of the Continent” are being protected.



Activity Particulars

Walking up to three miles per day over uneven terrain; elevations of 3,000-5,500 feet.



Itinerary Summary

Independent arrivals Calgary – transfer to Waterton Lakes NP, 5nts – transfer to Calgary – independent departures



Coordinated by Routes to Learning Canada.




Waterton

Waterton Lakes National Park preserves a unique landscape where the grassland prairie meets the rugged Rocky Mountains and more than 900 plant and wildflower species have taken root, including 30 wildflowers indigenous to only Waterton.
Accommodations
Motel centrally located in Waterton, near Waterton Lakes marina and walking trails.
Meals and Lodgings
   Bear Mountain Motel
  Waterton, AB 5 nights
 Bear Mountain Motel
Type: Motel
  Description: Located within the Waterton town site, the Bear Mountain Motel offers easy walking access to the marina, restaurants, shops, beach paths and scenic attractions. The property is a 60's style motel with drive-up parking and the rooms are small by today's standards. Patio chairs outside the door. Marvelous landscape surrounds the motel and the lake is just across the street.
  Contact info: 208 Mountain View Road
Waterton Lakes National Park
Waterton, AB T0K 2M0 Canada
phone: 403-859-2366
web: www.bearmountainmotel.com
  Room amenities: Simple, clean, affordable rooms with the basic amenities and really good beds. All rooms on ground floor. There are no phones in the rooms. Waterton does have cell phone service and a pay phone is located on the property. Check-in time is 4:00 p.m. but if you arrive early, check with the motel as you may be able to get into your room right away.
  Facility amenities: The Waterton community is serviced with High Speed Internet. It is not very high speed and service can be spotty but, it is free for our guests! Lots of free parking.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Additional nights prior: Contact hotel directly. Pre-and post-program stays based on availability - please contact hotel for advance reservations prior to arrival. Bear Mountain Motel - 403-859-2366
  Check in time: 3:00 PM
  Additional nights after: Contact hotel directly. Pre-and post-program stays based on availability - please contact hotel for advance reservations prior to arrival. Bear Mountain Motel - 403-859-2366
  Check out time: 11:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Check-in after 3:00 pm. for independent arrivals to Waterton. The shuttle from Calgary will arrive in Waterton approximately 5:30 p.m. You will be staying at Bear Mountain Motel that night.
  End of Program:
Ends after breakfast. Check-out is 11:00 am. for those departing independently. Shuttle leaves Waterton approximately 8:00 a.m. and arrives Calgary around 12:00 noon. You will be staying at Bear Mountain Motel the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. Passport requirements are subject to change. Visit www.travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html for up-to-date info. BREAKFAST PREFERENCE FORM: Please complete the attached Breakfast Preference Form and return to Beth at Trail of the Great Bear as per the instructions.
  Parking availability:
Parking is available free of charge
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Waterton, AB
  Nearest highway: Highway 3
  Nearest airport:  Calgary International Airport
  From End of Program
  Location: Waterton, AB
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Calgary to Waterton

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Free of charge
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

3.5 - 4 hours 
 

Distance:

 

175 miles/283 kms
   

A shuttle to/from Calgary airport is included in the program cost. Shuttle will depart Calgary airport approximately 2:00 p.m. and arrive Waterton 5:30 p.m. Additional information is included in this information package.
 

From Calgary Airport to Waterton

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Airport Shuttle Express Ltd. (Calgary)
phone: 403-509-1570
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Travel Time:

 

3.5 - 4 hours 
 

Distance:

 

171 miles/271 kms
   

Contact the shuttle service directly at 403-509-1570 or visit www.airportshuttleexpress.com

 

Montana

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

None - Car Required

 

Travel Time:

 

Approximately 3 hours 
   

Participants may want to fly into Great Falls/Kalispell, Montana, then rent a car and drive to and from Waterton.
 

Calgary

 

To Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Free of charge
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

3.5 - 4 hours 
 

Distance:

 

171 miles/271 kms
   

Shuttle from Waterton back to Calgary airport on the final day will leave approximately 8:00 a.m. for arrival in Calgary around 12:00 noon.
 

Calgary

 

To Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Airport Shuttle Express Ltd. (Calgary)
phone: 403-509-1570
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Travel Time:

 

3.5 - 4 hours 
 

Distance:

 

171 miles/271 kms
   

Contact the shuttle service directly at 403-509-1570 or visit www.airportshuttleexpress.com for current schedule and rates.
 
Driving Directions
  Calgary International Airport IMPORTANT NOTE IF YOU ARE DRIVING TO THE PROGRAM If you plan to drive to the program you will need a Parks Pass to enter Waterton Lakes National Park. The pass is included in the program cost. If you are arriving by car, we can send you the pass by mail, please contact the coordinator at least 3 weeks in advance if you are driving to the program. Depart Calgary via Hwy #2 South (Deerfoot Trail). Continue south to Junction #3 at Fort MacLeod. Follow Hwy#3 west to Pincher Creek, take Hwy #6 south to Waterton Lakes National Park. Hotel is at 208 Mountain View Road in the Village of Waterton.
Elevation Note: Program travels from grassland elevations of 3,000 feet to mountain elevations of up to 5,500 feet.

Equipment Requirements: No special equipment required.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Orientation/Waterton Townsite Walk
(Tuesday, June 18)

Note: There is no additional charge for the workshops. RS participants are given advance selection prior to general schedule publication and may select as many workshops as desired during the scheduled program time frame. By signing up in advance, participants will be given first choice of program selection; later selection will be based on program availability). The Festival Schedule is included in this package. DO NOT REGISTER ON-LINE. SEND WORKSHOP SELECTIONS BY EMAIL TO: tgbear@telusplanet.net
   
 Arrive To: CHECK-IN: Independent arrivals to Waterton in the afternoon; check-in after 3:00 p.m. For those taking the shuttle from Calgary, the shuttle will arrive approximately 5:30 p.m. Group will meet in the lobby to walk to dinner.
 Dinner: Dinner at a restaurant in Waterton.
 Evening: EXCURSION: Waterton Walk. We will take a leisurely walk around the Waterton townsite to orient participants. The Waterton Wildflower Festival celebrates Waterton unique abundance of wildflowers. From prairie to alpine meadows, from lilies and orchids to roses, enjoy Waterton's spectacular scenery and learn about its vast array of plants. Visit www.WatertonWildflowers.com for more information This is the time to sign up for any additional workshops (based on availability).
   
Accommodations: Bear Mountain Motel
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Wildflower Courses/Free Evening
(Wednesday, June 19)
   
 Breakfast: Group Breakfast. We will be serving a continental breakfast at the motel to enable participants to make early class start times. Please complete the included form so that we may provide your preferred breakfast items.
 Morning: PRESENTATION: Select from a range of festival courses and outings to meet your personal interest. Check the website at www.waterton wildflwers.com for a complete listing of courses that include: plant identification, guided field identification walks, close-up photography, wildflower and landscape photography, wildflower art, prairie flowers, orchids, mountain flowers, and more!
 Lunch: Group lunch at Waterton Restaurant
 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Festival Activity. You choose from the Festival program - learn about wildflower identification or broader plant communities. Free time optional.
 Dinner: Group Dinner at Waterton Restaurant
 Evening: FREE EVENING: Relax, explore Waterton & Waterton Lakes National Park or partake in additional festival activities. The town of Waterton is located in the heart of Waterton Lakes National Park, an unspoiled gem tucked away in the southern corner of Alberta along the Canada-U.S.A. border. The Canadian side of the park actually combines with Montana's Glacier National Park, creating an international peace park. Some of the parks most visited sites include Cameron Falls and Red Rock Canyon, with both serving as compelling backdrops for wildlife viewing, nature photography and hiking.
   
Accommodations: Bear Mountain Motel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Wildflower Courses/Evening Group Activity
(Thursday, June 20)
   
 Breakfast: Group Breakfast.
 Morning: PRESENTATION: Festival Activity. Select the activities of your preference from www.Waterton Wildflowers.com Learn about the historic use of the local plants and flowers or about the abundance of flowers growing on the prairie landscape. Free time optional.
 Lunch: Group Lunch at Waterton Restaurant
 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Festival Activity. Select the activity of your preference from www.WatertonWildflowers.com Explore the flowers & landscape from horseback or spend the afternoon with an expert photographer. Free time optional.
 Dinner: Group Dinner at Waterton Restaurant.
 Evening: EXCURSION: The group will take in one of the activities that are part of the Wildflower Festival.
   
Accommodations: Bear Mountain Motel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Wildflower Course/Free Evening
(Friday, June 21)
   
 Breakfast: Group Breakfast.
 Morning: PRESENTATION: Festival Activity. Select the activity of your preference from www.WatertonWildflowers.com Enjoy the shoreline wildflowers & landscape while travelling the length of Waterton Lake or bring your sketch pad and head out with a local artist to sketch the local flora. Free time optional.
 Lunch: Group Lunch at Waterton Restaurant.
 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Festival Activity. Select the activity of your preference from www.WatertonWildflowers.com Learn the stories and lore of the wildflowers or investigate those flowers that are easily accessible. Free time optional.
 Dinner: Waterton Dine-Around. Draw a voucher from the hat and head-out to one of five of Waterton's many dining opportunities with those who also drew the same restaurant.
 Evening: FREE EVENING: Attend an evening slide show or enjoy some of the local entertainment.
   
Accommodations: Bear Mountain Motel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Wildflower Courses/Farewell Dinner and Evening Activities
(Saturday, June 22)
   
 Breakfast: Group Breakfast.
 Morning: PRESENTATION: Festival Activity. Select the activity of your preference from www.WatertonWildflowers.com Learn about the birds of Waterton or how the beauty of the plants and landscape inspire a local artist. Free time optional.
 Lunch: Group Lunch at Waterton Restaurant
 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Festival Activity. Select the activity of your preference from www.WatertonWildflowers.com Enjoy a country stroll and tea or perfect your wildflower photography. Free time optional.
 Dinner: Farewell dinner in Waterton.
 Evening: EXCURSION: On our last night together we will have a program wrap-up and discussion and evening festival activities.
   
Accommodations: Bear Mountain Motel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Wrap-Up/Independent Departures
(Sunday, June 23)
   
 Breakfast: Group Breakfast at Prince of Wales Hotel
 Morning: Independent departures from Waterton after breakfast; check-out is 11:00 a.m. For those taking the shuttle back to Calgary it will depart Waterton approximately 8:00 a.m. to arrive in Calgary around 12:00 noon.
 Morning: PRESENTATION: Interpretive lecture at the Prince of Wales Hotel.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


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