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A family goes horseback riding along a turquoise river during an outdoor adventure in the Canadian Rockies of Alberta.
Alberta

Outdoor Adventure in the Canadian Rockies With Your Family

Program No. 23439RJ
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
7 days
6 nights
What's Included
15 meals ( 6B, 4L, 5D )
2 expert-led lectures
9 expert-led field trips
1 hands-on experience
An experienced Group Leader
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag.
Afternoon:
4:00-5:00 p.m.: After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the lobby to meet with program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This is a Road Scholar Grandparent program. Grandparents are responsible for their grandchildren at all times. If/when separate age group activities are conducted concurrently, program staff will supervise. Minors are never to be left unsupervised. We will learn from a series of local experts who will give lectures and lead field trips with our knowledgeable Group Leader. Program-related travel and transfers will be via private motorcoach unless noted otherwise. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 100 miles throughout the day, approximately 2 hours riding time. Walking up to 1 mile; standing during museum field trip. Skating on a hockey rink.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will check out of the hotel, board a motorcoach, and set out on a field trip to the Glenbow Museum. On this self-guided experience, immerse yourself in over 250,000 works of art and objects in the museum’s collections, which tell the story of immigration to Western Canada and Indigenous cultures.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will begin our transfer to Banff with a stop in Canmore, where you will learn what it takes to be a Canadian hockey player. Lace up your skates and join a professional hockey instructor who will teach you the fundamentals of “the game.” Afterwards, we will continue to Banff and check into our hotel.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 42 miles, approximately 1.5-2 hours riding time plus stops. Walking up to 2 miles; pavement and groomed trails, some stairs, uneven terrain at historic site.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board the motorcoach and ride to Cave and Basin National Historic Site, which gave birth to Banff National Park and the creation of Canada’s national park system. Led by Parks Canada staff, we will learn about the 1883 “discovery” of thermal hot springs, though First Nations people had long known and revered this spot and the reputed healing power of the mineral-rich waters. We’ll understand why they regard the Cave and Basin as a sacred place as we see dancing lights in the cave’s bubbling waters. Next, we’ll be joined by a local expert who will share insights into how Indigenous peoples live in harmony with the rhythms of the earth. We’ll learn how everything needed for daily life comes from the land, explore traditional trade between nations, and discover the tools and medicinal plants that were used for generations. This engaging, one-hour interactive session will include time for questions at the end.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will continue the day with a fieldtrip to Marble Canyon. As we journey through a lake-lined mountain valley and cross the Continental Divide, we’ll take in sweeping views of the Canadian Rockies. We will walk along the limestone gorge, formed over 10,000 years ago, following a trail above vivid turquoise waters, rushing through the canyon and passing a cascading waterfall carved into the canyon walls.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
We’ll have a kids’ paint night where we'll create nature-inspired art with a local artist.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 180 miles throughout the day, approximately 1.5 hours total riding time. Getting on/off horses; riding approximately 2 hours along the riverbend and through forests. Getting on/off inflatable rafts; Whitewater rafting Class I to III rapids, approximately 2 hours. Bring swimsuit, towel and a change of clothes.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board the motorcoach and drive to Boundary Ranch. Upon arrival, we will be matched with friendly horses and receive basic horseback riding instruction, no experience necessary. Boundary Ranch offers equestrian helmets upon request. We’ll then set out with our guides and follow along the Ridge Ride Trail on horseback. We’ll explore soaring mountain ridges, where expansive views of the Kananaskis Valley will unfold beneath you. As we ride, keep an eye out for the abundant wildlife amongst the wetland and forest.
Lunch:
At Boundary Ranch, we’ll have a barbecue.
Afternoon:
This afternoon we’ll board the motorcoach and travel to a meeting point near the Kananaskis River where we’ll be introduced to our White-Water rafting professional guides. We’ll gear up for an adrenaline-filled adventure as you navigate the powerful currents of the Kananaskis River. You’ll tackle a mix of Class I to Class III rapids, weaving through fast-flowing water for an unforgettable experience!
Dinner:
On your own to experience local flavors of Banff. Your Group Leader will be happy to offer you suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 75 miles throughout the day, approximately 1.5 hours total riding time. Walking up to 2 miles; pavement, groomed trails.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll board a motorcoach and ride to the Lake Louise region. There we’ll learn from a wildlife expert about the role national parks play in grizzly bear conservation and how plants and animals have adapted to survive in this remarkable landscape. The Bow Valley is considered an internationally significant wildlife migration corridor within the Park and the Lake Louise area is notable for its critical grizzly bear, elk, lynx, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat habitat. As protected areas, the parks make an important contribution to grizzly bear conservation in the Rocky Mountain ecosystem. We’ll also learn how Parks Canada is conducting land use and management policies. We’ll board an open-air chair lift at the Lake Louise Gondola that runs up and down the mountain. The grassy slopes below the gondola offer lush, rich vegetation and, if we’re lucky on our brief but exciting ride, we may be able to safely observe many of the different types of wildlife. We’ll also be able to see views of the green waters of Lake Louise from the top of the mountain.
Lunch:
A boxed lunch in a scenic area.
Afternoon:
For our next field trip, we’ll ride to Moraine Lake. Surrounded by peaks and a deep teal color, this lake is nothing less than stunning and sits in the gorgeous Valley of the Ten Peaks. We will explore the area around Fairmount Chateau Lake Louise and walk the trail around the lake. We’ll ride back to the hotel after our field trip.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; approximately 2 hours of total drive time; approximately 100 miles roundtrip. Walking about 1.5 hours on groomed trails. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will ride board the motorcoach and ride to the Spiral Tunnels, where we will see the trains go through the feat of engineering that was safer than the previously used switchbacks. Yoho’s name derives from the Cree word for wonder and awe. It boasts an impressive array of wildlife and geological marvels. At Emerald Lake, named for its remarkable color, we’ll go on an expert-led trail walk to learn about the interesting plant species found here and at the Burgess Shale quarries along Fossil Ridge. We will also visit the nearby Field Interpretive Centre that has informative displays including one with Burgess Shale fossils. We will then return to Banff for the afternoon.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy the local flavors of Banff. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon:
Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
We’ll gather for a wrap-up session of our time together. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Group transfer departs Banff at 8:30 a.m.; approximate arrival at Calgary airport 10:30 a.m. Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This concludes your program. A group transfer is scheduled to depart at 8:30am for the Calgary airport. This is included for all program guests. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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