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Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Activity note: Check-in is 4:00 p.m.
Afternoon: Arrivals and transfers to Canmore, Alberta. Shuttle from Calgary airport departs at 3:30 pm. Approximate arrival 5:00 p.m. Check-in is 4:00 p.m. for those arriving independently.
Dinner: Welcome dinner at the hotel.
Evening: Program orientation and introductions after dinner. Please be aware that program activities and scheduled times could change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Activity note: This is a very active program with daily hikes on mountain trails with varied terrain. Three levels of hiking options available. Mellow (3-4 miles; 150-850 ft elevation); Moderate: (5-6 miles; 1000-1700 ft elevation); Motivated: (7-9 miles; 1200-2400 ft elevation). In addition to the distances it is important to consider the amount of elevation gained and lost, the varied terrain, and starting elevation of hikes, ranging between 4,200-7,200 ft. Coach transfers to trailheads are 45 - 90 minutes.
Breakfast: Deluxe continental buffet-style breakfast with hot/cold options at Inn from 6:30 - 7:45 am.
Morning: During your scenic drive to the trailhead, your knowledgeable guides will present information about the history of Banff National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the harsh alpine environment of Sunshine Meadows and the influence of the pine beetle in mountain environments. Full day of interpretive hiking at Sunshine Meadows in Banff National Park. Learn about the ecology of the Sunshine Meadows area, one of the premiere hiking areas in the Rockies. The meadows are famous for the summer wildflowers, magnificent lakes, and monumental mountain peaks. All of our guides travel at what we call "guides pace" which is a easy-going but steady pace, with occasional breaks along the trail. The pace also reflects the relative speeds of the participants in the group, and won't go faster than the slowest person. We try to keep it at a pace where folks are able to have conversations while they're walking. That speed will vary from group to group, and from Moderate to Motivated.
Lunch: Hearty home-made trail lunch from the Summit Café includes sandwich, fruit, dessert & drink.
Afternoon: Continuation of morning hiking options at Sunshine Meadows. Discuss the human impact on the park's delicate alpine environment. Learn what measures are being undertaken to balance human encroachment with park conservation.
Dinner: Private buffet-style dinner at a local restaurant in Canmore; tea/coffee, water included; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening: Free evening to explore the town of Canmore
Activity note: This is a very active program with daily hikes on mountain trails with varied terrain. Three levels of hiking options available. Mellow (3-4 miles; 150-850 ft elevation); Moderate: (5-6 miles; 1000-1700 ft elevation); Motivated: (7-9 miles; 1200-2400 ft elevation). In addition to the distances it is important to consider the amount of elevation gained and lost, the varied terrain, and starting elevation of hikes, ranging between 4,200-7,200 ft. Coach transfers to trailheads are 45 - 90 minutes.
Breakfast: Deluxe continental buffet-style breakfast.
Morning: Talks will cover the history of Canmore, names and stories of surrounding peaks, and history of mining in the Rocky Mountains as we travel up the Icefields Parkway for full day of interpretive hiking in the North end of Banff National Park. Considered one of the most beautiful drives in the country, you will have the opportunity to see a landscape vastly altered by glaciers, many of which are still present to this day. Learn about the ecoregions of the Park while hiking upward from one to the next, starting in the subalpine and ending up in the alpine region.
Lunch: Hearty home-made trail lunch from the Summit Cafe.
Afternoon: Continuation of hiking options on the Icefields Parkway Examine the specific ecology of this area including native wildlife and their habitats.
Dinner: Buffet-style dinner at a local restaurant in Canmore.
Evening: Free evening to explore the town of Canmore.
Activity note: This is a very active program with daily hikes on mountain trails with varied terrain. Three levels of hiking options available. Mellow (3-4 miles; 150-850 ft elevation); Moderate: (5-6 miles; 1000-1700 ft elevation); Motivated: (7-9 miles; 1200-2400 ft elevation). In addition to the distances it is important to consider the amount of elevation gained and lost, the varied terrain, and starting elevation of hikes, ranging between 4,200-7,200 ft. Coach transfers to trailheads are 45 - 90 minutes.
Breakfast: Group breakfast buffet at the Coast Hotel from 8:00 - 8:30 a.m. Transportation will be provided.
Morning: Journey by coach up the Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A) while discussing the unique features of this montane ecosystem along the way. Explore the impact of wildfires, controlled burns and fire management efforts as strategies for protecting mountain wild lands. Learn about the stages of mountain building in the Canadian Rockies. Arriving in Johnston Canyon, morning hikes are enjoyed at your own pace as you learn about the geological timeline of the Canadian Rockies and the concept of differential erosion. Johnston Creek has carved down into the limestone on the valley bottom, creating a spectacular and deep canyon in a short period of time.
Lunch: Hearty home-made trail lunch from the Summit Cafe.
Afternoon: En route via Banff, the guides will share their knowledge on the history of Banff townsite, and the Banff Springs Hotel. Enjoy some free time in Banff. Explore independently the "Castle of the Canadian Rockies" - the Banff Springs Hotel and/or the many museums, shops and cafes that line Banff's bustling main street. Gain an appreciation for original Canadian artists and the art history of Banff with a visit to the Whyte Museum, or one of the town's cutting-edge art galleries. Learn more about aboriginal heritage, culture and handcrafted antiquities with a visit to the Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum. Optional walk to Bow Falls.
Dinner: Dinner on your own (at your own expense) in Canmore
Evening: Evening to explore Canmore.
Activity note: This is a very active program with daily hikes on mountain trails with varied terrain. Three levels of hiking options available. Mellow (3-4 miles; 150-850 ft elevation); Moderate: (5-6 miles; 1000-1700 ft elevation); Motivated: (7-9 miles; 1200-2400 ft elevation). In addition to the distances it is important to consider the amount of elevation gained and lost, the varied terrain, and starting elevation of hikes, ranging between 4,200-7,200 ft. Coach transfers to trailheads are 45 - 90 minutes.
Breakfast: Deluxe continental buffet-style breakfast.
Morning: Today we cross the Continental Divide and head into British Columbia while learning about the famous Burgess Shale fossil beds (UNESCO World Heritage Site), wildlife corridors in the Bow Valley, and history of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Learn about the remarkable Spiral Tunnels and witness the amazing engineering feats of early railway construction through high mountain passes. Embark on a full day of interpretive hiking in Yoho National Park. Levels and groups as in previous days. Hiking destinations for the day include: Yoho Pass and Takakkaw Falls, Emerald Basin, and Emerald Lake circuit. Witness breathtaking views on all hikes and enjoy the lush and unique west-slope vegetation.
Lunch: Hearty home-made trail lunch from the Summit Cafe.
Afternoon: Continuation of interpretive hiking in Yoho National Park. Enjoy lakeside hikes along the jade-green waters of Emerald Lake and/or hike the trails of Emerald Basin. Discuss the significance of the Burgess Shale Fossil beds in the surrounding mountain ranges, one of the largest, oldest and best-preserved fossil beds in the world.
Dinner: Enjoy a unique dinner location at the historic Lake Louise Train Station restaurant. Dinner is plated and some of the ingredients are grown on-site in the Chef's garden; includes coffee/tea, water; other beverages available for purchase. The building is a treasure trove of historical photographs and early Canadian Pacific Railway memorabilia.
Evening: Return to Canmore will be later than usual due to our dinner in Lake Louise
Activity note: This is a very active program with daily hikes on mountain trails with varied terrain. Three levels of hiking options available. Mellow (3-4 miles; 150-850 ft elevation); Moderate: (5-6 miles; 1000-1700 ft elevation); Motivated: (7-9 miles; 1200-2400 ft elevation). In addition to the distances it is important to consider the amount of elevation gained and lost, the varied terrain, and starting elevation of hikes, ranging between 4,200-7,200 ft. Coach transfers to trailheads are 45 - 90 minutes.
Breakfast: Deluxe continental buffet-style breakfast.
Morning: Today our topics of discussion include erosive powers and the shaping of the Canadian Rockies, current issues and future of our National Parks, and climbing culture (the Golden Age of Mountaineering). A full day of interpretive hiking at Moraine Lake and the Valley of the Ten Peaks. Levels and groups as in previous days. Begin your hiking expedition at turquoise-colored Moraine Lake, with close-up views of the Ten Peaks. Today's various destinations include secluded and picturesque Consolation Lake, the breathtaking Larch Valley trail, and the spectacular vistas of Sentinel Pass.
Lunch: Hearty home-made trail lunch from the Summit Cafe.
Afternoon: Following the hikes, a special stop later in the afternoon will give you the opportunity to view the world-renowned Lake Louise, the Victoria Glacier, and the grand Chateau Lake Louise. Free time to explore the Chateau and lakeside panoramas. Return to Canmore for dinner.
Dinner: Special farewell dinner (buffet) at Vic's Steakhouse in the Coast Hotel; coffee/tea, water included; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening: Wrap-up and farewell gathering at the hotel.
Activity note: Check out 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast: Deluxe continental buffet-style breakfast is served between 6:30 - 7:45 am.
Morning: Group shuttle departs from Canmore en route to Calgary Airport at 8:30 am. Approximate arrival at Calgary Airport is between 10 - 10:30 a.m. To allow for unexpected weather, and/or traffic conditions, participants should book flights that are scheduled to depart in the early afternoon. This concludes our program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please be in touch via the Road Scholar Social Network, where you can share memories, pictures and comments. Best wishes for all your journeys.
This was a fabulous program in every way! It was well organized, very capably led, and well-paced. The hiking/exploring locations were gorgeous with options to suit all participants, and the lodging and meals were well chosen! Bryce, Kelsey, Joel, and Cindy were fantastic guides! They were incredibly personable, looked after everyone's comfort and safety, and shared their wealth of knowledge in an entertaining and enthusiastic manner. We really loved that they took turns leading a different hiking level (mellow, moderate, motivated) each day, so that we could experience each of them as our guide on a day of hiking! Breaking up into smaller hiking groups also made for a great opportunity to get better acquainted with and enjoy our fellow program participants, making for a much more personal experience. We really appreciated that informational talks were presented on our bus rides to and from the trailhead, making great use of that time on the road. Canmore was a charming, friendly town to stay in while on our program, with a wonderful variety of shops and restaurants situated in the midst of great natural beauty. Each day's hiking location was gorgeous, and offered so many varied and scenic views of these magnificent mountains. Our time there passed by much too quickly. We would love to return and continue exploring and hiking in Canada's incredible National Parks. We loved every minute of our Canadian Rockies adventure and just wish it had lasted longer!
Amazing hiking experience in the magnificent Canadian Rockies. Not for the light-hearted as it was quite challenging. The guides were all superb.
Exceptional Group Leader and Instructors, hikes, education, accommodations and meals!!!!
Beautiful hiking in a stunningly beautiful place. The guides were very pleasant and accommodating. They set the right pace for hiking in high altitudes. It was wonderful to have the choice of different hiking levels. The food was excellent. The trip was very well planned.
Very organized, well run trip in the most beautiful Canadian Rockies. The turquoise blue color of the glacial lakes was amazing! The guides were all very experienced, knowledgable and really fun to hike with. Offering 3 levels of hiking actvity each day was great. By the last day my knee was aching so I could just choose to take the easier hike. I would highly recommend this trip!
The three hiking categories make this program possible for most who are physically fit. But even if you are, experience with hiking in varying terranes with obstacles such as rocks, mud and tree roots is recommended.
This a fabulous trip. The hikes are spectacular, the trail guides are knowledgeable and personable, the hotel is very nice and well located and the food is very good. Plus, the scenery is absolutely incredible!
We would encourage any outdoor enthusiasts to participate in this program. The hiking in the Canadian Rockies was magnificent and the five areas we visited were sublime in their variety and beauty. The "at your own pace" nature of the hikes allowed everyone to find a comfortable way to immerse themselves in the magnificent Canadian Rockies. The program director and each of the guides provided learning experiences that were well-planned, informative, well-paced and responsive to the needs of each of the participants.
The multi level program for hiking was excellent. The trip is relatively more expensive for its length, but this was due to multiple guides. It all worked well for each level of activity.
This was an amazing trip. The itinerary was phenomenal and the guides were, not only knowledgeable, but they were incredibly personable. Kudos to Road Scholar for providing me with an experience I will not soon forget.
This is a wonderful, well organized tour. We loved the flexibility of choosing from 3 different hikes. The middle day is a nice, 3 1/2 mile hike along a beautiful river canyon. It was a nice mellow day for everyone. The guides were great and they made the learning experience fun. I highly recommend this tour if you like hiking and want to see the Canadian Rockies.
Zava & I would give this trip a resounding eh plus! Accommodations, quality & variety of meals, transportation, and organization were all outstanding. Best of all, were the spectacular hikes led by our awesome guides. With three levels of distance and difficulty, there is something for everyone. If you want to hit the trails in the most spectacular parts of Canada while learning along the way, avoid the jammed parking lots by letting our great friends up north take care of you for seven memorable days. Did I mention that the lakes are unforgettable shades of blue or green, and Canmore has bunnies?
I highly recommend the tour Choose Your Pace: Hike the Canadian Rockies, Banff and Lake Louise. The instructors were outstanding and the hikes gorgeous! This was our first tour and it met all of our expectations. Could not have asked for a better experience
This was my first Road Scholar trip and I was very impressed. The guides for the hikes were very informative, considerate to all hikers, and I could tell they really loved their job. The views of the Canadian Rockies were breathtaking from the top of a summit or from riding the bus.
I would highly recommend this program. The hotel was good, the food was great, the trip leaders were excellent. Bryce, Brett, Kelsey, and Joel did an outstanding job showing us this beautiful part of their country.
Loved this program. Loved the fact that we had one place to call home instead of moving from place to place, packing and unpacking. Loved the "choose your own pace" hiking options (Mellow, Moderate, and Motivated). Loved the experienced and very capable guides (Jack Burns, Brett, Kelsie, and Laura). Food could be better. Note well, you'll be in the mountains - almost every Moderate and Motivated hike had some kind of steep-ish elevation - if you have knee or hip problems and you want to do a moderate or motivated hike, make sure you have whatever prosthetic you need (compression knee brace, etc) or just enjoy the mellow hiking trips, which are all wonderful.
I had planned to return to this area and do some hiking in it for many years. The Road Scholar program was great. We had 21 participants, and when we divided into 3 groups, it was a perfect size. The location with its surrounding high, rocky peaks was beautiful, and hiking in them was spectacular. Some of the hikes were quite strenuous, so participants should be in reasonably good physical shape. The group and hike leaders were excellent, and provided us with interesting information about the locations we were hiking through. I have done many Road Scholar hiking programs, and this was among the best.
This was a great program and the 3 levels of hiking helped everyone to choose the hike that was right for them each day of the program. I found the hikes challenging but not too challenging for me and was amazed by the beauty in this part of the world. The guides were the absolute best and made the experience much better and more interesting, while keeping all the hikers safe. I would highly recommend this program. I would do it again tomorrow! It was an awesome experience.
All the guides were outstanding: professional, knowledgeable and highly engaging throughout the trip. The hikes were well planned and the lectures were presented in a organized and fun manner. Loved this adventure!!!!
Excellent guiding, socially, educationally, and (most importantly)great at getting us up and down the trails. Simply awesome.
Three different hikes were offered on every day of hiking, from relatively easy to moderately hard. In my experience, none of the hikes were real challenges. They were all thoughtfully chosen for their scenic or historical value. The hiking guides were very experienced and cognizant of the needs of all the members of the hiking group. Accommodations were not luxurious, but above average.
This was our 3rd Road Scholar program. The arrangements were great and we felt we had clear guidance. The itinerary was well done and managed by the leadership. The guides, led by Jack Burns, were exceptional and we connected with them all. The hikes were well managed and having 3 levels was perfect since everyone had something that worked for their abilities. We left that week energized and very happy we once again, chose RS.
If you want a great introduction to the Canadian Rockies, and like to hike, this is the trip for you.
Great hiking, beautiful scenery, amazing guides. You can choose the level of hike each day, that interests you.
Outstanding trip, very well organized. It gives one an excellent introduction to the beauty and diversity of Canada's Rocky mountain national parks.
Being able to choose your activity level for the day is a big plus. Also, having various guides adds to the enjoyment of the hikes.
Beautiful scenery and the added advantage of 3 levels of difficulty available daily made it possible for everyone to enjoy a great experience. The trip is very well organized and provides a lot of pertinent information about our surroundings.
This was an excellent program with staff that work well together. We enjoyed the hiking, the wild flowers, the views and even the occasional sprinkle.
Excellent choice for fantastic scenery combined with daily choice of hiking levels making for a good match for couples of different capabilities or people uncertain of their hiking level.
Terrific program. Extremely well-organized and well-run by the local guides (Company of Adventurers).
This was one of the best trips of my life! The guides and all of the employees of the sub-contracted group were beyond compare. Knowledgeable, organized, caring and fun! This trip is not to be missed!!
If you love dramatic scenery, and love hiking, this is the place for you. All of our guides were bright engaging people, fun to be with and explore the area.
This was an excellent trip. The organization was great - nice hotel, good food, well-planned hikes. Snow during the last days of summer didn't faze our guides. They were friendly, knowledgeable and patient. Bryce and his Company of Adventurers are wonderful! Many thanks to Bryce, Veronica, Cindy, Jeff, Scott and bus driver Rob.
Loved my trip-- GO!! Don't worry about a thing as they will take care of you. Every time was asked our tour guides for help they quickly said, "I can help you with that!" Amazing.
I thoroughly enjoyed this trip. We had great weather the first couple of days and then an early winter storm moved in and dumped 4 to 6 inches of snow. It was unexpected but a beautiful winter wonderland and challenging hiking environment. The group was great. Everyone took it in stride and made the best of it.
This was our first Road Scholar trip and it was truly amazing. Our tour leader, Bryce W (and his staff), made the trip one of our most memorable vacations we have ever had. We hope to get back to the Canadian Rockies again. Epic!!
I truly doubt that I will ever find another guided hiking trip as well executed as this one. The program was beyond my expectations. The guides (Katrina, Lynda, and Lynn) were more than qualified; they were all local, knew the terrain, were skilled and had a passion for their part of the world. They seemed to love what they were doing. The talks on the bus were well-presented and informative and made the bus rides pass quickly. It was great having one place to stay every night. If you are in good condition, love to hike, and want to experience the beauty of the Canadian Rockies, this is the program for you.
The Canadian Rockies have been on my bucket list and hiking in them was definitely the way to see them. Such beauty. So many ‘wow’ moments. The local company that ran the tour was fantastic. They are the reason for the 5 stars as they orchestrated such a memorable week. Liked that we stayed at the same hotel all week. It is walking distance to ‘downtown’ Canmore – a quaint town surrounded by majestic mountain ranges (including ‘The Three Sisters’). My first Road Scholar tour, but won’t be my last. Loved it !
This was an amazing experience! The whole trip was well planned and executed. It was worth every penny and every moment I experienced. I wrote the check and they took it from there, completely worry free. This is the way to go, and the company to go with! I'll be back!
This was a fantastic program with spectacular scenery, invigorating hikes, and capable and engaging tour leaders. This program is the perfect choice for anyone looking for an active, educational, and awe-inspiring outdoor vacation.
This was a great trip! The scenery was beautiful, the guides were great, the food was delicious! Having three levels of hiking accommodated everyone in our group.
See the glaciers in Canadian Rockies! Glacier National Park is beautiful too, but has no glaciers. This hiking vacation was more than we expected: learned more, saw more, outstanding hiking guides, and lots of new friends :-)
Hiking the Canadian Rockies, Choose Your Pace, was my first but not my last Road Scholar adventure. The guides were encouraging me to knew heights in many ways. Their support whether I chose to mellow out at any easier pace or hike over the Continental Divide and into my first Cirque, was always a pleasantly, exhilarating experience!
The program exceeded my expectations. The national parks that we visited were spectacular in their beauty. Our program leaders were helpful, informative, funny and friendly. Three levels of hiking ability/needs were provided each day, and I was very satisfied with the group where I landed. I also enjoyed learning about Canada, and was impressed by all of our program leaders' passion for their country. I wish I was still there on a trail!
The ability to choose from three different challenge levels of hikes everyday was wonderful- I, with seasoned guides, pushed my self to new heights>
This was my first Road Scholar trip and it was a great experience. The hikes were incredibly beautiful and the 3 levels of hiking were offered exactly as Road Scholars advertised, and difficulty of the hikes was based not just on length, but on terrain and elevation change. The staff running the trip were very warm and friendly, and did a great job keeping us safe, healthy, and informed in a lot of areas related to nature, history, and culture.