A classic from day one, this Canadian Rockies walking and hiking tour explores our favorite, unfrequented trails in beautiful Banff & Yoho National Parks.

Few destinations can boast the accessibility, variety, and sheer grandeur of the Canadian Rockies. Home to no fewer than seven national parks, the Canadian Rockies offer some of the most stunning hiking in North America, complete with immense, snowcapped peaks, seemingly endless forests, rivers and vibrantly colored lakes. Our adventure is in the crown jewels of the Canadian parks system, Banff and Yoho. Here we hike on trails that lead us to classic Rocky Mountain vistas and offer glimpses of the diverse resident wildlife, including moose, elk, bighorn sheep, and bear. Each day, our expert local guides uncover the secrets of this inspiring natural realm. In the evenings, we return to scenic accommodations and relive the day's adventures over well-earned meals.

Days 1-2: Our Canadian Rockies hiking tour begins in Banff, Alberta. Hike classic trails to Stanley Glacier, the Valley of Ten Peaks, and Moraine Lake in Banff National Park, and enjoy the comforts of our lodge in Lake Louise.

Days 3-4: Enter Yoho National Park and hike Yoho Pass. Marvel at the 1,200' Takakkaw Falls, near our beautiful riverside lodge. Explore brilliant glacier lakes and dramatic mountain peaks.

Day 5: Enjoy one last hiking opportunity, and return to Banff to say farewell and celebrate our Canadian Rockies hiking adventure.

Boundless Journeys' Banff & Yoho hiking tour is an adventure that everyone should have the opportunity to experience: it is a place almost too grand and too beautiful to be real. From each vantage point there is something truly magnificent to see: from the valley floors where cold rivers run the glaciers' meltwater, to the great lodgepole pine forests and wildflower-speckled alpine meadows, to the surreal and serene turquoise lakes, and the high peaks and mighty glaciers themselves.

The Boundless Journeys' Advantage

• A passion for travel. Simply put, we love to travel, and that is woven into every one of our journeys.
• Unique, award-winning itineraries. Our flexible, hand-crafted journeys have received accolades from the world’s most revered travel publications.
• Insider connections. There is simply no substitute for traveling with a knowledgeable insider.
• Small groups. We tread softly, and our average group size is just 6-8 guests.
• Flexibility to suit your travel style. We offer both small-group departures and Private Collection trips.
• Customer service that goes the extra mile. There is no request that is too big – or too small.
• Sustainability. We are committed to traveling responsibly.

Most Convenient Airport:
Calgary International Airport (airport code YYC)

Meeting Time and Place:
Your guide(s) will meet you in the morning on the first day of your tour in the lobby of the Royal Canadian Lodge in Banff. Please be dressed for hiking! You will most likely need to arrive the night prior to the first day of your trip.

Departure Time and Place:
Your guides will provide a drop-off in downtown Banff by 4:00 p.m. on the last day or your trip, in time for check-in to post-tour hotels or for shuttle service to Calgary for early morning flights out the following day.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Physical Activity
Boundless Journeys' trips are designed for energetic and flexible individuals who like to be active and have a spirit of adventure and a positive attitude. Mountain Paths of Banff & Yoho is rated 3, moderate, on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being the most strenuous).  You will experience moderate hiking on this trip, 4-6 hours a day with elevation gains often between 1,000 - 1,800 feet. The hikes on this trip are day hikes with minimal vehicle support.  Because of the nature of our trails, we often hike “out and back” on the same path.  

Preparing for this Trip
It is very important that you realistically assess your physical condition with regard to the demands of this trip.  The more well prepared you are for the activities on this trip, the more you will enjoy yourself!  Please engage in moderate aerobic activities (hiking, jogging, or cycling) for at least 30-45 minutes several times a week for 4-6 weeks before the trip.  If you live in a flat area, try to incorporate some stairs into your workout, or use a treadmill with varying incline capability.  Consult your doctor before undertaking any new fitness program.  

Weather
Expect the weather conditions in the Rockies to be variable, and you won't be disappointed!  While summer days are usually delightful, with crisp mornings and warm, sunny afternoons, you must come prepared for a variety of conditions, including the possibility of rain.  Mornings and evenings tend to be much cooler than midday; therefore you will find dressing in layers to be an effective strategy.

Average temperatures in Banff are in the high 50's in the fall and in the low 70's in the summer; evening temperatures range from the mid-30's in the fall to the mid-40's in the summer.

Average temperatures in Lake Louise range from the high 50's in the fall to the high 60's in the smmer; evening temperatures range from the low 30's in the fall to the high 30's in the summer. 

Average temperatures in Yoho National Park range from the low 60's in the fall to the low 70's in the summer; evening temperatures range from the high 30's in the fall to the mid-40's in the summer.

You may obtain more detailed weather information at www.weatherbase.com.

When to Go
July and August find many species of wildflowers in the high alpine meadows. The warmest weather in Banff and Yoho is between July and August, with peaks of up to 77°F on occasion. Contrasting with the hot daytime weather, nights remain cool.  The landscape begins to change dramatically as fall approaches with spectacular autumnal shades throughout the surrounding countryside and Canadian Rockies.

 

Overview:  Four nights in Rocky Mountain lodges with many amenities, all private baths.
 

Nights 1 & 2:  Baker Creek Chalets
Lake Louise, Alberta

Nestled in a wooded setting beside Baker Creek, these chalets are ideally located for Rocky Mountain adventures.

Nights 3 & 4:  Cathedral Mountain Lodge
Yoho National Park Field, British Columbia

With authentic log cabins in the trees at the edge of the glacier-fed Kicking Horse River, this lodge offers Canadian Rockies accommodation at its finest. The cabins are well appointed with wood-burning stone fireplaces, while large soaking tubs and private decks round out the experience.
 

DAY 1
Stanley Glacier

Hiking – moderate, 3-4 hours, with an approximate elevation gain and loss of 1,000 feet.

Upon meeting our guides in Banff, our Canadian Rockies hiking tour begins with an introduction to the major natural forces that have shaped these mountains.  A 1968 forest fire cleared the valley below Stanley Glacier of vegetation, which has slowly recovered over the past 40 years.  Here, a switchback trail leads through wildflower meadows, with expansive views of Stanley Glacier hanging at the head of the valley, and the waterfalls that pour over the cliffs at the glacier's edge. Further along, the vegetation thins and there is the possibility of viewing the wildlife that forage among the scree, including marmot, pika, ptarmigan and mountain goat. We stop for lunch at the trail's terminus before returning along the same route.

Later this afternoon we arrive at the lodge where we'll be staying for the next two nights, nestled on the edge of Baker Creek.  Tonight before dinner we enjoy a toast to the beginning of our week of adventure.
Baker Creek Chalets, Lake Louise, Alberta

DAY 2  
Lake Louise; Moraine Lake and Valley of the Ten Peaks

Hiking – moderate, 4-6 hours, with approximate elevation gain of 1,200 feet.

Early this morning we head for Lake Louise, taking advantage of the twilight and this quiet time of day to take photographs of the famous lake, before making our way to our hiking area for the day, Moraine Lake.

Moraine Lake is seen to its best advantage as we hike into the famous Valley of the Ten Peaks. All ten summits, each over 10,000 feet high, loom over the Wenkchemna Glacier below. Our trail crosses meadows filled with wildflowers, and as we approach Eiffel Lake, the most spectacular views down the valley are revealed. We enjoy a picnic lunch in this magnificent mountain environment, and if we are lucky, we will be entertained by snow avalanching from the hanging glaciers in the distance. We return down through this spectacular valley, gaining a second chance to soak in the fabulous views over the Valley of the Ten Peaks.  This evening we enjoy dinner at a favorite local restaurant.
Baker Creek Chalets, Lake Louise, Alberta

DAY 3  
Bow Summit and Bow Falls

Hiking – easy to moderate, 4-6 hours, with approximate elevation gain of 560' and loss of 33', maximum elevation 6890'.

Off the Icefields Parkway, considered by many to be one of the most beautiful roads in North America, is the rustic Num-Ti-Jah Lodge on the shores of Bow Lake. This area is known as the favorite place of pioneer and trapper Jimmy Simpson, who spent the late 19th century exploring the area. Our day's hike begins here, and our goal is Bow Falls, where glacial meltwater gushes from below the base of Bow Glacier. Our hike brings us through dense forest, across small streams, and ultimately across a glacial moraine. Of course, magnificent mountain views are everywhere. We enjoy a picnic lunch at the falls before returning to Bow Lake.

Later this afternoon we enter Yoho National Park, established in 1886. The word "Yoho" is a Cree Indian expression of astonishment or awe, and the name is fitting as the park is well known for its seemingly endless supply of hiking trails, spectacular waterfalls, and dramatic mountain peaks. Our home for the next two nights is a beautifully refurbished Rockies lodge, featuring cozy private cabins on the Kicking Horse River at the base of majestic Cathedral Mountain.
Cathedral Mountain Lodge, Yoho National Park, British Columbia

DAY 4  
Yoho Pass

Hiking – moderate to strenuous, 5-7 hours on hiking trails, with approximate elevation gain of 1,400' and loss of 1,800', maximum elevation approximately 7000'.

Following breakfast, our day begins with a visit to Takakkaw Falls, one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the Rockies.  Takakkaw means “magnificent” in Cree, and the falls certainly are, dropping an estimated 1,200', making it one of the highest falls in Canada.  Be on the lookout for the mountain goats that frequent the surrounding cliffs.

Our hike today takes us over Yoho Pass.  Along the way we are afforded views of Takakkaw Falls and Emerald Glacier as we make our way to the brilliant Yoho Lake.  The Iceline Trail climbs steadily to the pass, and then descends through the lush vegetation of Emerald Lake's alluvial fan.  Possible wildlife encounters include moose, marmots and golden eagles.

At the end of the day we enjoy cocktails and appetizers by the river, toasting our days of great hikes, before a final celebratory dinner at our lodge.
Cathedral Mountain Lodge, Yoho National Park, British Columbia

DAY 5  
Sherbrooke Lake or Paget Lookout and return to Banff

Hiking – easy to moderate, 2-3 hours.

After a leisurely morning, we enjoy a final scenic hike at either Sherbrooke Lake or Paget Lookout. By 4 p.m. we arrive back in Banff, in time for you to check in to local hotels or catch an early evening shuttle to Calgary for flights out tomorrow morning.

Please note that this is a typical itinerary, and actual activities may vary to take advantage of weather conditions, local events, and to allow serendipity to play a hand in your experience. Accommodations are as outlined in the itinerary, although we reserve the right to change these should the need arise.

 

$2,495 per person

• Expert leadership
• All accommodations
• All meals
• All transportation during the tour
• Park fees
• All activities as noted in the itinerary