Banff Lodge-based Tour
Calgary, Alberta
4.9 (18 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Hike in 3 National Parks
- Wildlife Habitat
- Banff Lodging
- Small Group Adventure Tour
- Waterfalls, Glaciers & Alpine Lakes
- High Mountain Passes with BIG Views
- All-inclusive Package & Expert Guides
Description
Picture yourself hiking in a small group of like-minded travelers to the top of a towering mountain pass with spectacular views down onto a creased and fractured glacier. The mountains are vast, snow-covered and jagged in all directions. The sky is a sharp, mesmerizing blue. The air is pure with subtle scents of pine, aspen, spruce, and a variety of grasses and wildflowers. You take off your backpack and snap some photos. Your guide lays down a picnic blanket and delicious lunch spread; you sit and know this is one meal you’ll never forget. This is the Canadian Rockies with Wildland Trekking!
Our Banff Lodge-based Tour shows you the very best hikes and features of Banff, Kootenay, and Yoho National Parks, three of the major parks that comprise the Canadian Rockies. You’ll see waterfalls, stunning mountain lakes, high mountain passes, glaciers, wildlife, and more!
$1290 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
On this trip the single supplement includes a single room for the duration of the trip.
If you’re travelling on your own and would prefer double occupancy, please let us know and we will do our best to pair you with a roommate. If we’re unable to, then the single supplement fee will apply.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 3
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
Hiking Distances:
5-7 mi
Backpack Weight:
10-15 pounds
Terrain:
Moderately Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
1863 ft
Heights Exposure:
Light
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS TRIP
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 10-15 pound backpack for 6-8 hours
- Maintaining balance and footing on variable, uneven terrain
- River and creek crossings
- Possibly hiking on areas with snow
SOLITUDE LEVEL 3
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
We rate this Canadian Rockies hiking tour a solitude 3. You can expect to have hours of solitude at a time while hiking.
We require a minimum of 2 guests to confirm this trip. If a trip date is not confirmed yet, you can register and will be notified when the trip is officially confirmed. We recommend not making final travel arrangements until your trip meets the minimum number of guests and is confirmed.
In most cases, if a trip does not reach the minimum number of guests, you may choose to transfer to another trip date or another trip, be refunded your payments in full, or you may have the choice to pay a supplemental fee to run the trip with fewer guests. We make the final determination for these trips 65-60 days before the departure date.
Private Trips
Travel in perfect company by booking a private trip exclusively for your group or family!
In many areas we can run trips with group sizes larger than our normal capacity of 12 guests. There’s no minimum number of guests on a private tour, and in many cases, we have flexibility around minimum age as well.
For all international trips outside the United States, we quote private trip requests on a case by case basis. Please complete the form below to inquiry about a private tour.
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Itinerary
Day 1
- Accommodation: Hotel in Banff
On this Canadian Rockies hiking adventure, we will meet for our group pick-up from the Calgary International Airport (YYC) at 2 pm on Day 1. This private group shuttle will then drive approximately 1.5 hours to the village of Banff, where we will check into our accommodation for the next 5 nights!
At 5 pm, we will have our orientation meeting, and your guide will cover introductions, a thorough briefing of our trip, hand out group and personal gear, and answer any last-minute questions you may have. We’ll have dinner tonight in Banff, just a short walk from our hotel. Tomorrow, we hit the trail!
*Important Transportation Note: Only one group shuttle is planned for airport pick-up on this tour. Please arrange for your flight to arrive no later than 1 pm. If you are needing transportation outside of this planned group shuttle, please see below for recommended local shuttle options.
Day 2
- Shuttle: 90 minutes each way
- Hiking Mileage: 5.2 miles (8.4 km)
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 510 feet (155 m)
- Trekking Duration: 3-4 hours
- Accommodations: Hotel in Banff
After our first breakfast together, we will enjoy a scenic, 90-minute drive along the famous highway 93 to our first hike. Our hike begins along the banks of the turquoise-colored Bow Lake. The views are instantly impressive! This trail is a great introduction to the joys of hiking in the Canadian Rockies. As we hike, we will enjoy views of lakes, glaciers and towering peaks. After reaching the other side of Bow Lake we will hike through a gorge carved out by a glacial-fed stream. Continuing to climb until, we will reach our destination and lunch spot at the 410-foot, tiered, cascading Bow Glacier Falls. After enjoying your first gourmet trail lunch prepared by your guide, we will take snap photos and eventually hike back the way we came, soaking up views in the opposite direction. Our dinner tonight will be prepared by your guide and will be an outside BBQ with plenty of options for all diets.
Day 3
- Shuttle: 90 minutes each way
- Hiking Mileage: 5 miles (8 km)
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 492 feet (150 m)
- Trekking Duration: 3-4 hours
- Accommodations: Hotel in Banff
This morning, after a hearty breakfast, we will embark on a drive to beautiful Yoho National Park. Our driving journey today is our longest, but also the most scenic of our trip! Today’s hike leads to viewpoints of four waterfalls! The first two – Angel’s Staircase and Point Lace Falls – are small, intimate cascades. We will pass these, snap some pictures and continue hiking until we reach Laughing Falls: an impressive single plume with thunderous volume. Our guide will prepare lunch as we enjoy the breathtaking ambiance of the area. After lunch we will hike back to the trailhead, taking in views of Takakkaw Falls, meaning ‘magnificent’ in the Cree language, along the way. Takakkaw Falls plunges roughly 1,200 ft to the valley floor making it one of the highest in Canada. Once back at our accommodations we will have some free time to freshen up before dinner.
Day 4
- Shuttle: 45 minutes each way
- Hiking Mileage: 7.1 miles (11.4 km)
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 1863 feet (568 m)
- Trekking Duration: 4-5 hours
- Accommodations: Hotel in Banff
Today after breakfast, we’ll head off together to the Kootenay National Park and the Stanley Glacier Trail. Our hike crosses the Vermillion River on a small bridge, then takes us through an area that was heavily affected by a forest fire in 1968. Here the ecology of new growth and the remnants of past fire damage illustrate the fascinating juxtaposition of fire destruction and rejuvenation. We will climb higher into the valley with cascading waterfalls and a beautiful alpine meadow. With views of the Stanley Glacier making it all worth it, we enjoy a lunch prepared by your guide before heading back down. Off in the distance our view is dominated by the towering Mount Whymper. Once back at our vehicle we will head to the popular and picturesque Lake Louise for to soak up some of the most famous views in the Canadian Rockies. Eventually we will head back to our accommodation and shower before another meal at a local restaurant in the town of Banff.
Day 5
- Shuttle: 60 minutes each way
- Hiking Mileage: 7 miles (11.3 km)
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 1237 feet (377 m)
- Trekking Duration: 5-6 hours
- Accommodations: Hotel in Banff
This morning starts with another delicious breakfast at our hotel, then it’s off to the mountains again. Our hike today starts out following a broad valley floor. This out and back hike, although mostly in the forest, will give you a great taste of Paradise Valley. Our destination? Lake Annette! This lake is nestled at the foot of Mount Temple, the highest mountain in the Lake Louise area. After enjoying a picnic lunch near the lake shore you’ll have the option of heading back to the trailhead, or if you’re feeling energetic, you can continue less than a mile past the lake to a stunning viewpoint. Here we’ll emerge from the trees for views of the entire, splendid valley!
Our hike will take us back to the trailhead and subsequently back to Banff, where you will have free time to freshen up before dinner. For our final night we have a very special treat in store! After days of hiking, give your legs a break and take the easy way to the top of a mountain in a gondola! The 10-minute ride ascends to 7,500 feet and brings you to fantastic views overlooking Banff and the surrounding landscape. We’ll enjoy looking down on the mountains we’ve been exploring all week before heading out for our final dinner together. What a week it has been!
Day 6
This morning after breakfast, a planned group shuttle will deliver you back to Calgary International Airport for your flight back home. Please schedule your departure flights for any time after 12 pm as we will arrive to the airport at approximately 10 am. Thank You for choosing Wildland!
*Important Transportation Note: Only one group shuttle is planned for airport drop-off on this tour. If you are needing transportation outside of this planned group shuttle, please see below for shuttle recommendations.
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however occasionally trips are subject to itinerary changes based on a variety of circumstances, including but not limited to: lodging/campground availability, extreme weather, political or bureaucratic obstacles, earthquakes, fires, flooding and more. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
TRIP DATES & BOOKING
AVAILABLE TO BOOK
This trip is available and bookable online! Click on the date to register now or contact us online to book through our award-winning customer service team!
GOING FAST
This trip has 1 or 2 spots remaining and is bookable online! Click on the date to book now or contact us online to book through customer service.
REQUEST A RESERVATION
This trip is exclusively booked through customer service due to logistics with lodging, permits, staffing, availability, or something else. Please contact us online or call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to request a reservation.
Don't see your dates? Call us! We may be able to add new trip dates.
800-715-HIKE (4453)Trip Details
What's Included
- A detailed trip packet that takes the guesswork out of your travel, training, packing, and preparing for the trip
- Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
- Transportation for the duration of the trip including group airport transfers
- All meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 6
- Lodging for the duration of the tour
- Use of a day pack and trekking poles
- Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device
What's Not Included
- Transportation to/from Calgary
- Airport transportation outside of planned group shuttles
- Bar bills, drink bills, telephone bills, Wi-Fi bills and other personal expenses (shopping/ laundry)
- Clothes, rain gear, and footwear (see recommendations)
- Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
- Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
- Trip insurance that includes medical coverage and at least $200,000 in evacuation and repatriation coverage (strongly encouraged)
- All expenses due to unavoidable events e.g. flight cancellation, personal illness, strikes, etc. (we recommend trip insurance coverage for these variables)
- Guide gratuities are optional and at the discretion of each customer. A suggested guideline is to reward outstanding service with a tip of 5-10% of the total trip cost. Local currency is preferred, or USD is also appreciated.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about what to pack.
Meals: What to Expect
This Canadian Rockies hiking tour features a combination of in-town meals and meals prepared by your guide. For the most part we’ll be enjoying in-town meals for dinner and most breakfasts at carefully selected restaurants (both casual and fine dining options are utilized) and lodges. Lunches are prepared on the trail by your guides.
In addition, we provide you with an assortment of trail mix, snacks, and dried fruits to eat at your own discretion.
We can often accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher and non-gluten diets and make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee, and in some countries may be more difficult to accommodate than others. Please inquire with us for more information about the specific trip you’re interested in.
Gear We Provide
We provide all group gear which includes the following:
- Backpacks
- Trekking poles
- Company-issued first-aid kit
- Emergency communication device
Guest Packing List
When you register for this tour you’ll receive access to a printable, downloadable trip information packet with a detailed packing list specific to this trip (click here to see it now.) All trips require a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots, rain gear, a recommended clothing system, a headlamp or flashlight, a hydration system (water bottles and/or bladder) and other items specific to each trip.
Trip Logistics
How Do I Register?
Reserve your spot today! In the Trip Dates & Booking section of this page, the green and red dates are bookable online by simply clicking on the date, and blue dates must be booked through our customer service team for a variety of possible reasons. To email our customer service team, you can click here to get the ball rolling. Our adventure consultants will confirm availability, and if you’re ready to register we’ll email you a link to a registration profile. You’ll have 72 hours to complete your profile (and that of any dependents) and pay the deposit.
Feel free to call us for more info – we’re here 7 days a week!
Where Do We Meet?
We will meet you at Calgary International Airport (YYC) at 2 pm on Day 1 and transport you to the first night’s hotel, where we’ll conduct an orientation meeting the first evening (your flight needs to arrive by 1 pm).
We can also pick you up at the Calgary airport hotels for no additional fee or downtown Calgary for an additional $20 transportation fee.
Our Canada communication team will be in contact approximately 45 days before your trip to coordinate your rendezvous and answer any last-minute questions you have.
*Important Transportation Note: Only one group shuttle is planned for Airport pick-up on this tour on Day 1. If you are needing transportation outside of this planned group shuttle, we recommend booking through Banff Airporter. As a Wildland guest, you will receive a 15% discount on their daily shuttle service between the Calgary Airport and Banff. Go to Banff Airporter and then click Book Now. Proceed through the reservation and type – WILDLAND – in the “Promo Code” section on the final payment page to receive the discount.
Banff Airporter
(888) 449-2901
Banff Airporter
Brewster Banff Airport Express
(877) 625-4372
https://www.banffjaspercollection.com/brewster-express/schedule-locations/
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel to Calgary, Alberta
Trip Start: Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We will meet at the Calgary International Airport (YCC) at 2 pm on Day 1. Please arrive no later than 1 pm in order to make this shuttle.
Trip End: Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Please plan for flights to depart no earlier than 12 pm on Day 6.
Closest Airport: Calgary International Airport (YYC). Flights to and from Calgary International Airport are the guest’s responsibility.
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
In the interest of your safety, it’s important to refer to the Center for Disease Control website for up-to-date recommendations on immunizations before your trip.
Essential Eligibility Criteria
Essential Eligibility Criteria (“EEC”) have been specifically identified to help you understand the skills and abilities necessary to participate on each Wildland trip, and they apply uniformly to all potential trip participants, irrespective of the presence or absence of any disability.
Once you identify a trip in which you may be interested, please carefully review the EEC and itinerary details. If after reviewing the EEC that apply to your desired trip, you determine you need an accommodation in order to meet the EEC, please contact us prior to registering to discuss your requested accommodation.
The EEC exist for your own safety and the safety and enjoyment of all participants. If you are unable to meet the EEC for the trip, with or without an accommodation, you are not eligible for that trip. If you register and arrive for a trip for which you do not meet the EEC, you will be disqualified from participation on the trip and will be dismissed or evacuated from the trip without a refund.
Guides
Our approach to international travel is to combine the best of two worlds: the dialed-in details, professionalism and consistency Wildland trips are known for; and the cultural immersion and intimate regional knowledge that only locals can provide. To excel with this approach, we vet and hire the best local guides, welcome them into the Wildland family and train them to meet our standard of excellence with every aspect of a trip. But along with managing logistics and safety, your guides will teach you about the area’s history and culture, and provide a level of familiarity and intimate detail only locals can.
Check out our Meet Our Team page for staff bios.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case-by-case basis
Trip Insurance
Field evacuation, repatriation, and medical insurance is highly recommended on all trips (field evacuation and repatriation minimum coverage is a combined $200,000 USD).
We recommend IMG/iTravelinsured. They are one of the world’s leading providers of travel insurance.
For information on the recommended IMG/iTravelinsured policies please click here.
If you already have insurance or wish to purchase from anyone other than IMG/iTravelinsured, we recommend careful consultation with the provider to ensure appropriate coverage. This is because many providers have a number of policy exclusions.
Weather in the Canadian Rockies
The weather in the Canadian Rockies is typical of high mountain climates with sunny weather, summer thunderstorms, and radical and abrupt temperature changes. We recommend being prepared for a range of conditions by packing layered, non-cotton clothing, and having high quality waterproof and breathable rain gear (jackets and pants). For a more comprehensive packing list, please refer to the detailed trip packet that you can download from this page and receive when you register.
| Month | Hi | Low | Precip |
| June | 66° F | 41° F | 58.4 mm |
| July | 71° F | 45° F | 51.1 mm |
| August | 70° F | 44° F | 51.2 mm |
| September | 60° F | 38° F | 37.7 mm |
Accommodations
THE JUNIPER HOTEL & BISTRO
5 NIGHTS
The Juniper Hotel & Bistro is located just minutes from downtown Banff, surrounded by nature with stunning views of the high peaks of the Canadian Rockies. Relax in the outdoor hot tub and soak up the breathtaking mountain views by day and starry skies by night.
* These exact accommodations are not guaranteed. In some instances alternative accommodations of similar quality and location may be used.
Trip Reviews
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- HIGH - LOW
Sarha I
Absolutely loved this trip,
We loved everything about this trip. The guides were fantastic - very knowledgeable, kind, and patient. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking - glaciers,, waterfalls, and lakes.
Rose M
Absolutely amazing scenery.
Absolutely amazing scenery. Perfect choices of trails to give us an experience of the diversity of Canadian nature
Frances H
Loved the Trip
I loved our guides, Sara and Jamie and the other assorted guides found to take over for Jamie's ankle .loved that Jamie was such a part of our trip.She is purely delightful. Kind, thoughtful, insightful,professional, able to measure the whole group's needs well.. personally I would've loved the chance to be able to tell the guides to go a bit faster..didn't feel comfortable to ask as I wanted to respect the guides knowledge about this.. is there away to ask the group after the first day about this??actually, maybe that's an idea- after the first day a brief check in?? loved the initial check in to say hello and ask about our goals/wishes for the trip..
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