Canadian Rockies

Intrepid Travel · 15 days
Canadian Rockies
Canadian Rockies
Canadian Rockies
Canadian Rockies
Canadian Rockies
Canadian Rockies
Canadian Rockies
Canadian Rockies
Canadian Rockies
Canadian Rockies
Canadian Rockies
Canadian Rockies
Canadian Rockies
Canadian Rockies
15 Days
From AUD $4595
Trip Type
Small Group
Activity Level
Average

Rating


(20 reviews)

Canadian Rockies

Canadian Rockies

Intrepid Travel · 15 days
Duration

15 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Basic

Physical Rating

Average

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Explore Canada’s Rocky Mountains on a thrilling 15-day adventure. Walk the streets of Vancouver, hike the trails of Jasper and Banff to Maligne Lake and Lake Louise, canoe along Clearwater Lake in Wells Gray Provincial Park and soak up the superb alpine scenery.

Highlights

  • Get wild in Jasper National Park, where it’s possible to spot moose, elk, deer, bears and coyotes among the sea of evergreen pine and spruce trees.
  • Take an included canoeing adventure and camp overnight on the remote shore of Clearwater Lake, where you can fall asleep under a blanket of stars.
  • See the Athabasca Glacier up close and personal during a walk to the toe of the glacier, an experience that will feel other-worldly.
  • Enjoy plenty of free time to explore Canada’s premier outdoor adventure hub, Whistler, at your own pace. Hike rugged trails or munch on ‘beaver tails’ – the choice is yours.
  • See the Rockies’ vast array of striking lakes, mountains and glaciers – no matter what time of year you visit – with a wilderness-loving local as your guide.

Trip Details

Duration

15 days

Transportation

Private Vehicle

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Vancouver, Canada

Finishes

Vancouver, Canada

Accommodations

Basic

Travel Style

Explorer

Physical Rating

Average

Itinerary

1
Day 1: Vancouver
O Canada! Home of ice hockey and maple syrup, and source of your soon-to-be fondest travel memories. It all starts in Vancouver. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 8 am tomorrow morning where you’ll meet your local leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early in Vancouver, why not take a walk around the Victorian buildings in the historic Gastown neighbourhood, or maybe wander through the behemoth urban forest that is Stanley Park.

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
2
Day 2: Whistler
At 8 am sharp, meet your fellow travellers and leader in the hotel lobby for a welcome meeting. Then, hit the road for the outdoorsy hub that is Whistler. Drive along the Sea to Sky Highway, widely considered one of the most scenic routes in the world, with a stop at Squamish along the way. Once you arrive in Whistler, join your leader for an orientation walk around the pedestrian-only town. Tomorrow’s a free day, so this could be a good chance to get a sense of what’s on offer. Have a chat to your leader about how to go about booking and taking part in hiking, mountain biking, zip-lining, kayaking and more. Then, settle into the campground for the night.

Included Activities:

  • Whistler - Leader-led orientation walk

Accommodation:

  • Camping (with facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)
3
Day 3: Whistler
Stunning Whistler is ready to be explored, up the mountain or back down in the village. Perhaps buy yourself a ticket to ride the PEAK 2 PEAK gondola to enjoy unparalleled views of towering volcanic peaks and surrounding forest on the world’s longest and highest lift. Once at the top, check out the nearby scenic walking trails, mountaintop restaurants and indoor interpretive displays. Otherwise, you could hire a bike and ride along the Valley Trail to Lost Lake, or go for an easy hike along the Lost Lake Nature Trail. If you're after something a little more cultured, perhaps hit the Audain Art Museum to see a selection of First Nations and British Columbian artwork.

Optional Activities:

  • Whistler - PEAK2PEAK Gondola (82 CAD)
  • Whistler – Standard Mountain Bike Rental (full day) (90 CAD)
  • Whistler - Zip Trek Tour (1.5 hrs) (129 CAD)
  • Whistler - Regular Bike Rental (half day) (40 CAD)
  • Whistler - Lost Lake Trail hike - Free

Accommodation:

  • Camping (with facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)
4
Day 4: Wells Gray Provincial Park
Make sure you’ve got a book, a podcast or some sparkling conversation ready as you settle in for a long drive to Wells Gray Provincial Park. You’ll arrive in time to set up camp for the evening on a rustic cowboy ranch. Relax with dinner by the campfire. Complete the classic North American campsite by crafting s’mores (marshmallow, chocolate and graham crackers) and sharing stories over the crackle of the flames.

Included Activities:

  • Wells Gray Provincial Park

Accommodation:

  • Camping (with facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)
5
Day 5: Wells Gray Provincial Park
This morning you’ll travel deeper into Wells Gray Provincial Park, disembarking at Clearwater Lake. Pack your camping equipment into a canoe, then cruise into the water. On a sunny day the name of the lake is particularly apt, and if you work up a thirst while paddling you can drink the pristine water around you, no filter necessary. After some instruction from the canoeing guides, paddle to a secluded beach campsite. Set up camp for the night, then you can choose to head on a leader-led hike to Eagle’s View. Later, cook dinner and finish the day with some stargazing around the campfire.

Included Activities:

  • Overnight Canoe Trip - 2 Nights

Optional Activities:

  • Wells Grey Provincial Park - Eagles View Hike - Free

Accommodation:

  • Camping (with basic facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)
6
Day 6: Wells Gray Provincial Park
For your second day in the backcountry, the agenda is up to the group! You can take on some more of the trails the park has to offer, do some more paddling around Clearwater Laker, swim – or all three. Your leader will be on hand to provide you with any recommendations you need. Return to your campsite in the evening and enjoy another meal under the stars.

Accommodation:

  • Camping (with basic facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)
7
Day 7: Jasper National Park
Wake up lakeside and pack up your gear to hit the water again. Back at the starting point, help unload and store the canoes and then hit the road bound for Jasper National Park. It’s a long drive, but you’ll break it up with a short hike to Helmcken and Spahats waterfalls. There’ll also be a stop in at Mt Robson Provincial Park, giving you a chance to stretch your legs on a short walk through the picturesque wildflower meadows. Arrive in Jasper in the early evening, and settle into your campsite.

Included Activities:

  • Jasper National Park - Entrance Fee
  • Wells Grey - Helmcken & Spahats Waterfalls walk
  • Mt Robson Provincial Park

Accommodation:

  • Camping (with facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)
8
Day 8: Jasper National Park/Maligne Lake
Today you’ll make a visit to of Maligne Lake. Make sure you’ve got a charged phone or camera ready to capture shots of the jagged mountains and bright green pine forests that surround these glacial waters. There's an option to pay for a cruise around the lake, including a visit to Spirit Island. This tiny ‘tied’ island is one of the most photographed spots in the Canadian Rockies for a reason! If the lake cruise isn’t your thing, you might like to spend your time seeing the area while hiking either the Mary Schaeffer or the Moose Lake trails. This afternoon, you are free to explore Jasper - perhaps hire a bicycle or canoe to explore from a different perspective!

Included Activities:

  • Visit to Maligne Lake

Optional Activities:

  • Jasper - Mountain bike rental (non-electric) From (30 CAD)
  • Jasper - Cruise on Maligne Lake (79 CAD)

Accommodation:

  • Camping (with facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)
9
Day 9: Banff National Park
Take a scenic morning drive through mountain scenery on the famous Icefields Parkway, which connects Jasper and Banff National Parks. There will be numerous opportunities to stop at viewpoints and waterfalls along the way. This includes visits to the ice fields of Athabasca Glacier, where you can walk to the toe of the glacier with your leader or explore on an optional hike with a local guide (at own expense). Then, continue to your campground in Banff where you'll be spending the next three nights.

Included Activities:

  • Banff National Park
  • Icefields Parkway - Hike to toe of Athabasca Glacier

Optional Activities:

  • Icefields Parkway - Athabasca Glacier Hike with Guide (115 CAD)

Accommodation:

  • Camping (with facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)
10
Day 10: Banff National Park
Today you'll begin exploring the many possibilities that Banff National Park provides. There’ll be an optional hike on the Plain of Six Glaciers trail around Lake Louise, which can also be extended to visit the Lake Agnes teahouse or the aptly named Big Beehive. There are plenty of other trails of different lengths to choose from, or you might like to take a gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain, a dip in the natural hot springs or exploring the hoodoos and falls of Bow Valley by foot. As always, your leader is there to help, so pick their brain for advice on which (if any) you wish to participate in.

Included Activities:

  • Visit to Lake Louise
  • Visit to Moraine Lake (seasonal)

Optional Activities:

  • Banff - Cable Car up Sulphur Mountain (60 CAD)
  • Banff - Hot springs (18 CAD)
  • Banff - Canoe Hire (70 CAD)
  • Banff - Cruiser bike hire (full day) (38 CAD)
  • Banff - Mountain bike hire (full day) (45 CAD)
  • Banff - Horse Riding (1 hour) (90 CAD)
  • Lake Louise - Plain of 6 Glaciers Trail hike - Free

Accommodation:

  • Camping (with facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)
11
Day 11: Banff National Park
Enjoy a free day to explore Banff National Park. You could head out on a steeper walk to the Fairview Lookout for some incredible views from above Lake Louise. There are opportunities for canoeing and mountain biking, as well as checking out the town of Banff itself. After exploring the area, why not make your way back to the Lake Louise Fairmont Hotel? Sitting right on the shores of the lake, it serves as the perfect spot to take in the scenery with some poutine or a cocktail in hand.

Accommodation:

  • Camping (with facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)
12
Day 12: Yoho National Park/Golden
Today drive to a place so beautiful its name comes from a Cree word that means awe and wonder – Yoho National Park. There nearby town of Golden will serve as your base for the next two nights, giving you ample time to explore the terrain and take part in the many activities the park provides. Be sure to ask your leader for a recommendation that matches your fitness level!

Included Activities:

  • Yoho National Park

Accommodation:

  • Camping (with facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)
13
Day 13: Yoho National Park/Golden
There are a couple of ways to continuing explore Yoho National Park today. If you’d like to break in your boots (and don’t mind heights), there’ll be an optional walk to the Golden Skybridge, which’ll provide some incredible views of the Rockies from 426 feet in the air. Another option (not for the faint of heart) is to battle the wild waters of the aptly-named Kicking Horse River on a guided rafting tour. Please note, this is an optional activity booked through an outside company that will incur an extra cost. If you’d like to take things a little easier, perhaps book a canoeing activity on the calm waters of Emerald Lake. Floored by the scenery? You could always lie back on the riverbank and watch the world float by.

Optional Activities:

  • Yoho National Park - Kicking Horse rafting (half day) (109 CAD)
  • Yoho National Park - Kicking Horse rafting (full day) (159 CAD)
  • Yoho National Park - hiking - Free
  • Golden - Golden Skybridge (45 CAD)

Accommodation:

  • Camping (with facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)
14
Day 14: Glacier National Park/Revelstoke/Salmon Arm
This morning, travel through the high mountain clearing of Rogers Pass to reach Glacier National Park. Stop at Rogers Pass Discovery Centre for a look around and (depending on time and conditions) take a short hike through an old-growth area of cedar and hemlock. As one of the world's most active avalanche areas, most of the rugged, mountainous area of Glacier National Park is inaccessible for day hikes. Pause for lunch at Mount Revelstoke National Park which contains part of the world's only temperate inland rainforest, then set up camp near Salmon Arm, BC.

Included Activities:

  • Glacier National Park
  • Mt. Revelstoke National Park
  • Rogers Pass Discovery Centre

Accommodation:

  • Camping (with facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)
15
Day 15: Vancouver
Make the journey back to Vancouver. The arrival time depends on a variety of factors such as weather, but you should expect to be back in the city before 3 pm. There are no activities scheduled upon arrival in Vancouver. If you are flying out on this day please don't book a flight before 8 pm, as this will give you enough time to catch a shuttle from the hotel to the airport and be there two hours before departure. Vancouver is the largest city in western Canada and well worth some extra time to explore the city’s delights. Should you choose to stay longer in Vancouver we'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
Exclusions
  • Flights to and from origin and destinations
  • Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
  • Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
  • Recommended gratuities/tipping
  • Optional activities/tours
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.
Important Information
Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

  • It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
  • Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
  • Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.
Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.
AUD $4,595
(Tour only)
Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 15 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Average

Explore Canada’s Rocky Mountains on a thrilling 15-day adventure. Walk the streets of Vancouver, hike the trails of Jasper and Banff to Maligne Lake and Lake Louise, canoe along Clearwater Lake in Wells Gray Provincial Park and soak up the superb alpine scenery.

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 18 Aug 2027

Customer Reviews

Overall Rating
Excellent
4.5
Guide
Excellent
4.5
Itinerary
Excellent
4.5
Accommodations
Excellent
4.5
Transportation
Excellent
4.5
Tour Operator
Excellent
4.5
Food
Excellent
4.5
4.0
Rory
Traveled, September 2023

10/20/2023

One of the best trips of my life. My guide, Julien's food and enthusiasm made it extra special

4.5
Kay
Traveled, September 2023

09/22/2023

Our Canadian Rockies trip was excellent value and a comprehensive itinerary. It was a great mix of activities with choices to suit all. Julien, our leader, was truly exceptional and we can’t recommend him or this trip highly enough. Thankyou

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989