National Parks of the Canadian Rockies Westbound Adventure Tour

The Rockies are a great reason to explore the Canadian West, but why stop there? We asked that question, then answered it with this trip ' a sprawling, nature-rich mini-epic that melds some of Canada's best national parks with time on the mist-shrouded shores of Vancouver Island. Find yourself face-to-face with moose, deer, and maybe even a bear on this trip loaded with diverse experiences ' whale-watching, glacier hikes, hot springs, and much, much more ' you'll stuff a lifetime's worth of adventure into the space of a mere two weeks.

Highlights

Enjoy the gorgeous scenery of western Canada, create a postcard
perfect photo in Jasper National Park, sip lattes and people
watch in Vancouver, be awed by the mighty Rockies, get up close and personal with Canadian wildlife.

What's Included

Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: Banff. Entrance fees to all national and provincial parks with walking and hiking excursions. Stop at Columbia Icefield. Half
day canoeing excursion in Wells Gray PP. Half
day whale watching tour by Zodiac. Self
inflating mattresses and dome tents while camping. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 nt), participation camping (12 nts)

Meals Included

12 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 9 dinners

Transport

Air
conditioned private vehicle, hiking, ferry, canoe, Zodiac

About our Transportation

We use 15
passenger vans for up to 13 people plus the CEO/Driver for all our of our trips in North America. For groups of 8 and more travellers, we also use a trailer to carry luggage and camping equipment. These vans are durable vehicles that allow us to drive on most types of roads in North America. Each van has a front passenger seat and 4 benches that will accommodate 3 people each. No standing is permitted in these vehicles, but there is air conditioning to cool things down on warm days and mandatory seat belts to us secure and safe. This is not a physically demanding journey. However, travelling can be difficult, with long drives and limited space in the van. Please take note of the travel times and distances in the above itinerary. Despite some of the long days, most clients feel that the diversity of the North American landscape, culture and wildlife are all well worth the experience!

Group Leader

Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout

Emergency Fund

Please also make sure you have access to at least an additional USD $200 (or equivalent) as an 'emergency' fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (ex. a natural disaster) require a change to our planned route. This is a rare occurrence!

Solo Travellers

We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi
share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.

Spending Money

Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.

What to Take

You will be on the move a lot, so our advice is to pack as lightly as possible. For days in the outdoors, we recommend the use of lightweight, breathable, moisture
wicking fabrics made of wool or synthetic fibers. Cotton is not recommended for days spent hiking as it does not allow for heat or moisture to enter or escape, and it will not dry easily once wet. We recommend using a backpack for your convenience, or a medium
sized suitcase if you prefer. Heavy luggage is not recommended for the health of the CEO, who will take a lead in loading the storage trailer. Due to space in the trailer, we will not be able to accommodate more than one piece of main luggage per person. A good size day
pack (20
35L) is also essential to carry your personal gear for the day, as access to luggage between destinations will be limited. This daypack will be used to carry your personal gear for the day, your lunch and a water bottle. It is important to pack clothes for warm days and cool evenings, as well as a light jacket. A set of smart casual clothes is also advisable. NOTE: Mountains in the Canadian Rockies can have unpredictable weather with snow and heavy rain even in Summer time. Spring time could be snowy (until end of June) and fall season could start as soon as mid
August. Make sure you have equipment and clothing for all conditions!