Canadian Rockies: The Ultimate Active Outdoor Adventure

Arrive in Canmore
Welcome to spectacular Alberta and its grand-scale landscapes of snow-capped mountains, turquoise lakes, glittering glaciers, and high alpine meadows carpeted in summer wildflowers. This is where you will start your week of active outdoor sports in the Canadian Rockies, hiking, horseback riding, biking and rafting.

During your adventure you’ll get to know your expert Canadian guide, who will help you discover the local rivers and roadways, glaciers and caves. You are also accompanied by an Adventure Women Ambassador, committed to helping make your experience a fun and personally rewarding adventure, and cheering you on as you reach beyond your comfort zone to take on new challenges in your own unique way!

Meet at 3:00pm at the Calgary International Airport for your group transfer to the beautiful Kananaskis Valley and the Coast Canmore Hotel, your accommodations for the next two nights.

After settling in to your room, enjoy a delicious welcome dinner where you’ll get to know the other women in your group, your guide, and your Ambassador, and learn more about the exciting upcoming adventures for the week.
Dinner

Overnight: Coast Canmore Hotel

Canmore
You will be asked to choose one of these activities prior to departing for Canada:

First option: A classic horseback trail ride from the Rafter Six Ranch is the perfect way to discover the adventure and serenity of a Canadian tradition on a guided horseback trip. Pristine views, flowered alpine meadows, and abundant wildlife are just a few of the scenic wonders you’ll experience. Ride the ancient trails of the Nakoda people, through pine-scented montane forests with beautiful mountain views. Abundant wildflowers and diverse wildlife call these mountains home, so don’t forget your camera!

Second option: Go on a beautiful bike ride on a stunning path through the mountains. This is a relatively mellow ride. While long, there are not major ascents or descents.

Reunite as a group and take a magical hike to a beautiful waterfall rimmed with cliffs and ferns. Head back to Canmore to explore or take a relaxing soak in the indoor hot tub. Enjoy dinner with your group at the hotel.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Coast Canmore Hotel

Canmore to Lake Louise
Today, you’ll choose one of these options:

First option: Head to Rat’s Nest Caves to explore an amazing network of underground caverns. With no lights, no handrails, and no walkways here, you’ll get to experience it like the explorers who first discovered it! Your explorations will take you through ‘the Box’, then on to the Five Way Chamber, the Grand Gallery, and finally the Grotto – a chamber full of stalactites and stalagmites with a crystal-clear pool at the bottom of the cave. You will need to crab-walk, fit through small spaces, and have decent upper body strength for this excursion.

Second Option: Head out on a bicycle on a 16-mile ride. See mountain peaks in all directions as you work your way up to Lake Minnewanka. The Stoney Nakoda people gave the lake its name, which means “Lake of Spirits.” They respected and feared the lake for its resident spirits. You will gain 380 feet on this loop that brings you right back to Banff for a cold drink. Enjoy lunch along the way.

Enjoy dinner as a group this evening.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Castle Mountain Chalets

Lake Louise
Travel to the dazzling Columbia Icefield, which drapes across the North American Continental Divide and covers 125 square miles. The Columbia Icefield is the largest mass of ice in the Rocky Mountains, stretching more than 25 kilometers across the Continental Divide. From its melting snows and many glaciers, waters flow across North America to the Atlantic, the Arctic, and the Pacific oceans. Your ice-walk adventure is on the Athabasca Glacier, a 3.5-mile tongue of ice that flows from the icefield, giving you the chance to peer into mini ice canyons and crevasses. It is a world few people ever see, let alone experience firsthand. Enjoy lunch on the glacier.

On the drive, take in the awesome views of glacier formed Peyto Lake and the reflections of mountains in beautiful Bow Lake.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Castle Mountain Chalets

Lake Louise to Banff
Head to the Kicking Horse River for whitewater rafting! The Kicking Horse is renowned as the best of Canadian Rockies whitewater rafting, and the Middle Canyon offers an exceptional stretch of whitewater that is just right for first-time adventurers and more seasoned paddlers too. Once you are fitted with a government-approved life jacket, helmet, wetsuit, booties, gloves, and spray jacket (all clean and dry) your guide will go over safety procedures and paddling techniques you will use on the river. There are over 14 sets of named rapids that are sure to leave you with big smiles. You will not soon forget this excellent river adventure. Go AdventureWomen!

Stop at Lake Louise, whose legendary milky blue color is created by finely sifted glacial rock. Enjoy time to explore the picturesque and historic resort town of Banff, your home base for the next two nights. If you wish, take an optional soak in the world-famous hot springs (at your own expense).

Dinner is on your own tonight in one of Banff’s many restaurants.
Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight: Royal Canadian Lodge

Banff
You can choose from either the 6-mile, 1,700-foot elevation gain Larch Valley hike, or the Sentinel Pass hike, which traverses 7 miles with a 2,375-foot elevation gain. Both hikes start in the dreamy Valley of the Ten Peaks at Moraine Lake and lead through a peaceful larch forest and up to a high alpine meadow filled with carpets of alpine wildflowers. Continue to the sparkling waters of Minnestimma Lakes, which reflect the sapphire skies and towering peaks of the ten attendant mountains, an awe-inspiring panorama.

After a picnic lunch, those who are up for it can continue to the summit of majestic Sentinel Pass, where 360-degree panoramas make for impressive “we were here” photos! The views are spectacular. Paradise Valley and the breathtaking peaks of the Continental Divide unfold to the north, while the glaciated spires of the Ten Peaks fill the horizon to the south. This is one of those mountain destinations that almost defies description.

Gather for a delicious farewell dinner to celebrate the end of this fantastic and fun week in the Canadian Rockies!
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Royal Canadian Lodge

Depart Banff
All adventures must come to an end, but it’s just the beginning of great memories!

Say goodbye to your new AdventureWomen friends as you transfer to the airport for your flights home. One group transfer is included; please don’t book any flights departing before noon!
Breakfast

Please note: AdventureWomen will attempt to adhere to the itinerary as much as possible. However, certain conditions (political, climatic, environmental, and cultural) may necessitate changes in the itinerary. AdventureWomen reserves the right to alter any itinerary at any time, if necessary. We will attempt to notify participants of changes as far in advance as possible. Costs incurred by such changes will be the responsibility of the participants.