Calgary Stampede and the Rockies

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Calgary

Arrive in Calgary at any time. There are no planned activities today so check into our hotel and explore the city.Home to the famous Calgary Stampede and Exhibition (which runs every second week of July) and host of the 1988 Winter Olympics, Calgary was founded in 1875 by a troop of weary Mounted Police. The city takes its name from a Scottish town that was the childhood home of the Commander of the troop, James McLeod. If you’re up for an incredible county-fair style party, you absolutely must book a Stampede Festival Tour to fully enjoy the rodeo, chuckwagon races & much, much more.Visit a variety of local museums such as Fort Calgary Historic Village (location of the original Mounted Police Post), see the grounds of the world famous Calgary Stampede, take a tour of the 1988 Olympic Park or wander along pedestrianized Stephen Avenue. Don’t forget a late cocktail on one of the Red Miles’ countless terraces, or enjoy a cup of fair-trade coffee perched by a tree in Prince’s Island Park. Whatever your cup of tea, Calgary’s emerging scene will surely know how to satisfy even the most sensitive palette, both culturally & culinary.

Day 2 Calgary Stampede

Grab your hat and boots and watch the best of the best rope, ride and wrestle at this world famous Rodeo. There is time free to walk around the grounds or an optional afternoon Rodeo. We will attend the Chuckwagons and Evening show and experence the true Canadian hospitality.

Day 3-4 Banff

We journey into the Canadian Rockies with a morning departure for Banff, approximately 140 km west of Calgary. Watch for Canadian wildlife as we journey through the spectacular Rocky Mountains. Our first stop is at a world famous Ranch for an optional horseback ride or try your balance at the amazing Adventure Ropes through the Kananaskis forest.Arrive in Banff with time to explore the city. Reach the summit of Sulphur Mountain with an included gondola ride to an elevation of 2281 metres. Options in and around Banff are myriad: visit the famous hot springs at Sulphur Mountain, go mountain biking, explore the mountains on a variety of day hikes. Visit the Whyte Museum of the Rockies with their best kept secret – thousands upon thousands of archives, or of course you can just sample local cuisine such as elk steaks and beaver tails.First visited by Europeans in the late 18th century, there are signs of human settlement here that date back 10,000 years. In 1885, 26 square km were set aside around the Banff hot springs and called the Rocky Mountains Park. Today Banff National Park encompasses 6,641 square km of mountains, glaciers, forests and alpine meadows. Overnights are spent camping in the outdoors at nearby Tunnel Mountain.

Day 5-6 Jasper

Depart Banff early for a full day of sightseeing along the breathtaking Icefields Parkway, a 250 km stretch of highway (also known as highway 93) that takes its name from the many glaciers it passes through. Near the Parkway are a number of stunning glacial lakes: Bow, Hector and Peyto among others, and bear, mountain goats, elk and deer are often spotted. Stop at Lake Louise for an optional paddle over the emerald-green waters or hike up to the famous Teahouse. The Columbia Icefield is the largest of a chain of icefields along the Great Divide that also separates Alberta and British Columbia. This 325 square km. accumulation of ice feeds six large glaciers. Three of them—the Athabasca, the Dome, and Stutfield glaciers—can be seen from the Icefields Parkway. Stop at the massive Athabasca Glacier for an included drive out on the glacier in a true Snow-Coach, and see some of its 30,000 crevasses up close with a tour. Afterward there is free time to visit the Icefield’s Interpretive Centre. Enjoy an included stop at the 23 metre high Athabasca Falls, marvelling at the force of the glacial waters rushing over dramatic layers of quartzite. Late afternoon arrival in Jasper. Spanning 1,078 square km of broad valleys and craggy mountains, Jasper is the largest of Canada's Rocky Mountain National Parks. Jasper Town’s first recorded visit by a European was 1810, when trader and surveyor David Thompson crossed the Atahabasca Pass. Named after fur trader Jasper Hawes, the site of modern day Jasper was abandoned in 1884 when the fur market collapsed. The area revived with the arrival of the railroad in 1911, and the town of Jasper is now a thriving transit hub and tourist mecca, sitting as it does at the centre of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jasper National Park.Spend the evening relaxing and taking in the charm of this Rocky Mountain town - keep your eyes peeled for the buck-elk who so casually graze on Main Street’s flower boxes & lush green shrubs! On Day 5 explore the many optional activities in Jasper, including the Jasper Tramway, hiking, biking or trail riding. Relax your muscles in an included therapeutic soak in Miette Hot Springs (the hottest spring in the Rocky Mountains!). Experience the awe inspiring beauty of Canada's second largest National Park as we spend nights camping in the great outdoors.

Day 7-8 Kootenay Mountains (1B, 2L, 2D)

Leaving Jasper National Park we head south along highway 93 on our way to the picturesque Kootenay Mountains. The chances of sighting wildlife such as black bears, moose and deer is high. Enter Kootenay National Park on our way to our mountain lodge. Kootenay National Park, located on the west slope of the Continental Divide, was established in 1920 and encompasses 1400 square km. The park, stretching north and south for 104km, ranges from 918m to 3424m in altitude. The name Kootenay comes from the first people who lived in this area, the Ksunka, meaning "People of the Standing Arrow." When the French first met the Ksunka, they called them Kootenai.Arrive at our secluded mountain lodge in time for a walk or soak in a wood-fired hot tub. The lodge, deeply inspired by First Nation eco-ethics, was constructed completely by hand. Powered by solar energy and a small hydro project on a creek that runs through the property, this lodge is in harmony with its mountain setting. We will sleep in traditional, comfortable Teepees which are built on a raised wood platform with a central fire pit. In residence often is a First Nations Elder who welcomes the sun each morning and is happy to share his tradition with guests; often First Nation activities such as a traditional sweat lodge or drumming circle may be available. To top it all off, the lodge has excellent food! Oh, and don’t be surprised to find an elk wander past your teepee.Days are yours to plan with unlimited hiking or light walking opportunities and certified mountain guides included in your stay. Our certified mountain guides are happy to tailor activities to everyone’s needs and desires, from hiking high into the alpine to exploring the surrounding rivers and creeks. Optional activities include mountain biking or world-class rafting on either the hair-raising Kicking Horse River or relaxing Kootenay River.

Day 9-10 Revelstoke (1B)

We depart for Revelstoke, passing through Radium Hot Springs (where a herd of Bighorn Sheep make their summer residence and are often seen) and the town of Golden, home of the Kicking Horse Ski Resort. We head over the stunning Roger’s Pass in the Selkirk Mountains of Glacier National Park, named after the first explorer to find his way through these high peaks. Glaciers cover much of the challenging terrain in the park, which is dominated by 10 peaks ranging from 2600m to 3390m. Established in 1886, the park covers 1349 square kilometers. On the park’s edge we’ll go on an included visit to one of Canada’s most exciting conservation initiatives – marvel at the beauty of our clear-eyed friends at the Wolf Wildlife Conservation Project, and if your heart desires you can go on an optional Wolf-Walk where you’ll get to go out into the wild with these beautiful animals & take as many photos as you wish. Booking early is recommended as this activity is a once in a lifetime experience!Nestled between the snowy peaks of the Purcell Mountains & Selkirk Ranges, Revelstoke’s locals will inevitably charm you with their never-fading smiles and friendly ways. Named after an English Lord whose bank provided a sizeable loan, historic, Revelstoke was founded in 1885 as the era of the railroad boomed. Today it still retains its atmosphere of small town Canadian friendliness at its best. Revelstoke sits in the smallest of the national parks we visit, Mt. Revelstoke Park. Founded in 1914, the park covers only 260 square km and takes its name from 1938m Mt. Revelstoke that looms over the town.Enjoy a fun afternoon of kayak lessons led by a local legend who built all of his wooden sea kayaks by hand, an enjoyable activity suitable for all ages. Learn how to Eskimo roll in the included lesson, then enjoy free time in Revelstoke. Optional activities include mountain biking, hiking or listening to live music in the historic centre of town.

Day 11-12 Ranch Fraser / Thompson Region (1B, 1L, 2D)

Known for its many ranches, musical festivals and lakes, the Fraser/Thompson area is a region of friendly people and rolling hills and farms, sits in the low plains that separate the coast from the mountains. We make our way to to the Ranch that will be our home for the next few days. Learn to horseback ride in prime horse country with an included afternoon of riding along natural trails, taking in one magnificent vista after another.Hike the picturesque, untamed region dotted with wildflowers, mountains, canyons and lakes. Other optional activities include gold panning, fishing, canoeing or mountain biking. Enjoy the tranquility of the hot days and cool nights in this ranch country. All meals are included during our stay at the Ranch. Spend evenings sitting around the campfire before getting a restful sleep in the lodge.

Day 13 Whistler

Depart the Ranch early in the morning and head for the resort town of Whistler. Take advantage of great souvenir shopping, incredible food, art galleries, or check out Whistler's preparations for hosting the 2010 Sea to Sky Winter Olympics. If outdoor activities are what you're looking for, travel to world-famous Whistler Mountain for some optional mountain biking, breathtaking scenery or just to take the gondola up the mountain and enjoy the 360º coastal mountain view as far as the eye can see. Get your adrenalin pumping with a thrilling canopy tour or ziplining over treetops, across rivers and gorges, as you fly between mountains. The Whistler Valley was once an isolated wilderness inhabited by the Lil'wat Nation and the Squamish Nation. Rich with wildlife and resources, Whistler was often a way point for First Nation trading routes between these First Nations groups. In the early 1960's, plans were underway to develop the area as a ski resort and in the late 1970's construction began to create the Village of Whistler. These days Whistler has earned the title of "British Columbia's Year Round Playground" offering world-class skiing, cosmopolitan nightlife and endless opportunities for recreational pursuits.

Day 14 Vancouver

There are no planned activities today, so spend the day exploring one of the world's most beautiful and laid back cities. See if you have what it takes to tackle the Grouse Grind, stroll along the beautiful promenades on Granville Island, or simply lay back & enjoy a scenic cruise on English Bay.In 1792 Captain George Vancouver made the first European contact with the Squamish and Burrard Bands of the Coast Salish tribe. Today, sophisticated, cosmopolitan Vancouver is the largest city in British Columbia and Canada’s third largest, with a population of 2 million in the greater metro area. Vancouver's dramatic setting adds to the city's charms, nestled between the Coast Mountains and the shores of the Pacific Ocean. Impressive museums and galleries appear throughout the city and are well worth a visit, including the Vancouver Art Gallery. Walk or rent a bike to cycle around the aptly named "seawall", a 9 km long trail running along the oceanside, outlining Stanley Park - one of North America's largest urban parks. Also located within the borders of Stanley Park is the famous Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre, home to 9000 sea creatures including dolphins, sharks, beluga whales and an octopus. Although not technically an island, a visit to Granville Island has something to offer everyone. The public market is open every day and has some superb craft stands and is the best place to find international food options, gourmet meats, cheeses and other delectables. Take an optional brewery tour of Granville Island Brewing and sample the wares.

Day 15 Depart Vancouver

Depart Vancouver at any time.

Trip Details

Accommodation	Participatory camping (9 nts), lodge (1 nts), comfortable hotels (4 nts).
Departure	Departures July
Group Size	Max 15, Avg 8
Included Highlights	- Chuckwagons & Evening show- 1 day Calgary Stampede general admission- Miette Hot Springs- Icefields Parkway tour and Snow-Coach Ride- Athabasca Falls- Banff Gondola- Hiking in Kootenay National Park- Wolf Wildlife Conservation Project- Kayak lesson in Revelstoke- Ranch stay and horseback riding- Capilano Suspension Bridge
Local Payment	CAD250
Meals Included	All meals included while in the Fraser Valley and Kootenay Mountains.
StartFinish	Calgary to Vancouver
Testimonial	"I thoroughly enjoyed my holiday with G.A.P. I had never been on anything vaguely resembling an 'adventure' holiday before and was a little nervous but I can honestly say that it was the best holiday I've been on in years." - Judith Williams travelled on Western Canada Adventure
Transport	Bus, van, horse and kayak.
Brochure Intro	The best of the West! From Calgary, home of the Stampede we're off to kayak in postcard-famous Revelstoke, sleep in a Tepee in the Kootenays and visit Banff and Jasper National Parks. Take in the dramatic Icefields Parkway and walk on a living glacier. Stop in ranch country for some horseback riding before finishing in coastal Vancouver.

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