This tour is offered during the fall to enjoy the beautiful Canadian Indian summer. This time of year, there is usually gorgeous weather with temperatures around 20+ Celsius. Frost at night causes the deciduous tree leaves to change colour and on top of this, the salmon run is at its peak. Different species leave the Pacific Ocean, entering rivers and watersheds to eventually spawn and die in the creeks and rivers of their birth. For 2010, the Adams River will run turbulent and crimson as over 2 million sockeye salmon return to their home waters. This tour offers this natural wonder and much more. During this tour we will travel in a comfortable 12- passenger van For accommodation we use comfortable hotels, beautifully located lodges as well as a remote wilderness cabin. Minimum 7, maximum 10 participants Date: September 26 – October 13, 2010 Price CAD 3535 based upon double occupancy Single occupancy CAD 4499 Come and join us! It will be an unforgettable trek.
Brief summary; click here
Day 1 + 2 We start our tour in Calgary where we will drive up to an impressive viewpoint that overlooks the city. On a clear sky day, we can even see the Rocky Mountains. After a stroll over Stephen Ave., we head west to Canmore (100 km). On our route to the Rockies, we will have our first introduction to these rocky giants as we hike to a scenic waterfall and some pictographs (6 km. hike, 50 m. elevation gain). Day 3 In Banff, we will hike along the Bow Valley. This wildlife corridor leads to erratic sandstone formations called Hoodoos (10 km. hike, 100 m. elevation gain). If you wish, you can ride up the gondola on Sulphur Mountain. Something you won’t regret, the 360 degree view over the Rockies is breathtaking. Or, relax your muscles in the Upper Hot Springs…. Day 4 From Canmore, we head north to Lake Louise. Here we hike along the shore of this impressive turquoise lake. By gaining elevation, we get closer to the source of this beautifully situated water body: the Victoria glacier (11 km. hike, 365 m. elevation gain). Day 5 Snow conditions will determine our hike in Yoho National Park. We have several choices: Iceline Trail (18 km. hike, 700 metres elevation gain), Emerald Lake loop, Wapta Falls (both 5 km,) or the Great Divide trail (6 km. hike, relatively flat). In the Cree language, “Yoho” means magnificent, so in terms of beauty, we will be fine! Day 6 The Icefield Parkway, it is often said, is one of the most beautiful roads in the world. Cutting through the Rocky Mountains, this initial 230 km long road was built in the 1940’s by prisoners and unemployed men. In 1984, the entire Parkway was added as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The landscape is carved by water and ice. Various glaciers can be seen and there is also a chance of seeing Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, and both Black Bear and Grizzly Bear along the side of the road. We will hike up Parker Ridge, where we will be rewarded with one of the best views ever: the Saskatchewan Glacier (6 km. hike, 250 m. elevation gain). This glacier is an outflow glacier from the Columbia Icefield, which rests along the Continental Divide. It is a primary water source for the North Saskatchewan River and is approximately 13 kilometres (8 miles) long and covers an area of 30 km². Day 7 In Jasper, a walk along Maligne Canyon will provide us views of fine rock formations and up to 50 metres deep gaps. We will cross a suspension bridge and view several waterfalls (4 km. hike, 130 m. elevation gain). In the afternoon you might like to go horseback riding, mountain biking or spend time exploring the town of Jasper. Day 8 Today we leave the Rocky Mountains as well as the province of Alberta (time zone border – go back 1 hour). We drive along the Cariboo and Monashee Ranges of the Columbia Mountains to Clearwater, British Columbia (320 km). A stop in Blue River will allow us time to enjoy a spectacular river safari. There will be a good chance of seeing wildlife such as bears, moose and eagles. Day 9 Today, we explore Wells Gray Park’s waterfalls. Spahats Falls, Moul Falls (6 km. hike, 50 m. elevation gain), Dawson Falls and Helmcken Falls, all tumble down between volcanic canyons to merge with the Clearwater River. Steep red-brown cliffs are in beautiful contrast to the yellow and green forested surroundings. Day 10 One of the highlights of the 2010 tour! We will move southeast to Chase (140 km), where we will take an afternoon walk along the Adams River. Every October, spawning Sockeye salmon return to this river from the Pacific Ocean. 2010 marks a special peak spawning year that occurs only once every 4 years. The "Salute to the Sockeye " festival honours the surge in numbers of salmon that return from the Pacific, which is expected to be approximately 2 million spawning salmons. Day 11 Today we head for New Denver in the Kootenays. We follow the Eagle River and head south of Revelstoke where we take a ferry across the Upper Arrow Lake. We are surrounded by 2500 metres peaks during our travels. Total mileage: 300 km. We will spend 2 nights here. Day 12 A biking day (pedal bike that is)! For about 50 km., we will cruise along the Slocan Valley. This former railroad route used to connect pioneer villages and mining sites. This present day, a smooth gravel road follows isolated wetlands, farmland and dense mixed forests with fine autumn colours. We will be surrounded by the peaks of Valhalla Park. Day 13 A visit to the ghost town of Sandon starts our day. 100 years ago, this was a thriving mining city where more than 8,000 people used to live. After visiting the idyllic museum, we will drive up a spectacular road to admire the view from Idaho Peak (weather permitting, short walk, 3 km, minimal height differences). Another short trip leads us through a climax forest where we are surrounded by centuries-old Cedar trees. After being immersed in Ainsworth Hot Springs, we end our day in picturesque Kaslo, where we will stay for 2 nights. Total mileage: 90 km. Day 14 Today, we will hike in the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy. The trail in Fry Creek Canyon (+/-10 km. hike, 100 m. elevation gain) follows an old miner’s track along the creek. We are surrounded by 1000 metres high vertical walls. This is Elk, Bear and Wild Turkey habitat. If lucky we might even find some gold! Day 15 Now we head east to Fernie back to the Rocky Mountains (330 km.) for 2 nights. In between two mountain ranges, the Selkirks and Purcells, we cross Kootenay Lake by ferry (a crossing that takes about 40 minutes.) We will go for a walk in wetlands that are close to Creston. There is a wide variety of migratory birds, so do not forget your binoculars. As we get closer to scenic Fernie, we are surrounded by some of world's largest and oldest Poplar trees. Today we move our watches one hour forward (Mountain Time Zone). Day 16 Our last day hike in the Rockies. Depending on the circumstances (weather) we hike Baldy loop, Island Lake (moderate, 11 km. hike, 600 m. elevation gain, to max. 1965 metres), Timber Ridge – chair-lift up (difficult, 11 km. hike, 350 m. Elevation gain, to max. 2150 metres) or hike in and around Fernie, situated at a height of 1000 meters (easy, 7-20 km. hike, relatively flat). Day 17 We leave the Rockies and we will cross the prairies on our way back to Calgary (330 km), 1 night. On our way we will stop at the “Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump” Interpretive Centre. This World Heritage Site shows us the original hunting and living habits of the Prairie Indians.
Day 18 After being immersed in nature, it's not easy to say goodbye to our friends and to this beautiful country.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1 Calgary arrival, 1 night. 2 Downtown Calgary. Easy hike in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Transfer to Canmore, 2 nights 3 Hike Bow Valley: 10 km, 100 m. elevation gain. Optional sightseeing Banff. 4 Full day hike, Lake Louise: moderate 11 km, 365 m. elevation gain. Transfer to Field, Yoho National Park, 2 nights. 5 Hiking and sightseeing in Yoho National Park 6 Icefield Parkway: UNESCO World Heritage Site. Jasper, 2 nights. 7 Maligne Canyon: 4 km hike, 130 m. elevation gain. Free afternoon. 8 Transfer to Clearwater, 2 nights. River Safari: wildlife viewing. 9 Waterfalls of Wells Gray Park. Easy hike 6 km., 50 m. elevation gain 10 Salmon Run Adams River: Salute to the Sockeye! Chase, 1 night 11 Transfer to the Kootenays. Ferry crossing. New Denver, 2 nights 12 Pedal bike day. Moderate, 50 km, flat. 13 Ghost town Sandon. Short walk, 3 km, minimal height differences. Big old Cedars. Ainsworth Hot Springs. Kaslo, 2 nights. 14 Hike Purcell Wilderness. Moderate +/-10 km.,100 m. elevation gain. 15 Wetlands Creston. Huge Poplars. Transfer to Fernie, 2 nights. 16 Hike in the Rocky Mountains around Fernie. 17 Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Interpretive Centre. Calgary, 1 night 18 Departure Price Includes Transfers and ferries day 2 till 17 Accommodation River safari Ainsworth Hot Springs Rental bike and shuttle service Guide/Driver services Admission Fee - Interpretive Centre day 17 Museum day 13 Not included Airfare Meals Insurance Optional activities or items of a personal nature Gratuity
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