You'll also take advantage of some free time to visit these fabulous territories at your own pace.
Day 1 - Calgary
Arrival and transfer from the airport to your hotel in downtown Calgary, an exciting Olympic city.
Day 2 - Calgary / Banff
The time has come to leave the big city and to continue on towards the city of Banff which is located in the heart of the Canadian rockies and the legendary Banff National Park. Founded in 1883, this National Park features countless valleys, mountains, glaciers, forests, meadows, lakes and rivers which cover a 6 641 km2 area. No wonder Banff is one of the most looked after destinations in the world.
Day 3 - Banff
To start your visit the right way, you are invited today for a fascinating guided tour (3h) of Banff and its surroundings. You'll then have the opportunity to observe the abundant and varied wildlife of this world heritage site. The highlights of this tour will certainly be the Bow Falls, the spectacular Bow Valley and Hoodoos view points, the famous Banff Spring Hotel, Surprise Corner, the Minnewanka Lake as well as the Cave and Basin National Historical Site (entrance fees included). In the afternoon, we'll head towards Johnston Canyon that you will visit during a fantastic guided icewalk (4h). Equipped with ice cleats and hiking poles, you'll travel through prime wildlife habitat on your way to the trail head and learn the clues to how the canyon was formed. This walk will lead you past the lower falls and to the breathtaking upper icefalls.
Day 4 - Banff
Today you'll live the exhilarating experience of dog sledding (4h)! Friendly Alaskan Huskies are eager to pull you through the mountains on this amazing adventure! Participate at your own confidence level. Help hook the dogs up to the team, be a passenger or drive the dogsled under the careful attention of your guide. The huskies will pull you beneath the peaks of the Front Range Rocky Mountains as you sled along the Spray Lakes. To crown it all, you'll take advantage of a gourmet snack featuring traditional beef jerky, smoked salmon, cheese and dried fruit.
Day 5 - Banff
Our destination this morning: the fabulous kootenay National Park. You will then discover this outstanding environment during a guided snowshoeing excursion (4h). We'll then snowshoe up Ochre Creek Valley to the bubbling natural pools of the paint pots, a cultural treasure in the heart of the park. The natural source of ochre was mined by indigenous people and later by European settlers as a pigment. This is an excellent trip for beginners and those wanting a pleasant activity outdoors in the majesty of Kootenay National Park. We'll also make a pause during which you'll have the opportunity to heat yourself while drinking a good hot chocolate and enjoying a maple taffy treat.
Day 6 - Banff
Take advantage of a free day to discover Banff and its surroundings at your own pace. Among other things, you could then stroll freely in the animated city center and take the gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain (2285 m) where you would have a breathtaking view over the spectacular Bow Valley. Finally, you could also relax in the hot springs of the Rockies. For more than a century, travelers have been visiting this site to take advantage of the healing power of the thermal water. The station also features a spa which offers a wide selection of body treatments.
Day 7 - Banff / Calgary
Transfer to the Calgary airport for your return flight.