(Arrival Calgary): Arrival in Calgary, check in/shuttle to hotel. In the evening introduction to trip leaders/guides and all the other participants of the group. Your guides will outline the expectations, as well as the itinerary for the next 16 days. Possible short sightseeing tour of Calgary home to the world famous stampede

(Kananaskis Country): After an early breakfast we take a short tour of the city of Calgary. In Calgary we organized and procure our provisions for the next couple of days. From Calgary we drive ( approx. 150 km ) west on the TransCanada Hwy 1 past the Native  reservation of Morley and continue on south into the so called Kananaskis Country. Here the Peter Loughead and Spray Lakes Provincial Parks form a wild alpine and mountain environment. We set up camp at the Kananaskis Lakes Campground for the next two nights. In the evening we enjoy a campfire and tenting under the stars.

(Kananaskis Country): A full day hike in the breathtaking Peter Loughead Provincial Park. Hiking options include "Pocatera Ridge" (500 meter elevation over 9km ), or possibly Baldy Pass (600 meter elevation over 8km / 16km return trip) . Both hikes allow for amazing views of the rugged isolated mountain peaks of this area. In Kananaskis Country we are surrounded by pure wilderness and the natural home of Grizzlies, bighorn sheep, moose, and wolves.

(Spray Lakes): Today after breakfast we break camp and travel (approx. 60 km) on gravel roads from Kananaskis Lakes to the Spray Lake Valley. On this stretch of road there are good opportunities to view Moose, and bears. We first set up our new camp at Spray Lakes Campground and from there we double back to our staging ares for the hike up to Burstall Pass. The trail and elevation gain up to the alpine meadows and pass remains moderate (Hiking time approx. 5-6 hours, 14-16 km return, elevation 350 m), and with good weather there is the possibility to see Mt Assiniboine and amazing views of the "The Haige" glacier. Burstall Pass is one of the top hikes in K-country and provides visitors a deep and lasting impression of the rough beauty of this area. In the evening we once again enjoy the comforts of our campfire along the calls "Loons" on Spray Lake.

(Canmore): Today we take the day at a more relaxed pace. There is the possibility to undertake a half day hike up to Ha Ling Peak (hiking time approx. 4 hours, elevation 700m over a distance of 4.5 km one way) or possibly up to West Wind Pass (hiking time approx. 3 hours, elevation 350m over a distance of 4.5 km return), allowing for fantastic views over the Bow valley. In the afternoon an approximately 40km drive from Spray Lake brings us down into the lovely mountain town of Canmore nestled between the mountain peeks of the Bow Valley. Here there is the opportunity to stroll or enjoy a cappuccino in one of the many nice cafes

(Banff & Lake Louise): After breakfast we take down our camp and from Spray lakes it is about a 60 km drive to the world famous town of Banff. Over the next several days we will also be traveling within the Rocky Mountain National Park system. One of the largest protected mountain park systems in the world. Banff itself became famous thru its natural hot springs and as a picturesque Alpine destination. Walking down the streets of Banff offers panoramic views of Cascade Mountain and the surrounding peeks. From Banff we continue another 50 km to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake providing some of the most iconic images of the Canadian Rockies. A short walk along the shore of Lake Louise or a short hike up to the Lake Agnes Teahouse gives us numerous picture opportunities and impressions of the surrounding mountains and glaciers. There is also the possibility of a hike to Sentinel Pass (approx. 4-5 hours) or up Mt Fairview (about 4-5 hours). We camp 2 nights at Johnston Canyon Campground

(Yoho National Park): From Lake Louise we make our way to the Takakkaw waterfall (350m) and Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park. Hiking opportunities abound in Yoho. Some options include hiking from Takakkaw falls up the Little Yoho Valley to Twin Falls (approx. 4 hours) and possibly back over the Whaleback Trail (approx. 5-6 hours) with spectacular views of Yoho Glacier. It is also possible to spend the day white water rafting on the Kicking Horse River

(Icefield Parkway - Jasper): From Johnston Canyon we drive (approx. 150 km) over Bow Pass and past Peyto Lake to the Columbia Icefields. Here we stop to hike Wilcox Pass (approx. 4 hours, 12 km). Leading over a spectacular subalpine pass Wilcox Pass affords breathtaking views of the Athabasca Glacier. Ending up at Tangle Falls, we continue on by van (approx. another 100 km), arriving by evening in the small town of Jasper, our base for the next two days.

Today we spend the day exploring Jasper and Jasper National Park. Options include mountain biking in and around Jasper, or hiking up Bald Hills (approx. 3-4 hours) which overlooks the blue waters of Maligne Lake. We also visit Maligne Canyon with dizzying depths of over 40 m

(North Saskatchewan Valley): We return by van along the Icefields Parkway past the Columbia Icefields. From the Saskatchewan Crossing another 80 km down the David Thompson Highway along the banks of Abraham Lake brings us to the remote and picturesque Shunda Creek Hostel, our home for the next two  nights. En route a possible option includes a short hike up Parkers Ridge (approx. 1-2 hours), affording stunning views of the Saskatchewan Glacier, or another potentially alternative is a hike up to Siffleur Fall

Day 11: (Nordegg/Canoe Training): After breakfast we start our first day of canoe training on Goldeye Lake. We spend a full day Canoe training on the lake your guides teach you all the necessary skills. After some instruction and theory, we spend the day practicing on the crystal blue waters. Everyone will learn and improve their paddling skills by playing various games and performing various canoe challenges. In the evening we pack and prepare for the following four-day canoe trip

(North Saskatchewan River): Our first day spent on the beautiful North Saskatchewan River with its open valleys and high mountain peaks. We spend the first day getting comfortable on the river. In the evening we set up camp at the river’s edge on one of the many islands that dot its course. We cook by the campfire, tell stories, and enjoy our romantic surroundings.  

(North Saskatchewan River): We continue our canoe expedition, encountering the occasional rapid. With luck we spot bald eagles, wolves, bears, and caribou in their natural habitat. We wind our way down the North Saskatchewan as it flows out from the heart of the mountains into the rolling foothills of the Rockies. We camp under starry skies accompanied by the crackling sound of the campfire.

(North Saskatchewan River - Calgary): Today marks the last day of our canoe expedition. After breakfast we spend half a day on the river. By early afternoon we arrive at our goal, near the small town of Rocky Mountain House. We unpack all our equipment, and after saying our last goodbyes to the river we make our return trip to Calgary (approx. 250 km) arriving by early evening. A celebration dinner rewards us for the accomplishments of the past two weeks.         

(Departure): After breakfast, and saying our last goodbyes, shuttle to the Calgary airport. Return flight home