Itinerary Details
G Adventures: Active West Coast & Canadian Rockies
Day 1: Calgary/Waterton Lakes
Enjoy a morning welcome meeting with your CEO in Calgary before making the trip to Waterton National Park. Have a picnic lunch outside upon arrival to fuel up before setting out to hike the Bertha Lake trail. The switchbacks are tough, but the view of the valley below from the blue-green waters of Lake Bertha are well worth the climb. Visit Red Rock Canyon afterwards for a short walk into this geological phenomenon before setting up camp in the evening to chow down on dinner around the fire.
Day 2: Waterton Lakes
Wake up to the smell of pine, emerge from the tent, and have breakfast at camp. Get ready for a full day of hiking, lace up those boots, bring plenty of water and hit the trail. The group will be hiking either the Crypt Lake or Carthew summit trail, please note that there won't be enough time for both. You'll indulge in a picnic lunch halfway through and enjoy highlights like, roaring waterfalls, panoramic views, alpine bowls, and a 60ft tunnel through a mountain.
Day 3: Waterton Lakes/Kananaskis
Enjoy a breakfast at camp before hopping into our private vehicle en route to Kananaskis. Nothing breaks up a road journey like snacks so we stop in Longview for some famous jerky to stock up. Fuel up with a picnic lunch before starting off on the first and only hike of today along the Ptarmigan Cirque trail. This steep trail offers spanning views of the surrounding mountains from an alpine meadow and also happens to be the highest paved pass in Canada. After finishing the hike, we head to our campsite, set up our tents, and have dinner together by the campfire.
Day 4: Kananaskis
In the morning after breakfast at camp the group will head straight to the trailhead of Burstall Pass. Spend the entire day hiking this route with a picnic lunch about halfway through to get some more energy for the hike back down. The views along the pass are magnificent and offer plenty of opportunities for more adventurous rock scrambling and climbing. Back at camp in the evening share dinner as a group around the campfire.
Day 5: Kananaskis/Lake Louise
After another morning outdoors enjoying a breakfast at camp the group will travel to Lake Louise. It’s a day jam packed with activities that will get you out into the beautiful scenery of Lake Louise. In the morning you will drive from Kananaskis to Canmore. You have a raft tour (The Townie) on the Bow River in Canmore. Before the raft tour you can enjoy and visit Canmore. You can opt to have a picnic lunch in the town, and then embark on a scenic raft ride down the Bow River. Drive to camp in the evening.
Day 6: Lake Louise
In the morning the group will leave Lake Louise and travel to Yoho National Park to hike the Iceline Trail there. It’s one of the best hikes in the park featuring unbeatable views of glacier peaks, rugged alpine landscapes, and cascading waterfalls. Eat a picnic lunch overlooking this beautiful landscape and then travel back to Lake Louise where you can spend some time in town before heading back to camp for dinner as a group.
Day 7: Lake Louise
In the morning set out on a hike up Mount Fairview. After, travel to Banff. Once here it’s an afternoon of freedom to enjoy any activity that catches your eye. There are canoe rentals, bike rentals, scenic raft tours, the Banff gondola, and of course exploring on your own two feet with another hike. But if hiking feels too daunting, know that you can spend your time as you choose in the majesty of this national park and still feel connected to the space.
Day 8: Calgary to Vancouver
Leave Lake Louise in the morning to travel back to Calgary. Once you arrive, catch a flight from Calgary to Vancouver.Arrive in Vancouver and enjoy free time to explore, check out Stanley Park and the Gastown neighbourhood filled with indie art galleries and souvenir shops before making your own way to your Vancouver accommodation Then, spend the night in this vibrant city.
Day 9: Vancouver/Sooke
Catch the ferry to Victoria and Sooke on Vancouver Island. Eat a picnic lunch upon arrival before setting off into East Sooke Regional Park for some hiking. There’s a wide range of trails that have different levels of difficulty, but all of them will offer great views of the dramatic, rocky coastline, and lush Pacific rainforest filled with moss and green ferns. In the evening set up camp, get settled, and have dinner around a fire with the group.
Day 10: Sooke
After fuelling up with a camp breakfast the group will travel to the Juan de Fuca Strait from Sooke to embark on a hike along a section of the impressive trail. You’ll traverse miles of dense coastal forest and walk over beautiful pebble beaches, past gurgling waterfalls, slippery suspension bridges (watch your step) and the occasional pit of mud, but the dramatic views along this hike are well worth the effort. Transfer back to Sooke in the evening to rest up at camp and have dinner as a group.
Day 11: Sooke
Today after breakfast at camp the day is yours to do as you wish. If you need a break from hiking consider one of the many optional activities available like, sea kayaking, whale watching, bicycle rentals, or a visit to the quaint town of Victoria for some people watching and cafe hopping.
Day 12: Sooke/Parksville
In the morning after breakfast the group will transfer to Cowichan Valley where you'll go out on canoes and kayaks in Cowichan Bay. In the afternoon the group will travel to Parksville and walk in Rathtrevor Park along the beach. Feel the sand beneath your feet, hear the waves crashing, see old growth forests along the shoreline, and look for wildlife in the tide pools. In the evening set up camp and relax in the outdoors.
Day 13: Parksville/Squamish
Leave Parksville behind and head to the ferry port in Nanaimo to hop on a ferry to Horseshoe Bay. Once across the water, the group will drive to Squamish and hike The Stawamus Chief trail. This trail is one of the region’s best hikes and will take you up a steep incline to one of its three peaks. The views of the area surrounding Squamish, with the Howe Sound and the Garibaldi Park to the north are incredible. Enjoy a picnic lunch during your hike and in the evening relax at camp and have dinner as a group, refuelling after the day’s adventure.
Day 14: Squamish
Another great day of hiking to discover captivating views and new heights (literally). Set out to trek the Elfin Lake trail in Garibaldi Provincial Park. Offering amazing views you’ll hike 11km to get to the lakes, but it’s certainly worth it. Go for a dip in the icy water, fill up your bottles in another pond reserved only for drinking water and have lunch as you admire those insane views. After hiking the 11km downhill you’ll be able to have dinner wherever you choose in Squamish before heading back to camp for the night.
Day 15: Squamish/Whistler
In the morning the group will travel from Squamish to Whistler to take the Whistler Gondola up to the peak and hike the High Note trail. This trail offers hikers with the most scenic views of Cheakamus Lake with its vibrant aquamarine waters. The hike begins at the top of Whistler Mountain and takes you around the backside with views of the surrounding mountains and a descent through an alpine area. After the hike you’ll have free time to enjoy Whistler. Consider checking out the ??Squamish-Lil'wat Cultural Centre, the Cloudraker Skybridge, or find a cozy coffee shop in town. In the evening at camp you’ll have your final dinner as a group around the campfire.
Day 16: Whistler/Vancouver
Travel from Whistler to Vancouver. Tours ends on arrival in Vancouver.
