7 Days in the Canadian Rockies with Gorgeous Scenery

Traveling Hoodapus Pass offers an excellent opportunity to see the major highlights of the Canadian Rockies. This 2,300 km route takes you through the wild recreational paradise of British Columbia as you pass by mountains, lakes, rivers, waterfalls and much more on your week-long journey through the Canadian Rocky Mountains. You get a chance to explore Banff and Jasper National Parks along the Columbia Icefields parkway - one of the most scenic roads in the world!

This 7 day tour has something for everyone. View the cascading water at Bridal Veil Falls, the Natural Bridge and the aqua blue waters of Emerald Lake. You will enjoy the hotsprings, shopping and nightlife in Banff and the beauty of Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Peyto Lake.

See the amazing vistas along the Icefields Parkway and experience hiking down Maligne Canyon and Johnston Canyon. You will see wolves up close at the Wolf sanctuary and learn about their habitat. A winery tour with a wine tasting is included as well.

Nightly accommodations are not included for this tour, but hostel beds are available at all nightly stops.

Schedule

March 29 - April 27: Tuesday, Saturday
April 29 - June 5: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
June 7 - June 22: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
June 24 - August 31: Daily
September 2 - September 30: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
October 2 - October 26: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
October 30 - November 20: Tuesday, Saturday

Pick Up Times

Vancouver
HI Jericho - 8:00 am
HI Downtown - 8:20 am
Cambie - Seymour - 8:35 am
HI Central - 8:45 am
SameSun Vancouver - 8:45 am

Banff
HI Banff Alpine Centre - 8:00 am
Y Mountain Lodge Banff - 8:10 am
SameSun Banff - 8:15 am
HI Lake Louise (westbound) - 9:15 am
HI Lake Louise (northbound) - 11:00 am

Please Note: Pickups must be pre-arranged when you reconfirm your reservation by telephone at least 24 hours before your tour departure date.

Tour Highlights

~ The cascading water at Bridal Veil Falls
~ The Natural Bridge and the aqua blue waters of Emerald Lake
~ The hotsprings, shopping and nightlife in Banff
~ The beauty of Lake Louise, Moraine Lake (seasonal) and Peyto Lake
~ The amazing vistas along the Icefields Parkway
~ Hiking down Maligne Canyon
~ Exploring the biggest icefield south of the Arctic Circle at the Columbia Icefield
~ Tasting at an Okanagan Valley winery
~ Tandem skydiving (optional) with views of the Coastal Mountains

Tour Includes:

~ Transportation
~ Services of the tour guide/driver
~ 3 dinners
~ Winery tasting fee
~ All park entrance fees
~ T-shirt

Trip Options:

~ Whitewater rafting (seasonal) near Banff
~ Exploring a wild cave near Banff
~ Horseback riding in Banff
~ Canoeing or kayaking on a glacier lake near Banff
~ Go-karting near Shuswap Lake
~ Tandem skydiving near Vancouver
~ An optional hostel dormitory-bed accommodation package is available for approximately $166. This package covers the 6 scheduled overnight stops on this trip.

PLEASE NOTE: The above trip options must be pre-arranged and paid for separately. Information on making those arrangements will be included on your E-Ticket.

Also note that there is a mandatory local payment of approximately $110(CAD). This covers taxes, fuel surcharges, some meals and activities. Local payment must be made in person. Information on making those arrangements will be included on your E-Ticket.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Vancouver to Shuswap Lake
Leaving the city behind, you travel east through the Fraser Valley, stopping for a short walk in a west coast rain forest to check out Bridal Veil Falls and for lunch at an idyllic lake. You'll then pass through the Coastal Mountains and into the much drier interior of British Columbia. The night is spent at Scotch Creek in the Shuswap, a summer recreational region. (Dinner included)

Day 2: Shuswap Lake to Banff
You will cross into the province of Alberta and will be in four National Parks today, including Canada's oldest and most famous - Banff! The Rocky Mountains await you, as does Emerald Lake, the first of many aqua blue glacier lakes you'll see. You'll settle for the night in the historic town of Banff, in the heart of the Rockies. (Dinner included)

Day 3: Banff to Jasper
Today, you'll soak up the awe inspiring scenery along the Icefields Parkway - Lake Louise, jagged mountain peaks, raging rivers, the Columbia Icefields, waterfalls, wildlife and more. The Jasper townsite is Banff's little cousin, but Jasper National Park is the definition of great Canadian wilderness! Enjoy a campfire and look for the Northern Lights.

Day 4: Jasper to Banff
It's another day of jaw dropping vistas, and scenic hikes as we make our way back to Banff. Highlights include Parker Ridge (seasonal), Peyto Lake and Moraine Lake (seasonal). Tonight you will explore the great nightlife in the pubs, bar and clubs of Banff! (Dinner included)

Day 5: Banff Local Tour
Today you will explore the heart of Rocky Mountains for the entire day. Take an included tour of the sites in the Banff area, hike a local mountain, or for an optional extra cost, go whitewater rafting, horse riding or mountain biking. Your guide will help you arrange an action packed day tailored to your adventure plans!

Day 6: Banff to Kelowna
You will leave the Rockies today, but not without first stopping to visit Takakkaw Falls, one of the highest waterfalls in Canada (seasonal). Then it's on to the Okanagan Valley for wine tasting, sandy beaches on crystal clear lakes and lots of fun in the sun. Rock out in Kelowna tonight - it's a university city with plenty of bars and nightclubs!

Day 7: Kelowna to Vancouver
Today you will climb over high mountain passes and through the beautiful grasslands of the Nicola Valley before returning to the coast. Pump yourself up because once you hit Abbotsford, it's time for tandem skydiving from up to 14,000 feet (optional extra cost)! Then it's back to Vancouver and time to say goodbye to your new friends.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Are the costs of nightly accommodations included in the tour price?
~ Not for this tour. However, beds are available for each of our guests at all stopovers. Please be advised the accommodations we guarantee are only at certain hostels and are dorm-style beds only. Passengers wishing to stay at other hostels or hotels are encouraged to book their own accommodations.

Q: Is there an age limit?
~ NO- most travelers are between 18-35 but anyone is welcome. Travelers should be adventurous, independent, and familiar with hostels and/ or campgrounds.

Q: Can we do our own cooking?
~ YES! Most youth hostels have cooking facilities and we make grocery stops along the way. Often we also organize meals for those interested - it makes cooking easy and cheap!

Q: What should I bring?
~ Bring clothes for a variety of weather. Summer temperatures can range from a high of 35c to a cool 0C in the mountains in the evening. Good trainers or light hiking boots are also recommended. Sleeping bags are not essential. Bring your camera and a fun attitude!

Q: How much money should I budget for my trip?
~ Most of your money will be spent in the following three areas:
~ Accommodations - budget approximately $18-$35 CAD per night.
~ Food - budget approximately $15 - $34 CAD per day depending on how much/where you eat.
~ Activities-anywhere from $50-$215 CAD.

Q: What happens if I do not want to participate in an activity?
~ All activities are optional. We guarantee more than one option for paid activities and a free option every day.

Q: What are the buses like?
~ The vehicles are safe, comfortable mini-coaches which seat 11-24 people.

Q: Is it okay if I travel alone?
~ YES! Most of our passengers travel alone, but you'll find couples and small groups on the trip as well.

Tour offers pick ups from specific Vancouver locations only (see list above). Rates are per person and in US dollars. Please reserve online, or call us toll-free at 888-235-2251.