Banff and Yoho Hiking Tour

You will be picked up from Marriott Downtown Hotel in Calgary (gathering spot) in the afternoon and head West to the Rocky Mountains. The scenic drive will take 1 ½ hours and is the perfect opportunity to start getting to know the rest of your group and expert local guides alike. Watch the scenery transform as you approach the craggy highlands, where you will check into your charming hotel in the world-famous mountain town of Banff. After checking in you can take a long soak in the thermal pool and enjoy a group orientation talk over a delicious evening meal.

After indulging in breakfast at the hotel, you will head to Lake Louise with your small and friendly group. You will explore the stunning site of Victoria Glacier before heading up the trail to Lake Agnes Teahouse. Unlike the other tourists, you will not just stop here. Your local guides will show you a breathtaking spot a little further around the lake, known as Big Beehive. Here you can enjoy panoramic views of Lake Louise and get closer to the magnificent glaciers that cling to the cliff side all around you. Your guides will tell you captivating stories of the local history, before taking you back into town for a delicious meal and visit to the local hot springs. Banff’s Sulphur Mountain Hot Springs are an important part of Canada’s social history, for their significance to the indigenous peoples as well as their key role in bringing the railroad to the West.

Today you will hike through the stunning scenery of Banff. Your guides will adjust the hike depending on the weather and the group’s abilities, ensuring a safe but spectacular hiking experience. You will probably hike either Cory of Aylmer Pass, both of which offer exceptional scenery that it sure to take your breath away. After walking amongst the two thousand-foot high cliffs, you will return to Banff town to unwind. Your guides will be delighted to take you for an evening walk to Johnston Canyon where you can enjoy the normally crowded site in complete tranquility. Now all the other tourists have gone back home, you can appreciate the beauty of the canyon and its waterfall without any distractions.

Prepare for an early start as you head to Moraine Lake and the Valley of Ten Peaks. After soaking up the natural beauty of the emerald waters under the morning sun, you will start hiking up to Eiffel Lake or Sentinel Pass. If you chose to hike to Eiffel Lake you will have the chance to explore Wenkchemna pass and travel between the regions of British Colombia and Alberta in a single step. From Sentinel Pass you will enjoy panoramic views of Larch Valley and Paradise Valley, a sight that is sure to steal your heart. After a day of glorious hiking you will head on to Golden, a smaller and less touristy mountain town where you stay for the rest of your trip.

Yoho National Park truly is a national treasure, with some of the most precious and wildest landscapes left in the world. Your guides will happily teach you about the edible and medicinal plants that abound as you hike to ancient lookouts and pass by glaciers and waterfalls. After your lovely hike you can visit some of the world-famous natural attractions that the park has to offer, like Takkakaw Falls and the exceptionally beautiful waters of Emerald Lake. Relaxing in your gorgeous hotel in Golden, you can pass the evening happily soaking in the onsite hot tubs.

The time will have flown past as you wake up for your penultimate day on your Banff and Yoho Hiking tour. Today you will dive deep into the wilderness of Yoho National Park as you explore some of the most isolated trails, leading deep into the pristine mountain landscapes. Take a moment to breath in the delicate aroma of the wild blooms that thrive in the isolated alpine meadows. Reluctantly returning to Golden Town, you can enjoy a relaxing dip in the hot tub before going out for one final group meal with your newfound friends for life.

After checking out of your lovely hotel, you will head to Grotto Canyon for one last adventure. You will take a short hike into the canton where you can see ancient indigenous art, painted on the walls over 1300 years ago. Exploring the caves and rock formations of the canyon, you will lose all sense of time as you follow the footsteps of ancient pioneers and first nations people. Finally, you will say your fond farewells before being dropped off by 2pm in Banff or Calgary, depending on your preferences.