Real Canadian Rockies

13 Days | Take an adventure of a lifetime through the Canadian Rockies

4.6 out of 5 based on 33 reviews submitted.
18 to 35s
From
ZAR  41,465
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This trip is for 18 to 35 year olds

Ready to take a hike? You’ve come to the right place. Canada is home to some of the finest trails in North America. This 13-day adventure will have you tackling paths that coil around mountains and snake through inland rainforests, plus enjoying views of massive glaciers and snow-covered peaks in the Canadian Rockies. Combine active adventures with spotting wildlife, munching maple-flavoured everything (cookies, donuts, bacon – you name it) and stargazing with your new friends. This is the perfect introduction to Canada’s iconic mountain range.

Trip overview

Map of Real Canadian Rockies including Canada
Start
Vancouver, Canada
Finish
Vancouver, Canada
Theme
18 to 35s
Destinations
Canada
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Basix
Ages
Min 18 - Max 35
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
SSYA
We’re in the process of figuring out how much CO2-e this trip generates. In the meantime, find out more about our climate commitments and carbon reduction target.
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Why you'll love this trip
  • Spend three nights camping in Banff National Park, where you'll explore glacial lakes and scenic mountain paths, with the village of Banff nearby.
  • Road trip the world-famous Icefields Parkway between Jasper and Banff National Parks, with many scenic stops at Athabasca Glacier and Athabasca Falls
  • See North American bison at a mountain-fringed working buffalo ranch and learn about First Nations peoples’ history of living with this hardy species.
  • The spectacular scenery of the Canadian Rockies makes for the perfect opportunity to unleash your inner Nat Geo photographer. It’s really hard to take a bad picture here.
  • Explore the outdoor adventure hotspot of Whistler, where you can mix gorgeous trails and picturesque villages with hikes out to an old graffitied train wreck and a ghost town.

Is this trip right for you?
  • This trip covers a lot of ground so please be prepared for some long days of driving. You'll be travelling in a van with a group, so conditions may feel a little cramped. We think this is all part of the adventure of road travel, and friendships form fast in tight quarters. 
  • This is a participatory trip. That’s a fancy way of saying you’re not just along for the ride – you are part of a team! Be prepared to roll up your sleeves and help with camp activities like food prep and washing up.
  • That teamwork also extends to our optional food kitty of approximately CAD$20 per day to cover the cost of meals. This kitty saves you worrying about where to get food or sales taxes and helps keep your costs down by bulk purchasing items together to cook (though there’s always the chance to use it for the occasional dinner out!). The kitty is optional and for your convenience, so if you've got specific dietary requirements you can opt out and purchase (and cook) your own food.
  • Snow may remain on the ground in higher elevations until the end of May. This may impact certain activities such as scenic gondolas, boat trips or mountain hikes, however crowds are much thinner during this time. Your leader will have a range of suggestions for alternative activities to do in your free time no matter the season.
  • As we're travelling through the mountains, the weather can be unpredictable. We advise wearing layers in all seasons in case conditions change during the day. Even in the warmer months the temperature can be very low in the mountains.
  • To ensure you to get the most out of the included and optional activities we recommend you are moderately fit. The hikes are a real highlight of this trip and give you access to some fantastic scenery.

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024

Map of Real Canadian Rockies including Canada

Inclusions

Meals

1 dinner

Transport

Private Vehicle

Accommodation

Hostel (multishare) (1 night), Camping (with facilities) (11 nights)

Activities
  • Mt. Revelstoke National Park
  • Glacier National Park
  • Rogers Pass Discovery Centre
  • Golden - Rocky Mountain Buffalo Ranch
  • Yoho National Park
  • Banff National Park
  • Banff - Vermilion Lakes
  • Banff - Camp Barbecue Dinner
  • Banff - Tunnel Mountain Trail
  • Visit to Lake Louise
  • Visit to Moraine Lake (seasonal)
  • Jasper - Path of the Glacier hike (seasonal)
  • Jasper National Park - Entrance Fee
  • Visit to Maligne Lake
  • Jasper - Sunrise at Pyramid Lake
  • Wells Gray Provincial Park
  • Lillooet - Lillooet Brewing Company Visit
  • Lillooet - Old Suspension Bridge
  • Whistler - Ghost town visit
  • Whistler - Train Wreck trail
  • Vancouver orientation tour
Add on activities
  • Yoho National Park - Kicking Horse rafting (half day) - CAD109
  • Yoho National Park - Kicking Horse rafting (full day) - CAD159
  • Golden - Golden Skybridge - CAD45
  • Yoho National Park - Canoe Hire - CAD75
  • Banff - Cable Car up Sulphur Mountain - CAD60
  • Banff - Hot springs - CAD18
  • Banff - Horse Riding (1 hour) - CAD60
  • Banff - Mountain bike hire (full day) - CAD45
  • Banff - Cruiser bike hire (full day) - CAD38
  • Icefields Parkway - Athabasca Glacier Hike with Guide - CAD115
  • Jasper - Lake Swim (seasonal) - Free
  • Jasper - SkyTram - CAD60
  • Jasper - Mountain bike rental (non-electric) From - CAD30
  • Jasper - Cruise on Maligne Lake - CAD79
  • Wells Gray Provincial Park - hiking - Free
  • Whistler - PEAK2PEAK Gondola - CAD82
  • Whistler - Zip Trek Tour (1.5 hrs) - CAD129
  • Whistler – Standard Mountain Bike Rental (full day) - CAD90

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm on day 1. This trip finishes on arrival into Vancouver around 3pm on Day 13.

2. A Single Supplement to have your own room is available on this trip however excludes night 1 where you will be in shared accommodation. Single tents are limited due to group camping accommodations. Therefore, all single supplements are on request only.

3. A sleeping bag is required for this trip. If you would like to rent a sleeping bag locally, the cost is $50 CAD, payable in cash to your guide on Day 1 of the trip. Please advise your booking agent prior to departure if you require a sleeping bag rental.

4. Please note that in Canada the legal drinking age is 18 in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec, and 19 in the remaining provinces and territories.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 based on 33 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Amy · Traveled September 2024
This trip enables you to see a lot of amazing places in a short period of time. Our tour guide Mikael was enthusiastic and created a fun atmosphere for us and made sure we got to enjoy every moment
Review submitted 15 Sep 2024

Catherine · Traveled September 2024
Had such an amazing 12 days and genuinely loved every second of the tour! Every day felt so fun with Mikael as our tour guide, he taught us so many cool things, made us laugh, looked after everyone and (very generously) cooked every meal when we were all tired after our hikes. Felt like he went above and beyond to make sure everyone had the best 12 days possible!! Was an incredible experience to explore the Canadian Rockies and made some lasting memories, so thank you Mikael! I would do the trip again in a heartbeat!
Review submitted 23 Sep 2024

Miranda · Traveled August 2024
Had an amazing time in Canada! Went to lots of national parks and did rafting, hiking, swimming and bob-sleighing. Itinerary was very fun and made lots of good memories. I'm not the most enthusiastic camper but I really enjoyed my time on this trip.
Review submitted 23 Aug 2024

Selin · Traveled August 2024
I was very satisfied with the overall trip. I also very much liked that I had all the information about the tour and what to pack beforehand. I also very much liked our tour guide, Carl, who was a local and knew the whole area very well. He was also flexible, funny, had great knowledge, was a good cook, and was very responsible with the food kitty as well. I really enjoyed the whole trip and can only recommend!
Review submitted 29 Aug 2024

Kyle · Traveled June 2024
Absolutely amazing trip, met some amazing friends along the way, the guide/leader included. Highly recommend. Only issue is how much the costs fluctuate on intrepid.
Review submitted 16 Jul 2024
Real Canadian Rockies
From
ZAR  41,465