Day 1
Depart Kalispell, MT 9 AM…
We’ll pick you up at the Super 8 Hotel at 9AM. We’ll cross the border into Canada as we enter glorious Canadian Rockies, Kootenay National Park camp in Banff National Park!
Day 2
Banff National Park…
We’ll spend the day exploring the town of Banff and its immediate surroundings. We highly recommend you experience the Gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain. You can hike up it instead if you please, (it’s only 742 meters that’s 2434 feet) Either way the view from the top is SPECTACULAR! You also won’t want to miss walking to Bow Falls or meandering through the historic Banff Springs Hotel. Explore the downtown areas of Banff, or if you prefer to hike even more, try the Hoodoo Trail, Fenland Trail, or rent a bike or canoe!
Day 3
Banff and Yoho National Park…
We’ll start our day with a drive out to beautiful Lake Moraine. Hike the Moraine Lake Lakeshore and Consolation Lakes trails or rent a canoe for a few hours. After lunch we will drive to Yoho National Park to stunning Takakkaw Falls and Emerald Lake. We’ll make a stop at the Historic Spiral Tunnel. We will return to Banff in the evening.
Day 4
Banff and Jasper National Parks…
In the morning we’ll explore Lake Louise. Hike the Lake Louise Lakeshore, Fairview Lookout, or Lake Agnes. Just after lunch we will make our way up the Trans Canada Highway towards Jasper. This is probably one of the most beautiful highways in the world! We’ll stop at the Columbia Icefield and get a close look at the Athabasca Glacier. We’ll camp the next two nights just outside of the town of Jasper in Whistler’s Campground.
Day 5
Jasper National Parks…
We’ll spend our morning hiking in Maligne Canyon and the afternoon in the town of Jasper. Explore town or access more hiking trails right from town, such as the Pyramid Bench Trail or Old Fort Point. If you like rafting, Jasper has plenty of opportunities for class II, III and IV rapids. We can help you arrange a trip in the afternoon.
Day 6
Jasper National Park…
We’ll make our way back down the Trans Canada Highway and take in Athabasca and Sunwapta Falls for stunning views and light hiking. Perhaps we’ll make another stop in Banff or Canmore before camping in Bow Valley in Kananaskis Provincial Park.
Day 7
Our journey takes us back down through Kootenay National Park where we will take in a soak at the famous Radium Hot Springs before we continue our journey back into Montana.
Day 8
Kalispell, MT
Spend the morning exploring the unique town of Kalispell, MT and
Day 9
Avalanche Creek and the Trail of Cedars
Hike to an amazing alpine lake surrounded by snowcapped peaks and steaming waterfalls. The trail first begins with the towering Trail of Cedars and then follows the beautiful Avalanche Creek to Avalanche Lake. In the late afternoon, relax on the shores of beautiful Lake McDonald, rent a kayak, or visit the shops at Apgar Village. We’ll enjoy a cookout and campfire tonight, and perhaps a local favorite: Huckleberry Ice Cream!
Day 10
Rafting and travel to the East Glacier.
Spend the morning rafting on the Flathead River or kayaking on Lake McDonald. In the afternoon we’ll travel to the East Side of the Park. Travel on a historic Red Bus Tour ($35) over the Going to the Sun Road.
Day 11
Logan Pass
Logan Pass is the Heart of Glacier National Park. Situated right on the Continental Divide, this area offers great hiking and wild life viewing opportunities. Hike to scenic Hidden Lake Overlook, or part of the famous Highline Trail. Keep an eye out for mountain goats, big horn sheep, hoary marmots and maybe even a grizzly!
Day 12
St Mary’s Valley
Hike along St. Mary’s Lake, through thick forests and past cascading creeks to St Mary’s and Virginia Falls. Or take a scenic boat ride/hiking combo tour to the same spot. Either way, you’ll love these astonishing views of the mountain peaks, waterfalls, and greenish blue lakes!
Day 13
Many Glacier
Nicknamed Little Switzerland, the Many Glaciers area gives us yet another chance to experience snowcapped peaks, pristine lakes, and beautiful alpine meadows. Hike the Swiftcurrent Nature Trail, or for a bigger challenge, try hiking to Josephine or Grinnell Lakes. We also recommend the scenic horseback ride, or renting a kayak for an hour or two, or relaxing on the Lodge porch!
Day 14
Return to Kalispell, MT
We’ll roll back into Kalispell, WA between 10-12noon, exchange emails so we can share photos, and say our goodbyes to all of our new friends!
“Don’t cry because it’s over… Smile because it happened.” Dr Seuss
