Discover the Canadian Rockies

This tour has been graded Activity Level 3 (Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.

Itinerary: This is an active tour suitable for people of reasonably good fitness levels, with a focus on exploring the outdoors. There are a variety of walks to suit all abilities. Both the weather conditions and presence of wild animals can be unpredictable in the Rockies. Either of these may force the guide to change a planned hike for the day. It is important to use common sense when walking in the wilderness and to follow the advice of the guide.

Extra excursions: You can find the main optional activities listed in the itinerary under each day’s description, along with guideline prices. Your tour leader can provide information on the activities and schedules, but most activities will then need to be booked online. It may not be possible to do all of the optional activities listed, as this can depend on availability and the weather.

Wildlife: There is a high likelihood you will come into contact with wildlife, including bears. You should always follow your guide’s instructions.

Key information

Start hotel: Ramada Plaza by Wyndham/Sandman Signature Calgary Airport
Recommended arrival time: 5.30pm at the start hotel so you can join the welcome briefing scheduled for 6pm.

Getting to the start hotel 

The Ramada Plaza by Wyndham is approximately 25 minutes’ drive from the airport, while the Sandman Signature Calgary Airport is about 10 to 15 minutes’ drive away. Your options for this journey are: 

Take a group transfer 

We provide one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer. 

Make your own way

You can reach the start hotels relatively easily by taxi. A cab from the airport to Ramada Plaza by Wyndham costs approximately 50 Canadian dollars (US$37). On arrival at the hotel, please make the reception staff aware that you are part of our group and they will have more details on meeting with your tour leader and group.

You are free to arrive at any time on Day 1 but please ensure you leave plenty of time to reach the start hotel and attend your welcome meeting, which is usually held at 6pm. Details on the specific location of your meeting are available from around midday on the arrival day. During this meeting, you meet your tour guide and group and spend a few minutes filling out necessary paperwork, so please bring your insurance documents, passport and tour documentation with you.

If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.

Arrival complications

Sometimes the unexpected can happen; your plane may be delayed or you may even miss it. If you have missed your tour departure, first call the hotel to see if your tour leader has left you a message. If not, call the relevant emergency number and speak to our staff who will be happy to help you catch up with the group. Please note, you are responsible for any extra travelling expenses incurred due to missing your tour’s departure.

Catching your return flight

There’s a group departure transfer to Calgary airport for customers who we have booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. If you have booked your own flights, you may join this transfer at no extra cost – please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.

Canada

Travellers from the UK and EU countries can enter Canada under an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). US citizens do not normally need a visa. Visas are required for some nationalities and requirements often change; it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas and fulfil any requirements for this trip. We recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/americas/canada
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/canada/entry-requirements
• United States: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Canada.html

To apply for your eTA, or for more information, visit www.canada.ca/eTA; you will need your passport, credit or debit card, and an email address. It costs 7 Canadian dollars and will be valid for five years or until your passport expires. We recommend you carry a print out of your eTA approval when you travel.

If you have not applied for and received authorisation for an eTA prior to travel you may be denied boarding, experience delayed processing or be denied admission at the Canadian point of entry. However, neither possession of a visa nor meeting the basic requirements for travelling visa free on the eTA guarantees admission to Canada. As with most countries, the final determination of admissibility is made by immigration officials at the point of entry.

Travel via the USA

If you are travelling via the USA and are eligible to transit under the Visa Waiver Program, you are required to register in advance for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). There is a US$21 charge, which is only payable online. Please see our website www.exodus.co.uk/usvisa for further information.

Please note, not all nationalities have the same eligibility for travel to or transit via the USA, and you may not be covered by the visa waiver program. Regulations stipulate that any person who has travelled to Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen since March 2011, or have dual nationalities of these countries, may no longer qualify. In addition, if you have travelled to Cuba since 12 January 2021 you will not be eligible for the visa waiver program and should instead apply for a visa.

If you are in doubt of your eligibility, please check the visa requirements with your local US embassy.

You will usually eat out in local restaurants recommended by the tour leader. To help you budget, meals cost on average:

• Hotel breakfasts: 15-20 Canadian dollars (US$11-US$15)
• Lunches: 20-25 dollars (US$15-US$19)
• Dinners: 30-50 dollars (US$23-US$38), this does not include alcoholic beverages

Drinks cost on average:

• Wine: 15-20 dollars (US$11-15) per glass
• Beer: 8-12 dollars (US$6-US$9) per bottle

A tip of approximately 17%-20% is added to group meals in Canadian restaurants. Applicable taxes will also be added to all listed menu prices.

Your tour leader may offer your group the option to operate a lunch-only food kitty, this has proven to be a popular alternative to three daily restaurant meals. Leaders will explain this option while on tour, and the whole group will have to agree for this system to run.

Please make sure we are aware of any special meal requirements before travelling. We will do all we can to accommodate various dietary requirements but certain food types can be limited in certain parts of North America.

Summers in the Rockies are generally warm and sunny. Average daytime temperatures are 18C (64F) in June and the first half of September; 22C (72F) in July/August. Night temperatures will be cool in July and August; cold in June and from early September and can go down to near freezing point. Temperatures will vary depending on altitude. June has long hours of daylight. The weather in the Rockies can be unpredictable and you should be prepared for sudden thunderstorms, strong winds or even snow. Although summers are fairly dry, expect the odd rainy day. September can bring early snow on the peaks. Residual snow at higher elevations may linger until mid-July. Walking on hard packed snow is sometimes required.

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.