- Hike in the majestic Canadian Rockies
- Discover Banff, Yoho and Jasper National Parks
- Enjoy incredible wildlife viewing
Canadian Family Discovery - Reverse
Family
Ways to Travel :
Family Group, Private Group Adventures
Activity :
Family
Activity Levels :
3 out of 7 - Moderate Moderate trips are more challenging for a number of different reasons, which can be found in trip notes for specific itineraries. Things to consider are the amount of physical activity that can be expected and the length of time children will be expected to engage for. If there’s more travel and less downtime on a trip, it’ll fall into this category. As will multi-centre trips and those in extreme climates.
Group Size :
6 - 13
Ages :
9+
Trip Code :
PDC
Enjoy snow-capped peaks, ancient pine forests and aquamarine waters on this outdoor family adventure
This Canadian family holiday is the perfect outdoor adventure! Raft, canoe, hike and bike amongst some of the most amazing scenery that Canada has to offer. Float upon the brilliant turquoise water of Lake Louise, spot the diverse wildlife of Wells Gray, hike in Whistler or discover Athabasca Glacier on an included guided walk. Busy days are followed by the chance to relax by the campfire and share stories from the road. From glacier walking to soaking in natural hot springs, each day will be even more exciting than the last.
Highlights
Key Information
- Travel by private minibus with trailer for luggage and equipment
- Group normally 6 to 13, plus leader
- 8 nights participatory camping, 2 nights multi share cabins and 1 night hotel
- Countries visited: Canada
What's Included
- Services of a professional tour guide
- 11 nights accommodation
- All transportation by private vehicle
- 11 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 10 dinners
- All children aged 6-16 will receive 10% off the published price
What's Not Included
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Single accommodation (available on request)
- Visas or vaccinations
- Arrival & departure transfers
- Optional activities
Responsible Travel
At Exodus we believe in the power of Responsible Travel.
Every time we travel, we are part of a global movement that creates jobs, builds more sustainable societies, encourages cultural understanding and safeguards common natural and cultural heritage. To learn more about what Responsible Travel means to Exodus click here…
Itinerary
Welcome to Calgary in Alberta
This one-time Mountie outpost is situated at the meeting of the Bow River and Elbow Rivers in the south of the province, with the epic Rocky Mountain Range forming the city's backdrop. If you have some extra time to explore before the tour departs the city, then the Calgary Zoo with its Botanical Gardens and Prehistoric Park is recommended. Here, the kids can come face-to-face with life-sized dinosaurs or enjoy some of the city's wide open green spaces. A welcome meeting will be held at 18:00 hrs in your hotel, where you'll meet your tour guide and the other families who will be joining you on this adventure.
Optional Activities:
- Calgary Zoo CA$32 (CA$21 for under 16s) General Admission online timed tickets are limited each day and must be purchased in advance. TICKETS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE ONSITE
Accommodation: Ramada Downtown Calgary Hotel or Hotel Clique (or similar)
Banff National Park
Located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, Banff National Park was established in 1885 and is Canada's oldest national park. Its mountainous terrain encompasses coniferous forests, alpine meadows, ice fields and glaciers. It's an outdoor enthusiast's paradise with plenty of opportunity for walking and hiking. With an abundance of wildlife in the park, there's always the chance of seeing bears from a safe distance. Alternatively, take a scenic ride on the gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain to take in a 360-degree view of the surrounding landscape. For a completely different perspective, another exciting optional activity is to fly overhead in a helicopter - an amazing experience that your family will never forget. Of course, there's nothing better after a hard day of fun than a soak in the Sulphur Mountain hot springs, which is why we've included this for you! You’ll stay in the same campsite for four nights in the Lake Louise area so there will be no packing and unpacking, for a little while at least.
Optional Activities:
- Aerial gondola/tramway CA$49-64
- Scenic glacier flight (20 minutes) CA$275
Accommodation: Tunnel Mountain Campground (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Banff National Park - Lake Louise
With its snow-capped peaks, ancient pine forests and enchanting turquoise waters, Lake Louise is simply stunning. It's always been a popular tourist destination, so there’s no surprise that it's the most photographed destination in the Canadian Rockies! There are loads of walking trails to enjoy, so you can either wander around the lake or hike to a nearby teahouse to be rewarded with some of the best chocolate cake in Canada!
Optional Activities:
- Canoeing CAD$125 per hour (CAD$95 per additional hour)
Accommodation: Tunnel Mountain Campground (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Yoho National Park
Today’s adventure will take you to Yoho National Park. 'Yoho' is a native word for 'awe', and you'll see why. Sometimes overshadowed by the neighbouring parks of Banff and Jasper, Yoho National Park is considered the hidden gem of the Canadian national parks system. If your family are budding photographers, exploring Yoho will provide you with ample opportunities to hone your skills as you wander through a pristine alpine landscape that includes mountains, lakes and waterfalls. In your free time, you can experience the Kicking Horse River first-hand with an optional half-day white water rafting excursion or choose to canoe or hike at the magnificent Emerald Lake. Walking the challenging trails overlooking Takakkaw Falls is an excellent alternative option. One thing's for sure, after all this adventure you'll sleep well tonight!
Optional Activities:
- Emerald Lake canoe rental (1 hr) CA$70
- Half-day Rafting CA$89 (CA$79 8-11yrs)
Accommodation: Lake Louise Campground (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Icefields Parkway - Jasper National Park
The Icefields Parkway is known as one of the world's most scenic drives and cuts through the heart of the Rockies, travelling for 360km (230 miles) past hanging glaciers, sheer rock walls and broad sweeping valleys. You'll want to keep your cameras ready for some stunning views. Visit Peyto Lake and be amazed by its incredible turquoise hues, before traversing a portion of the imposing Athabasca Glacier, on an included 3 hr guided hike. The kids will be left speechless, for once!
The magnificent drive leads you to Jasper National Park, the largest national park in Canada, covering an area of 18,878 square km (4,200 square miles). This is where you will camp for the next two nights. It's much less developed than other areas of Western Canada and there are several options on offer. You may want to start your visit by taking the cable car up Whistler Mountain for a bird's-eye view. There's also the chance to try your hand at mountain biking and hiking amidst fantastic lakeside scenery, or to visit Mount Edith Cavell for tremendous views of Angel Glacier, a beautiful hanging glacier in the shape of angel wings.
Optional Activities:
- Mountain biking CA$50 per hour
- SkyTram cable car CA$58 (adults 16yrs+) CA$30 (6-15 yrs)
Accommodation: Whistler Campground (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Wells Gray Provincial Park
Next up is Wells Gray Provincial Park - the fourth largest in British Columbia, covering the highest regions of the Cariboo Mountains. Take a walk and check out the impressive Helmcken Falls, one of the reasons for the creation of Wells Gray Provincial Park in 1939. You'll stay in rustic guest ranch cabins for two nights and after each night's dinner, you can kick back and experience authentic ranch hospitality. Take part in a BBQ cookout, where you'll create a hearty meal of fresh meat and fish (plus a vegetarian option) for everyone to feast on after a busy day exploring.
Optional Activities:
- Walking and Canoeing Day Excursion with Lunch CA$125
Accommodation: Fort Wells Gray Rustic Cabins (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Whistler
Continue your journey to Whistler, in the heart of British Columbia. Perhaps better known as a winter resort, Whistler is a fantastic destination all year-round, with incredible scenery and loads of activities on offer. Why not take a leisurely gondola ride and see the views from above, rent bikes and wind your way along the trails, or even take to the tree tops with some adventurous zip lining? For a once in a lifetime experience, you can even take a scenic glacier flight. Whether you're a family of adrenaline junkies or simply like to enjoy some leisurely time together surrounded by nature, there's something for everyone in Whistler.
Optional Activities:
- Extreme zip line course CA$129-$219
- Mountain biking from CA$53
- Peak 2 Peak Gondola Ride CA$74 (adults), CA$58 (13-18 yrs), CA$35 (7-12 yrs)
Accommodation: Riverside Campground (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Whistler - Vancouver
Head towards the coast and to one of the most beautiful and picturesque cities in the world, Vancouver, where unfortunately your tour comes to an end.
Should you choose to stay on longer to explore the city, there's plenty to fill your time. Amid the skyscrapers, you'll find the locals enjoy an outdoorsy way of life. Stanley Park is always a favourite with the whole family. Be sure to check out the fascinating and brightly painted totem poles that have been here since the 1920s, and you should treat yourselves to some moreish maple cookies!
This tour ends at our gateway hotel at approximately 17:00 hrs. We can book you post-tour accommodation at our gateway hotel if required. If you are planning to fly tonight, please do not book a flight that departs before 21:00 hrs.
Optional Activities:
- Bike rental in Stanley Park CA$11 per hour
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Essential Info
Visa
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.
Vaccination
Canada
There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for polio, tetanus and rabies. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.
Eating and Drinking
On all camping tours, most of the meals are included whilst camping. Your tour guide will coordinate local shopping and assist the group in preparing healthy, hearty breakfasts, picnic lunches and delicious dinners.
Occasionally, you will eat out in local restaurants. To help you budget for these meals on average hotel breakfasts cost from CAD$12-$15, lunches from CAD$15-$20 and dinners from CAD$20-$35; this does not include alcoholic beverages. Wine costs approximately CAD$15 per glass and beer CAD$7-$10 per bottle. Please be aware that a tip of approximately 17%-20% is added to group me ls in Canadian restaurants. Applicable taxes will also be added to all listed menu prices. Please make sure we are aware of any special meal requirements before travelling. We will do all we can to accommodate for various dietary requirements but in certain parts of Canada certain food types can be limited.
Weather Charts
Is this trip for you?
Designed for 9-12 year olds, also suitable for 13-16 year olds.
This family discovery tour has been developed with both fun and safety in mind and are suitable for families with children aged eight years and older. On this active family tour, you will enjoy an incredible array of experiences and activities. Your tour guide will organise each day’s activities, and you don’t have to be athletic or have previous experience to enjoy this holiday. Some of the activities are left as optional so you can tailor your tour according to your family’s level of adventure.
There are some long drives involved and a substantial time difference. By North American standards the journeys are not considered to cover a big distance, but on some days the time 'on the road' will be approximately 6 hours. This is a participatory camping trip - you will be expected to assist with setting up tents, helping with the shopping and cooking, washing up after meals, etc. Most families greatly enjoy the team feeling that comes from getting involved with these activities. There is a wide choice of activities on this trip to cater for the whole family, so we hope that there will be something for everyone!
There are opportunities for optional activities during your tour. Your tour leader will organise these on your behalf and you will pay locally in cash. You’ll find the main optional activities listed above under each itinerary day description, along with guideline prices. It may not be possible to do all optional activities listed on each tour.
Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.
10 Nights Camping & 1 Night Hotel
This camping tour uses national and state park campsites and also a wide assortment of private campgrounds. These will not always be within the national park boundaries, but we select the best from what is available in each area. Most will have flush toilets and hot showers however some may charge an additional fee of $1-$3 for use of the showers. You sleep in high quality, tents which single travellers share with one other passenger of the same sex. Camping equipment also includes field kitchens, inflatable sleeping pads, food storage and camp lanterns and chairs. Most campsites have a quiet time from 22:00 hrs to 07:00 hrs. Please respect your fellow campers who are there to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of camping.
Covid-19 refund commitment
You will get a refund if you have to cancel your trip due to COVID-19.
No departures found.
Would you like to include flights with your booking?
- ATOL protected
- Competitive flight prices
- Full refunds in the event of FCDO cancellations or major disruption at your UK departure airport
- Specialist support to rearrange flights and transfers
- Regional flights available from many UK airports
*Please note any date & price adjustments will be displayed on the next step of booking. You will be able to revert back to booking without flights if the options aren't suitable for you.
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