Canadian Rockies: Banff, Yoho and Kananaskis

Experienced, friendly and knowledgeable guides

Transportation during the trip

All accommodations while on tour, including two wonderful lodges

All meals included except one dinner; alcoholic beverages not included

DAY 1
Meet in Canmore. Rummel Lake; 6.25 miles, moderate (1,155-ft elevation gain) or Rummel Lake to Chester Lake; 8.75 miles (1,353-ft elevation gain)*
After meeting in Canmore, you transfer through lush conifer corridors to your lovely lodge home for the next three nights. The start of the first walk is just outside the lodge door. Here the trailhead begins on a former logging road framed by tall fir and spruce trees with buffalo berry, grouseberry, and Labrador tea on the mossy forest floor. The trail winds uphill through larch forest with rushing Rummel Creek below. Along the way, magnificent views of the Spray Valley are revealed. Following the gentle mountain slope, you descend alongside the creek flanked by silvery wolf willow. Crossing the creek over a log bridge, you reach an alpine meadow basin and the banks of pristine Rummel Lake, carved below the majestic, sheer face of Mount Galatea. Here you enjoy a lovely lunch while basking in the reflection of the lake’s tranquil green, clear waters, that mirror the snow capped mountains and blue sky.
After lunch, you may chose to continue to Chester Lake, another lovely sub-alpine lake. The quiet, narrow trail scented with heather and berry bushes brings you to another stunning mountain meadow filled with elephant head, fleabane, and colorful Indian paintbrush. Connecting to a well-trodden trail, you enjoy the leisurely walk to Lake Chester—a stunning sub-alpine lake encircled by awe-inspiring peaks—the Fortress, Gusty Peak, Mount Galatea, and Mount Chester.
At the conclusion of today’s walk, you return to the cozy, welcoming lodge to enjoy a cup of tea or glass of wine on the wrap-around deck overlooking Moose Meadow. A welcome dinner is in the lodge’s restaurant, where an exquisite meal of local mountain specialities awaits.
*Please note: An alternative trail of comparable terrain will be used in the event of trail closing due to wildlife activity.
Mount Engadine Lodge, Canmore

DAY 2
Burstall Pass; 5 miles, moderate (1,567-ft elevation gain)
After a bountiful breakfast, a short drive brings you to the start of the Burstall Pass trail in Peter Longheed Provincial Park. The wide trail runs level through light forest where you may hear the drum of a Lewis’s woodpecker in search of insects or perhaps spot a grazing mule deer.
Crossing a creek over a small footbridge, you enter the wide gravel alluvial flats, an area of glacial sediment deposited by streams at the base of Robertson Glacier. Silver wolf willow abounds as you traverse the flats and braided creek channels. A short climb leads to dense alpine forest that opens to a beautiful heather-filled meadow in a hanging valley. A healthy ptarmigan population inhabits the meadow year-round.
Larch trees surround and rim the alpine plateau, as you ascend to a bluff where you encounter Burstall Pass itself. The expansive and impressive view is an amphitheater of mountains; through the pass, you take in Mount Assiniboine—Canada’s Matterhorn—to the south you see Mount Sir Douglas; to the east, Mount Birdwood and an eagle’s-eye view of the valley of Burstall Creek.
Upon your return to the lodge, you can relax in the outdoor hot tub, where you marvel at the mountain view and may even spy an eagle soaring overhead. Your day’s adventure is rewarded with another culinary feast that concludes with a decadent homemade dessert, perhaps topped with in-season Saskatoon berries. Mount Engadine Lodge, Canmore

DAY 3
Ptarmigan Cirque; 3 miles, easy (700-ft elevation gain). Afternoon at Boundary Ranch; choice of guided hike or fly fishing, horseback riding—latter options not included in tour price
This morning you embark on a stunning drive along the Smith Dorrien Spray Trail, a scenic gravel road, where elk and big horn sheep often graze along the roadside. The journey takes you to Elbow Sheep Wildland, the north end of Kananaskis Country and the start of the Ptarmigan Cirque, a high mountain bowl between Mount Arethusa and Mount Rae.
You begin climbing up the Highwood pass through a forest of alpine larch, sub-alpine fir, and Engelmann spruce. Along the way, the wooded path opens and levels out into a breathtaking circular alpine meadow filled with wildflowers, complete with glacial stream. As you bask in the grand views of the meadow and surrounding mountain peaks, you enjoy a trailside snack by the waterfall while keeping an eye out for bighorn sheep.
After descending via the same route, a short drive brings you to Boundary Ranch, where an authentic BBQ lunch of Western proportions is underway. After a hearty lunch, you may choose to join your guide on an interpretive local walk, enjoy a guided horseback ride on scenic trails, or fly fish the legendary Kananaskis River.
Later, you return to the lodge to savor the Rocky Mountain tranquility and view the alpenglow on the peaks looming through the trees. Tonight you dine on regional favorites served at the lodge. Mount Engadine Lodge, Canmore

DAY 4
Bow Lake; 6 miles, easy to moderate. Transfer to Field, British Columbia
Located a short distance from the Icefields Parkway, Bow Lake is the third largest lake in Banff National Park. It is also the headwater of the Bow River. The lake is fed by the meltwater from Bow Glacier, one of six outlet valley glaciers of the Wapta Icefield. Today’s walk follows the lakeshore, eventually reaching an overlook of Bow Glacier. Pioneer outfitter and guide Jimmy Simpson spent the winters of the early 1900s hunting and trapping in the remote country north of Bow Lake.
Your home for the next two nights is a luxurious lodge, a sanctuary in the National Park. Nestled along the glacial Kicking Horse River, the Cathedral Mountain Lodge consists of a series of individual cabins. Each one is perfectly appointed, with down duvets, large outdoor decks, and fireplaces—a true oasis. This evening you enjoy dinner at the lodge’s celebrated restaurant sampling local fare and fine Canadian wine. Cathedral Mountain Lodge, Field

DAY 5
Whiskey Jack Falls to Iceline Trail to Yoho Pass to Emerald Lake; 8.5 miles, moderate to challenging (1,400-ft elevation gain and 1,700-ft loss) or Whiskey Jack Falls to Yoho Lake to Yoho Pass; 6 miles, moderate (1,000-ft elevation gain)
Today’s walk begins at Whiskey Jack Falls and ascends a slope with excellent views of Takakkaw Falls. You pass 300- to 400-year-old spruce trees, some of the oldest in Yoho National Park. Eventually you reach the Iceline Trail, within sight of Emerald Glacier. The next destination is Yoho Lake, which was discovered in 1897 by Ralph Edwards, the renowned guide. Inspired by the lake’s natural beauty and timbered shoreline, he wrote, “...a marvelously beautiful little lake, not much larger than a little pond, but of an exquisite ultramarine colour.” Continuing over Yoho Pass, the trail descends to Emerald Lake along the Yoho Lake Trail and through the lake’s alluvial fan. The cliffs of the Vice President Range dominate the view at the beginning of the descent. As the grade eases and you get closer to the alluvial fan, the vegetation becomes lush. With luck, you may spot moose, hoary marmots, porcupines, and golden eagles. Common vegetation includes thimble berry, devil’s club, queen’s cup, foam flower, and dwarf dogwood.
The day’s shorter option brings you partly up the Iceline Trail with magnificent views of Takakkaw Falls and Waputik Icefield, looping past Yoho Lake back to the starting point. A final feast is served this evening at the lodge—raise your glass and toast the Canadian wilderness and your new friends. Cathedral Mountain Lodge, Field

DAY 6
Guide’s choice; approximately 5 miles, easy to moderate. Departure
Early risers walking alongside the Kicking Horse River may have a final opportunity to hear loons calling and perhaps spot a moose among the supple willows and alders.
After a final breakfast at the lodge, you drive back toward Banff. The morning walk depends largely on the weather and is chosen from the repertoire of highlights along the route. Excellent views of nearby mountains are accompanied by the possibility of elk and deer sightings during a relaxing picnic lunch.
You arrive in Banff by late afternoon, where you may choose to extend your adventure amidst the magnificence of Banff National Park or begin your journey home.

Itinerary Changes
Please bear in mind that this is a typical itinerary, and the actual activities, sites, and accommodations may vary due to season, special events, weather, or transportation schedules. We reserve the right to alter the itinerary since tour arrangements are made up to a year in advance, and unforeseen circumstances that mandate change may arise. Itinerary changes are made to improve the tour and your experience.

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
7/15/2012 - 7/20/2012	$3,698
7/22/2012 - 7/27/2012	$3,698
8/12/2012 - 8/17/2012	$3,698
9/2/2012 - 9/7/2012	$3,698
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

Tour Highlights

Classic backcountry walks

Brilliant native flora—thimble berry, queen's cup, dwarf dogwood

Plain of the Six Glaciers and Lake Louise

Fly fishing or horseback riding options

Wildlife—moose, bald eagles, mountain goats, elk

All tour prices are per person, in US dollars, based on double occupancy.

2011 Single Supplement $800

2012 Single Supplement $965

As arrangements are confirmed at least a year in advance, the tour price is subject to change.

Reserve early to guarantee the best available price.

Walk Ratings

Moderate terrain

4 to 9 miles per day with occassional options

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