“I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.”
John Burroughs
Gorgeous Canadian Rocky Mountain peaks. Stunning turquoise blue alpine lakes. A charming and fun mountain town, and chances to see wildlife around every turn. We cannot wait to explore Canada’s oldest National Park!
New in 2024! Women-only travel opportunities!
Often when on vacation with a partner or family, women find themselves in the same roles as in their everyday lives — just in a new location. By traveling only with other women, you gain the genuine opportunity to be your true self and to relish treating yourself to that experience. Join us for Women’s tour and enjoy shared experiences, empowerment, support and a lot of fun. To discover more about the importance of women-only travel, head to the blog post Insight Into the Power of Women-Only Travel
About Banff
Banff covers 2,564 square miles and is home to over 1,000 miles of hiking trails. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are so many things to see and do in Banff, you could spend weeks exploring this marvelous park. On this women-only multisport adventure, we’ll be hiking, (and gondola-ing) to some of the most iconic sights in Banff. Experience Lake Louise, the Bow Valley, Sundance Canyon, Sulphur Mountain, and even Little Yoho Valley in neighboring British Columbia.
We’ll keep our eyes peeled for incredible wildlife! Bald eagles, elk, bear, muskrats, and beavers as we work together to paddle an oversized canoe on the serene Bow River.
We’ll also hop on our e-bikes for a historical ride around town. Then we’ll venture farther out, cycling along the Bow River pathway, to enjoy a short hike following the waters of Sundance Canyon.
Details
- Cost Per Person: $3,550
- Single Supplement: $800
- Activities: Hiking, Biking, & Canoeing
- Difficulty: All Abilities
- Guides: To Be Determined, And Local Guides
Trip Highlights
- Discover Canada's stunning first National Park by foot, wheel, and paddle
- Take in panoramic views of glaciers, Lake Louise, the Bow Valley, and the Little Yoho Valley
- Enjoy a scenic gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain
- Bike along flat, easy trails with the Rocky Mountains as a breathtaking backdrop
- Search for incredible wildlife while paddling an oversized canoe with the rest of your trip mates
Day 1
Welcome to one of the most beautiful places in Canada! We meet at Calgary airport (YYC) in the afternoon and shuttle to the charming mountain town of Banff, located within Banff National Park and amongst the stunning Canadian Rocky Mountains. We'll have a chance to check into our hotel before heading to our first activity - an e-bike ride that travels through Banff townsite, including highlights Bow Falls, Surprise Corner, and Banff Springs Hotel, to get us acquainted with our home base for the tour. We'll then head to our welcome dinner at a restaurant focused on creating locally-sourced cuisine that honors the history of Banff.
Day 2
This morning we'll have breakfast at the hotel, pack up our day packs, and head out to the Skoki Valley for a day of backcountry hiking in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. We'll first swing by Lake Louise before the crowds gather to get pictures of it's pristine turquoise waters. The trail takes you to fantastic vistas that overlook the sweeping Bow Valley while meandering amongst larches in their fall foliage splendor. We'll take a break from our hike and enjoy a picnic lunch in a quiet spot along the trail. Once back in town, we'll have free time back at the hotel to wash up and relax before heading out for another fun dinner in town. Hiking Distance: 12 km
Day 3
After breakfast, we'll set our sights for neighboring British Columbia and the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Our hike today is in the Yoho Valley starting at 380 m high Takakkaw Falls. We’ll hike to the top of the Iceline Trail for extreme close up views of the Emerald Glacier and views across the Yoho Valley to the Wapta Icefield. We'll return to the hotel to wash up and rest before dinner. Hiking Distance: 15 km
Day 4
Today we strap on our helmets for an invigorating e-Bike ride that begins along the Bow River pathway system before travelling along a wooded pathway to reach Cave & Basin National Historic Site, the birthplace of Canada's National Park system. We'll follow the Bow River to reach the Sundance Canyon Trailhead, and continue on foot through lush alpine forest, crossing several small wooden bridges over the rushing waters of Sundance Canyon. We'll take in commanding views of the Bow Valley, Mt. Norquay, Mt. Edith and Mt. Cory, before retracing our steps to our eBikes for the return ride to Banff. We'll have free time this afternoon before reconvening for a gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain to watch the sunset, and enjoy our farewell dinner. Biking Distance: 12 km and 2km hiking
Day 5
On our last morning of the tour, we'll start with breakfast at the hotel and then head out for the Bow River. We can take in the inspiring mountain views one last time as we search for wildlife while paddling around in an oversized canoe! Once back on shore, we'll load up the shuttle and make our way back to Calgary to say our goodbyes and catch our flights home.
Book this TourTrip Accommodations
NIGHTS 1 - 4 >> BREWSTER'S MOUNTAIN LODGE / BANFF
Our hotel for the duration of the tour is right in the heart of the adorable mountain town of Banff and surrounded by the majestic Canadian Rocky Mountains. You'll love this family-owned boutique-style hotel, offering a fun and comfortable place to relax after a long day of adventuring.
Book this TourArrival & Departure
We meet at Calgary airport (YYC) at 1:00 pm and shuttle to the charming mountain town of Banff, located within Banff National Park and amongst the stunning Canadian Rocky Mountains. On the last day of the tour, we'll shuttle everyone from Banff back to the Calgary arriving by 1:30 PM, allowing you to fly out after 3:00.
What's Included?
- One female Zephyr guide accompanies each trip, along with one or two local guides.
- Our trip prices are based on double occupancy. If you are coming on a trip solo, you have two options: 1) Pay the single supplement to receive your own room. 2) Ask us to try to find you a roommate of the same gender to share a room with; if we are not successful you will be charged the single supplement and receive your own room.
- All breakfasts, some lunches, and dinners are included. Gratuity for these meals is also included.
- All your transportation is included once you meet your guides on the first day.
- All group activities are included (park entrances fees, bike rental, canoe trip, and gondola ride).
- NOT INCLUDED- Beverages, desserts, some lunches, gratuities to your guides, personal expenses, and travel to and from the destination.
Weather
Banff is located in the mountains so the weather can change very quickly. You will want to bring layers as we'll be there in September and the average high is in the mid 60s during the day and drops down to the low-40s at night, making it perfect weather for hiking, biking, and paddling. There will be a chance of rain while we are there so you will want to make sure to bring rain gear.
Extending Your Vacation
Banff National Park is quite large and we will only be exploring a portion of it. If you're looking to add on to your vacation, we would recommend renting a car and visiting other areas of Banff as well as Jasper National Park. Additionally, there is a scenic train called the Rocky Mountaineer that runs from Banff to Vancouver, going straight through the stunning Canadian Rockies.
Ability Level
This Adventure is rated For All Abilities. Everything is optional and we will have options of varying distances and difficulties for most activities. You must know how to ride a bike in order to participate in Day 4's ride.
Changes to Your Itinerary
While everything under “What is Included” will remain the same, the actual restaurants, hotels, and activities listed in our itineraries are subject to modifications. Changes that are out of our control are common – a restaurant closes or loses its awesome chef, a winery changes its visiting hours, a hotel gets remodeled, a road or trail undergoes construction. You are entrusting us to create an outstanding vacation for you and so it is possible we may take the liberty of making necessary changes (even at the last minute, during the guides’ scout trip) to the itinerary that will improve your overall trip experience. If there is any one experience that is going to make or break your trip, please discuss this with us in advance! We will attempt to keep our website itinerary as current as possible and communicate any major changes with you in the weeks prior to the tour.
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