Family fun in the Canadian Rockies

Installation at the campsite for 3 nights. A short hike to get back in shape, an opportunity to test your equipment and your fitness. 2 hours of walking. Night in a tent.

Day 3 - Hike for the day in Banff National Park. Our trail climbs through a coniferous forest to lead to an alpine meadow, offering a panoramic view. Maximum altitude of 2330 m, 650 m of altitude difference, 5 to 6 hours of walking. Night in a tent.

Day 4 - Cascade Mountain
Easy ascent to Cascade Mountain near Banff. We pass the remains of a coal mine dating from the beginning of the 20th century, now overgrown with clematis, orchids and violets. As you climb, the horizon gradually widens, over Lake Minnewanka, then over the Bow River Valley and finally on the peaks of the Fairholme Range. 450 m of altitude difference, 2 to 3 hours of walking. Night in a tent.

D5 - Kootenay National Park (2 days)
Road to Kootenay National Park, located in British Columbia on the western slopes of the Rockies (130 km)
This park, renowned for the variety of its landscapes ranging from eternal snow to semi-arid areas with cacti, and very well known for its hot springs (Radium Hot Springs), is however much less frequented than that of Banff. Starting from Vermilion Bridge (1585 m), hike in the direction of Stanley Glacier to an altitude of about 1950 m. 365 m of altitude difference, 3 to 4 hours of walking. Night in a tent.

Day 6 - Floe Lake
Great hike to Floe Lake (2040 m), a glacial lake surrounded by cliffs that fall vertically into its azure waters. 20 km loop, 700 m of altitude difference, about 6 hours of walking. Night in a tent.

Day 7 — Golden
Approximately 100 km of road along the Columbia River Valley to Golden. Optional, possibility of rafting on the Kicking Horse River (about 100 dollars CAD to be paid on site). Night at the hotel in this small town at an altitude of 800m.

Day 8 — Yoho National Park
Road to Yoho National Park. After walking along the banks of Emerald Lake (1300 m), climb to Yoho Pass (1830 m), for a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. 3 to 4 hours of walking, 530 m of altitude difference. Then, continuing our journey we reach the classic sites of the magnificent Louise and Moraine Lakes, real postcard landscapes. 80km of road during the day. Installation at the campsite for 2 nights. Overnight in a tent near the village of Lake Louise (1550m).

J9 - Valley of Ten Peaks
From Moraine Lake (1890 m), in the heart of “Valley of Ten Peaks”, hike to Larch Valley, in the direction of Sentinel Pass (2611 m), from where the view plunges into Paradise Valley. 720m of altitude difference, 4 to 5 hours of walking. Overnight in a tent in Lake Louise.

D10 - Hike to one of the most beautiful lakes in the Canadian Rockies, located at an altitude of 2500 m. At the lake, nap or the possibility of continuing to a summit of 2993 m (2 additional hours of walking). 550 m of altitude difference, 4 or 6 hours of walking depending on the option chosen, then drive to our campsite near the small town of Jasper. 230 km of road. Night in a tent.

Day 11 - Maligne Lake
Hike in the mountain pastures (2170 m), beautiful view of the turquoise waters of Lake Maligne (1690 m), the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies, surrounded by 3000 m mountains with snowy peaks. Possibility to reach a belvedere at 2600 m. 500 m to 900 m of altitude difference, 4 to 7 hours of walking. Night in a tent.

J12 - Columbia Icefield
Return to the South by “Icefields Parkway” (Glacier Road). At the heart of the Rockies are the huge Columbia Glaciers, from which rivers flow into three different oceans. To fully admire the Athabasca Glacier and Snow Dome, hike in a loop through Wilcox Pass (2375 m). 335 m of altitude difference, 2 to 3 hours of walking. 110 km of road. Overnight in a tent in a small campsite at altitude.

J13 - Calgary
Drive east to Calgary (400 km). Mountain landscapes and forests give way to meadows, farms, and ranches. Calgary, the largest city in the Canadian province of Alberta, has a population of just over 1 million. It owes its wealth to the oil boom. Free dinner. Overnight at the hotel.

The course of this program is indicative. It may undergo modifications or adjustments, depending on technical criteria, safety requirements or the climatic conditions of the moment. In this case, only those responsible for UCPA supervision are authorized to take the necessary decision (s).

LIABILITY WAIVER TO BE SIGNED IN CANADA
Do not be surprised if, upon arrival, your Canadian guide asks you to sign a waiver of responsibility for risks normally incurred during sporting activities. This practice is almost systematic in North America.It is a mandatory procedure requested by your insurance company from our local partner, which may not accept you if you refuse to sign.However, regardless of the wording of this discharge, your signature in no way relieves the organizers of your trip (UCPA and its local partner) from their responsibilities, and does not in any way mitigate the scope of your personal insurance coverage.