Rocky Mountains wildlife holiday in Canada
| country: | Canada | ||||
| location: | Canadian Rockies, British Columbia | ||||
| departures: | 2010: 6 Jun, 13 Jun, 20 Jun, 27 Jun, 4 Jul, 11 Jul, 18 Jul, 25 Jul, 1 Aug, 8 Aug, 15 Aug, 22 Aug, 5 Sep, 12 Sep | ||||
| price: | From CA $1,995 (11 days) excluding flights.
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| more info: | Price includes services of driver/guide, all transportation and park permits, 8 nights camping, 2 nights lodge accommodation, a bear tour through Grizzly Bear Valley, entrance fees to Hell’s Gate Tram and camping gear (except your sleeping bag). A local payment of $200 goes into a food kitty that pays for all meals during the camping component of the tour. | ||||
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
The focus of this small group tour is hiking, wildlife viewing and camping in Canada's Rockies.
Designed for those who want get off the beaten path and get into the park, the Rockies Wildlife Tour enables travellers to hike and walk some of the most scenic trails in the Canadian Rockies. We explore seven provincial and national parks including Banff, Jasper and Yoho. Collectively, these parks feature a wide variety of terrain including spectacular alpine meadows, sweeping glaciers, hanging valleys and mountain forests and streams. This varied terrain provides great opportunity for wildlife spotting opportunities including black and grizzly bears, moose, elk, deer, Bighorn Sheep and wolves. We spend our last night in the luxury of a lakeside resort.
Join us on our rocky tour as we camp in the shadow of snow capped peaks, soak in hot springs and canoe on a crystal clear mountain lake.
Designed for those who want get off the beaten path and get into the park, the Rockies Wildlife Tour enables travellers to hike and walk some of the most scenic trails in the Canadian Rockies. We explore seven provincial and national parks including Banff, Jasper and Yoho. Collectively, these parks feature a wide variety of terrain including spectacular alpine meadows, sweeping glaciers, hanging valleys and mountain forests and streams. This varied terrain provides great opportunity for wildlife spotting opportunities including black and grizzly bears, moose, elk, deer, Bighorn Sheep and wolves. We spend our last night in the luxury of a lakeside resort.
Join us on our rocky tour as we camp in the shadow of snow capped peaks, soak in hot springs and canoe on a crystal clear mountain lake.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Nahatlatch Provincial Park and Protected Area, BC. After departing Vancouver, we drive through the Fraser Canyon, following the mighty Fraser River, to Boston Bar. At Boston Bar we descend to Hells Gate via aerial tram to the base to the canyon where 1,370 kilometres of the Fraser River squeeze into a 34 metre wide thundering passage. Millions of Spring, Coho, Chum, Pink and Sockeye salmon pass through the canyon on their way to spawning grounds every year. The 170 km drive from Vancouver through the Fraser Canyon takes us through lush forested environments of Hope to the scorching, near-desert conditions of Lillooet and retraces part of the route of one of BC’s most famous goldrushes of the 1860’s. We turn off the highway and take an active logging road to Nahatlatch Provincial Park. Scenic mountain peaks and glaciers, old growth forests, and a lake and river system like no other await us in this remote area of our Canadian Rockies tour. A variety of wildlife can be found in the park, including grizzly bears, black bears, lynx, cougars, wolves, coyotes, and deer. Smaller species and birds include beaver, bald eagles, and osprey. In the early afternoon passengers will have the option to raft the exciting jade green Nahatlatch River. Accommodation: Wilderness Camping. Showers available. |
| Days 2-3: | Wells Grey, Provincial Park. In the morning we have the option to hike to Mehatl Falls, near Nahatlatch Provincial Park. Mehatl Falls is nestled in a subalpine bowl – a great setting for wildlife spotting. Later we can hike the winding trail along the creek, which leads to breathtaking photographic opportunities at the Mehatl Cascades. After our hike we'll head out and make our way north following the Thompson River. As we follow the river we enter Caribou Country, a region of rolling hills and prairies, thick forests, granite-walled canyons and impressive river valleys. Here, ranching, logging and mining are the mainstays of the local economy. We settle in at our campgroud and prepare for our adventure into Wells Gray Provincial Park. On Day 3 we drive along the scenic Wells Gray corridor of rushing rivers and million year old geological rock and volcanic landforms. In the morning we'll see Helmcken Falls, Canada's fourth highest waterfall, and one of it's best-kept secrets. Plunging 141 meters in a straight drop, this waterfall is about three times higher than Niagara Falls. Later we'll visit Ray Springs Mineral Farm - an old abandoned homestead that has become a haven for wildlife viewing. At Clearwater Lake we'll have the option of a guided overnight canoe trip. Accommodation: Camping in Wells Gray Provincial Park. Showers available on both nights. Optional Activities: Overnight canoe trip. |
| Days 4-5: | Jasper National Park, AB. After breakfast we'll pack camp and head further north. Our first stop will be to board our boat that will take us on a one hour tour into Grizzly Bear Valley deep in the Monahsee Mountains. Here black and grizzly bears are often seen foraging for food along the river beds. We continue our drive, rejoining the North Thompson River to meet up again with the mighty Fraser River near Mt. Robson Provincial Park. The 3,954 meter high mountain for which the park is named guards the park's western entrance. After crossing the BC/Alberta border we stop at Jasper to replenish our supplies before heading out to our campground. Spanning 1,078 square kilometers of broad valleys and craggy mountains, Jasper is the largest of Canada's Rocky Mountain National Parks. On Day 5, We drive out to Maligne Canyon and Lake where many a grizzly has been seen wandering its isolated hillsides and lakeshores. There is also potential for black bear, elk, moose, mule and white-tail deer, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat. Passengers will have the option to hike the Bald Hills or enjoy a scenic boat tour on Maligne Lake. Later in the evening we’ll have the option to take the aerial Tram to the top of Whistlers Mountain. Accommodation: Camping in Jasper National Park. Showers available on both nights. Optional Activities: Icewalking, Snow-coach ride, Jasper Tram. |
| Days 6-7: | Banff National Park & Lake Louise, AB. On Day 6 we get an early start and make our way to Banff National Park for a full day of sightseeing along the Rocky Mountains. Travelling through Sunwapta Pass we’ll look for the elusive moose. Other wildlife that are often seen on the Icefield parkway include, elk, deer, and grizzly bears. In the late morning we arrive at the Athabasca Glacier. In the company of certified mountain guides, clients will have the option to strap on crampons and join a naturalist for a two hour guided walk on the surface of the Athabasca Glacier. Afterward, we’ll have free time to visit the Icefield Interpretive Centre. In the late afternoon we arrive in Banff National Park. We start the morning of Day 7 with a one hour hike of Johnston Canyon. After a brief stop at camp we'll head out to world famous Lake Louise. Following a buffet lunch at Ten Peaks Lodge we'll board the Gondola and ascend to an elevation of 2088 meters. After our visit to the Lake Louise area we'll stop at the townsite of Banff, where travellers will be given free time in the late afternoon to explore Banff on their own, enjoy the Sulphur Mountain Hot Springs (included in package) and take dinner at their own expense. Other highlights of the day include Bow Falls and views of Castle Mountain. Optional highlights include Sulphur Mountain Tram, a tour of Banff Springs Hotel or horseback riding. Accommodation: Camping in Banff National Park. Showers available on both nights. Optional Activities: Trail riding, Helicopter scenic flights with and without glacier landings and entrance to Sulphur Mountain Hot Springs. |
| Days 8-9: | Yoho National Park, B.C. On Day 8 travellers can pursue a number nature-based optional activities including: white water rafting on the Kicking Horse River and a visit to the Grizzly Bear Sanctuary at Kicking Horse Resort. The Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge operates a wilderness centre for research, education, and conservation. The 22-acre sanctuary is the largest protected enclosed grizzly bear refuge in the world and provides a home and a second chance at life for orphaned grizzly bear cubs. Passengers not wishing to take part in the optional activities can take either the Leanchoil Hoodoo or Wapta Falls Trail, a 2-3 hour walk. On Day 9 passengers have the option to go looking for water fowl along the Columbia River on a river safari or hiking the Yoho Valley. Later we’ll visit Emerald Lake for a 2 hour hike around the lake and along the foot of Yoho Valley. Our day concludes as we make our way to Takakkaw Falls, the highest in the Canadian Rockies and look for mountain sheep high up on the sheer mountain cliffs. Accommodation: Camping in Yoho National Park. Riverside bathing on both days. Optional Activities: Kicking Horse Gondola, Columbia River Safaris, whitewater rafting on the Kicking Horse River. |
| Day 10: | Chase, B.C, (via Glacier National Park) We leave the Rockies - but not the Mountains and head west to Glacier National Park. Here we’ll stop at the visitor centre and enjoy a hike in an old growth forest. Crossing both the Columbia and Monahsee Mountain Ranges, we drop down to the Shuswap Lake area and spend our last night in a First Nation’s Resort nestled on the shores of this great lake. We’ll arrive in plenty of time to enjoy the facilities and a have a fun, last meal out together. Accommodation: Quaaout Lodge, a unique 72-room lakefront resort hotel on the shores of Little Shuswap Lake, owned and operated by the Little Shuswap First Nation. Facilities include licensed dining, indoor pool, steam room, whirlpool and an exercise room. Showers available. |
| Day 11: | Vancouver, BC. Our last leg of the journey takes us along the Trans Canada Highway from Salmon Arm to Kamloops and over the scenic Coquihalla Highway to Hope. We arrive in Vancouver, bordered by the majestic Coastal Mountains and Pacific Ocean. |
this holiday is operated by a wildlife specialist
Typically trips are expertly guided by a leading specialist with a good knowledge of the area to be visited. Inevitably, birds, plants and mammals are the main focus of attention however, the aim will be to incorporate all other aspects of the natural world in an attempt to be as broad-minded as possible. A local guide may often accompany trips.how this holiday makes a difference
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Community
Our pre-departure information is tailored to the specific destinations we travel to. Each document contains information on travelling responsibly and social and environmental issues in the particular area. Our small group adventures utilize local outfitters, stay in small scale, locally owned accommodation and frequent local shops for meals, supplies and crafts. These practices facilitate a high degree of contact with locals and ensure that the economic development our business brings goes directly to local businesses and communities. Our itineraries are reasonably flexible and, with the permission of the group, we often detour to attend local events and festivals. As well, travelling in small groups of up to 8 people enables us to minimize our impact on the environment and allows our travelers to explore without ‘invading’ local economies that do not have the infrastructure to accommodate large groups. In many ways we view this as ‘no trace touring’. Our overnight canoe adventure in Wells Gray Provincial Park utilizes a local company. This company conducts its operations according to strict Provincial Park regulations including employing certified canoe guides, guest to guide paddling ratios and no trace camping etiquette. We have strict rules that travellers do not leave the vehicle they are in, whether it be a boat or tour van, if they see wildlife. This rule ensures that our guide is always in control of people / wildlife boundaries. During our hikes we practice ‘bear aware’ – ensuring that travellers know what to do if they see a bear or cougar. Our practices include checking with parks to see if bears are present in the areas we hike, practising ‘no trace camping’, hiking in groups with a minimum of four people and ensuring that travellers do not store food or toiletries in their tents. Environment As experienced Canadian guides, we are familiar with the area’s natural history, wildlife and environmental issues. In the Rocky Mountains, the central issue is balancing wildlife preservation with commercialisation and public access to the parks. The Rocky Mountains, including Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, Kootenay National Park, and Yoho National Park, are home to several endangered and threatened species. To this end the company supports the wildlife conservation efforts of the Valhalla Wilderness Society and donates $50 for every seat sold. Our education about Canada’s park system ranges from Canada oldest park, Banff (established in 1885) to BC’s Nahatlatch Provincial Park (established in 1999). This latter park is a wonderful representative sample of an undisturbed Coast Mountain drainage and offers habitat for species that are dependent on old growth ecosystems and a high degree of wilderness. Our other environmental practices include:
We use recycled tissue and environmentally friendly cleaning products. Our office staff are provided with a secure place to store their bicycles and encouraged to car pool. Inter-office documents are printed on the blank side of previously used paper. Light bulbs are all low energy. We support the following environmental charities in Canada: The Land Conservancy, the Alpine Club of Canada and the BC Wilderness Tourism Association. Parks are the principle destination for our tours. We educate our travelers about each park’s natural history, wildlife and current issues impacting its use. We hold annual permits for all national and provincial parks we explore and has excellent relations with park authorities in Alaska, Yukon Territories, the Rocky Mountains and Vancouver Island. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |