Having us organize your own hiking or trekking trip on a private or custom basis can be extremely rewarding. This is because the pace of the activity, the degree of difficulty and the level of service and comfort is customized to the needs and abilities of you and your group. There is no compromise involved as our sole aim is to meet your goals.
The Canadian Rockies is one of the finest hiking areas in the world. The mountain scenery is superb and easy access to exciting areas allows for a range of different styles of trip.
We organize trips for individuals, for families and for groups of friends of all ages. Whilst we operate mainly in Canada we can also organize trips to other parts of the world such as the Himalayas, Andes or European Alps.
You can ask us to organize a trip you’ve always wanted to do or we can work with you to develop an itinerary. We can even help you organize a package that includes local transportation and accommodation during the trip. We can arrange for rental equipment and supply all out trip meals.
Backpacking
Backpacking is where we carry everything we need with us each day as we move from campsite to campsite. You will need to carry you own personal clothing and sleeping bag plus a share of group food and camping gear. How much you carry will depend upon the length of the trip. To make it easier we can arrange for porters to carry loads between campsites and also to replace food caches at campsites. If you look at the information on our scheduled backpacking trips you will get a good idea of how it works. Backpacking allows us to get into the less frequently visited areas and to enjoy a total outdoor living experience.
Suggestions: Rockwall Highline in Kootenay National Park, Healy Pass to Storm Mountain in Banff National Pass, Skyline Trail in Jasper National Park.
Backcountry Lodges
Backcountry Lodges are found in several areas of the Rockies and in the Interior Ranges of British Columbia not far from Canmore. Access is by foot or by helicopter. If by foot you carry only your own personal clothing as bedding and food is supplied at the lodge. Once at the lodge you can enjoy the wilderness in a degree of comfort that in some cases is quite luxurious. Each day you can head out on exciting day hikes to explore the surrounding mountains. Where helicopter access is permitted (not in National Parks) it’s even easier. This kind of trip works well for folks who enjoy the wilderness but are not able or inclined to carry a heavy backpack.
Suggestions: Shadow Lake Lodge in Banff National Park, hut to hut hiking in Wells Gray National Park.
Helicopter Camping
Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park which is a short flight from Canmore has some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the Canadian Rockies. It is possible to fly in or out several times a week. Once there you have a choice of staying in a campground or in basic log cabins (very rustic). Nearby is the world-famous Mount Assiniboine Lodge which is one of the best backcountry lodges around. Once there, you can enjoy some really good day hikes to the passes, lakes and easy peaks which surround the area.
Suggestion: Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park.
Hotel or front country camping & hiking programs
There are many, many excellent day hikes in the Canadian Rockies. You can stay in a regular hotel, motel or lodge or you can camp in one of the many ‘front country’ campsites and each day head out on a different hike. We can organize a mobile program where we stay in a series of different places so that you can sample the best of the area. For example we can organize an itinerary that visits all the four mountain national parks, Banff, Jasper, Kootenay and Yoho.
Suggestion: Camping trip through Jasper and Banff National Parks or the same but staying in hotels!
Once we have designed your program we will supply a quote for your approval. This quote will reflect what exactly is included in the package. Once approved we will require a deposit with balance of payment due 8 weeks in advance. Depending on the trip guests may be required to complete an experience questionnaire. The company hiking waiver must be signed before trip commencement.
In the simplest case of a day hike you may be looking at the cost of hiring a guide alone without any extras. Other programs may also include meals, accommodation, national park fees, gear rentals and anything else needed to ensure the success of the program.
Our prices are subject to a 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST). Gratuities not included.
There are two basic types of insurance that most travelers need to consider: Medical and Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance. We offer our guests coverage for both and highly recommend you purchase it.
Emergency Medical Expenses Insurance:
It is wise to ensure that your health plan will cover you in case of illness or accident during your trip. Obtain extra coverage if necessary. There is no charge for rescue in the National and provincial Parks, however costs such as air or ground transportation, long term care and other services are not covered.
Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance:
We recognize that our guests’ schedules may change for many reasons; business, family, flight delays, injuries and other unplanned events. For these eventualities the Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance is a great way to protect your investment.
For all your travel insurance requirements we recommend the Simpson Group. This agency offers a wide range of travel insurance options including Trip Cancellation/Interruption, Travel Medical and Personal Effect Loss for Canadian and International Travelers. We highly recommend purchasing this insurance. For more information and to purchase a plan, visit the Simpson Group’s website.
