Take in the beauty of Banff National Park and surrounding areas in the Fall when the tamaracks are a stunning yellow! Join us for 5 days and 4 nights of hiking at Lake Louise, Sunshine Meadows, and trekking out onto the Columbia Icefield!

We will do several easy to moderate-level hikes that range in mileage from 2 miles to 6.6 miles. There will be some moderate elevation gain and we will be starting our hikes at high altitude (between 4,000-7,500 feet), so take that into consideration as you are training. To fully enjoy this adventure, you will need to train for these hikes and be able to average a 30 minute/mile hiking pace at high altitude and with some moderate elevation gains. 

Daily high temperatures between 50-65 degrees F and nights typically 30-40 degrees F. Perfect hiking weather and great opportunity to see the fall colors. 

All the excursions listed in the itinerary are included. Bring cash/credit cards for purchasing souvenirs, additional snacks/meals, alcoholic drinks, extra activities, and other items. You can either order Canadian Dollars from your bank at home or use an ATM on arrival in Canada to get some cash. Exchanging USD to Canadian Dollars at the airport or at a bank in Canada is not always easy and doesn't give the best exchange rates. All gratuities are included with the exception of those for your Chicas Abroad tour leader. Tipping the Chicas Abroad tour leader is optional and not included in the price of your adventure.

Chicas Abroad Tour Leader Tips

● The Chicas Abroad Tour Leader(s) works hard to ensure a seamless adventure for you and tips are optional, but customary. 

● If you have more than one tour leader on your adventure, gratuities may be given to one tour leader and the team will divide the tips. 

● Typical tips $30-40/day

A custom packing list will be emailed out a few months prior to departure.

Plan to arrive in Calgary by 3:00pm. A shuttle will transport guests from the Calgary airport to Canmore where we will settle into our rooms and enjoy a Welcome Dinner to get to know all the Chicas. If you are planning to drive to Canmore, please plan to arrive in Canmore by 5:00pm.

Included Meals: Welcome Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Canmore

Note: The Chicas Abroad team can help you book a hotel if you would like to arrive in Calgary the day before the adventure.

After a hearty breakfast to fuel us for our hikes, we will depart Canmore and head to beautiful Lake Louise where we will take in the glacial blue waters and and get a million Insta-worthy photos with a stroll around the lake.

We will then go for a walk around the lakeshore or Moraine Lake. This is a special treat because this area is closed to private vehicles. We've teamed up with a local guide to take us to all the best places!

After a visit to Moraine Lake, we will head out on a short hike to Consolation Lakes where we will enjoy a lunch with views of the gorgeous lake as a backdrop. 

After our hike, we will drive along the Bow Valley Parkway and stop for views of the landscape and possible wildlife (moose, elk, deer, maybe even a caribou). We will arrive back at our hotel and have some time to freshen up before going to dinner in Canmore

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks

Accommodation: Hotel in Canmore

Activity: Hiking 4 miles with 882 feet elevation gain. Hike is rated as moderate.

Today we will do another stunning hike in the Rocky Mountains in Sunshine Meadows. To get to the trailhead, we will ride a gondola with gorgeous views. The hike begins at an altitude of 7,000 feet and is a 6.6 mile loop with 1,371 feet elevation gain. This is one you'll want to train for simply for the altitude, especially if you live at sea level. 

We will take our time exploring this beautiful area before heading back to Banff where we will make a stop at the Cave and Basin National Historic Site where we will go for a soak in the thermal hot springs at the site of the very first national park in Canada. After our soak, there will be some time to explore the shops of Banff and and enjoy a group dinner.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Canmore

Activity: Hiking 6.6ish miles with 1,371 feet elevation gain. Hike is rated as moderate.

Today is going to be one you'll want to write home about! We will join our local guide for a drive from Lake Louise to Jasper along the Icefield Parkway where we will make several picture stops. The highlight will be going out onto the 10,000 year old Athabasca Glacier on an ultimate ATV, the Icefield Explorer to see the glacier up close. 

After our amazingly fun day of adventure, we will return to Banff to enjoy our last group dinner before we all depart tomorrow.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks

Accommodation: Hotel in Canmore

Today we will start our day with a group breakfast and a relaxing walk along the Bow River in Canmore. This is a casual hike to stretch our legs before our flights/drives home. 

We plan to arrive at the Calgary airport around 1:30pm. Please schedule your flights to depart after 3:00pm. 

Included Meals: Breakfast

Activity: Approximately 2 mile easy hike along boardwalks and paved paths with minimal elevation gain.