On the first day, the trail at Paul Lake PP offers a lovely setting for a chance to get acquainted, while loosening those legs for the rich variety of trails that lie ahead. Fill the next three days with some of the walks and hikes, like Maligne Canyon, Mount Baldy, Opal Mountain, and Five Lakes, that define the utter serenity of Jasper NP.
Conditions permitting, hike the trails at the base of Mt. Edith Cavell, all the while listening for the thunderous echoes of huge, blue chunks of ice falling from hanging glaciers or take a non-walking day to mountain bike, canoe or just ride the gondola to the top of Whistler Mountain.
Leaving Jasper for Banff NP, witness one of the world's most beautiful drives, the Icefields Parkway, and experience some of its jewels close up: walk along the brink of Sunwapta or Athabasca Falls, explore Athabasca Glacier on our included, guided tour, and stand in awe high above the powder-blue surrealism of Peyto Lake.
We have three days to explore the incredible diversity of this splendid national park. Consider hiking to the teahouse overlooking incomparable Lake Louise from either Plain of Six Glaciers or Lake Agnes or for the energetic, just do both! Hike through Sentinel Pass to the startling views of Lake Moraine or take the easier route and just stroll the shoreline. Revive those muscles with a soak in Banff's naturally heated hot pools, rent a canoe, get back on the trail, check out the wildlife or just enjoy the spectacles of this wondrous park.
Heading into Yoho NP, consider whitewater rafting on the most aptly named Kicking Horse River. Yoho offers what is truly one of the world's great one-day walks, the Iceline Trail (conditions permitting) or take the shorter route via Twin Falls or over the pass, to Emerald Lake. For an easier but still glorious day, walk to the base of Takkakaw Falls and relax under a pine tree as the highest waterfall in Canada free falls 1000 feet. No matter what the option chosen, all will agree that Yoho NP is wild, wonderful, Canada at its best!
Leaving Yoho and heading back towards civilisation but not there just yet, at one more BC Provincial Park we have one last beautiful trail waiting, before arriving the next day at Canada's west coast and one of North America's most vibrant and liveable cities, Vancouver. Take in the magnificent skyline from the footpaths of Stanley Park, and stroll along English Bay Beach at sunset. Top off the evening with dinner in Chinatown and some nightlife in Gastown, before returning to the Emerald City, Seattle.
SPECIAL NOTE
On this tour, the second leader will be locally-based and certified by the Canadian Park Service to guide the group in Jasper, Banff and Yoho National Parks. (Days 1 and 10-12 are guided by only one leader).
|
