4 breakfasts

All included meals will be prepared from goods bought en route from supermarkets, local shops and markets. Breakfasts will generally consist of breads and cereals, if time allows a warm breakfast may be prepared. Many lunches will be provided en-route and will be light meals such as sandwiches and/or salads. All evening meals will be freshly-prepared hot meals, and will consist of a variety of continental and local dishes.

You must be 18 to travel unaccompanied on a G Adventures tour. For minors travelling with a guardian over 21 years old, the minimum age is 12.

1. TRAVEL DAYS

In order to cover the vast distance in North America to be able to visit several different parks and cities along our trip, we will have a couple of long driving days.

2. HIKES AND WALKS

All walks and hikes proposed by our CEO will be easy to moderate level. You may choose to participate or not, but exploring our national parks on foot is part of our way of travelling. It’s a healthy way to discover North America’s beauty and landscape.

3. COMBO TRIP

Please note that some trips could be a combination of multiple G Adventure tours. You should expect some group members to join or leave the tour between tour segments.

4. LEGAL DRINKING AGE

Please note that the legal drinking age in the United States is 21 and in Canada, 19 (with Alberta and Quebec at 18). Many bars and clubs will ask for ID at the door, therefore listening to live music in certain bars or spending a night out is not possible when you are under the legal age, even if you don’t plan on consuming alcohol. Drinking laws in both countries are strictly enforced and our CEOs are unable to help those under age obtain alcohol of any kind.

While this should not stop those under legal drinking age from booking a tour, it is important to note that if a traveller is under-age there are certain optional nighttime activities that they may not legally be able to participate in. When trying to book the right trip, we recommend that travellers under legal drinking age take this into consideration when booking a tour that visits several big cities.

5. ACCOMMODATION NOTE:

Please be aware that properties we stay in with only two stories may not have elevators installed and climbing the stairs with your luggage will be necessary.

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout.

This trip uses comfortable 3 star hotels, lodges and inns, well located in cities or near park entrances. Our chosen hotels vary in size, character, and amenities, but are of a very good standard, and the rooms are double occupancy with a private bathroom.

You will be on the move a lot, so our advice is to pack as lightly as possible.

For days in the outdoors, we recommend the use of lightweight, breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics made of wool or synthetic fibers. Cotton is not recommended for days spent hiking as it does not allow for heat or moisture to enter or escape, and it will not dry easily once wet.

We recommend using a backpack for your convenience, or a medium-sized suitcase if you prefer. Heavy luggage is not recommended for the health of the CEO, who will take a lead in loading the storage trailer. Due to space in the trailer, we will not be able to accommodate more than one piece of main luggage per person. A good size day-pack (20-35L) is also essential to carry your personal gear for the day, as access to luggage between destinations will be limited. This daypack will be used to carry your personal gear for the day, your lunch and a water bottle.

It is important to pack clothes for warm days and cool evenings, as well as a light jacket. A set of smart casual clothes is also advisable.

NOTE: Mountains in the Canadian Rockies can have unpredictable weather with snow and heavy rain even in the summer. Springtime could be snowy (until end of June) and autumn weather could start as soon as mid-August. Make sure you have equipment and clothing for all conditions.

Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.

Embrace adrenaline and zipline through old-growth rainforest, gliding from platform to platform above a rushing river. Expert guides handle the guide-led safety briefing and fit your harness before you launch across cliff-to-cliff lines.

Between zips, learn about temperate rainforest ecology and the role of cedars and hemlocks in this rugged landscape. This activity is at additional cost and bookable on tour, with routes suited to varying comfort levels.

Glide above the forest and take the Banff Gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain. Step onto the ridge-top boardwalk for a six-peak panorama where rivers braid through the valley and distant glaciers glint in the sun.

Interpretive panels reveal the geology and wildlife that shape this UNESCO-protected landscape. This activity is at additional cost and bookable on tour, with cafés and exhibits at the summit.

Join an expert-led drive to search for elk and bighorn sheep as golden light settles over the Rockies. Learn how seasons guide movement and behaviour while scanning meadows and forest edges at sunset over the Bow Valley.

Your expert local guide shares park ecology, conservation challenges, and safe viewing etiquette. This activity is at additional cost and bookable on tour; wildlife sightings can’t be guaranteed.

Extend your lakeside visit with a self-guided hike to the historic Plain of Six Glaciers or Lake Agnes tea houses. Climb steady switchbacks through spruce to reach rustic cabins serving warm tea and pastries with glacier views.

No ticket is required; refreshments are at your own expense. Discuss trail conditions and timing with your CEO, who can help you plan this flexible add-on. This activity is optional and arranged locally.

Cap your journey with a relaxed meet-up to enjoy a final night out in Calgary. Swap photos and favourite moments over dinner or a pint from the city’s craft beer scene near lively 17th Avenue.

From Alberta beef to global kitchens, your CEO can recommend spots that fit every taste and budget. This social evening is at additional cost and bookable on tour based on group interest.

Explore the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre on an interpretive guided tour that brings Coast Mountains traditions to life. Walk among cedar architecture, hear stories tied to the land, and view carvings, regalia, and weaving in a serene forested setting.

Discover the living culture of the S?wx_wú7mesh and Lil’wat7úl Nations and how the centre empowers youth through training and performance. Your visit helps support Indigenous-led tourism, making this experience as meaningful as it is memorable.

Explore at your own pace and enjoy a free afternoon in the mountains. Wander the pedestrian-only Whistler Village Stroll, browse indie galleries and cafés, or follow forested paths where mossy cedar and fir release a cool, resinous scent.

Those seeking altitude can stroll to viewpoints or simply soak in the alpine atmosphere with a lakeside pause. Ask your CEO for tips on easy walks, photo spots, and where to find locally roasted coffee with glacier views.

Visit a boutique estate to sample regional wines in Canada’s sun-warmed Okanagan Valley. Stroll vine rows above the lake, learn how lake breezes temper summer heat, and step into the cellar for a guided tasting of house favourites.

Hear how glacial soils and long, dry summers nurture expressive, terroir-driven vintages—from crisp Riesling to supple Pinot Noir. Your host shares pairing tips and winemaking notes that deepen appreciation with every sip.

Pause along a sheltered shore for a CEO-prepared picnic lunch featuring fresh, simple flavours and fruit grown in valley orchards. Stretch out on soft sand and admire a mountain-backed shoreline where sailboats skim the blue.

With time to soak in the lakeside atmosphere, listen for the lap of water and the call of gulls. It’s a refreshing change of pace that pairs perfectly with sunny Okanagan skies and easy conversation.

Stand before Lake Louise and its glassy, emerald waters framed by steep cliffs and the luminous Victoria Glacier. Follow the level lakeshore path where spruce and subalpine fir perfume the air and waterfowl ripple the surface.

Photographers can pause for photos and reflection as shifting light ignites impossible blues. Your CEO can suggest gentle extensions or viewpoints for varied angles on Canada’s most iconic alpine scene.

Make the most of Banff with time to enjoy a free afternoon among classic timbered storefronts and mountain views that seem close enough to touch. Stroll the Bow River trail or dip into cafés and gear shops along Banff Avenue.

For gentle nature time, wander to viewpoints where glacial peaks dominate the skyline and elk graze nearby meadows. Ask your CEO for easy walks, scenic bridges, and quiet corners to soak in the mountain air.

Use your Vancouver downtime to enjoy a free afternoon on the waterfront. Circle the Stanley Park Seawall, watch seaplanes lift from Coal Harbour, or browse local artisans and food stalls at the Granville Island Public Market.

History lovers can wander the brick lanes of Gastown, where restored warehouses host design studios and coffee bars. Your CEO can point out scenic photo stops, neighbourhood eateries, and where to catch sunset over English Bay.

Rise above the tree line and ride the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, soaring between Whistler and Blackcomb with views of glacier-carved valleys and jagged summits. Glass-bottom cabins reveal forests and creeks far below.

At the top, step onto alpine boardwalks for sweeping Coast Mountain vistas and crisp, high-elevation air. This activity is at additional cost and bookable on tour, weather permitting.

Meet your fellow travellers and meet your CEO and group in the heart of Vancouver to set the tone for your Rockies adventure. Get a clear overview of travel days, safety, and what to expect as you journey from the coast to the continental divide.

Gather insider suggestions for the Stanley Park Seawall and Gastown, then enjoy a free evening to sample the city’s food scene or stroll the waterfront. This relaxed kickoff ensures everyone starts confident and connected.