5 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.

In Whistler, join an interpretive tour at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre to meet stewards of these lands and hear stories woven through song, carving, and regalia. Walk cedar-scented galleries and see hand-built canoes, weaving, and monumental art that express living Indigenous cultures.

Guided by Cultural Ambassadors, learn about S?wx_wú7mesh (Squamish) and Lil’wat7úl traditions, territories, and seasonal life. Your visit supports training and community programs—an authentic exchange that connects travellers to place and people beyond the resort village.

Ride the Peak 2 Peak Gondola linking Whistler and Blackcomb for sweeping views of the Coast Mountains. Step out for short alpine walks and watch for ravens riding thermals while you gaze over glaciers, alpine lakes, and old-growth forest far below.

Interpretive displays reveal the engineering behind the record-breaking span and the ecosystems it crosses. This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour, with operations subject to weather and season.

Near Kelowna, tour the vineyard at a local estate and learn how a lake-moderated climate, desert sunshine, and glacial soils shape the Okanagan Valley’s expressive wines. Step into the barrel room, hear about harvest and cellaring, and sample regional wines with a guided tasting flight.

From bright Pinot Gris and Riesling to structured Merlot and Syrah, the region’s breadth impresses. Ask about Canada’s famed icewine, a sweet specialty crafted from grapes picked at sub-zero temperatures—a delicious lesson in terroir and technique.

On arrival day in Calgary, meet your CEO and travelling companions for a relaxed, small-group briefing. Get the lowdown on pacing, packing tips for the mountains, and how the group will plan your first evening together in the city.

Preview the route through Banff and Lake Louise, the interior ranges, and the coast. This session sets expectations for daily choices, optional activities, and safety—so you start the Rockies journey informed, confident, and excited.

Ride the Banff Gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain for panoramic views of the Bow Valley, Mount Rundle, and a crown of jagged peaks. Wander the summit boardwalk to the old weather station and soak in the shifting light over forested valleys.

Interpretive panels explain how mountain weather shapes these landscapes and the wildlife that roam them. This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour, weather permitting.

At dusk, search for wildlife with a local guide along the Bow Valley, where elk graze river meadows and bighorn sheep scale rock faces. Learn about bear behavior and seasonal movements while enjoying the golden-hour light that settles across the Rockies.

Guides practice responsible viewing at safe distances and share conservation stories that define life in Canada’s first national park. This optional tour is at additional cost and bookable on tour; sightings vary by season.

Hike to historic tea houses above Lake Louise on classic alpine trails—choose tranquil Lake Agnes beneath Beehive cliffs or the dramatic Plain of Six Glaciers amid hanging ice. Expect steady switchbacks, spruce-scented air, and big-sky views across glacier-carved valleys.

These early 20th-century refuges recall the Canadian Pacific Railway’s golden age of mountain tourism. Snacks and beverages at the tea houses are at your own expense. Optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour and subject to trail conditions.

Clip in and soar above the Fitzsimmons Valley on a multi-line zip tour, gliding between tree-top platforms over creeks and cedars. Guides share forest ecology and safety tips as you step off into the coastal temperate rainforest for an exhilarating adrenaline rush.

Choose routes suited to your comfort level; all gear and instruction are provided. Optional experience at additional cost and bookable on tour; participant weight limits and weather conditions apply.

In the evening, sample local beers at one or more downtown taprooms and meet the makers driving the Okanagan craft scene. Compare crisp lagers, hoppy IPAs, and seasonal fruit-forward sours in curated tasting flights that showcase regional creativity.

Chat with staff about small-batch production and how Okanagan hops and fruit shape distinctive styles. This is an independent, optional activity at additional cost; your CEO can suggest favourite spots to suit your tastes.

Experience the alpine icon of Banff National Park as you visit Lake Louise, where emerald waters mirror craggy peaks and the Victoria Glacier. Stroll the shoreline trail, frame the Fairmont Chateau against the lake, and pause for photos and reflection in Canada’s most celebrated mountain amphitheatre.

Gain a sense of scale as you learn how ancient ice carved this valley and fed the lake’s glacial silt, giving it that distinctive turquoise hue. The mood shifts with the light—misty mornings feel ethereal, while late-day sun sets the surrounding peaks aglow.