Dare to be adventurous. Experience the rugged wilderness of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks during the day while enjoying the warm, luxurious comfort of mountain lodges at night. Hike lodge- to-lodge. Hearts will pound as you crest stunning mountain passes offering unparalleled views of snow-capped peaks. Chance upon grazing mountain goats or whistling marmots. Begin your exploration in Banff National Park, where towering mountains rise from the shores of turquoise-blue lakes. Move to Yoho National Park whose intimate scale makes it the one favoured by Rockies’ connoisseurs. Gleaming glaciers, overwhelming vistas, enchanted forests and iridescent lakes. Rewarding hikes through this marvellous UNESCO World Heritage Site provide an exhilarating sense of accomplishment that will last a lifetime.
Location
Banff
Banff, AB, Canada
Day 1
Lake Louise
Lake Louise, AB, Canada
Day 2
Bow Lake
Bow Lake, Improvement District No. 9, AB, Canada
Day 3
Icefields Parkway
Icefields Parkway, Improvement District No. 9, AB, Canada
Day 4
Jasper
Jasper, Alberta, Canada
Day 5
What’s Included in the Cost of Your Trip?
INCLUDED IN REGULAR TRIP
5 nights lodging
All breakfasts and 1 dinner
Luggage transfers
Use of a high quality performance hybrid or road bike and accessories
Comprehensive Tour Details with detailed pre-trip information
Detailed route instructions and map
Personal meet & greet with our local Area Manager
Area manager available on call throughout the tour
Access to Loyalty Program and other exclusive benefits
Particulars
EVENT DATES
Start any date between June 15 and September 15
TOTAL DAYS
ARRIVE / DEPART
ACTIVITY LEVEL
TERRAIN
COST
Classic Accommodation: CAD$2450
Single Supplement: CAD$960
Luxe Accommodation: CAD$2850
Single Supplement: CAD$1260
Day 1
Arrival in Banff
This vibrant town is at the centre of some of the most scenic cycling routes found anywhere in the Rocky Mountains National Parks. Stroll about town searching for that perfect souvenir or visiting the excellent museums. If you arrive early enough enjoy a warm-up cycle out to The Cave and Basin – the location of the first hot mineral springs discovered in 1883.
Ride Distance: 10 km or 45 km.*
Day 2
Lake Louise
Pedal the scenic network of roads around Banff — exploring Tunnel Mountain and the oddly shaped Hoodoos. Add on a loop up to Lake Minnewanka, one of the largest and deepest lakes in the Rockies. Once known as Devil’s Lake or Cannibal Lake, Minnewanka is the site of many ghostly occurrences in native legends. Then journey north along the Bow Valley Parkway to the staggeringly beautiful scenery of Lake Louise — the gem of Banff National Park. As you twist and climb along the Parkway take in the magnificent views of the Sawback, Sundance and the Massive mountain ranges. Upon arrival in Lake Louise, soak up the natural splendour, take a canoe onto the lake, or enjoy a short walk into the mountains.
Ride Distance: 59 km, elevation gain 512 m. Optional Ride to Moraine Lake – 30 km; 400 m gain*
Day 3
Bow lake
Cycle up to Moraine Lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks (considered by many to be even more beautiful than Lake Louise) and then opt for a ride along the Great Divide Road. No longer accessible to cars, this bike route will take you over the continental divide where you can check out the monument that marks this watershed divide on the summit of the Kicking Horse Pass. Continue your journey north to the splendid Num-Ti-Jah Lodge on the shores of Bow Lake and north to the Crossing Resort if on classic trip.
Ride Distance: 39 km, 559 m gain or 80 km, 875 m gain. Optional Ride to Moraine Lake – 30 km; 400 m gain*
Day 4
Jasper National Park
Cycle along the splendid Icefields Parkway, soon cresting Bow Summit, the second highest point reached by a public highway in Canada. Take in the Peyto Lake viewpoint, or stop for a short hike into the Mistaya Canyon. Pedal past the braided streams of the North Saskatchewan River on your way to the Athabaska Glacier. Look out for moose grazing on the succulent water-plants in the Rampart Pond area. Relax beside the Weeping Wall of the Cirrus Mountain before you head up the challenging Big Bend and over the Sunwapta Pass. Coast down to the foot of the glacier at the Columbia Icefield, and the Glacier View Inn. If you arrive early enough, take the time to explore the glacier on one of the guided glacier walks or ‘Snocoach’ buggy tours. Continue to Sunwapta Falls Resort on Classic tour.
Ride Distance: 100 km; 950 m (Num-ti-jah to Glacier View) or 90 km; 1100 m gain (Crossings to Sunwapta).*
Day 5
Jasper
Today you will encounter a variety of ecological niches on your way north. Cycle past an ancient forest (more than 700 years old) along the lower slopes of Mount Wilcox. Watch for mountain goats grazing on the precarious slopes of the Sunwapta Canyon gorge. Enjoy some time off your bike as you walk a short distance to the impressive Stanley Falls. In keeping with the rest of this tour, many magnificent viewpoints await your discovery—Mount Christie, Athabasca River and Whirlpool Valley. A short detour will take you to the thundering Athabasca Falls, set against the pink-purple cliffs of Mt. Kerkeslin. Arrive in Jasper — a burgeoning little town and the site of the earliest fur trade outpost in the central Rockies. Shopping opportunities abound.
Ride Distance: 103 km, 403 m gain (Columbia Icefield to Jasper); 76 km; 640 m gain (Sunwapta to Jasper)*
Day 6
Take a little time to explore the town before beginning your voyage home or onward to your next adventure.
*Distance and elevation gains may vary depending on hotels chosen for specific departure.
Classic
This inn is located in historic downtown Banff, surrounded by the splendour of the mountains; enjoy an authentic Western atmosphere with log architecture - each guest room features handcrafted natural log furnishings.
Nestled in a forest with tremendous views, it feels secluded, yet is a scenic 5 minute walk from a variety of services and shopping. Guests can visit the whirlpool and steam room area to relax.
This resort property nestles at the base of towering Mt. Wilson and is surrounded by stunning mountain vistas and glaciers. There is a lively pub-style restaurant and comfortable rooms with balconies.
This resort has cabin style rooms and an excellent restaurant and retains a Rockies lodge atmosphere. You should definitely take the opportunity to visit Sunwapta Falls, located 1 km from the resort.
The newly renovated Chateau Jasper is a cozy hotel with a variety of accommodations and facilities. This conveniently located hotel offers 119 fully air-conditioned guest rooms and suites, each furnished with mountain decor in mind. Other features include an indoor swimming pool, whirlpool, fitness centre, a variety of meeting rooms and the Silverwater Grill & Lounge
Luxe
The main lodge complements its natural setting with square timber, post and beam construction and high open ceilings. The decor boasts old-world craftsmanship and a simple, elegant design.
Lake Louise is only a few minutes walk from this rustic inn; after a day of activities, enjoy the rooftop hot tub with a dazzling Victoria Glacier view. The dining room is one of the best in the region.
This lodge has one of the most dramatic views in the Rockies. The rooms are rustic and simple but very comfortable. Guests can relax in the Nashan-esen Lounge, Elkhorn dining room or the library.
With spectacular views of surrounding mountains and glaciers, the rooms here are modest and comfortable.
The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is a 700 acre year-round luxury mountain resort which wraps around the shores of pristine Lac Beauvert. Straight Talk: Some guests feel this hotel falls short of expectations. The Alpine Village Cabin Resort (#1 rated on TA) is an option should you prefer a more traditional lodge which is 2.5 km outside of town.
Tour Reviews
“The scenery was magical. Just when we thought we had seen the most beautiful lakes, we saw lakes just as beautiful, but with a glacier and waterfall added! We liked the difficulty of the tour. We were looking for a challenge we couldn’t get at home. The rivers and mountains made all the uphills a pleasure.”
“I am writing to thank you for the wonderful tour you arranged for my husband and myself. I can honestly say this was by far the best vacation we have ever taken! As my husband puts it, this was the first time he has been on a trip where he didn’t want to go home by the end of it” and “… the trip exceeded all our expectations and hopes and we will highly recommend you to as many people as we can think of. Your staff has been extremely helpful in putting together a custom trip for us and has cheerfully answered our plethora of questions along the way. The trip was well thought out and the information we were provided with was comprehensive and extremely helpful. I wouldn’t consider going on a trip like this without going through Randonnée. In fact, I fear that any other kind of vacation is now ruined for us, so I just hope you are going to be around for a long, long time.”
“Num-ti-jah and Glacier view inn exceeded our expectations.”
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