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Canadian Rockies
Guided Banff & Yoho Hiking Tour – 7-Day Canadian Rockies Adventure with Hotel Stays

Canada

Guided Banff & Yoho Hiking Tour – 7-Day Canadian Rockies Adventure with Hotel Stays

Explore Iconic Trails, Glacial Valleys & Hidden Gems with Expert Local Guides

Group Guided

Guided Banff & Yoho Hiking Tour – 7-Day Canadian Rockies Adventure with Hotel Stays

Explore Iconic Trails, Glacial Valleys & Hidden Gems with Expert Local Guides

Experience the best hiking trails of Banff, Lake Louise, Yoho, and even Jasper on this fully guided 7-day Canadian Rockies hiking tour. Designed for travelers who want unforgettable alpine scenery with the comfort of hotel accommodations, this itinerary blends adventure, culture, and relaxation in some of Canada’s most iconic national parks.

Throughout this Banff and Yoho Hiking Tour, you’ll enjoy 5 full days of guided hiking with award-winning local guides known for their expertise, professionalism, and friendly nature. Our guides were recognized as “Guides of the Year” in 2018—and you’ll quickly understand why.

With stays along the Icefields Parkway, in Golden, and in Banff, you’ll experience the Rockies from several unique perspectives: peaceful wilderness, a rustic mountain community, and an iconic alpine town.

Evenings offer time to gather with new friends, share stories from the trail, or explore on your own. Be sure to bring your swimsuit for a visit to Upper Hot Springs, famous for its mineral-rich waters. Along the way, your guides will share fascinating insights about the region’s geology, wildlife, glaciers, Indigenous history, and edible/medicinal plants—deepening your connection to this remarkable landscape.

Banff Hiking Trip Package Highlights

  • Visit world-famous Moraine Lake & Lake Louise
  • Raft the Kicking Horse River
  • Soak in Banff’s historic hot springs
  • Get up close to the Athabasca Glacier
  • Guided hikes in Banff, Yoho & Glacier National Parks
  • Relax in the Fox Hotel’s grotto-style spa

Tour Dates: (All departures are guarenteed)

  • June 28- July 4, 2026- Filling Fast!
  • July 19-25, 2026- Filling Fast!
  • August 9-15, 2026
  • August 30- September 5, 2026
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Trip Itinerary

Day 1 – Into the Mountains

Your FlashpackerConnect guides will meet you and your fellow travelers at the Marriott Downtown Hotel in Calgary at 2:00 PM. From here, we drive west toward the heart of the Canadian Rockies. We’ll stop in Canmore for any last-minute supplies (and a chance to pick up beverages), then continue north through Banff National Park and along the awe-inspiring Icefields Parkway.

Sit back, relax, and take in the scenery as you begin getting to know your hiking companions for the week.

Upon arrival, we check into our lodge for the next two nights, enjoy our first group dinner, and walk through a detailed orientation for the adventure ahead.

Driving Time: ~2.5 hours
Overnight: The Crossing Resort
Pickup: 2:00 PM – Marriott Downtown Hotel, Calgary

Day 2 – Jasper National Park, Athabasca Glacier & the Columbia Icefields

Today your Banff hiking adventure begins in earnest as we travel north along the legendary Icefields Parkway, one of the most scenic and photographed roads on earth. Towering peaks, sweeping valleys, and turquoise lakes line the route, offering a spectacular introduction to the day.

As we enter Jasper National Park, we’re welcomed by the immense Columbia Icefields—the largest body of ice in the Canadian Rockies.

You’ll have two incredible options today:

Option 1: Guided Glacier Walk – Athabasca Glacier

Join a professional glacier guide and head directly onto the Athabasca Glacier using specialized equipment. This up-close experience gives you a rare look at crevasses, ice formations, and the incredible forces that shape these ancient landscapes.

Option 2: Guided Hike – Wilcox Pass

Hike with your FlashpackerConnect guides through sunlit alpine meadows toward the Wilcox Pass viewpoint, one of the most impressive vantage points in the Rockies. From above, you’ll enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the Athabasca Glacier and the dramatic Icefields below. We stop here for a scenic picnic lunch surrounded by jaw-dropping glacier and mountain views.

After the hike, we continue to Peyto Lake, famous for its intensely bright turquoise color. While most visitors crowd the main viewpoint, we’ll guide you to a lesser-known lookout offering the perfect spot for photography and quiet moments above this iconic lake.

‍Wilcox Pass Hike:

  • Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles)
  • Elevation Gain: 500 m (1,640 ft)
  • Duration: 3–4 hours

Glacier Walk Option:

  • Guided glacier walk on Athabasca Glacier (no major elevation gain)

Driving: ~2 hours
Overnight: The Crossing Resort

Day 3 – Yoho National Park & the Iceline Trail

This morning we pack up, check out, and begin our journey south along the Icefields Parkway—one of the most breathtaking drives in the Rockies, especially in the early light. By now, you’ve experienced this iconic route at its very best.

We continue into Yoho National Park, whose name comes from a local Indigenous word meaning “to be in awe.” It’s the perfect description for what awaits you today.

Our first stop is the towering Takakkaw Falls, plunging 250 meters down a sheer cliff face. The waterfall drops so far that much of it turns to mist before reaching the valley floor.

From here, we begin hiking the world-class Iceline Trail, one of the premier alpine routes in Canada. The trail climbs steadily to a dramatic ledge, offering sweeping views of Takakkaw Falls below and the shining Emerald Glacier perched above. Crystal-clear streams fed by glacial melt cross our path—feel free to taste the ice-cold water!

For several hours, we travel through some of the most enchanting alpine scenery in the Rockies: hanging glaciers, shimmering lakes, and panoramic viewpoints at every turn. It’s a day that truly defines the magic of Yoho National Park.

After our hike, we continue west to the welcoming mountain town of Golden, our home for the next two nights. Golden is known for its relaxed vibe, excellent restaurants, lively brewery scene, and friendly locals—a refreshing contrast to the busier hubs of Banff and Jasper.

Driving: ~2 hours
Iceline Trail Hike:

  • Distance: 12 km (7.5 miles)
  • Elevation Gain: 500 m (1,640 ft)
  • Duration: ~5 hours
    ‍

Overnight: Prestige Inn, Golden

Day 4 – Glacier National Park: Rugged Peaks & Hidden Trails

Today we venture into one of the most underrated and least-visited parks in the Canadian Rockies: Glacier National Park. While many travelers never make it here, you’re not like most tourists—you’re an explorer—and this is your chance to experience one of Canada’s wildest alpine landscapes.

We travel west toward Rogers Pass, the historic and notoriously challenging corridor that allowed Canada to connect its eastern and western provinces by rail and highway. This region contains over 140 active avalanche paths, and as we pass through reinforced snow sheds, your guide will share the dramatic stories of the people who braved this rugged terrain throughout history.

Geologically, this area is extraordinary. You’ve crossed the Columbia Trench and are now standing on land that was once the Pacific Ocean. Millions of years ago, the Pacific Plate collided with North America, thrusting up layers of ancient seabed and forming the Rockies and the Columbia Mountains—the dramatic peaks surrounding you today.

Our guided hike takes us along either the Great Glacier Trail or Balu Pass Trail, depending on conditions. Both routes lead through towering old-growth forests, lush alder groves, and eventually into the alpine, where sweeping panoramic views open up around you. Keep an eye out for pale-green Usnea lichen—sometimes called “Witch’s Hair”—which only grows in exceptionally clean air, a testament to Glacier National Park’s pristine environment.

If time permits, we’ll visit the Rogers Pass Discovery Centre to learn more about the area’s geology, wildlife, and powerful human history.

Driving: ~2 hours

Great Glacier Trail:

  • Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles)
  • Elevation Gain: 400 m (1,310 ft)
  • Duration: 4–5 hours

‍
Overnight: Prestige Inn, Golden

Day 5 – Lake Louise, Moraine Lake & the Plain of Six Glaciers

Today is often the highlight of the entire tour. We travel back east through Yoho National Park and into the Lake Louise region, home to two of the most iconic landscapes in the Canadian Rockies: Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. With the expertise of your FlashpackerConnect guides, we’ll navigate the area at the best times of day, avoiding the biggest crowds and capturing unique, lesser-known viewpoints.

Our adventure begins on the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail, one of the classic hikes of the Rockies. We follow the shoreline of Lake Louise before climbing gradually into a dramatic valley carved by ice. As we approach the glacier at the head of the valley, we’re rewarded with soaring rock walls, shimmering snowfields, and—if we’re lucky—the thunderous sound of ice calving in the morning sun.

High in the alpine meadows, we reach a historic tea house that has welcomed visitors for nearly 150 years. Inspired by early Swiss mountaineers who pioneered climbing in this region, the tea house offers a window into the area’s rich mountain heritage.

Rather than descending the same way, we take the elevated route across to the Big Beehive for one-of-a-kind aerial views of Lake Louise far below. From here, we continue down toward Lake Agnes and pass a second charming tea house before returning to the lakeshore.

After the hike, we make our way up the mountain road to Moraine Lake, where jagged peaks rise dramatically behind some of the brightest turquoise water on Earth. This viewpoint—known as the Valley of the Ten Peaks—is one of the most famous scenes in the Rockies and a truly unforgettable moment.

We end the day in the vibrant town of Banff, settling into one of our favorite accommodations: The Fox Hotel. Its grotto-style hot pool, inspired by Banff’s natural caves, is the perfect place to unwind beneath the stars. In the evening, we stroll along Banff Avenue and enjoy dinner together in town.

Driving: ~2 hours
Plain of Six Glaciers + Big Beehive Loop:

  • Distance: 16 km (10 miles)
  • Elevation Gain: 500 m (1,640 ft)
  • Duration: 5–6 hours
    ‍

Overnight: The Fox Hotel, Banff

Day 6 – Banff & Kananaskis Country

Wake up in beautiful Banff and enjoy breakfast and a coffee at a local café before we set off for today’s adventure. This morning we head south into Kananaskis Country—a vast wilderness region that remains surprisingly unknown to most visitors, and even many locals. It’s one of the Rockies’ best-kept secrets.

We travel through Canmore and continue into the subalpine landscapes surrounding Spray Lake and the Kananaskis Lakes. The views here are pristine, wild, and expansive—keep your eyes open for moose, as this is one of the best areas in Alberta to spot them.

Our hike today takes us to the serene Picklejar Lakes, a series of stunning alpine lakes tucked inside a hanging valley. The trail climbs gently through meadows sprinkled with wildflowers before opening into a peaceful high-mountain basin. It’s a quiet, remote-feeling day on the trail—far from the usual crowds. You may even encounter some free-ranging wildland cattle that wander the area near the trailhead, adding a bit of rustic charm to the day.

Returning to Banff, we gather for our final group dinner, celebrating the unforgettable week we’ve shared together. Afterward, we enjoy a relaxing soak in the historic Upper Sulphur Mountain Hot Springs. These warm, mineral-rich waters have been used for thousands of years and were one of the original attractions that put Banff on the map. It’s the perfect way to unwind and rejuvenate before our final morning together.

Driving: ~2 hours
Typical Hike: Picklejar Lakes Hike:

  • Distance: 9 km (5.6 miles)
  • Elevation Gain: 500 m (1,640 ft)
  • Duration: ~4 hours‍

Overnight: The Fox Hotel, Banff

Day 7 – Grotto Canyon & Return to Calgary

We wrap up your Banff hiking adventure with one final guided walk through the stunning Grotto Canyon near Canmore. This narrow slot canyon has been carved over thousands of years by rushing meltwater, creating steep, sculpted walls that rise dramatically on either side.

As we make our way through the canyon, we pass ancient pictographs believed to have been left by Indigenous travelers more than 1,300 years ago—a rare glimpse into the cultural history of the region. Around the next bend, we discover a small waterfall and a beautiful grotto tucked into the mountainside, a peaceful spot to reflect on the incredible week behind us.

After the hike, we begin our journey back to Calgary, arriving by 2:00 PM to drop you off at either the Calgary Airport or the Marriott Downtown Hotel.

It’s been an unforgettable week exploring the Canadian Rockies together, and we hope to welcome you on another FlashpackerConnect adventure soon.

Driving: ~1.5 hours
Drop-Off: 2:00 PM – Calgary Airport or Marriott Downtown Hotel

Additional Trip Information:

Tour Length:
7 Days / 6 Nights

Start & End:
Pickup: 2:00 PM – Marriott Downtown Hotel, Calgary
Drop-Off: 2:00 PM – Calgary Downtown or Calgary Airport

Group Size:
12 guests with 2 expert guides
(8:1 guest-to-guide ratio)

Difficulty Level:
Active – Daily hikes of 10–14 km (6–9 miles) with 400–1,000 m (1,300–3,300 ft) of elevation gain.

Expect 4–6 hours of walking per day.

Accommodation:
Handpicked lodges and mountain inns
Comfortable 3-star range

Meals:
Local cafés and restaurants
6 packed or café lunches included

Activities:
Guided hikes, hot springs soak, brewery visits, and optional rafting

Additional Trip Info

Included
Not Included
Items to Bring
Trip FAQ
  • 7 days of professional guiding and transportation in a 15-passenger van
  • 6 nights of accommodation (double occupancy) in handpicked 3-star hotels and lodges
  • Daily guided hikes with expert local guides
  • All national park passes
  • Entry to hot springs
  • 6 lunches (packed or café style)
  • Personal meals not listed in the itinerary & alcoholic beverages
  • Optional activities (e.g., rafting – $160)
  • Travel insurance - We recommend  Insuremytrip, or Global Rescue
  • Transportation to and from the tour start/end points
  • Guide gratuities (optional) – $10 per person, per guide, per day is typical

    • Have Questions?

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    info@flashpackerconnect.com
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    +1 206-892-8877

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