Experience the Canadian Rocky Mountains actively, and luxuriously! This hiking tour takes you into spectacular mountain scenery whilst your downtime is spent in top-rated Fairmont Hotels. Let your guide take you along trails that lead to ridges and summits in the high alpine for breathtaking views in three of Canada's most beautiful National Parks; Banff, Yoho and Jasper. Daily hikes can be geared towards the physical abilities and wishes of the passengers.

Calgary - Transfer from Calgary airport to your hotel. Meet your Tour Leader and fellow travellers at 6.30pm at the meeting point for a brief meeting and a “Welcome to Canada” drink in the hotel. Hotel Marriot for 1 night.

Banff National Park – Today’s easy 15 km (9.3 miles) outing is in the front ranges of the Rockies. With 450m (1500 ft) gain in elevation we will reach a grassy pass where we have time to explore at our own leisure looking for animals in the river valley below or scramble up the ridge where the panorama contiues to unfold, or simply find a quiet spot to relax and let your mind wander. Walking time 5 hours.

Lake Louise - The village of Lake Louise is our base for the next two days. Set in the heart of the Rockies, Lake Luoise offers picture postcard scenery and premier hikes close by. Take the ski-lift to the top and have a glass of wine in the summit restaurant, or feel the overwhelming enormity of Mount Temple when you stand by the shore of the small lake below. It's a moderate 11.5 km round trip with 250m gain (7 miles, 830 ft) and it is worth every step. The Chateau Lake Louise is one of the most admired hotels in Canada.  It sits in an amphitheatre of mountains at 1,600m (5,330ft) on the shores of Lake Louise with Victoria Glacier as a backdrop.Local delicacies are served in the Edelweiss Lounge, thyere is an indoor pool, fitness centre, boutiques, nothing but the best, especially the service.  Hiking time 4 hours. Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise for 2 nights.

Jasper National Park - An early morning start for the drive north along the famous Icefields Parkway. The road climbs steadily through Bow Pass with Peyto Lake, then Saskatchewan Crossing to the immense Columbia Icefields. From here it follows down a broad river valley to the town on Jasper. This can be a driving day with several photo stops and short walks. It can also include the hike into Wilcox Pass at 2,360 m (7,860 ft) for a birds eye view across the valley to the icy giants guarding the vast glacier region. An 11 km (2.5 mile) loop with 325 m (1,082 ft) gain. The much cherished Jasper Park Lodge is an extended resort in forested setting with gourmet restaurants, bars, heated outdoor pool, fitness centre, whirlpool and shops. Separate guest cabins are built entirely of logs with charming rooms and such welcoming, relaxed ambience. Go on a trail ride in western saddle, watch herds of wapiti mingling with the golfers, rent a canoe on Lake Beauvert or just soak in the scenery form the deck above the lake. Hiking time 3 hours. Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge for 3 nights.

Jasper National Park - A 5 km (3 mi) hike and there it is, Maligne Lake, one of the finest views you find in the area. From an abandoned fire lookout site at 2170 m (7225 ft), the greenish blue waters of Maligne Lake stretch towards the Narrows with glacier-clad 3000 m summits rising beyond. It is easy to work your way through the open meadows of this rolling ridge top, a carpet of flowers during the summer. Highest point reaches 2600 m (8658 ft), elevation gain from 480 to 910 m (1598 to 3030 ft). Hiking time 4 to 7 hours

Edmonton - Transfer to the Edmonton airport for your flight out.

As well as your day to day clothes and personal items, you will need the following:

• A daypack to carry camera, jacket, water, snacks, etc. on day hikes and outings
• Waterproof jacket and trousers
• Fleece jumper
• Waterproof walking boots
• Comfortable shoes for relaxing at the hotels/lodges or wearing in towns at night
• Sun hat, warm hat and gloves
• Sunglasses and sunscreen (for skin and lips)
• Power adaptor to suit US/Canada voltage type and plug fitting
• Water bottle Swimming suit and towel
• A walking stick is recommended but not essential (especially useful for walking downhill)
• Insect repellent

Your passport is a valuable document and you should exercise care in keeping it safe. It should be valid for at least six months after the end of your tour and it must have at least one blank page for each visa required. We advise that you take photocopies of your passport in case of loss or damage. Alternatively, you can scan copies of these pages and email them to yourself so that you can access them if you happen to lose your passport whilst abroad and have to apply for a new one at your nearest Embassy.

If you wish to spend a few additional days in your starting or finishing city, then we can arrange accommodation for you. All our accommodation is carefully chosen, conveniently located, clean and comfortable. (All rates per person per night and subject to availability).

In North America tipping is a way of life and very much expected, as well as appreciated. For many, receiving tips is a means of supplementing their salary which is usually based on minimum wage. The standard amount in restaurants and bars is 15% of the total bill (please note that sales and service taxes are automatically imposed in some restaurants and bars).  Chambermaids usually receive $1 or $2 per night in a hotel, simply left on the bedside table.

It is also customary in North America to show appreciation of your Tour Leader by tipping him/her at the end of the tour.

Whilst on tour you will probably want to stay in touch with family and friends. There are several ways of doing this:

Mobile Phone – Before departing your home country check with your phone supplier to see if it compatible with the mobile phone networks in the countries that you are traveling to, and how much will it cost to use abroad.

Email – Internet Cafes are very cheap and popular, and you are sure to come across several during your tour. If you haven’t done so already, set up a free Google Mail, Hotmail, or Yahoo email account which you can then access from any computer. Internet Cafes will charge a nominal fee for using their computers. Within Europe some hotels charge a wifi connection fee and we cannot guarantee a wifi connection at all hotels we use.

Twitter – A method of communication that is rapidly gaining in popularity on the Internet especially amongst travelers. Twitter allows you to send short messages and update your friends and family with where you are on tour and what you are doing. Create your free account at http://twitter.com. Visit Kumuka’s page on Twitter at http://twitter.com/kumuka

Facebook – Very popular website that allows you to upload stories, get in touch with fellow travellers before and after your Kumuka tour, upload photos and videos to share with other travellers, your family and friends. To create a free account, go to www.facebook.com and then become a fan of Kumuka’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/Kumuka-Worldwide/26617121087?ref=ts

Postcards – The good ol’ fashioned postcard. But you will probably get home before the postcard does!

Under no circumstances are any illegal drugs allowed on any part of the trip. Anyone discovered in possession of any such drugs, will be asked to leave the tour immediately without question or refund.