BEST OF THE ROCKIES

OVERVIEW

For travellers seeking a true wilderness experience, the Best of the Rockies tour stands out as it provides an intimate view of the natural world in the Northwest USA and Southwest Canada. With ample hiking opportunities, horse riding, mountain biking and white water rafting, Jasper, Banff, Glacier, Yellowstone and Olympic National Parks will be sure to impress!

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Services of two professional Footloose tour leaders for maximum support and flexibility. (Departures with less than 8 passengers will have one tour leader)
• All transportation by private adventure vehicle
• All 19 nights camping fees & equipment (except sleeping bag) & 2 nights hotel included
• Sulphur Mountain hot springs
• Ferry crossings en route
• Admission to all National Parks and Monuments as per the itinerary
• Guided hikes in Yellowstone, Mount Rainier and Olympic National Parks
• All meals while camping prepared by your tour leaders

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Canoeing US$25-US$75
• Whitewater Rafting US$30-$150
• Excellent National Park hikes US$FREE
• Horseback Riding US$45-$115
• Mountain biking in the Rockies US$40-$95
• Helicopter Flight US$180-$295

TRIP ITINERARY

Days: 1 Arrive Seattle

Arrive into Seattle and transfer (not included) to our gateway hotel at your leisure. Rest of day to relax and prepare for your adventure.
Meals: Paid locally | Accommodation: Hotel included

Days: 2 & 3 Vancouver

Depart Seattle and head north to Vancouver, a year round playground and one of the most beautiful cities in Canada. Bicycle Stanley Park, rent a boat, or wander the public market at Granville.
Meals: Included | Accommodation: Camping included

Days: 4 British Columbia

Eastward through the awesome Fraser River Canyon separating British Columbia's lush west with the arid centre. You can whitewater raft down the Thompson River (depending on water levels) through the canyons into the Fraser itself.
Meals: Included | Accommodation: Camping included

Days: 5 & 6 Jasper National Park

Onward to the majesty of Jasper National Park: you may take the cable car to Whistler Mountain for an overview of this splendid park. The next day offers mountain biking or hiking amidst glorious lakeside scenery, or visit Mt. Edith Cavell for tremendous views of Angel Glacier and various hiking options.
Meals: Included | Accommodation: Camping included

Days: 7-9 Banff National Park

On the way to Banff National Park we follow the Icefields Parkway through the heart of the Rockies - one of the world's ultimate drives. Peyto Lake's turquoise hues startle with their brilliance. Parker Ridge Trail rewards one with panoramic views of the Saskatchewan Glacier winding through pristine, mountain-studded terrain. Traverse a portion of the imposing Athabasca Glacier on a guided glacier hike.

Onwards to Banff and our secluded campsites for three nights. Here you can bike, hike or take the scenic aerial tramway for a bird's eye view. A soak in Sulphur Mountain's hot springs is included. The next two days enables one to canoe the Bow River, rent bikes, view the scenic grandeur from a helicopter or whitewater raft on the Yoho River (depending on water levels). Wildlife is abundant and there is always a good chance of seeing bears.
Meals: Included | Accommodation: Camping included

Days: 10-12 Glacier National Park & Montana Lodge

South now into the true wilderness of Glacier National Park. Grizzly bear, moose, elk, mountain goats, marmots and a host of birds and small animals call Glacier home. Hike the high mountain passes amidst unsurpassed beauty. Next stop will be a mountain lodge in rural Montana.
Meals: Camping meals at Glacier included. Montanqa Lodge meals paid locally | Accommodation: Camping & lodge included

Days: 13 & 14 Yellowstone National Park

Our next destination, Yellowstone National Park, is America's oldest National Park and we will spend two days explore the park's majestic wilderness. View explosive geysers and colourful waterfalls amongst the lakes, meadows and swimmong holes. Yellowstone is home to a large variety of wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for the abundant wildlife. Large herds of bison and elk roam the park and bears and wolves are also present. and some of the world's most extraordinary geysers.
Meals: Included | Accommodation: Camping included

Days: 15 & 16 Grand Tetons & Jackson

Following the Rocky Mountains, Grand Teton National Park is a short drive away. The mountains here rise up sharply from the surrounding valley (known as Jackson Hole). Jackson, Wyoming, is our base for two nights with its Western Rodeo, Million Dollar Cowboy Bar and Silver Dollar Saloon. Day time activities here include horse riding, mountain bicycling and hiking.
Meals: Included | Accommodation: Camping included

Days: 17 Craters of the Moon National Monument

Following the Snake River into Idaho, we enter Craters of the Moon National Park, the strange landscape caused by a still active volcanic area.
Meals: Included | Accommodation: Camping included

Days: 18 & 19 Oregon & Mount Rainier National Park

Still following the Snake River though Oregon we head into Washington States and the heart of the Cascade Mountains, proud home of Mt. Rainier National Park. We'll pass glistening waterfalls and wonderful old growth forests on an ascent to the many spectacular vistas this massive snow and ice-capped volcano has to offer.
Meals: Included | Accommodation: Camping included

Days: 20-22 Olympic National Park & Seattle

Forests and river valleys give way to high meadows and glacial lands, continuing north and west to the lush, temperate rain forests of Olympic National Park for the next two nights. Finally back across Puget Sound to Seattle, the progressive waterfront city famous for its Space Needle, markets, microbreweries and coffee bars.
Meals: Included | Accommodation: Camping included


Tour ends at 18:00 hrs in Seattle on day 22.

BEST OF THE ROCKIES departing from SEATTLE

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