Rockies Trails and Glacier Lakes

This is a real hiking trip, not a sightseeing tour with a few short strolls added in. Daily walks range from about 3.2 km / 2 mi to 13.5 km / 8.5 mi, and several hikes include meaningful elevation gain, so solid fitness and proper hiking shoes matter.

This is also a camping trip. Travelers help with practical camp life, including putting up tents, cooking support and washing up, which is part of the rhythm of the experience rather than an extra chore.

Mountain seasons in the Rockies can shift quickly. Snow, trail closures, late openings, early closures, wildlife rules and weather can affect hikes or optional activities, especially in May, early June, September and October. The upside of shoulder season is often fewer people and a calmer feel, and your leader will adjust plans when needed.

Mosquitoes can be active in summer, especially in wet periods and lower areas with standing water. Bring repellent, consider long light-colored layers for dawn and dusk, and pack with outdoor conditions in mind.

The tour begins early on Day 1 at 7:30 am and returns to Calgary around 4 pm on Day 8. Extra nights in Calgary before or after the trip can make travel logistics much easier.

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Accommodation is campground-based for all seven nights. Campsites are chosen for scenery, location and available facilities, and the supplied camping gear includes shared, roomy, easy-to-pitch tents with thin foam sleeping mats and vinyl floors.

Sleeping bags and pillows are not provided, so you will need to bring your own. Campsites usually have toilets and, in most cases, hot showers, though showers may cost a small local fee and occasionally may only have cold water. Some campgrounds may also have paid laundry facilities.

Quiet hours are taken seriously at campgrounds, often from around 10 pm to 7 am. If weather becomes extreme, such as heavy rain or snow, the group may have the option to move to another nearby accommodation if everyone agrees, but any upgrade cost is paid locally by travelers.

HI Calgary City Centre, 520 7th Avenue Southeast, Calgary, Canada

The joining point is in downtown Calgary, close to the CTrain and within easy reach of restaurants, nightlife, shopping and city attractions. Free Wi-Fi is available at the hostel.

From Calgary airport, a taxi usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes and costs roughly CAD35 to CAD50. Uber and Lyft are also available, often around CAD34 to CAD45 depending on traffic and demand. For a cheaper option, Calgary Transit Route 300 Airport Bus runs downtown in about 50 minutes; a single ticket is about CAD3.80 and a day pass is about CAD11.95, with tickets available from vending machines near the arrivals-level bus bays.