DAY 1 (Arrive Calgary & transfer to Banff at your leisure)

Check in at our conveniently located Banff Hotel.

Day 2 - Banff - Bobbie Burns Lodge

Our route takes us west toward Golden, BC, through the fabulous scenery of Banff and Yoho National Parks. We travel over Kicking Horse Pass, site of the famous Spiral Tunnels, which minimized the steep grade for the rail lines of Canada’s National Dream, the transcontinental railway, when it was heroically built in the late 1800s. From Golden, we head south through the Rocky Mountain Trench, with the Rockies to the east and the front ranges of the Columbia Mountains to the west. The Rocky Mountain Trench, down which flows the great Columbia River, is the boundary between the Columbias and the Rockies. One of earth’s most dramatic landmarks, it’s clearly visible from orbital space. Arrive at the helipad for the quick, exhilarating flight to Bobbie Burns Lodge. Before settling into our rooms, we’ll be outfitted with all the necessary hiking gear.

After a helicopter safety talk, we climb in and soar up for an afternoon of getting acquainted with the High Country. In the late afternoon, our chopper picks us up and it's back to the lodge where delicious hors d'oeuvres are served in the lounge. Our casual gourmet dinner, served family style, will be at 7:00 (save room for the pastry chef's latest inspiration). Then some camaraderie by the fire, maybe a sauna or whirlpool, and a great night's sleep. (CB,L,D)

Days 3 & 4 - Heli-Hiking

You might want to join the optional morning stretch, or sleep a little later. A hardy buffet breakfast is served before our full day of heli-hiking begins! The first helicopter leaves the lodge. Each group of hikers, accompanied by a guide, spends the day exploring the immense variety of landscapes in the Bobbie Burns, a winsome sub-range of the Columbias. The Bobbie Burns abounds with personality-rich glaciers, turquoise lakes, and airy mountain ridges. And everywhere, from every vantage point, vast, heart-stirring views. Enjoy a picnic lunch amidst stunning, utterly unspoiled scenery. After a memorable day, fly back to the lodge, where snacks, beverages, a good book, or the sauna and restful outdoor whirlpool await.

Now, we hope this web page makes it clear not only that the landscapes in which we spend our days are knock-down, world-class gorgeous and varied, but that there is probably no other place on earth where you can experience such wildness and solitude without lugging a 40-pound backpack.

So, message delivered! Great hiking, picnicking, a little learning about glacial landscapes and their hardy life-forms, and lots of fun accomplished, we fly back at day's end to the lodge for (depending on our mood) maybe a massage, a browse in the lodge shop, a game of chess, a go at the lodge climbing wall, a cocktail on the deck as alpen-glow bathes the peaks we've been communing with, dinner, storytelling in the living room, and another great night's sleep. (B.L.D)

Day 5 - Bugaboo Lodge

Today, fly to Grizzly Ridge and trek along the ridge to the Bugaboo Lodge with a picnic lunch on the way. Arrive at your new destination to find your luggage and another remote, exclusive lodge tucked away in the Purcell Ranges. We follow a similar routine at the Bugaboos where snacks and beverages await after a memorable day of hiking. There’s time to relax before dinner; read a good book, relax in the sauna or outdoor whirlpool. Dinner is served family style with the chance to get to know the Bugaboo staff and other guests. Before retiring enjoy conversation by the fire, take a look at the Bugaboo’s fine history exhibits, visit the lodge’s retail shop, set up an appointment with the masseuse (not included, but well worth the extra charge), or just enjoy peace and quiet on the deck as the alpenglow settles on the great monoliths above.

Day 6 & 7 - Heli-hiking

The first helicopter leaves the lodge. Each group of hikers, accompanied by a guide, will spend the day exploring the immense variety of landscapes in the Bugaboos, which abound with vast glaciers, sparkling lakes, mountain ridges, and the magnificent spires which make the range a mountain-lover’s paradise. Enjoy a picnic lunch amidst magnificent scenery. After another spectacular day, fly back to the lodge, where snacks, beverages, a good book, or the sauna and restful outdoor whirlpool await. Savor the chef’s creation of the evening. After dessert and coffee, conversation, relaxation, and more basking in rays of Bugaboo beauty.

Day 8 - Fly Out Of Lodge - Banff/Calgary

After breakfast we fly out of the lodge, board a deluxe motor coach and retrace the journey through kootenay and Banff National Parks en route to Banff and Calgary. You will have the chloice of being dropped off in Banff or the Calgary Airport (B.L)

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