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Banff National Park Adventures

BC vacations

Banff National Park, Canada’s first national park, contains unparalleled mountain scenery tucked into the heart of the magnificent Canadian Rockies.

Banff sees 3-4 million visitors every year, which may be discouraging to those seeking a more private experience. That’s why we get you off the beaten path to experience all the beauty, flavor, and excitement that Banff has to offer without the crowds.

Take a guided journey through the Canadian Rockies ice fields, glaciers, dense forst, and more! Soak in the breathtaking Lake Louise sights. Hike over the Sentinel Pass, rated one of the top hikes in Banff, ascending from Moraine Lake to alpine meadows to spectacular vistas of Paradise Valley.

Banff Guided Adventures

North America

Banff & Jasper Adventure

4.87

  • Duration 6 days
  • Activity Level Level 3 
    • Activity Level 3

      Step It Up

      I love an active vacation. Engaging in a challenging activity with a difficult goal, such as reaching a summit, is exactly what I need to unwind in the evenings.

    Read more about the Active Range

 ADULT ONLY

The Canadian Rockies are yours to discover through off-the-beaten-track trails, heart-pumping rafting, and glacier hiking. Witness stunning views and explore hidden gems of the region, including Athabasca Glacier and Marble Canyon.

Trip Start: Calgary, Alberta Trip End: Calgary, Alberta

North America

British Columbia Hut to Hut Adventure

4.94

  • Duration 6 days
  • Activity Level Level 4 
    • Activity Level 4

      Challenge Accepted

      I'll let my trusty guides sweat the small things, so I can focus on my goal. Getting to the top, reaching the end, achieving my dreams! Sure, it'll be tough, but the views will be worth it.

    Read more about the Active Range

 ADULT ONLY

Helicopter deep into Canada's backcountry and hike from hut to hut amid pristine alpine wilderness. Explore the lesser-trekked trails of British Columbia’s Esplanade Range by day and indulge in fresh meals and absolute peace each night.

Trip Start: Calgary, Alberta Trip End: Calgary, Alberta

North America

Banff & Jasper Family Vacation

4.89

  • Duration 6 days
  • Activity Level Level 3 
    • Activity Level 3

      Step It Up

      I love an active vacation. Engaging in a challenging activity with a difficult goal, such as reaching a summit, is exactly what I need to unwind in the evenings.

    Read more about the Active Range

 FAMILY VACATION

Bring the family and pack your sense of adventure. With glacier hikes, river rafting, horseback riding, and backcountry biking, this Canadian Rockies adventure through Banff, Jasper, and Lake Louise brings out the kid in everyone.

Trip Start: Calgary, Alberta Trip End: Calgary, Alberta

Hear from our Happy Guests
4.85/5 Rating | 6,500+ Reviews

What guests are saying about their Banff Adventure Vacations

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British Columbia Hut to Hut Adventure - September 2023

Backpacking British Columbia

"I have to start off mentioning that I was a little nervous, and anxious as the date got closer for my trip. I was questing myself regarding the physicality of the hiking, or do i have the right gear. But after meeting with Will, Keenen, and Sydney, I new I was in good hands. They were there for all the guest's every step of the way. No matter what situation arose they were at the ready. I really enjoyed my stay with the entire group, and got a lot out my trip. It wasn't just the shear beauty of the Alpine, but the education i received from Will, and his staff. They make sure you're well being, and overall enjoyment is priority. And not mention the food and lodging, which was very good and comfortable. I highly recommend this trip to anyone who enjoys the outdoors, a bit of a challenge, and a whole lot of fun!

read more

"I have to start off mentioning that I was a little nervous, and anxious as… read more

"I have to start off mentioning that I was a little nervous, and anxious as the date got closer for my trip. I was questing myself regarding the physicality of the hiking, or do i have the right gear. But after meeting with Will, Keenen, and Sydney, I new I was in good hands. They were there for all the guest's every step of the way. No matter what situation arose they were at the ready. I really enjoyed my stay with the entire group, and got a lot out my trip. It wasn't just the shear beauty of the Alpine, but the education i received from Will, and his staff. They make sure you're well being, and overall enjoyment is priority. And not mention the food and lodging, which was very good and comfortable. I highly recommend this trip to anyone who enjoys the outdoors, a bit of a challenge, and a whole lot of fun! read less

5 Stars (16 reviews)

M Martin | September 2023

British Columbia Hut to Hut Adventure - September 2023

Hiking at it's best

"I have to say we were not prepared for the wonders of the Canadian Rockies. Simply put, we were blown away by the landscape and our guides who were totally devoted to making our trip one we will always remember. They were knowledgeable, friendly, and open, making us feel like part of their family as they showed us their back yard. And what a back yard it is. Living in a city, the isolation in this vast wide open world of the Rockies was a welcome relief from the rush and crush of urban living. And the skies at night, unfettered by city lights, were out of this world. This trip ranks right up there with our trip to Everest Base Camp a few years ago. If you go, be prepared not only to be wowed, but also be fit. This is not a walk in the park. It will test you, but at the end of each day, you will feel like Hillary on top of the world.

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"I have to say we were not prepared for the wonders of the Canadian Rockies.… read more

"I have to say we were not prepared for the wonders of the Canadian Rockies. Simply put, we were blown away by the landscape and our guides who were totally devoted to making our trip one we will always remember. They were knowledgeable, friendly, and open, making us feel like part of their family as they showed us their back yard. And what a back yard it is. Living in a city, the isolation in this vast wide open world of the Rockies was a welcome relief from the rush and crush of urban living. And the skies at night, unfettered by city lights, were out of this world. This trip ranks right up there with our trip to Everest Base Camp a few years ago. If you go, be prepared not only to be wowed, but also be fit. This is not a walk in the park. It will test you, but at the end of each day, you will feel like Hillary on top of the world. read less

5 Stars (16 reviews)

R Ronald | September 2023

British Columbia Hut to Hut Adventure - September 2023

The Hut to Hut hike is amazing.

"The Hut to Hut hike is amazing. The scenery is some of the best I've ever seen! I was impressed with the guides. Will, Sydney, and Keenan were very knowledgeable regarding the structure of the mountains, the rocks and rock formations, and the foliage in the area. The watched us carefully to make sure we stayed hydrated and ate appropriately. They were fun to be around, and made the hike even more enjoyable.

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"The Hut to Hut hike is amazing. The scenery is some of the best… read more

"The Hut to Hut hike is amazing. The scenery is some of the best I've ever seen! I was impressed with the guides. Will, Sydney, and Keenan were very knowledgeable regarding the structure of the mountains, the rocks and rock formations, and the foliage in the area. The watched us carefully to make sure we stayed hydrated and ate appropriately. They were fun to be around, and made the hike even more enjoyable. read less

5 Stars (16 reviews)

D Deborah | September 2023

Banff & Jasper Adventure - September 2023

Banff/Jasper Adult Hiking Trip

"To say I was emotionally overwhelmed is an understatement. I have been to a lot of beautiful places but this place brought tears. Even with three -maybe four - days of rain, this still was an amazing trip. The glory of the Rockies, the colors of the waters, the simple calmness of the place was a welcome respite from my concrete city life.

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"To say I was emotionally overwhelmed is an understatement. I have been to a lot… read more

"To say I was emotionally overwhelmed is an understatement. I have been to a lot of beautiful places but this place brought tears. Even with three -maybe four - days of rain, this still was an amazing trip. The glory of the Rockies, the colors of the waters, the simple calmness of the place was a welcome respite from my concrete city life. read less

5 Stars (117 reviews)

A Allison | September 2023

Banff & Jasper Adventure - September 2023

Banff and Jasper

"It was an excellent trip. Our two guides, Sydney and Santana were fantastic. We had some rain on two of the days and they were flexible in finding alternatives to our plans so that we could still hike but not be out in the elements too much. The accommodations were fine. The lunches that were prepared were great. The hikes were stunning.

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"It was an excellent trip. Our two guides, Sydney and Santana were fantastic. We had… read more

"It was an excellent trip. Our two guides, Sydney and Santana were fantastic. We had some rain on two of the days and they were flexible in finding alternatives to our plans so that we could still hike but not be out in the elements too much. The accommodations were fine. The lunches that were prepared were great. The hikes were stunning. read less

5 Stars (117 reviews)

Z Zell | September 2023

British Columbia Hut to Hut Adventure - August 2023

splendid experience

"This is a wonderful experience. It was challenging, beautiful, and a new part of BC for myself and the group. Do not underestimate boulder field hiking. The ridge hiking is splendid, with glaciers, mountain ranges and late season wildflowers.

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"This is a wonderful experience. It was challenging, beautiful, and a new part of… read more

"This is a wonderful experience. It was challenging, beautiful, and a new part of BC for myself and the group. Do not underestimate boulder field hiking. The ridge hiking is splendid, with glaciers, mountain ranges and late season wildflowers. read less

5 Stars (16 reviews)

T Ted | August 2023

British Columbia Hut to Hut Adventure - August 2023

BC Hut to Hut

"Our trip was wonderous so much more than I could have imagined. Our 2 guides Will and Lisa were outstanding and very knowledgeable. If you want to experience the beauty of British Columbia away from the crowds this is the trip to take.

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"Our trip was wonderous so much more than I could have imagined. Our 2 guides… read more

"Our trip was wonderous so much more than I could have imagined. Our 2 guides Will and Lisa were outstanding and very knowledgeable. If you want to experience the beauty of British Columbia away from the crowds this is the trip to take. read less

5 Stars (16 reviews)

M Marcia | August 2023

Banff & Jasper Adventure - August 2023

Banff & Jasper Adventure

"This was my first adventure with (Active)Austin Adventures and my husbands second trip. I loved it! For me the white water rafting and glacier ice walk were awesome. Our guides, Sydney and Keenan were fantastic. They truly gave us the red carpet treatment and you can see the difference between Active Adventures and other companies when you are on the trip.

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"This was my first adventure with (Active)Austin Adventures and my husbands second trip. I loved… read more

"This was my first adventure with (Active)Austin Adventures and my husbands second trip. I loved it! For me the white water rafting and glacier ice walk were awesome. Our guides, Sydney and Keenan were fantastic. They truly gave us the red carpet treatment and you can see the difference between Active Adventures and other companies when you are on the trip. read less

5 Stars (117 reviews)

K Kendra | August 2023

Banff & Jasper Adventure - August 2023

Awesome trip to Banff

"Our trip guides - Keenan and Sydney were awesome! They literally thought of everything to make our trip so nice! From snacks on the river, to a dry towel after rafting, to a yummy charcuterie board after our bike ride, the two of them were so very thoughtful and engaged, for the entire trip! We thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of our trip, lots of great scenery, adventures and getting to know Keenan and Sydney throughout our week!

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"Our trip guides - Keenan and Sydney were awesome! They literally thought of everything to… read more

"Our trip guides - Keenan and Sydney were awesome! They literally thought of everything to make our trip so nice! From snacks on the river, to a dry towel after rafting, to a yummy charcuterie board after our bike ride, the two of them were so very thoughtful and engaged, for the entire trip! We thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of our trip, lots of great scenery, adventures and getting to know Keenan and Sydney throughout our week! read less

5 Stars (117 reviews)

B Brad | August 2023

Banff & Jasper Adventure - August 2023

Great Banff/Jasper Trip

"Our trip to Banff & Jasper was fantastic. Sydney & Keenan were expert guides for the area and activities, and took care of our group. They pivoted with the weather and some of our requests during the trip all while pulling off a seamless adventure. We saw parts of Canada that we would not have been able to do on our own and learned so much - from hiking techniques to glacier activity. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience, guides and fellow guests. Looking forward to our next Austin adventure!

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"Our trip to Banff & Jasper was fantastic. Sydney & Keenan were expert guides… read more

"Our trip to Banff & Jasper was fantastic. Sydney & Keenan were expert guides for the area and activities, and took care of our group. They pivoted with the weather and some of our requests during the trip all while pulling off a seamless adventure. We saw parts of Canada that we would not have been able to do on our own and learned so much - from hiking techniques to glacier activity. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience, guides and fellow guests. Looking forward to our next Austin adventure! read less

5 Stars (117 reviews)

S Shane | August 2023

Banff & Jasper Adventure - August 2023

Like having your mom take care of all the details

"This was my 3rd trip with Austin Adventures and it again met their (and my) very high standards. After years as a single parent, I am always struck by how the guides at Austin take care of all the details as if they were an attentive parent planning so that no contingency could detract from my enjoyment. Didn’t bring enough water? They carried extra. Too tired to climb that last hill on the bike ride? They’ll give you a ride up, all without making you feel embarrassed. And they’re not only incredibly nice and resourceful, they are incredibly knowledgeable. I love traveling with these wonderful people.

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"This was my 3rd trip with Austin Adventures and it again met their (and my)… read more

"This was my 3rd trip with Austin Adventures and it again met their (and my) very high standards. After years as a single parent, I am always struck by how the guides at Austin take care of all the details as if they were an attentive parent planning so that no contingency could detract from my enjoyment. Didn’t bring enough water? They carried extra. Too tired to climb that last hill on the bike ride? They’ll give you a ride up, all without making you feel embarrassed. And they’re not only incredibly nice and resourceful, they are incredibly knowledgeable. I love traveling with these wonderful people. read less

5 Stars (117 reviews)

S Susan | August 2023

British Columbia Hut to Hut Adventure - July 2023

TAKE THIS TRIP

"I can’t say enough good things about this trip!
Location: Lovely and pristine, wildflowers galore and not another soul around
Guides: Will and Ben are fabulous, really kept us going when we flagged. Their patience with us is truly appreciated.
Overall: We had such a great group! The camaraderie between guests and guides was exceptional, with a special shout out to Tim and Jeremy for making the Huts are home away from home.

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"I can’t say enough good things about this trip!
Location: Lovely and pristine, wildflowers galore… read more

"I can’t say enough good things about this trip!
Location: Lovely and pristine, wildflowers galore and not another soul around
Guides: Will and Ben are fabulous, really kept us going when we flagged. Their patience with us is truly appreciated.
Overall: We had such a great group! The camaraderie between guests and guides was exceptional, with a special shout out to Tim and Jeremy for making the Huts are home away from home. read less

5 Stars (16 reviews)

E Elizabeth | July 2023

British Columbia Hut to Hut Adventure - July 2023

Fabulous hiking!

"My British Columbia trek was a lot of fun. The hiking was beautiful and the guides were excellent. All of the wildflowers and gorgeous rock formations were a bonus as well. Being out in nature with no other people around was one of the highlights as we saw no one outside of our group for 4 whole days! I would highly recommend this trip to someone looking to get away from it all.

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"My British Columbia trek was a lot of fun. The hiking was beautiful and… read more

"My British Columbia trek was a lot of fun. The hiking was beautiful and the guides were excellent. All of the wildflowers and gorgeous rock formations were a bonus as well. Being out in nature with no other people around was one of the highlights as we saw no one outside of our group for 4 whole days! I would highly recommend this trip to someone looking to get away from it all. read less

5 Stars (16 reviews)

C Carolyn | July 2023

British Columbia Hut to Hut Adventure - July 2023

British Columbia Hut to Hut

"A challenging and scenically rewarding trip far away from the madding crowd. Loved the opportunity to hike in such a remote area and end each day in a comfortable hut - with wonderful hot meals, saunas and sheets on the bed. Appreciated that the hut-to-hut hikes could be enhanced with various side trips to nearby peaks, lakes or scenic overlooks. Incredible views despite smoky air.

Our small group of five clients was, unfortunately, not compatible in hiking ability. Three of us were trained and fit; the two others, not so much. Our guides Will and Ben deserve medals for their patience and kindness in helping the struggling couple get up - and especially down - some steep terrain. The guides strived to accommodate those of us who wanted to hike more, and faster, and kept morale up among all of us amid difficult circumstances.

read more

"A challenging and scenically rewarding trip far away from the madding crowd. Loved the opportunity… read more

"A challenging and scenically rewarding trip far away from the madding crowd. Loved the opportunity to hike in such a remote area and end each day in a comfortable hut - with wonderful hot meals, saunas and sheets on the bed. Appreciated that the hut-to-hut hikes could be enhanced with various side trips to nearby peaks, lakes or scenic overlooks. Incredible views despite smoky air.

Our small group of five clients was, unfortunately, not compatible in hiking ability. Three of us were trained and fit; the two others, not so much. Our guides Will and Ben deserve medals for their patience and kindness in helping the struggling couple get up - and especially down - some steep terrain. The guides strived to accommodate those of us who wanted to hike more, and faster, and kept morale up among all of us amid difficult circumstances. read less

5 Stars (16 reviews)

L Lisa | July 2023

Banff & Jasper Adventure - July 2023

Outstanding Trip to Banff & Jasper

"I have traveled around the world for both work and pleasure for many many years and this trip was by far among the tops. The guides, Sydney and Keenan, were outstanding and loved showing us the best of the Canadian Rockies. They thought of everything and adapted the schedule and days according to the group with ease and good humor. The other members of the party were delightful and after 6 days we left as good friends who shared a great adventure. Thank you Sidney and Keenan and Austin Adventures.

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"I have traveled around the world for both work and pleasure for many many years… read more

"I have traveled around the world for both work and pleasure for many many years and this trip was by far among the tops. The guides, Sydney and Keenan, were outstanding and loved showing us the best of the Canadian Rockies. They thought of everything and adapted the schedule and days according to the group with ease and good humor. The other members of the party were delightful and after 6 days we left as good friends who shared a great adventure. Thank you Sidney and Keenan and Austin Adventures. read less

5 Stars (117 reviews)

C Caroline | July 2023

Banff & Jasper Adventure - July 2023

Breathtaking Beauty

"This has been one of my favorite of all vacations. The Canadian Rockies are stunningly beautiful - it leaves you in total wonderment about the powerful affect of nature. Our guides (Sydney and Keenan) were superb. They worked tirelessly to ensure we had a good time. It was the little things they did that impressed me with their hospitality skills. They left us hand written notes each night in our rooms with chocolates. They brought us hot chocolate with whipped cream during our hike on a glacier; they brought us wonderful snacks during a break while white water rafting; they made sure we had towels to dry off after the raft trip. The list goes on and on. Their positive attitude was contagious for the group, and even though many of us were strangers, we became almost like a family. Good job Austin Adventures for having such great guides.

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"This has been one of my favorite of all vacations. The Canadian Rockies are… read more

"This has been one of my favorite of all vacations. The Canadian Rockies are stunningly beautiful - it leaves you in total wonderment about the powerful affect of nature. Our guides (Sydney and Keenan) were superb. They worked tirelessly to ensure we had a good time. It was the little things they did that impressed me with their hospitality skills. They left us hand written notes each night in our rooms with chocolates. They brought us hot chocolate with whipped cream during our hike on a glacier; they brought us wonderful snacks during a break while white water rafting; they made sure we had towels to dry off after the raft trip. The list goes on and on. Their positive attitude was contagious for the group, and even though many of us were strangers, we became almost like a family. Good job Austin Adventures for having such great guides. read less

5 Stars (117 reviews)

W Wendi Green, | July 2023

Banff & Jasper Family Vacation - July 2023

Alberta

"Wonderful trip. Beautiful scenery.

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"Wonderful trip. Beautiful scenery. read more

"Wonderful trip. Beautiful scenery. read less

5 Stars (56 reviews)

M Morgan | July 2023

Banff & Jasper Family Vacation - July 2023

Fantastic Banff Area Family Trip

"This was our third trip with Austin Adventures. They truly know how to plan and execute a fantastic family vacation experience. We love finding hidden gems and learning from expert guides. The guides are able to pivot to accommodate the group's needs if needed and make the most of every experience. We absolutely loved the beauty of the Banff and Jasper areas and highly recommend this trip to any outdoor lovers. Our kids are 17,20, and 23 so we were able to truly explore this area thoroughly.

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"This was our third trip with Austin Adventures. They truly know how to plan… read more

"This was our third trip with Austin Adventures. They truly know how to plan and execute a fantastic family vacation experience. We love finding hidden gems and learning from expert guides. The guides are able to pivot to accommodate the group's needs if needed and make the most of every experience. We absolutely loved the beauty of the Banff and Jasper areas and highly recommend this trip to any outdoor lovers. Our kids are 17,20, and 23 so we were able to truly explore this area thoroughly. read less

5 Stars (56 reviews)

S Sally | July 2023

Banff & Jasper Family Vacation - June 2023

Our time in Canada with Sydney and Santana

"Our overall experience was excellent. Every activity exceeded our expectations but our guides made the trip memorable.

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"Our overall experience was excellent. Every activity exceeded our expectations but our guides made the… read more

"Our overall experience was excellent. Every activity exceeded our expectations but our guides made the trip memorable. read less

5 Stars (56 reviews)

T Tony | June 2023

British Columbia Hut to Hut Adventure - September 2022

Awesome Adventure!

"An Incredible adventure surrounded by pristine alpine scenery. We were alone in this stunning scenery with hikes that challenged us and pushed us. But we were rewarded with the most awe struck views. Definitely a trip of a lifetime!

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"An Incredible adventure surrounded by pristine alpine scenery. We were alone in this stunning… read more

"An Incredible adventure surrounded by pristine alpine scenery. We were alone in this stunning scenery with hikes that challenged us and pushed us. But we were rewarded with the most awe struck views. Definitely a trip of a lifetime! read less

5 Stars (16 reviews)

F Fiona, Canada | September 2022

banff

When is the best time to visit Banff National Park?

Overall, the best time to visit Banff National Park is during the summer. If you don’t mind being around a lot of other tourists, the summer months are the warmest and it’s the best time to see one of the park’s main attractions: the lakes. And to reiterate, if you’re going on an adventure tour with us, the crowds aren’t an issue anyway. 

There’s a ton to see, even more to do, and you won’t need to worry about crossing paths with a grumpy bear. That said, if you’re opposed to being around too many people and love hiking, we highly recommend September, too.

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Secure Your Spot Now, Pay the Rest Later

As members of the Active Adventures family, Austin Adventures offers booking assurance that allows you to secure your spot with a deposit now and pay the rest later. Plus, if your plans change or you can’t travel, you can transfer your booking or request a refund on any additional funds paid (less deposit) up to 90 days (180 days for Africa and Himalayas trips) from your original trip start date.  

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Meet Your Banff Adventure Guides

FAQs About Banff National Park Adventure Vacations

Do you recommend buying travel insurance?

As an Austin Adventures traveler, it’s highly recommended you take out travel insurance to cover the likes of travel delays, missed connections, medical expenses or injury, or lost baggage for your travel with us. Please head to our Travel Protection page for more in-depth information and our recommended insurance provider.

What's included on your North America trips?

Accommodation

We've spent years finding places to stay that are quaint, perfectly-located, and comfortable when we take you to the most amazing parts of North America. We offer a wide variety of accommodations on our trips ranging from locally run inns and first-class hotels to resorts, dude ranches and historic national park cabins. Accommodations are selected for their location, unique charm and history, and offer a true feel for the region. We strongly believe in the value of a good night's sleep and our accommodation reflects this. We also like to have somewhere comfortable to relax after the day's activities.

Transport

We're really focused on ensuring that we spend as little time as possible sitting in vehicles, and that we optimise your vacation for adventuring in the great outdoors. Our average driving time is just over two hours a day, and we make plenty of stops for bathroom breaks and sightseeing along the way. We use modern, comfortable 15-passenger vans for all of our transfers and a second van is added to most departures to provide more flexibility and more room to spread out while seeing the sights! Make no mistake - our trips are not typical bus tour vacation packages! Picture more of a road trip with family complete with good music, tasty snacks, and plenty of guide-supplied fun facts along the way to keep you entertained!

Meals

Just about all your meals are included when you travel with Austin Adventures in North America. We provide a wide variety of cuisine - breakfasts are typically eaten at your hotel on your own time in the morning before meeting up with the group. Lunches feature everything from elaborate picnics to roadside cafes to sandwiches trailside. Dinners are usually eaten at our hotel's dining room or a local restaurant with plenty of options to choose from. We easily cater to vegetarians, picky kids, and people with particular dietary needs. All our guides have food safety certificates and are well-practiced in the art of food prep and serving while on-the-move. You'll find the meals are a real highlight of your trip!

All Guiding Services

Each trip features two or three incredible guides and our average guest to guide ratio is 6:1. Our guests are often drawn to North America by the beautiful scenic landscapes, promise of wilderness and clean air - and there's no doubt you'll find all that, though what you may not be expecting is to forge real, genuine friendships with your fellow tripmates, including our wonderful guides. They're hands-down the BEST guides you'll ever come across.

Activities

Any activity described in our itinerary, such as hiking, rafting, horseback riding, kayaking and biking, are included in your trip cost. Our itineraries are pretty jam-packed to maximize our time spent exploring in these amazing places, and your guides will make it clear if there are additional activities available (at your expense).

How many people are there on each of our North America trips?

We generally take up to 18 people per trip, although this can vary, and all our trips have at least two of our guides to look after you (apart from the occasions we have a small group). We have found that our trips tend to attract a particular kind of person and many people have commented that the social scene was one of the highlights of their trip!

Our adult-only departures require a minimum age of 16 years and our family departures require a minimum age of 6 years to join (7 years on our Alaska Family Adventure) and are a great way to meet other like-minded families who like to get outside.
Please note child rates apply to children 12 years and under.

Do you charge a forced single supplement if I'm a solo traveller?

We welcome many solo travelers on our trips – in fact, we get so many solo travelers and they always say it’s a great way to travel alone, but not actually by themselves. You’ll have an incredible adventure sharing your experiences with other like-minded travelers, and the best part is we don't charge extra for solo travelers, providing you don’t mind sharing a room. However, for bookings within 90 days of your chosen departure, a forced single supplement will apply if there is no other guest of the same gender already booked to share with.

If you prefer not to share a room at all, you can upgrade to a single room, if one is available. 

If I book a trip with my children, will I be sharing a room with them?

Active Adventures & Austin Adventures family vacations are naturally about spending time with family and as such, most families opt to share rooms on our trips. At time of booking, families consisting of four guests with children aged 17 and under will be automatically assigned one shared room. However, the following alternative rooming allocations are available:

  • Families consisting of four guests with all children aged 13 and above are welcome to opt for additional rooms as per advertised double occupancy adult rates.
  • Families consisting of four guests with at least one child aged 12 and under are automatically assigned a shared room. However, families can opt to pay the adult rates for all guests in their family to have an additional room.
  • The same principles apply for families consisting of more than four guests.

Rooming preferences are subject to availability and must be communicated in writing at time of booking. Automatic assignments as per this policy will be applied in the absence of any specification provided by guests. Any request for additional rooms during trips will be at the guests’ own expense and subject to rates made available by the accommodation provider at the time. All minors (guests aged 17 and under) must be accompanied by at least one adult.

What if I need a special diet?

We’re accustomed to catering to the following special diets:

  • vegan (no meat or animal products)
  • vegetarian (no meat products)
  • pescatarian (vegetarian, and eat fish)
  • no red meat (eat chicken & fish)
  • no pork (eat chicken & fish)
  • gluten intolerant (no wheat, rye, barley or oats)
  • lactose intolerant (no dairy products)
  • picky kids (send us a list of what your child will eat and we'll make sure to have it!)
You will get the opportunity to specify your particular requirements when you fill in your travel wallet. If you have any other dietary requirements please let us know well in advance, via email or the online travel wallet.

 

How much luggage can I bring on the North America trips?

You are allowed one piece of luggage on your trip, plus a daypack. Your main piece of luggage should not exceed 50 pounds (23 kilograms) and can be anything from a duffle bag to a sports bag with wheels or a suitcase. You’ll also want a good quality backpack sized 25-30 liters (2000 cubic inches) to use throughout the days.

How much spending money should I bring and where do I get cash?

You'll be able to find a reliable ATM once you arrive to start your trip, within the township or at the airport you land in, as national park ATM locations are sparse at best. Aside from tips for your guides, you could bring $200 and go home with change though some people like to bring some cash to cover a round of drinks, a few souvenirs, and dinner on "night on your own", although you could just as easily use a credit card for these purchases too.

What are your recommended guide gratuity guidelines?

You will have 2-3 guides on your Austin Adventure (depending on group size) and we recommend $15-25 per day, per guest, per guide. Typically, gratuities are offered by check or cash in local currency on the final morning of the trip and can either be given to each guide individually or to one guide to be equally distributed. Most of our guides these days also accept gratuities via Venmo (please note this app does not work in Canada). All dining, housekeeping and activity tips are included in your trip price.

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Banff Adventure Blogs & Stories

Why Travel With Us

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Just-right group sizes allow you to get off the beaten path

With an average of 12 guests per departure and an industry-leading average 6:1 guest-to-guide ratio, you’ll enjoy a highly personalized experience.

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Award-winning guides lead the way

It’s so much easier to relax and enjoy your adventure when you have fun, caring guides who know the land, sweat all the details and whip up incredible meals, too!

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You’ll never need to sweat the details

When we say all inclusive, we mean it! Meals and snacks, activities, lodging, transportation, guiding services and more. All you need to do is show up!

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Enjoy freedom to push your boundaries – safely

Every aspect of your trip is thoroughly considered for your safety, from highly vetted partners and well-maintained equipment to extensively trained guides.

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Decades of expertise mean you’ll experience only the best

Family travel and North American National Parks are our specialty. We’ve perfected our itineraries for decades, ensuring you'll experience your destination to the fullest.

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"Wow Moments” take your trip from enjoyable to extraordinary

For us, the extra mile is never extra, it’s part of the way! Count on special touches throughout your trip that will amplify your experience.