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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

4.86

  • 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

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

North America

British Columbia Hut to Hut Adventure

4.88

  • 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

What guests are saying about their Banff Adventure Vacations

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British Columbia Hut to Hut Adventure - September 2022

Awesome Adventure!

"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 (8 reviews)

Fiona, Canada

British Columbia Hut to Hut Adventure - September 2022

British Columbia Hut to Hut Adventure

"The guides are awesome. Food is great. Friendly folks everywhere. My only issue… read more

"The guides are awesome. Food is great. Friendly folks everywhere. My only issue is about the write ups and how those compared to reality. read less

4 Stars (8 reviews)

Elizabeth,

British Columbia Hut to Hut Adventure - September 2022

British Columbia Hut to Hut Adventure

"From start to finish, great organization, people, guides, food, accommodations! As a repeat client, nothing… read more

"From start to finish, great organization, people, guides, food, accommodations! As a repeat client, nothing but superlatives for Austin! read less

5 Stars (8 reviews)

Hans,

British Columbia Hut to Hut Adventure - September 2022

British Columbia Hut to Hut Adventure

"I enjoyed the entire trip. The guides were knowledgeable the food was great and the… read more

"I enjoyed the entire trip. The guides were knowledgeable the food was great and the scenery was amazing. The helicopters were pretty cool too. read less

5 Stars (8 reviews)

Sandra,

British Columbia Hut to Hut Adventure - September 2022

British Columbia Hut to Hut Adventure

"I enjoyed our Austin Adventures alpine hike and the beautiful country we were able to… read more

"I enjoyed our Austin Adventures alpine hike and the beautiful country we were able to enjoy. Our guides, Will and Rehannon were very pleasant and went to great efforts to help us enjoy the trip. I also appreciated that they facilitated the return of my prescription sunglasses which must have fallen out of my pack. Jeremy and Tim were great and I appreciated the efforts they went to to assist some of the members of the group who needed assistance in getting down the Col of the Wild. Additional instruction on evening behavior would have made the first night's sleep better. Overall, it was a great trip that I will never forget. It might be helpful to screen the participants by saying that people should be able to go up and down flights of stairs without hanging onto a railing, do a single leg squat to a 45 degree angle. read less

5 Stars (8 reviews)

Jerry,

British Columbia Hut to Hut Adventure - September 2022

British Columbia Hut to Hut Adventure

"Overall, this was an incredible experience. The views were amazing, and the team guiding… read more

"Overall, this was an incredible experience. The views were amazing, and the team guiding and supporting us made the trip enjoyable. read less

5 Stars (8 reviews)

Paula,

British Columbia Hut to Hut Adventure - September 2022

British Columbia Hut to Hut Adventure

"It checked all the boxes. Everything was exceptional from the first moment to the last.… read more

"It checked all the boxes. Everything was exceptional from the first moment to the last. The group was superb. As with any tour there were parts that I felt could have been skipped (Emerald Lake and Lake Louise). There are other places in the same locations, with fewer people, and just as good if not better experiences.
read less

5 Stars (8 reviews)

Suzanne,

British Columbia Hut to Hut Adventure - September 2022

British Columbia Hut to Hut Adventure

"Sue and I had a wonderful time and we can't thank Will and Ree enough… read more

"Sue and I had a wonderful time and we can't thank Will and Ree enough for all their help. They made the trip pleasurable and shared their knowledge of glaciation, alpine, wildflowers, etc. They were also very helpful with some of the difficult areas of the hiking. read less

5 Stars (8 reviews)

Tracy,

Banff & Jasper Adventure - August 2022

Banff to Jasper Adult

"The highlight of the trip for me was the white water rafting! I have done… read more

"The highlight of the trip for me was the white water rafting! I have done a lot of exciting things in my 74 years but this by far was the most exhilarating adrenaline rush I have experienced. It surpassed any expectation that I had even dreamed about. Second of all, I enjoyed the spectacular scenery of the Rockies. Not only did our guides show us well known places, but we got to visit spectacular locations off the beaten path which I certainly enjoyed and feel privileged to have seen.
Our walk in the Athabaskan Glacier was unforgettable. It was definitely a learning experience and I got to taste glacial waters for the first time!
Our 3 guides, Ree, Sydney and Keenan were fabulous. They were very knowledgeable about the area, it’s history and the habitat. They took care of all our needs in profession and fun style. They were all “ down to earth” fun people with great communication skills that really helped mesh our group together. On that note I want to say how much I enjoyed all the other guests on the trip. We all brought something to share with each other and created a bond amongst us that was truly remarkable in our short time together. So special! read less

5 Stars (109 reviews)

Sandy, Canada

Banff & Jasper Adventure - August 2022

Banff & Jasper Adventure

"The trip was amazing. The guides did a spectacular job and were very accommodating.… read more

"The trip was amazing. The guides did a spectacular job and were very accommodating. The Beer Creek Lodge was wonderful. I did wish we could have some more time to explore BANFF. Lunch options other than sandwiches and wraps would have been appreciated. A little more autonomy on the hikes that allowed more aggressive hikers to challenge themselves would be welcomed. Finally, the overall cost was on the high-end and not necessarily competitive. And I didn't like how pick up hotels were changed after we had already booked. Perhaps a little more flexibility on where you pick people up. read less

5 Stars (109 reviews)

Charles,

Banff & Jasper Adventure - August 2022

Banff & Jasper Adventure

"This was a very good trip. Expert guides, beautiful scenery and great food. read more

"This was a very good trip. Expert guides, beautiful scenery and great food. read less

5 Stars (109 reviews)

Cheryl,

Banff & Jasper Adventure - August 2022

Banff & Jasper Adventure

"The location was fantastic, the guides were knowledgeable, caring, organized, friendly and listened! The… read more

"The location was fantastic, the guides were knowledgeable, caring, organized, friendly and listened! The meals were wonderful and the driving was safe. read less

5 Stars (109 reviews)

Dennis,

Banff & Jasper Adventure - August 2022

Banff & Jasper Adventure

"Our Austin Adventure in the Canadian Rockies exceeded expectations in every way. The scenery and… read more

"Our Austin Adventure in the Canadian Rockies exceeded expectations in every way. The scenery and hiking experiences were spectacular. Accommodations, transportation and meals were excellent. Most of all, we were impressed by our wonderful guides - Lisa, Sydney and Tabs. These gals made our experience truly outstanding! Charming, interesting, knowledgeable, organized and super fun ... they took great care of all of us. We never stopped smiling. read less

5 Stars (109 reviews)

Katie,

Banff & Jasper Adventure - August 2022

Banff & Jasper Adventure

"This was a bucket list trip for me, which can set up unfair high expectations… read more

"This was a bucket list trip for me, which can set up unfair high expectations when you're laying down a lot of money (which it was for me). For that reason I purposefully tried to avoid reading up too much on the details and time after time was wowed by the aspects that Austin Adventures organized - the food, the snacks, the vans, the silver platters, the hot lavender towels after the cold plunge, and most of all the guides. I don't know what personality test you put them through (I'd like to know your hiring secrets), but each guide was exceptional in their knowledge, helpfulness, communication, and kindness. You definitely spend more time with these guides than I have on other trips and Tabs, Lisa, and Sydney were all even just great company. read less

5 Stars (109 reviews)

Kelly,

Banff & Jasper Adventure - August 2022

Banff & Jasper Adventure

"Organized and executed to perfection. read more

"Organized and executed to perfection. read less

5 Stars (109 reviews)

Michelle,

Banff & Jasper Adventure - August 2022

Banff & Jasper Adventure

"Overall the trip was very good. Some activities exceeded my expectations, like the rafting on… read more

"Overall the trip was very good. Some activities exceeded my expectations, like the rafting on Kicking Horse River and hiking to Sentinel Pass. The guides handled all experiences with ease. All events proceeded without delay or difficulty. The guides were very professional, and even though it was their first season with Austin Adventures, you could tell they had a lot of other guide experiences. read less

5 Stars (109 reviews)

Theresa,

Banff & Jasper Adventure - August 2022

Banff & Jasper Adventure

"Both leaders were exceptionally prepared for our everyday adventures. Both new the area we explored… read more

"Both leaders were exceptionally prepared for our everyday adventures. Both new the area we explored and beyond from nature, mountain ranges, etc..to help us understand the diversity of the areas we traveled. read less

5 Stars (109 reviews)

Gary,

Banff & Jasper Adventure - August 2022

Banff & Jasper Adventure

"This was the most active, relaxing, fun, and exhilarating of any vacation in my life!… read more

"This was the most active, relaxing, fun, and exhilarating of any vacation in my life! The entire week was seamless from the moment we stepped into the van. read less

5 Stars (109 reviews)

Jacqueline,

Banff & Jasper Adventure - August 2022

Banff & Jasper Adventure

"Very good trip. Not too strenuous. read more

"Very good trip. Not too strenuous. read less

5 Stars (109 reviews)

Mike,

Banff & Jasper Adventure - August 2022

Fantastic Trip to the Iconic Banff and Jasper National Parks

"Everything was perfect. The guides (Rheannon, Sydney and Keenan), were beyond amazing. Energetic, encouraging, funny… read more

"Everything was perfect. The guides (Rheannon, Sydney and Keenan), were beyond amazing. Energetic, encouraging, funny and knowledgeable. What else could a person ask for? What was especially nice to see was how well the guides worked together. read less

5 Stars (109 reviews)

Christine, Canada

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 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 get a real variety of people on our trips and they all seem to have one thing in common – a love of the outdoors! Our trips can accommodate up to 22 guests, depending on each departure. Our adult-only departures require a minimum age of 16 years and generally feature a mix of singles, couples and friends, 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 regularly accommodate single guests on our group trips and there’s no forced single supplement if you don’t mind sharing a room (you might even get a room to yourself sometimes). If you prefer not to share a room at all, you can upgrade to a single room.
PLEASE NOTE: If you book within 90 days and you’re a Forced single, you’ll be required to pay for your own room.

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'll need one piece of luggage, plus a daypack. Your main piece of luggage can be a soft sided duffel or a suitcase with wheels, and you'll need a good quality 18-24 liter daypack to carry with you throughout the days on the trails.

As far as extra luggage goes, if there's not too much (such as one small extra bag per person) then it shouldn't be a problem to fit it in our luggage trailer during the trip. If you've got more than that, then all major airports have luggage facilities available on a weekly basis, or if you are staying at a pre-trip hotel they may be able to store it for you until you return too.

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

benefit group size

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

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

benefit guides

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, are experts in motivation, sweat all the details and whip up incredible meals, too!

benefit inclusive

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. Every detail is handled; all you need to do is show up!

benefit safety

Enjoy freedom to push your boundaries – safely

Every aspect of your trip is thoroughly considered for your safety, from highly vetted vendors and well-maintained equipment to extensively trained guides and our seasoned operations team at headquarters.

benefit family

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 and sustained relationships for decades, ensuring you'll experience your destination to the fullest.

benefit wow

"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. If we’ve done our job, they’ll have you saying “wow!”