Upon arrival at the Calgary International Airport (YYC), you'll meet the group and transfer to Banff. After checking into your hotel, there will be an opportunity to meet the guides for an orientation, followed by a delicious dinner and a good night’s sleep in preparation for the days to come.

Accommodations: Canalta Hotel or similar

Meals: D

Transfer: Calgary to Banff (1.5-2 hours)

After breakfast, we meet our guide and transfer to the iconic Moraine Lake. We start our morning with Forest bathing lakeside.

Shinrin Yoku (aka Forest Bathing)⁠

In Japan, people practice a therapy called Shinrin Yoku or forest bathing, which translates to ‘taking in the atmosphere of the forest’. Japanese scientists figured out the trees give off an organic chemical compound, called phytoncides; when you go into the forest with all your senses attuned you bathe in these compounds which then provide a multitude of benefits.⁠

We then take in the famous Valley of the Ten Peaks as you hike along the pristine waters of Moraine Lake. You are granted stunning views as you hike up a switchback trail towards Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass. Once in the valley, the trees thin and the walking becomes gentler as the trail makes its way past the Minnestimma Lakes and to the base of the imposing Sentinel Pass.

Views to the sides and above you are of Pinnacle Mountain and Mt. Temple, 3rd highest peak in Banff National Park. If time and group ability allow, we will continue on a steady but manageable ascent to the top of Sentinel Pass where the views are worth all the effort it took to get there!   

We return to our shuttle and make our way to the pristine Lake Louise, where we enjoy a lakeside picnic and have free time to explore on our own, journal, and spend time reflecting on the days activities before returning to Banff for dinner and overnight at the hotel

Accommodations: Canalta Hotel or similar

Meals: B | L | D

We begin the day with a drive southwest along the Banff Windermere Parkway (93S Highway) crossing the border into British Columbia. After about 1 hour of driving, we turn onto the less travelled Settlers Road and continue onto forestry roads until we reach the trailhead.

From here we start our backpacking adventure, following the Aurora Creek under the shadows of Mt. Alcantara and Eon Mountain. This hike is all about the views as you work your way up a wide valley to the pass. After approximately 3 hours we reach Aurora Pass on the border of Alberta and British Columbia where we will set up our camp for the next 2 nights.

Accommodation: Camp at Aurora Pass

Meals Provided: B | L | D

After a hearty breakfast and a meditation/mindfulness practice, we will organize the group and head out for a great day exploring the area.

Several options exist depending on the group’s energy levels and the weather conditions. There are several extraordinary alpine lakes to visit or we will have the opportunity to head up higher onto Penny’s Peak.  During our time of exploring we will be sure to stop and appreciate the fauna and flora and pause for quiet time as we engage in mindful nature exercises. 

After an exhilarating day of hiking in the mountains, we return to our campsite to share stories and spend a wonderful evening amongst new friends

Accommodation: Campsite at Aurora Pass

Meals: B | L | D

After packing up camp, we’ll begin our journey back into Alberta. We can follow one of 2 trails either heading due east towards Marvel Lake or heading southeast along the southern part of Marvel Peak and Owl Lake. Both offer spectacular vistas of the majestic Rocky Mountains, alpine meadows with abundant wildflowers and crystal-clear lakes.

After setting up camp for the evening we will do a final closing farewell gathering before a good night's rest and a hike out in the morning.

Accommodation: Marvel Lake Campground, Bryant Creek Shelter, Big Springs Campground (BR 9) or McBride Campground (BR 14)

Meals: B | L | D

After morning meditation, a hike and picnic lunch, we will be back to the Mt Shark trailhead where our driver awaits to bring us back to civilization and for those with flights to catch we’ll get you back to the Calgary International Airport.

Meals: B | L

Transfer: Mt Shark trailhead to Calgary

We provide a full service experience. Included in your trip cost:
+Transportation: All transportation is included from arrival at the Calgary International Airport and return.

+Food: All breakfasts from Day 2 to departure day, all lunches from Day 2 to Day 6 and all dinners from arrival day to day 5 are included as outlined in the itinerary.

+Accommodation: Accommodation during the backpacking portion of the trip will be in shared, modern, lightweight 2- and 3-person weather-proof tents.

+Equipment: Trip participants will be responsible for providing their own hiking clothing, rain gear, day packs, and sturdy hiking footwear. We will provide group camping gear along with sleeping bags, sleeping pads, backpacks and hiking poles. The guides will provide the group safety gear such as tarps, emergency communication devices and bear spray.

+Safety: As with all our trips, safety is our number one priority. We expect the unexpected and will have plans for anything that could happen while on our adventures. We will have radios and other types of emergency communication devices, evacuation plans, and all of our guides have current Advanced Wilderness First Aid Certificates.

+Root Expert Tour Leaders who will facilitate mindfulness/wellness practices

+Daily mindfulness activities

+2 pre-trip calls

+2 post trip calls

+Access to our Director of Traveler Experience who can help answer all your questions!

+All tips/gratuities

+6 Week Post-Trip Meditation Series to help integrate your experience

+Lifetime access to the Root Community

Souvenirs, alcoholic beverages, and anything not detailed in the itinerary.

July is one of the best times to visit the Canadian Rockies! The days are long (16 hours of sunlight a day) with warm sunshine and low rainfall. The average temperature is 72 degrees Fahrenheit during the day with lows in the 40’s at night.

You’ll need to arrive in Calgary, Canada by 2pm on July 11. Please depart from Calgary, Canada any time after 6pm on July 16.

We classify this trip a difficulty level of 5 out of 5. Which means prior hiking and backpacking experience is required. You must be able to carry a 35+ lb pack for multiple days on trail for sustained daily time. Expect elevation gain, variable terrain and weather conditions. Below are approximate daily mileages with elevation gain/loss.

Day 1: 0km

Day 2: Hiking: This can be variable depending on how the group is feeling. Anywhere from 5-12km. There are many hikes available in this area.

Day 3: Approximately 6.5km with 600metres gain

Day 4: Day Hike – multiple option available depending on how the group feels

Day 5: 11km, 200 metres gain, 600 metres loss

Day 6: Approximately 9.5km

Sleeping accommodations are a combination of hotel stays and camping as detailed in the itinerary.

Your first two nights will be in a hotel - Canalta hotel or similar.

Accommodation during the backpacking portion of the trip will be in shared, modern, lightweight 2- and 3-person weather-proof tents.

On the third day of the trip you’ll begin the backpacking portion of your adventure. Backpacks will be provided so feel free to pack normal luggage, which will be stored. Expect for your pack to be heavy, 35+ lbs, carrying all that you need with you for a 3.5 day hike.

You can find a packing list here. We will also go over gear in much more detail on our two pre-trip calls.

Recipes are cooked in small batches in our outfitters commercial kitchen in Canmore, Alberta, Canada and then they are dehydrated.

They use high quality ingredients in their recipes which are designed to balance nutrition, calories, flavor and ultimately, carrying weight of the dehydrated meal.

All dietary restrictions are taken into consideration as well!

On the days you’ll be camping there is no access to electricity and minimal access to cell phone service.

On the backpacking portion of the trip there will be no access to showers or toilets. Your guides will show you how to practice “leave no trace” practices for elimination on trails and outdoors.

Here is a packing list. We will also go through gear questions in more detail in our two pre-trip calls.

It is recommended that you do practice hikes, walks, or strength and cardio conditioning to prepare for this trip. 3 months out you will receive the pre-trip preparation that has a full training plan and videos.

Please email info@rootadventures.com or schedule a call. We would love to hear from you!