Rainforest to Rockies: Vancouver to Banff

A very important feature of this adventure is the limited group size. Our two Expedition Leaders (for groups of 11 guests or more) provide ample opportunity for the group to split into smaller groups throughout the adventure. While in the Bugaboos, our group is split into even smaller groups for heli-hiking outings, further enhancing our low-key presence and allowing ample opportunities for intimate experiences in nature.

Accommodations, services of Nat Hab's professional Expedition Leader(s), local guides and lodge staff, transportation, two days onboard the luxury Rocky Mountaineer train in GoldLeaf service, all helicopter transfers while at Bugaboo Lodge, all meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on final day, some gratuities, airport transfers for those arriving by air on Day 1 and final day, all activities and entrance fees, all taxes, permits and service fees.

Travel to and from the start and end point of your trip, most alcoholic beverages, gratuities for Expedition Leaders, passport and visa fees (if any), optional activities, items of a personal nature (phone calls, laundry and internet, etc.), international airline baggage fees, airport and departure taxes (if any), required medical evacuation insurance, optional travel protection insurance.

Easy to Moderate
This adventure does not require a particularly high degree of physical fitness. Travelers must be able to walk up and down stairs, enter and exit vehicles comfortably, and walk a minimum of one mile. Our days generally start quite early and are very full with activities, including a few long drives, which can be tiring.

Of course, heli-exploration is the main activity while in the Bugaboos, with two or three outings per day and plenty of opportunity to accommodate a wide range of physical abilities, from shorter walks to more strenuous hikes. The average altitude of hikes in the Bugaboo Range, which we access via helicopter, is 7,250 feet, with the highest hikes (which are entirely optional) taking place at approximately 8,800 feet. Travelers planning to participate in these outings should be able to walk unassisted for at least 1 mile per hike, over rough terrain, both up and down steep inclines, with some gain in altitude (up to 900 feet) required in certain locations. Multiple hikes per day will generally be offered, with total roundtrip distances between 1–6 miles, and even shorter options will be available for those who prefer. Helicopter-accessed hikes in the Bugaboos are "off-trail," so travelers must be comfortable hiking over rocky, wet and uneven terrain.

Note that all hikes are completely optional, and travelers should only participate in activities in which they feel comfortable. Guests who would like to take longer or more strenuous hikes will have opportunities to do so during our three-night stay in the Bugaboos, and likewise, those who wish may opt out of any given hike to relax at the lodge.

We recommend that you arrive in Vancouver by 4:30 pm on Day 1 in order to join your group orientation at the hotel at 6:30 pm. The arrival transfer from the airport to downtown Vancouver is usually around 45 minutes. You are free to depart Calgary after 9:30 am on the final day of the trip, though keep in mind that your transfer from the group hotel in Banff to the Calgary airport will take about 2-2.5 hours, depending on traffic. Early morning departure flights out of Calgary will therefore require a very early wakeup.