Itinerary

Day 1

SUNDAY

Meet in the lobby or outside at 0730, checked out and ready to load and go. The restaurant in the Hotel opens at 0700 and Canusa will arrive for loading by 0715. After loading we will drive to the bike start point for bike set-up.
Destination --is the Radium Hot Springs Lodge.

Distance --Biking distance is approximately 64 k/40 m depending on timing and start point.

Terrain —Mostly easy downhill with an 8 mile climb and descent at the end of the day—expect headwinds.

Sightseeing --Spectacular scenery all the way to the campground or Lodge.

Meals --Breakfast is your responsibility, Lunch along the way and dinner is at the Radium Hot Springs Lodge.

Day 2

MONDAY

Destination --is Swiss Village Inn or Golden Community Campground.

Distance --Biking distance is approximately 110 k/68 m.

Terrain --Mostly easy rolling downhill—no major climbs

Sightseeing --The entire day is in the Columbia River Valley with the river almost always visible and close by and the area is a birder's paradise with lots of waterfowl and both Golden and Bald eagles. Towering mountains overlook the valley floor from both sides.

Meals --Breakfast at Radium Hot Springs Lodge, Lunch near Quinn Creek Campground and dinner is Pizza and beer at the Campground weather permitting, or restaurant.

Day 3

TUESDAY

Destination --is Mountaineer Lodge, Lake Louise or Lake Louise Campground.

Destination --Biking distance is approximately 91 k/57 m.

Terrain —is all uphill but mostly easy with about 16 k/10 m of moderate to steep.

Sightseeing --Leaving Golden we enter the Kicking Horse Canyon with the roadway high above the Kicking Horse River then the scenery gets more awesome as we bike to the foot of Kicking Horse Pass. Half way up the pass is a lookout and diorama of the spiral tunnels. We will have some time to look around Lake Louise and the Chateau.

Meals --Breakfast is at a local restaurant, Lunch is Buffalo Burghers at Yoho Bros in Field and dinner at Baker Creek Chalets.

Day 4

WEDNESDAY —Day Tough!!

Destination --is the Columbia Icefields Chalet or Wilcox Creek Campground.

Distance --Biking distance is approximately 130 k/81 m

Terrain --Mostly easy to moderate up or down starting with the 40 k/25 m Bow Pass climb at the beginning of the day and the 12 k/8 m steep Sunwapta Pass climb at the end of the day.

Sightseeing --Lakes, glaciers, rivers and mountains offer spectacular scenery for the entire day.

Meals --Breakfast is at Lake Louise Inn, Lunch is at the picnic site just before Saskatchewan River X-ing and dinner at the Columbia Icefields Chalet Restaurant.

Day 5

THURSDAY —Day Easy!!

Destination --is Sunwapta Lodge or Honeymoon Lake Campground and Thursday is the camping night for all who are on the 6 Hotel-1 Camping option--optional hotel accommodation is available at the Sunwapta Resort.

Distance --Biking distance is approx. 56 k/35 m.

Terrain --Mostly easy downhill with a moderate one mile climb near the beginning.
Sightseeing --count on seeing animals on this day, usually bear and mountain goats as well as time to visit Sunwapta Falls.
Meals --Breakfast is at the Columbia Icefields Chalet, Lunch is at Honeymoon Lake Campground and after lunch we drive to Jasper for sightseeing and dinner. Dinner is at Karouzos steak house in Jasper then we return to the Lodge or campground for the night.

Day 6

FRIDAY —Last Day of biking.

Destination --is Jasper by Bike then Calgary, Executive Royal Inn by Van.

Distance --Biking distance is approx. 45 k/28 m.
Terrain --Mostly easy downhill.
Sightseeing --Athabaska Falls then the van ride back to Calgary through most of the same terrain that you biked for a different perspective.
Meals --Breakfast is at Sunwapta Lodge, Lunch is on the bus (subs purchased in Jasper) and dinner is on you.

Extra Information

Inclusions -

Ground transportation and support vehicle(s)

Exclusions -

First day breakfast and last night dinner

Extras -

THE CANADIAN NATIONAL PARKS TOUR

Banff/Radium Hot Springs/Golden/Lake Louise
Columbia Icefields/Jasper
6 days/5-7 nights

2006--July 16 to July 21 - July 30 to Aug 4--2006


COST:
7 nights include night before tour starts and last night of tour.
6 nights motel/1 nights camping--6 days biking.............................$1525 US.....$1675 CDN
3 nights motel/4 nights camping--6 days biking.............................$1185 US.....$1300 CDN
0 nights motel/5 nights camping--6 days biking.............................$ 900 US.....$ 990 CDN


NOTE: Please add 7% GST to all prices



Reach new and rewarding heights on this extraordinary bike tour of the Canadian Rockies. The splendor of two provinces is yours to intimately discover as the road passes quickly beneath you and the proud pristine peaks put life into perspective. Incorporating four World Heritage National Parks, you'll travel 499 km/310 miles on this six-day true adventure, challenged by a wilderness most would consider insurmountable. Every day is a highlight as you confront mountain passes or relax in Radium Hot Springs and travel new distances to witness the immense miracle of the Columbia Icefields. Unsurpassed scenery may give way to a glimpse of unsuspecting denizen of the forest, so keep a keen eye as you cycle by mountain lakes, alpine forests and the rocky edges of rushing rivers. Truly the best of the Canadian west, this is the pinnacle of pedaling experiences.

The tour starts and ends in Calgary. Meet Sunday, 7:30 am, day of tour start at the Executive Royal Inn airport, Calgary, ready to bike and finish in Calgary at the Executive Royal Inn Airport late Friday pm. Arrangements for return flights should be made for Saturday or later. Cycling starts near Kootenay Lodge and finishes in Jasper. Average daily mileage is 84 km\52 mi with a high of 130 km/81 mi and a low of 47 km/29 mi.

ACCOMMODATION:
HOTELS--Executive Royal Inn Calgary Airport (2)--Radium Hot Springs Resort--Swiss Village Inn--Mountaineer Lodge--Icefields Chalet--a 7th Hotel instead of camping is available for an additional cost.
CAMPGROUNDS--Canyon RV Resort--Golden Community Campground--Lake Louise Campground--Wilcox Creek Campground--Honeymoon Lake Campground.