The Mountain Park 9 Day "Go Camping Tour" 2008
Tour in a nutshell
The trip will start from Alberta’s capital city of Edmonton. (Traveling to Edmonton from other centers) From Edmonton, we travel west to the pristine Rocky Mountains arriving in Jasper National Park (4 Hr with stops). We will spend two and a half days at a fully serviced campground (Showers) just out side the town of Jasper. From Jasper, we travel south (1 ¾ hr) to the David Thompson/Nordegg area (highway 11) for a 2-day stay at a local area wilderness campground. From David Thompson we travel south again (1 ¾ hr) to Banff/ Lake Louise. Again, we stay two and a half days at a fully serviced campground (Showers) just outside of Banff town site. From Banff, we travel east leaving the Rocky Mountains towards Calgary (1 ½ hr) to drop off those guest who wish this drop off location or head north back to Edmonton (3 ½ hr with stops).
What’s included
The 9 day "Go Camping Tour" is an all-inclusive 8 nights and 9 day camping tour. With, some extras! All of your Transportation, camping gear, sleeping gear, meals, non-alcoholic beverages, camping location fees and a guided interruptive tour at each camping location are included in one price.
The price of this tour is $1990.00 per person, adult.
$1890.00 for ages 11 and under + taxes.
* A minimum of 5 guests are required for a tour to proceed.
Dates for this tour are:
- July 01, 2008 - July 09, 2008
- July 21, 2008 - July 29, 2008
- August 05, 2008 - August 13, 2008
- August 19, 2008 - August 27, 2008
Additional dates before and after these dates can be arranged. Contact RET Adventure Tours directly for details.
Inclusive Activities / Itinerary
Day 1 - Morning
Guests will meet their tour staff at a 6:00 am for a tour orientation breakfast. Details of the tour and a general orientation of policies will reviewed, questions answered, if any, by the tour guide/manager and waivers will need to be filled out by all guests at this time.
Day 1 - Jasper
We arrive at about the noon hour of the first day. After lunch you go on a guided van tour of the town of Jasper. Its surrounding forest and lakes learning the history of the railroad and how it helped shape the west. Also included in the Jasper tour, (Approx, 3 hr), is a ride on the "Jasper Tramway" to the top of Whistlers Mt. Then to the camp for dinner and a relaxing evening by a roaring fire.
Day 2 - Mount Edith Cavell
We will offer a "self-guided" tour of Mt Edith Cavell / Angel Glacier after breakfast for those who wish to participate (allow 3 hr) or, this day is for optional activities.
Day 3 - Optional Activities
This day is for optional activities.
Day 4 - David Thompson/Nordegg
We will be off this morning to explore the "Ice field Parkway" highway 93, considered by some to be the most scenic highway anywhere. "Watch for wild life". There will be stops at Athabasca and Sunwapta falls. You will arrive at the Columbia Ice fields for a ride on the Ice field "Snocoach" on to Athabasca glacier the most easily accessible part the ice fields. It is the largest accumulation of ice south of the Artic Circle, 325 km² in area. Approx, 1 ½ hr in duration. Then to the David Thompson/Nordegg area for lunch. Making scenic stops along highway 11 (The David Thompson highway) before arriving at the camp for the evening.
Day 5 - Optional Activities
This day is for optional activities.
Days 6 - Banff / Lake Louise
We leave the David Thompson/Nordegg area and travel towards Banff/Lake Louise making stops along the way to marvel at the scenery. On this day we may have some time for sight seeing in Banff town or may go directly to the campground.
Day 7 - Bus Tour
We start the day early to go on a bus tour of Banff to discover the jewel of the Canadian Rockies, Lake Louise. Learn about the humble beginnings of Banff at the discovery of the "Cave and Basin" and the features of the Bow Valley. This is an all day tour with restaurant lunch (included). Approx, 8 hr in duration.
Day 8 - Optional Activities
This day is for optional activities.
Day 9 - Calgary
We're off on the last leg of your journey to Calgary, a short 1 ½ hr drive where we say fare well to new friends. Arrangements are made for transportation to Edmonton if needed.
The included tours mentioned would normally take place on the first day we arrive in each camping location so you can get a feel for the areas and you can decide on what optional activities, if any, you may want to take part in.
Some Extras
During this 9-day camping holiday in the Canadian Rockies, you will be able too enjoy music festivals, theater performances to world champion rodeo events occurring along the tour route. We will offer unique itineraries set out for each tour based on the offerings of each community over the season.
Optional Activities
Optional activity days are the days to explore the sights and sounds of the areas were visiting. Horse back riding, white water rafting, canoeing, trail hikes, fishing, helicopter sight seeing, shopping just to name a few or just sitting around is what you’ll have time to enjoy, you decide.
We will gladly book any optional activity. We can recommend operators or you can choose ones before you leave on your trip and leave the booking up to us. The regular posted price of other operators’ services is what we charge you. We will work with another operators schedule to fit our tour schedule for you and advise you if there’s a schedule conflict. Transportation to and from the option activities can be arraigned with your tour guide leader if needed. The cost of the operators’ services has to be purchased through RET Adventures no later than 2 weeks before the Edmonton departure and is subject to their availability. The sooner you book the better chance of not being disappointed. Guaranteeing space with those operators.
You may have an Idea of what you would like to do, or we can suggest tour suppliers and services as we travel our tour route.
*You are welcome to book optional activities your self. (Take advantage of discounts or coupons). We can offer you but can’t guarantee transportation to them and return pick up as we serve our guests with pre booked optional activities first.
Meals
All meals are included during the camping trip. All non-alcoholic beverages (canned pop, bottled water, juices, coffee, tea and milk) are included. We want to make this the most memorable camping trip you will ever taste. "In a good way that is". The mornings will be started with a breakfast menu that will vary during the tour from the traditional hearty bacon/sausage and egg fare, crepes, croissant to a RET Tours exclusive of beer batter pancakes served with Quebec maple syrup or if you wish, good old cereal available every morning. Bottomless coffee and tea will flow to warm your bones after a sleep in the crisp mountain air. Lunches each day will feature freshly prepared sandwiches, deli style. Fresh Fruit and vegetables will be available at all times. Just let the guide know what you like. Lunch kits can be prepared by the guide for those who will be enjoying a local activity away from camp or off on there own exploring the local towns and its shops. At suppertime, we are planning a sample of Canadian delicacies. So, be prepared for your taste buds to enjoy a decadent holiday also. During the tour the dinner menu will consist of Alberta ranched Elk steaks, wild Bison steaks, Fresh pacific salmon, gourmet Alberta sirloin beef burgers (10oz minimum) a roasted chicken evening and an Italian pasta night. Supper meals include fresh salad, roasted and baked potatoes, rice a variety of vegetable dishes and fresh baked breads, each specifically arraigned to the main course. After dinner, desert. From cheesecake smothered in sweet berries, apple crumble pies, and assortments of pastries we will have you wondering how to say no.
Camping/sleeping gear
You will be provided with clean, modern, top of the line, camping equipment. Your camping equipment consists of a nylon dome tent that accommodates 2-8 persons. A single travelling person will receive a 2 person tent. Family and multiple (2+) person bookings will determine tent size-dynamics. Each person receives a sleeping bag manufacture rated to 0° Celsius. One-person air mattress and a pillow. For out side the tent, (while your enjoying a roaring camp fire or sipping on your morning coffee while watching the glow of the sun rise above the mountain peaks and prairie fields) you have one camp chair per person also.
Fees
When we arrive at the National Parks of Canada (Jasper and Banff) your parks entrance fees are included. Your camping fees at all the campgrounds we stay at are included. All costs of activity listed in (Inclusive activities) are included in your price.
Transportation
The tour includes your transportation From Edmonton to all campgrounds and back to Edmonton. We travel by 12/15-passenger van (groups of 7 or more) or mini van (small groups of less than 7 guests).
What's not included in the tour price
- Transportation to Edmonton before departure. (Getting to Edmonton)
- Transportation to or from locations not involved with the tour itinerary.
- Any food or lodging service not on the tour itinerary.
- Extra option activities.
- Travel insurance.
- Gratuities.
If you have any questions regarding the above "Go Camping Tour" please contact us!
