Rocky mountains: Multi-day Trips and Tours from Vancouver

The Rocky Mountains are the largest mountain range in Northern America. They stretch across almost 5,000 kilometers, from the top of Canada to the southwestern state of New Mexico.

However, the scenery in the Canadian expanse of this mountain range is truly remarkable, so why not don your hiking boots and explore them for yourself?

If shimmering lakes, colossal peaks and wildlife sightings are what you love to experience on a vacation, you should consider a multi-day trip to the Rocky Mountains.

Here's all you need to know about Rocky Mountains, one of the most exciting destinations for multi-day trips from Vancouver.

How to get to the Rocky Mountains from Vancouver?

The Rocky Mountains are a mountain range made up of four national parks in British Columbia, Canada. The mountains are approximately 800 kilometers from the city of Vancouver.

From Vancouver to the Rocky Mountains by car

It is not a quick jaunt to the Rocky Mountains from Vancouver by car. However, while the journey takes around 10 hours, there are lots of scenic stopping points along the way.

Drive east out of Vancouver along Highway 1 towards Hope. Once you reach the small town, switch onto Highway 5 and follow the route all the way up into the Rocky Mountains.

From Vancouver to the Rocky Mountains by public transport

You can also make the journey to the Rocky Mountains by boarding a sleeper train to Valemount on the edge of the mountain range, which takes approximately 16 hours.

However, you may find it tricky to get around the national parks without your own vehicle.

Guided tour to the Rocky Mountains from Vancouver

Another option is to join a guided excursion to the Rocky Mountains and leave the route planning to your tour operator.

You can select from several durations of multi-day trips and you'll generally enjoy a hotel pickup, and drop-off service. Pickup time on the first morning is usually between 7:30 AM and 8:30 AM.

How much does the entrance ticket to the Rocky Mountains cost?

There is an entrance fee to visit the national parks that encompass the Rocky Mountains, which varies depending on your mode of transport and duration.

• 1-day vehicle pass: CA$30 (US$23)
• 1-day person pass: CA$15 (US$11)
• 1-day motorcycle pass: CA$25 (US$19)
• 7-day vehicle pass: CA$35 (US$26)
• 7-day motorcycle pass: CA$30 (US$23)

What is the typical itinerary?

After a convenient hotel pickup, you'll begin your Rocky Mountains multi-day trip by driving toward the city of Kamloops.

You may stop in the quaint town of Hope along the way to enjoy a quick coffee and discover the wooden statues that Hope is famous for. Once you reach Kamloops, you'll be provided with lunch.

From here, you may continue on your way and spend your first day ascending Mount Robson. Alternatively, longer multi-day tours to the Rocky Mountains give you more time to discover Kamloop's landmarks and stay overnight in the city.

Generally, on the second day, you'll explore the area surrounding Jasper, including Athabasca Falls and Peyto Lake.

Depending on your itinerary, you may spend the next day traveling to Banff National Park — home to the brilliant blue waters of Lake Louise and Lake Moraine.

You'll hike trails surrounding the lakes to capture the best views of the water and stay overnight in the ski town of Banff.

On your return to Vancouver, you'll stop to admire the dramatic pines against imposing peaks and vibrant waters.

What kinds of tours are available?

There are a number of multi-day tours to the Rocky Mountains, which differ depending on how long you have to explore the national parks.

4-Day tour to the Rocky Mountains from Vancouver

You'll kick off your 4-day tour to the Rocky Mountains with a bang by traveling through the city of Kamloops to ascend the tallest peak in the national park — Mount Robson.

After resting for the night in the ski town of Jasper, you'll spend your next day fully immersed in nature. This includes trekking on the Athabasca Glacier and admiring the cascading waterfalls in the Maligne Canyon.

You'll have the opportunity to canoe through the emerald waters of Lake Louise and hike to its lesser-known neighbor — Moraine Lake.

5-Day trip to the Rocky Mountains from Vancouver

On a longer multi-day trip to the Rocky Mountains, you'll have extra time to discover each destination. This will enable you to hop on the SkyTram gondola in Jasper, as well as seek out the caribou and bears that surround the town.

You'll also cruise along the calm waters of Lake Minnewanka. Other highlights of a 5-day trip to the Rocky Mountains include its thermal springs and the cascading Bow Falls.

6-Day private tour to the Rocky Mountains from Vancouver

If you opt for a 6-day tour, you'll be able to soak up the sights a little longer and travel at a slower pace. You'll spend a night in Kamloops, stopping to explore the ancient gorges of Hell's Gate.

You'll take a panoramic train ride into the Rocky Mountains where you'll see a fantastic array of snow-capped peaks and glistening glaciers.

You'll also step foot on the skywalk located on Sulphur Mountain's steep slopes, which affords visitors an unparalleled view of the national park.

How much does it cost?

If you choose a 4-day excursion, you can expect to pay US$1,100 per person. However, the price reduces to US$990 if you have the maximum number of participants in your party.

A multi-day tour to the Rocky Mountains that lasts 5 days costs approximately US$5,960 per group of up to six individuals. If you travel as part of a group this size, you'll each pay US$990 per person.

If you wish to participate in a private multi-day tour to the Rocky Mountains, you'll pay between US$3,700 and US$3,900 each depending on the number of people in your group.

What will you see and do?

The Rocky Mountains are covered by four separate national parks — Banff, Jasper, Yoho and Kootenay — and cover an expanse of over 23,000 square kilometers.

In total, this area of Canada is home to over 2,280 peaks, of which the highest is Mount Robson. While this peak does not come close in elevation to the highest mountain in Canada — Mount Logan — it is still a staggering sight at over 3,950 meters above sea level.

The Canadian Rocky Mountains National Parks are included on the UNESCO World Heritage list as an area of outstanding universal value.

In the parks, you'll find the Columbia Icefield, which includes six glaciers and was formed between 238,000, and 126,000 B.C. Many Rocky Mountains multi-day tours venture to the famous shores of Lake Louise, as well as the surrounding lakes in Banff National Park to see their vivid turquoise waters.

This vibrant color is due to the rock flour that is distributed into the bodies of water through the glaciers that melt into them.

Because of their rugged terrain and undisturbed nature, the Rocky Mountains are home to a plethora of wildlife, including caribou, elks, bighorn sheep, and moose. Both black and grizzly bears also roam the peaks, and forests of the parks.

Wolves, lynxes and wolverines have also been spotted in this region although their numbers are small causing sightings to be few, and far between.

The numerous lakes and glaciers in the Rocky Mountains give way to multiple thundering waterfalls for visitors to explore. The largest of these is Takakkaw Falls — located in Yoho National Park —which plummets from a height of over 370 meters.

When is the best time to visit the Rocky Mountains?

The best time to plan a multi-day trip to the Rocky Mountains depends on the type of adventure you're seeking. The summer months are the best time for hiking in the national parks as the weather is pleasantly warm and the winter snowfalls have melted.

However, those who enjoy a more dramatic landscape and skiing may choose to visit during the wintertime.

Are there any tours to the Rocky Mountains from other cities in Canada?

Yes, there are tours departing from other cities in Canada:

• Day Trips to Rocky Mountains from Banff

Travel tips

• Take several spare layers with you on Rocky Mountains multi-day trips as you will travel between different elevations.
• Wear your hiking boots in before your Rocky Mountains excursion so that you find them comfortable during your tour.
• Leave a safe distance of 30 meters between yourself and any wildlife you come across. If you see a bear, increase this distance to 100 meters.