Canada | Heli-Hiking: Bobby Burns to Bugaboos
Heli-Hiking trips offer you mountain wilderness to explore - as rigorously or gently as you would like - while you enjoy the exquisite comforts of remote mountain lodges. Activities ranging from ambling and walking to hiking and trekking, or even full-blown mountaineering, are tailored to suit your wishes and ability. The guests, not the guides, set the gait. Based from remote mountain lodges, you spend the day hiking and exploring, always at a comfortable pace, with long or short, strenuous or leisurely hikes to choose from. Each day we immerse ourselves in different terrains. Guides are in constant communication with the lodge's helicopter, so we may make two or three different hikes during the day. Our golden rules are flexibility and adaptability.
| Duration: | 7 Days |
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| Tour Code: | ITW366 |
| Trip Style: | Moderate - 3 star |
| Departure Dates: | 09 Jul 2013, 12 Jul 2013, 15 Jul 2013, 21 Jul 2013, 24 Jul 2013, 27 Jul 2013, 30 Jul 2013, 05 Aug 2013, 08 Aug 2013, 11 Aug 2013, 14 Aug 2013, 17 Aug 2013, 20 Aug 2013, 23 Aug 2013, 29 Aug 2013 |
| Price: | From $4,865 |
| Places you'll visit: |
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| Highlights: |
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Ideal for Solo Travellers
This trip is ideal for solo travellers. We eat our meals family-style, so you'll always be in good company. Our hiking groups usually consist of small groups of 11 hikers (sometimes fewer) who share similar interests and abilities, so familiarity and camaraderie result quite naturally.
If you book on a twin share basis, we will attempt to match you with a same-sex roommate. if we are unable to do so, you will NOT be charged the upgrade to single occupancy. If you prefer to have a private room, single supplements are available on a space available basis, depending on the lodge.
Trip Details
DAY 1: BANFF TO BOBBIE BURNS HELIPAD
7:15 am Meet at the Brewster Transportation Centre for ground transfer from Banff to the Bobbie Burns Helipad.
7:30 am Depart Banff.
8:15 am Departure time from Post Hotel, Lake Louise.
10:00 am (Mountain Time) Arrive at the helipad for the quick flight to Bobbie Burns Lodge. Get outfitted with all the necessary hiking gear and enjoy lunch at the lodge. Following a helicopter safety talk, enjoy an afternoon of Heli-Hiking. Heli-flight back to the lodge late afternoon for appetizers, beverages and relaxation before dinner.
7:00 pm Dinner is served family style, with guests and staff eating together. (L, D)
DAY 2, 3: FULL DAYS HELI-HIKING IN BOBBIE BURNS
7:30 am Morning stretch class.
8:00 am Breakfast begins.
9:00 am The first helicopter departs with the first group of hikers, accompanied by a guide, for a full day of exploring the immense variety of landscapes in the Bobbie Burns. Return to the lodge mid-afternoon to savour snacks and beverages or just to relax.
7:00 pm Dinner is served. (B, L, D)
DAY 4: HELI-HIKING TOWARDS THE BUGABOOS
7:30 am Morning stretch class.
8:00 am Have breakfast, then choose from a variety of sandwiches and snacks for today's picnic lunch in the mountains.
9:00 am Group flights to Grizzly Ridge begin. Trek along the ridge towards Bugaboo Lodge with a picnic lunch on the way. We follow a similar routine at the Bugaboos where snacks and beverages await after a memorable day of hiking. Dinner is served family style with the chance to get to know the Bugaboo staff and other guests. (B, L, D)
DAY 5, 6: FULL DAYS HELI-HIKING IN BUGABOOS
7:30 am Morning stretch class.
8:00 am Breakfast begins.
9:00 am The Bugaboo routine mimics the Bobbie Burns. Lunch in the field.
7:00 pm Dinner back in the lodge. (B, L, D)
DAY 7: BUGABOO HELIPAD TO CALGARY
8:00 am Breakfast, then prepare for departure.
9:30 am First flight from the lodge to the Bugaboo Helipad.
11:00 am Depart the helipad by motorcoach, returning through Kootenay and Banff National Parks to Banff and Calgary Airport. A tasty boxed lunch is provided for the return trip.
1:30 pm Arrive in Banff.
4:00 pm Arrive at the Calgary Airport. (B, L)
SCHEDULE IS IN MOUNTAIN DAYLIGHT TIME; SUBJECT TO CHANGES
FITNESS: This program accommodates all levels of fitness, so we leave this completely up to your discretion. Whether you're up for hiking, walking, ambling, or (conditions permitting) mountaineering, we tailor each Heli-Hiking day for all levels of fitness, experience, and all ages. Groups are split as necessary so everyone can stay within their comfort level. All you really need is a thirst for adventure.
THE BUGABOOS
Mountain Ranges: Purcells
Base Elevation: 1490m
Hiking Elevation: 945m - 3050m
Hiking Terrain: 379 sq. km
The Bugaboos got their name from a turn-of-the-20th-century gold hoax. The name alone is in part responsible for their iconic stature in the mountain world, though the credibility of this reputation cannot be doubted when one considers the stream of legendary climbers who, during the 1950s-70s, sought first-ascents on many of these peaks. There is probably no comparably magnificent range with so few visitors in the whole of North America, if not the world.
The Bugaboos are perhaps best known for their defining majestic spires. An historic destination for climbers, the difficult access has prevented recreational hikers from entering this wondrous mountain terrain. As with our other hiking areas, lush meadows, bubbling creeks, awesome glaciers and ridge walks are just the beginning of what awaits our guests. The Bugaboos are a hiker's nirvana. Three examples of the more than 100 hikes are:
- Septet Traverse - This lovely hike begins in a larch forest on a ridgeline and weaves up and down through cirques and hanging valleys, each with it own glacial lake, each with a brilliant, unique colour, from azure to turquoise. Relatively distant views of the Bugaboo Spires give them a new, imposing aspect.
- Rockypoint Basin - A pastoral, gloriously green hike in a large cirque with many variations, including a full-day hike up to Grizzly Ridge for massive views of the Spires .
- Rooftop Ridge - One of the best places to get a 360 degree view of the southern Columbias , Bugaboo Spires, and the Rockies , Rooftop is a rocky, above-timberline hike with a number of pickup points along its length. From up here it's easy to make sense of the landforms and their ancient shaping.
Bugaboo Lodge: Newly renovated Bugaboo Lodge sits about 1600 metres high, with 35 rooms with private baths, a wood and stone bar-lounge, an expanded spa area with sauna, steam room, a games room, a handy shop, and a new rooftop hot tub with an extraordinary view.
BOBBY BURNS
Mountain Ranges: Purcells and Selkirks
Base Elevation: 1370m
Hiking Elevation: 1370m - 3050m
Hiking Terrain: 690 sq. km
The Bobbie Burns range takes its name from the great Scottish poet. "Gie me ae spark o' Nature's fire," he wrote, "That's a' the learning I desire." Very few people other than Heli-Hikers have ever set foot on these remote mountains, some of which remain unnamed today.
Hiking possibilities in the Bobbie Burns are nearly endless: deep river basins, meadows of wildflowers, icy crystalline lakes, and ancient glaciers are just some of the inspiring alpine features awaiting exploration. Here are four outstanding samples of the 47 or so Bobbie Burns hikes:
- International Basin - We begin at timberline and follow a series of alpine benches up to a superb high lake, graced with tremendous views of the Carbonate Glacier. Interesting traces of the Bobbie Burns' gold and silver mining history abound on this full-day hike.
- Rollercoaster - Great views to the west on a half-day hike through flowery meadows. This fine hike can be combined with a visit to beautiful Hume Lakes for a robust full-day outing.
- Crystalline Pass - Many variations grace this half- or full-day hike in varied timberline terrain: everything from meadow strolling to boulder-hopping and some steep ups on glacial moraine. Vigorous elevation gains and losses through different geologic zones.
- Anthea's - A half-day, resoundingly alpine hike along a goat trail up to a high ridge, with great views of the Conrad Glacier, looking down at towering ice needles and into looming crevasses.
Bobbie Burns Lodge: Bobbie Burns accommodates 44 Heli-Hikers in 24 rooms, all with private bath. The lodge has an outdoor whirlpool, sauna, games room, porch-side basketball hoops, shop, and a fireplace in its roomy common area. Its extensive wine cellar is certainly one of the world's best in a wilderness lodge.
Inclusions
- Transportation from Banff to the helipad and return to the Calgary International Airport
- Accommodation for 6 nights
- All meals starting with lunch on arrival at the lodge and a boxed lunch on departure
- Use of top-quality hiking equipment: boots, jackets, daypacks, rainpants, walking poles and water bottles
- 10 - 12 helicopter flights
- Daily hiking and/or walking with professionally certified mountain guides
What's Not Included
- tips
Terms & Conditions
Click here for our Terms & Conditions
For more information, availability and pricing and options, please contact our expert travel specialists at Inspired Travel Worldwide on (02) 9449 8598 or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you.
