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The Wildlife of the Canadian Rockies
Naturetrek Tour Itinerary
Naturetrek Mingledown Barn Wolf’s Lane Chawton Alton Hampshire GU34 3HJ UK
T: +44 (0)1962 733051 E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk
Departs June.
Focus Birds, mammals and the spectacular scenery of the Rocky Mountains.
Grading Grade B – Easy to moderate (see Page 8).
Dates and Prices Visit: www.naturetrek.co.uk (tour code CAN09).
Highlights:
Breathtaking Rocky Mountain scenery
Explore the world-famous Banff, Jasper & Yoho National Parks
Drive the Icefield Parkway
Search for Black & Grizzly Bears
Great Grey Owl, White-tailed Ptarmigan & Mountain Bluebird all possible
Other likely mammals include Moose, American Beaver, Rocky Mountain Elk & Coyote
Led by expert local naturalist guides
Outline itinerary
Day 1 Depart London.
Day 2/3 Calgary Area.
Day 4/6 Banff National Park.
Day 7 Yoho National Park.
Day 8 Icefields Parkway.
Day 9/10 Jasper National Park.
Day 11 Icefields Parkway.
Day 12/13 Kananaskis Park & Highwood Valley.
Highwood Valley.
Day 14 Arrive London.
From top: Moraine Lake, Grizzly Bears and Mountain Bluebird.
The Wildlife of the Canadian Rockies Tour Itinerary
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The Wildlife of the Canadian Rockies Tour Itinerary
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Introduction
The breathtaking landscapes of the Canadian Rockies are no secret. These spectacular forested mountains and
snowy peaks, which slice through Canada’s provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, have been attracting
admirers since the country was first born 152 years ago. The best of this visual splendour is protected within the
Banff, Jasper and Yoho National Parks which offer new and dramatic vistas around every bend, from steep glacier-
carved valleys and immense icefields to flower-filled meadows and vivid turquoise lakes. Within this dramatic
landscape lives an exciting array of mammals and birds. Both Grizzly and Black Bears patrol the forest edges
handing over control to Great Grey Owls at dusk. Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep and Mountain Goats inhabit
the higher slopes, whilst Moose, Rocky Mountain Elk and Beaver live lower down. There is also a wealth of
colourful birdlife to enjoy, including Harlequin Ducks, Mountain Bluebirds, Clark's Nutcrackers, Pine Grosbeaks
and many more.
This 14-day wildlife tour will take you to through the very best of this breathtaking mountain range and introduce
you to the birds, mammals and other wildlife that call the Rocky Mountains home.
Itinerary
Please note that the itinerary below offers our planned programme of excursions. However, adverse
weather & other local considerations can necessitate some re-ordering of the programme during the
course of the tour, though this will always be done to maximise best use of the time and weather
conditions available.
Day 1 Fly Calgary
We will depart London’s Heathrow Airport on a direct flight to Calgary in the Canadian Province of Alberta. On
arrival we will transfer to nearby hotel for the night.
Maligne Lake, Jasper National Park
The Wildlife of the Canadian Rockies Tour Itinerary
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Day 2 – 3 Calgary
Located at the intersection between the Rocky Mountain foothills and the prairies, Calgary is surrounded by a wide
variety of habitats. Over 350 species of bird and over 40 species mammals have been recorded in the nearby parks
and reserves, and we will spend our first day in Canada exploring the best of these areas.
We will start our day at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. Over 270 species of bird have been recorded at this 35-hectare
reserve, and it will provide an excellent introduction to a wide variety of commoner species including a suite of
ducks, grebes, gulls, herons, pelicans, raptors, warblers and tanagers. We will also be looking for an interesting
selection of mammals such as our first Mule and White-tailed Deer, White-tailed Jackrabbit and Muskrat.
A one-hour drive west from Calgary will take us to the foothills
of the Rocky Mountains and our destination, Brown-Lowry
Provincial Park. This reserve is a small oasis of montane
wilderness with White Spruce the dominant tree, dotted with
pockets of Aspen and marshy areas and cut by a network of
small creeks. The birding here is excellent, and we will be
particularly on the lookout for American Three-toed and
Black-backed Woodpeckers amongst the seven species of
woodpecker that live here. We may also see our first Canada
Jays of the trip, whilst other birds of interest could include Black-capped, Mountain and Boreal Chickadee,
Swainson’s and Hermit Thrush, Ruffed Grouse and Rose-breasted Grosbeak. We will make a particular effort to
seek out the attractive Cape May Warbler among the more common Yellow-rumped and Tennessee Warblers.
This is one of the few places in this part of Canada where this beautiful species can be found.
After enjoying lunch in a local restaurant, we will check into our accommodation – a traditional hotel – where we
will stay for the next two nights. We will then head out once again for a late afternoon excursion to look for
Richardson’s Ground-squirrel and to visit a nearby marsh to try for one of the most secretive birds in North
America, the Yellow Rail. This almost mythical bird is rarely seen, but its metallic call can be heard across prairie
wetlands on calm summer nights. While we wait for dusk to fall, we will look for a variety of other birds including
drumming Wilson’s Snipe, Blue-winged, Cinnamon and Green-winged Teal, Sora, Killdeer, Wilson’s Phalarope,
Swainson’s Hawk, Mountain Bluebird and Clay-coloured Sparrow.
The following day we will explore Water Valley, a region to the
north-west of Calgary that lies at the convergence of three
types of ecosystem – mountain foothills, boreal forest and
parkland. These ecosystems contain a wide diversity of
habitats, including coniferous, aspen and mixed forest, logged
areas, pasture, swamps and meadows. On a good day it is
possible to see over 100 species!
Our time here will be spent enjoying wildlife drives and taking
several short walks into suitable habitat. We will make a special
search for day-roosting owls which may include both Barred
Cape May Warbler
Great Grey Owl
The Wildlife of the Canadian Rockies Tour Itinerary
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Owl and Northern Pygmy Owl. The spectacular Great Grey Owl also breeds here in small numbers and, if
fortunate, we may find one of these beautiful birds. Other birds to look out for include Solitary Sandpiper, multiple
species of flycatcher (a valuable lesson in Empidonax flycatcher identification!), five species of vireo, Sandhill Crane,
Belted Kingfisher, American Black Tern, Bald Eagle and the chance of Connecticut Warbler which occasionally
breeds here too. Water Valley is also home to an interesting selection of mammals such as Muskrat and American
Beaver, Moose and American Black Bear.
Day 4 – 6 Banff National Park
Canada’s first national park needs no introduction; its mountain peaks, turquoise glacial lakes, abundant wildlife
and scenic drives more than justify its UNESCO World Heritage Site status. The town of Banff is considered by
many to be the main hub in the Canadian Rockies, and on our morning drive after breakfast into the park we will
experience the spectacular scenery that draws in millions of visitors every year. We may also encounter our first
Rocky Mountain Elk as we approach Banff’s quaint high street. Our days here will start early (at around 0500 to
0600 hours) in an effort to increase our chances of wildlife encounters and, importantly, beat the crowds!
Over the next three days we will explore multiple
sites in and around the town of Banff. We will
drive the famous Bow Valley Parkway looking for
wildlife from roadside stops. While in the park we
will visit the dramatic Johnston Canyon carved
steeply into the limestone bedrock by thousands of
years of running water; overhanging canyon walls,
waterfalls, deep pools and lush forest are sure to
leave a memorable impression. We will dedicate
one day to exploring the Moraine Lake area, hiking
up to the alpine zone to explore this incredible
environment. This awe-inspiring walk (of around six miles in distance) gives exceptional views of the jagged
summits of the Valley of the Ten Peaks, set against an ever-evolving foreground of larches, meadows and rugged
slopes. It is truly some of the most pristine wilderness Canada has to offer! As well as the scenery, we will be
keeping an eye out for Hoary Marmot, American Pika, and the prize bird species of Banff, the Gray-crowned Rosy-
finch. One of the most enchanting features of our walks is the ethereal songs of Swainson’s, Hermit, and Varied
Thrushes emanating from deep within the woods, songs that will become familiar accompaniments over the course
of this trip. We will also be delighted by the highly inquisitive Canada Jays who actively seek out parties of walkers
in the forest and often approach so closely that it is hard not to take their photo!
Banff National Park is home to over 50 species of mammals and
so variety we may encounter during these three days is as extensive
as anywhere in North America. During our time in Banff we will
make special effort to look for American Black Bears, but will not
ignore the other species on offer which may include Rocky
Mountain Elk, Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goats,
Coyote, Mule Deer, American Red Squirrel, Least Chipmunk, and
the gorgeous Columbian and Golden-mantled Ground-squirrels.
Moraine Lake
Bighorn Sheep
The Wildlife of the Canadian Rockies Tour Itinerary
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Whilst Grey Wolf, American Marten, North American Porcupine, and Puma
(Mountain Lion) are found within the park, we would need to be extremely
fortunate to stumble across these elusive species!
The birds of Banff National Park are equally impressive. Banff is home to three
species of grouse (Dusky, Ruffed and Spruce), Clark’s Nutcracker, Canada and
Blue Jays, Mountain Bluebird, Townsend’s Solitaire, Rufous and Calliope
Hummingbirds, Hammond’s Flycatcher, White-winged Crossbill, up to
ten species of wood warbler, the highly localised Black Swift, and three species of
Accipiter (Northern Goshawk, Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned Hawk). We will be on
the lookout for these, and others, as we explore the park.
We will be base at a comfortable lodge within walking distance of the many of the trails we will be exploring.
Breakfast will be at the lodge whereas lunch and dinner will be at local restaurants. On days with early morning
starts, we will pick-up breakfast at a local café.
Day 7 Yoho National Park
Yoho National Park is located along the western slopes of the Canadian Rocky Mountains in the province of
British Columbia. The eastern end of the park sits on the Continental Divide where water flows east via the Bow
River towards the Atlantic Ocean and west via the Kicking Horse River and Columbia River to the Pacific Ocean.
It is the smallest of the contiguous parks of Banff, Jasper and Kootenay, and has an intimate feel even though
packed with spectacular snow-capped mountains, waterfalls, raging rivers, glacier lakes and 400 kilometres of
hiking trails.
From our lodge in Banff we will make an early start and
head west towards the park with a brief stop at The
Natural Bridge en route, a beautiful area of rushing blue
rivers, waterfalls and a natural arch. Next, we will move on
to Emerald Lake, the largest of Yoho’s lakes and a great
place for wildlife. Trees found here are more typical of
British Columbia’s wet interior forests, such as Western
Red Cedar, Western Yew, Western Hemlock and Western
White Pine. A variety of microclimates suit a collection of
sensitive plant species including Yellow Lady Slipper,
Calypso and Spotted Orchids. Our walk around the lake
should yield birds with a more “western” flavour such as MacGillivray’s and Townsend’s Warblers and Pileated
Woodpecker. American Black Bears are regularly seen in this area, along with Moose and Rocky Mountain Elk.
Least Chipmunks and American Red Squirrels can be especially confiding here. While extremely rare, American
Marten are reported more regularly from this site than any other, and American Three-toed Woodpecker are often
found flaking bark from trees in their search for food.
Next, we will hike to Takakkaw Falls, the second highest in Canada at 384 metres (1,260 feet) tall. This hike takes
us deep into the forest and gives us a chance of a close encounters with the beautiful Varied Thrush and the
Mountain Bluebird
Black Bear
The Wildlife of the Canadian Rockies Tour Itinerary
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possibility of Red-backed Voles which can often be seen scurrying between their dens amongst the trees. Lunch
will be taken a short drive away at a nearby bistro.
After lunch, we will make our way to a nearby lake for a late afternoon stroll. This lake is one of the few places in
Canada where all six species of North American swallows can be found together, providing us with an excellent
opportunity to compare them at close range. On the way back to the lodge, we will take a short wildlife drive to a
higher elevation area where Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep are regularly seen. We will end the day with dinner
will be back at our lodge in Banff.
Day 8 Icefields Parkway
Linking Lake Louise with Jasper is one of the most beautiful roads in the world – the Icefields Parkway. This is a
232 kilometre stretch of highway which winds along the Continental Divide through soaring rocky mountain peaks,
icefields and vast sweeping valleys. Along the way are multiple glaciers, waterfalls, rock spires, emerald lakes, hiking
trails into the wilderness and lots of exciting wildlife. Our journey along the Parkway will take us all day, but we
will stop regularly to enjoy the many highlights of this spectacular drive. We will take an easy walk to Howse Pass
Overlook to search for butterflies and spruce wood specialties including as Spruce Grouse and visit Peyto Lake
for incredible views of its aquamarine water surrounded by dramatic mountains.
We will also hike the Wilcox Pass trail which offers easy access to alpine meadows and incredible views of the
peaks and glaciers on the eastern edge of the Columbia Icefield, particularly the Athabasca Glacier. Rocky
Mountain Bighorn Sheep, particularly rams, frequent the pass and can sometimes be seen on the south-facing
slopes enjoying the sun. Golden-mantled and Columbian Ground-squirrels call out the danger of our approach in
a steady ‘Eeep! Eeep!’, whilst birds to look out for include Clark’s Nutcracker, Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned
Kinglets, Chipping Sparrow, ‘Timberline’ Brewer’s Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, and Yellow-rumped
Warbler.
Peyto Lake
The Wildlife of the Canadian Rockies Tour Itinerary
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Day 9 – 10 Jasper National Park
Extending over 11,000 square kilometres, Jasper National Park is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies.
It contains a wonderful variety of habitats, supporting 53 species of mammals and over 260 species of bird. Both
American Black and Grizzly Bear sightings are common, and we will use our two full days here to seek out any
wildlife that we have not yet seen well. Photography opportunities abound in Jasper National Park, and in addition
to the mountains, we will visit Jasper’s deepest canyon, Maligne Canyon, which is supremely photogenic.
Waterfalls, fossils, potholes, underground stream outlets, lush plant life and breeding Northern Ravens are just
some of the features of this impressive canyon. The churning water has worn the canyon to only two metres across
at some points but to a depth of more than 50 metres! We will walk to the upper reaches of the canyon, crossing
six bridges along the way, to look for the Black Swifts that nest here in small numbers.
After the long drive along the Icefield Parkway it is fortunate that
most of the best wildlife viewing areas in Jasper National Park are
close to town. If the weather permits, we will spend a morning
on Whistlers Mountain, taking a seven-minute gondola ride to
near the summit for incredible views of the surrounding Rocky
Mountains. We will have an optional walk to the summit itself at
2,450 metres, as well as exploring other alpine areas nearby. Our
main avian goal here is to find the elusive, but approachable,
White-tailed Ptarmigan, the smallest member of its family. As
well as a myriad of alpine flowers, other wildlife at this elevation
may include Gray-crowned Rosy-finch, Horned Lark, American Pipit, Hoary Marmot, American Pika, and Golden-
mantled Ground-squirrel. After lunch, down time for those who wish, and dinner in a local restaurant, will make
a special trip to an American Beaver lodge to watch these industrious rodents go about their daily business of
wetland creation. We will have breakfasts at our lodge, and take lunches and dinners at restaurants in Jasper.
Day 11 Icefields Parkway
After our last breakfast in Jasper, we will start the 4-hour drive back
south along the Icefields Parkway, while keeping our eyes peeled for
wildlife and photography opportunities along the way. We will break
the drive with a stop at the Angel Glacier where we will walk a short
trail across a rocky moraine that allows views of Mount Edith Cavell.
The Angel Glacier is very active, and we may see falling boulders and
avalanches of snow and ice across the valley from the viewpoint. We
will make a variety of other stops along the drive and will likely take
lunch at a ‘pub’ at the halfway point.
Depending on the weather, we may also choose to hike the Parker Ridge trail to view the longest glacier in the
Canadian Rockies, the Saskatchewan Glacier. We will then continue our drive south to Kananaskis Country, where
we will stay in a comfortable lodge with mountain views for two nights. Dinner will be taken in nearby Canmore.
White-tailed Ptarmigan
Golden-mantled Squirrel
The Wildlife of the Canadian Rockies Tour Itinerary
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Day 12 Kananaskis Provincial Park & Highwood Valley
Kananaskis is a spectacular provincial park
west of Calgary. It is generally less crowded
than Banff and Jasper National Parks and is a
great place to look for both Moose and
Grizzly Bear.
Today we will take a wildlife drive deep into
the back-country along dirt roads. We will
start early in order to reach a site where
Moose regularly gather at dawn before
heading into the woods for the day to feed. We will then continue our wildlife drive, looking particularly for bears,
and other large mammals such as Rocky Mountain Elk, Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, Coyote and much more.
The drive will take us up the highest paved road in Canada (at 2,210 meters) to Highwood Pass and beyond. The
pass offers spectacular photographic opportunities, and if the weather is cooperative, we may choose to take several
short walks to a variety of locations attractive to wildlife along this route.
After our morning wildlife drive, we will stop for tea and lunch at a nearby café before visiting Bow Valley
Provincial Park. This reserve, one of the region’s top wildlife hotspots, is located immediately east of the Front
Range of the Rocky Mountains. Here there are extensive grasslands, mixed woodlands of Aspen and White Spruce,
and large areas dominated by Lodgepole Pine with small pockets of Douglas Fir and Limber Pine. Aquatic habitats
are well-represented with beaver ponds, freshwater springs, small lakes and rivers. The park is an excellent location
for uncommon warblers (especially during migration), and is also the closest location to Calgary where the tiny
Calliope Hummingbird, North America’s smallest bird, regularly occurs.
Day 13 Depart Calgary
On our last morning in Canada we will walk into Canmore town and along Policeman’s Creek boardwalk trail, a
wonderful location to look for a variety of wildfowl (including Common and Barrow’s Goldeneyes and Harlequin
Duck), waders, warblers and raptors. We will also checkout the local hummingbird feeders in town for Rufous
Hummingbird and the occasional Calliope Hummingbird.
After going back to our hotel and checking out, we next drive east along the Sibbald Creek Trail. This 37 kilometre
dirt road within the foothills ecological region offers year-round birding and mammal viewing, highlighted by the
possibility of finding day-roosting owls including Great-Horned, Barred and a small chance of Great Gray Owl.
The diversity of habitats along this route provides us with a final chance of seeing a wide variety of birds such as
flycatchers, migrant warblers, sparrows and most of the common prairie ducks. Along this route we commonly
see Red Squirrels, but other mammals such as Mule Deer, Moose, Coyote and American Black Bear are also
possible.
All too soon, however, we will need to return Calgary Airport for our early evening flight home.
Grizzly Bear
The Wildlife of the Canadian Rockies Tour Itinerary
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Day 14 Arrive London
Our flight is due to arrive into London’s Heathrow Airport mid-morning.
Grading
Grade B – Easy to moderately strenuous. We will be viewing wildlife from a mix of natural history drives and
walks. Most of the trails are well maintained, but some can be rough and steep in places. The longest single walk
will be around six miles in length on a good, but undulating, path with uphill sections. Other walks of several miles
in length are likely to be included in the itinerary in an effort to access quieter, less disturbed, areas where the
wildlife will be more abundant. As such this tour is most suitable for those with an average level of fitness who
enjoy walking.
Early starts (of between 0500 hours and 0600 hours) are essential on some of the days in order to avoid the crowds
that gather at some of the region’s more popular sites and viewpoints. The early hours are also the best time to
look for wildlife.
Weather
Although we can expect mild to warm conditions at this time of year, weather in the Canadian Rockies can be
unpredictable at times, and it will certainly be cold at higher altitudes. Afternoon rain showers are not uncommon
and the occasional rainy day is possible too. We recommend packing for all eventualities and ensure you have a
good windproof outer jacket and layers for underneath.
Food & accommodation included in the price
We use a mix of comfortable hotels, motels and lodges, all rooms having private facilities. Single occupancy can
be secured for the supplement cost outlined on our website and in our brochure. Breakfasts are included in the
tour cost, lunches, dinners and drinks are not included (see below).
Please note that the accommodation outlined above may – very occasionally – need to be amended. Replacement
hotels will always be of the same standard as the ones outlined in the itinerary and will in no way affect your
holiday. Should we have to implement any changes to the above we will notify you as soon as possible.
Extra Expenses
You will need to budget for the following additional expenses on this tour:
We have chosen to include breakfasts only; lunches and dinners will be payable locally and are not included
in the holiday cost. This allows each group member to order according to their own appetite each day, rather
than taking on three course set menus with transatlantic-sized portions for every meal! We suggest budgeting
for around C$20 per day for lunch and C$40 per day for dinner; approximately C$60 in total per person per
day would be sensible. Drinks will be extra.
The Wildlife of the Canadian Rockies Tour Itinerary
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Souvenirs, tips, any necessary visas (UK nationals do not need one) and all items of a personal nature are also
at your own expense.
Tour focus
This is a general natural history holiday focusing on the birds, mammals, other wildlife and landscapes of the
Canadian Rockies.
Guiding
This tour will be guided by expert local naturalist guides, Adam Dudley and Jane Dixon, who will meet the group
on arrival into Calgary. This holiday will not be accompanied by a tour leader from the UK.
Your safety & security
Risks to your safety and security are an unavoidable aspect of all travel and the best current advice on such risks is
provided for you by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). In order to assess and protect against any
risks in your chosen destination, it is essential that you refer to the Foreign Office website – www.gov.uk/foreign-
travel-advice/canada or telephone 0870 6060290 prior to travel.
How to book your place
In order to book a place on this holiday, you will need to read the Naturetrek terms and conditions in the back of
our brochure or on our website, and then book either online at www.naturetrek.co.uk, by calling us on 01962
733051, or by completing and returning the booking form in the brochure together with a deposit of 20% of the
holiday cost. If you do not have a copy of this brochure, please call us on 01962 733051.
Receive our e-newsletter
Join the Naturetrek e-mailing list and be the first to hear about new tours, additional departures and new dates,
tour reports and special offers. Visit www.naturetrek.co.uk to sign up.
Images courtesy of A Dudley, J Dixon and under licence from Shutterstock Ltd.
