Canada Rockies actionchallenge on the This stunning journey takes us deep into the Canadian Rockies to a hikers paradise. Escape the office for a week to explore wonderful scenery; from glacier-clad mountains to emerald lakes and dense conifer forests. The snow-capped peaks stand proud as we cross rolling meadows carpeted with alpine flowers and gaze out over the waters of Maligne Lake. Switchback trails take us high above the tree line to Parker Ridge where we are rewarded with fabulous views over the mighty Columbus Icefield. We walk alongside Lake Agnes emerald waters and climb high on forest trails through valleys blanketed in golden autumnal foliage. From Sunshine Village we cross the continental divide at 2,300m, entering the stunning Mt. Assiniboine National Park and into a backcountry hikers dream. Our team hikes take us along incredible trails with magnificent panoramic views over many of the Rockies most stunning vistas, from the Sentinels to Paradise Valley, the Ten Peaks and the Columbus Icefield. The mountains are rich with wildlife and spotting eagles, otters, porcupine, moose and bears is all part of the experience. Back in Calgary we celebrate our Canadian Rocky challenge with our new friends, feeling revitalised and reinvigorated by our spectacular mountain hikes. at a glance Activity: Trekking Location: The Rocky Mountains, Canada Duration: 9 days / 5 days trekking Difficulty: Moderate Distance: 52 km When: June and September 2014 / 2015 Group size: 15-25 trip highlights Towns of Banff & Jasper Trek Assiniboine National Park View the awe - inspiring Ten Peaks Discover the hidden gems of Calgary Climb the switchback trails to Parker Ridge Hike alongside the emerald waters of Lake Agnes See Sentinel Pass from Larch Valley Action Challenge have been leading inspirational team adventures across the world for individuals, private groups, charities and corporate clients since 1999. Our trips enable people to experience the world s most exhilarating locations, often in aid of charity. At the heart of every challenge is team spirit and fulfilment; together we take on once-in-a-lifetime adventures, achieve formidable goals and forge friendships for life. www.actionchallenge.com
introduction This fully-inclusive adventure to the Canadian Rockies will begin as soon as you register! You will receive a challenge pack including a training guide, kit list and discounts for all the essentials you may need. If you are raising money for a charity, we will sort out all the formalities so you can concentrate on your own preparation and fundraising. We offer pre-challenge briefings and training weekends in the UK, where you can meet our trek leaders, members of your group and others taking part in challenges around the world. On the day of departure you will meet your group and Action Challenge leader at the airport in London. Whether you re joining the challenge on your own or with others, you will instantly be made to feel welcome. As a team we will board our flight to Calgary, ready to take on the Canadian Rockies and the hiking adventure of a lifetime! June & September 2014 / 2015 Please visit our website for more details All inclusive trip cost from 2,049 Initial 399 deposit to sign up Three payment options available Please visit our website for more details brief itinerary Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Arrive in Calgary Banff & Mt. Assiniboine Park Valley of Ten Peaks Parker Ridge & Lake Agnes Jasper Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Maligne Lake Half day in Calgary Flight to UK Arrive in the UK what s included International flights Action Challenge trek leader Full support team, including local guides UK medic All accommodation All meals, except in free time Airline taxes Treated drinking water All transfers in local vehicles National Park entrance fees Celebration dinner Invitation to a challenge briefing in London Discounted training weekends in the Peak District, Snowdonia and Brecons Fitness and training guide Discounts from UK retailers Reduced rates at Nomad Travel Clinics and Masta Health We will be walking for up to 6 hours a day through rocky and hilly terrain. A good level of endurance will be necessary to deal with the undulating nature of the trek. Why not stay on after the challenge and explore some more of Canada s highlights? Extensions include: Calgary City Package Vancouver Tour Rock Mountaineer Train ride through the Rockies The summer and early autumn months are considered the best time to visit the Canadian Rockies as the climate can become extreme at other times. It is wise to expect changeable mountain weather. In general, the weather is moderate with average temperatures of 16 to 23 C.
itinerary DAY 1 - Arrive in Calgary We arrive into Calgary mid-afternoon and have a three hour drive to our hotel in Banff admiring the majestic scenery en route. In the evening we have a welcome meal, a briefing on the challenge ahead and meet our guides, before relaxing into our new surroundings. Meals: D Accom: Lodge Breakfast each morning will be in our hotel whilst lunches will be en-route. Evening meals will be at the hotel or a local restaurant, except in free time. All meals are full of carbohydrates, protein and nutrients to keep us well fuelled throughout the trip. We can cater for all dietary requirements if informed in advance. DAY 2 - Banff & Mt. Assiniboine National Park Today we transfer East to Banff National Park for our first hiking challenge. We start off at Sunshine Village following the trail as it takes us across the continental divide at a height of 2,300m and into the stunning Mt. Assiniboine National Park. This 10km route is a lovely first day of trekking allowing us to prepare for the rest of our challenge. After the trek we transfer back to Banff for the night. Meals: B,L,D Accom: Lodge Trek time: 5-6 hours DAY 3 - Valley of Ten Peaks Our hike begins at the shore of Moraine Lake, climbing steadily through forest until it opens up into the beautiful Larch Valley, with it s fall foliage of golden larches blanketing the valley sides. Ahead of us is the imposing wall beneath Sentinel Pass and a faintly seen trail switching its way to the top. From the pass we look down into Paradise Valley and the rock pinnacles known as the Sentinels. After lunch, we return to Moraine Lake with awe-inspiring views of the Ten Peaks ahead of us along the hike. We then transfer back to Lake Louise for the night. Meals: B,L,D Accom: Lodge Trek time: 5-6 hours Seven nights in alpine lodges, hostels and hotels All accommodation is on a twin/tripleshare, single-sex basis and we will pair you with someone of a similar age, where possible. If you wish to share a room with someone you are travelling with, please specify this on your registration form. If you decide that you would like to have your own room on the challenge, we can accommodate this in the majority of places. Please email us for more information DAY 4 - Parker Ridge and Lake Agnes Today s climb follows a series of switchback trails to Parker Ridge, from where we enjoy spectacular views out across the Columbus Icefield. After time for photos and a picnic lunch, we head to Lake Agnes for our afternoon hike. The trail climbs parallel to the shoreline and offers stunning views of Mount Victoria and the emerald waters of Lake Agnes herself. After the trek we transfer back to Lake Louise for a second night. Meals: B,L,D Accom: Lodge Trek time: 4-6 hours Insurance - approximately 60 Vaccinations - up to date on boosters. Tips for local staff - recommended amount 50 Airline fuel surcharge / supplement as applied by airlines. Please note that this is capped at a maximum of 150..
DAY 5 - Jasper This morning we set out for the mighty Columbus Icefield. We drive along one of the most beautiful highways in the world with its glittering glaciers, emerald lakes and dense conifer forests. In the afternoon we arrive at the mountain resort of Jasper in the Athabasca River Valley. Here, we are at the very heart of the Canadian Rockies, surrounded by majestic mountain peaks. This will be our base for two nights. Meals: B,L,D Accom: Hotel Trek time: 2-4 hours DAY 6 - Maligne Lake We start the day with a 5km trek to one of the finest views to be found in the area. From an abandoned log cabin at 2,170m, the greenish-blue waters of Maligne Lake stretch towards the hazy distance with the glacier-clad 3,000m summits rising beyond. We take an easy walk over the open meadows of this rolling mountainside, carpeted with alpine flowers during the summer months. The highest point is reached with a 500m climb to 2,600m. The rest of the day is spent exploring the shores of Maligne Lake and driving the valley road back to Jasper where we have a celebratory meal to mark the end of our treks. A kit list will be sent to you on receipt of registration. Many everyday items can be used on this challenge, and we offer a kit hire service to keep costs down. If you are planning on travelling to Canada before the challenge or wish to organise your own flights, we do offer a land only option, with a significant discount off the trip price. You will be required to meet your group at the hotel on day two of the itinerary. Please email us for more information Meals: B,L,D Accom: Hotel Trek time: 5-6 hours DAY 7 - Transfer day to Calgary Today we transfer all the way back to Calgary known as the gateway to the Rockies. We have a bit of free time in the afternoon and evening to take in the sights of Calgary before winding down and preparing for our trip home and the end of the challenge. Meals: B,L,D Accom: Hotel DAY 8 - Departure We have free time to enjoy Calgary before we transfer to the airport for our flight back to the UK. Meals: B DAY 9 - Arrive UK We arrive back in the UK after a fantastic trip. training weekends / briefings We run a number of training weekends throughout the year in the Peak District, Brecon beacons and Snowdonia. These are fully-inclusive - 2 night s accommodation and all meals. We also organise training days in London and the North and South downs. On both, you will get the chance to meet our mountain leaders and test out your kit and fitness! You will also receive an invite to a challenge briefing in central London. Alcoholic drinks Drinks and food outside of meals, other than water Personal kit / equipment Airline fuel surcharge / supplement as applied by airlines. Please note that this is capped at a maximum of 150.
payment options A REGISTRATION DEPOSIT of 399 (for 2014) is required to secure your place. We offer 2 deposit payment options: OPTION 1: Deposit paid in full, by card at the time of registration. OPTION 2: Deposit paid in two 50/50 split payments. The first 50% is paid when you register and the second is charged to your payment card at the end of the following month. For this option, a 10 supplement will be charged with the first instalment. ATOL is a scheme that protects you from losing money or being stranded abroad if your travel company collapses. Action Challenge is 100% ATOL bonded, which provides you with full financial protection. On receipt of your registration fee, you will receive an ATOL certificate explaining your protection. Once registered, there are 3 PAYMENT OPTIONS to fund the balance of the trip cost. Full details are on our website. 1) SELF FUNDED For anyone who wants to pay for the entire trip themselves. It s then completely up to you whether or not you choose to raise any money for a charity of your choice. The total all inclusive cost of this trip is 2,049 (for 2014), which, after you pay the 399 Registration Deposit, leaves a balance of 1,650. This final balance is due for payment 10 weeks before your departure along with any fuel surcharges levied by the airline. 2) SPONSORSHIP FUNDED This is for anyone who wants to take on this challenge and will link it with fundraising a significant sum of money for a charity of their choice. You would have to raise at least 3,300 (for 2014) via sponsorship and donations from friends, family and colleagues, and be confident at the outset that you can achieve this total. Pay the Registration Deposit and nominate a charity to fundraise for. All fundraising goes directly to your charity and providing that you raise at least 3,300 (for 2014), your charity will pay for the balance of your trip costs to Action Challenge. That balance, paid by your charity, is 1,650 (the same as if you were you were Self Funded ) - the charity will retain at least 1,650 to help fund their work. You will have to pay any airline fuel surcharges 10 weeks prior to departure. how to book To book on to this challenge, please visit our website; www.actionchallenge.com for a full list of prices and all available dates. private groups If you are a charity, business, school or private group with a minimum of 10 people and fancy your own bespoke trip, please call us on +44(0)20 7609 6695 or you can send us an email to events@actionchallenge.com for more information. 3) MIXED FUNDED A mix of the 2 options above! You pay about half the trip cost yourself, and also fundraise for your charity. They pay the remaining balance of your trip costs. Ideal for anyone who wants to take on the challenge and also fundraise for a charity, BUT is happy to pay a reasonable proportion of the trip cost themselves, which with your registration deposit, is set at a level that covers at least the costs of flights & accommodation; perfect for those who feel more at ease asking for sponsorship in respect to the challenge component of their trip. Pay the Registration Deposit and nominate a charity to fundraise for. All fundraising goes directly to your charity and providing that you raise at least 2,475 (for 2014), your charity will pay a portion of your trip cost to Action Challenge. That balance, paid by your charity, is 1,000. At the same time, you will be required to pay the remaining balance yourself, which will be a figure of 650 (These two amounts addd up to the same as the Self Funded final balance) - the charity will retain at least 1,475 to help fund their work. You will have to pay any airline fuel surcharges 10 weeks prior to departure. @actionchallenge www.facebook.com/actionchallenge Action Challenge UK Ltd United House North Road London N7 9DP United Kingdom