British Columbia, Canada -
The Great North
High School student travel and adventure PrograM
July 9 - July 23, 2020
July 26 - August 9, 2020
High school students can travel from sea to sky on our 15-day ultimate adventure through British Columbia and Alberta. Kayak across pristine alpine lakes, learn to climb on beautiful granite rocks, traverse through ponderosa pine forests, and experience Canada's most beautiful National Parks. Learn about the Native people of Canada and the cultural significance of the land at the Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum and Whyte Museum. Try classic Canadian treats like a Nanaimo Bar or tasty fry bread called Sweet Bannock – a staple of the Indigenous people of Canada. You won't want to miss this new Road Less Traveled adventure!
My favorite adventure of the trip was white water rafting. There was a moment we all got out of the rafts and swam in the stillness of the river. The clear sky was pure blue, birds were chirping, and I remember laying on my back, allowing the flow of the river to carry my weight. When people say, “go to your happy place,” this memory is what I recall when I close my eyes." -RLT alumna
Keep scrolling to learn more about this student travel and adventure program in British Columbia!
Highlights
British Columbia // You Don't Want To Miss...
#1 Thompson River
Kick off on an epic adventure rafting on the iconic Thompson River. Nestled within Lytton, British Columbia, you'll conquer 18 rapids along the desert-like wilderness.
#2 Mount Begbie Falls
Enjoy the cool waters of Begbie Falls after following the 4 mile forest trail situated between Upper Arrow Lake and Mount Begbie. Views surely won't disappoint!
#3 BC Wildlife Park
See Arctic Wolves, Cougars, Grizzly Bears, Great Gray Owls, and more when you visit BC Wildlife Park! Learn about their conservation and research efforts with Eastern Grey Squirrels, Orphan Badgers, and the Burrowing Owl.
#4 Moraine Lake
This crystal clear lake's delicate turquoise coloring almost perfectly matches the sky. Cross the cool blue waters by kayak or canoe and experience the refreshing glacial waters in Banff National Park.
#5 Lake Louise
Lake Louise is one of the most beautiful natural sites in Canada. Situated within the limits of Banff National Park, you'll enjoy dramatic views of peaks and glaciers while you cool off in the pristine waters.
#6 Squamish and Howe Sound
Take the fast track to the clouds on the Sea to Sky Gondola. Grand views of Howe Sound with Serratus Mountain and Mt Tantalus await you at the top.
#7 Rock Climbing
Beautiful views of Howe Sound and easily accessible crags make Squamish a rock climbers dream destination. Beginners and experienced climbers will see what makes Squamish stand above the rest.
#8 Sea Kayaking
Hit the water and paddle your way around the southernmost Fjords of North America. Learn the history of the Squamish and Shishalh cultures while observing the indigenous plants and wildlife.
#9 Little Beehive Trail - Banff
Hike to the top of Beehive and take in views of the bright turquoise Lake Louise from a different angle, seeing Mirror Lake and Lake Agnes along the way.
Hold your spot now. Click here to enroll!
Overview
Activities
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Whitewater Raft: Thompson River
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Hike: Banff National Park, Mount Begbie Falls
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Aerial Course: Sky Trek Adventure Park
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Canoe/Kayak/Sup: Moraine Lake, Lake Louise
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Rock Climbing: Squamish
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Explore: Banff National Park, BC Wildlife Park, Glacier National Park
Completing Grades
8-12
Days
15
Accommodations
We sleep in tents, shower about every three to five days, and use latrines or flush toilets as bathrooms.
Tuition (Airfare and baggage fees not included)
$4,895
Arrive/Depart
Arrive: Vancouver (YVR) Depart: Calgary (YYC)
A leader-escorted round-trip flight will be available (but not required) for those travelers who wish to fly with a leader. Please contact our office for details.
Click here to sign up
Itinerary
Arrival (Day 1):
Arrive in Vancouver, British Columbia. Transfer to campground in Squamish.
Explore Squamish (Days 2-3):
We’ll kick off our adventure at sea level as we kayak across Howe Sound, one of North America’s southernmost fjords, as we get our first look at the rich plant and animal life of British Columbia. Day 3 will be spent learning to rock climb on the immense granite rock of Squamish Chief Mountain.
White Water Rafting and Hiking (Days 4-5):
Our next camping location is the town of Lytton, founded during the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush. Raft the iconic Thompson River and hike in Stein Valley Nlaka’pamux Heritage Park.
Adventure in Revelstoke (Days 6-8):
Transfer to Revelstoke and stop at the BC Wildlife Park along the way. In Revelstoke we’ll hike to Mount Begbie Falls and conquer an aerial course in an old-growth forest.
Hike, Bike, Paddle (Days 9-14):
Finally, what we’ve all been waiting for! We make our way to see the unsurpassed beauty of Banff National Park. With mountain peaks as high as the sky and turquoise lakes fed by ancient glaciers, Banff is a premier destination for exploring pristine wilderness. We’ll paddle the calm waters of Moraine Lake and peddle our way around the park by bike. With Jasper National Park in close proximity, our options for hiking are endless with trails for every experience level. Celebrate on the final night with a classic campfire meal under the stars.
Closing (Day 15):
Homeward Bound – Board our flights home from Calgary, Alberta.
Need To Know!
Traveler’s Health
The Road Less Traveled does not require any vaccinations or immunizations to travel with us, other than an up-to-date tetanus shot or booster (within the last nine years).
Day-To-Day Calendar
For an emailed copy of this program’s day-to-day calendar, please call our office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CST at 773-342-5200 and we’ll happily send you one!
General Travel Info
It is imperative that no one make any travel arrangements until RLT provides instructions for specific arrival and departure time windows. Those details are typically released in mid-spring.
Families are individually responsible for booking their own airfare to get their student from home to the starting destination on the first day of the trip, and from the ending destination back home on the last day of the trip.
This program offers an optional leader-escorted flight for those families who are interested.
If you wish to have your participant fly directly into the starting location, please call the office for details.
Hold your spot now. Click here to sign up
