Canada Adventure Trip Overview

Western Canada is a land like nowhere else in the world. From the pristine alpine lakes of Alberta to the towering peaks of British Columbia, this road trip stretches across two incredible Canadian provinces. Hike through lush forest, soak in hot springs, and trek across glaciers in stunning Banff National Park in Alberta. In beautiful British Columbia horseback ride through glacial carved valleys, mountain bike down the best trails in Canada at Whistler and zip-line through coastal mountain forests. There’s no end to the outdoor adventure from white water rafting the Kicking Horse River to riding the gondola on Blackcomb Glacier. Visit a wolf sanctuary to learn about conservation efforts!

This summer program for high school students is the perfect combination of natural beauty and adventure activities to discover the best Western Canada has to offer!

Price

$4995 + Airfare

Departures
  • Jun 29 - Jul 9 Available
Days

11 Days

Finishing Grades

9, 10, 11

Who Can Go On This Trip?

Students from around the world!

Places We Visit

Calgary, Banff, Yoho, Golden, Revelstoke, Kamloops, Whistler, Vancouver

Arrival Airport

Calgary (YYC)

Departure Airport

Vancouver (YVR)

Countries

Canada

During this program, you will…

  • Hike around alpine lakes in Banff National Park
  • Drive the Icefields Parkway; one of the most scenic drives in North America
  • Whitewater raft the Kicking Horse River
  • Visit a wolf sanctuary and learn about wolf conservation efforts
  • Visit a Canadian ranch and get a taste for western life
  • Zip-line through coastal mountain forest
  • Ride the gondola on Blackcomb Glacier

 

Trip Itinerary

DAY 1: ARRIVE IN CALGARY (YYC)

Land in Calgary, Alberta, home to the 1988 Winter Olympics! We’ll stay downtown and walk to a delicious dinner before having our first meeting in Prince’s Island Park next to the Bow River.

DAYS 2-3: BANFF

Home to two of Canada’s most popular National Parks, Alberta is the perfect place to kick off your Canadian adventure! Leave the bustling city of Calgary behind to spend the first full day in the charming town of Banff. Located within the boundaries of the National Park, this small township is surrounded by natural beauty. The peaks of the Canadian Rockies frame the scene from all directions and wildlife such as moose can sometimes be seen walking down Main Street! Deep inside the park, you’ll find the famous teal waters of Lake Louise and the quaint Lake Agnes Tea house just a short hike up the hillside. At Moraine Lake, Hike or choose to canoe around the lake in the incredible Valley of the Ten Peaks. As you head north out of Banff towards Jasper, you’ll ride along the magnificent Icefields Parkway, rated as one of the best drives in the world!

DAYS 4-5: GOLDEN

From Jasper we’ll head into British Columbia to the adventure haven of Golden. The Kicking Horse River runs through town, making it the perfect place to stay for the ultimate whitewater rafting experience! Even without the rapids, the river itself is a spectacle worth seeing. Bright blue water rushes through sturdy green forests where bear and deer can be spotted on the shores! If by now you haven’t satisfied your desire to see wildlife, we’ll head to a wolf conservation center to learn about these majestic animals and see them in their natural environment.

DAY 6: KAMLOOPS

As we make our way across the province of British Columbia, there’s no better place to stop than in Kamloops! Beautiful lakes and rivers welcome us as well as the opportunity to ride horses through the stunning valleys of BC.

DAYS 7-9: WHISTLER

Upon arriving in Whistler you’ll dive right into the action. Take the gondola up the mountain to access some of the best downhill mountain biking trails in North America. You’ll get small group lessons from a trained professional catered to enhance pre-existing skills or start from scratch for beginners! Safety is a top priority and plenty of fun will be had on the back country trails! Biking is not mandatory and those who choose not to bike will have other hiking options instead.

While in Whistler we will also hike to Alexander Falls, hike and swim in Lost Lake, zipline from peak to peak and even get the chance to take the gondola on Blackcomb Glacier! We will visit Whistler Olympic Park, where you can live your winter Olympic dreams, and Blackcomb Adventure Zone.

DAY 10: VANCOUVER

We end our adventure in the bustling city of Vancouver, nestled in the corner of British Columbia and surrounded by dramatic mountains and the beautiful Pacific ocean. Take in the sites of this multicultural mecca and reminisce about the incredible Canadian road trip you just undertook!

DAY 11: DEPART FROM VANCOUVER (YVR)

Ready For Your Next Adventure?

Space is limited, reserve your spot! Then get ready for an authentic teen travel experience this summer!

Photo Gallery

Authenticity is ingrained in everything we do. Eat, stay, and travel like a local.

Check out what past travelers have to say about TFT and discover why we are consistently awarded “Top Youth Travel Organization” year after year.

 

"I wanted to let you know how appreciative I am for being such an amazing guide and counselor for the Canada trip teens. Ella had an awesome experience and will always remember this solo trip she engaged in. There were so many things she enjoyed and more importantly learned."

Heather S. San Diego, CA

"I can’t thank TFT enough! Hannah had an amazing time and she’s so happy. What a fabulous experience it was for her. As a parent, it made me so happy to see her that way. Larry and Sophie were great leaders and took such good care of the kids. Hannah is my first child to do a teen tour and this experience exceeded my expectations. I did not expect to receive the daily email updates and photos and I loved them. It gave me a lot of comfort knowing she was in good hands. Thank you so much for your hard work! We appreciate it so much!"

Karen M. Atlanta, GA

"Thank you. We look forward to hearing about the trip, new friends and seeing more pics. Taylor had an amazing experience this year. Thanks for all your help/guidance."

Gail D. Roslyn Heights, NY

Travel with us and discover why we are consistently winning awards for Top Youth Travel Organization.

Who can go on this program? What kind of teen typically goes on this program?

Teens from all over the world join this program! Typically, our participants are culturally curious  individuals who are excited to make new friends, experience something unique, and interested in stepping out of their comfort zones and expanding their horizons.

This program is exclusively for students who are currently in grades 9th through 11th and approximately 14 to 17 years old. Students living outside of the USA are welcome to join!

Where do we stay?

Our hotels are specifically chosen to be in safe areas and well-suited to facilitating group supervision. We stay in centrally located accommodations, usually within walking distance of the main attractions. This means we do not use large, impersonal chain hotels on the outskirts of cities. We prefer to select smaller, family-run hotels where we establish personal relationships with the owners.

All accommodations on this trip have been selected to ensure quality while still maintaining the character of the places we are visiting.

This program does not involve camping.

For safety reasons, we do not publish the names of the accommodations we use. We do not feel it is safe to publish the name of a hotel where a group of teenagers is staying abroad. After registering, participants and parents are given access to our secure parent website where you will be able to see the names of all of the accommodations for a trip.

Do most travelers go on their own?

Yes! In fact, over 75% of students who travel with us choose to come independently. This encourages teens to step further outside their comfort zone and make new friends. We believe that one of the most rewarding and exciting elements of travel is the new friendships that form along the way. When we travel by ourselves, we are bound to make new friends from all over the country and even the world. The best part is, you can travel again with your new friends on another TFT program the next summer!

If you are thinking about joining a TFT program by yourself but you are feeling unsure, please let us know! We have plenty of references from solo travelers who had great experiences and would be happy to chat with you about it.

Can I bring a friend?

Absolutely! We ask that if you do come with a friend, you and your friend(s) maintain openness to meeting new people and sharing this special experience with the entire group.

What do students like most about the Canada Adventure trip?

Students love that they are able to explore two of Canada’s greatest provinces. On Canada Adventure you see some of the most beautiful sights in Canada in only 11 days.

What is unique about the Canada Adventure trip?

Canada Adventure is built for exploration. We visit some of the most stunning sites in Western Canada, with a variety of activities peppered into the itinerary so that there’s something new every day.

What is included?

Ground transportation, accommodations, all breakfasts and dinners, chaperones and guides, program related activities, program related activity admissions, taxes and tips.

Not included in cost (this not intended to be an exhaustive list): airfare; visas and visa application fees; lunches; personal and medical expenses; activities and admissions that are not program-related or referenced in the itinerary; beverages other than filtered water at meals; participant expenses that are outside of the program description, such as excess baggage fees and damage to hotels; expenses related to unforeseen circumstances, such as transportation strikes and natural disasters.

What is the average group size?

We pride ourselves on small group sizes to create a more authentic and personalized experience. Our group sizes fall between 13 and 24 students – the perfect size to facilitate new friendships without feeling lost in a crowd! We believe smaller groups eliminate the likelihood of cliques, and allows for a well-rounded, healthy group dynamic.

Who leads the program?

Our staff is a cut above the rest! We seek out two main characteristics in our counselors – extensive knowledge of and experience in our destinations, and a passion for working with teens. Our staff’s backgrounds include living abroad and working in summer camps or other educational settings. Team members are proven leaders and role models, who connect easily with others and form genuine friendships with each student – all while bringing each destination to life.

We celebrate diversity! Our staff represents 49 different nationalities, speak a combined total of 21 languages, and visited 142 countries. Additionally, 80% of our staff lived or worked abroad in their lives. With so many unique experiences to share, you are sure to gain a global perspective.

Our average minimum ratios are one staff member to every seven participants. Each program has one Trip Director with several support staff, depending on the group size. Directors must be at least 25 years old within the calendar year and have prior experience working with TFT.

What are the safety qualifications for our staff?

Our staff members undergo a rigorous hiring process. They receive the same background check as school educators, an extensive training process to go over all safety precautions and protocols, and are required to be certified in CPR and First Aid.  We exclusively hire responsible, multi-talented individuals who are safety-minded and are as passionate about teen travel as we are.

How does this program connect to other programs?

Our program dates are designed specifically so that participants can opt to combine trips throughout the summer.  When connecting to another program, your counselor will escort you to the airport on the last day of the program and assist you in meeting your next group at your new destination.

 

What is the food like on this program?

In a word – delicious! At TFT, we believe food is an integral aspect of the travel experience, and we make an effort to eat at authentic establishments whenever possible. There is no better way to immerse ourselves in the culture of a place then through sampling the local delicacies. We stray away from westernized restaurants and chains that cater to tourists, because every true traveler knows the best food is found where the locals are eating!

Of course, you’ll try poutine, the famous fries smothered in gravy and cheese curds Canada is known for! At the ranch, you’ll be fed family style high quality home cooked meals. As we move towards the coast, salmon and other seafood specialties will be offered in abundance!

Of course, we are always willing and able to accommodate vegetarians, vegans, gluten allergies, and other dietary restrictions.

Do we ever get time to go off on our own?

Our staff and teens are nearly always together, but we do provide the opportunity to break up into smaller groups to allow for flexibility and customization within the itinerary.

We offer free time in defined safe areas – for example, shopping in a market or exploring a museum. During these times, students remain in groups of at least two and are given no more than an hour. Of course, the counselors remain nearby and available. Additionally, a lifeguard-certified counselor supervises the campers any time they are involved in water activities.

Do I need any vaccinations for this program?

We recommend checking with your family doctor regarding vaccinations and medical advice for the destination you are visiting. For more information, please check the World Health Organization’s website. Upon registration, we provide a list of recommended vaccinations that can be discussed further with your doctor. For Specific questions pertaining to the COVID-19 vaccine, click here.

What kind of visa do you need for this program?

US citizens need a passport to visit Canada.

When joining a TFT trip from outside of the US, please be sure to check your country’s specific visa requirements.

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