Transfer Option:

While we have a route planned at the outset of every trip, changes are sometimes forced upon us by weather, bear activity or other environmental hazards. The guides reserve the option of changing the day's activity from the published schedule based on any concern they have for the safety of the party. In these cases, various alternatives will normally be presented to the group and a decision made in consultation with them.

Sample Itinerary
Day 1 Transfer at 4:00 PM from the Calgary airport to Bragg Creek. Meet and greet at ranch. Review the week's schedule and issue kit. Transfer to B&B. Dinner (not included) and overnight in local B&B.

Day 2  After grooming and tacking your horse we leave the ranch and head out west through meadows, forests and creeks and reach our first camp in the afternoon.

Day 3  A long day in the saddle awaits the group. We pack up camp and ride further west, leaving the foothills into the Rocky Mountains. This is a very scenic and breathtaking ride with nice canters and trots as well as fantastic views. We arrive at our second camp in the valley of the Elbow River in late afternoon.

Day 4+5 We don't have to pack up camp for the next two days. There are a variety of scenic trails in the area we can choose from - all of them have their own beauty and fascination.

Day 6  We pack up camp and head further west over Tombstone Pass into the valley of the Little Elbow. We are now higher and deeper in the Rocky Mountains, more remote and off beaten tracks. We arrive in the third camp late in the afternoon. This will be our base camp for the following 3 nights.

Day 7 After breakfast we can ride up to Talus Lake, which is at the treeline and means a steep climb for the horses. The last km we have to do on foot as it gets too rugged for a horse to walk. We have lunch at the shores of the lake and you can go for a swim before we return to camp.

Day 8  The high point of the trip awaits you today. We attempt to climb up the High Pass, which at 8500 ft is well above the tree line. Bring your camera!

Day 9 We pack up camp and ride down the valley to the trailhead where the truck and trailer will meet us in the early afternoon. We return to the ranch where you can enjoy a hot shower and the farewell dinner.

Day 10  Departure Day. After breakfast we take you back to Calgary

Elevations range between 4400' at the Ranch, to over 8400' at Paradise Pass. Routes may vary due to a variety of natural conditions..

There are some trails we use where it is necessary to hike over rocky terrain, either to avoid undue risk or to enjoy a vista that cannot be ridden to. For most people this is a refreshing change that allows them to stretch their legs. We recommend that you bring or wear comfortable footwear that you can hike for a kilometer or two in. A reasonable level of personal fitness is required.

Subject to change

On day 1 you will receive a kit bag with  sleeping bag and mat.

We suggest to bring:

• 2 pair of jeans or riding pants
• 3 long sleeve shirts
• fleece or Sweater (fleece is lighter)
• jacket or vest as wind breaker
• brimmed hat (protects from rain, sun and low branches)
• healed, ankle-high, water-repellant boots
• gloves
• toque (warm hat)
• warm socks (1 pair per day)
• underwear (1 set per day)
• towel and swimsuit (optional)
• personal hygiene items
• comfortable campshoes
• warm underwear
• camera (please not that there is no possibility to charge batteries!)
• flashlight
• knife
• chaps (if available)

If you have any medical condition like allergies, or are on medication, please tell your guide. Food preferences and intolerances should be specified before the trip.

These items are available to rent if you don't have your own:

• rainwear (oil-skin slicker)
• sturdy duffelbag

Weight of Gear
Because everything must be loaded on pack-horses, guests must pack their gear in 1 standard sized duffel bag, weighing no more than 25 lbs (11 kg) - not including what you wear and carry on your saddle horse.
If you have luggage that is not required for the horse trip you may leave that at the B & B.

Saddle bags
Your trailhorse will have 2 saddlebags tied to the saddle. One is for your personal items to carry on the trail, such as camera, sun protection, water bottle, extra layer of clothes, etc. The other bag is reserved for "group items" such as lunch or first aid kit. Your rainwear will also travel with you tied behind the saddle.

The ranch lies in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, 13 km south of the picturesque hamlet of Bragg Creek and roughly 60 kilometers southwest of Calgary - a wilderness area stretching to the Continental Divide.

The trip includes all meals. You will stay 2 nights in the guesthouse at the ranch, and camp 7 nights.

Starting in spring 2009 we are offering accommodation in our recently finished guesthouse right at the ranch. Overlooking the horse pasture and riding ring, the "loft" is equipped with a full kitchen, spacious common area, two bathrooms and 5 well appointed bedrooms. Packtrip guests will spend their first and last nights in this cozy lodging.

On the camping portion of the trip, we will either sleep in large tents (up to 7 per tent), or leantos to enjoy the night sky whenever practical. Sometimes we are treated to a display of the Northern lights by doing so. If privacy is a major concern for you it is best tell us early so we can plan accordingly. We have found that most people are happy to sleep in close proximity to each other when in the wild.

This vacation is for riders with moderate or better experience and a keen sense of adventures. Four to seven hours per day will be spent on trail, though people wishing to spend a day or two doing other activities such as hiking or relaxing will have that option. The horses have been chosen for their endurance, spirit, and sure-footedness in the mountains. Since the pack train uses different trails we will often canter where the trail is suitable. The guests are expected to help in tending to the horses and other camp duties. Most horses will be fitted with western style saddles but those with a distinct preference for English riding may be accommodated. This trip is designed for keen riders who are up to the challenge of covering between 170 and 200 km of rugged mountain trails.

There are some trails we use where it is necessary to hike over rocky terrain, either to avoid undue risk or to enjoy a vista that cannot be ridden to. For most people this is a refreshing change that allows them to stretch their legs. We recommend that you bring or wear comfortable footwear that you can hike for a kilometer or two in.
 

Tack:		Western
Horses:		Canadian, Arab, Missouri Foxtrotters, Paints and Quarter horses
Pace:		Moderate pace. Slow in the mountains, but nice opportunities for faster paced riding across open meadows, 4 -7 hours per day. Some dense forest areas and extreme steep and rocky terrain sections. | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(3 to 3 out of 5)     Intermediate
Weight:		Max 220 lb
Riders:		Min 3 riders	Max 7 riders

This vacation is for riders with moderate or better experience and a keen sense of adventures. Four to seven hours per day will be spent on trail, though people wishing to spend a day or two doing other activities such as hiking or relaxing will have that option. The horses have been chosen for their endurance, spirit, and sure-footedness in the mountains. Since the pack train uses different trails we will often canter where the trail is suitable. The guests are expected to help in tending to the horses and other camp duties. Most horses will be fitted with western style saddles but those with a distinct preference for English riding may be accommodated. This trip is designed for keen riders who are up to the challenge of covering between 170 and 200 km of rugged mountain trails.

There are some trails we use where it is necessary to hike over rocky terrain, either to avoid undue risk or to enjoy a vista that cannot be ridden to. For most people this is a refreshing change that allows them to stretch their legs. We recommend that you bring or wear comfortable footwear that you can hike for a kilometer or two in.
 

Passports
Passport valid for at least one day beyond the intended departure date from Canada required by all nationals referred to in the chart except the following:
(a) 1. Canadian citizens holding a Canadian Certificate of Identity, Canadian birth certificate or a certificate of Canadian citizenship;
(b) permanent residents of Canada with proof of status, ie Permanent Resident Card, Record of Landing, Returning Resident Permit or a Refugee Travel Document issued by the government of Canada to refugees who have been resettled in Canada;
(c) 2. citizens of the USA holding proof of citizenship (eg US birth certificate or US naturalisation papers).
Note: As of 23 January 2007 all persons, including US citizens, travelling by air between the USA and Canada, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport or other approved document when entering or re-entering the USA. Similar requirements for those travelling by land or sea will be introduced as early as 1 January 2008. For further details about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, visit the website of the US Department of State: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html.
(d) persons entering from St Pierre & Miquelon or the USA who are legal permanent residents of the USA and hold a US alien registration card (Green Card);
(e) 3. citizens of France who are residents of and entering from St Pierre & Miquelon.
Note: (a) Children under 18 years must have information with them on the people responsible for their welfare, if travelling alone; this includes a letter of permission to travel from guardian(s), and also a letter from the custodian in Canada. (b) Depending on circumstance and nationality, certain applicants may need to undergo a medical examination in order to receive their visas; this must be carried out by a physician on Canada's list of Designated Medical Practitioners.
Passport Note
Visitors to Canada must satisfy an examining officer at the Port of Entry that they are genuine visitors, in good health, with no criminal convictions, and have sufficient funds to maintain themselves during their stay in Canada and to return to their country of origin, as well as evidence of confirmed onward reservations out of Canada. Persons under 18 years of age who are unaccompanied by an adult should bring with them a letter from a parent or guardian giving them permission to travel to Canada.

Identity/travel documents issued to non-national residents of the country of issue, refugees or stateless persons are recognised for travel to Canada.

Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in chart above (visitor or transit) for stays of up to six months except the following:
(a) 4. holders of passports endorsed ‘British Subjects’ and ‘British Protected Persons’;
(b) 5. nationals of Bulgaria and Romania;
(c) those visiting Canada who, during that visit, also visit the USA or St Pierre & Miquelon (a French Overseas Territory) and return directly to Canada as visitors within the period authorised on their initial entry (or any extension thereto).

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the high commission to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Visa Note
The Government of Canada refuses admission to: (a) holders of passports issued by the UK Government entitled 'British Temporary Resident's Passport'.

(a) A single-entry visa is still valid if used to visit the USA. (b) Persons wishing to attend a course of six months duration or less, at any level, do not require a study permit. However, if there is the possibility that you will extend your period of study in Canada, or if you are a full time student and wish to work on campus, you may apply for a study permit.
Types of Visa and Cost
Visitor: C$75 (single-entry); C$150 (multiple-entry). Family: C$400 (for families of six or more persons). Transit: free. Transit visas are necessary for all nationals who require a visitor visa. Although transit visas are not required by British citizens, they may be required by foreign nationals with British passports; check with the embassy or high commission for details. For further information on payment methods, contact the high commission. Prices are subject to frequent change.
Validity
Up to six months depending on circumstances of individual applicant. The determination regarding length of stay in Canada can only be decided by the examining officer at the port of entry, but visas cannot exceed the validity of the passport and cannot be longer than five years. If no actual departure date is indicated within the visitor’s passport, then the visitor will be required to depart within three months from the date of entry. Visitors must effect their departure from Canada on or before the date authorised by the examining officer on arrival. If an extension of stay is desired, an application must be made in writing to the nearest Canada Immigration Centre at least three weeks before the expiry of the visitor visa. Multiple-entry visas cannot be valid longer than passport. Transit visas are only allocated if a national's flight/onward journey is continuing within 24 hours. Single-entry visas can be used multiple times by nationals of St Pierre & Miquelon and the USA.
Applications to:
Consulate (or consular section at embassy or high commission)
Working Days Required
10 days are required from receiving applications, but applications should be made at least one month prior to the intended date of departure. Certain nationals are subject to longer processing times. For urgent applications it is advised to apply in person. Same-day processing is available for applications made in person and 24-hour processing for those using the drop-in service.