 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
| |
|
Holiday on horseback is pleased to offer a number of exciting and educational interpretive trips each summer featuring leading authorities on wildlife and their habitat, environmental issues, conservation, as well as a bit of fun and history.
A portion of your trip cost is donated to continuing wildlife research and conservation in Banff National Park through the University of Calgary Grizzly Study, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Friends of Banff programs.
Continuation of the Year of the Grizzly
With Dr. Mike Gibeau
6 day Wilderness Tenting ride
 |
Year 2001 was emphasized as the ‘Year of the Grizzly’. However, due to popular demand we have continued with our interpretive study of grizzlies and their habitat. Over the past 100 years of horse travel in the Rockies, we can attest to the compatibility between bears and horseback travel. Whatever the reason may be, bears take little notice of horse parties giving us an opportunity to observe them and their unique habitat.
In cooperation with Parks Canada, Dr. Mike Gibeau, one of Canada’s leading authorities on grizzlies and their environment, will accompany you on this six day trip. Mike has worked with bears in National Parks for over 30 years, first as a Park Warden, and now as a biologist. You will enjoy a horseback adventure and share in a rare opportunity spend some time in one of Canada’s prime Grizzly habitats with a professional interpretation.
This trip takes you on our Wilderness Tenting route through the tent camps of Stoney Creek, Flints Park and Mystic Valley. Each camp is set up with A-frame canvas tents with wooden floors, large cozy kitchen tents for meals and socializing, rail corrals for the horses, treated drinking water, even a shower at Flints Park!
Departure Day: Wednesday
Dates: August 26 - 31
Trip Code: 10B
Price: $1546
Mountain Photography Trip
With Raymond Gehman
 |
We are proud to announce the addition of a new interpretive photography trip this summer! Join world-renowned photographer Raymond Gehman for a 6-day Wilderness Tenting ride August 19 - 24 and share in his knowledge and experiences gained as a National Geographic photographer.
Raymond's desire is to show you how to envision and then capture a compelling and timeless image true to the National Geographic level of photography. He will share some secrets and hints for getting the most out of your artistic eye and your camera's creative potential. The abundance of spectacular scenery, wildlife, and cowboy lifestyle should provide any enthusiastic artist with incredible landscape, portrait and action photographs.
Raymond Gehman is a long-time contributor to National Geographic Magazine, Books, and Traveler Magazine as well as an expert on photographing in the Canadian Rockies. The addition of a high level photographer to our trip lineup has been in the works for a few years, we are excited to be able to offer the opportunity to ride with Raymond in 2009.
Departure Day: Wednesday
Dates: August 19 - 24
Trip Code: 9B
Price: $1546
Paws in the Wilderness
With Melanie Percy
5-day wilderness tenting ride
Wolves have always been a fascinating part of mountain life. Their presence contributes greatly to the ecology of the area while remaining mysterious and elusive towards humans. Melanie Percy, an accredited wolf researcher in the Bow Valley has been taking guests into the world of these amazing animals for the past 5 years. The ‘wolf’ trip, which was originally held in conjunction with the World Wolf Congress held in Banff in 2003, has become a popular ride on our specialty trips line-up.
Melanie’s time spent studying these animals and their interaction with other wildlife has given her a wide spectrum of knowledge regarding Grizzly & Black bears, Cougars, elk and other wildlife in the area. Melanie will teach and offer insight along the way into pup production, denning habits, high wolf use areas and the general wolf presence in the park.
Departure Day: Saturday
Dates: September 5 - 9
Trip Code: 11C
Price: $1147
Sisters in the Saddle
5-Day Lodge ride
Gather your girlfriends and meet other adventure-seeking women on this exclusive women’s only ride that enhances the bonds of women’s spirit. This 5-day ride spends days in the saddle and evenings relaxing at the cozy Sundance Lodge and rustic Halfway Lodge.
Relax in the high country of Banff National Park while enjoying a good book, a walk by a mountain stream or the camaraderie of your fellow woman adventurers. Riders can expect days of breathtaking scenery and loyal sure-footed horses while evenings are spent sharing stories of life and laughter.
Departure Day: Monday
Dates: August 17 - 21
Trip Code: 8H
Price: $1348
Family Friendly Four Day
 |
Pack up the kids for a 4-day bonding experience in the backcountry! Take advantage of children’s rates on our 2 trips especially for families this year. Our 4 day Wilderness Tenting trip has become a popular ride for parents – just the right amount of days and a completely catered camping trip into the backcountry make this ride perfect for kids.
The 4-day trip departs on Mondays and spends 1 night in each of our 3 tenting camps. Plenty of opportunity to fish and hike at the camps and lunch sites will keep the kids entertained with wholesome adventures – and will ensure a good nights sleep at days end. Hot cocoa, marshmallow roasting around the campfire and hearty home-cooked meals will fuel both parents and children for the days riding while fresh air and amazing scenery will re-fuel the soul.
The youngest we can safely accommodate is 8 years old. Children’s rates apply to kids between 8 and 14 years old, 15 and up are considered adults.
4 Day Tent:
Departure Day: Monday
Dates: July 20 - 23, August 3 - 6
Trip Code: 4A, 6A
Price: $1088 Adult, $980 Children
Wildlife Monitoring Adventure Expeditions 2010
 |
Our Adventure Expeditions will take a break in 2009 and return for the summer of 2010!
In 1992 a wildlife corridor was established in the Spray Valley, limiting human access to the area. This valley was designated a carnivore conservation area due to the large numbers of bears, cougars and wolves making home in this valley. We are pleased to offer a limited number of Adventure Expeditions through this area accompanied by a Parks Canada researcher. These interpreters will offer an inside look at the animal population of this unique corridor. These special Expedition trips give our guests the best of both worlds. It is designed for those who are specifically interested in wildlife in the park, while still being able to travel through spectacular mountain scenery. Also, a portion of the trip cost for our Wildlife monitoring trips is donated to the Grizzly Bear Research Fund.
Departure Day: Thursday
Dates: July 15-20
Trip Code: EX3
Departure Day: Thursday
Dates: September 2- 7
Trip Code: EX10
Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies
 |
The Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies is a non-profit club that has been organizing horseback trail rides in the Canadian Rockies since 1923, most often in Banff National Park. Founded during a snowstorm on Wolverine Pass, The TRCR has been a prominent part of Canadian Rocky Mountain History for over 80 years. For the 2009 schedule, Holiday on horseback is outfitting the TRCR at one of their favorite campsites, Johnston Creek Camp.
Johnston camp is located a full days ride into the backcountry and is set up with traditional Native-American style tee-pees and a large kitchen tent for socializing. From this prime location a variety of day rides are offered including Luellan Lake, Pulsatilla Pass, Badger Pass and Quinlan Lakes.
Tee-pee accommodations are spacious, warm and feature cots with mattresses for comfortable sleeping in the backcountry! The atmosphere on these trips is certainly one of camaraderie and laughter. Musicians are often present on the rides and cowboys regale you with campfire stories.
Holiday on horseback has been outfitting for the Trail Riders off and on since 1962 and is excited about the chance to share their history with you this summer through this new and exciting opportunity to ride some new terrain.
| # 1 |
July 5 - 8 |
$1010 |
| # 2 |
July 12 - 16 |
$1250 |
| # 3 |
July 19 - 24 |
$1490 |
| # 4 |
July 26 - 31 |
$1490 |
| # 5 |
Aug 2 - 5 |
$1010 |
| # 6 |
Aug 9 - 14 |
$1490 |
| # 7 |
Aug 16 - 21 |
$1490 |
| # 8 |
Aug 23 - 28 |
$1490 |
| # 9 |
Aug 30 - Sept 4 |
$1490 |
| # 10 |
Sept 6 - 11 |
$1490 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
