Compare Spectacular Rockies and Glaciers of Alberta Classic Group by Insight Vacations vs Choose Your Pace: Hiking and Walking Classics in Québec & Vermont by Road Scholar

Day 1: Welcome to Banff

After your arrival at Calgary Airport, you are transferred to the Castle in the Rockies, your historic mountain resort in Banff. Built in the distinctive Canadian Château style, it is one of the earliest examples of the country’s grand railway hotels. Tonight, join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Dinner.

Day 2: Exploring Banff

Connect with nature as you join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience with your First Nations Cree Iroquois Local Expert. Embark on a guided walk in the Boreal forest and discover the Indigenous world of plant medicines. Learn about the historical and modern day uses of plants and listen to fascinating stories about the First Nations culture.Explore Banff with a few fun optionals. Choose to play nine holes of golf. Alternatively, take the Banff gondola up Sulphur Mountain and go on a hike. Another option is to take a guided horseback ride.

Day 3: A Trip to Lake Louise Relaxed Start

Explore Lake Louise with Insight Choice. Choose a journey on the sightseeing gondola and look out for local wildlife as you enjoy a hike surrounded by panoramic views. Alternatively, join your Travel Director for a relaxed stroll along iconic Lake Louise and put paint to canvas to create your own masterpiece. Indulge in a delicious lunch before returning to Banff and enjoying the rest of your day at leisure.

Day 4: Lakes, Mountains and Glaciers Relaxed Start

Start your day with a visit to the glacier-fed Moraine Lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks. Take a moment to absorb the view of the stunning turquoise lake hidden among steep mountains, waterfalls, and rock piles. Your journey continues on the Icefields Parkway, one of the most beautiful drives on the planet. Admire the dramatic scenery of the Rockies with plenty of photo opportunities. Later, a warm welcome greets you at the country’s first and only glacier-view resort where you will savour a Canadian inspired, locally sourced dinner. After your meal take advantage of the long daylight hours and set out for a private visit to the Columbia Icefield Skywalk, a glass-floored walkway above the Sunwapta Valley. Once night falls, step out on your hotel’s viewing deck and take your chances at stargazing undisturbed by light pollution.

Day 5: Glacier Adventure

Before other travellers arrive, venture onto the Athabasca Glacier in a massive Ice Explorer for your special visit. Join your Local Expert and walk on the frozen flow of ice. Discover the beauty and immensity of the glacier as you learn about the history and geology of the region. Continue along the magnificent Icefields Parkway and arrive at Jasper National Park with its soothing mineral hot springs, colourful meadows and majestic mountains.

Day 6: Exploring Jasper

Join your Travel Director for an informative walk on the trails of Maligne Canyon, the deepest gorge in the Jasper National Park. Weather permitting, embark on a narrated cruise across the serene waters of Maligne Lake and stop at Spirit Island, one of the most photographed sites in the Canadian Rockies.

Day 7: Relaxing in Kananaskis Relaxed Start

Enjoy your scenic drive to Kananaskis and your upscale hotel nestled in the wilderness. Relax at the resort surrounded by mountainous beauty and modern comforts. Tonight, come together with your fellow travellers for a festive Celebration Dinner and toast to your wonderful trip in the Canadian Rockies.

Day 8: Farewell Canada

After breakfast, you are transferred to Calgary Airport where your journey comes to an end. Arrival time at airport is approximately 12:00.

Day 1 Check-In, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation Glen Sutton, QC

Check-in is 3:00 - 5:00 pm.

Due to the remote location of this program, a scheduled complimentary shuttle is available from the airport in Burlington, VT, departing promptly at 3:30 pm. Check-in time is 3:00 - 5:00 pm for those arriving independently. All levels are welcome. Meet your hosts and fellow Road Scholars in the commodious Great Room with its fireplace and extensive library that provides a casual and comfortable spot for refreshments and lively conversation.

Orientation: Around 7:30 pm we gather for a general introduction of guests and a detailed outline of the week. After dinner we gather for introductions and outline the walks and hikes of the week. Following that there will be a talk about Glen Sutton, the Eastern Townships and the general scene in this part of the world. Please be aware that local circumstances may require adjusting program elements for weather or other circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Free time is reserved for your personal independent exploration. Evenings at leisure offer opportunities to make the program more meaningful and memorable through personal independent exploration, engaging in available activities on your own, or simply relaxing and making new friends among fellow participants. The Group Leader will always be happy to offer suggestions. continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

Dinner is at the lodge in the open format kitchen and dining room. Enjoy high-end homestyle cooking with menus designed and prepared by our team of chefs. Dinner is a plated meal and will consist of salad or soup, entrée, and dessert. In this age of fast cuisine, we think you’ll appreciate the effort that the dining team puts into their "from scratch" delicacies. If you do not advise us of your special needs well in advance of your program, we may not be able to accommodate your requests once you arrive on the program.

Day 2 Hiking/Walking: Climb Sutton, Walk the Mountain-Sutton Trail Glen Sutton, QC

This day provides three expert-led options: a gentle walk, a somewhat short Intermediate hike and a full-on Intermediate hike. Something for everyone! Hikes are 4-5 hours on varied terrain; walks are 3-4 hours over forest trails and flattish country laneways. Daypacks required. Hikers are accompanied by one or two Lodge guides (depending on group size), walkers by one. We can cross the US/Canada border on our adventures: passport imperative. Van transfers to trail heads: 20 - 50 minutes.

Each day we gather at 9:00 a.m. to hand out the map of the day (if appropriate). A little pep talk on the rigors ahead and then we pile into our vans to head for the hills or, for the walkers, to our trails and laneways. Today is calibration day.....walkers tackle the Mountain-to-Village Trail, in the woods and based above the town of Sutton. Only a few miles and focussing on natural history the walk is easy but is a woods walk. The hike will be to the summit of the peak visible from the Lodge door: Mont Sutton. This hike is rated Intermediate and halfway into it is our lunch spot (by a highland lake) which also serves as a turnaround point for those questioning their ambition.

Hiking and walking continues. Participants are invited to switch groups depending on how strong or weak they feel on any given day. We are generally back in at the lodge around 4:30 pm.

Evening lectures commence at 7:30 pm. Topics might include Heart Healthy Living, Canadian History, American Invasions of Canada (1775 - 1871), Quebec Politics Since the Quiet Revolution, The Gerry Bull Story, natural history, Native Canadian history or a private musical concert. Each week has one free evening where guests can sample our world-class movie collection, play bridge or sample some local theatre.

Enjoy a self-serve breakfast at the Lodge offering a variety of healthy options: generally a hot option (eggs, oatmeal, hot cereal, etc.) fresh fruit bowls, yogurts, local maple syrup, variety of breads.

We meet for a bag lunch at a pre-designated spot.

Dinner at 6 pm. Drinks before dinner if so desired. The lodge is a B.Y.O.B establishment. Alcoholic beverages are not served on-site but participants are welcome to bring their own.

Day 3 Hiking/Walking: Mount Pisgah, Orford National Park Glen Sutton, QC

This day provides two expert-led options: a gentle walk or a more demanding hike. Groups flexible by activity level, all levels welcome. Hikes are 4-5 hours on varied terrain; walks are 3-4 hours over forest trails and flattish country laneways. Daypacks required. Hikers are accompanied by one or two Lodge guides (depending on group size), walkers by one. We can cross the US/Canada border on our adventures so picture ID is imperative. Van transfers to trail heads between 20 - 50 minutes.

Today's hike is in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom. Pisgah Mountain overlooks wondrous Lake Willoughby (the Switzerland of Vermont) and is rated an Intermediate hike. Net vertical elevation gain 1491'. Lunch on the summit. Time permitting, we will make a stop at The Bread and Puppet Theatre headquarters in Glover, Vermont followed by an ice cream stop as we head home. Walkers spend the morning exploring a lake side trail in Orford Park. Net elevation gain is a few hundred feet.

Hiking and walking continues. In the afternoon, hikers descend to the shore of Lake Willoughby (swim anyone) with a stop at an ice-cream shop on the way home to Glen Sutton. Walkers lunch at or in a trailside cabin with full facilities before a visit to the Abbey St Benoit du Lac...a Benedictine establishment famous in the Inspecteur Gamache world and also the maker of the best blue cheese in N. America.

Evening lectures commence at 7:30 pm. Topics might include Heart Healthy Living, Canadian History, American Invasions of Canada (1775 - 1871), Quebec Politics Since the Quiet Revolution, The Gerry Bull Story, Natural History, Native Canadian History or a private musical concert. Each week has one free evening where guests can sample our world-class movie collection, play bridge or sample some local theatre.

At the Lodge.

We meet for a bag lunch at a pre-designated spot.

Dinner at 6 pm at the Lodge.

Day 4 Hiking/Walking: Stowe Land Trust, Mt. Elmore, Mt. Mansfield Glen Sutton, QC

This day provides three expert-led options: a gentle walk, an Intermediate hike and a Difficult hike. All levels welcome. Hikes are 4-5 hours on varied terrain; walks are 3-4 hours over forest trails and flattish country laneways. Daypacks required. Hikers are accompanied by one or two Lodge guides (depending on group size), walkers by one. We can cross the US/Canada border on our adventures so passports needed . Van transfers to trail heads between 20 - 50 minutes.

Today we have three options: Walkers explore the Wiessner Woods, Stowe's Rec Path and, if time allows, the Kirchner Woods. A side visit to The Trapp Family Lodge of 'The Sound of Music' fame is also on the menu. The Intermediate hike is up Mount Elmore (net elevation gain 1,450').Today's advanced hike will be Vermont's highest peak, Mount Mansfield, 2,800' net elevation gain. The latter is not for the faint of heart and guide approval must be attained to participate.

Hiking and walking continues. Return to the lodge to relax, enjoy a pre-dinner drink and settle in for a fine dinner.

Each week has one free evening where guests can sample our world-class movie collection, play bridge or sample some local theatre.

At the Lodge.

We meet for a bag lunch at a pre-designated spot.

Dinner at 6 pm at the Lodge.

Day 5 Hiking & Walking Devil's Gulch, Missisquoi River Walk Glen Sutton, QC

This day provides two options: a very gentle walk right from the village Glen Sutton (only for the most timid) and an Easy Hike on the oldest long distance hiking trail in America: The Long Trail.

Today we choose from two options. Option 1: Visit a classic section of America's oldest long-distance footpath. The Long Trail Devil's Gulch with lunch by a highland lake is the easiest hike of the week. Walkers, if so desired, may also partake of this adventure. Option 2: Walk directly from the Lodge along the Missisquoi River: tales galore from Prohibition to Marlon Brando to the Mossad to monarch butterflies.

Hiking and walking continues. We are back at the Lodge by 4:30 p.m. where there is plenty of time for a swim, a snooze or a snack.

Evening lectures commence at 7:30 pm. Topics might include Heart Healthy Living, Canadian History, American Invasions of Canada (1775 - 1871), Quebec Politics Since the Quiet Revolution, The Gerry Bull Story or a private musical concert. Each week has one free evening where guests can sample our world-class movie collection, play bridge or sample some local theatre.

At the Lodge.

We meet for a bag lunch at a pre-designated spot.

Farewell dinner at 6 pm at the Lodge.

Day 6 Program Concludes, Departures Glen Sutton, QC

Check-out is 10 am

Departures after breakfast according to individual travel plans. The airport transfer will depart at 8:30 am; approximate arrival at the Burlington airport is 10:000 am. Check-out is 10:00 am for those departing independently. This concludes our program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please be in touch via the Road Scholar Social Network, where you can share memories, pictures and comments. Best wishes for all your journeys.

Enjoy our final breakfast together at the Lodge.