Today you’ll fly into Calgary International Airport in time for pick-up at 12pm. The first stop is Irvine’s Western Store, Canada’s largest western outfitter. A fun cultural stop whether or not you plan to shop, it’s quite a sight to behold! From there, it’s a scenic drive west (about 1.5 hours) to the ranch, looking out for wild horses, elk, big horn sheep, moose, and bears, and stopping for a bite of lunch (at your own expense) in the town of Sundre on the way.

At the ranch, you’ll meet your hosts and take a quick orientation tour, then settle into your cozy cabin. In the late afternoon, you’ll head to the barn for a safety briefing, then meet your horse and mount up for a sunset ride along the aptly-named Skyline Trail. Ascending the nearest mountain, you’ll get a good perspective of the ranch and campground, the Red Deer River and the wilderness beyond, including well-known Warden Rock. There will be opportunities for trots and canters as you continue on along an alpine plain. Then out of nowhere, a crevasse appears in the plain, and the trail meets a sheer cliff glittering with spray from the Bighorn Falls. Undaunted, your horse will carry you right across this dramatic section of Bighorn Creek while you gawp at the clear water tumbling off the edge of the mountain. Following the creek, you will wind down to the base of the waterfall to see it from a spectacular new angle as the sun slips below the mountaintops. You can also see just how steep the cliff is, creating a real sense of wonder as you ride downhill!

Finally, the Red Deer River leads you back to the ranch, where the fire will be lit in your cabin and the first of many simple, hearty dinners will be served at the ranch restaurant.

Ride time: ~2 hours.

After a cowboy-style cooked breakfast (think bacon, eggs and hash browns), it’s time to head to the barn and saddle up for a full day’s ride to Wolf Creek Falls. Crossing the Red Deer River opposite the ranch, you will ride through thick lodgepole pine forest as the trail curves around Labyrinth Mountain, so named for the convoluted rock formations leading to the summit. Through breaks in the trees, you’ll see Wolf Creek in the open valley below, and majestic peaks, plateaus and ridgelines to the south and west. Then the trail opens into a long, grassy valley where you can trot, canter, and perhaps even spot elk or deer in the distance. At the spectacular Wolf Creek Falls, you’ll dismount for a picnic while the horses graze in the lush forest. Then it’s back to the ranch via more forests, creek crossings and riverside trails.

After dinner at the restaurant, a campfire will be lit and your guides will share their best backcountry stories beneath the stars.

Ride time: ~6 hours.

Today you’re riding the legendary Ya Ha Tinda Ranch lands right next door. This is Canada’s only federally-owned horse ranch, where all the National Parks service horses are raised, trained and wintered. Ya Ha Tinda means ‘mountain prairie’ in the language of the Stoney people, and the area is rich in Indigenous history, archaeology and living culture. Bison have recently been reintroduced to allow traditional hunting practices to be revived, and ceremonies are still held on sacred sites. You will follow the Red Deer River for a while, then cross into the wide, open valleys beneath Warden Rock, where you can stretch out with some long trots and canters. Warden Rock is the most immense, iconic mountain in these parts, and like its namesake, it stands watch over all who pass by.

You will dismount for lunch at ‘The Slides’, a shallow part of the river where the flow has eroded the bedrock, forming natural water slides! If you’re brave enough to jump into the freezing water, it’s great fun sliding all the way down!

On the way home, the trail winds along the border of Banff National Park, in and out of the forest towards Warden Rock, back onto the prairie, and right through Parks Canada’s herd of horses. After a long day, it’s still very tempting to canter across the open meadows.

This evening, you’ll have dinner, then return to Ya Ha Tinda Ranch, where the museum doors will be swung open so you can learn more about the region’s rich history. On return, you can head straight to bed, or stay awhile by the campfire.

Ride time: ~7 hours.

Today, the more advanced riders will venture to the breathtaking Sheep Cliff Summit, while those wanting a gentler ride will explore some of the endless trails surrounding the ranch, perhaps looking for elk on the prairie.

The ride to Sheep Cliff Summit begins along the river, crosses at Bighorn Falls, and continues climbing into the high country. It’s an intensive trek and you’ll pause frequently to rest the horses and snap photos of the incredible views. Sheep Cliff is named after the bighorn sheep that are often seen in the area, so keep an eye out for them as you climb. Reaching the summit, you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular 360° view spanning nearby Warden Rock and the entire valley from east to west, all the way across Ya Ha Tinda land to the mountains far beyond. To the west, your guide will point out the Banff border where the valley starts to narrow, creating the pass that has been the main passage into the park for centuries. Around Warden Rock, you can see the road to the wardens’ outpost, which is just around the corner from the mountain itself.

The journey back home can be as short or long as you like. You will pass old trapping and hunting campsites, and cross beautiful forests covered in yellow moss underfoot, with tufts of pale green grandfather’s beard lichen hanging like lace from the branches.

The fun continues after dinner with an evening rafting adventure along the Red Deer River. It’s a totally different perspective of the land!

Ride time: ~6 hours.

Make sure you fill up at breakfast, globetrotters – you’re going to squeeze every last drop of goodness from your last day in the Albertan backcountry. Mounting your faithful steed, you will set out for Eagle Lake and James Falls. Beginning in gentle terrain and a wide valley, you’ll trot up to wide, tranquil Eagle Lake, where you can even swim the horses if it’s warm enough!

Circling the lake, the track brings you to James Falls, where ice-blue, glacial water tumbles down a rugged rock wall from a series of natural pools. There will be plenty of photo opportunities here, and another chance to swim in the crystal-clear mountain pools.

Back at the ranch, it’s time to pack your bags and say goodbye to the wonderful team who have made your adventure possible. Then you’ll load up for the drive back to Calgary, looking out for wild horses as you savour these last magnificent views, and tucking into a packed lunch on the way. You will reach Calgary International Airport at around 3:30pm, so please ensure your flight departs after 6:30pm.

Ride time: ~2 hours.

A round trip transfer service from Calgary International Airport is included in the ride price at set times on arrival and departure days only.

Pick up on day 1 is at 12pm from the Calgary International Airport. Please ensure your flight lands with plenty of time to clear customs, collect your luggage and meet the transfer.

On the last day, you will be transferred back to Calgary in the afternoon, with expected arrival at Calgary International Airport at around 3:30pm. If booking an international flight home that day, please ensure it departs after 6:30pm so that you meet your 3-hour check in window.

Non-riders are warmly welcomed at the ranch and won’t feel left out of the adventure. With miles of hiking trails right from the property, it’s a paradise for photographers, birdwatchers, and wildlife enthusiasts. Guided fishing and additional river rafting can be arranged for those who want to get out on the water (at an additional cost), while others may prefer to simply relax and soak in the views. There’s also a stand-up paddleboard available for guest use on the lake!

A car isn’t essential or recommended if you’re happy to stay close to the ranch, but having one does make it possible to explore nearby attractions and natural wonders at your own pace, such as Banff (3 hours drive away) and Lake louise (3.5 hours drive away).