Ride Deep Into the Heart of the Canadian Rockies
Canada’s Rocky Mountains deliver jaw-dropping scenery, savvy mountain-bred horses and proper backcountry adventure, with every day revealing new trails, wildlife encounters and “surely-it-can’t-get-better… oh yes it can” moments. With the host family’s warm hospitality, hands-on horsemanship and a mix of lodge stays and rustic camps reached by packhorse, these rides capture the hearts of intermediate and advanced riders alike.
Trip Highlights
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Spotting wildlife such as moose, deer, goats, eagles and bears from between two pricked ears
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Feeling the thrill of the unknown as you follow your guides and packhorses into the wilderness
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Taking in the sheer majesty of the iron-grey, snowcapped Rockies from above
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Cantering across pristine alpine meadows
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Feeding, grooming, saddling and riding ‘your horse’ every day
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Learning about Alberta’s history, from the First Nations to the cowboys
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Watching galaxies glitter above the smoke of the campfire – now that’s serenity!
• 8 days, 7 nights
• 10 days, 9 nightsRiding levelIntermediate • Strong Intermediate • Advanced On the move You ride to a new destination every day or two.
Details
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Riding levels
Suitable for intermediate to advanced riders.
*A high level of fitness is recommended for the Kananaskis Longrider.
**Please be advised, this is a hands-on riding experience. You will be expected to look after your horse while on the trail, including attending to grooming, saddling and bridling duties. For those accustomed to handing your horse to a groom, this might not be the right riding holiday for you.Not sure what your riding ability is? See the definitions below.
- Type of tack
Western saddles, snaffle bits and split reins.
- Horse breed
Many breeds including Canadian, Quarter Horse, Paint, Arabian, Morgan, Welsh, Percheron & draft.
- Accommodation
All pack trips include one or two nights at the ranch in The Barn, a simple guesthouse with five twin-share rooms, shared bathrooms, and a comfortable communal living and dining space. On the trail, accommodation is basic camping in twin-share dome or canvas tents, with no showers and simple bush toilets, embracing a pared-back, back-to-basics experience.
- Pace
Variable depending on the terrain, with opportunities to trot and canter.
- Weight limit
A maximum of 100kg / 220lbs.
It is VERY important that you provide your current weight accurately when booking. If your weight is not accurate, we cannot guarantee that your hosts will have a horse for you to ride.
- Group size
A minimum of 4 and maximum of 8 guests.
- Minimum age
15 years of age
- Time in Saddle
(Average per day)
Forgetmenot, Tombstone Loop, Fall Spectacular & Mountain Prairie Combo: 4-8 hours.
Kananaskis Longrider: 4-7 hours.
Both Sides of the Great Divide: 2-8 hours.
Alberta Drifter: 2-8 hours (possibly longer on some days, depending on trail & weather conditions). - When to go
June through to early October.
- Languages
English
What’s included (and what’s not)
Included
- 5% Canadian goods & services tax
- Round trip transfers from Calgary Airport or hotel on the first and last days of the ride at set times
- Twin share accommodation
- All meals, from first day dinner through to last day breakfast
- All riding activities outlined in the itinerary
Excluded
- International and regional flights
- Travel insurance (compulsory)
- Staff tips (please budget for at least 5-10% of the ride price)
- Alcoholic beverages (BYO is welcome)
- There is a surcharge of $10 CAD per day for gluten free and dairy free diets
Departure dates and prices
Instalment plans available
Lock in your ride with a 10% deposit and pay the rest over time – interest-free in 10 easy payments. Learn more.
Per person
2026
Alberta Drifter
May 30 to June 8, 2026
Forgetmenot
June 21 to 27, 2026
Waitlist yourself and we will send you an email if this date becomes available. Spots are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Kananaskis Longrider
June 28 to July 7, 2026
*These dates coincide with the Calgary Stampede!
Waitlist yourself and we will send you an email if this date becomes available. Spots are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Forgetmenot
July 12 to 18, 2026
Waitlist yourself and we will send you an email if this date becomes available. Spots are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Kananaskis Longrider
July 19 to 28, 2026
Waitlist yourself and we will send you an email if this date becomes available. Spots are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Tombstone Loop
August 9 to 15, 2026
Waitlist yourself and we will send you an email if this date becomes available. Spots are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Forgetmenot
August 16 to 22, 2026
Waitlist yourself and we will send you an email if this date becomes available. Spots are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Kananaskis Longrider
August 23 to September 1, 2026
Waitlist yourself and we will send you an email if this date becomes available. Spots are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Tombstone Loop
September 11 to 17, 2026
Waitlist yourself and we will send you an email if this date becomes available. Spots are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Fall Spectacular
September 27 to October 3, 2026
Waitlist yourself and we will send you an email if this date becomes available. Spots are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Both Sides of the Great Divide
October 3 to 10, 2026
Waitlist yourself and we will send you an email if this date becomes available. Spots are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
2027
Alberta Drifter
May 29 to June 7, 2027
Forgetmenot
June 20 to 26, 2027
Forgetmenot
June 27 to July 3, 2027
Kananaskis Longrider
July 4 to 13, 2027
Tombstone Loop
July 18 to 24, 2027
Kananaskis Longrider
August 8 to 17, 2027
Tombstone Loop
August 22 to 28, 2027
Forgetmenot
August 29 to September 4, 2027
Kananaskis Longrider
September 5 to 14, 2027
Fall Spectacular
September 25 to October 1, 2027
Both Sides of the Great Divide
October 2 to 9, 2027
We'll email you — you'll be among the first to hear when new departure dates are released.
The fun bits
Payment details
- A fixed Booking Fee of $148 CAD
- All bookings are charged in the local currency of the ride destination.
- Accepted payment method is by credit or debit card only.
Cancellation policy
We understand that plans can change. If you need to cancel your ride, please let us know as soon as possible. Cancellation fees apply based on how close your departure date is, and deposits are non-refundable. We strongly recommend travel insurance to protect your booking. Read our full cancellation policy.
International fees
If you're paying in a currency different from your own, your bank may charge a conversion or international transaction fee.
Itinerary
Please note, these are suggested itineraries only and subject to change at the discretion of your guides due to weather and other influencing factors.
With so many trails and places to visit, it is impossible to list them all. This is just a sample of what it is possible to experience on our riding holidays in the Rocky Mountains. There are many variations and possibilities.
- Forgetmenot
- Tombstone Loop
- Kananaskis Longrider
- Alberta Drifter
- Fall Spectacular
- Both Sides of the Great Divide
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Forgetmenot Ride: 7 days, 6 nights (5 riding days)
A ride to remember! Five full days in the saddle (with a non-riding transit day either side) covering over 100 kilometres of foothills, forests, rivers, meadows and mountains.All guests must be capable of:
- Long, sometimes physically and mentally demanding days
- Riding for up to 2 hours non-stop on moderate to complex mountain terrain (up/down inclines, rocky/technical trails)
- Hiking for up to 2km on mountain terrain leading a horse up/downhill
- Mounting from the ground
- Riding safely and with good control at a walk, trot (rising and sitting) and canter (balanced), and riding actively and independently
- Catching, leading, tying, grooming (including picking hooves), and tacking your horse (western saddle and bridle)
- Working comfortably with and around horses, taking safe and situationally-aware actions.
All guests must be comfortable with:
- Heights
- Camping and spending time in the backcountry, e.g. sleeping outdoors in a tent on a mat on the ground, no plumbing/electricity/showers, and no WiFi/cellular service
- Embracing unpredictable challenges and getting out of your comfort zone in the wilderness, e.g. weather changes (rain, possibly snow) changes to itineraries, fallen trees across trails.
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Day 1: Arrival
Non-riding dayYou will be collected from Calgary in the afternoon – either from the international airport or your hotel – with pick-ups typically starting from 4pm. After an hour’s drive you will arrive at the ranch for a welcome meet-and-greet BBQ, the perfect chance to settle in, chat through the days ahead and discuss your riding experience so your hosts can match you with the right horse. You will be issued with a sturdy duffle bag, sleeping bag and mattress, then check into your room with time to pack, prepare and mingle with your fellow adventurers.
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Day 2: First Camp
Approximately 5 hours in the saddleAfter breakfast you will meet your horse – a carefully chosen match for your ability and size. As you groom and saddle, you will start forming the partnership that will carry you through the week. After a short test ride in the arena, you will pack lunch and ride out from the ranch or a nearby trailhead, easing into the adventure with a scenic 5-hour journey through forest and foothill meadows. On arrival at camp, you will tend to the horses, then enjoy cowboy coffee by the river (perfect for a refreshing splash on hot days) before dinner cooked over the fire and a night in spacious wall tents.
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Day 3: Long Ride
7 to 8 hours in the saddleAfter breakfast you will break camp and set out on the longest ride of the week – more than seven hours through foothills that grow increasingly dramatic as the Rockies rise around you.
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Day 4: Hidden Valley
4 to 6 hours in the saddleToday you will make a shorter but spectacular ride up a hidden valley. Because you’ll be returning to the same camp, the morning begins at a leisurely pace, and you should be back in time for another swim in the river.
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Day 5: Mountains & Valleys
4 to 7.5 hours in the saddleYou will choose between two rides today: a full 7.5-hour loop around a mountain range – long, scenic and unforgettable – or a gentler but equally beautiful ride within the valley.
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Day 6: Return to the Ranch
3 to 5.5 hours in the saddleAfter breakfast you will pack up camp and ride out of the valley you’ve come to love, choosing between an easy 3-hour route or a 5.5-hour ridge-line ride with phenomenal views. By afternoon you will reach the trailhead for pickup and return to the ranch, where a hot shower and a final dinner in the lodge await.
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Day 7: Departure
Non-riding dayAfter breakfast you will say your goodbyes. The shuttle departs around 9:30am for Calgary, carrying you back to civilisation with a head and heart full of Kananaskis memories.
Transfer information
A round trip transfer service from Calgary Airport or hotel is included in the ride price at set times on arrival and departure days only.
The local shuttle company used to conduct the transfers is called ‘Calgary Corporate Shuttle’.
Pick up on day 1 is at 4pm from the Calgary International Airport (pick up from a hotel can also be arranged, after 4pm). Please plan your travel itineraries accordingly and ensure your flight lands with plenty of time to clear customs, collect your luggage and meet the transfer.
Meeting location at airport: at the large 5-horse statue on the arrival level of the International Terminal.
On the last day, the group will be transferred back to Calgary after breakfast, with expected arrival at Calgary International Airport by 11am. We kindly ask that you arrange your travel itineraries accordingly, so if booking an international flight home today ensure it’s after 2pm so that you meet your 3-hour check in window.
If you plan to arrive by your own means of transport, please contact us for detailed driving directions.
Please note
Transfers at any other time or day than the group transfer can be arranged but will be an additional cost.
Accommodation
All pack trips see guests spending a night or two at the ranch in ‘The Barn’ – a guest house which has 5 rooms (twin share arrangements) and two shared bathrooms, plus a common area with plenty of comfortable seating choices as well as a large dining table and kitchen.
When out on the trail you’ll enjoy the simplicity of basic camping with dome or canvas tents (twin share). There are no showers, unless you wish to take a refreshing dip if camped near a river or lake. And the toilet will be a hole dug in the ground with a canvas barrier for privacy.
The Barn
The Barn
Camping
Food
During your stay you’ll enjoy hearty cooked breakfasts, trail lunches packed in your saddle bags and delicious dinners made from scratch using as many fresh, local ingredients as possible. The menu changes daily, offering a mix of regional favourites and internationally inspired dishes. While in camp, all meals are cooked over an open fire, with every ingredient transported in by packhorse. Your hosts plan each menu with great care to ensure plenty of nutrition and variety, while balancing the weight, volume and freshness of supplies. They are happy to cater to most common dietary requirements, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and dairy free; please note that gluten free and dairy free diets incur an additional fee of $10 CAD per day.
Alcohol is not provided while on the trail. You may bring and pack your own preferred beverage as long as your duffel bag that gets packed onto the packhorse does not exceed 11kg (25lbs) total.
Reviews
Kira K
Julie V
Sharon L
Susanne K
Kali G
Kiri C
Margie B
Catherine D
Dion B
Claire D
Katrina B
11 reviews
Kira K
‘I just came back from an amazing trip through the Rocky Mountains in Alberta! It was incredible, fabulous, and outstanding, well-organised by the team, along with our extremely good guides who gave us the responsibility and trust to do what needed to be done. It looked just like the photos! The time passed too quickly, but I hope I can come back! Thanks for this great experience and for the extremely well-educated horses who did their best at every moment without a second of doubt!’
Julie V
‘I just got back from the Rocky Mountains Ride in Canada, and WOW! I love that Globetrotting personally go and road tests all the rides. The information we received from Globetrotting before the ride was extremely useful and invaluable for packing the right gear. Our hosts were wonderful, and their horses were tremendous. I was lucky enough to get Gabby, who was just terrific; I can see why Neil said he would love to clone her! She was so sure-footed over all the different terrain, and I felt completely safe on her. A wonderful adventure which we will never forget!’
Sharon L
‘I took my daughter on this ride for her 21st birthday, and we both expected it to be great; however, it was literally a life-changing and mindset-shifting time. Our guide, Robert, was so knowledgeable and passionate; the horses were amazing. We expected a few good views and lots of pine trees, but what we got were awe-inspiring, technically challenging rides with constant scenery that was out of this world. Spending time simply, with no outside interaction from people or technology in the presence of such a powerful natural environment was humbling. Every day got better, and we never wanted it to end.’
Susanne K
‘Riding in the crisp, clean air of the Canadian Rockies on a sturdy, sure-footed, smart and observant mount is good for the soul. Fording rivers, riding through pine-needled forest paths or across the endless prairies under a sky as big as Alberta’s fills you with both pride and peace.’
Kali G
‘Alberta has my heart! Riding in Canada was perfect. Everything about this trip was just above and beyond: the horses (my steed, Ghost, was impeccably matched with me), the guides and staff, the on-ride volunteers, and my group all made this a standout ride for me. I’d always dreamed of riding Western in the backcountry, and boy, did this trip deliver! Between the Rockies, Writing-On-Stone, the Prairies, and the Cypress Hills, witnessing it all from a horse was so special. Our guides, Robert and Neil, taught me so much about the land I was riding on and Canada as a whole; it was truly a unique experience. I loved this ride and cannot recommend it enough. Thank you, Globetrotting, for bringing this ride into my life!’
Kiri C
‘I was incredibly fortunate to be part of a one-of-a-kind experience, witnessing Alberta’s Fall Spectacular. The magnificent horses, guided by knowledgeable and skilled professionals, made for an unforgettable adventure. Our hosts were absolutely wonderful, and our shared dinner was an absolute blast! The beautiful sights, captivating stories, and stunning horses that carried us left an indelible impression on my heart. This unique experience, which was like eye candy on steroids, will forever be a cherished memory that I will hold for the rest of my life. Even though the horses mostly walked, the ride was slow and serene, with the occasional trot adding to the excitement. I fell in love with one particular horse, Q, who I hear is a global favourite!’
Margie B
‘This the most personal and out-of-this-world horse adventure possible. This ride has it all – the glitz, the glamour and it also delivers the goods. Firstly, we rode Mustangs, and wow, are they just sensational- the most comfortable steads I’ve encountered. My Mustang, Castro, was so sensitive that I merely had to hold the thought of a direction, and he was there. Just a superstar horse! Our wrangler, with more personality and love for the journey you will not find. The host’s love for their horses and the country and the experience they provide their guests could not be more self-evident. They work tirelessly to ensure no detail is left to chance. Total respect for this humble pair – they are a blessing to the horse world.’
Catherine D
‘This was my first ever solo trip due to personal circumstances. I hovered over the computer thinking it’s always been a dream, do I? Let me say, I am so pleased I hit that ‘yes’ button! The team at Globetrotting were super professional and helpful, and the riding experience was simply just WOW. It exceeded all my expectations. A lovely family business that made us very welcome, the horses were matched perfectly, and the countryside was just breathtaking. We enjoyed good food and chats over a campfire until we retired to our tents. We were in great hands with Robert and Jackie and thank them enormously for a fantastic time. Would I recommend this experience? Hell yes!’
Dion B
‘The Tombstone Loop in the Rocky Mountains was my first experience of a riding holiday and I’m now hooked! The horses, scenery, company and experiences were all sensational. I rode Cooper, he was responsive, sensible and gave his all when asked. The guides were extremely knowledgeable and friendly and always went above and beyond to make it a fantastic experience for everyone. I’m so glad I did it. I am already looking at what riding holidays to do next!’
Claire D
‘Hardcore is one word. Epic is another. Though words won’t do justice to describe the experience of riding in the Canadian Rocky Mountains on the Kananaskis Longrider. We were expertly guided through the toughest terrain I have ever seen a horse navigate, covering 230km in 8 days. Noah, my 16.1hh, dinner plate hoofed Percheron X, boss-man buddy took such great care of me, not once missing a step. What a privilege it was to be paired with him. Every day was a unique ride with its own challenges and beauty, conversations, and laughs. I dunked myself in the glacial rivers, which were somewhere in the vicinity of 8 degrees, and saw lots of fresh signs of wildlife, including grizzly bear paw prints, a beaver dam, and a million squirrels. We marvelled at the scale of the mountains; at a small pass near a fire road, surrounded by peaks, we were informed that we were at the same elevation as the summit of Mount Kosciuszko! I have always dreamed of riding the Rockies, but the tick in that bucket list box is insignificant in comparison to the feeling of accomplishment I have for the incredible adventure that I have just experienced. When I arrived back in town, at the Calgary Stampede, an 80-year-old competitor said something that resonated with me: “Get a horse, get outside, and get on it.” There’s no better way.’
Katrina B
‘The crew was truly extraordinary! I couldn’t have asked for better companions to share my eight-day journey with. I had the pleasure of riding Ranger, a match made in heaven! He embodied everything I had hoped for in a trail partner. The cuisine was absolutely delectable, and the scenery nothing short of breathtaking. One highlight that left me awestruck was when we were traversing what appeared to be a modest hill, only to be informed that our elevation matched that of Mount Kosciuszko in Australia! This blew my mind as there were mountains above us that were covered by clouds, and to feel absolutely dwarfed in nature was unreal! Canada, thank you for welcoming us into your magnificent embrace and leaving us with cherished memories that will forever be etched in our hearts.’
What's my riding level?
Not sure what your riding level is? Watch our videos to see all our levels.
Beginner
Reasonably confident riding a horse at a walk, a rising trot, and learning to canter.
Intermediate
Confident and in control riding at all paces outside an arena, but not riding regularly. Comfortable and competent using aids {the language of your leg, seat and hands} to communicate with your horse.
Strong Intermediate
An intermediate rider who is currently riding regularly outside of an arena and is fit enough to ride for at least six hours per day. Strong intermediate riders are comfortable and competent in all three gaits; able to post or sit to the trot; have an independent seat while cantering (don’t hold onto the saddle); and can pick up the correct canter lead. They can also navigate more complex terrain, including asking a horse to sidestep and jump over a small obstacle.
Advanced
A frequent rider who is very fit, comfortable in the saddle for at least six hours per day, and has an independent seat and soft hands. Advanced riders are confident on a forward-moving horse at all paces over rough and variable ground on open terrain. They can ride over small jumps and know the techniques used to collect a horse
Not sure? Contact our team to help you figure out your riding ability.
