The Tradition
Full-Length Trip With Unrivaled Scenery & Thrilling Canadian Rockies Rapids
Longest Trip on the Kicking Horse River
Renamed in 2012, for our 20th Anniversary, this ‘traditional’ 24km trip is the longest Kicking Horse River trip available. It is, essentially, two trips in one, combining together our Gentle and Whitewater Exciter half-day trips! Special permits allow us to start well upstream in stunningly peaceful Yoho National Park and then raft downstream into the exciting BIG whitewater section of the Middle Canyon. To wrap it all up, after the trip, guests enjoy a delicious packed lunch served back at the RiverBase.
2023 Departures
June 9 – 30: Departures on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 8:45 AM
July 1 – September 3: Daily departures at 8:45 AM
Private Rafts
Enjoy the Kicking Horse River on your exclusively private raft! For those wishing to have only their own family or friends on board, our Build Your Own Boatload special (or, BYOB) is perfect. Feel more at ease on the river with your own guide and raft, while still being part of a larger flotilla. All it takes is 4 to 8 guests to have your own boat on a regularly-scheduled Tradition departure. Simply give us a call at 1-888-647-6444 to chat further.
As with all Wild Water Adventure trips, guests meet at our RiverBase Daylodge; all our Golden, BC rafting trips depart from here. It’s easy to find us with the downloadable self-drive map of the Banff area, and we have loads of secure parking on site for vehicles of all shapes and sizes.
At Wild Water, we place a strong emphasis on safety and guest satisfaction. Our team of river rafting professionals, or ‘guides’, will size everyone up for Canada rafting equipment, (all clean, dry, sterilized … and FREE!). Guests comfortably change into provided gear in heated changing rooms before being shuttled to the river. An easy-to-understand safety briefing will be delivered covering proper seating and paddling techniques.
Once on the river, guests experience 20 named rapids during the 2½ hour whitewater adventure (the entire trip, from ‘greetings to goodbyes’, takes about 5 hours.) The first half of the trip can be considered a warm-up, (with splashy Class II and III waves and rapids), giving everyone a chance to get comfortable on the rafts. The second half is the BIG whitewater section that is quick, tricky, and continuous (with Class II, III, IV/IV+ waves and rapids)!
In all, rafters experience over 24kms (15 miles) of spectacular whitewater action and magnificent Rocky Mountain scenery.
Back at the Riverbase, our catering team has prepared a gourmet BBQ lunch for you to enjoy. The menu consists of your choice of salmon fillet or Mediterranean marinated chicken breast or veggie burger along with 3 different salads (coleslaw with dijon dressing; Ceasar; potato), condiments (tomatoes, lettuce, etc), fresh-baked bread, watermelon, fresh baked cookies (chocolate chip … they’re good!) and munchie mix.
This is the time to share more laughs with the crew and fellow rafters, check out the trip photographs, and, perhaps, start planning your next Kicking Horse rafting adventure (different water levels, at different times of the season, do make for an entirely different rafting experience!).
Photo Gallery
Popular rafting trip in the Canadian Rockies
Renamed for our 20th Anniversary, this “traditional” 24 km trip is the longest standard day trip available. Special permits allow us to start well upstream in stunning Yoho National Park. This traditional Kicking Horse River trip combines the beauty and peaceful upper section of the river with the more exciting rapids found in our Whitewater Exciter half day trip…plus you’ll enjoy a delicious barbecue lunch served back at our RiverBase following the trip.
2023 Departures
June 9 – 30: Departures on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 8:45 AM
July 1 – September 3: Daily departures at 8:45 AM
Private Rafts
Enjoy the Kicking Horse River on your exclusively private raft! For those wishing to have only their own family or friends on board, our Build Your Own Boatload special (or, BYOB) is perfect. Feel more at ease on the river with your own guide and raft, while still being part of a larger flotilla. All it takes is 4 to 8 guests to have your own boat on a regularly-scheduled Whitewater Exciter departure. Simply give us a call at 1-888-647-6444 to chat further.
Your trip begins at our RiverBase Daylodge, the “hub” of our operations where all our trips meet. Your guides for the day will introduce themselves to you and lead you through the gear room to get you properly outfitted for your day on the river. A quick shuttle to where the boats are waiting, a thorough safety briefing, and we’re off!
First, we’ll make sure you’re awake by crashing through the playful waves at the “Alarm Clock” rapid. Then we’ll enjoy the peaceful float as we make our way through Yoho National Park. (We are one of only two companies to operate on this pristine section of river!). This is a great time to learn about the river, its history . . . and perhaps engage a rival raft in a water fight!
The second part of this trip is where the action REALLY happens. In just 12kms (9 miles) you’ll experience 14 sets of thrilling whitewater rapids ranging from class II to IV+.
In all, you’ll enjoy over 24kms (15 miles) of spectacular whitewater and magnificent scenery.
Back at our RiverBase, our catering team will have fired up the barbecue and have waiting for you your choice of a succulent marinated chicken breast, scrumptious Salmon filet or a tasty vegetarian burger, complete with lettuce, tomato slices and all the condiments. Freshly baked French Rolls, Caesar, Asian Coleslaw and Potato salads, chips, fresh baked chocolate chip cookies and juicy watermelon round out this satisfying reward after your rafting trip!
After your goodbyes to the crew, you may wish to stop into our River’s Edge gift shop to take away some souvenirs or order the digital photo CD taken of you in action . . . bragging rights of a great day on the river!
Photo Gallery
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