• Mountain Road, Valley of the Ten Peaks

  You are responsible for your arrival in Calgary,it is a major city served by many airlines, airport code YYC.  From Calgary. Bruster Travel has Banff and Jasper wired, they pickup at Calgary Airport and several Calgary Hotels and deliver to most hotels in Banff, Canmore and Jasper, all on luxury coaches. We will meet in Canmore. Canmore is a city adjacent to Banff National Park.
• Your tour originates and ends in Canmore, during the tour we will be traveling together in large SUV. Today's SUV is a Cadillac Escalade, next years?.
• Our hotels are mostly self contained, Lake Louise doesn't have much of a village. The Jasper hotel is close to the center of town.  Banff Springs Hotel is a village of it's own a few miles from downtown Banff.
• Return to Calgary will again by with Bruster Travel.

Canoers, Lake Louise, Banff National Park

Banff • Jasper • Yoho

 

Sample itinerary
Day 1, Calgary to Canmore

Bruster Travel has Banff and Jasper wired, they pickup at Calgary Airport and several Calgary Hotels and deliver to most hotels in Banff, Canmore and Jasper, all on luxury coaches. We will meet in Canmore and have an afternoon/evening shoot in Banff.  Hotel in Canmore.

Day 2, Canmore/Banff
We will catch sunrise at the best lake of the region hoping for calm water to capture the great reflections often captured here, hopefully with reflections of Cascade Peak and Mt. Rendell.  We then work our way thrugh southern Banff.

Day 3, Banff/Lake Louise
Up before the sun we head out to another lake or river we hope to catch in reflection. We will had back to the hotel and check out to move to the next Hotel at Lake Louise. After checkin we will spend the evening at Moraine Lake and the Valley of the Ten Peaks.

Autumn color, Jasper National Park

Day 4, Banff/Lake Louise • sunrise at Moraine or Bow Lake we will head depending upon our earlier successes or falures. We likely will head north for the lakes and mountain opportunities on the Icefieds parkway.

Day 5, Transit > to Jasper (145 miles)

After morning shoot we will have breakfast, checkout then head off to Jasper National Park along the Icefields Parkway.  Hopefully expeditiously if we have achieved our Banff goals. Evening shoot at Patricia Lake and Pyramid Lake.

Day 6, Jasper •  Jasper National Park Whistler's Inn. A sunrise shoot at Patricia Lake and Pyramid Lake. After breakfast and a break we head for a boat ride on Maligne Lake to Spirit Island. We then may wish to hang around for a sunset shoot. On certain days, special photo boat tours are offered for a premium price, about $150.00.  Otherwise the regular tour only gives 10 minutes at Spirit Island.

Athabaska Glacier, Jasper National Park

Day 7 • Transit > to Banff (179 miles)
Another sunrise shoot at Patricia Lake and Pyramid Lake if needed.  Then back to the hotel for breakfast check out and. Next stop Lake Edith Cavell. Followed by Athabasca Falls. We then head south back to Canmore.

Day 8 Banff • Morning shoot then Bruster Travel    coach back to Calgary.

Post Hotel & Spa at Lake Louise.

Accomodatons

Sample

Most accomodations are upscale, Jasper lodging is midrange, but all upscale Jasper hotels were resorts away from town

Homewood Suites • Calgary Airport

The Homewood Suites by Hilton® Calgary-Airport, Alberta, Canada hotel is a warm and welcoming extended stay hotel conveniently located minutes from Calgary International Airport. Our complimentary shuttle departs the airport to the hotel every nine minutes and is located at pillar 24 at Calgary International Airport.

Post Hotel & Spa at Lake Louise.

The guest rooms at the Post Hotel and Spa include a spa bathtub. All rooms and suites provide a sitting area and select suites include a fireplace. The Post Hotel features a wine cellar with 32,000 bottles to choose from. Guests can have dinner in the Dining Room restaurant. The hotel has a library and a gym. The Post Spa & Hotel also has laundry facilities.

Banff Springs Hotel

Whistler's Inn • Downtown Jasper

This hotel is located within Jasper National Park, 5 miles from the Jasper tramway. The hotel has a rooftop hot tub, 2 on-site restaurants, a pub and free Wi-Fi. Whistler's Inn features cable TV, complimentary bottled water and a coffee maker in every room. The rooms also provide individual air conditioning and a private bathroom. Guests at the Whistler's can use the steam room or visit one of the 3 on-site gift shops.

Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel • City of Banff

Located in the heart of Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the world famous Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel stands as a landmark in the picturesque alpine town of Banff, Alberta. Canada's "Castle in the Rockies", has been providing legendary hospitality to our guests for more than 125 years. Enjoy a short stroll from the hotel and explore the charming town of Banff, Alberta. Discover local galleries and museums, upscale shopping and restaurants, year-round Banff Lake Louise events, and popular local attractions including the Banff Gondola and the mineral rich Banff Upper Hot Springs.

Before making reservation in Calgary, make sure Bruster Travel has pick ups there.

Mt. Kidd reflection, Kananaskis Country Autumn

To be determined

Custom tours are $600.00 per day + hotel

My day tour at home in Yellowstone and Grand Teton Park is $1,095.00.  I'm cheaper in Banff because I'm happy to be in Banff.

What's included in the price?

• All transportation during your tour dates
• Park entrance fees,
• Water and energy bars during in-field transportation.
  

What's not included in the price?

• Meals except for welcome dinner and farwell meal
• International arrival and departure flights

  Autumn color, Emerald Park, winding road, Yoho National Park, British Columbia

• Lodging before or after tour is over
• Baggage fees
• Personal expenses such as room service, alcohol, or additional beverages, laundry, phone service
• Activities or meals not listed on the itinerary
• Travel insurance

Deposit & refund policy

• Workshop depost =  half price of tour, balance is due one month before start of tour.

Do you recommend trip insurance?

• Yes, there are few things more disconcerting that paying for a vacation you can't be on. It is recommended purchasing travel insurance to cover any non-refundable registration fees, travel, lodging, equipment rental or any other related expenses. Things happen. The cost for travel insurance is typically 4-7% of the total trip cost, depending upon age and other factors. Knowing you have100% trip cancellation coverage can make a big difference should you have to cancel for some unforeseen reason.

Panther Falls on the Icefields Parkway

What type of camera equipment do I need?

• To get the most of your images a good quality DSLR is strongly suggested. Single point-and-shoot cameras often result in disappointment and frustration. We'll be capturing amazing landscapes, and wildlife as well. Therefore a focal range of 24-105mm is ideal for landscapes, while a longer lens of roughly 100-400mm is needed for wildlife (longer is okay, if you have it). Prime or fixed lenses are great for panorama shots and will give you the best quality all around. Wide- angle lenses can also be utilized for some of landscape locations and night shooting if applicable, a 16-35mm is the ideal lens, but somewhere in that range works as well. If you don't have any lenses in this focal range we recommend companies, such as borrowlenses.com. Circular polarizing filters will help tremendously and neutral density filters can be utilized as well.  A  sturdy, but lighter weight tripod is a necessity, especially if you have a large lens. At times we may be photographing wildlife in one location for more than an hour, so holding a big heavy lens, can make you tired. Also, a tripod is essential for the longer exposures needed at sunrise and sunset

• Bring sufficient memory cards to suit your style, the hinterlands is a poor place to shop for additional memory. Multiple 16 gig and 8gig cards are a good idea; however, I haven't bought a card smaller that 32 gig since 18 megapixel cameras became the norm. A portable hard drive to back up your images with your laptop is good image insurance. If you want to view your images, get feedback and photo editing skills, your laptop is a must have.

Is this a tour or workshop?

• Both, we do expect you to be familiar with the basic settings of your camera, because you don't want to be fiddling around with how set the exposure when moments of light are lost to minutes of fumbling. However, we are available with suggestions about exposure, composition and technique. Your working knowledge of your camera gear will have a direct relation to your productivity.

Are there any baggage limitations during the trip?

• Airlines put a limit of 50lbs on your checked bag, so we like to stick with those guidelines, for your clothing bag. Please be sure to keep your luggage to just one suitcase per person and one camera bag per person. Camera gear can get heavy so as photographers we completely understand this. We always recommend carrying on your camera gear if at all possible. See airline regulations for size/weight restrictions.
  

Autumn color along the Icefields Parkway

What will the weather be like?

• Weather in the Canadian Rockies will be cool in October. There is the possibility of snow in October. Be prepared with gloves, hats, and scarves, and a nice warm jacket. The afternoons can be quite nice up into the 60's or higher. We hare here because it is autumn.
  

I plan on traveling alone. Do I need to bring someone?

• No, you don't, however, tour price is based on double occupancy, so we will place you with other solo travelers of the same sex. However, if you prefer your own room, we can make arrangements for single accommodations for a supplemental charge.

Can a non-photographer friend or spouse attend the workshop?

• Non-photographer friends and/or spouses are welcome to attend, but will be subject to the full tuition fee based due to transportation availability.
  

Health Considerations

Most Hole Picture Photo Safari activities are within the capabilities of average people in good health. Some of these trips require the capability of walking a few miles over uneven trails, stepping from boats to a wave-washed rocky beach, flying in small planes and helicopters, and occasionally hiking at high elevations, all while carrying an assortment of camera equipment with a tripod slung over your shoulser. If you have concerns about your own capabilities and/or fitness as it relates to a trip, please inquire before reserving a space. By forwarding a signed Registration Form and trip deposit, you certify that you do not knowingly have any physical or other conditions of disability that would create a risk for you or other trip participants and you agree to inform us in writing if changes in your health occur any time prior to the tour. We reserve the right to request a doctor's statement of good health. The company's trip leader's judgment shall provide the ultimate determination of an individual's ability to embark upon or to continue a trip. Once a trip has been confirmed, medical circumstances will not be considered as exceptions to our cancellation policy. We assume no responsibility for medical care or for special dietary requirements.

Kicking Horse River, Yoho National Park

Does weather ever alter or cancel events?

• Only if conditions pose a safety risk. Often, poor weather can make for dramatic photographic opportunities, so if rain is forecasted, pack a light jacket or rain poncho and bring something to keep your camera dry.

Do you recommend trip insurance?

• Yes We recommend purchasing travel insurance to cover any non-refundable registration fees, travel, lodging, equipment rental or any other related expenses.
  

Do I need a passport ?

• Yes, if you are coming from someplace outside the USA
  

Have more questions?

• No problem! We are happy to answer them: Email Us! dh@greater-yellowstone.com
  

Photographer at Two Jack Lake at Sunrise

1. Travel Insurance
2. Camera gear
3. Camera Manual
4. Foul weather gear
5. Passport if needed ( acquiring one = 3 month process
6. Tripod (STURDY) 
7. Laptop & card readers
8. Split field neutral density filter & kit (optional)
9. Polarizer filter
10. Lots of digital storage
11. Lens cleaning cloth
12. Extra batteries. Bring at least 1 or 2 extra batteries
13. Battery chargers
14. Good humor