What am I responsible to bring on the trip?
A Day Pack is a must have, as it is easier for cameras, water, sunscreen, etc. to be with you each day. For camping, a flashlight and bug spray are needed as well as sunscreen and sunglasses. We will send you a detailed checklist of suggested things to bring when you book your trip.
What kind of clothing do I need?
Layers. Certain areas like the Rocky Mountains (and when we are walking on glaciers), can get quite chilly. Bring a sweater or sweat shirt. And we may see some rain, so rain gear is highly recommended. Other than that – the dress during Canadian summers is very casual; shorts, T-shirts, sandals, etc.
For FreeBird Xtreme how much should I budget for Hostels?
Each hostel we stay at will cost you between $25 and $35 with your FreeBird Discount. So, because you are on the trip for 9 nights – some quick math says it will be approximately $270. All hostels have a place you can make food, some have a bar attached, some give you free breakfast, some we get “fun money” for you to spend in the restaurant and some have a BBQ you can choose to attend for $10 for all you can eat supper.
How much money should I budget on top of the trip price for activities?
This is a very difficult question to answer as each person is different and wants different things from their trip. It’s all about the adventures you choose. Activities like white water rafting and extreme mountain biking are around $130, but hiking is free – so it all depends on what you plan to do. On FreeBird Camping most people plan for whitewater rafting and Paragliding which together will cost about $300, then there are smaller costs such as gondolas, bike rentals – it really just depends. An average cost would be about $400 and that would allow you to do most everything available on the trip. FreeBird Xtreme is a whole different scenario. There are so many things you can do for activities – skydiving being the most expensive at about $270. Bungee jumping, paragliding and soaring are all big cost items, so it really depends on what you plan to do. An average cost would be about $600 and that will cover about 6-7 activities on the trip.
What about Tips?
Tipping in Canada is 10-15% for most services. On some of your activities, such as those needing a guide (like horseback riding) you can decide if you want to tip and what. Restaurants expect 15% which you add to the end of your bill, but in some higher class restaurants it may be already added to the bill. As for tipping the FreeBird Team – there is no set number. We do what we do, because we want you to have a great trip. Whatever you choose to tip us, it is muchly appreciated.
Do you cater to special diet restrictions and requests?
Yes. To a certain degree. Our meals on FreeBird Camping are all healthy, home cooked and hearty. If you have special requirements or requests, you will need to tell us prior to the trip, so we can make adjustments. There may be an extra charge for certain requests.
Can I bring my kids / pets?
No. The minimum age requirement for our trip is 19. This is not a family oriented trip. There will be activities (such as pub crawls and wine tours) that can only be done if you are of legal age (18 in Alberta, 19 in BC).
Can I start or finish anywhere on the route?
The norm is to start in Calgary and this is our suggestion. However, special requests can be made in advance. If we are not fully booked we may be able to accommodate pick ups part way through.
What experience level do you have to have for the camping?
None! We do everything for you, so no experience is required.
