Raft + Horseback Package
Starts atCA$ 222US$ 166€ 145£ 125A$ 240
Duration: 6+ Hours
Age: 8+
Departure: See tour details
Season: May-Sep
Guaranteed departure. This tour runs as scheduled with no minimum group size — book with confidence, it won’t be cancelled for low numbers.
Overview
Combo Package; raft along the family-friendly Kananaskis River, then saddle up for a scenic horseback ride along the Bow River.
Included: Kananaskis River Whitewater Rafting
This river offers the novice a thrilling and fun intro to whitewater rafting on a half-day afternoon tour. Winding through the picturesque landscape of Kananaskis Country, the class 2-3 Kananaskis River is a great whitewater experience for families or as a group outing. Conveniently located 45 minutes from Calgary and Banff in the front ranges of the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
Included: 1 Hour Bow River Horseback Ride (various times available)
Saddle up and take a horseback ride through Banff’s historic Cave and Basin area past bubbling pools of thermal water and along the scenic Bow River as you gaze out at mountain peaks. Horseback rides depart from Warner Stables in Banff.
Tours in this package can be taken on the same day or on different days.
Highlights
The best parts of the tour for most people include the following:
1.5 - 2 Hours on the Kananaskis River
Free Photos
Optional river swim
Everything is provided!
Bow River
Cave & Basin Hot SpringsTour Details
Tour Duration
6+ Hours
Departure Time
See tour details
Age Required
8+
Season
May-Sep
Rafting
- Light refreshments
- Professional river guide on each raft
- Safety instruction and practice paddle
- River fee
- River time 1.5-2hrs
- Wetsuits, lifejacket, helmet, rainjacket, wetsuit booties and gloves
Horseback Ride
- Complimentary photos (online)
- A friendly horse for every rider
- Helmet
- Basic horseback riding instruction
- Lead and tail guides for your ride
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Kananaskis River Whitewater Rafting Tour?+
The tour starts at the Chinook Rafting Base and take approximately 4 hours. This includes a short drive to the river and 1.5 to 2 hours on the water.
What does the Kananaskis River Whitewater Rafting Tour include?+
The tour includes 1.5 – 2 hours on the river (including a 20 minute river float to finish up), a professional river guide with each boat, an optional river swim and free professional photos. All safety equipment including clean and dry wetsuits, wetsuit booties, fleece, spray jacket, life jacket and a helmet is provided. The tour winds through scenic views of the front range of the Rocky Mountain Ranges and occasionally we see wildlife such as osprey, bald eagles, deer and bears.The Chinook Rafting Base has clean port-a-potties, changing tents and ample free parking.
Where is the meeting point for the rafting tour?+
The meeting point is at the Chinook River Base, located on Highway 1A approximately 25 minutes from Canmore and 45 minutes from Banff and Calgary. Detailed driving directions are included in your booking confirmation. There is ample free parking at the riverbase and you will brought back to your vehicle at the end of the tour.
What should I wear/bring for the rafting tour?+
Please wear your swimsuit under your clothes and bring warm clothes and a towel in a bag for after the tour. We also suggest bringing a toque or hat for colder days, to wear under the helmet. Your belongings can be stored in the bus or your own car while you are on the river.You can wear sunglasses/glasses as long as these are secured with a strap or piece of string, and contact lenses are usually okay if you are comfortable swimming with them and tell your guide. Sunscreen is great on a hot day for any areas not covered by the wetsuit, but avoid putting it above or near your eyes. You can bring your own waterproof camera or GoPro which can be secured with your own chest harness or on a helmet with a GoPro mount, but we are not responsible for loss or damage of your equipment.
What shouldn't I bring for the rafting tour?+
Anything else! It isn’t recommended to bring your camera and rafters aren’t permitted to wear their own wetsuit or to wear anything that could cause a hazard while on the tour.
I have some medical concerns for the rafting tour, what should I do?+
When you are making your reservation please let the agent know and they will check with the rafting team. On the day please bring any medication you may need and inform your guide of any medical conditions.
Do you need any rafting/swimming experience?+
No rafting experience is necessary, and we provide a Professional River Guide with each boat who will explain and demonstrate paddle, safety and emergency techniques. This includes dryland safety instructions and practicing paddling on the river before the waves. This tour is ideal for anyone that has never rafted before or does not know how to swim, as the rapids and river are not as strong as the other tours. On the day please inform your guide if you are a non or weak swimmer.
Is the rafting tour safe?+
The tour is run by Chinook Rafting who have been operating whitewater rafting tours as a licensed company in the province of Alberta since 1983 and all of the rafting guides are trained in Swiftwater Rescue and First Aid & CPR. What this means for you is that they are confident that they can manage, not eliminate, the risks today to offer you an exciting and fun day on the river, creating as safe a framework as they can, given what we are doing. However, it is important to remember that we are not on a track, this isn’t Disneyland! The fact that we’re not on a track adds excitement to what we’re doing, but it also adds inherent risks.
How long is the Bow River Horseback Ride?+
The tour is a one hour horseback ride. Please arrive 30 minutes prior to your tour start time.
What does the Bow River Horseback Ride include?+
The tour is a one-hour horseback ride along the Bow River and past the historic Cave and Basin site. You will be provided with a brief riding instruction, a helmet, a friendly horse, and lead and tail guides riding at each end of the small group.
Where is the meeting point for the Bow River Horseback Ride?+
Please meet at Banff Trail Riders Stables, the big red stables located at the end of Sundance Road in Banff. When you arrive, please check-in for your ride at the office in the east barn which has signs for ‘Warner Stables’ and ‘office’. The stables are located approximately a five minute drive or a 20 minute walk from downtown Banff, and there is plenty of free parking at the site. Please see the below map for the location of Warner Stables: Horseback Riding Map of the Stables in Banff, Canadian Rockies
When should I arrive for the Bow River Horseback Ride?+
Please ensure that you arrive 30 minutes before the ride is scheduled to depart.
Is riding experience required for the Bow River Horseback Ride?+
No experience is necessary and if you’ve never been riding before then we’ll be sure to pair you with the perfect horse so you can enjoy a comfortable ride. Our guides will also provide a brief riding instruction prior to the ride.
Can I bring a backpack on the Bow River Horseback Ride?+
Guests cannot bring a backpack on the horse.
What if it rains on the Bow River Horseback Ride?+
Horseback rides run rain or shine, so please dress for the weather. Please do not wear a rain poncho, as they can flap in the wind and spook the horses.
What is the cancellation policy?+
There is a 24 hour cancellation policy, which allows you to change, cancel, or refund your booking up to 24 hours prior to your tour (or up to 7 days prior for group bookings).
Should I tip my guide?+
Tips are not expected, but are certainly appreciated. If you think your guide did a wonderful job and would like to indicate that with a tip, it will be graciously accepted.
Booking Terms
- Tours in this package can be taken on the same day or on different days.
- The minimum age for this package is 8 years and the minimum weight per person is 20kgs (40lbs). If the guest is unaccompanied by an adult then the minimum age is 16 years old for the whitewater rafting tour. Children aged 17 and under must be accompanied on the ride by a legal guardian.
- The maximum weight per person is 230lbs / 104kg, fully dressed (your weight may need to be verified on our scales).
- Riders must check in at least 30 minutes prior to departure.
- Riders must wear fully enclosed shoes (no heels).
- Each rider must be able to speak and understand fluent English.
- Riders must be in good physical condition.
- Helmets are mandatory and to be worn by all riders.
- A waiver must be completed for both tours and is a condition of participation, this will be sent through upon booking. In addition, a Parental Consent form must be completed by the parent or legal guardian of any child under the age of 18 years prior to arrival. This is especially important if you are bringing someone else’s child (under 18 years old) rafting.
- Photo ID may be required for identity verification.
What Our Guests Are Saying
Real, verified reviews from guests who explored the Canadian Rockies with us.