Via Pu50 Canmore Caving Explorer Tour

Overview

Discover the amazing, underground world of caves on this half-day, small-group guided cave explorer tour with all equipment included. Follow your guide through the twists and turns of this subterranean world, crawling past prehistoric bones and observing centuries-old rock formations. Choose to explore lesser-traveled places in the cave and wriggle through manhole-cover-sized passages (optional) to test yourself in this rugged environment.

Experienced guide, equipment, safety briefing, and instruction provided

Learn about the cave’s geology and how caves are formed over time

Pass through multiple chambers and see stalactites and stalagmites

Inclusions:

Admission ticket

All activities

Expert guide

All caving equipment

Bottled water (the reusable container that is yours to keep)

Snack Bar

Exclusions:

Hotel pickup and drop-off (can be arranged via taxi with advance notice)

Transportation to/from attractions (transportation can be arranged via taxi with advance notice)

Departure Point

Canmore Cave Tours

Departs

Daily

Return Details

Concludes at Canmore Cave Tours parking lot

What To Expect

Choose from multiple departure times to meet your guide in Canmore for an introduction to the day, collect your caving equipment, and complete the liability waiver. This is a wild cave tour - meaning that the cave has not been developed in any way beyond adding a number of safety features.

You will climb crawl, wiggle, and slide your way through the cave over rough, natural terrain. The smallest space you are required to negotiate on tour is approximately the size of a manhole cover. A number of smaller "squeezes" are optional for the extra challenge along the way.

There is very little water in the cave, with no risk of flooding, but please be prepared to get a little bit dirty - that's part of the fun!

Guests are provided with:

Caving Helmet with Light

Coveralls, Kneepads, and Gloves

Safety Harness (maximum size: 46" waist, 33" leg)

Backpack per 2 people

Guests are asked to bring:

Sturdy, Closed-toe footwear (hiking shoes/boots or sturdy running shoes)

Long-sleeved, warm layers for in the cave. Underground temperature is 5ºC (41ºF) year-round.

Clothing for a 30-40 minute hike and appropriate for the outside weather (i.e. rain jacket)

1L (1qt) of water and pocket-sized snacks.

Once introductions have been made and you've collected your equipment, follow your guide in convoy for a 10-minute drive to the cave parking lot where you’ll pack up your caving gear and then hike for 30 minutes up a beautiful mountain trail to the cave entrance.

Along the trail, your guide will explain the geology of the area, how caves are formed and show you fossils to examine up close. Keep an eye out for bighorn sheep or maybe spot a bear or a cougar. At the cave, you will suit up and receive brief instruction from your guide before heading in. Once inside the cave, you’ll get to climb, crawl, slither and get muddy.

Soon after entering the cave, you’ll go through the “Box” then on to the Five Way Chamber, the Grand Gallery, and finally to the Grotto, a chamber full of stalactites and stalagmites with a crystal clear pool at the bottom of the cave. With each twist and turn, you will be amazed by the depth and beauty these caves have to offer, all while challenging yourself in a safe and fun environment.

Your tour concludes in the parking lot after an easy hike down the mountain trail.

Additional Info:

Confirmation will be received at the time of booking

Minimum numbers apply (minimum 2). There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet the requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund

Caving is a moderately strenuous activity. Guests should be prepared to hike uphill for 30-40 minutes on a mountain trail, in addition to climbing, crawling, squeezing, and sliding through the cave. All participants must wear a helmet as well as a safety harness which has a maximum waist size of 46" (116 cm) and a maximum leg size of 33" (84 cm)

Not recommended for participants with heart complaints or other serious medical conditions

Not recommended for participants with back problems

Not recommended for pregnant women beyond their first trimester