Kicking Horse River

The tour includes 2 – 2.5 hours on the river, a professional river guide with each boat, and a barbecue lunch. All safety equipment including a wetsuit, fleece, spray jacket, life jacket, neoprene booties and helmet is provided.

The river base is fully equipped with on-site facilities such as private washrooms, change rooms and outdoor showers.

The meeting point is at the Hydra River Base on Kicking Horse Road near Golden in BC, located 1.5 hours west of Banff. Detailed driving directions will be provided in your booking confirmation.

Transportation is available for all morning tours from Banff (7:30am) and Lake Louise (8:20am) for $20 per person from select locations, guests will arrive back in Lake Louise at around 2:00pm and in Banff at around 2:30pm – 3:00pm.

Transportation is available for afternoon tours from Banff (10:40am) and Lake Louise (11:50am) for $20 per person from select locations, for limited early and late season dates. Guests will arrive back in Lake Louise at 5:30pm and Banff at around 6:00pm – 6:30pm.

Please wear your swimsuit under your clothes and bring warm clothes and a towel in a bag for after the tour. A locked storage box is available on site.

It’s recommended that you wear contacts but if you need your glasses, secure them with a sunglass strap.

Anything else! There is secure storage for your personal belongings on site at the private river base. You don’t need to take anything on the raft, unless it is medication such as inhalers that must be kept with you. The guides have a dry bag onboard where these can be kept safe.

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.

No you don’t. Most of the guests are first time rafters and the trips, equipment and briefings are designed to put the novice rafter at ease. The guides so will provide a thorough safety talk before getting into the water. No experience is required for any trip.

You will go through class 1 – 4 rapids on this tour. This popular whitewater journey is the longest and most exciting trip and is ideal for thrill seekers. Wondering what the rapids classifications mean? Check out our Whitewater Rafting Rapids Classification Guide.

The tour is run by Hydra River Guides, who have been rafting the Kicking Horse River for over 30 years. With time comes experience and Hydra prides itself on its qualified staff and impressive safety record. Each year they refine our trips, organization and guest experience.

There is a 48 hour cancellation policy, which allows you to change/cancel or refund your booking up to 48 hours outside your booked tour (up to 7 days for group bookings).

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.