Join us on a tour of DISCOVERY to Rat’s Nest Cave; a wild undeveloped cave with no artificial lights, boardwalks or handrails under Grotto Mountain near Canmore. More than one ton per second of water was pumped through this limestone cave system from extinct glaciers of the last million years. As you walk up to the cave you will look down on the Bow River as it flows along the huge glacial valley that once contained the cave-forming glaciers. Now the glacial waters have drained from the cave leaving glacial deposits, and glistening calcite formations, all of which you can view in perfect safety.
The adventure begins in Canmore with a 10 minute drive to the base of Grotto Mountain followed by a half hour hike to the cave, through a scenic montane forest. Expert guides take you on a Natural History tour of this exciting underground world - etched and sculptured over hundreds of thousands of years - through twisting passages and chambers of stalactites & stalagmites, animal bones and fossils. Caving is physically challenging but no previous experience is necessary. Participants should be physically fit. Tours go year round. Cave is a constant 5°C (41°F).
Season: year round
Suggested Items: Energy snacks, water bottle, disposable or compact camera.
Suggested Clothing: Warm but not bulky clothes - long pants, t-shirt/fleece, hiking boots or good soled trail/running shoes.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Restrictions: Minimum age is 10 years old on the half day tour and 12 years old on the full day. Participants should be comfortable hiking/rafting/skiing/snow shoeing.
Transportation: Transportation is not provided. Trips begin and end in Canmore, Alberta. Canmore is located about 1.5 hours west of Calgary and about 20 minutes east of Banff.
Accommodations: Not included in the price but available at local hotels, lodges and bed & breakfasts.
Guide Information: Experienced and professional guides will take you on a safe tour of the caves.
Weather Information: Summer temperatures average from 15-25°C. Winter temperatures average from 0 to -20°C. The cave temperature is 5°C (41°F) year round.
Trip Duration
Price
1 day
$99.00* per person 4.5 hour trip with 2 hours in the cave.
1 day
$129.00* per person 5-6 hour trip with 4 hours in the cave. Trip includes a 60 ft rappel.
*Please add 5% Goods and Services Tax
If you have any questions or would like more information about a particular adventure, please email us.
Few Canadian adventure activities provide the excitement and exhilaration of whitewater rafting. MORE INFO
FEATURES
Northwest Territories
Starkly beautiful, powerful and immense, our northern world is still wild and pristine....more info
Horse Pack Trips
Discover Canada on horseback on your next Canadian holiday. Enjoy an exhilerating horse- back pack...more info
Fishing Canada
Canada offers tremendous lake fishing, river fishing and ocean fishing. Enjoy spectacular sceneries and go for the big catch.....more info
Cycling Canada
See Canada's open spaces up close on a cycling road tour. more info