The Rocky Road--by Bus

Independent travelers who want to explore the Canadian Rockies economically this summer can choose from two bus companies catering to backpackers.

Rocky Express started its fifth season in mid-May, offering six-day, five-night guided van tours through the Canadian Rockies for $135.

Owner Lynn Warden, who created the company after enjoying similar services on the Isle of Man, off the coast of England, and in New Zealand, stresses that this is an adventure company, not a luxury bus service. Travel is by 15-passenger van, and the atmosphere is informal.

Accommodations are in dormitory rooms in Hostelling International facilities that vary from rustic to modern. The price of the hostel beds are not included in the tour fares, but they are reserved for each night, with rates ranging from $7.80 to $15.35 per bed.

Day 1 includes a hike to a waterfall in Johnson’s Canyon, Banff, Canada, and the afternoon at Lake Louise, Canada, for hiking, canoeing or horseback riding. Day 2 includes hiking at Moraine Lake and a drive up the Icefields Parkway. The night is spent at Shunda Creek Hostel, where guests can relax in a hot tub. Day 3 features a visit to the town of Nordegg, Canada, and vicinity for caving, mountain biking, horseback riding, golfing, hiking or taking a coal mine tour. The night is spent at the Rampart Creek Hostel, which has a sauna. On Day 4 guests can take an optional Snocoach (all-terrain vehicle) tour of the Columbia Icefields for $15.35, or visit Athabasca Falls and Horseshoe Lake. Evening is spent touring the town of Jasper, Canada. Day 5 starts with a visit to Maligne Lake with opportunities to hike, canoe, white-water raft, horseback ride or take a boat cruise. On Day 6 the group travels back to the drop-off point of their choice--Lake Louise, Banff or Calgary, Canada.

Extra charges include: horseback riding ($12 to $20 per hour), white-water rafting ($46.75), mountain biking ($20 per half-day) and caving ($32).

Tours depart Sundays until Oct. 12, and also will start on Wednesdays through Sept. 24 and Fridays until Aug. 22. The departure time from the Calgary hostel is 8 a.m., and from Banff hostels it’s 9:30 a.m.

For more information, contact Rocky Express, c/o True North Tours Ltd., Box 75051, Cambrian P.O., Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2K 6J8; telephone (403) 275-4979.

Bigfoot Adventure Tours also has started its fourth season, the second under the present ownership. Bigfoot’s two-day $95, 620-mile tour from Vancouver, Canada, to Banff takes travelers through coastal rain forests, glacier-carved valleys and mountain ranges.

On the first day, travelers are picked up at Vancouver hostels and taken to Bridal Falls, the Fraser River, then to Shuswap Lake and a hostel that offers beds in a train caboose. On the second day, the tour continues through Rogers Pass and drops passengers at either Lake Louise or Banff hostels. Departures are on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

The return route, which also costs $95, includes stops at Takakan Falls, Emerald Lake and the Othello Tunnels. This route departs from Banff and Lake Louise.

On all two-day trips, your first night’s accommodation is reserved but not included in the fee. Expect to pay $10 to $15 per night. Stops are made regularly at grocery stores, and communal evening meals usually are arranged.

For more details, contact Bigfoot Adventure Tours, 1900 Valmont Way, Richmond, British Columbia, V6V 1Y4; tel. (604) 278-8224 or toll-free (888) 244-6673, fax (604) 278-4881.