Frequently Asked Questions

Click any question below to expand for answers and additional information.

  • Lunch: what's included, and additional important information

    What is included in the lunch?

    Our grazing spreads are sourced locally from select partners and typically feature a curated selection of artisanal meats and cheeses, accompanied by fresh and dried fruits, nuts, olives, and preserves. As we source from boutique providers, exact inclusions vary regularly with the best local provisions available. We also provide fresh bread or crackers to accompany the spread.


    Please note: for bookings made with less than 48 hours' notice, an equivalent, deli-style lunch may be substituted based on partner availability.


    Can we accommodate dietary restrictions?

    In most cases we are able to provide a vegetarian (no-meat) option with at least 48 hours' notice. However, due to the artisanal nature of our local partners, we are currently unable to cater for other specific dietary requirements or severe allergies. If you have specific nutritional needs, you are more than welcome to bring your own lunch to enjoy. 


    Please be aware that our standard grazing boards contain nuts, gluten, and other allergens; we cannot guarantee a nut-free or allergen-free environment during the tour or lunch picnic.


    Should you bring your own lunch?

    If you plan on bringing your own lunch, please let us know in advance and prepare this ahead of time, as there is typically no opportunity to purchase lunch 'on-the-go' once the tour has begun. 


    Breakfast advice:

    We also recommend enjoying a hearty breakfast before your morning pickup to fuel up for the adventure ahead.

  • Can we request to have the lunch removed from our tour?

    Yes! It's your day, and we want to ensure it's arranged in the best possible way to suit your group.


    If you prefer to bring your own lunches or wish to discuss other options for a midday refuel, we can certainly remove the lunch provision on our end. This will also result in a slight price reduction for the tour.

  • What's included in your tours, and what should I bring with me?

    At MOLARI, we handle the transport, lunch, technical logistics, and park admissions so you can focus on personal essentials and the experience itself. We also provide water refills and snacks, as well as all-season hiking gear for all guests.


    For more information, you can find a specific list of inclusions, exclusions, and 'what to bring' recommendations on each tour’s description page.

  • Do you offer tours to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise?

    Yes, we do! We offer a number of different, customizable tour itineraries that include visits to both Moraine Lake and Lake Louise (or just one if you've already seen the other).


    Moraine Lake: Our guests enjoy direct access to the lakeshore in our van, without the need to change vehicles or deal with the complicated shuttle booking systems and queues.


    Note: Moraine Lake is closed to personal vehicles year-round, and only accessible by shuttles and commercial vehicles during the summer season (June through mid-October) each year.

  • Which languages are your tours offered in?

    Our Founder & Lead Guide, Russell, is a native English speaker, but also speaks Spanish and Mandarin Chinese. 


    We welcome guests from all over the world and are very happy to offer our tours in any of these three languages.

  • Do you accept last-minute bookings less than 24 hours before departure?

    We do our best to accommodate last-minute requests (<24 hours before departure) whenever possible. These are handled on a case-by-case basis depending on guide availability and logistics. 


    Please contact us directly to discuss, and we’ll do everything we can to get you on the trails!

  • What is the difficulty level of your hikes/walks?

    Most of our outings range from Easy to Moderate, with the level typically determined by a combination of trail length and elevation gain. 


    Safety is our constant priority: we only guide on designated, permitted trails and do not include scrambling or technical terrain.


    Our active endeavours are: hiking, walking and snowshoeing.

  • Can the physical activity/difficulty levels and start times of your tours be adjusted?

    Yes - and this is one of the major benefits of booking a private tour. 


    Whilst we have standard/recommended departure times, these can be adjusted according to your group's preferences.


    Similarly, the physical activity level of every tour can be adjusted up or down to suit your group's specific needs.

  • Do any of your tours include free time to explore the town of Banff?

    Yes - the following tours each include a 60-90-minute afternoon 'free time' stop to explore the town of Banff:


    Private From Calgary | Banff Town, Moraine Lake & Lake Louise Tour (Multi-Stop)


    Private From Calgary | Banff Town, Lake Louise & Lake Minnewanka Tour (Multi-Stop)

  • Do you offer fully customizable tours?

    Yes, we do! We offer custom tours (subject to a viability sense check) departing from Calgary and the surrounding area, Canmore, or Banff. 


    They can be based around one of our signature itineraries on the website, or we can work together to design something from scratch.

  • Do your tours include National/Provincial Park passes?

    Yes, park passes are included for all participants during their time on tour.

  • What's the maximum and minimum number of participants on your tours?

    Maximum capacity in our van, and therefore on our tours, is 11 guests + 1 driver/guide.


    The minimum number of guests is 1.

  • Do you provide any hiking gear or equipment?

    Yes we do!


    For all participants we provide hiking poles, as well as microspikes/ice cleats, and/or snowshoes for hikes and walks in winter conditions.

  • Do you offer pickup and drop-off in Cochrane?

    Yes we do! Most of our "From Calgary" tours can also start/end in Cochrane, with pickup directly from your accommodation.


    Our other pickup/drop-off locations are: Calgary (and surrounding areas), Banff, and Canmore.

  • Do you offer multi-day tours?

    Yes we do! Our multi-day journeys are fully bespoke experiences designed through personal consultation.


    As we tailor every detail to your needs, these requests require advance planning and are not available for instant booking. Start the conversation by reaching out to us via our Contact Form.

  • Why should I consider a private tour with a local guide?

    With MOLARI, a private guide turns a simple "day in the mountains" into an active, educational, and fully immersive experience. 


    Beyond the safety of an expert at the helm, you gain local context, hidden insights, and a customized pace that simply isn't possible on a group bus.


    We're also proud to offer Founder-led experiences: with us you have a direct line to the insights, commitment, and passion of the owner – not someone just here for the season.

  • Do I need to bring bear spray on tour?

    Safety is our priority, and as such your guide will always be equipped with bear spray for any tour taking place in the mountains, regardless of the time of year.


    We appreciate that some guests prefer to also carry their own, and you are of course welcome to do so.

  • What time do your tours start and finish?

    Standard start and finish times vary depending on tour type and departure location, but all tours begin in the morning.


    Because all of our tours are private, we can also accommodate custom timing arrangements.

  • What is your cancellation policy?

    For customer cancellations, our policy is as follows:


    Single-Day Tours: 

    - 100% refund minus 15% deposit if cancelled 7+ days prior; 

    - Full charge (no refund) if cancelled less than 7 days prior. 


    Multi-Day Tours: 

    - 100% refund minus 15% deposit if cancelled 60+ days prior; 

    - 70% refund if cancelled 30-59 days prior; 

    - Full charge (no refund) if cancelled less than 30 days prior. 


    Grace Period: For any booking made at least 14 days in advance, we offer a 24-hour grace period. In such cases, we will provide a 100% refund if you cancel within 24 hours of booking.


    For any cancellations by us:


    A full refund or the option to reschedule will be offered if an excursion is cancelled by MOLARI, including due to unforeseen circumstances or force majeure (e.g., extreme weather, road closures, safety, wildfire/smoke, natural disasters, mechanical issues, or government orders). MOLARI is not responsible for any associated external costs (e.g., flights, hotels).


    You can review our full Terms and Conditions here.

  • Do you allow children and pets on your tours?

    We gladly welcome children on all but one of our tours, with a few caveats for those under the age of 6. Waivers are still required for any participants under the age of 18, and these are to be signed by a parent or guardian.


    Pets are considered on a case-by-case basis and subject to additional pet fees.


    Please review our full Child and Pet policies here.

  • Do you offer tours to Johnston Canyon?

    We are very happy to include Johnston Canyon on an "on-request" basis. 


    Timing is key - especially during summer - due to the area's popularity and narrowness of the trail.

  • Do you offer preferred rates for multiple bookings?

    Yes indeed we do! Please feel free to reach out to discuss your needs here.

  • Do tours still operate in snowy conditions or "bad" weather?

    Our adventures operate year-round – rain, snow, or shine – and are designed to embrace the changing mountain seasons. 


    Weather-related cancellations are only made in cases of extreme/hazardous conditions.


    Should we need to cancel a tour due to such conditions, we will offer to reschedule or provide a full refund.


    Please refer to our Terms & Conditions to review our full Weather policy.

  • Do you use winter tires on your van?

    Yes, our all-wheel drive van is also equpped with winter tires for increased road safety between October and April every year.

  • What is Kananaskis Country, and why should I visit?

    Chosen as the host for the 2025 G7 Summit and offering a distinct alternative to the national parks, Kananaskis Country is known for its spectacular rugged landscapes and quieter trails.


    As Tourism Canmore Kananaskis puts it: 


    Kananaskis is playground of unfiltered wilderness that surrounds the town of Canmore and runs alongside Banff National Park. 


    It’s known for its untamed mountain vibe and raw beauty, offering countless ways to explore, recharge, and connect with nature.


    Quick Facts:


    Geographic Location: Just over an hour west of Calgary, bordering Banff National Park and the town of Canmore.


    Area Size: 4,000 sq km (1,544 sq mi) of parks and protected lands.


    Elevation: Summits reach up to 2,936 m (9,633 ft).


    Parks & Recreation Areas: More than 10 provincial parks, wildland parks, and ecological reserves, plus numerous recreation zones.


    Trails: Over 150 official hiking trails, from family-friendly walks to multi-day backcountry routes.


    Activities: Hiking, cycling, paddling, climbing, camping, fishing, skiing, and wildlife viewing across all four seasons.


    Read more about this local's favourite here.

  • When is the best time to visit the Rockies?

    The 'best' time to visit depends entirely on the experience you’re seeking, as every season here offers a distinct character with its own possibilities.


    Thankfully the Rockies are an incredible year-round destination, though if we had to pick our favourite time to explore it would be late September/early October for the weather, fall colours, and lighter crowds.

  • What should we do before our tour to be prepared?

    For the best experience come tour day, we recommend the following preparation steps:


    1. Complete your Group Preferences & Waiver Details Form (sent at time of booking) - as soon as possible after booking.


    2. Check the weather forecast to inform clothing and gear decisions - day before and morning of your tour.


    3. Prepare your gear and "what to bring" items - day before/morning of your tour.


    4. Review and sign the participant Waiver & Liability Release and Medical Form (one per participant) - any time before your tour.


    For anything else, please feel free to reach out to us any time.

  • Why do I have to sign a waiver?

    Safety is our first priority. Because our tours involve active discovery in a mountain environment, a signed waiver is required for each guest to comply with insurance standards and ensure everyone is fully informed of the day's activities.

Need something else answered?

Get in touch here