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Online Bookings

Looking to book a cave tour but not sure where to start? You can find the details of each tour, event or course that we offer on the Tours & Activities page. From here you will be able to make your reservation online using our handy booking widget.

If you are having trouble booking online, or don't see the date/time you were hoping for, please contact us, we'd be happy to help.

Common Questions
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ADVENTURE AND EXPLORER TOURS?

The Adventure Tour is a total of 6 hours long, 4 hours of which are spent underground. The Explorer Tour spends 2.5 of its total 4.5 hours underground. The main difference between the two is that the Adventure Tour includes an 18m rappel (no experience necessary) and the extra time allows us to explore more of the cave. Both tours are similar in difficulty and require a moderate level of fitness.

IS THERE A MINIMUM AGE?
The minimum age for the Adventure Tour is 12 years. The minimum age for the Explorer Tour is 10 years.
IS THERE A MAXIMUM SIZE?
Generally speaking, fitness is more of a concern than size. However, all participants must wear a safety harness which has a maximum waist size of 46" (116 cm) and a maximum leg size of 33" (84 cm). If you have any concerns about size please don't hesitate to contact us.
WHAT IS INCLUDED AND WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

We provide all of the necessary caving equipment including coveralls, kneepads, gloves, helmet & headlamp, harness & safety lanyard, and backpack. The backpack will be shared by two people and will not go into the cave.

You will need to bring good footwear, warm clothing, a water bottle and a durable snack to keep your energy up in the cave. Cave friendly snacks are pocket-sized, are edible even if squished (you will probably sit on your snack at least once!) and include energy bars, candy bars, fruit leathers etc. Please avoid snacks that will potentially leave a mess in the cave like nuts and fruit. Also, if you will require medication during the tour it is a good idea to bring 2x what you would expect to use, just in case.

Footwear must be closed-toe and should have a sturdy tread. Hiking boots or shoes are best, but a sturdy running shoe will also work. Other options include rubber boots or winter boots (in the winter).

The cave is 5 degrees celsius, so warm clothing is recommended. Imagine what you would wear if you had to spend a few hours in a refrigerator. We recommend long pants, long sleeves, a warm sweater, hoodie or jacket. Synthetic fabrics are best as they will keep you warm even if you get wet.

Any cameras going into the cave will need to fit into your pockets. We do not allow backpacks in the cave. Small point-and-shoot cameras or smart phones are welcome but please keep in mind that the cave environment is not particularly friendly towards electronics. High humidity and dust can damage equipment, and screens can break if you accidentally sit on it. Electronics are brought at your own risk.

IS TRANSPORTATION PROVIDED?
No, transportation is not provided. If you do not have your own vehicle we can arrange a taxi to the cave for you at an additional cost. You can use Canmore's public transit to get to our office.
HOW HARD IS THE TOUR?

The hike to the cave takes approximately 30-40 minutes and is uphill the whole way on a mountain trail. Most of our guests find this to be the hardest part of the day, but we do take lots of stops along the way to enjoy the scenery.

Once in the cave the pace is quite slow as we maneuver through the passages. This is not a flat walking tour. There are no handrails, walkways or fixed lighting. We climb, crawl, slide and wiggle our way around the cave so it is best to have a moderate level of fitness. Even more important though is your sense of adventure!

ARE THERE RATS OR BATS?

Rat's Nest Cave is named after the nests of Bushy-tailed Wood Rats found in the entrance. This species of super-cute rodents is native to the area and they use the cave as a home due to it's constantly warm temperatures and protection from predators. We rarely see the rats, and if we do there is usually just one.

Bat's are rarely seen at Rat's Nest Cave. The cave is not a hibernaculum (a place where bats hibernate through the winter). We usually only see the occasional bat in the summer as they are passing through the area.

IS THIS TOUR SUITABLE FOR ME IF I'M PREGNANT?

Yes, but only up until the end of the first trimester (12 weeks).

It is always advisable to seek advice from your doctor when participating in activities like caving.

WILL I NEED TO SIGN A WAIVER?

Yes, all participants will need to complete a liability waiver. We recommend you review the waiver before booking your tour. Once you have booked your tour you will receive a link to sign the waiver online . Any minors must have their waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian before participating on the tour.

View the Waiver

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Gift Certificates

GIFT CERTIFICATES

You can purchase these digital gift certificates in a variety of denominations. They are ready to be printed off and used as soon as your purchase is complete, they are fully transferable, and never expire

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GIFT CARDS

Order a physical gift card for the Adventure Tour or Explorer Tour. Simply scratch the back to reveal the code which can be used to book your tour online. Gift ards never expire.

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Donations & Fundraising

We love our community and we support it in every way we can. Every year we help dozens of local charities and non-profit organizations in their fundraising efforts through door-prize and silent auction donations, event promotion and sponsored events.

Due to the sheer number of requests we are unable to offer donations to every organization that contacts us, but we still want to help! Use the following form to send us the details of your request. Please provide as much information as possible. 

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