Trip Overview
Departures
Click for Dates + Prices
Duration
6 Days
Activities
Cultural
Hiking
Horseback Riding
Retreats
Yoga
Physical Rating
Easy
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Finding Connection
This transformative spiritual retreat was designed by Indigenous guides Tracey Klettl and Brenda Holder. We have the opportunity to learn about the traditional generational skills shared by the strong women in Tracey and Brenda’s Indigenous lineage. These women were fire carriers, medicine women and Knowledge Keepers.
Discover Your Own Sacred Story
A Renewal of Spirit
Together we walk a path that awakens ancient knowledge from deep roots. We learn how to cultivate balance and the necessary tools required to carry it into everyday practice. Through the teachings of their grandmothers, Tracey and Brenda share their knowledge and skills to foster self-reliance and confidence. Teachings include traditional plant medicine, grounding sacred earth walks, shelter construction, natural navigation, bow hunting and horseback riding.
This family gave the most amazing gift of knowledge of their history through teachings, through stories. I would recommend this trip to anyone who is looking for an opportunity to unplug and get in touch with their own soul and wilderness spirit. Each day left me tired and yet peaceful.”
Catherine E.
Itinerary
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Day 1
Medicine Walks
The Forest Classroom
We meet at 9 a.m. at the Acclaim Hotel in Calgary, which is close to the Calgary Airport, and our guide will drive us to the sanctuary of the Painted Warriors Ranch (located one hour from Calgary).
Upon arrival at the ranch, the friendly staff will help us get settled into the cozy canvas glamping tents before a brief group orientation over hot coffee or a cup of tea. Following orientation, we head outside for an enveloping walk in the fragrant forest where we are introduced to the elements, natural navigation, traditional medicinal uses and extracts derived from plants based on Cree culture.
After a wholesome lunch prepared outdoors, we learn about the intricate designs and importance of beadwork as we work on stitching beadwork patterns into our own projects.
Included Meals
Lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Glamping at Painted Warriors Ranch
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Day 2
Traditional Indigenous Living Skills
The Fire Within
After a wholesome breakfast, we experience a smudging ceremony. We take a sacred earth walk, a meditative journey that establishes a positive start to each new day. We learn Indigenous living skills like how to start a fire without matches and the vital role of the firekeeper in traditional societies.
Our guide will demonstrate how resources from the earth are integrated as everyday tools.
After a lunch of swapped stories and good eats, we continue our traditional education in the forest and learn to tie shelter-building knots and about the evolution of shelter construction in the wild.
Later, we have a crash course in raw food preparation for our evening meal. Tonight’s menu revolves around the benefits of eating naturally sourced food such as vegetables, nuts and fruits.
Satiated, we absorb the magic of the night sky and relax into some casual social time around the campfire.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Glamping at Painted Warriors Ranch
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Day 3
Creating Natural Medicines
The Forest Pharmacy
After breakfast, we have the opportunity to take part in a mindful yoga session.
In the afternoon, following lunch, we learn how to make natural medicines from plants. Learning about the forest pharmacy at our feet is an amazing lesson in self-sufficiency.
It’s easy to feel rejuvenated after another healthy dinner and natural spa treatment using the plants that we gathered earlier. We take part in a fun group foot soak and replenishing facial treatment before returning to our tents happily exhausted.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Glamping at Painted Warriors Ranch
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Day 4
Archery
Targeted Teaching
After breakfast, we start our day with a sacred earth walk and morning yoga session to properly ground ourselves. The rest of the morning will be spent practicing archery and learning local wildlife identification skills and basic bow hunting techniques.
We spend more time deep in the forest after lunch, learning more about First Nations hunting and gathering traditions as we continue our archery journey on a 3D archery course. We have plenty of time to relax before dinner, and this evening is a sweet one! Our talented raw food chef shows us how to make an irresistible campfire dessert.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Glamping at Painted Warriors Ranch
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Day 5
Horseback Riding
Building Confidence
We start our morning with an in-depth session on horsemanship and explore how a horse connects with us and why this relationship is so important. In time, we learn how to read and understand horses from the ground before we begin the beautiful communication process.
As our confidence builds, we learn and practice riding basics so when it’s time to hit the trail, we have a full grasp of the safety measures to consider.
Our afternoon will be spent on a short but glorious trail ride where we experience a small taste of backcountry riding! Yahoo!
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Glamping at Painted Warriors Ranch
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Day 6
Blessings
Full Circle
After breakfast together, we gather for a special blessing walk. This final walk is a direct connection and blessing from Mother Earth that we can take with us, always, in whatever direction we take next in life.
A shuttle transports us back to the Calgary airport where we can either continue to explore the bluebird skies and wild expanse of Alberta or catch flights home. We arrive at the airport around noon so please schedule any departing flights accordingly.
Included Meals
Breakfast
Take a Deeper Dive
Want all the details in one handy package? Download the full itinerary here.
What’s Included
- Smooth shuttle from Calgary airport hotel to ranch on Day 1 and shuttle back to Calgary airport or Calgary hotel on Day 6
- All nourishing meals from lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on the morning of departure, Day 6
- Awesome guides and instructors for all programs, including dynamic facilitators Brenda Holder and Tracey Klettl
- Five nights sweet accommodation in twin share glamping-style canvas tents
- Engaging excursions and activities as outlined in itinerary
- All equipment necessary, such as helmets for horse riding
- Tips are included in the trip price
Please Note:
All applicable taxes are included in the trip price.
Itineraries may be subject to change without notice due to weather and other environmental conditions. Please review our Booking Terms.
Trip Details
Know Before You Go
Click HERE for all of the logistical details you’ll need to know prior to departure—including the packing list, arrival and departure details and suggested tipping information.
This trip starts in Calgary, Alberta (airport code: YYC) and finishes in Calgary, Alberta (airport code: YYC).
The Wild Women Way
If you’re wondering how we roll, it’s together. The Wild Women Way is our modus operandi, our mantra and our rock solid foundation. You can learn more about our Wild Ways HERE.
How We Support You
Ready for a big adventure? We’re in it together. On this active adventure, we’ll learn new skills and even ride horses. Yes, it can be a challenge, but you’re never alone. Like thousands of women before you, you’ll draw on strength you didn’t know you had and come out feeling like the goddess you are.
Like all our trips, this trip can be scaled to suit different abilities and comfort levels. If you have concerns or reservations about your ability to complete or enjoy this trip due to any physical or medical reasons, please contact us and let’s talk about it.
What the Trip Entails
- Walking on the uneven terrain of forest trails
- Glamping for five nights: sleeping on a cot, topped with a thin foam mattress, in a canvas wall tent
- Trying new things! Horseback riding, bushcraft skills, yoga, beading, etc.
- Western-style riding
- The maximum rider weight for this trip is 210 pounds
- Physical Rating: Easy (Some physical activity included. Trips are the most leisurely with an average of 1-4 hours of physical activity each day.)
