Good to read some stuff here thanks

Visited August/September 2016, 4 days with Paul and Eva

My husband and I visited the Canadian Rockies for the 5th time this summer. We already hiked many outstanding trails on our own. But wanting to learn more and go further than the guiding books describe, we already hired some guides on previous trips in previous years. This year we spent 4 days with Paul and Eva and they learned us how much more you can get out of it when you are in the hands of those 2 experts. It already started with the communication when planning the trips. They completely customized the hikes to our wishes and had great suggestions of where to go. We wanted to hike off trail as much as possible or go on hikes that aren’t described in the usual guiding books, or extend existing hikes with some secret places.

The evening before every hike we talked on the phone about the weather forecast and what to expect. We always started early in the morning, which turned out the perfect way to avoid the crowds and made us appreciate the hikes more. They constantly were concerned about our wellbeing and adapted the pace to our needs. They are very knowledgeable about the area and we learned a lot of the history, plants and flowers (what can you eat?), biology of the wildlife and we got lots of time to take pictures of the beautiful sceneries. All with a great touch of humour. They were never in a hurry, and that’s very relaxing on a hike.

They were so kind and patient, it felt like hiking with friends. They even managed to take us to Lake O’Hara, and that is a very difficult job with a reservation system that is completely booked for the whole season within 5 minutes. We also hiked to Sunshine Meadows, Popes Prospect (a hidden secret!) and our new, absolute favourite hike to Mount St.Piran. We had good guides on previous hikes, but none better than this lovely couple Paul and Eva. To our opinion, they are the best guides you can hire!!! Kind, knowledgeable, friendly and funny, You’ll love them and we will definitely hire them again once we’re back in the Canadian Rockies around Banff!

Leen and Ellien van der Kooij, The Netherlands

We thoroughly enjoyed our hike w/ Eva and Paul through Sunshine Meadows! Despite the changeable weather, we were appropriately attired for the day given their recommendations! They're very knowledgeable about the wildlife and fauna, and recommended the perfect hike for our fitness level. Thanks again!!!

My husband and I hiked with Eva Sylvestre to the Sunshine Meadow. Paul had an injury so Eva hiked with us solo. We don't feel like we missed anything having her as our lone guide. The recommendation that we do the Sunshine Meadow was perfect. It was exactly the kind of hike my husband and I were looking for. It had beautiful scenery and enough adventure to suit us. Eva was an outstanding guide. Her pace was perfect for us and she took us off the beaten track so that we saw very few hikers for a good portion of the trip. Her knowledge of the flora and fauna was excellent. We learned a lot. Eva and Paul's communication with us prior to the trip was timely and informative. This hike was one of the highlights of our trip to Banff/Lake Louise. I would highly recommended Nature in Focus for a personalized guided hiking experience.

Thanks for the memories!
Phyllis & Peter

We almost always hire a private guide when hiking. We like to get off the beaten path and immerse ourselves in the natural splendor. We spent the day with our guides, Paul and Eva. They took us through the Sunshine meadows and then to the top of a mountain! The entire journey, which took the better part of the day, was filled with incredible sights, small and large. Paul and Eva kept us in mind throughout and made sure we went at a pace that suited our abilities and took a route that satisfied our interests. They were terrific company as well. It is tempting to think that a person can just get on the trails and do it themselves and see and experience everything without the benefit (or cost) of a guide. We played that game for years. But, several years ago we tried a private guide and learned firsthand how much more you get out of it when you are in the hands of an expert. As a rule, we have always had good guides, but none better than Paul and Eva! Thanks for the memories guys! Next time we get back here, you will be our first call.

Visited August 2014

Snowshoeing with Paul and Eva was a truly amazing experience!!! I simply have no words to describe how much nature, adventure and fun I had with them! They guided me in a customized tour that was awesome! Paul and Eva guided me in the Sunshine Meadow for a 3-hour hiking in the snow mountain wilderness.
"Nature in focus" is definitely a perfect name to describe the experience. However, I would make a minor change to better reflect my experience. I would say: Nature in focus with a lovely, friendly and funny Canadian-Swiss couple with lots of interesting and cool information!
If you are looking for a truly snowshoeing experience, please, talk to Paul and Eva. I'm sure you won't regret it!

Paul took our family on two hikes in late August 2013. We hiked up Mt. Saint-Piran above Lake Louise and then to Stanley Glacier in B.C. Paul was the perfect guide. He was full of energy and knowledge and made everyone in our group comfortable. We learned about Canadian history, plants, trees, wildlife and so much more. From the beginning Paul was like a dear friend. If you are looking for a guide service this is the one.

Sincerely,

Peter Droelle and Family

Ich habe im Juni/Juli drei Wanderungen mit Eva & Paul gemacht.

Eva und Paul sind sehr sympathisch und wissen unheimlich viel über die Gegend. Sie können dir ganz genau die Geschichte zu jedem Ort erzählen und sind in meinen Augen absolute Pflanzen- und Tierspezialisten. Ich hatte geführte Wanderungen gebucht, bekam aber gleichzeitig 2 Experten auf dem Gebiet der Pflanzen- und Tierwelt “mitgeliefert” :-)

Paul hat genau die richtigen Wanderungen/Ziele für mich ausgewählt (wir hatten im Vorfeld über die verschiedenen Möglichkeiten gesprochen, so dass er genau wusste, was am besten für mich ist: sowohl was die physischen Anforderungen der Wanderungen als auch meine Interessen betraf).

Kurzum: Für schöne Wanderungen in entspannter Atmosphäre und in Gesellschaft von sehr sachkundigen, erfahrenen Wanderführern sind Eva und Paul die beste Wahl!

Herzlichen Dank Eva & Paul für 3 wunderschöne Tage!

Great guides – Great hikes

Nature In Focus is a special, highly recommendable company offering guided hikes (half day to multiple day hikes) to individuals or groups.

Eva and Paul, the guides, are extremely knowledgeable of the area. Besides knowing all the routes/hikes they can tell you about the history of the places you visit as well as the plants and animals that are indigenous to the area. So you really not only get the guides you book but plant and wildlife experts at the same time!

Eva joined us on two hikes and so I had two flora and fauna specialists with me to point out all the different plant species and tell me interesting facts about wildlife.

Something else I appreciated very much was that hiking with Eva and Paul felt like hiking with two friends. They are very nice, pleasant people and it is fun to spend time with them.

I booked Paul for 3 hikes this summer. Paul picked the perfect destinations / hikes (we had been in touch before I travelled to Canada so he knew what I was looking for and what would be ideal as to the physical demands of the hikes ).

To put it in a nutshell: Eva and Paul are lovely people and great guides.
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR GREAT HIKES IN A RELAXED ATMOSPHERE AND AN EXCELLENT GUIDING SERVICE this is THE BEST you can get!

Thank you Eva & Paul for a wonderful time!

Paul and Eva took me on 2 day walks, the second walk with some colleagues of mine. Both walks were wonderful - spectacularly beautiful scenery, and guides who are very knowledgable about the area's geography, history, flora and fauna. Paul was very happy to adjust the walks to our abilities and interests. I highly recommend Nature in Focus. These walks will be a highlight of my year. With thanks, Vivien.

This was the second time we used Paul's services and as they say, repeat business is the best compliment. Cathryn (my wife) and I had such a fantastic time snowshoeing with Paul the first time that we brought the whole family. We went to the top of Mt. Standish at Sunshine Ski Area and had the best time. Paul and Eva were great guides, very informative on local history and nature. I can't recommend this experience highly enough.

During my stay in Banff, I had only one day for hiking. Having no previous knowledge of the area, I was very lucky to get in touch with Paul. Without him, I wouldn't have realized that St. Piran near Lake Louise was the perfect target for me. I called Paul two days before our trip and after a brief chat, he meant that St. Piran was what a person like me, quite fit, but a wimp regarding exposed areas, was looking for.

I had a wonderful hike in superb weather in such a beautiful landscape with Paul. I also appreciated our conversations about nature, history and culture during the trip.

Thank you very much,

Dag, Norway

Dear Paul,

Thank you so much for the tour! It was definitly THE best walk of our trip! We had so much fun and learned so much about the mountains! You had offered us the best experience of our stay in Banff, we would remember the view from the mountain top forever!

Once again, thank you!

Best wishes to your future tours!

Sincerely

Sara Li, Wendi Mu.

Thank you, Paul! We're still talking about our wonderful hike with you to visit "Stanley". The perfect place, the perfect pace, the perfect guide!! We're so grateful for the time you spent with us and the opportunity to learn so many things we never would have known. You're knowledge not only of vegetation, glaciers and history but of the area was incredible! Thanks again for such a wonderful day!

Our family had a fabulous day snowshoeing with Paul!!! Exciting, fun, entertaining, and learned so much about the area thanks to Paul. Our children are ages 16, 14 and 12 and they too loved it as much as my husband and me. Paul supplied us with fabulous snowshoes making our trip even easier to plan.
Thanks again for a great memory maker of a day!
Liz
Bloomfield Village, Michigan

Had a great day snowshoeing with Paul March 15/11 at Vermillion Pass on the Great Divide - a custom trek through the woods, up to the lower slopes and then across three frozen lakes. This combination of a work-out, beautiful scenery, interesting coversation and learning some new things about the natural world was first-rate. Thanks Paul!

If you find yourself in Paul’s part of the world you’re off to a good start. We visited Banff in November 2010 and did several hikes with Paul. We didn’t feel comfortable trekking out on our own so we decided to take a guided tour with Nature in Focus. Paul’s local knowledge is unparalleled. There aren’t many questions he can’t answer. He picked us up from our lodge and dropped us off after the hike too. He even gave us some great restaurant recommendations and lots of other useful local info like where the supermarket was and where we could hire ice skates. I won’t give away his hot dinner tips; you can ask him yourself.

We’re hoping to be able to go back to Banff over the next 2 years. If we do, Paul will be one of the first people we contact.

NB: I also recommend the Buffalo Mountain Lodge. Upgrade to a fireplace room if you can.

Tony and Larisa

My husband and I and our two friends went on a hike with Paul over the thanksgiving long weekend. None of us had much hiking experience and Paul took us on a three hour hike in the Kootney region up Stanley Mountain. The time just flew by. Paul was very knowledgable about the area and had very interesting stories. He wasn't obnoxious and over talkative like some guides can be. We felt very comfortable with him and will definately use nature in focus for our next excursion.

Three friends and I contracted Eva to guide us for a day and it was the highlight of our trip to Banff. She is a personable and knowledgeable guide who added greatly to our hike. Her commentary on the plantlife, animal life, rock formation, hiking tips, etc made it educational as well as enjoyable. I would recommend her to anyone.

I am an avid hiker and Paul customized my hike from Sunshine Meadows to Citadel Pass and the Quartz Mountain sub peak. When I go on vacation , I often will go with a guide because I want to relax. No maps to study, gear needs are at a minimum and wildlife/terrain and weather are addressed by a local expert. Paul was a perfect guide and a great change of pace form the Appalachian Trail. Furthermore, Paul had great tips on where to take my wife hiking in Banff so schedule the hike early in your visit. August 2, 2010

We hiked with Paul on lucky Friday the 13th for our first day in Banff. We originally had planned to hike Crowfoot Pass, but changed plans on account of weather. Paul was extremely flexible. We took two cars so that we could climb up Saddleback from Lake Louise, and hike down Sheol and through Paradise Valley. Paul's knowledge of the flora and fauna, and the geology of the area was exceptional. We learned so much! And it certainly helped to have such gorgeous scenery and varying terrain to increase our enjoyment.

I am particularly glad we hiked with Paul on our first day, since our increased knowledge helped make the rest of the week more fun. Although my family was getting ready to disown me if I said "look -fleabane!" one more time. Thank you Paul, for a very memorable day, and for taking some family pictures with your camera after my camera battery died!

We had a fantastic day with Eva on our Sunshine Meadows hike and she made it so much more enjoyable. Eva was great in working with Alan and his injured ankle and it was a wonderful day of hiking,learning about the meadow and enjoying the beautiful weather during our hike.
Thanks for making our day!!!!!!! Alan, Ann, and John

What can we add that hasnt already been said about Paul Sylvestre and his hiking skills, knowledge and expertise extraordinaire!! My wife and I experienced an awesome day hiking the Sunshine under Pauls guidance.How were so fortunate to have Paul as our leader and guide?.Its not true when they say you cant teach old dogs new tricks for we learned so much ( and remembered!) Paul captured the day and made it as magic as the flowers in the meadows.Great sense of humour provided that "extra" touch. If you are fortunate to have Paul as your guide you will simply have the best.

Ralph and Gwen Hodgins Calgary August 12 2010

We were a family of 6 (2 grandparents, 3 "adults," and one 3-year-old), and we had a wonderful hike in Sunshine Meadows with Eva. She was extremely knowledgeable and set a good pace for our large group. Eva was also fantastic with our toddler--he's still talking about the flowers and animals he learned about! Many thanks to Eva!

I had the opportunity to hike Castle Mountain with Paul. I am so glad I booked my adventure with him as it was one of the most amazing days I have ever spent in the mountains. This experience was the highlight of my weekend in Banff thanks to Paul's expertise and experience as a guide,his knowledge of the mountains and his great sense of humor.The breathtaking views were spectacular! A very rich experience of nature in the mountains! Thank you again Paul!