No prior climbing experience is needed! Our tours are designed to be beginner-friendly while still engaging for those with climbing experience. Our guides will teach you everything you need to know about using the climbing equipment safely and effectively.

For all of our tours, battery-powered rope ascenders are available, so that nearly anyone who can get into a harness can ascend into the canopy. These ascenders can be put on or taken off at any time during your tour.

Our manual climbing system uses a hand ascender and foot loop, which mimics a repeated sit-to-stand motion similar to doing bodyweight squats.  More than fitness, manual climbing requires technique, which our Guides are very happy to teach, and most people can figure out with some practice. As a guideline for our manual climbing systems, you should:

• Be able to perform at least 30 bodyweight squats in a row without feeling overly fatigued.
• Be comfortable sustaining moderate physical activity for 30 minutes at a time, with rest breaks in between. 
• Have lower and upper body coordination to manage climbing equipment and techniques.

If you can climb a few flights of stairs or hike up a moderate incline without too much difficulty, you’re likely fit enough to enjoy our tours. For those unsure, please reach out to us to chat further!

Yes! Recreational tree climbing is a safe activity when proper safety standards are followed.

Our tours are led by experienced climbing arborists and climbing professionals. We use industry-approved equipment, including harnesses, ropes, and safety systems that meet or exceed international standards. Every participant receives a safety briefing and hands-on guidance, ensuring a secure and enjoyable experience in the treetops.

Yes! We generally recommend ages 7+ for our tours, but younger children can be accommodated considering the following:

• Size: Children must fit our standard child-sized full-body harness, which is generally suited for kids aged 5-6 and older.
• Comfort with Equipment: Children must be comfortable using climbing gear with clear instruction from our guides. 

We recommend discussing the experience with your child beforehand to ensure they feel excited and ready to participate. If you’re unsure whether your child is a good fit, feel free to contact us for guidance!

You can book directly through our website.

Each of our tour types has their own booking page with a current availability booking calendar. Once booked, you’ll receive instant confirmation and an email with all the details.

Our Canopy Intro tour operates on a Pay-What-You-Can basis, while our signature Expedition tours are fixed-price, but priced to balance exceptional quality with broad access.

How Pay-What-You-Can works:

• Reserve your spot online: A credit card is required to hold your place, but you won’t be charged at booking.
• Climb first, decide after: Join the guided canopy experience, then choose what you’d like to contribute on site – no pressure, no expectations.
• No-shows: If you reserve a spot and don’t attend, your card will be charged the recommended tour price.

By paying the recommended price—or more if you’re able—you help us:

• Maintain top-quality safety equipment
• Support our team of passionate guides
• Keep this unique experience accessible to a wider community

Your support allows us to continue sharing the wonder of tree climbing with everyone.

The Cultivara Community Discount is our way of encouraging guests who have climbed with us to return or share the experience with others.

Once you have climbed with us, you are given a discount code which can be used for $20 off our Expedition tours. This discount can be used for yourself and shared with friends and family throughout the 2026 tour season.

We are building a community of people who are educated about and care for trees – join us!

Yes! Climbing is most fun when done with friends or family, so we price to encourage full-group (4+ people) bookings for our expedition tours. Discounts can be viewed on each tour page when 4 participants are selected for the booking.

Cancellation Policy

Our tours operate with small groups and dedicated guide time, so advance notice is essential.

• Free cancellation up to 48 hours before your scheduled start time.

• Cancellations within 48 hours are non-refundable.

Rescheduling requests made within 48 hours are considered on a case-by-case basis and may be subject to a rebooking fee of up to 50% of the tour price.

If you experience an unexpected last-minute circumstance, please email info@cultivara.ca — we will always do our best to find a fair solution whenever possible.

Weather Policy

Tours run rain or shine. The forest canopy provides natural shelter, and light rain generally does not affect the climbing experience.

Safety is our priority. If unsafe conditions arise (such as high winds or storms), we will notify you in advance and offer either rescheduling or a full refund.