If you want to see the sights on your own then this is the right package for you!  Start your morning with an infotaining drive to Lake Louise via the Bow Valley Parkway.  Listen as your GyPSy Guide points out the best places to spot for wildlife and offers suggestions on great places to visit like Johnston Canyon or Silverton Falls.  Take some classic photos at Lake Louise, walk the shoreline or explore further on any of the well marked and groomed trails around the lake.  GyPSy works on your touring schedule so spend as much time as you choose.

In the afternnoon return to Banff via the TransCanada Highway and learn about some of the greatest challenges facing wildlife in our national parks.  Once you are back in Banff, GyPSy will guide you to visit landmarks, grab photos, spot for wildlife and tell you how Banff came to be!  On Sulphur Mountain use your Banff Gondola passes (included) to get some airy views of the Valley and explore the summit boardwalk.  To complete your day, use your Blue Canoe pass for a two hour rental and take a relaxing paddle on the Bow River.

How Does GyPSy Work?

On your Canadian Rockies vacation you won't miss a thing while driving when you rent a GyPSy Guide. It's a small device that you plug into your car stereo and as you arrive at points along your day's drive it will automatically play commentary.

With over 3,500 points of interest, the commentary covers a wide range topics, telling you about the beautiful coastal scenery of Vancouver and Victoria, interesting stories of past explorers in the Canadian Rockies, advice on where to watch for wildlife in Banff National Park, advance notice for important highway intersections and quirky tales from Canada. All prepared by professional tour guides.

Whether in your own car, a rental car or RV, it's a guided tour you drive yourself, allowing you to travel at your own pace, visiting the places you want to see.

Click HERE to learn more about GyPSy

Banff & Lake Louise Sightseeing

• Bow Falls - Water crashes over ancient limestone creating a spectacle of sound and sight.
• Banff Springs Hotel - The castle of the rockies is the railways contribution to the building of Canada.
• Hoodoos Lookout - What is a hoodoo?
• Lake Minnewanka An underwater village, native history, and a pleasant refreshment break.
• Hillsdale Meadows-A great stop for taking photos of Mt. Ishbell.
• Johnston Canyon - An easy walk featuring fantastic waterfalls.
• Lake Louise - The world famous lake with stunning glacier and mountain views.

Banff Gondola

• Spectacular views - Get them on the way up in the Gondola and of course from the summit.
• Summit Restaurant - A great place for a snack at the top of Banff.
• Historical Banff Weather Station - A pleasant walk on the summit trails leads to interpretive signs and a national historic site.

Blue Canoe

• The Bow River - A gentle portion of this major waterway is superb for canoe travel.
• Osprey Nest - Look for the resident osprey nest along the banks of the Bow River.
• CP Rail - Watch for trains while you paddle alongside the tracks of Canada’s first railway line.
• Wildlife - Stay alert for birds and wildlife in this important wildlife corridor.

Inclusions:

• 24 Hour GyPSy Guide Rental with guide commentary and directions for Banff and Lake Louise
• 2 Adult Gondola passes
• 2 Hour Blue Canoe Rental

Suggested Independent Touring Itinerary:

8:00am - Pick up your GyPSy from Discover Banff Tours after 8:00am

8:30am - Depart your Banff Hotel for Lake Louise Sightseeing

12:00pm - Take Lunch in Lake Louise

2:30pm - Return to via TransCanada Highway to Banff for local sightseeing

4:00pm - Visit Banff Gondola

6:30pm - Go for a canoe on the Bow River, bring some snacks and enjoy the tranquility

Price:
$137.95 (per adult, including GST)

Restrictions:
Based on a minimum of two adults.

Banff Tour

• Bow Falls - Water crashes over ancient limestone creating a spectacle of sound and sight.
• Banff Springs Hotel - The castle of the rockies is the railways contribution to the building of Canada.
• Cave & Basin - The birthplace of Canada's national parks.
• Surprise corner - A higher view of Bow Falls and the majestic Banff Springs Hotel.
• Hoodoos Lookout - What is a hoodoo? Get the lay of the land.
• Lake Minnewanka An underwater village, native history, and a pleasant refreshment break.
• Bankhead - An abandonded coal mining town closed by the national park.

Banff Gondola

• Spectacular Views - Get them on the way up in the Gondola and of course from the summit.
• Summit Restaurant - A great place for lunch at the top of Banff.
• Historical Banff Weather Station - A pleasant walk on the summit trails leads to interpretive signs and a national historic site.

Helicopter Sightseeing

• Canmore's Landmark - The Three Sisters.
• Mt. Lougheed - A gigantic peak that is a formidable climb.
• The Spray River Valley - A beautiful valley that attracts many for mountain recreation.

Inclusions:

• Hotel Pick up and drop off / all transporation
• Discover Banff and its Wildlife sightseeing tour (Morning)
• Gondola passes
• 12 Minute Spray Lakes Helicopter sightseeing tour (Afternoon)

Itinerary:

8:45am - Be ready outside your Banff Hotel for Banff Tour pick up

12:00pm - Drop off at Banff Gondola

2:30pm - Be at Gondola base for helicopter sightseeing pick up

5:00pm - Return to your hotel in Banff

Price:
$178.95 (per adult, includes GST)

Restrictions:
Based on a minimum of two adults

Season Dates: April 15th - November 30th, 2008

Your day begins with a Morning Wildlife Safari. The morning is a great time for bird watching, wildlife viewing and exploring around Banff. On this tour you will journey to known wildlife and bird viewing areas and then enjoy the outdoors on short nature walks. Your guide will be equipped with props to help explain animal behaviours and a spotting scope bring the views in closer. After lunch, you will depart from Warner Stables on your two-hour horseback ride. Real Banff cowboys will lead you through the Cave & Basin historic area and along Bow River. Fantastic scenery surrounds as you climb up Sulphur Mountain around the Windy Knoll viewpoint. The ride loops around the marsh, following the Bow River, bringing you back to Warner Stables. At your leisure, head down to the Blue Canoe docks and enjoy a two-hour canoe rental. Experience the serenity of a truly Canadian past-time as you paddle on the Bow River and Vermilion Lakes.

Tour Highlights

• Cave and Basin: Find out why this national historic site is the birthplace of the Banff National Park.
• Vermillion Lakes: Wetland habitat, birds of prey, wildlife underpass. A great opportunity for viewing wildlife here!
• Bow River: Paddle upstream and enjoy views of the Rockies from a different perspective.
• Wildlife: Learn about the habitat and behaviour of the wildlife that we view on 95% of our tours!
• Mount Norquay: Montane habitat, avalanche slopes, great views for photos.
• Sulphur Mountain: Gaze upon the Bow Valley from a high vantage point.
• Banff National Park: Explore the Park as the pioneers did, on horseback.

Inclusions:

• Hotel pick up and drop off / all transportation
• Professional guides
• Use of Binoculars
• Spotting scope
• Interpretive tools
• Light refreshments including maple cookies
• 2 hour horseback ride
• 2 hour canoe rental

Activity Details:

Morning Wildlife Safari

Departs Banff Daily: 8:00am

Duration: 3 hours

Sundance Loop Horseback Ride

Departs from Warner Stables Daily: 10:00am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm and 4:00pm.

Duration: 2 hours.

Blue Canoe Rental available daily during Summer.

Hourly, two hourly, full day or full day off site rental is available.

Price:

$144.50 (per adult, including GST)

Restricitions

Based on a minimum of two participants.
Minimum age is 8 years.

Attention adventure seekers! Enjoy a half-day white water rafting adventure on the Kananaskis River. This family-friendly trip splashes through Grade II and III rapids. The river winds it’s way through the majestic scenery of Kananaskis Country, 45 minutes drive from Banff. Rest up well for your Classic Hike the following day. Explore the trails in Yoho, Larch Valley,Stanley Glacier, and Plain of 6 Glaciers. Our passionate local guides will lead you through spectacular scenery, sharing stories of the mountains along the way. A hearty packed lunch is included on your full-day hike. Head down to the Blue Canoe docks at your own leisure to enjoy your complimentary one hour canoe rental. Relax as you paddle on the calm waters of the Bow River, spotting for wildlife, and explore 40 Mile Creek and Vermilion Lakes.

Tour Highlights:

• Raft past the spectacular scenery of the Canadian Rockies front ranges.
• Splash your way through Grade II and III whitewater on the Kananaskis.
• Explore the rugged trails of the Banff and Lake Louise area.
• Vermilion Lakes: Weland habitat, birds of prey, wildlife underpass. A great opportunity for viewing wildlife here!
• Bow River: Paddle upstream and enjoy views of the Rockies from a different perspective.

Inclusions:

• Hotel pick up and drop off / all transportation for Kananaskis Rafting and Classic Hikes
• Professional guides
• Use of binoculars
• Interpretive tools
• Packed lunch on Classic Hike
• Complimentary 1 hour canoe rental

Activity Details

Kananaskis River Rafting

Departs Banff Daily: 12:45pm.

Duration: 5 hours.

River Time: 1.5 - 2 hours

Classic Hike

Departs Banff Daily: 9:00am

Duration: 7 hours.

Hiking Time: 3 - 4 hours

Blue Canoe Rental available daily during Summer.

Hourly, two hourly, full day or full day off site rental is available.

Price:

$162.20 (per adult, including GST)

Restricitions

This package is based on a minimum of 2 adults.

Rafting available Monday - Friday only.

Minimum age 13 years (Classic Hikes requirement).