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.  At Lake Louise spend time as you like and 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 time as you like.

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 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 at a relaxed pace use your Blue Canoe pass for a two hour rental and find peacefulness 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 - A quiet place early on or later in the day with fantastic waterfalls

LAKE LOUISE-The world famous lake with stunning glacer and mountain views

Banff Gondola

Spectacular Views - Get them on the way up in the Gondola and of course from the summit too

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 Rai l-Trainspot Canada’s first railway line while you paddle alongside the tracks
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:

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

8:30 am - 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 and Times:

Departs Banff: 9:00
Duration: Full Day
This is based on Two Adults: $144.00

Banff Tour

Bow Falls - Water crashes over ancient limestone creating a spectacle of sound and sight. Be introduced to the tour, land, and place.
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 5 min
Hoodoos Lookout - What is a hoodoo? and getting 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 too

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

Flightseeing

Canmore's Landmark-The Three Sister's

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 Sightseeing Tour (Morning)

-Gondola passes

-12 Minute Spray Lakes Flightseeing tour (Afternoon)

Itinerary:

8:45 am - 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 flightseeing pick up

5:00ish-   Return to your hotel in Banff

Price and Times:

Departs Banff Daily: 9:00
Duration: Full Day
Adult: $174.66
Children (under 13 yrs): $145.00

Your day begins with a short journey to the unique setting of Grotto Canyon. While walking on the frozen creek this easy walking tour will take you into a mystical setting of Grotto Canyon to see ancient Indian rock art painted on the walls. Lunch is included after which you will have free time to explore Canmore before being picked up for your dogsledding adventure. Harness the dogs, ride the sled, or drive the dogs yourself for the full experience! Each tour includes refreshments and snacks. You will be returned to your hotel at the end of the day.

You will see:
-A stunted forest Why are the trees so small and oddly shaped?
- Grotto creek You will walk on the frozen creek bed winding through the narrow gorge
-Rockies geology Witness ancient ocean floors around you, the result of mountain building processes
-Pictographs 1500 year old clues linking native culture in Canda to distant areas in the South West of the United States
-Icefalls Get close to icefalls seeping from the cliff face, and if lucky watch ice climbers performing their craft

- Whiteman's Gap A historical first nations travel route that you will pass through on your way to your dogsledding adventure

- Spray River Valley and Reservoir Gorgeous front range mountains domiante the view of this spectacular valley where your dogsledding tour takes place

- Racing huskies These dogs love their jobs!  Harness the dogs, ride along or drive them yourself for the ultimate bragging rights!

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Inclusions and Itinerary :
- Hotel Pick up and drop off/all transporation

- Hiking Guide

- Ice cleats & hiking poles

- Hot chocolate & cookies

- Back country trail snacks (beef jerky, dried fruit, cheese)

- Dogsled guide

- Lunch at the Grizzly Paw Restaurant

     1. Grilled Chipotle Chicken Burger, served on a whole wheat bun with chipotle mayo, lettuce, tomato and onion. With choice of fries, caesar salad or house salad.

     2. House made beef burger, with cheddar cheese, served on a whole wheat bun with mayo, lettuce, tomato and onion. With choice of fries, caesar salad or house salad.

     3. Veggie wrap, served with curried mayo, wild rice, red peppers, shredded carrot, chopped mushroom and lettuce. With choice of fries, caesar salad or house salad.

     4. Daily feature is also be available please ask your server.

Note:  Your pick up location after lunch will be from the Canmore Library.  It is a short 2 blocks away.  Please ask your guide and/or server for directions on the day of your tour.

Activity Details

Icewalk Return Distance: 4.2 km Elevation Gain: 100 m
Dogsledding Time: Approximately 2 hours

Departs Banff Daily: 9:00
Departs Canmore Daily: at 9:30
Duration: Full Day
Adult: $210.00
Children: 8-9 yrs $119.00

Remember you will be away from your hotel for the entire day and will be spending lots of time outside.  Dress in ski wear including your touque (hat), mitts and warm boots

Restricitions

This package is based on a minimum of 2 adults