Discover Banff & Its Wildlife (Canmore Departure)
Starts atCA$ 100US$ 75€ 66£ 56A$ 108
Duration: 11.5 Hours
Age: All Ages
Departure: 7:10am
Season: Jun-Oct
Guaranteed departure. This tour runs as scheduled with no minimum group size — book with confidence, it won’t be cancelled for low numbers.
Overview
Enjoy a round-trip transfer between Canmore and Banff combined with a guided sightseeing tour of Banff’s most iconic landmarks. Travel comfortably from Canmore, then discover highlights such as Bow Falls, the Fairmont Banff Springs, and Lake Minnewanka, while your guide shares stories of the region’s history, wildlife, and natural wonders.
Following the tour, enjoy free time in Banff to explore at your own pace. Stroll Banff Avenue, relax over lunch, or take in the alpine scenery before your return transfer back to Canmore. With the chance to spot local wildlife and a warm drink included, this year-round experience offers a seamless blend of transportation, guided discovery, and independent exploration.
Highlights
The best parts of the tour for most people include the following:
Comfortable return transfer from Canmore
Bow Falls
The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
Surprise Corner Lookout
Hoodoos Viewpoint
Lake MinnewankaTour Details
Tour Duration
11.5 Hours
Departure Time
7:10am
Age Required
All Ages
Season
Jun-Oct
Free Time in Banff
7.5 Hours
Included
- Water or Hot Chocolate
- Hotel pick up and drop off in Canmore
- Hands on interpretive tools
- Small group size (up to 24 guests per guide)
- Maple cookie snack
- Professional certified guide
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the tour?+
The tour begins at 7:10am from Canmore and takes about 11.5h
Where is our pick up and drop off from?+
We pick up from selected hotels in Canmore, so you can select your preferred pick-up location during the booking process. For drop offs, our guide will ask you on the way back where you would like to be dropped off either in town or at your hotel.
How can I join this tour if I'm not staying in Banff?+
Starting 1 June 2026, we are offering this tour with the option of being picked up in Calgary or Canmore. You can choose your pickup option directly at checkout. This transfer add-on is $25 for a return transfer from Calgary and $5 for a return transfer from Canmore. This is the most affordable option on the market, as it is cheaper than a regular public Roam bus service (this transfer cannot be purchased on its own, only as an add on to the public tour).
You can also drive yourself to Banff; however, please note that you will need to find parking in Banff for a period longer than the duration of the tour, and parking lots may be full during the summer months. Please refer to the Town of Banff website for general parking information, or the BanffParking.ca website for live parking availability.
How much free time will I have in Banff before returning to Canmore?+
You will have approximately 7.5 hours of free time in Banff before departing for Canmore.
This free time can be used to explore downtown Banff, enjoy a meal, browse local shops, or simply relax and take in the mountain scenery before your return transfer.
Please note that free time may vary slightly depending on traffic, seasonal conditions, and the tour schedule on the day of travel.
How does the Canmore pickup work?+
Guests departing from Canmore will be picked up at their selected Canmore meeting location and transferred to Banff, where they will meet their guide and join their tour. The transfer from Canmore to Banff is approximately 50mins, depending on traffic and road conditions.
Will I stay with the same guide for the entire day?+
No. Guests departing from Canmore will travel to Banff on a transfer service before meeting their tour guide. Once in Banff, you will join the guided tour and spend the duration of your tour with your Discover Banff Tours guide.
After the tour ends in Banff some tours will have free time in Banff, after which you will transfer back to Canmore using the return transportation service.
How does the Banff to Canmore return option work?+
Guests begin the day by joining the guided tour in Banff. At the conclusion of the tour, you will be transferred from Banff to Canmore.
Please note that the sightseeing portion of the experience is operated separately from the Canmore transfer service, so a vehicle change may be required in Banff before departing for Canmore.
What does the tour include?+
The half-day tour includes a guided bus tour to see some of the local highlights such as the iconic Banff Springs Hotel, Bow Falls and Lake Minnewanka. The tour includes several stops, including a brief break with a maple cookie snack and hot chocolate or fresh water (depending on the time of year), and hands on interpretive tools.
Is there a lot of walking involved?+
Only half your time is spent on the bus, and at every stop you will have the opportunity to get off the bus and stretch your legs. All of the viewpoints are a short walk.
Will I see wildlife on the tour?+
There is a chance of seeing wildlife on the tour and we often spot animals, however we do not guarantee seeing wildlife on any of our tours. Our guides have a lot of knowledge about the animals within the park and can fill you in about them if you see any wildlife or if you have any questions.
What is the cancellation policy?+
We require 72 hours notice prior to departure to change/cancel or refund a tour without penalty. Group bookings of 9 or more guests, as well as custom and private bookings, have a 7 day cancellation period.
Should I tip my guide?+
Tips are not expected, but are certainly appreciated. If you think your guide did a wonderful job and would like to indicate that with a tip, it will be graciously accepted.
Booking Terms
- All children aged 15 years and under must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian.
- Photo ID may be required for identity verification.
- By participating in a tour with Discover Banff Tours, guests are acknowledging that they understand that we may take video and photographs of them during their tour. These videos and photographs may be used in promotional materials including, but not limited to, social media.
- Please note that this tour requires a minimum of 4 participants, please call the day prior to confirm the tour.
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