Mountain Lakes and Waterfalls Tour - Discover Banff Tours

8:30am

Departure Time

9.5 Hours

Duration

All Ages

Age

Leisurely

Activity

May-Oct

Season

This amazing full-day tour takes you to the most treasured spots in Banff and Yoho National Parks to explore the land and the stories it holds.

Due to the pandemic, this tour is not operating in 2020 and will resume in 2021.

Soaring mountains, stunning lakes and breathtaking waterfalls await you on a tour that explores the stunning lakes and streams of the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

From the history of the Canadian railroad to Takakkaw Falls (the second-highest waterfall in Canada!), follow the trails through a park whose name means “awe” in the Cree language. Explore the evolution of the land and discover how it has shaped the appearance of the natural wonders found in these spectacular mountain settings as you visit highlights such as Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Emerald Lake and Takakkaw Falls.

Included	Hotel pick up and drop off Professional certified guide
Meal	BBQ - Lunch
Transport Options	Hotel pick up and drop off (Banff) Hotel pick up and drop off (Calgary) Hotel pick up and drop off (Canmore) Hotel pick up and drop off (Lake Louise)

The best parts of the tour for most people include the following:

Lake Louise

One of the day’s many up close glacier views.

Moraine Lake

The classic emerald green jewel of the Canadian Rockies (when road permits).

Spiral Tunnels

The ‘Big Hill’ was the Canadian Pacific Railway’s biggest challenge in the Rockies. See how they conquered this challenge.

Lunch at Emerald Lake Lodge

A delicious barbecue lunch at Emerald Lake Lodge is included.

Takakkaw Falls

Canada’s second highest waterfall at 254 metres (when road permits).

Included	Hotel pick up and drop off Professional certified guide
Meal	BBQ - Lunch
Transport Options	Hotel pick up and drop off (Banff) Hotel pick up and drop off (Calgary) Hotel pick up and drop off (Canmore) Hotel pick up and drop off (Lake Louise)

A private group BBQ lunch is provided at Emerald Lake Lodge.

You will have the option of a BBQ chicken, beef, or vegetarian burger served with potato salad and a green salad (includes one non-alcoholic drink)*.

* Menu is subject to change.

Included	Hotel pick up and drop off Professional certified guide
Meal	BBQ - Lunch
Transport Options	Hotel pick up and drop off (Banff) Hotel pick up and drop off (Calgary) Hotel pick up and drop off (Canmore) Hotel pick up and drop off (Lake Louise)

How long is the tour?

The tour begins at 8:30am in Banff and brings you back to Banff around 6pm, approximately 9.5 hours.

If you’re departing or returning to other locations the times are as follows:

Departing	Departure Time	Ending	Duration*
Banff	8:05 AM – 8:30 AM	Banff	9.5 hrs
Calgary	6:05 AM – 6:15 AM	Calgary	14.75 hrs**
Canmore	7:30 AM	Canmore	12.5 hrs**
Lake Louise	9:25 AM – 10:00 AM	Lake Louise	6.75 hrs

* Duration times are approximate, and are based on the latest pick-up times at each location.

** Tours ending in Canmore or Calgary: following the tour, expect 2-3 hours free time in Banff prior to the 7:30PM return transfer.

Tours starting in Canmore, Calgary and Lake Louise are available offline, please contact us to book these options. Please note that prices vary for this tour depending on the start/end location.

What does the tour include?

The full day tour includes transportation from most hotels in Banff, Canmore, Calgary and Lake Louise on a guided luxury 56-seat motor coach tour with several stops in Banff and Yoho National Parks. Highlights include the Bow Valley Parkway, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake*, Valley of the Ten Peaks* (at Moraine Lake), Spiral Tunnels and Takakkaw Falls*. A private BBQ lunch is provided at Emerald Lake Lodge.

* When Takakkaw Falls and Moraine Lake access is unavailable due to early and late season road closures, alternative sightseeing stops will be substituted. Access to Moraine Lake is typically open from late May to late October, and access to Takakkaw Falls is typically open from mid June to early October.

Where is our pick up and drop off from?

You will be picked up and dropped back to your hotel in Banff, Calgary, Canmore or Lake Louise. For tours that finish in a different location than they start from, please enquire directly as these are available offline.

I want to see turquoise lakes, when do the lakes thaw?

Lake Louise and Moraine Lake usually thaw in June. The lakes are beautiful at anytime of year, but if you are set on seeing the famous blue-green water then the best time to visit is from late June to early September.

When is the road closed to Moraine Lake and Takakkaw Falls?

Due to avalanche risk, the access roads to Moraine Lake and Takakkaw Falls is closed each year for part of the season that this tour operates. As a result, this tour does not include Moraine Lake (until late May) or Takkakaw Falls (until mid June) for early season dates, or either location for late season dates (from early October onwards). Please enquire at the time of booking to confirm the current season dates that this tour will visit Moraine Lake and Takakkaw Falls, and to learn of alternate stops and locations.

What should I wear/bring?

It’s recommended that you bring layers with you, even on those warm summer days since some sightseeing stops will be a little cooler than others. Wear some good walking shoes with grip and bring sunscreen, snacks and your camera.

How much time will we spend at each stop?

Stop times vary depending on the area. Approximately 30 minutes at Lake Louise, one hour at Emerald Lake Lodge where you can enjoy lunch. When Moraine Lake and Takkawaw Falls are not effected by seasonal road closures, the stops are 50 minutes at Moraine Lake, and one hour the Takkawaw Falls.

Will I see wildlife?

Wildlife sightings are very common in the National Park, but animal sightings cannot be guaranteed. There are a lot of bears, elk, big horn sheep, mountain goats, deer and more that share the parks with us and because they are in their natural habitat, their sightings are unpredictable.

What is the cancellation policy?

There is a 48 hour cancellation policy, which allows you to change/cancel or refund your booking up to 48 hours outside your booked tour (up to 7 days for group bookings).

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.

Included	Hotel pick up and drop off Professional certified guide
Meal	BBQ - Lunch
Transport Options	Hotel pick up and drop off (Banff) Hotel pick up and drop off (Calgary) Hotel pick up and drop off (Canmore) Hotel pick up and drop off (Lake Louise)

Early and late season road / trail closures may limit access to some areas. Access to Moraine Lake is typically open from late May to early October, and access to Takakkaw Falls is typically open from mid June to early October. When access is unavailable due to seasonal road closures, alternative sightseeing stops will be substituted.
Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by someone 15 years of age or older.
Children aged 8 and older may travel unaccompanied, provided that an “Unaccompanied Minor Agreement” has been completed and submitted prior to travel.

Included	Hotel pick up and drop off Professional certified guide
Meal	BBQ - Lunch
Transport Options	Hotel pick up and drop off (Banff) Hotel pick up and drop off (Calgary) Hotel pick up and drop off (Canmore) Hotel pick up and drop off (Lake Louise)