All Ages
Age
May-Oct
Season
Combo Package; look for wildlife on a twilight tour, and then ride the Lake Louise Gondola up to 2.088 metres.
Included: Evening Wildlife Safari (start time varies seasonally)
Where do you find the animals of Banff when the sun goes down? Your guide will know! Keep your eyes peeled for twilight wildlife encounters as you view rare animal artifacts and learn about local wildlife, safe wildlife watching practices and the importance of wildlife management in Banff National Park.
Included: Lake Louise Gondola (various times available)
Cruise for 14 glorious minutes, in an open chair or a fully enclosed gondola, to one of Banff National Park’s greatest views! From the top at 2,088m (6850ft), the spectacular scenery is yours to explore at will. Plus there’s also a Wildlife Interpretive Centre, hiking trails, guided walks and a range of dining options from a contemporary bistro located at 6,700 feet, to a smokehouse with a patio dining area.
Activities in this package can be taken on the same day or on different days.
The best parts of the Evening Wildlife Safari for most people include the following:
1
Bus Tour
The Evening Wildlife Safari is a paved road bus tour, with little to no walking involved. There are a number of routes available depending on wildlife activity and so every night is a new adventure!
2
Wildlife Viewing
We see wildlife on over 95% of our tours, and often see deer, elk, big horn sheep, bears and birds. Please note that wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.
3
Interpretation and Education
View rare animal props and artifacts as your guide shares information on the local animals, safe wildlife watching practices and the importance of wildlife management in Banff National Park.
The best parts of the Lake Louise Gondola for most people include the following:
1
Choose from a fully enclosed gondola or an open chairlift
Cruise for fourteen minutes to one of the Banff National Park’s greatest viewpoints and see spectacular mountain scenery across the valley to Victoria Glacier from 2,088m (6850ft).
2
Mountain dining, wildlife viewing and hiking
Guests can enjoy hiking trails, wildlife viewing opportunities, an Interpretive Centre, and the Lodge of the Ten Peaks Dining and Cafe. Plus, wildlife sightings occur almost daily.
While the starting time varies depending on the sunset, this is a 2 hour tour.
The two-hour tour includes transportation from most hotels in Banff on a guided bus tour to look for local wildlife.
We pick up from most hotels in Banff, and 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.
The tour is a paved road tour and there are a number of routes this tour follows, depending on wildlife activity.
This is not a walking tour and most of the tour will be spent on the bus, but there are opportunities for you to step off the bus to take in scenic views around Banff. However, when in the presence of the wildlife we do not step off the bus unless the guide believes it is safe.
It is possible to see the following in the park: white tail deer, mule deer, elk, black bears, grizzly bears, chipmunks, eagles, coyotes, wolves, osprey, ducks, Canadian geese, squirrels, big horn sheep, mountain goats. Unfortunately we can never guarantee seeing any animals, but our guides try their best to take you to areas we know animals frequent.
No, as all wild animals experience stress when crowded by humans, which is hard on the animal and dangerous for us. Discover Banff Tours adheres strictly to the recommendation set out by Parks Canada for safe wildlife viewing.
Just your camera and warm clothes, plus any refreshments you may like.
There is a 24 hour cancellation policy, which allows you to change/cancel or refund your booking up to 24 hours outside your booked tour (up to 7 days for group bookings).
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.
The Lake Louise Gondola is on Lake Louise Drive at the Lake Louise Ski Area, approximately a 45 minute drive from Banff. There is plenty of free parking for cars and RVs in the parking lot just outside the main day lodge, and detailed driving directions will be included in your booking confirmation.
Guests enjoy a relaxing 14 minute ride with the choice of a four passenger open chair or fully enclosed gondola, to an elevation of 2088 m / 6850 ft. Incredible views of the majestic Rocky Mountain, wildflowers, natural springs and maybe even some wildlife are highlights of the ride.
The Lake Louise Sightseeing Gondola & Wildlife Interpretive Centre offers a unique opportunity to dine on delicious mountain inspired dishes, ascend to an awe-inspiring viewpoint, and to learn why they are the home of the grizzly bear with almost daily sightings. From 2,088 metres (6,850 feet), the spectacular scenery is yours to explore at will. There are ambitious hikes for the hardy, or equally lovely short leisurely strolls for those with more modest exercise goals.
Major wildlife sightings occur almost daily and include grizzly bears, black & brown bears, cougars, lynx, mountain goats, wolves, elk, mule & whitetail deer, moose, big horn sheep, wolverines and more.
This is a non-refundable ticket once purchased, and it is an open ticket that is valid for the current operating season it is purchased in.
- Activities in this package can be taken on the same day or on different days.
- Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.
- The minimum age for this package is 2, and children aged 15 years and under must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian.
- The maximum combined weight is 226kg (500lbs) per chair.
- Photo ID may be required for identity verification.
- For safety reasons children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by at least one adult on a chair or gondola.
- Children under the height of 42″ (106cm) must be accompanied by at least one adult, and in an enclosed gondola only.
- Sightseeing lift operations are subject to weather conditions and closures can occur.
