Winter
10:00am
Departure Time
10 Hours
Duration
All Ages
Age
Leisurely
Activity
May-Oct
Season
Travel along the world famous Icefields Parkway Highway and see, touch and even taste an ancient glacier on this thrilling full day Icefields adventure.
Join us on our modified Columbia Icefields Parkway Tour, a breathtaking journey through the Canadian Rockies. Experience the beauty of nature as we explore Bow Falls and marvel at the crystal-clear waters of Peyto Lake. The highlight of the tour is the unforgettable Columbia Icefields Glacier Adventure, where you’ll step onto the ancient ice and witness the stunning glaciers up close.
But that’s not all! We’ve made this tour even more special by including a visit to the iconic Lake Louise. Immerse yourself in the beauty of this world-renowned lake, surrounded by towering mountains and pristine wilderness. Capture the picture-perfect moments and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Our knowledgeable guides will provide fascinating insights into the history, geology, and wildlife of the region, ensuring you have a truly enriching experience. Sit back, relax, and let us take care of all the details as we navigate the scenic Columbia Icefields Parkway, renowned as one of the most breathtaking drives in the world.
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| Meal |
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Beth's Pick
"The modified Tour is an absolute gem! Offering a perfect blend of breathtaking scenery, educational experiences, and unforgettable moments that will leave you in awe." - Beth , Reservations Agent, Discover Banff Tours
Columbia Icefield Parkway Tour Reviews
4.5 
3691+
4.4
219+
4.6
453+
The best parts of the tour for most people include the following:
1
Lake Louise
Stop at this iconic lake with its stunning natural beauty, featuring a picturesque turquoise lake surrounded by towering snow-capped mountains.
2
Columbia Icefields Glacier Adventure
Venture onto the Athabasca Glacier on the Ice Explorer (a six-wheeled behemoth of a vehicle) and drive across the surface of this glittering sheet of ice. You’ll have a chance to drink pure, cold water straight from the glacier.
3
Icefields Parkway
This tour travels halfway along the world-famous Icefields Parkway, recognized as one of the top drives in the world passing numerous Rocky Mountain peaks, glaciers, waterfalls and emerald lakes.
4
Mountain Picnic Lunch
Enjoy a hearty lunch with your choice of sandwich at a stop along the Icefields Parkway, rated as one of the most scenic highways in the world.
5
Glacier Lakes
See the headwaters of the mighty Bow River at Bow Lake, and scenic Peyto Lake (when access permits) or lower Waterfowl Lake.
| Included |
|
| Meal |
|
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|
Beth's Pick
"The modified Tour is an absolute gem! Offering a perfect blend of breathtaking scenery, educational experiences, and unforgettable moments that will leave you in awe." - Beth , Reservations Agent, Discover Banff Tours
Columbia Icefield Parkway Tour Reviews
4.5
3691+
4.4
219+
4.6
453+
Choose from the following lunch options:
- Chicken Club Wrap: mayo, chicken, bacon, lettuce and tomato on a tortilla wrap
- Roast Beef Sandwich: premium roast beef slices with lettuce, tomato, swiss cheese and horseradish mayo on a kaiser bun
- Vegetarian Wrap: tomato, cucumber, bell pepper, lettuce and hummus on a tortilla wrap
- Green salad with chicken (gluten-free): romaine lettuce, tomato, green onion, cucumber and diced chicken with french dressing
Lunches also include fruit, juice, salted potato chips and two bite brownies.
| Included |
|
| Meal |
|
|
|
Beth's Pick
"The modified Tour is an absolute gem! Offering a perfect blend of breathtaking scenery, educational experiences, and unforgettable moments that will leave you in awe." - Beth , Reservations Agent, Discover Banff Tours
Columbia Icefield Parkway Tour Reviews
4.5
3691+
4.4
219+
4.6
453+
The tour begins at 10:00am in Banff (or 11:00am in Lake Louise) and brings you back to Banff around 8pm (or Lake Louise at 7:15pm), approximately 10 hours.
The full day tour includes transportation from most hotels in Banff on a guided bus tour along the scenic Icefields Parkway to the Columbia Icefields Centre, where you will climb aboard the Ice Explorer to visit the Athabasca Glacier. The tour has numerous photo opportunities, including picturesque glacier-fed Bow Lake and scenic Peyto Lake (when access permits) or Lake Louise.
A picnic lunch is included with your choice of menu options. Please note that lunch is not included for infants.
We pick up from most hotels in Banff and the Samson Mall in Lake Louise, and you can select your preferred pick-up location during the booking process. For drop offs in Banff, our guide will ask you on the way back where you would like to be dropped off either in town or at your hotel.
You are welcome to meet us at any of our pick up locations in Banff to join the tour, and there is free parking at the Banff Train Station for up to 12 hours. Guests parking here can select their pickup location as the Banff Train Station (in front of Main Entrance). Guests staying in Lake Louise can meet at the Samson Mall in Lake Louise.
Most guests choose to self-drive into Banff, although please note that you will need to find parking in Banff that exceeds the duration of the tour. Please refer to the Town of Banff website for general parking information, or the banffparking.ca website for live parking availability. For guests staying in Canmore, you can also use the Roam bus service and disembark at the Banff High School. The closest pick up point to the Banff High School is across the road at the Elk and Avenue Hotel.
While for a large portion of the tour you will be on the bus, it can snow, rain, hail or shine any month of the year at the Icefields and so we suggest to prepare for unpredictable weather and dress in layers with hats, gloves and warm shoes. It is usually only a few degrees cooler at the Icefields as it is in Banff, although the glacier does experience some cold winds. For shoes, we would suggest closed toes shoes such as trainers or outdoor shoes. It is also recommended to take sunglasses as it can be very bright on the glacier.
The drive from Banff to the Columbia Icefield is around 3 hours.
The tour from the Columbia Icefield Centre is about 45 min, where there will be guided commentary all the way. You will have about 20 minutes on the glacier itself.
Unfortunately the tour does not run in winter, as conditions are too harsh to travel on the glacier.
There is a chance of seeing wildlife on the tour and the Icefields Parkway is a common area to 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.
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.
| Included |
|
| Meal |
|
|
|
Beth's Pick
"The modified Tour is an absolute gem! Offering a perfect blend of breathtaking scenery, educational experiences, and unforgettable moments that will leave you in awe." - Beth , Reservations Agent, Discover Banff Tours
Columbia Icefield Parkway Tour Reviews
4.5
3691+
4.4
219+
4.6
453+
- Children aged 15 years and under must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian.
- Early and late season road / trail closures may limit access to some areas.
- Infants (5 and under) are free of charge, but this does not include any food.
- 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.
| Included |
|
| Meal |
|
|
|
Beth's Pick
"The modified Tour is an absolute gem! Offering a perfect blend of breathtaking scenery, educational experiences, and unforgettable moments that will leave you in awe." - Beth , Reservations Agent, Discover Banff Tours
Columbia Icefield Parkway Tour Reviews
4.5
3691+
4.4
219+
4.6
453+
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