Summer Sightseeing Tours
The summer months in Banff are made for exploration and outdoor adventure.
As temperatures climb and the snow melts, Banff’s remote regions offer the chance to spend blue-sky days hiking, wildlife watching, rafting, and tucking into alpine picnics.
But to truly appreciate Banff in summer, we recommend exploring with a local guide. Not only will you learn more about the region you’re visiting, but you’ll get the chance to enjoy a few extra-special experiences — from trekking to a remote teahouse in the mountains and visiting an abandoned mining town, to riding across the Athabasca Glacier onboard a massive Ice Explorer.
Highlights
- Journey to natural wonders including Bow Falls, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Crowfoot Glacier
- Learn about local wildlife, geology and the history of past explorers
- Tours range in duration from a short three-hour trip to a two-day trek
- Smaller buses and regular stops mean everyone will have a chance to ask the guide questions while capturing gorgeous photos of the Rockies
- We spot wildlife on many of our tours and supply binoculars to make sure you get a closer look
Discover Banff & Its Wildlife
Uncover the secrets of a historic mountain haven, with a local guide leading the way. Gaze at stunning views, stroll down spectacular rails and hear legends of Banff’s past. The Town of Banff is an island of culture and history, surrounded by a sea of untamed wilderness. This tour enriches your visit with stories of 11,000 years of history, hidden in these rugged hills. Navigate a half-day journey to some of the most important landmarks in the area. You'll stop at the iconic Banff Springs Hotel, Bow Falls, Lake Minnewanka and the “oh wow!” view at Surprise Corner. Venture down peaceful pine-scented trails and learn about wildlife habitat and behaviour. Ask as many questions as you like, as our guides are experts and love to share their knowledge. Don’t forget your camera - we spot wildlife on 95% of
Apr – Nov
8:30am
3 Hours
Lake Louise & Moraine Lake
A jewel-like lake nestled between sky-scraping peaks - Lake Louise will make you stop in your tracks in awe. These stunning alpine lakes look too beautiful to be real. Explore Lake Louise (known as the “Jewel of the Canadian Rockies”) and Lake Moraine. UNESCO has protected both places because of their priceless natural beauty. Your guide will weave tales of the early mountaineers, who also fell in love with this spot in the 1890s. You can snap some shots of the lake before walking to the Rockpile, where you'll find a spectacular view of Moraine Lake.
Apr – Oct
1:30pm
4 Hours
Deluxe Lake Louise & Moraine Lake
The pale turquoise hue of Lake Louise comes from sunlight reflecting off mountain-dust particles suspended in the glacial melt-water. It's a natural wonder that you just can’t stop staring at. https://youtu.be/_OrZ1Fg5Nls Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are two of the most gorgeous lakes in the world. This deluxe tour gives you more time to soak up their beauty. Take your time meandering through the Bow Valley Parkway and then savour an early barbecue dinner in the fresh air at the rustic Baker Creek Mountain Resort. We’ll visit at one of the quietest times of the day, so you can avoid the crowds. And there will plenty of time to wander on your own. You can also enjoy an interpretive nature walk around the shoreline with your certified guide. After marveling at Moraine Lake from a scenic viewpoint, you’ll head
May-Sep
3:30pm
6 Hours
Columbia Icefield Parkway
See, touch and even taste an ancient glacier that has been slowly creeping across the Rocky Mountains for millions of years. Sit back and enjoy the ride along the Icefields Parkway, one of the world’s most stunning scenic drives. Because you don’t have to navigate or watch the road, this tour lets you to focus on the amphitheatre of mountains towering above. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife at the edges of the forest. Afterwards, dig into a hearty mountain picnic and take a photo stop at Peyto Lake - famous for their stunning pale milky-turquoise hue. Climb aboard the Ice Explorer (a six-wheeled behemoth of a vehicle) and drive across the surface of this glittering sheet of ice. Getting thirsty? You’ll have a chance to drink pure, cold water straight from the glacier.
Apr – Oct
9:30am
10 Hours
Western Canada Explorer
This overnight trip in a deluxe mini coach traverses the still-wild west of Alberta and B.C. Your guide will weave tales of what it was like to live and work in Canada’s rugged backcountry. The first pioneers attempted to lasso the wilds of Western Canada with long stretches of railway track. The steep rocky terrain fought back and, at times, the mountains seemed too enormous to tame. With blood, sweat, tears and dynamite they carved a path through the sky-piercing peaks. The route is still used to this day. Now you can journey in modern comfort in a deluxe mini coach, traveling through four of Canada’s earliest national parks. The tour includes stops in Lake Louise and the famous Spiral Tunnels, Giant Cedars Boardwalk, Glacier National Park, the Cascade Mountains and the Gold Rush country along the Fraser River.
Apr – Oct
Banff 8:00am (MST), Vancouver 2:00pm (PST)
2 Days
Discover Banff & Lake Louise – Fall Colours
The fall is a fantastic time for sightseeing and viewing wildlife. Foliage color start to change, the first hints of winter begin to appear and a low sun makes photographic opportunities more dramatic. This time of the year also heralds tremendous activity with the local elk population because of the rutting season. This tour will give visitors a chance to see a few of Banff's highlights as well as spend time at Lake Louise for short walks and exploring on your own. Throughout the tour as we move from Banff to Lake Louise and return your guide will do their best to point out local wildlife and explain what its like living in a national park with animals sometimes literally, on our doorsteps!
Oct-Nov
12:30pm
5 Hours