Banff & Jasper tour from Calgary: Glaciers, lakes & waterfalls

Ride the Icefields Parkway to glaciers and turquoise alpine lakes

A full-day guided tour from Calgary through Banff and Jasper National Parks, traveling the Icefields Parkway with stops at Athabasca Glacier, Peyto Lake, Sunwapta Falls, Bow Lake and seasonal alternatives. The route adapts to weather and daylight, with an English or Polish-speaking guide, air-conditioned vehicle, and complimentary snacks and drinks included throughout the day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Bow Lake20m
2. Athabasca Glacier1h · entry included
3. Sunwapta Falls30m
4. Peyto Lake45m
5. Crowfoot Glacierpassing by

Explore lakes, glaciers, and waterfalls

• Visit Bow Lake for photos
• Walk Toe of the Glacier Trail
• View Athabasca Glacier
• Stop at Sunwapta Falls viewpoints
• Walk to lower Sunwapta Falls
• Visit Tangle Creek Falls
• Stop at Waterfowl Lakes viewpoints
• View Crowfoot Glacier from roadside
• Visit Peyto Lake viewpoint

The experience

The tour departs Calgary and follows the Icefields Parkway north into the heart of the Canadian Rockies. From May through late September, the itinerary includes Athabasca Glacier (where you can walk the Toe of the Glacier Trail for close-up views), Peyto Lake with its distinctive turquoise color, Sunwapta Falls dropping through a canyon, Bow Lake reflecting surrounding peaks, and Crowfoot Glacier visible from the road. Tangle Creek Falls and Waterfowl Lakes round out the summer stops. Winter and early spring bring route changes: Abraham Lake, Lake Louise, Bow Falls and Banff Town replace inaccessible high-altitude sites, keeping the day's rhythm intact.

The guide manages timing and order based on conditions: road closures, daylight hours, weather shifts and safety concerns all shape what you see and when. Stops are built around short walks and viewpoints rather than long hikes, so you move through the landscape without needing mountaineering gear. Complimentary snacks, bottled water, coffee, tea and lemonade travel with you, and parking fees are covered. In winter, ice cleats are provided if needed. The vehicle is air-conditioned and seats groups together, so you're not navigating logistics on your own.

Wildlife watching happens throughout the day: the guide watches for elk, bighorn sheep, bears and other animals common to the parks. Ice bubbles in frozen lakes are a natural phenomenon and cannot be guaranteed, but the guide will point them out if conditions allow. The full day runs 11 to 12 hours from pickup to return, so plan accordingly if you have evening plans in Calgary.

What’s included

• Guided tour in English or Polish.
• pickup from Calgary.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• admission fees to parks and attractions.
• ice cleats for winter.
• bottled water, coffee, tea and lemonade.
• snacks.
• parking fees.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:30

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (3 to 17 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 14

Live guideEnglish and Polish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Top Choice Tours

Is this one for you?Starting from Calgary means you skip arranging your own transport into the mountains. The guide handles the drive, the route changes and the timing. This works whether you're staying in the city, renting without a car, or prefer not to drive the Icefields Parkway yourself.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Polish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (3 to 17 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Peyto Lake and why is it famous?

Peyto Lake is one of the most iconic lakes in the Canadian Rockies, known for its striking turquoise color created by glacial rock flour. The lake is shaped like a wolf and sits surrounded by glaciers and rugged peaks. In summer the color is at its brightest, making it a standout stop on the Icefields Parkway.

Can I walk to Athabasca Glacier or just view it from the road?

You can walk the Toe of the Glacier Trail, a short round-trip of about 1 km that brings you close to the glacier's edge. Interpretive signs along the trail explain the glacier's history and retreat, so you get both views and context for what you're seeing.

What happens if roads are closed or the weather is bad?

The guide adjusts the route and order of stops based on road conditions, weather, daylight and safety concerns. In winter and early spring, inaccessible high-altitude sites like Athabasca Glacier are replaced with alternatives such as Abraham Lake, Lake Louise or Bow Falls, keeping the day's experience intact.

Is there time to eat lunch, or should I bring my own food?

Snacks, coffee, tea, lemonade and bottled water are included throughout the day. Breakfast and dinner are not included, so eat before pickup or bring your own lunch if you want a full meal during the tour.

What is the Icefields Parkway and why does this tour follow it?

The Icefields Parkway is a scenic highway running through Banff and Jasper National Parks, connecting Lake Louise to the Columbia Icefield. It passes most of the tour's major stops (Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, Sunwapta Falls and Athabasca Glacier) making it the natural route through the high alpine landscape.