Banff, Moraine Lake & Emerald Lake tour: Four lakes in one day

Four lakes and a canyon in eleven hours, with a guide who knows where the light hits best

This 11-hour guided tour visits four alpine lakes and Johnston Canyon in the Canadian Rockies, departing from Banff, Calgary or Canmore with an air-conditioned vehicle and a live guide in English or Hindi. Emerald Lake's emerald-green waters and the Natural Bridge in Yoho National Park come first, followed by a lunch stop at Lake Louise Village, then Moraine Lake (open June 1–October 14) with views of the Valley of the Ten Peaks, and Johnston Canyon's suspended catwalks and turquoise creek. Banff town is included only on winter departures from October 14 onward. Admission to Moraine Lake and bottled water are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Emerald Lake30m
2. Moraine Lake1h · entry included
3. Johnston Canyon1h · entry included

Explore lakes and Banff town

• Visit Emerald Lake shoreline
• See Natural Bridge in Yoho Park
• Lunch stop at Lake Louise Village
• Visit Lake Louise viewpoint
• Explore Moraine Lake and Valley of Ten Peaks
• Hike Johnston Canyon catwalks and waterfalls
• Walk Banff Avenue in Banff town

The experience

The day starts at Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park, where the water holds a color so vivid it stops most people mid-stride. You'll walk the shoreline and cross the picturesque wooden bridge: the angle photographers wait for. From there, the route passes the Natural Bridge, a limestone arch carved by the Kicking Horse River over thousands of years, before a lunch stop at Lake Louise Village lets you rest and refuel on your own.

After lunch comes Moraine Lake, open June 1 through October 14, where the vivid blue water sits beneath the Valley of the Ten Peaks. This is the postcard moment most people come for. Then Johnston Canyon, where you follow suspended catwalks above a turquoise creek and waterfalls: a 60-minute walk that feels like stepping into the landscape itself. In winter, when snow and ice transform the canyon, the same route becomes something else entirely.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, and your guide speaks English or Hindi and knows the timing that lets you photograph without rushing. Banff town itself is only included on winter departures starting October 14, when Banff Avenue (the main street lined with restaurants, shops and galleries against the Rocky Mountain backdrop) opens as a final stop. Bottled water is provided throughout the day.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle throughout the day.
• admission to Moraine Lake (June 1–October 14).
• bottled water.
• live guide in English or Hindi.

Options for this experience

3 options

CanmoreGuide in English or Hindi · 09:30Pickup at the front of the Canmore Visitor Information Centre at 9:30 AM

BanffGuide in English or Hindi · 09:50Pickup at the front of the Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa, on Banff Avenue, at 9:50 AM

CalgaryGuide in English or Hindi · 08:00Meeting point: across the road from the Delta Hotels Calgary Downtown, 4 Avenue Southeast, Calgary, AB, Canada, at 8 AM

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00, 09:30 and 09:50

AgesAdult (8 and older) · Infant (under 8)

GroupUp to 48

Live guideEnglish and Hindi

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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 today

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Matrix tours and travel LTD

Is this one for you?Choose your departure city at checkout (Banff, Calgary or Canmore) based on where you're staying. The 11-hour route and inclusions stay the same. If you're visiting between June and October, Moraine Lake's vivid blue water and the Valley of the Ten Peaks are part of the day. If you're traveling in winter from October 14 onward, Banff town replaces that stop and gives you time on Banff Avenue instead.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Hindi.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 8).

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 Emerald Lake like when you arrive?

Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park is known for its striking emerald-green waters and mountain vistas. You'll walk the shoreline and cross a picturesque wooden bridge that offers the best photo angles of the lake and peaks.

Can I visit Moraine Lake on every departure?

Moraine Lake is open June 1 through October 14 only, so it is included on tours departing during those months. Outside that window, the itinerary focuses on the other three lakes and Johnston Canyon instead.

How long do you spend at Johnston Canyon?

Johnston Canyon takes 60 minutes to walk. You follow suspended catwalks above the turquoise creek and waterfalls. In winter, the canyon fills with snow and frozen ice formations, completely changing the landscape.

Where does the tour depart from?

You can choose to depart from Banff, Calgary or Canmore at checkout. The 11-hour itinerary is the same regardless of your starting point.

Is Banff town included in this tour?

Banff town is included only on winter departures from October 14 onward. During those months, you'll visit Banff Avenue, the main street in the heart of Banff National Park, lined with restaurants, shops, galleries and mountain views.