Private Banff Tour: Lake Louise, Moraine Lake & 6 glacial lakes
Eight turquoise lakes in one day, with a guide who knows where to stop.
A private guided tour of Banff National Park combining Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and six other alpine lakes and waterfalls across eight to eleven hours. Your group customizes the route with your guide, who handles the driving while you choose how long to spend at each stop. Parks Canada entry fees and bottled water are included; lunch is a choice you make in Lake Louise Village. SUV groups under six passengers share a shuttle for Moraine Lake only due to park regulations—book the van option for a fully private vehicle all day.
8h–11h
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore Banff and Surrounding Lakes
- Visit Lake Louise and lakeshore
- Take shuttle to Moraine Lake
- See Peyto Lake viewpoint
- View Crowfoot Glacier
- Stop at Bow Lake
- Hike Johnston Canyon waterfalls
- Visit Mount Norquay lookout
- View Bow Falls
- Photo stop at Surprise Corner
The Experience
Lake Louise anchors the first stop. The guide drops you at the trailhead so you can walk the lakeshore and photograph the turquoise water against the Fairmont Chateau backdrop without fighting for parking. Sixty minutes there gives you time to walk, shoot, and explore the nearby trails or rent a canoe if the group wants it. From there the route opens: Moraine Lake, Peyto Lake, Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake, Johnston Canyon with its seven waterfalls along a 2.75-kilometer self-guided trail—the lower falls are a twenty-minute walk. Emerald Lake and the Natural Bridge appear in winter; Mount Norquay lookout and Surprise Corner fill the gaps. The guide knows the timing and the light, and you decide which lakes matter most to your group.
The vehicle is air-conditioned and the water is cold. SUV bookings under six passengers share a fifteen-passenger shuttle with one other private group for the Moraine Lake portion only—that's a park regulation, not a choice. If your group needs a fully private vehicle for the entire day, the van option keeps everyone together. Either way, the guide is live and speaks English, and the Parks Canada entry fees are already paid.
Johnston Canyon draws crowds for a reason: the trail is gentle enough for all ages and fitness levels, the waterfalls appear every few hundred meters, and you can walk into a small cave behind the lower falls for a close view. Bow Falls spreads across the river like a stage—especially powerful in spring and early summer. Peyto Lake's color comes from glacial silt, and Crowfoot Glacier is named for the three-toed shape it cuts into the mountainside. These are the stops most visitors miss or rush through; with a guide and a private group, you set the pace.
What’s included
- Parks Canada entry fees.
- air-conditioned SUV or van.
- bottled water.
- live English-speaking guide.
- pickup included with your option choice.
- lunch stop in Lake Louise Village (you choose where to eat).
Operated by Vista Chase
Is this one for you?Book the SUV option if your group is under six and you don't mind sharing the Moraine Lake shuttle—it cuts the cost and the vehicle is nimble on mountain roads. Choose the van if your group is larger or you want a fully private vehicle for the entire day without any shared portions.
Traveler reviews
Compare the 11 similar options
Private Banff Tour: Lake Louise, Moraine Lake & 6 glacial lakes★ 4.99 (380)8h–11hENCA$ 1,299per group
Moraine Lake & Banff Day Tour: Small Groups, Hidden GemsDay tour from Canmore through Banff National Park to Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, Johnston Canyon and Bow Falls with a live guide★ 4.96 (492)8h–10hENCA$ 88View ›
Moraine Lake Sunrise & Lake Louise Tour: Two Lakes, No CrowdsDepart Canmore before dawn to watch sunrise at Moraine Lake with hot drinks and blankets, then spend two hours at Lake Louise★ 4.89 (255)8hENCA$ 155View ›
Icefields Parkway: Small Group Day Trip with Local SecretsFeel the wild beauty of Icefields Parkway on a small group day trip from Banff, with relaxed hikes, wildlife moments, and picnic lunch. Includes pickup & local guide.★ 4.92 (185)8hENCA$ 289View ›
Sunset at Moraine Lake & Stargazing Tour from CanmoreEvening tour from Canmore to Moraine Lake with guide, telescopes and 3 hours at the rockpile for sunset and stargazing★ 4.90 (173)8hENCA$ 130View ›
Moraine Lake & Lake Louise: Hike, Canoe & Wildlife Corridor8AM start from Canmore to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise with 3 flexible schedules, wildlife spotting, and park access included. Small groups, no lineups.★ 4.93 (156)9h–10hENCA$ 209View ›
Moraine Lake sunrise or daytime tour from Canmore with guideGuided tour to Moraine Lake from Canmore, Banff or Lake Louise with expert guide, hotel pickup, park entry and snacks included—choose sunrise or daytime★ 4.87 (110)5h–8hENCA$ 125View ›
Emerald Lake & Takakkaw Falls: Yoho National Park Small Group TourEmerald Lake and Takakkaw Falls day tour from Canmore with small groups, hotel pickup, local guide, and lunch included. Visit a 1,224-foot waterfall and turquoise lake.★ 4.94 (152)8hENCA$ 355View ›
Lake Louise & Lake Moraine Tour: Turquoise glacial lakesTour of two turquoise glacial lakes in the Canadian Rockies with entrance fees and air-conditioned transport included. Walk the shoreline at Lake Louise★ 4.89 (203)5hCA$ 99View ›
Moraine Lake & Lake Louise: Morning or Sunset Tour from CanmoreTwo turquoise lakes in one morning or sunset tour from Canmore. Small groups (max 14), 1.5 hours at each lake, wildlife corridor included, hotel pickup.★ 4.94 (231)6h–7hENCA$ 179View ›
Lake Louise & Moraine Lake Tour: Small Group, Guaranteed AccessTwo of Canada's most sought-after alpine lakes in one day from Banff, with guaranteed access to both Lake Louise and Moraine Lake now closed to public★ 4.86 (571)4h–8hENCA$ 280View › 
Top questions
What is Lake Louise actually like when I get there?
Lake Louise is a turquoise alpine lake ringed by peaks and backed by the historic Fairmont Chateau. The guide drops you at the trailhead to avoid parking hassles, and you have an hour to walk the lakeshore, photograph the water, or rent a canoe if your group wants to paddle out.
Do I have to hike Johnston Canyon or can I just look at it?
Johnston Canyon is a self-guided walk, not a hike—the trail ascends gently along the creekside through forest, and the lower falls are a twenty-minute walk or half a mile away. You can walk as far as you want; many visitors stop at the lower falls bridge or enter the small cave behind them for a closer view.
Will my group be alone in the vehicle the whole day?
SUV groups under six passengers share a fifteen-passenger shuttle with one other private group for the Moraine Lake portion only, due to park regulations. If you need a fully private vehicle for all eight to eleven hours, book the van option instead.
What's included and what do I pay for separately?
Parks Canada entry fees, bottled water, the guide, and the vehicle are included. Lunch is not included, but the guide makes a stop in Lake Louise Village where your group can eat together or separately.
Which lakes and stops can I actually see in one day?
The tour covers Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Peyto Lake, Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake, Johnston Canyon, Mount Norquay lookout, and Bow Falls. Emerald Lake and the Natural Bridge are winter-only stops. You and your guide choose which ones matter most to your group based on interests and time.
Is there a minimum fitness level required?
The tour requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness. Most stops involve short walks on gentle trails, but the day is eight to eleven hours of travel and walking combined. It's not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.
Private Banff Tour: Lake Louise, Moraine Lake & 6 glacial lakes
8h–11h · EN · at your hotel
from CA$ 1,299 per group
★★★★★★★★★★4.99380 reviewsVerified traveler reviews via our booking provider
