Banff National Park 2-Day Guided Tour: Lake Louise & Moraine Lake

Two days tracing turquoise lakes and canyon waterfalls through the heart of the Canadian Rockies

A 2-day guided tour from Calgary into Banff National Park, traveling in small groups with a live English-speaking guide. Day one covers Lake Minnewanka, Johnston Canyon's lower falls, and a chairlift ascent at Mount Norquay. Day two reaches Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, then follows the Icefields Parkway past Bow Lake to Peyto Lake. Lunch is included on day two. The itinerary may shift based on weather or road conditions.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Banff Canyons, Lakes & Highpoints

• Depart Calgary for Kananaskis Park
• Stroll along Lake Minnewanka shore
• Visit Two Jack Lake
• Lunch in Town of Banff
• View Surprise Corner and Fairmont Hotel
• Hike to Johnston Canyon lower falls
• Ride Mount Norquay sightseeing chairlift

Day 2: Saving the best of Banff for last!

• Depart Calgary for Canmore visit
• Explore Lake Louise shoreline
• Enjoy scenic drive through Rockies
• Visit Moraine Lake and Rockpile Trail
• Drive along Icefields Parkway
• Stop at Bow Lake
• Walk to Peyto Lake Viewpoint
• Return to Calgary

The experience

Two days means you move past the quick stops and actually spend time at each place. Day one departs Calgary in the morning toward Kananaskis Provincial Park, then enters Banff at Lake Minnewanka, where you walk the lakeshore and take in the turquoise water against the peaks. Two Jack Lake follows (a smaller, quieter reflection of the same landscape) before the group stops in the town of Banff for lunch and a walk through the local shops. The afternoon brings a short hike into Johnston Canyon, where you follow catwalks alongside the canyon walls to the lower falls. The sound of water and the scent of pine make it feel like you've stepped inside the park rather than just passed through it. The day ends with a chairlift ride at Mount Norquay, ascending above the treeline to see bighorn sheep in the alpine meadows and a 360-degree view of the Banff townsite and valleys below.

Day two goes deeper. You leave Calgary again and head straight for Lake Louise, the world-famous turquoise lake framed by Victoria Glacier and towering peaks: the kind of place that stops you mid-step. From there the route follows the Icefields Parkway, one of the most scenic drives on the continent, with stops at Bow Lake (calm waters mirroring the surrounding peaks) and Peyto Lake, a glacier-fed lake so intensely blue-green it looks unreal. A short walk to the Peyto Lake Viewpoint reveals the lake's wolf-head shape and gives you time to absorb the scale of what you're standing in front of. Between these major stops, Moraine Lake appears: another vivid turquoise basin cradled by rocky peaks, where you can stroll the shoreline or climb the Rockpile Trail for an elevated view across the entire valley. Lunch is included, so you're not hunting for food while trying to take it all in.

The group stays small, which changes the pace and the conversation. You'll have time to explore on your own at each stop, not just stand and move on. The guide is live and speaks English, and the vehicle is air-conditioned for the long drives between lakes. Pickup is included from Calgary hotels, so you don't need a car or need to arrange your own transport to the trailhead. The itinerary can shift (weather, traffic, construction or other conditions might change the order of stops or swap the two days), but you will visit all the named sites.

What’s included

• Water.
• Mount Norquay chairlift ride.
• all park fees and taxes.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport.
• lunch on day two.
• live English-speaking guide.
• hotel pickup from Calgary.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 May 2027

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (16 to 54 years) · Senior (55 and older) · Youth (10 to 15 years) · Child (5 to 9 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 9

Live guideEnglish

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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Banff Day Trips

Is this one for you?Book this if you're staying in Calgary without a rental car: hotel pickup gets you to Banff, and the two-day format lets you linger at each lake instead of moving between stops every hour.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 15 years); Child (5 to 9 years). Children under 5 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's the difference between Lake Louise and Moraine Lake on this tour?

Lake Louise is the larger, more famous lake with Victoria Glacier visible across the water and a developed shoreline trail. Moraine Lake is smaller and more secluded, cradled by ten peaks and reached via the scenic Icefields Parkway drive. Both are turquoise glacier-fed lakes, but Moraine Lake's setting feels more remote, and the Rockpile Trail there gives you an elevated view of the entire valley.

Do I need hiking boots or special gear for the walks on this tour?

The walks are on well-maintained trails and catwalks: Johnston Canyon's lower falls hike is short, and the strolls along the lakeshores at Minnewanka, Louise and Moraine are leisurely. The Rockpile Trail at Moraine Lake is optional and adds elevation but is still a short walk. Comfortable walking shoes work. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels.

Is there time to explore on my own, or is it all guided stops?

You have time to learn and explore both with the guide and on your own at each location. This is not a touch-and-go tour. You'll also meet local characters and taste local flavors, so there's room to wander the town of Banff during lunch and linger at the lakes if you want to.

What happens if the weather is bad on one of the two days?

The operator may switch the order of the two days or adjust the itinerary based on weather, traffic or road conditions, but you will visit all the stops listed. The chairlift at Mount Norquay and the viewpoint walks are weather-dependent, so the guide will adapt to what's safe and visible on the day.

Does the tour include meals, or do I need to buy lunch?

Lunch is included on day two. On day one, you'll have time in the town of Banff to buy lunch from local restaurants and cafes. Water is provided throughout both days.