Banff Private Tour: Moraine Lake, Lake Louise & Athabasca Glacier

Four turquoise alpine lakes and a glacier in one day, at your own pace.

A private tour of Banff's most iconic lakes and the Icefields Parkway, departing from Banff or Canmore at a time you choose. Travel in a Mercedes Sprinter with a local guide, stopping at Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, Bow Lake and Peyto Lake, then continuing to Mistaya Canyon and Athabasca Glacier. Complimentary coffee, hiking gear and the Moraine Lake road fee are included. Meals are not.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Moraine Lake45m · entry included
2. Bow Lake15m
3. Peyto Lake30m
4. Mistaya Canyon30m
5. Athabasca Glacier30m

Explore iconic lakes and glaciers

• Drive through Banff National Park
• Visit Moraine Lake and Rockpile Trail
• Explore Lake Louise shoreline
• Walk along Bow Lake lakeshore
• View Peyto Lake from lookout
• Spend time at Mistaya Canyon
• Explore Athabasca Glacier area

The experience

Nine to ten hours means you move at your own pace instead of racing between stops. The tour starts from your hotel in Banff or Canmore and heads into the park on a route that strings together six named sites: Moraine Lake sits first, famous for its vivid turquoise water and the Valley of the Ten Peaks. You can climb the Rockpile Trail for postcard views or walk the lakeshore. Lake Louise comes next, framed by a glacier and the Fairmont Chateau, where you'll have time to walk the shoreline or sit with a coffee overlooking the water.

The Icefields Parkway section takes you to Bow Lake, one of the most stunning glacial lakes on the route, where your guide shares stories about Bow Glacier and the historic Num-Ti-Jah Lodge. Peyto Lake follows (known for its wolf-head shape and bright glacier-fed color) with a short walk to one of the Rockies' most scenic lookout points. Mistaya Canyon gets thirty minutes, then you reach Athabasca Glacier and its icy landscape. Ice Explorer tickets for the glacier itself are not included and entirely optional. You can photograph and explore the views at ground level.

The Mercedes Sprinter seats your group in comfort with panoramic windows, air conditioning, USB charging and cup holders. Complimentary coffee, tea and hot chocolate travel with you, as do hiking poles, blankets and headlamps if you need them. The Moraine Lake road access fee is already paid, so you skip that transaction at the gate.

What’s included

• Ride in a private Mercedes Sprinter with comfortable seating, panoramic windows, air conditioning and USB charging.
• complimentary coffee, tea and hot chocolate.
• complimentary hiking poles, blankets and headlamps.
• Moraine Lake road access fee.
• a local guide in English.
• hotel pickup from Banff or Canmore.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 Jun 2027

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Japanese and Korean

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 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by The Mountain Explorer Co.

Is this one for you?Private means your group travels alone in the van and sets the pace at each stop, so families and small groups can linger where they want without waiting for others or being rushed along. The nine to ten hour timeframe fits all the major lakes and the glacier into one day without an early start or a late return.

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Top questions

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 Moraine Lake actually like when you get there?

Moraine Lake is famous for its vivid turquoise water, framed by the Valley of the Ten Peaks. You can climb the Rockpile Trail for postcard-perfect views or take a peaceful walk along the lakeshore, depending on how much time you want to spend.

Can you walk to see Athabasca Glacier, or do you need the Ice Explorer ride?

Athabasca Glacier is accessible on foot, and you'll have time to photograph it and enjoy the views from ground level. The Ice Explorer tickets that take you onto the ice itself are not included and are entirely optional. You decide at the glacier whether to add that experience.

Does the tour include meals?

Meals are not included. Complimentary coffee, tea and hot chocolate are provided throughout the day, but you'll need to arrange lunch on your own or bring food with you.

How does pickup work if I'm staying in Canmore instead of Banff?

Hotel pickup is included from either Banff or Canmore, so your guide will collect you from your accommodation at the start time you choose.

What's included for hiking if I want to do the Rockpile Trail at Moraine Lake?

Hiking poles, blankets and headlamps are available for complimentary use throughout the day, so you can take them with you to the Rockpile Trail or any of the walks along the lakes.