Banff Tour: Lake Louise, Moraine & Emerald Lakes with Guide

Nine stops across two national parks in a single day, from turquoise lakes to railway history.

A full-day guided tour of Banff and Yoho National Parks with nine sightseeing stops, including Lake Louise, Johnston Canyon, Emerald Lake and the Spiral Tunnels, plus parks entry and vehicle transport. Moraine Lake is included June through October only. The winter route substitutes Emerald Lake and Natural Bridge. Groups stay under twelve travelers with a live English-speaking guide.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Moraine Lake1h · entry included
2. Johnston Canyon1h
3. Emerald Lake30m
4. Lake Minnewanka20m
5. Spiral Tunnels15m
6. Bow Riverpass by

Explore Banff and Yoho National Parks

• Visit Lake Louise
• Visit Moraine Lake (summer only)
• Walk Johnston Canyon
• Visit Emerald Lake (starting Oct 13)
• Stop at Natural Bridge (starting Oct 13)
• Stop at Lake Minnewanka
• Stop at Two Jack Lake
• Visit Spiral Tunnels Lookout
• Photo stop at Morant’s Curve
• Drive along Bow Valley Parkway

The experience

The tour strings together Lake Louise and Moraine Lake (summer only), Johnston Canyon's cascading waterfalls, Emerald Lake's glacial turquoise water, and the engineering marvel of the Spiral Tunnels: all connected by a scenic drive along the Bow Valley Parkway. You'll walk into Johnston Canyon to reach the Lower and Upper Falls, stop for photos at Morant's Curve where the railway bends against the Bow River, and take short lakeside strolls at Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake. The route covers both Banff and Yoho National Parks in roughly 10 to 12 hours, with a live guide providing stories and insider knowledge at each stop.

Parks Canada entry fees and parking are included, along with bottled water and an air-conditioned vehicle. The guide shapes the pace and shares details about the landscape, the railway history, and what to look for: wildlife, light, the geology behind each lake's color. Moraine Lake operates seasonally from June 1 through October 10. Outside those dates, the tour includes Emerald Lake and Natural Bridge instead, so the nine stops stay consistent year-round.

This is a shared tour with up to twelve travelers, not a private charter. The fixed itinerary and group size mean you move through all nine stops in a single day without arranging transport or entry separately.

What’s included

• Parks Canada entry fees for both Banff and Yoho National Parks.
• Moraine Lake entry (June 1–October 10).
• parking fees.
• bottled water.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport.
• live English-speaking guide for the full day.

Options for this experience

2 options

Guide in EnglishNo fixed time

Guide in EnglishAvailable from 1 Jun 2027

Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (6 to 15 years) · Infant (under 6)

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 42 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h 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 8 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Book My Shuttle

Is this one for you?Choose the summer route (June–October) to see Moraine Lake's turquoise water, or pick winter for Emerald Lake and Natural Bridge instead: both cover nine stops as a group, so your choice depends on which lakes matter most to you.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 15 years); Infant (under 6).

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 24h before the start.

What is Lake Louise actually like when we get there?

Lake Louise is famous for its turquoise water surrounded by towering peaks in Banff National Park. The historic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise sits on the shore and provides a dramatic backdrop. You'll have time to walk the lakeshore, and the water is calm enough for canoeing in summer.

Do we hike at Johnston Canyon or just look at it?

Johnston Canyon includes a walk into the canyon itself to reach the Lower and Upper Falls. The trails are accessible for all fitness levels, winding through lush forest with cascading water, so you're walking through the attraction rather than viewing it from a distance.

When is Moraine Lake included on this tour?

Moraine Lake is included from June 1 through October 10 only. Outside those dates, the tour includes Emerald Lake and Natural Bridge instead, keeping nine stops on both the summer and winter routes.

What does the Spiral Tunnels stop involve?

The Spiral Tunnels Lookout is a photo stop where you learn how trains navigate the steep terrain of Yoho National Park. You may see a train winding through the tunnels themselves, and the mountain views frame the railway engineering.

Is the guide included, or do we tour on our own?

A live English-speaking guide leads the tour and travels with the group the entire day, sharing stories, insider tips and information about each stop. The guide shapes the experience at all nine locations.

What's the difference between the summer and winter versions of this tour?

The summer tour (June 1–October 10) includes Moraine Lake. The winter tour (October 11–May 31) includes Emerald Lake and Natural Bridge instead. Both routes cover nine stops and the same national parks, just with different lakes depending on seasonal access.