Canadian Rockies: Banff, Moraine Lake & Wine Tasting 5-Day Tour

Summary

Banff gondola rides, Okanagan wine tasting and glacier views

You’ll taste Okanagan wine in Kelowna, ride a gondola above Banff, stand beside turquoise lakes like Louise and Moraine, and maybe even set foot on Athabasca Glacier if you want. There’s laughter over group dinners, quiet moments by mountain water, and enough fresh air to clear your head for weeks after.

What’s the experience like?

Someone’s pouring pinot grigio into my glass before I’ve even finished saying “thank you” — that’s how our first afternoon in Kelowna goes. The Okanagan hills are all soft gold and green outside the window, and honestly, I’m still shaking off Vancouver city noise. Our guide, Alex, jokes about “wine legs” as we swirl and sniff. It’s not fancy; it’s just… good. Later, at Salmon Arm Wharf, the air smells like cedar and lake water. Dinner is loud with new voices — I remember thinking I’d never remember everyone’s names but somehow by dessert we’re already sharing stories.

The next day is a blur of lakes: Lake Louise first (yes, that blue is real) then Moraine Lake where the wind actually stings your cheeks a bit if you stand too close to the water. I tried to take a photo but dropped my glove instead — classic me. In Banff, after checking in right on Banff Avenue (super walkable), I wandered out for ramen with two Aussies from the group. The mountains loom over everything here; it makes you feel small in a good way.

Gondola morning: cold metal under your hands as you grip the rail going up Sulphur Mountain. You can see forever — or at least it feels like it. Alex points out peaks and tells us about grizzlies hibernating somewhere below (“don’t worry,” he laughs). Later we circle Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake; there’s this moment when the sun hits the water just right and nobody says anything for a minute or two. That silence sticks with me more than any postcard view.

Icefields Parkway is all wild rock faces and sudden waterfalls — sometimes you just stare out the window because words don’t work. A few of us splurge on the Athabasca Glacier tour (extra cost but worth it). Standing on ancient ice feels strange, like time folds in on itself for a second. At Blue River (or Valemount if it’s late season), cabins smell faintly of pine sap and old wood; sleep comes easy after so much sky.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Vancouver to Salmon Arm

• Depart downtown Vancouver at 8:30 am
• Travel through Fraser Valley
• Stop in Kelowna for lunch
• Enjoy wine tasting in Okanagan
• Arrive and check in Salmon Arm hotel
• Explore trails and Salmon Arm Wharf
• Group dinner with fellow travelers

Day 2 — Salmon Arm to Banff

• Breakfast at hotel
• Coffee break and lunch pickup in Revelstoke
• Travel through Rogers Pass in Glacier Park
• Explore Lake Louise
• Visit Moraine Lake (seasonal)
• Arrive and check in Banff hotel
• Free time for dinner in Banff

Day 3 — Free day in Banff

• Breakfast at hotel
• Gondola ride to Sulphur Mountain
• Scenic tour of Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake
• Tour Banff townsite and Bow Falls
• Visit Banff Springs Hotel
• Free time for shopping and sightseeing
• Optional outdoor activities available
• Evening at leisure in Banff

Day 4 — Banff to Blue River

• Breakfast at hotel
• Travel Icefields Parkway towards Jasper Park
• Tour Columbia Icefields and visit lake
• Optional Ice Explorer Glacier Tour
• Stop in Jasper for free time and dinner purchase
• Arrive and check in Mike Wiegele cabins

Day 5 — Blue River to Vancouver

• Breakfast at hotel
• Travel to Clearwater and visit Spahats Falls
• Travel to Kamloops and stop for lunch
• Return to Vancouver by evening

Top questions

How long is the Canadian Rockies & Banff 5-day tour?

The tour lasts 5 days with overnight stays in Salmon Arm, Banff (2 nights), and Blue River or Valemount depending on season.

Is breakfast included every day?

Breakfast is included on four mornings during the tour.

What activities are included in Banff?

You’ll get a Sulphur Mountain Gondola ticket, scenic tours around lakes near Banff, plus free time for outdoor activities or exploring town.

Do I need to book the Athabasca Glacier tour separately?

The Ice Explorer Glacier Tour at Athabasca is optional and can be booked during your trip for an extra fee.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour departs from downtown Vancouver at 8:30 am and returns there around 7:30 pm on day five.

Are meals besides breakfast included?

A group dinner is included on your first night; other lunches/dinners are at your own expense except for breakfasts mentioned.

Is hotel pickup provided?

No hotel pickup; guests meet at a designated downtown Vancouver departure point.

Can children join this tour?

The tour isn’t available for children under age 6; those aged 15 or younger must travel with a parent or guardian.

What’s included

Your journey covers comfortable hotels each night (including two nights right in Banff), four breakfasts to start your days strong, an Okanagan wine tasting session near Kelowna, admission to Sulphur Mountain Gondola with sweeping views over Banff, plus all taxes and fees handled ahead of time — so you can just focus on what’s outside your window (and maybe what’s in your glass).