Icefields Parkway tour: 7 stops Bow Lake to Athabasca Glacier

The Icefields Parkway holds seven different stops in one day, not three.

A full-day guided tour of the Icefields Parkway in the Canadian Rockies, visiting up to seven locations including Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, and Athabasca Glacier. The tour includes hotel pickup, a guide, an air-conditioned van, national park entry fees and snacks. It runs 10 hours and does not include the Ice Explorer or Skywalk activities. A moderate level of fitness is needed for short walks at the viewpoints.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Icefields Parkway7h
2. Bow Lake20m
3. Peyto Lake20m
4. Athabasca Glacier45m

Explore Icefields Parkway highlights

• Pick up from hotel
• Travel along Icefields Parkway
• Visit Bow Lake and nearby glaciers
• Walk to Peyto Lake viewpoint
• Explore Athabasca Glacier viewpoint

The experience

The Icefields Parkway is one of the world's most scenic drives, and this tour strings together seven different stops along it in a single day. Your guide picks the route as the day unfolds, so the itinerary shifts based on conditions and what the group wants to linger on. Guaranteed stops are Bow Lake (where you see Crowfoot and Bow Glaciers and a waterfall), Peyto Lake (a short walk up to a high viewpoint), and Athabasca Glacier (the glacier that straddles the boundary between Banff and Jasper National Parks). The other four stops are surprises chosen by your guide to round out the day.

Pickup happens at your hotel, and you travel in a spacious air-conditioned van with the guide narrating the drive. The day is 10 hours long, so you cover a lot of ground and spend time at each stop without rushing. Snacks are included. Bring your own lunch or eat at one of the stops along the way. The tour does not include the Ice Explorer (the tracked vehicle that goes onto the glacier itself) or the Skywalk, so if those activities matter to you, you'll need to book them separately or choose a different tour.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• a live English-speaking guide.
• air-conditioned van transport.
• national park entry fees.
• and snacks throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 2 Jun 2027

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (6 to 17 years) · Infant (under 6)

GroupUp to 13

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 17 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h 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 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Explore Banff Tours & Transfers

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want a guided van tour where the route flexes to weather and group pace: your guide chooses from seven possible stops rather than following a fixed itinerary.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 17 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 24 h before the start.

What is Peyto Lake like when you get there?

Peyto Lake sits high in the mountains, and the viewpoint is reached by a short walk from the vehicle. The lake is known for its vivid color, and the itinerary notes it as a stop that will leave you speechless.

Does the tour include lunch?

Lunch is not included, but snacks are provided during the day. You can eat at one of the stops along the Icefields Parkway or bring your own food.

How long is the tour?

The tour runs 10 hours from pickup to drop-off, covering up to seven different stops along the Icefields Parkway.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, the guide, the air-conditioned van, national park entry fees, and snacks are all included.

Can I do the Ice Explorer or Skywalk on this tour?

No, this day trip does not have time for the Ice Explorer or Skywalk activities. If you want to add them, you would need to book a private tour separately and arrange it with the operator.