Lake Louise and Moraine Lake tour from Banff: 6 to 9 hours

Six to nine hours among four mountain lakes and a 254-meter waterfall

A small-group tour of up to 10 people departing from Banff or Canmore, visiting Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and either Emerald Lake or Takakkaw Falls in Banff and Yoho national parks. Your guide picks you up from your chosen location in Banff, Canmore, or Lake Louise and drops you off at any of the three. National park fees and luggage transport are included. The group stops at Castle Mountain Viewpoint and Morant's Curve for photographs, and you choose where to buy lunch in Lake Louise Village.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Moraine Lake1h · entry included
2. Emerald Lake45m
3. Takakkaw Falls45m

Visit iconic lakes and viewpoints

• Pick up from Banff or Canmore
• Stop at Castle Mountain Viewpoint
• Visit Morant’s Curve photo spot
• Explore Lake Louise
• Lunch stop in Lake Louise Village
• Visit Moraine Lake
• See Natural Rock Bridge in Yoho Park
• Visit Emerald Lake or Takakkaw Falls
• Drop off in Canmore, Banff, or Lake Louise

The experience

The tour runs six to nine hours depending on which seasonal stops your guide selects and how long you spend at each lake. You'll start from your hotel or chosen pickup point in Banff, Canmore, or Lake Louise, traveling in a 14-seat van with no more than 10 people. The first two stops (Castle Mountain Viewpoint and Morant's Curve) are short photo breaks that frame the day: the viewpoint opens onto the jagged peaks of the Rockies, and Morant's Curve follows the Bow River's curve with the mountains rising behind it.

Lake Louise comes next, the turquoise centerpiece most travelers come for, ringed by peaks and glaciers. From there you move to Moraine Lake, famous for its vibrant blue water backed by the Valley of the Ten Peaks. The two lakes are the core of the day and the reason for the drive. A lunch stop in Lake Louise Village lets you buy food from whatever vendor you choose. This is your time to eat at your own pace. After lunch, the tour heads into Yoho National Park, where your guide picks either Emerald Lake or Takakkaw Falls depending on the season and conditions. Emerald Lake glows green-blue from suspended silt and sits ringed by forest and mountains. Takakkaw Falls drops 254 meters into the Yoho River and requires only a short walk from the parking area to reach. The Natural Rock Bridge, a limestone arch carved by the Kicking Horse River, may also appear on the route.

Your guide is a live English speaker who knows which stops will work on the day you go. Park fees are already paid, so you walk straight to the viewpoints and lakes without ticket lines. Luggage travels with you, so you can book a drop-off in a different town than your pickup if your itinerary needs it.

What’s included

• National park fees for Banff and Moraine Lake.
• pickup and drop-off with luggage from Banff, Canmore, or Lake Louise.
• a live English-speaking guide.
• transport in a van shared with up to 9 other travelers.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 Jun 2027

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (8 to 17 years) · Under 8: can't be included in the booking

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by Alberta Blue Sky Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a guided route through Banff's best lakes without navigating yourself. Choose it over self-drive if you'd rather sit back and let someone else handle the stops and timing.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (8 to 17 years). Under 8: they can't be included in the booking.

What is Lake Louise like when we get there?

Lake Louise is one of the most photographed lakes in the Canadian Rockies, known for its vibrant turquoise water surrounded by towering peaks and glaciers. It's a major stop on the tour where you'll have time to walk the shoreline and photograph the setting.

Do we get to see both Moraine Lake and Emerald Lake on the same tour?

Moraine Lake is a fixed stop on every tour. Emerald Lake or Takakkaw Falls is the seasonal choice your guide makes: one or the other, not both. Emerald Lake is a green-blue lake in Yoho National Park surrounded by forest and mountains. Takakkaw Falls is a 254-meter waterfall a short walk from the parking area. Which one appears depends on weather and season.

Where do we eat lunch, and is it included?

Lunch is a stop in Lake Louise Village where you buy your own meal from the vendor or restaurant of your choice. The tour pauses there so you can eat at your own pace. Lunch cost is not included in the tour price.

Can I be picked up and dropped off in different towns?

Yes. Your guide will pick you up from your chosen location in Banff, Canmore, or Lake Louise and drop you off in any of the three, so you can arrange the pickup and return to suit your itinerary.

How many people travel together on this tour?

The group is small, with a maximum of 10 people traveling in a 14-seat van. This size keeps the pace manageable and gives everyone room for luggage and comfort during the drive between lakes.

Are the national park entrance fees included?

Yes, Banff National Park and Moraine Lake fees are included in the tour price, so you don't stop to buy tickets at the gates.