Lake Louise, Moraine Lake & Peyto Lake tour: Four iconic lakes
Moraine Lake closes in winter, so the tour swaps it for a natural rock arch and frozen landscapes.
A guided tour of four iconic lakes in the Canadian Rockies (Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Emerald Lake and Peyto Lake) departing from Calgary, Canmore or Banff with pickup included. Summer visits turquoise Moraine Lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks. Winter substitutes a natural bridge and frozen terrain when the lake closes. The day runs 8 to 10 hours and includes a guide, air-conditioned transport and crampons for winter travel.
Options for this experience
3 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Visit four iconic Canadian Rockies lakes
- See Cascade Mountain in Banff National Park
- View serene lakes reflecting mountains
- Pass by Castle Mountain between Banff and Lake Louise
- Observe the Lower Spiral Tunnel in Yoho National Park
- Explore Emerald Lake and enjoy boat rides or walks
- Visit natural rock arch carved by Kicking Horse River
- Have lunch break
- Visit Moraine Lake (summer only)
- Explore Lake Louise and its turquoise waters
- View Mt. Rundle mountain range
- Visit Peyto Lake and enjoy viewpoints
- Spiral Tunnels
- Emerald Lake Entry included 30m
- Moraine Lake Entry included 1h
- Peyto Lake 45m
What’s included
- Live guide in English, Chinese or Cantonese.
- pickup and dropoff from your chosen location in Calgary, Canmore or Banff.
- air-conditioned vehicle.
- lunch.
- crampons in winter.
- GST.
Times
- Every day 07:15 08:40 09:00
Before you book
Operated by Banff Journey
Prices and times updated 11 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
How do you fit four of the most photographed lakes in the Canadian Rockies into a single day without driving yourself? This tour handles the route and the stops, leaving you to watch the landscape change. You start at Lake Louise, where turquoise water reflects glaciers and peaks year-round. In summer, the route continues to Moraine Lake, nestled in the Valley of the Ten Peaks. In winter, when Moraine Lake closes, you visit a natural rock arch carved by the Kicking Horse River instead. Either way, Emerald Lake comes next: vivid green in summer, a snow-covered wonderland when frozen. The day ends at Peyto Lake, a glacier-fed lake shaped like a wolf's head, where the turquoise color comes from glacial rock flour suspended in the water.
You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with other travelers on the tour. A live guide speaks English, Chinese or Cantonese and narrates the stops. Lunch is built in: 45 minutes in summer, an hour in winter. The Spiral Tunnels, a feat of railway engineering in Yoho National Park, are part of the drive. Winter tours include crampons so you can walk safely on frozen terrain. Pickup is available from Calgary, Canmore or Banff, and you choose your location at checkout. All pickup times are fixed. The total time, including travel between lakes, runs 8 to 10 hours.
Road conditions and weather can shift the itinerary, and the operator will notify you the day before if changes are needed. If your chosen language doesn't have enough participants, you'll be asked to join a tour in another language or offered an alternative date. This is a shared tour. If you want a private departure, contact the operator directly.
Is this one for you?Choose your pickup location based on where you're staying (Calgary, Canmore or Banff), since all times are fixed and you'll need to be ready at the assigned time. If you're traveling with an infant, specialized seats are available. Let the operator know when you book. The shared format means you'll travel with other guests, which keeps the cost down but also means the pace and stops follow a set schedule rather than your own rhythm.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English, Chinese and Cantonese.
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's the difference between the summer and winter routes?
In summer, the tour visits Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Emerald Lake and Peyto Lake. From October 14 through May 31, Moraine Lake is closed due to seasonal access, so the tour replaces it with a natural bridge (a rock formation carved by the Kicking Horse River), and visits Lake Louise, Emerald Lake and Peyto Lake instead. Winter also includes crampons for walking on frozen surfaces.
Can I book a private tour instead of joining other travelers?
This is a shared tour with other local travelers. If you'd prefer a private departure, contact the operator directly to arrange one.
Which pickup location should I choose?
Pickup is available from Calgary, Canmore or Banff. All pickup times and locations are fixed, so choose the one closest to where you're staying. You'll select your location at checkout.
What happens if the weather is bad or the road is closed?
The itinerary may be adjusted due to unpredictable road conditions and weather. The operator will notify you the day before the tour of any changes. You'll also receive a reminder email the day before your departure.
Is lunch included, and how long do we spend at each lake?
Lunch is included and lasts 45 minutes in summer or an hour in winter. Peyto Lake gets 30 minutes in summer and 45 minutes in winter. Lake Louise, Moraine Lake (summer only) and Emerald Lake are stops along the route, though the exact time at each depends on the day's flow and conditions.
What should I bring for a winter tour?
Crampons are provided for winter travel on frozen terrain. Dress warmly in layers, as you'll be outdoors at high altitude in snow and cold. The vehicle is air-conditioned, so you'll move between warm transport and cold air frequently.
Lake Louise, Moraine Lake & Peyto Lake tour: Four iconic lakes
8h–10h · EN +2 · at your hotel
from CA$ 179 per person
≈ US$ 130 in your currency
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.