Lake Louise & Moraine Lake Tour: Banff Gondola & Icefield

Four days across the turquoise lakes and glaciers of Banff and the Icefields Parkway

A 4-day guided tour of the Canadian Rockies departing from Calgary, with airport pickup and three nights in Banff-area hotels. You visit Moraine Lake's vivid blue waters and Valley of the Ten Peaks, Lake Louise beneath Victoria Glacier, Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park, and the Columbia Icefield along one of the world's most scenic drives. The tour includes a ride on the Banff Gondola ascending 698 meters to Sulphur Mountain's summit, stops at Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, and Crowfoot Glacier, and time in Banff town and at Bow Falls.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arriving Calgary

• Arrive in Calgary
• Airport pick-up service
• Free time in Calgary

Day 2: Moraine Lake and Surroundings

• Visit Moraine Lake or Marble Canyon
• Explore Lake Louise
• Lunch at Lake Louise Village or Ski Resort
• Visit Emerald Lake
• See Natural Bridge
• Visit Banff Avenue shops or Bow Falls

Day 3: Banff Gondola and Local Sights

• Ride Banff Gondola or visit Upper Hot Springs
• Visit Bow Falls
• View Surprise Corner
• Lunch and shopping on Banff Avenue
• Hike Johnston Canyon or Marble Canyon
• Visit Lake Minnewanka

Day 4: Icefields Parkway and Glacier Views

• Drive Icefields Parkway
• View Crowfoot Glacier
• Visit Bow Lake
• Explore Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier
• Visit Columbia Icefield Skywalk
• Visit Peyto Lake

The experience

Your arrival in Calgary starts with complimentary airport pickup running every two hours from 10 am to 10 pm, then free time to settle in. The next morning, the tour heads into Banff National Park toward Moraine Lake, open June through mid-October, where the turquoise water and Valley of the Ten Peaks form the postcard view most people come for. If you arrive in the off-season, Marble Canyon in Kootenay National Park replaces it: a limestone gorge carved by Tokumm Creek with six bridges crossing its turquoise waters. From there you move to Lake Louise, the glacial lake at the foot of Mount Victoria, then continue to Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park and Natural Bridge, a limestone arch shaped by the Kicking Horse River. The day ends in Banff town or at Bow Falls, a 9.1-meter cascade near the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.

Day three centers on Banff itself. You ride the Banff Gondola up 698 meters to Sulphur Mountain's summit in eight minutes, where the boardwalk opens onto views of six mountain ranges, the Bow Valley, and the Cosmic Ray Station, a National Historic Site. Alternatively, you can soak at Banff Upper Hot Springs, an outdoor mineral pool ringed by Rundle and Cascade Mountains: entry is first-come, first-served and paid on arrival. The afternoon includes Surprise Corner for views of the Fairmont and Spray Valley, lunch in Banff town at your own cost, and either Johnston Canyon, famous for its waterfalls and turquoise pools, or Marble Canyon in winter. Lake Minnewanka, fifteen minutes from town, rounds out the day. The Stoney Nakoda call it the Lake of the Spirits, and it's ringed by easy walking trails.

The final day travels the Icefields Parkway, one of the world's most scenic drives. You stop at Bow Lake, see Crowfoot Glacier from the road (its distinctive "toes" now reduced to two visible formations), and reach Peyto Lake, a turquoise alpine lake shaped like a maple leaf. The Columbia Icefield, the largest in North America's Rocky Mountains, sits at the heart of the day. You can walk onto the Athabasca Glacier aboard specialized Ice Explorers at your own expense, or visit the Columbia Icefield Skywalk, a glass platform 280 meters above the Sunwapta Valley. Air-conditioned transport, a local guide, and three nights' accommodation are included. Meals and optional activities like the gondola, hot springs entry, and glacier tours are paid separately.

What’s included

• Local tour guide in English.
• three nights' accommodation in Banff-area hotels (one room per booking).
• air-conditioned transportation throughout the four days.
• admission to Moraine Lake (June 1–October 13) or Marble Canyon (October 14–May 31).
• crampons provided in winter, used at your own responsibility.
• complimentary airport pickup from Calgary every two hours, 10 am to 10 pm.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 May 2027

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Child (under 15)

GroupUp to 54 · max 4 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.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.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Banff ToDo

Is this one for you?The live English-speaking guide leads the entire four days, so you follow the commentary and ask questions as you go. This works for anyone comfortable with a group pace and a set itinerary. If you prefer to explore at your own speed or need a different language, look for a private or self-guided option instead.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 15).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

What is Moraine Lake and when can I visit it?

Moraine Lake is a glacial lake in Banff National Park renowned for its vivid turquoise waters and the Valley of the Ten Peaks surrounding it. The lake is open to visitors from June 1 to October 13. Outside those dates, the tour visits Marble Canyon instead, a limestone gorge in Kootenay National Park carved by Tokumm Creek.

Do I ride on the glacier, or just view it from a distance?

The Columbia Icefield offers both options. You can view the Athabasca Glacier from the road, or board a specialized Ice Explorer vehicle to travel onto the glacier's surface itself. This glacier tour is an add-on experience paid separately at the site.

What does the Banff Gondola ticket cover, and is it included?

The Banff Gondola ascends 698 meters to Sulphur Mountain's summit in eight minutes, where a boardwalk leads to panoramic views of six mountain ranges, the Bow Valley, and the Cosmic Ray Station, a National Historic Site. The gondola ticket is not included and is purchased separately. The tour also offers Banff Upper Hot Springs as an alternative activity on the same day.

How many nights do I stay in hotels, and where?

You stay three nights in Banff-area hotels: one night near Calgary Airport on arrival, then two nights in Banff town. The operator books one room per booking. The specific hotel may vary.

What meals are included in the tour?

Meals are not included. Lunch stops are built into the itinerary at Lake Louise Village, Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Banff town, where you choose and pay for your own food.

What happens if bad weather closes an attraction or the Icefields Parkway?

The itinerary is subject to change due to weather, attraction closures, or traffic. The sequence of stops may also shift depending on your travel date. The operator will adjust the route to keep the tour running safely.