Moraine Lake Sunrise & Lake Louise Tour: Two Lakes, No Crowds

Catch Moraine Lake before the tour buses arrive, then walk Lake Louise at your own pace

A guided tour from Canmore to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise in the Canadian Rockies, departing before sunrise to reach the first lake 45 minutes before dawn. You get 2.5 hours at Moraine Lake with hot beverages and gear, then 2 hours at Lake Louise. A guide leads you to the best viewpoints at each stop, and the group stays under 13 people. Pickup is included from Canmore or Banff, and you receive your specific time by email 2–3 days before the tour.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sunrise at Moraine Lake and Lake Louise

• Pickup from Canmore or Banff
• Arrive early at Moraine Lake
• Enjoy hot drink and blankets
• Watch sunrise at Rockpile viewpoint
• Explore Moraine Lake area freely
• Leave belongings in vehicle
• Visit Lake Louise entrance
• Stroll lakeshore or hike lookout
• Admire Fairmont Château Lake Louise
• Return scenic drive to Banff
• Drop off at original pickup location

What’s included

• Pickup from your Canmore or Banff hotel.
• a local guide who shares stories about the region's wildlife, ecology and history.
• 2.5 hours at Moraine Lake with hot coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water refills.
• a blanket, headlamp, sit pad and hiking poles at Moraine Lake.
• 2 hours at Lake Louise to explore the lakeshore, hike to viewpoints or admire the Fairmont Château.
• ponchos and umbrellas if rain arrives.
• a small group of no more than 13 people.
• one tree planted in Canada through the Blue Green Planet Project for your booking.

Times

Next departure: 2 Jun 2027

9 departing soon ›

Before you book

Group Up to 13

Live guide English Another language? ›

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup included. You can choose from 46 pickup points.

Book up to 8h before

Ages Adult (13 and older) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

Cancellation and refunds Free 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.

Good to know

Low physical effort Pets welcome Public transport nearby

Operated by Into The Wild Tours

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

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The experience

The pickup comes to your hotel in Canmore or Banff while it's still dark. Your guide drives you toward Moraine Lake, sharing stories about the wildlife and history of the Canadian Rockies as the landscape unfolds. You arrive at least 45 minutes before sunrise: early enough that the lake is still quiet. When you step out of the van, you're handed a hot drink, a blanket, a headlamp, and a sit pad. Your guide leads the way to the Rockpile, pointing out the best spots for photos or simply standing still. For the next 2.5 hours, you're free to wander at your own pace, watch the light change, or settle in one place and let the moment happen.

The van stays parked nearby the whole time, so your belongings stay with the driver. When it's time to move on, you head to Lake Louise. Your guide shows you the trailheads and the best viewpoints (the lakeshore walk, the Fairview Lookout, the Fairmont Château reflected in the water), and you have two full hours to choose what calls to you. Some people hike, some photograph, some sit by the shore. Your guide is there to answer questions and help with photos, but the time is yours to spend however it fits the morning.

On the drive back to Canmore or Banff, your guide offers recommendations for what else the region holds (trails, viewpoints, quieter spots), so you leave with a sense of what comes next. The tour runs in rain, snow, or sun. Ponchos and umbrellas are provided if the weather turns. Hiking poles are included if you want them, and the group never exceeds 13 people, which is why the sunrise at Moraine Lake stays peaceful instead of crowded.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

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 time does the pickup happen from my Canmore hotel?

Your specific pickup time arrives by email 2–3 days before the tour. The exact hour depends on your hotel location, but the van collects you while it's still dark so you reach Moraine Lake at least 45 minutes before sunrise.

What's the Rockpile at Moraine Lake?

The Rockpile is a stacked-stone viewpoint your guide leads you to once everyone arrives at the lake. It's the best spot to watch the sunrise unfold over the water and the mountains, and it's where most people position themselves for photos or simply to take in the moment.

Do I have to hike at Lake Louise, or can I just walk around?

You choose. Your guide shows you the trailheads and the lakeshore walk, but with two hours at Lake Louise, you can hike to the Fairview Lookout, stroll the shoreline, admire the Fairmont Château, or sit by the water. The time is yours to spend however suits you.

What happens if the weather is bad on the morning of my tour?

The tour runs in rain, shine, or snow. Ponchos and umbrellas are provided if it rains, and you'll be dressed in layers for the chilly mountain morning anyway. In extreme weather conditions, the operator will either reschedule your tour or offer a full refund.

Is food included, or should I bring my own?

Food is not included. The operator recommends bringing your own, since options at the lakes are limited, tend to be pricey, and often have long lines. Hot drinks, water refills, and coffee are provided during the tour.