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

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/13

Duration8h

GroupUp to 13

LanguagesEN

PickupAt your hotel

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

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.

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.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Into The Wild Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're staying in Canmore or Banff and want to see two of the Rockies' most famous lakes in a single morning without the midday crowds. The early start is what makes Moraine Lake peaceful, and the guide's local knowledge means you spend your time at the best spots instead of searching for them.