Private Banff Tour: Lake Louise, Moraine Lake & Johnston Canyon

Your own guide and van for the day, not a shared bus full of strangers.

A private VIP tour of Banff with your own driver-guide and climate-controlled van, visiting Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Johnston Canyon, Bow Falls, and alpine viewpoints across nine to eleven hours. Pickup and Parks Canada admission are included. The Moraine Lake shuttle is the only shared component. Choose between a tour for up to ten passengers or a focused itinerary centered on Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and hidden gems.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Bow Falls15m · entry included
2. Johnston Canyon1h · entry included
3. Moraine Lake1h
4. Crowfoot Glacier15m · entry included
5. Bow Lake30m · entry included
6. Peyto Lake30m · entry included
7. Emerald Lake30m · entry included

Explore Banff and Surrounding Lakes

• Visit Bow Falls
• Stop at Surprise Corner viewpoint
• View Banff from Mount Norquay Lookout
• Hike to Johnston Canyon Lower Falls
• Visit Lake Louise shoreline
• Lunch and rest at Samson Mall
• Visit Moraine Lake (seasonal)
• Admire Crowfoot Glacier viewpoint
• Stop at Bow Lake
• Stop at Peyto Lake viewpoint
• Winter alternative: Visit Emerald Lake
• Winter alternative: Visit Natural Bridge

The experience

You start at Bow Falls, where cascading water meets dramatic cliffs, then move through Surprise Corner for panoramic views of the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel framed by the Rockies. Mount Norquay Lookout comes next, offering sweeping vistas of Banff town and the Bow Valley. The route includes a 1.4-mile round-trip hike through Johnston Canyon's lush forest to the Lower Falls, where you walk alongside rushing water to reach the waterfall itself. Lake Louise follows, with its turquoise waters backed by Victoria Glacier: a stop built for photos and shoreline walks. Samson Mall provides a pause for lunch and stretching before the day continues.

Moraine Lake, open seasonally from June through mid-October, sits at the heart of the itinerary when accessible. Its vibrant turquoise waters and the Valley of the Ten Peaks frame the stop. During winter months, Emerald Lake replaces it, offering vivid emerald waters in Yoho National Park. The route also passes Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake, and Peyto Lake: each a viewpoint stop where you see turquoise glacial water and rugged peaks without leaving the van. Bottled water is provided throughout. Crampons are available if conditions warrant them. The only shared element is the Moraine Lake shuttle itself. Everything else (the van, the guide, the route timing) belongs to your group alone.

Two purchase options let you shape the day: a full tour for up to ten passengers hitting all the major stops, or a focused itinerary centered on Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and the hidden gems the guide knows. Both include pickup from your Banff accommodation and drop-off at the end. Parks Canada admission is built in, so there's no separate fee at the gate. The nine to eleven hour span gives the guide room to linger at the stops that matter most to you and adjust for weather or seasonal closures without rushing.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off from your Banff accommodation.
• Parks Canada admission fee.
• experienced local driver-guide.
• luxury climate-controlled minivan.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• crampons if conditions require them.
• Moraine Lake shuttle fee.

Options for this experience

2 options

A private VIP tour covering Lake Louise, Moraine and Hidden GemsUp to 6 per booking · Guide in English · 07:30Pickup is included

Private VIP tour for up to 10 passengersUp to 10 per booking · Guide in English · 07:30Private VIP tour of Lake Louise: a private VIP tour covering Lake Louise, Moraine and Hidden Gems for up to 10 passengers, with pickup included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up to8h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 15 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Monarc VIP Tours

Is this one for you?The private van and dedicated guide let you set the pace and linger at the stops that matter to you, without the schedule pressure of a shared bus or the logistics of driving yourself in unfamiliar mountain terrain.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

73 verified traveler reviews

5 ★73

4 ★0

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

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 two tour options?

The full Private VIP Tour covers all major attractions across Banff and the Icefields Parkway for groups up to ten passengers. The Lake Louise, Moraine Lake & Hidden Gems option focuses the day on those three areas and the lesser-known stops your guide knows, ideal if you want depth over breadth.

Is Moraine Lake always included?

Moraine Lake is open seasonally from June through mid-October. During winter months, the itinerary shifts to Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park instead, which offers the same turquoise alpine water and mountain backdrop in a different setting.

What does the Johnston Canyon hike involve?

Johnston Canyon is a 1.4-mile round-trip walk through lush forest alongside rushing water, ending at the Lower Falls. It's a moderate pace on a defined trail, and crampons are available if conditions require them.

Does the price include lunch or food?

Food and beverages are not included in the tour price. Samson Mall, a stop partway through the day, offers a convenient place to buy lunch and take a break before continuing.

How many people will be in the van with me?

The van is private to your group only, holding up to ten passengers depending on which option you book. The only shared experience is the Moraine Lake shuttle itself. Everything else (the vehicle, guide, and route) is yours alone.

What's included in the price?

Pickup and drop-off from your Banff accommodation, Parks Canada admission, bottled water, the luxury climate-controlled van, and your dedicated driver-guide are all included. Crampons are provided if needed.