He showed us lots of great photo spots and were always looking out for us. It was a long drive, but thanks to how thoughtful and considerate they were, even bathroom breaks were never a problem.
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- Guide / driver
- Pickup and dropoff available in Calgary, Canmore and Banff
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Crampons (winter only)
- 5% GST (Goods and Services Tax)
Excludes
- All meals
- All personal expenses including activities and travel insurance
- Gratuities for guide CAD$15/head
- If you need to bring luggage/wheelchair/stroller, please inform us and service fee will be charged
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- Please ensure that you are prepared and present 15 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time. Our tour guide will pick you up and drop you off at the lobby. Here are the designated departure times and locations: 07:15 Delta Hotel by Mariott, 209 4 Ave SE 08:40 Travel Alberta Canmore Visitor Information Centre (2801 Bow Valley Trail, Canmore, AB T1W 3A2) 09:00 Banff Caribou Hotel, 521 Banff Ave 09:50 Lake Louise Visitor Center The pick-up times may vary depending on the status of the tour.
Itinerary
Cascade Mountain is a mountain located in the Bow River Valley of Banff National Park, adjacent to the town of Banff.
You will see a serene collection of lakes reflecting the surrounding mountains. They can enjoy picturesque views, go wildlife spotting, and capture stunning photographs.
With its sheer cliffs, towering slopes, and dramatic presence, Castle Mountain showcases the raw power and magnificence of nature.
**4/1-11/30 will visit Sunwapta Falls** **12/1-3/31 will visit Abraham Lake (ice bubble lake, weather permitting)** Sunwapta Falls is a powerful, two-tiered waterfall in Jasper National Park, located along the scenic Icefields Parkway. Fed by the Athabasca Glacier, the falls are characterized by an impressive upper falls and a more spread-out lower falls, accessible via a short hike.
**4/1-11/30 will visit Athabasca Falls** **12/1-3/31 will visit Abraham Lake (ice bubble lake, weather permitting)** This stop may be adjusted or cancelled depending on the weather and road conditions. Athabasca Falls is a powerful, wide waterfall where the Athabasca River plunges over hard quartzite rocks, creating dramatic rapids and a thunderous roar. Its unique combination of sheer force, striking rock formations, and easily accessible viewpoints makes it one of the most impressive waterfalls in Jasper National Park.
**4/1-11/30 will visit Sunwapta and Athabasca Falls** **12/1-3/31 will visit Abraham Lake (ice bubble lake, weather permitting)** Abraham Lake, located in the Canadian Rockies, is renowned for its striking frozen bubbles trapped beneath the lake's icy surface during winter. This natural phenomenon creates a stunning visual effect, making it a popular spot for photographers and nature enthusiasts. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks, Abraham Lake offers a serene and picturesque winter landscape.
Peyto Lake, situated in Banff National Park, is famous for its unique, heart-shaped appearance, which is especially visible from the viewing point. Surrounded by rugged mountain terrain and often covered in snow, the lake's turquoise waters create a stunning contrast against the surrounding landscapes, making it a popular destination for breathtaking views and photography.
This stop may be adjusted or cancelled depending on the weather and road conditions. The glacier gets its name from its three spurs that resemble a crow’s foot. (The lower toe melted away by the 1940s.) It sits on the northeast side of Crowfoot Mountain, overlooking Bow Lake. The glacier's runoff feeds into Bow Lake and the Bow River, which flows from Banff National Park through Calgary to the Alberta prairies.
Bow Lake is renowned for its striking turquoise waters and picturesque setting. Surrounded by dramatic mountain peaks and glaciers, the lake offers stunning reflections and is a popular spot for photography and tranquil walks along its shore. The striking blue color of the lake comes from glacial meltwater, adding to its serene beauty.
Bow Valley Parkway, a scenic route in Banff National Park, offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. This picturesque drive is also a prime location for wildlife spotting, with frequent sightings of elk, deer, and sometimes even bears. As you traverse this beautiful parkway, keep an eye out for the diverse wildlife that inhabits the area, making your journey both visually stunning and wildlife-rich.
Language Offered
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Reviews
We had a wonderful day. William is great. Took us to additional spots not included in the itinerary, super nice guy, and funny too. He didn’t really ask for gratuities but we tipped 50. Definitely worth it. Recommend the trip!
The tour was great. We were blessed with the weather, the scenery was beautiful. Tony, our tour guide and driver, was knowledgeable and timing good for scenery. We went to Bow Lake in morning then Athabasca Fall, then Sunwapta, then Peyto Lake. Because the weather was clear and the sun was shining good on the glacier, we also got a stop at the Columbia ICE Field to see Athabasca Glacier. He also helped taking photos for solo travelers like me.
Our host William was absolutely great!! He made the whole experience so fun right at the very beginning with his morning greeting! He was enthusiastic at hosting our tour group of 9 and was the best at taking photos and fun videos of all of us! We will definitely book another trip with him!!
We had a beautiful day navigating the Icefields Parkway. The guide/driver made a quick stop at the Glacier for those who wanted to do the activities there and for those who didn’t, we went to the Athabasca and Sunwapta Falls. Beautiful region and a must on your trip to Banff. The driver also schedule our visit in Bow Lake, Glacier, Athabasca and Sunwapta Falls and finally Peyto Lake to avoid larger crowds, that was really great. It’s a tired tour because we spent too much time in the van but I knew that, so that was fine. The only downside was that the driver took off 5 minutes before the schedule time and when we were 30min away from Banff, he had forgotten a passenger and we had to go back all the way to pick her up. We lost 1 hour on this and it was kind of bad, because we had to stick to the schedule time for each place. I got pickup in Banff and dropped off in Calgary and they managed to save a spot for my carry on. I thank you for that.
Roland was great. The bus was uncomfortable to be spending that much time in. It’s a long day and a lot of driving.
Excellent tour! It’s a long drive but with the out of this world scenery it didn’t feel tiresome. The lakes, the waterfalls and glacier were absolutely spectacular! Our guide Steve was very friendly and made sure we all had a wonderful day.
This sounds strange but your seat in the van really affects your experience. It is a long day and the venues are worth it but the seating in the van is a bit cramped especially in the back row.
We didn’t get to do the original tour we planned but we went to the Johnston Canyon, Moraine Lake and Lake Louise and stopped by downtown Banff. Our tour guide Steve was great! Very kind and helpful. Definitely recommend!
Sam was spot on time since it is a long tour and my wife love his photo shots.. it was a very pleasant experience..
Banff Journey is a great tour operator. The staff are very friendly and nice. Trip organization and planning was top class. For making our Banff trip memorable-Thank you. Thank you and Thank you!
I took part in this tour with my mom and it was one of the best parts of our trip. Despite the early morning & long drives, our tour guide (Steve) provided us with an unforgettable experience. Not only was he extremely friendly, but he was also very knowledgeable and funny. He provided us with photography and viewpoint tips, along with snacks and water. Steve’s service combined with the beauty of the rocky mountains created an amazing day for my mom and I. We definitely recommend this tour, specifically with Steve as your guide! :)
Much to see; long day so plan for it Our driver did a good job but his English was poor. The bus needed cleaning especially the windows
Great tour! You get to meet tons of places. Sam is a great tour guy and I completely recommend this tour.
Sam was an excellent guide! He was punctual and very clear on the itinerary. He was also very enthusiastic throughout the entire tour even though it was a long journey. He ensured that we were all comfortable and he was very responsible making sure no one was left out. He made sure instructions were clear and also an excellent photographer! Thank you Sam!:)
I had an absolutely amazing time on this tour! The drive along the Icefields Parkway was breathtaking, and every stop was beautiful. Sunwapta Falls, Athabasca Falls, Peyto Lake, and Bow Lake were all incredible and definitely worth seeing. What really made the tour special was our guide, Steve. He was fantastic from start to finish — friendly, welcoming, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about the area. He shared lots of interesting information along the way and made the journey just as enjoyable as the destinations themselves. Steve also went above and beyond by helping us take pictures and guiding us to the best spots for photos at the different stops. He knew exactly where to go to get some amazing views and was always happy to take photos for us. Thanks to him, I came home with some beautiful pictures and memories from the trip. He was very attentive to everyone in the group, making sure we were comfortable and had enough time to enjoy each location. He was patient, approachable, and always happy to answer questions. His positive attitude made the whole day relaxed and enjoyable. The tour was very well organized, and being able to see so many incredible places in one day without worrying about driving, parking, or planning made it completely worth it. This was definitely one of the highlights of my trip to the Rockies. A huge thank you to Steve for going above and beyond and making my day so memorable. If you get Steve as your guide, you’re in great hands! I would highly recommend this tour!
Excellent tour, Chris was an excellent guide- very efficient, courteous and a great driver. Highly recommend!
Beautiful Lakes and Falls well worth the full day tour. The break up between each places was perfect. So the drive does not seem to be as long. Plenty of chances for bathroom breaks.
Our tour guide was very nice, punctual and he took so many pictures. One thing we didn't like the bus was pretty old. We literally had a back pain after the tour.
We had a great day with Sam! He had a lot of great tips and information. He knows all the great photo op locations. We covered a lot of sites. Peyto lake was the our last stop. Talk about saving the best for last! We enjoyed our tour and had a small group which was great! I would highly recommend this tour!
The overall tour was an ok experience. We've been on a few tours in the Banff area, this one was at the bottom of the list. The tour company was horrible to deal with -- poor communication. They sent out a long email a few hours before the trip about dos and donts. One of those was about making sure you bring your own food because there is no food on the tour. We went on a mad scurry the evening before the tour trying to find food, side note we just flew in from Dallas late afternoon the day before the tour. Now we're in a rush trying to find food. The next day we met up with the rest of the tour. The tour guide was ok and the bus was hot and uncomfortable (not good when you're spending 5 hours driving around). The tour overall felt very rushed and unorganized. The scenery made up for the issues though, beautiful area. Comically we stopped for lunch, so the whole "there is no food" made us waste an entire night and a lot of money on finding snacks and lunch. There are lots of options for tours in the area, this is one option I would not recommend.
I brought the kids on a tour today, and we had a great time. The tour guide was very friendly, patient, and professional; highly recommended.
Tony was an amazing guide! He was friendly, knowledgeable, and went above and beyond with snacks, water, and showing us incredible hidden gems along the Icefields Parkway. He made the day so enjoyable and memorable. Highly recommend Banff Journey and Tony as a guide!
A lot of time on the bus. We made a stop at Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, the Icefields, and the two falls. John was great. He was informational and provided fruit snacks and water. We saw a black bear on the side of the road and he stopped for us to take photos. There was some confusion on the lunch situation. Found out the night before that we were supposed to pack a lunch, but on the drive found out that we could have eaten at the cafeteria at the Icefields. Wish there were more stops or more time at each stop.
Firstly, the room was comfortable & sufficient but could do with modern heating rather than just an open fire. I was told afterwards that there was a heater in the room - there was not. The bed was fine. The food was good- especially the bison bolognese. The falls were magnificent ! Now the downside the room was vastly overpriced at £340 per night - admittedly including breakfast. As noted the room was alright but certainly did not justify that pricing - was that anything to do with the lack of rooms in Jasper due to the rebuilding after the fires ? Certainly, when we searched 6 months before our holiday there was none available in Jasper. Also, the fact for meals etc you're automatically charged to the credit card that I booked with rather than the one I was using for the holiday. This was taken even before we checked out when I would have expected it to be handled and I could have informed them of the correct one to use. This cost me as the original one charges for North America transactions ! I don't like also that they automatically levy an 18% service charge when a bill is charged to the room. I would rather decide that myself. To finish on a positive note, the staff at check in - the Aussie guy, in the evening at dinner and the young man in particular at breakfast were most helpful. A nice spot but well over priced.
Sun did everything do ensure our tour was first rate. There wasn’t anything missed making our tour enjoyable. Sun demonstrated excellence, a model for all tour operators.
Sam was a safe driver. Always willing to assist us in any way. Offered chips and water during the trip. Enjoyed the tour a lot. Both Sunwapta and the Athabasca falls were amazing. Peyto and Bow lakes were such awe to see. Every corner of the highway had great views. The tour was worth every penny we spent.
Sam was fantastic! Very knowledge and great at taking photos at each spot. This is a great way to see the most scenic areas in Canada.
The tour was very well organised with pickup and drop off at a nearby hotel. Our guide, Tony, was always pleasant and conscientious with helpful suggestions whilst taking care of two small groups heading to two slightly different locations at the same time. Free snacks and bottled water were also generously provided on board the vehicle, which was definitely a bonus. All in all, it’s been a nice experience travelling with Banff Journey.
Highly recommend this tour! A special thank you to Sam for his incredible service. He was always ready to help us take photos and brought us to the best viewpoints for amazing scenery. His enthusiasm and care truly made ours experience unforgettable.
Steve gave us a wonderful experience. He was polite, informative and provided us with water and snacks (a a surprise destination too).
John was the driver and the guide, he did a fantastic job doing both. John also did a great job speaking English and Mandarin. All the falls that we seen during this experience were great to see. The lakes had a turquoise color and surrounded by mountains. Very picturesque! Lunch on our own was good at the ice field restaurant. This was the only place we stopped that had running water, so keep that in mind. All the other locations had outhouse style facilities. It was a long day so pack snacks. John supplied extra free water and little gummy snacks at his cost. This was a 15 passenger tour bus, which was good for the experience and not over crowded.
Shout out to Sam of Banff Journey! Great tour, highly recommend! Our guide was amazing and truly went above and beyond. He took fantastic photos, made sure everyone was taken care of, and never left anyone behind. His energy, kindness, and attention to every guest made the experience unforgettable.
This was an excellent way to escape the crowds and explore Japser Park! Our tour guide, Sam, was very attentive and professional, and eager to help take some awesome photos. Prepare for a long drive with amazing views along the way, and very exciting visits to the attractions. Thanks, Sam!
Driver Sam took us to all of the highlights of the Banff-Jasper corridor. He was very helpful with the limited mobility of one of us, even pushing her in her walker. He was also helpful in taking photos. Narrative could have been more historical instead of talk about skiing and other activities that we will never get to.
Excellent tour with an amazing guide who is very passionate about what they do. Brilliant if you want to see lots of Jasper and you don’t feel rushed at each stop
Sam was a great guide and a great photographer!! He made sure everyone was getting the most out of the trip.
Such a cool experience! William, the tour guide, was an amazing photographer and hype man. The views were spectacular, and we got lucky to see 2 bears on our trip!
Curtis was the most attentive and nicest tour guide and we really appreciated the crampoms he provided for the Peyto Lake walk. However, I could not give the activity a full 5 stars. We thoroughly enjoyed it, but the stops were much shorter than described in the tour summary mainly because of delays from the indecisiveness and miscommunication with Curtis of 2 non-English speaking members who got dropped off at Columbia Icefields, and they ended up getting the fully timed experience of what they wanted. This was the tour on May 30, 2026. Too much time was spent there too. I booked this tour because we specifically wanted to avoid this touristy sight, and not mentioning the prolonged stop there is misleading. It was one of the few tours who did not mention a stop at Columbia Icefields and I booked specifically for this reason, and we ended spending the most time there. It seemed like a waste to drive us all that distance up to Jasper National Park and only spend 20 and 15 minutes at the first and second destinations of the tour title. There were several vantage points at each of the falls and we felt we could only take a quick minute glance at each. If you are planning a stop at Columbia Icefields, it should have been mentioned as a stop on the tour description. I would have opted for another tour if I knew that would be a specific stop
This trip looked fantastic but the instructions were very misleading. The trip from Calgary is roughly 14 hours not 8-10 as advertised. The day in my opinion is too long. We also had possibly the worst tour guide I’ve ever had in the western world - William who needs to learn to speak as an adult when giving g instructions rather than trying to be funny every time he speaks. The day was exhausting even tho the sights were beautiful but I wouldn’t recommend this trip to others from a Calgary start point.
All the lake’s were gorgeous specially Peyto. The icefield is marvellous, try to buy tkts in advance. It takes time to get it but it’s worth it
William is an amazing guide. Knowledgeable and helpful great sense of humour and amazing photographer! He made the journey as enjoyable as the incredible destination. Thanks william
William was a wonderful tour guide,he was engaging,informative and it was obvious he enjoys what he does. The drive was beautiful and we stopped to get yo close and personal with some mountain goats.
Wonderful tour. Beautiful places and wild life. The guide was amazing. Would totally recommend it! Mm
The tour was beautiful! We stopped in a lot of nice places and saw a lot of wild life. William made everything more special, searching for animals, showing us the nice spots and taking lots of pictures. Even though our group was a difficult one, he handled everything well. Thank you William for the amazing tour.
All the places on this tour were amazing! Just not the places, but the whole route was very scenic. We spotted wildlife too!! William, our tour guide had outstanding energy, was very patient and kind! He made the whole day even more better with his commentary and humour.
William was a great and entertaining guide- I thoroughly enjoyed his tour! All the attractions were great. We were lucky to see a bunch of bighorn sheep and even a couple of bear cubs.
The tour guide, especially William, is very responsible and passionate! I had a great time and really enjoyed this tour. It really made my solo trip so much more enjoyable and memorable.
Driver knew what he was doing and where he was going. Very patient, engaging and enthusiastic. The glaciers were amazing, Columbia Icefields drive to Jasper was super cool. Long drive but we saw a lot of big horn sheep and some black bears along the route!
The guide Tony was nice and kind. It was a pity that the lake were frozen but the waterfalls were beautiful and we encountered many animals
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