Calgary/Banff: Gondola, Upper Hot Spring, Bow Fall & Top 3 Lakes
Description
Start your journey from Calgary or Canmore with a scenic drive to Lake Minnewanka, a glacier-fed gem perfect for sightseeing, boat tours, or lakeside walks. Continue to peaceful Johnson Lake for a swim, picnic, or an easy loop trail walk surrounded by nature. Next, stop at Surprise Corner for breathtaking views of the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel and the Bow River. Visit the stunning Bow Falls, just minutes from downtown Banff, where the roaring waters offer a great photo opportunity. For an unforgettable view, take the optional Banff Gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain. At the top, enjoy panoramic vistas, mountaintop dining, and short hiking trails. Unwind at the Banff Upper Hot Springs in soothing mineral waters with mountain views. Then explore downtown Banff—browse shops, try local cuisine, or enjoy the alpine vibe along Banff Avenue.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Lake Minnewanka is a beautiful glacial lake located just 10 km from Banff in Banff National Park. It offers activities like boating (motorized boats allowed), hiking scenic trails, picnicking, and in winter, ice skating and snowshoeing. The lake has a rich history, including a submerged old settlement and hydroelectric developments. Visitors enjoy stunning mountain views, easy access to trails, and picnic spots. Parking can fill up quickly in summer, so plan accordingly. Note : Lake Minnewanka Cruise is Not included in the Tour/Admission Ticket
Two Jack Lake, just 10 km from Banff, is a peaceful mountain lake known for beautiful views of Mount Rundle. It’s great for easy hikes, kayaking, swimming, and picnics. There are two nearby campgrounds with basic amenities—reservations are recommended. In winter, the lake freezes for ice skating and snowshoeing.
Johnson Lake, located about 11 km from Banff, is a warm, peaceful lake perfect for swimming, kayaking, and easy hiking. It features a 2.8 km loop trail with beautiful views of nearby mountains. Visitors can also enjoy picnicking and, in winter, ice skating. (Visit to this lake is Optional )
Banff is a charming mountain town located in Banff National Park, Alberta. Surrounded by the stunning Canadian Rockies, it’s famous for its breathtaking landscapes, outdoor activities, and vibrant local culture. Visitors can enjoy hiking, skiing, wildlife viewing, hot springs, and exploring shops and restaurants. Banff offers year-round attractions, making it a top destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.
Surprise Corner Viewpoint is one of the most famous scenic stops in Banff National Park. It offers a stunning postcard-style view of the historic Fairmont Banff Springs with the Bow River and surrounding mountains in the background.
Bow Falls is a beautiful, wide waterfall located just 1 km from downtown Banff on the Bow River. It’s easy to reach by foot, car, or public transit. Visitors enjoy scenic views, photography, and walking trails nearby. The falls are especially impressive during spring runoff and offer peaceful surroundings year-round.
The Banff Gondola offers a scenic 8-minute ride up Sulphur Mountain, providing panoramic views of Banff and the surrounding Rockies. At the summit, visitors can enjoy the Sky Bistro for dining, explore the Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk, and learn about the area's history at the Interpretive Centre. The gondola is wheelchair accessible, and strollers are permitted.
Banff Upper Hot Springs is a popular natural hot spring located near Banff town, offering warm, mineral-rich waters with stunning mountain views. It’s perfect for relaxing after outdoor activities. The facility includes change rooms, showers, and rentals for swimsuits and towels. Tickets are only available onsite and not included in the tour price
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(12)
Mr. G was amazing. Took us to all the main sites. Felt a little rushed but we did fit everything in so that was nice.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm glad you enjoyed the tour with Mr. G and were able to see all the main sites. We appreciate your feedback about the pace—we do our best to fit in as much as possible while making the experience enjoyable. We hope to welcome you again for another adventure!
This is a hassle free way to visit the Banff . Mr G gave took us to our destinations on scheduled time and guided us where to go and gave some brief history and information of the places we went to visit.
Thank you for your kind review. We're glad you enjoyed your Banff tour and that Mr. G helped make your experience smooth and enjoyable. We appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you again soon!
It was great. Going with a tour meant each stop was timed, but we always had time to walk around for 30-40 minutes. I could have used more time for lunch, but otherwise I didn't feel rushed, even with all the stops. Overall it was a great way to experience Banff's natural beauty without dealing with logistics or driving. Loved the view while sitting in the hot springs!
Thank you for your wonderful review! 😊 We’re so glad you enjoyed the tour and had enough time to explore each stop comfortably. Happy to hear you loved the hot springs views and could relax without worrying about driving or logistics. We hope to see you again in Banff soon!
The driver was very friendly but felt like I just hired an Uber or another ride share, didn’t feel like a “tour” with information sharing etc. he got us where we needed to go. Snowy weather caused the cancellation of the Lake Minnewanka boat cruise. The view from the Gondola was non-existent because of the snowy weather. The Hot Springs was very crowded but warm and relaxing. Bow Falls and Two Jack Lake were stunning, the snow only added to the view.
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re glad to hear your driver was friendly and ensured you got to all the planned locations safely, especially during the snowy conditions. Unfortunately, the snowy weather also impacted the Lake Minnewanka boat cruise and the Gondola views, which are beyond our control, but we understand how disappointing that must have been. Thanks
I truly regret choosing Viator as my travel agency. Initially, they transferred me to a local bus guide, resulting in me not only joining a small bus tour but also paying approximately $20 more than the other group members. To make matters worse, Bow Falls wasn't even on the itinerary. It was incredibly disappointing.
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re sorry to hear that you were disappointed with your experience. However, we would like to clarify a few points for future travelers. The tour itinerary and inclusions are clearly mentioned in the tour heading and description before booking. Guests are encouraged to review these details carefully prior to making a reservation. Regarding the group size, a tour with 7–8 guests is considered a small-group tour in the Banff tourism industry, allowing for a more comfortable and personalized experience compared to larger coach tours. As for pricing differences, Viator frequently offers promotional discounts, coupons, or dynamic pricing to different customers at the time of booking, which may explain any variation in price between travelers. We always strive to provide the best possible experience to our guests and appreciate all constructive feedback.
The online tour description and itinerary didn’t match the actual tour provided. Would not have booked this tour. One of the parties was late to their selected pick up destination so our tour/ itinerary was modified to accommodate them. There were a few individuals who used the tour guide’s electronic equipment to charge their phones which sometimes resulted in a distraction. While the tour guide was fine, the bus could have been a little cleaner.
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We sincerely apologize that the tour experience did not fully meet your expectations. Occasionally, minor itinerary adjustments may be necessary due to operational circumstances, including guest pickup delays, but we understand how this can impact your experience.Your feedback is valuable and helps us provide a better experience for future guests.
The trip exceeded our expectations. The views were breathtaking and so pristine. The chosen sites and the fact that we got to experience them up close and take numerous pics was amazing. Our guides were on time and actually early, ever present without being obtrusive, professional, helpful and informative. Communication is their strength. Almost immediate with texts of itinerary. We got to have lunch in town walk around and purchase keepsakes and eat at a local restaurant. The gondola ride, WOW our tickets were given to us by Jass. Thanks so much for a wonderful experience Jass keeping us all safe and on target the entire day. Also thanks for assisting us with our booking. We got to do almost everything we wanted with this one tour. I wouldn’t change it and we’re planning to return for a summer tour to compare. Phenomenal we would highly recommend this tour.
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re delighted to hear that the tour exceeded your expectations and that you enjoyed the breathtaking views, smooth organization, and gondola experience. Jass and the team truly appreciate your appreciation. We’re glad everything went perfectly and look forward to welcoming you back for a summer tour!
The instructor is very kind. He tries his best to show us the most possible. After visiting every place that was written on the description, we visisted lake louise, emerald lake, natural bridge additionally. He also dropped us off where we want.
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your tour and appreciated our guide’s efforts to make your experience memorable. We hope to welcome you again soon for another amazing adventure in the Rockies!
Our Banff Gondola, Upper Hot Springs & Top 3 Lakes Tour from Calgary was an amazing experience from start to finish. The pickup was smooth and on time, and the drive through the Rockies offered breathtaking scenery.
Thanks for you valuable review. Much Appreciated.
What an incredible experience with Banff Trip Planner Inc.! I booked the Banff Gondola, Upper Hot Springs & Top 3 Lakes Tour from Calgary, and it was the perfect way to see the best of the Rockies in one day. From the moment we booked, everything was seamless and easy.
Thanks for you valuable review. Much Appreciated.
