Explore Banff National Park Premium Day Trip
Description
⭐ Experience Award Winner Family-Owned & Operated ️ Led by Certified Local Guides There's a difference between visiting the Rockies and experiencing them. As a family-owned company born and raised in the Canadian Rockies, we don't just show you where to go, we share the stories, history, wildlife, and local knowledge that bring these mountains to life. From navigating road restrictions and seasonal changes to finding the best viewpoints and hidden gems, we take care of the logistics so you can focus on enjoying the experience. Highlights include: Lake Louise, Moraine Lake (Seasonal), Johnston Canyon, Lake Minnewanka, Bow Falls, Surprise Corner, and free time in Banff Town for a well deserved meal. • Family-owned & operated by certified local guides • We handle the planning, driving & logistics • Wildlife sightings, local stories & photo opportunities • Convenient departures from Calgary, Canmore & Banff
Tour Options
Itinerary
Lake Louise, an icon within Banff National Park, is known for its mesmerizing turquoise waters, framed by snow-capped peaks. In the winter, the lake transforms into an ice-skating wonderland, while summer offers endless outdoor adventures. It's an iconic destination where nature's beauty and year-round attractions come together in perfect harmony.
Nestled high in the Canadian Rockies and accessible from June 1st to October 15th, Moraine Lake is a true gem on your Banff adventure. This glacial lake is renowned for its vivid turquoise waters and the dramatic backdrop of the Valley of the Ten Peaks. In the warmer months, it mirrors the vibrant blue skies and lush forests, creating a breathtaking sight that you must experience. Moraine Lake is a must-see for its unparalleled beauty, and a visit during the open season will leave you spellbound by the pristine wilderness that surrounds it. (SUMMER)
Johnston Canyon promises captivating adventures. Follow the suspended catwalks to witness stunning waterfalls and when winter blankets the canyon, the landscape transforms into a snowy dream with frozen falls and intricate ice formations. (From October 14th to May 31st)
Enjoy a short tour through the town of Banff before exploring at your own pace. With the Rockies' best selection of restaurants, cafés, and souvenir shops, Banff is the ideal place to enjoy a relaxed lunch and recharge before the next part of your adventure.
In the heart of Banff, Bow Falls offers breathtaking views in every season. Autumn brings fiery colors, winter transforms it into a snowy wonder, and in spring and summer the rushing waters showcase the Rockies’ raw power. A must-see stop any time of year.
Prepare to be stunned by the incredible view of Castle Mountain. This majestic peak, with its striking and rugged profile, dominates the landscape and leaves a lasting impression as we journey through the scenic route. Enjoy the breathtaking sight of this natural wonder for an extended period, making our trip to Lake Louise even more memorable.
An iconic stop in Banff offers a truly breathtaking view of the grand Fairmont Banff Springs against the backdrop of the Canadian Rockies. As you arrive at this viewpoint, you'll be greeted by an unexpectedly stunning scene that's earned its name. Expect to be captivated by the castle-like architecture of the hotel and the serene beauty of the Bow River gracefully meandering its way through the valley. It's an ideal spot for photography and a must-see introduction to the picturesque charm of Banff National Park. During the summer months, we substitute Bow Falls with a visit to Lake Minnewanka, offering a serene lakeside experience.
A scenic drive from Banff, this stunning lake shines brightest in the summer when it replaces Surprise Corner on our route. Its clear blue waters reflect the towering peaks all around, creating picture-perfect views. As Banff’s largest lake, it’s the perfect spot to soak up the calm beauty of the Rockies and enjoy a true mountain escape. (SUMMER)
Nestled in the heart of the Rockies, Canmore is a beautiful mountain town known for its scenic charm and relaxed vibe. While we won’t be touring the town itself, it serves as a convenient and picturesque meeting point—a quick chance to stretch your legs, grab a coffee, and take in the views before we head deeper into the national park. (MEETING POINT)
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
**MEETING TIMES** Calgary meeting time: 7:30-7:40 AM Canmore meeting time: 8:50-9:00 AM Banff meeting times: 9:15-9:30 AM **You will receive a WELCOME EMAIL directly from ROCKY MOUNTAIN TRIPS with all the details**
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- This tour offers seasonal Stops due to closures in winter. Check itinerary descriptions.
- Calgary meeting time: 7:30 AM/ Canmore time: 9:00 AM/ Banff time: 9:30 AM
- Details are emailed 24 hours before trip date
- Please reach out for any extra space availability for luggage or equipment.
- Tickets are sold per seat
- Remaining tour duration is allotted for travel time and rest stops.
- Minimum age requirement: 5 years old
Reviews(904)
Overall, we were very happy with our bus trip from Calgary to Banff. The van was clean and comfortable, and the whole trip was kept on schedule as we worked our way through our many stops. Our driver, Teddy, was very knowledgeable, friendly and accommodating. He told us a lot of interesting facts and suggestions about the areas we went through, making the trip much more interesting than as if we had gone on our own.. He was available for questions at each stop, as well as taking pictures when needed. He kept the group on time in a friendly and positive manner. Teddy and the tour company seemed to be known and respected amongst the other tour guide drivers, and the parks personnel. We would highly recommend taking this trip! Jean
Jean, thank you for such a thoughtful review. It means a lot that you noticed the little things, from Teddy's stories and recommendations to the way he kept the day running smoothly while making everyone feel comfortable. We especially appreciate your comment about the respect between our team, fellow guides, and Parks staff. As a local, family-run company, we work hard to build those relationships and provide the best possible experience for our guests. Thank you for your recommendation and for choosing Rocky Mountain Trips. Wishing you many more wonderful adventures wherever life takes you next.
Our first time to visit Banff became memorable because of Luis and the team of Rocky Mountains. Despite the rainy conditions, we had a wonderful time doing the tour. Luis was so caring and took great care of our family of 6, particularly my parents. We had a mishap of dropping our car keys and after a long day he turned back to return them to us. It is moments like these that truly show the professionalism of a guide and the team in general. The praise is all deserved and even more so. If we return again to experience some better weather, we will definitely do it again with that tour group.
Reading this really touched us. Thank you for sharing it. We're so glad Luis was able to help make your family's first visit to Banff such a special one, even with the rain. Looking after our guests, especially when something unexpected happens like the lost car keys, is simply part of who we are. We're especially happy your parents felt well cared for throughout the day. Thank you for your trust, your generous words, and for allowing our family to be a small part of your family's memories. We wish you all the very best and many wonderful adventures together in the years ahead. 😊
A fantastic day with Luis, despite a car accident causing delays on the highway, this didn't affect our schedule. Luis was knowledgeable, fun & very friendly. Highly recommend Rocky Mountain Trips. Exceptional service from booking to the end of the day.
Thank you so much for this thoughtful review! We're especially happy to hear that, despite the unexpected highway delay, Luis was able to keep the day running smoothly without affecting your experience. That's something we take a lot of pride in. Thank you for recognizing the service from the moment you booked until the end of the tour. It means a great deal to our family team, and we're grateful you chose to spend the day with us. 😊
Luis & Rocky Mountain Trips are simply the best - in every way you can or cannot think of! Great person and amazing professional, thank you 🙏 Luis!
Wow... thank you. Reviews like this leave us speechless. 😊 We'll make sure Luis sees your kind words. Knowing you felt so well looked after means everything to us. Thank you for choosing Rocky Mountain Trips and for supporting our local family-run business. We wish you many more incredible adventures wherever your travels take you next!
Teddy was Awesome!!! He had great recommendations for food! This tour was great.. would have been Excellent if it weren’t for the strong rain. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Rain may have tried to steal the show, but we're so glad Teddy didn't let it dampen the experience! 😊 We're happy you enjoyed the day, the food recommendations, and everything else along the way. Thank you for rolling with the weather and for spending the day with our family-run team. Wishing you many more sunny adventures ahead!
Great tour, lots to see and an amazing guide.
We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and hope your memories of the Canadian Rockies stay with you for years to come.
I was so excited to visit Banff, but unsure of doing it by tour. Until we got Teddy at Rocky Mountain Tours. He talked to us like a normal but professional guide. It didn't sound like a rehearsed narration. He made us all feel comfortable and showed us the best time. Great driving!
This made us smile. 😊 One of the best compliments a guide can receive is that the experience felt genuine and natural rather than scripted. That's exactly who Teddy is. We're so glad he helped turn your uncertainty about booking a tour into such a memorable day. Thanks for giving us a chance, and we hope to see you back in the Rockies again someday!
FANTASTIC day trip with Mario as our guide! Mario was very knowledgeable and informative. Mario took us to places to get the best pictures and avoid the crowds. Best way to see Banff!
Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We're so happy you had such a great day with Mario. Finding those quieter viewpoints and sharing the best photo spots is all part of creating a memorable Rockies experience. Thanks for the recommendation and for choosing Rocky Mountain Trips. We truly appreciate your support!
Great trip! Mario is an awesome guide.
Thank you so much! We're so happy you had a great day with Mario. We'll be sure to pass along your kind words to him. Thanks for choosing Rocky Mountain Trips, and we hope to see you back in the Canadian Rockies again soon.
One of the most comprehensive and enjoyable guided tours we have ever taken in over 40 years of traveling. Luis took personal attention and care of everyone of the small group of 14 throughout the day. Having spent over 4 decades in Alberta he told us stories behind the scenes that I never read in online searches before! Recommend it highly! You will not be disappointed!
Wow, thank you for such an incredible review. Hearing this from someone with over 40 years of travel experience is a compliment we'll never forget. 😊 We're so happy Luis helped make your day special by sharing the stories and local history that only a lifelong Albertan can. Thank you for the recommendation and for choosing our family team. It truly means the world to us.
