Tours/Banff/Sunwapta, Athabasca Falls, Peyto, Bow Lake, Icefield Parkway
Viator · group up to 48 pax

Sunwapta, Athabasca Falls, Peyto, Bow Lake, Icefield Parkway

5.0(215)Banff1 hour
VIATOR4.9(65)TRIPADVISOR5.0(150)

Description

**4/1-11/30 will visit Sunwapta and Athabasca Falls** **12/1-3/31 will visit Abraham Lake (ice bubble lake, weather permitting)** April 1 – November 30: Visit Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, and the stunning Sunwapta Falls and Athabasca Falls along the Icefields Parkway. Enjoy the iconic turquoise views of Peyto Lake and Bow Lake, surrounded by mountains and glaciers. Continue to Sunwapta Falls and Athabasca Falls, where powerful waters carve through dramatic canyons. Travel along the world-famous Icefields Parkway, with breathtaking landscapes and plenty of photo opportunities. December 1 – March 31: We’ll visit Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, and the magical Abraham Lake (Ice Bubble Lake). Enjoy the iconic views of Peyto Lake and the beauty of Bow Lake, surrounded by mountains and glaciers. At Abraham Lake, witness the famous frozen ice bubbles beneath the surface. Experience snowshoeing with complimentary equipment and warm up with hot coffee or tea while taking in the winter scenery.

Tour Options

Lake Louise
  • Lake Louise poickup from: Lake Louise visitor center Note: Abraham Lake(Ice Bubble): Begins to freeze around mid-Nov, and the best see time is Dec-Mar. Weather conditions vary, so sightings aren't guaranteed Lunch: Please bring your own lunch, as there are no stores or restaurants available along the way Itinerary (10/14-11/30 & 4/1-): Sunwapta Falls 45mins, Peyto Lake 45mins, Bow Lake 15mins, Crowfoot Glacier 15mins Itinerary(12/1-3/31): Abraham Lake(bubble lake) 1hr, Peyto Lake 45mins, Bow Lake 15mins, Crowfoot Glacier 15mins Pickup included
Calgary
  • Calgary pickup from: Calgary Downtown Delta Hotel by Marriott Note: Abraham Lake(Ice Bubble): Begins to freeze around mid-Nov, and the best see time is Dec-Mar. Weather conditions vary, so sightings aren't guaranteed Lunch: Please bring your own lunch, as there are no stores or restaurants available along the way Itinerary (10/14-11/30 & 4/1-): Sunwapta Falls 45mins, Peyto Lake 45mins, Bow Lake 15mins, Crowfoot Glacier 15mins Itinerary(12/1-3/31): Abraham Lake(bubble lake) 1hr, Peyto Lake 45mins, Bow Lake 15mins, Crowfoot Glacier 15mins Pickup included
Canmore
  • Canmore pickup from: Canmore Visitor Information Centre (2801 Bow Valley Trail, Canmore) Lunch: Please bring your own lunch, as there are no stores or restaurants available along the way Itinerary (10/14-11/30 & 4/1-): Sunwapta Falls 45mins, Peyto Lake 45mins, Bow Lake 15mins, Crowfoot Glacier 15mins Itinerary(12/1-3/31): Abraham Lake(bubble lake) 1hr, Peyto Lake 45mins, Bow Lake 15mins, Crowfoot Glacier 15mins Pickup included
Banff
  • Banff poickup from: Banff Caribou Lodge Note: Abraham Lake(Ice Bubble): Begins to freeze around mid-Nov, and the best see time is Dec-Mar. Weather conditions vary, so sightings aren't guaranteed Lunch: Please bring your own lunch, as there are no stores or restaurants available along the way Itinerary(10/14-11/30,4/1-): Sunwapta Falls 45mins, Peyto Lake 45mins, Bow Lake 15mins, Crowfoot Glacier 15mins Itinerary(12/1-3/31): Abraham Lake(bubble lake) 1hr, Peyto Lake 45mins, Bow Lake 15mins, Crowfoot Glacier 15mins Pickup included

Itinerary

Pass by

Cascade Mountain is a mountain located in the Bow River Valley of Banff National Park, adjacent to the town of Banff.

Pass by

You will see a serene collection of lakes reflecting the surrounding mountains. They can enjoy picturesque views, go wildlife spotting, and capture stunning photographs.

Pass by

With its sheer cliffs, towering slopes, and dramatic presence, Castle Mountain showcases the raw power and magnificence of nature.

30 min

**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.

20 min

**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.

90 min

**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.

45 min

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.

10 min

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.

15 min

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.

Pass by

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.

Highlights

Guide / driver
Pickup and dropoff available in Calgary, Canmore and Banff
Air-conditioned vehicle
Crampons (winter only)
5% GST (Goods and Services Tax)

What's included

Included
Guide / driver
Pickup and dropoff available in Calgary, Canmore and Banff
Air-conditioned vehicle
Crampons (winter only)
5% GST (Goods and Services Tax)
Not included
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

Pickup Locations & Times

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.

Traveller Ratings

5.0
215 reviews
5
207
4
6
3
2
2
0
1
0

Important Information

  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • This tour requires a minimum of 6 people to proceed. If the minimum number is not reached, we reserve the right to cancel the tour for that day and will inform travelers the day before departure.
  • This is a local bus tour, and you will join the tour with other travelers locally.
  • If there are not enough participants for a tour in your selected language, we will contact you to discuss joining a tour in another language.
  • Total tour duration includes travel time.
  • Please remember to bring your own lunch.
  • We will send a reminder the day before your tour. Please be sure to check your email or messages.
  • All pick-up times and locations are fixed. Please carefully review the pick-up detail and choose the location that best suits you. If you have any special requests, please don't hesitate to contact us directly.
  • Due to the unpredictable winter road conditions and weather, the itinerary may be subject to adjustments. We will inform you of any changes to the itinerary the day before the tour.
  • 4/1-11/30 will visit Sunwapta Falls and Athabasca Falls
  • 12/1-3/31 will visit Abraham Lake (Ice bubble lake)
  • Abraham Lake transforms into a frozen wonder, famous for its stunning ice bubbles trapped beneath the surface. While the timing of bubble formation varies each year, January to February is typically the best season for viewing.
  • Kindly let us know if you'll be bringing luggage, a wheelchair, stroller, or anything that may require extra storage space, as there may be an additional charge.

Reviews(215)

A
Arthur_S
June 22, 2026
Great day in the Rockies

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.

H
Harry_T
June 14, 2026
Excellent tour with an...

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

P
Patricia_R
June 11, 2026
Sam was a great guide and...

Sam was a great guide and a great photographer!! He made sure everyone was getting the most out of the trip.

C
Cecilia G
June 5, 2026
Amazing views and photos

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!

R
Regina_C
June 1, 2026
Too Much Time Spent at a Non-Mentioned Sight

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

H
Hayley_K
May 30, 2026
Beautiful sights, day too long

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.

M
Mayra_V
May 28, 2026
Good day tour to enjoy some views

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

Operator response

Hi Mayra, Thank you for your review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the beautiful lakes, especially Peyto Lake. The Columbia Icefield is truly one of the most spectacular attractions in the Canadian Rockies, and we're glad you found it worthwhile. Thank you as well for sharing your tip about booking Icefield tickets in advance. We appreciate your feedback and are pleased that you had a memorable experience with us. We hope to welcome you back for another adventure in the future!

O
O4250JPpeggys
May 27, 2026
Top notch

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

M
Maureen_F
May 26, 2026
William was a wonderful...

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.

A
Ana_F
May 25, 2026
Beautiful tour with nice tour guide

Wonderful tour. Beautiful places and wild life. The guide was amazing. Would totally recommend it! Mm

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