Calgary: Columbia Icefield Adventure, Skywalk and Peyto Lake Tour





Description
Journey through the stunning Canadian Rockies on this full-day tour from Calgary, Banff, or Canmore. Marvel at the breathtaking Crowfoot Glacier, the vibrant turquoise waters of Peyto Lake, and the tranquil beauty of Bow Lake and Waterfowl Lake, each showcasing unique vistas. This guided adventure, led by knowledgeable experts, provides deep insights into the region's rich history and ecology, making it ideal for nature lovers and photographers. Enjoy roundtrip transportation in a comfortable, air-conditioned van or private car, ensuring a seamless experience while exploring these iconic landscapes. - Full-day exploration of Columbia Icefield and Rocky Mountain scenery - Visit Crowfoot Glacier, Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, and Waterfowl Lake - Expert guide shares insights into history and ecology of the area - Comfortable transportation provided for ease of travel
Tour Options
Itinerary
Discover the serene beauty of Herbert Lake, a hidden gem along the Icefields Parkway in Banff National Park. Surrounded by towering peaks and dense forest, this tranquil alpine lake offers breathtaking views and perfect mirror-like reflections of the Canadian Rockies—ideal for photography and peaceful nature moments. Enjoy a short stop (approx. 15–20 minutes) where you can take a leisurely walk along the shoreline, soak in the quiet atmosphere, and learn interesting facts about the area's natural and geological significance from your guide. Less crowded than Banff’s major lakes, Herbert Lake provides a more intimate and authentic connection to the park's stunning landscape. It's especially captivating in the morning when the water is calm and the reflections are at their best. A peaceful, picture-perfect highlight of your journey through the Rockies.
Marvel at the majestic Crowfoot Glacier, perched high above Bow Lake along the scenic Icefields Parkway in Banff National Park. Once shaped like a three-toed crow’s foot, this glacier is a striking example of nature’s power and the effects of climate change. During this short scenic stop, your guide will share fascinating insights into the glacier’s formation, its ongoing retreat, and its significance to the region’s ecosystem. From the roadside viewpoint, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the glacier, surrounding cliffs, and turquoise Bow Lake below—an ideal photo opportunity. This stop offers a unique chance to witness an iconic glacier in a spectacular mountain setting without the need for a strenuous hike. A quick yet memorable highlight of your Rockies adventure.
Experience the breathtaking beauty of Bow Lake, one of Banff National Park’s most stunning glacial lakes, nestled at the base of the majestic Crowfoot Mountain. This serene stop along the Icefields Parkway offers panoramic views of turquoise waters fed by the Bow Glacier, with towering peaks and alpine scenery all around. During your visit, enjoy a peaceful walk along the lakeshore, take in the crisp mountain air, and capture postcard-perfect photos of the reflective water and surrounding wilderness. Your guide will share fascinating facts about the lake’s glacial origins, local wildlife, and the significance of the Bow River headwaters. This stop is ideal for nature lovers, photographers, and anyone wanting to connect with the raw beauty of the Canadian Rockies. Whether it’s a quick photo stop or a moment to relax in nature, Bow Lake is a memorable highlight of your Rockies journey.
Prepare to be amazed by the iconic Peyto Lake, one of the most photographed and visually striking lakes in the Canadian Rockies. Located along the Icefields Parkway in Banff National Park, Peyto Lake is famous for its brilliant turquoise color and unique shape, resembling a howling wolf from the viewpoint above. On this stop, enjoy a short, scenic walk to a panoramic lookout where you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the glacier-fed lake surrounded by rugged peaks. Your guide will provide insights into the area's geology, glacial history, and the natural forces that give the lake its vivid hue. This unforgettable experience offers incredible photo opportunities and a true connection to the raw beauty of the Canadian wilderness. A must-see highlight of any Rockies adventure, Peyto Lake promises to leave a lasting impression.
Explore the awe-inspiring Peyto Glacier, perched high in the Wapta Icefield and feeding the vibrant waters of Peyto Lake in Banff National Park. As part of your tour, you'll stop at a scenic viewpoint where the glacier can be seen in the distance, nestled among rugged peaks and alpine valleys. Your guide will share fascinating insights into the glacier's formation, its role in shaping the landscape, and how it contributes to the lake’s famous turquoise color. Though the glacier itself is not accessible up close, the panoramic views from the lookout provide a powerful perspective on the scale and beauty of this ancient ice mass. It’s a meaningful stop for anyone interested in geology, climate change, and the natural forces that have sculpted the Canadian Rockies. A memorable and educational highlight of your journey through one of Canada’s most iconic national parks.
Discover the peaceful beauty of Waterfowl Lakes, a hidden gem along the Icefields Parkway in Banff National Park. Surrounded by towering peaks and dense forest, these glacier-fed lakes offer a tranquil atmosphere and breathtaking scenery. On this stop, travelers can enjoy a leisurely walk along the lakeshore, take in the crisp alpine air, and capture stunning photos of the emerald-green water reflecting the surrounding mountains. Your guide will share fascinating details about the area’s geology, native wildlife, and the glacial sources that feed the lakes. With fewer crowds than more popular sites, Waterfowl Lakes provide a serene and intimate connection with nature—perfect for those looking to experience the untouched beauty of the Canadian Rockies. Whether you're here for photos, quiet reflection, or to simply soak in the views, this stop will be a memorable part of your mountain adventure.
Embark on the unforgettable Icefield Adventure, a once-in-a-lifetime experience on the majestic Athabasca Glacier—one of the most accessible glaciers in North America, located in the heart of the Columbia Icefield. Board a specially designed Ice Explorer vehicle and travel right onto the glacier’s surface, where you'll step out and walk on ancient ice formed thousands of years ago. Surrounded by towering peaks and endless white expanses, you'll learn from your guide about the glacier’s formation, the powerful forces that shaped it, and the ongoing effects of climate change. Feel the crunch of ice under your boots, breathe the pure alpine air, and even taste glacial water straight from the source. This thrilling and educational experience offers breathtaking views, incredible photo opportunities, and a deeper appreciation of our planet’s natural wonders. A must-do highlight of any journey through the Canadian Rockies.
Experience the thrill of walking on air at the Columbia Icefield Skywalk, an awe-inspiring glass-floored observation platform that extends 918 feet (280 meters) over the Sunwapta Valley in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Located just minutes from the Athabasca Glacier, this architectural marvel offers breathtaking, unobstructed views of glaciers, rugged mountain peaks, waterfalls, and deep river canyons below. As you step onto the glass walkway, feel the exhilaration of standing high above the landscape, while your guide shares fascinating insights into the region’s geology, glaciology, and wildlife. Interpretive displays along the way enrich your understanding of this dramatic environment. Ideal for thrill-seekers, photographers, and nature lovers alike, the Skywalk is a memorable highlight of your Icefields Parkway journey—combining excitement with natural beauty in one spectacular stop.
Travel along the world-renowned Icefields Parkway, one of the most scenic drives on Earth, stretching between Banff and Jasper National Parks. On this unforgettable journey, you'll witness the raw beauty of the Canadian Rockies—towering snow-capped peaks, turquoise glacial lakes, waterfalls, and vast alpine meadows. Your guided tour includes stops at iconic landmarks such as Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, Waterfowl Lakes, Crowfoot Glacier, and the majestic Columbia Icefield. Along the way, your guide will share captivating stories about the region’s geology, wildlife, and Indigenous history. Keep your camera ready for possible sightings of bears, elk, or mountain goats. Whether you’re stepping onto ancient ice, admiring mirror-like lakes, or simply enjoying panoramic mountain views, the Icefields Parkway offers an immersive and unforgettable experience through the heart of the Canadian wilderness. A must-do for any nature lover or adventurer. This is part of Travel Time.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Tour Pick-Up Information Our vehicle will be clearly marked and stationed at the designated pick-up locations, where our friendly tour guide will be ready to warmly welcome you. Your guide will meet you at the hotel lobby and provide both pick-up and drop-off services. Please find the scheduled departure times and locations below: 07:30 AM – Delta Hotels by Marriott Calgary Downtown, 209 4 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0C6 09:00 AM – Canmore Inn & Suites, 1402 Bow Valley Trail, Canmore, AB T1W 1N6 09:05 AM-Save-On-Foods, 950 Railway Ave #2, Canmore, AB T1W 1P4 09:10 AM-Travel Alberta Canmore Visitor Information Centre, 2801 Bow Valley Trl, Canmore, AB T1W 3A2 09:25 AM – Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa, 521 Banff Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1H8 09:30 AM – Moose Hotel & Suites, 345 Banff Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1H8 Please note: Actual pick-up times may vary slightly due to tour logistics. We appreciate your understanding and recommend being ready a few minutes in advance to ensure a smooth departure. We look forward to providing you with a memorable experience!
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- For your visit, please allow approximately 3-4 hours for round-trip travel time between all locations.
Reviews(156)
It’s quite a long day but well worth it. Our driver/guide Inder was great & very obliging. Saw amazing lakes of beautiful colours & got to walk on a glacier. I do recommend booking those Icefield Adventure/Skywalk tickets in advance though. It was busy! Everything was so busy on the day of our tour that Inder decided that we would postpone our morning visit to Peyto Lake & do that on the way home…..cars were back to the highway trying to get in to park. A very good decision as very few others were there when we stopped on our way home & the lighting & colours were beautiful. If that wasn’t enough, shortly after leaving Peyto Lake we saw a black bear eating at side of the road. Inder stopped & we spent some time watching & taking photos….from the safety of our van of course. A little further on a young deer was near highway. A fantastic day out. Thanks Inder.
Great day out. Lovely scenery. Our guide Sam was very informative, took time to ensure we had enough time at each stop to experience the beauty.
Amazing tour with an incredible, knowledgeable guide (Sam) and efficient driving. I had a bit of a chaotic start with pickup—the meeting area gets very busy with multiple tour companies picking up guests at the same spot at the same time. After 30 minutes went by with no ride and my name missing from the list, it was definitely stressful, but their team sorted it out quickly once I called. If you run into any confusion at the pickup hub, don't hesitate to reach out to them directly. Once on the road, our driver, Sam, was awesome. He was incredibly knowledgeable, explained the history of each location, gave great tips, and drove efficiently throughout the day. A quick heads-up for future travelers: The Icefield excursion requires an additional ticket that isn't included in the base tour price. The company clearly states this in the tour description and even sends a confirmation text specifying the exact time slot you need to book. A few people on our tour were caught off guard by the extra fee, but there were zero surprises on my end simply because I actually read the details and understood what I was signing up for ahead of time. As long as you pay attention to the instructions and confirmation texts, it’s completely seamless. Despite the morning pickup hiccup, Sam made it a fantastic trip!
It was an amazing once in a lifetime experience. We had a lot of fun and enjoyed every part of the trip. Our tour operator Inder was very nice and explained everything in detail, even offered to take pictures of families :) He is such a nice and friendly person We will definitely come back and book the trip again. Thank you Inder for making our trip memorable.
terrible, terrible, terrible. The departure time is different from the web but no one tell me. I wait for the car for over 1 hour.
It’s well planned & well timed for viewing lakes & doing the Icefields activities. Inder , our driver, was very knowledgeable & helpful. He was awesome!
Sam was amazing ! He did a great job . Amazing time management and he knew everything where to take us and a true guide amazing . He made my family’s trip truly special. Thank you Sam (Simran) tour was 10/10 .
Very good experience, excellent service and guide. A plan you cannot miss. I expected a little more from the Skywalk, but it is worth visiting.
My fiance and I participated on this tour. Ill start first with the good things. Inder our tour guide was very pleasant and amicable. The tour itself focuses on the columbia activities so a please be aware that although you get bonus stops at lakes and glacier its only for a short time since the tour is focused on Jasper National Park Columbia activities. The view at the columbia icefield was great and breathtaking. Definitly a must experience. The buses that take you there and return, they advised they ran every 15 minute but it was way less. I would say every 3 to 5 minutes we saw a bus. It was very efficient. Inder also had water at all times at the bus available for all travellers which was very nice and kept us hydrated. That being said, there is a few things I would like to recommend. We arrived at our pick up spot at 7:20AM (Our pickup was scheduled for 7:30AM) once we arrived I noticed that I did not receive on behalf of the company the day prior any information to locate the bus or the tour guide. So when I arrived there were various buses. I was lost and my phone wasent working properly so I could not communicate well. Thankfully I was able to make a call and they advised the tour guide was on his way but had not arrived yet. At 7:29AM I receive by text the name of the Bus and the phone number to contact and I noticed that, the bus was there all along. He was there when I arrived at 7:20. I would say for the company, please provide tour guide name and bus identification for travellers the day prior. Had my phone not worked It could have been an inconvenience. For travellers columbia icefield is cold, even in August so cover yourself. In addition, please ensure to use washrooms recommended by guide. The washroom at the Peyto Lake was absolutely not adecuate to use. However, if you can wait, Peyto lake is just 1 hour from the columbia Icefield. Recomendation prepare yourself to wait until the columbia icefield to use the washrooms. I highly recommend to travellers to ask ahead and tour guides to provide information beforehand at the beginning of the tour of all adecuate recommended washrooms along the trip so that all travellers can plan accordingly and know when they MUST go to avoid having to use a washroom that is in poor condition because they cant hold it. Ride back from Columbia to Calgary is about 3-4 hours with no stops so do as you must to prepare yourself for the trip back
Incidentally I booked the trip to Columbia icefields, however, I will strongly recommend everyone to enjoy this venture with Viator



