Sunwapta, Athabasca Falls, Peyto, Bow Lake, Icefield Parkway
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
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.
Highlights
What's included
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
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(225)
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!
