Calgary/Banff to Banff National Park Round Trip + Columbia Icefield + Johnston Canyon 2-Day Tour(Minimum 1 Passenger)

Day 1: Calgary/Banff → Bow Lake → Peyto Lake → Columbia Icefield → Banff(Stay at a hotel in Banff area)

Rocky Mountain Icefields Parkway

Bow Lake

Peyto Lake

This morning we will depart from Calgary/Banff, traveling along the Icefields Parkway. Our first stop is Bow Lake, where, during the summer when the water melts, the lake transforms into a dazzling blue, its tranquil surface reflecting the surrounding mountains like a mirror. Next, we will travel to Peyto Lake, a glacial lake whose turquoise waters attract numerous nature lovers and photographers. Following this, we will arrive at the Columbia Glacier. We will then board a giant snowmobile to ascend to the 300-meter-deep surface of the Athapassar Glacier, experiencing firsthand the remnants of the Second Ice Age.

Itinerary:

Calgary/Banff → Icefields Parkway → Ravenfoot Glacier (passing through) → Bow Lake (20 mins) → Peyto Lake (20 mins) → Columbia Icefield Adventure (90 mins, including mandatory snowmobile tour) → Banff

On the day of the tour, you may add the Banff Night Tour (Price: USD$70.00 / CAD$85.00 per person). Catch the iconic “Golden Mountain” glow and picture-perfect lake reflections at sunset with gorgeous layered light and shadow, and keep an eye out for wild elk, bighorn sheep and even bears along the way for unforgettable natural surprises.

Icefields Parkway

The Icefields Parkway, also known as Highway 93, is a scenic highway in Alberta, Canada. It runs parallel to the Continental Divide of North America and crosses the rugged Rocky Mountains. It passes through Banff National Park and Jasper National Park, connecting Lake Louise and Jasper. Today, Highway 93 overlaps with Highway 1 at Lake Louise and Castle Mountain before entering Kootenay National Park in British Columbia. The total length of the highway is 232 kilometers and it was completed in 1940. The name of the highway comes from the spectacular ice fields along the way, including the Columbia Icefield.

Bow Lake

Bow Lake is located approximately 30 minutes north of Lake Louise and off the Icefields Parkway (Hwy 93) in the Canadian Rockies. It is half a mile north of the Crowfoot Glacier. It sits at an elevation of 1,920 m (6,300 ft) and is one of the largest lakes at the Banff National Park. It is fed by the meltwater from the Bow Glacier in the Wapta Icefield. Bow Lake is a wonderful place for a picnic and to enjoy scenic breathtaking views.

Peyto Lake

Every summer, a large amount of glacial rock powder flows into the lake, and the particles of these rocks make the lake appear bright turquoise. Therefore, Peyto Lake has become a popular tourist attraction in the park.

Columbia Icefield Adventure-Ice Explore

Check in at the Glacier Discovery Centre and take a shuttle to the Icefield Transfer Station to board a large Glacier Explorer built specifically for glacier travel.

Due to the limited hotel resources in the Banff area, it is not possible to specify the room type. The hotel will randomly arrange a king-size bed room or a twin bed room based on the room availability on that day. Thank you for your understanding!

• / Elk + Avenue Hotel; Irwin's Mountain Inn; Red Carpet Inn; The Rundlestone Lodge; Banff Caribour Lodge / other Banff hotel or similar

Day 2: Banff → Banff National Park → Bow Falls → Johnston Canyon → Banff/Calgary

Banff National Park

Banff Gondola

Devils Postpile

Bow Falls

Surprise corner

Banff Town Area

Johnston Canyon

Today, we'll embark on a relaxing journey into the stunning Banff National Park. First, you can choose to take the Sulphur Mountain Gondola (at your own expense) to the summit for panoramic views of Banff's verdant mountains and shimmering lakes. Next, visit Devil's Rock, admiring its unique and rugged geological formations sculpted by nature. Then, head to Bow Falls to witness the graceful flow of the water; stop at Surprise Point to capture the breathtaking scenery of the lake and mountains, where every step reveals a new vista. Afterwards, arrive in the town of Banff and immerse yourself in the relaxed atmosphere and unique charm of this town at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. In the afternoon, visit Johnston Canyon, exploring its streams and cascading waterfalls along the trails, immersing yourself in the pristine natural beauty. After the tour, return to Banff, bringing your wonderful day to a perfect close.

Itinerary:

Banff → Banff Town → Banff National Park → Banff Gondola (Optional, 90 mins) → Hoodoos (15 mins) → Bow Falls (15 mins) → Surprise Corner (15 mins) → Town of Banff (75 mins, including optional lunch) → Johnston Canyon (60 mins) → Banff/Calgary

Transportation: Drive from Calgary to Banff National Park

Distance: 80KM

Time: 1h30m

Banff National Park

Banff National Park is famously known for its colored lakes, majestic mountains, and endless outdoor adventures that it has to offer! It is also Canada’s very first national park and the world’s third! It has a rich heritage and is one of the world’s most awe-inspiring mountain destinations to discover! Make sure to even take a special look at its easy access and close proximity that it has to the vast unspoiled wilderness of the Canadian Rockies. The park itself spans 6,641 square kilometers (2,564 square miles) of pure mountainous terrain. It is greatly packed with spectacular scenic valleys, peaks, glaciers, forests, meadows, and rivers. Take a look at what makes Banff National Park so unique!

Banff Gondola

It only takes 8 minutes to reach the top of Sulphur Mountain, 2,281 meters high, by taking the Banff Gondola. At the top, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of Banff National Park, Banff Town and the Bow River Valley, and take in the unparalleled beauty of the Rocky Mountains. There is a restaurant and interactive experience hall on the top of the mountain. From new restaurants and interactive exhibits to multi-sensory theaters and amazing 360-degree observation decks, the new Banff Gondola experience allows you to gain a richer sensory experience.

Hoodoos

Hoodoos is named after its shape that resembles a demon or ghost, and it took hundreds of years to form. The scenery here is beautiful, with mountains, lakes, rivers, and forests converging to create a mountain and river scenery that combines masculinity and spirituality.

Bow Falls

The movie "River of No Return" starring Marilyn Monroe in the 1950s was filmed here. In the movie, the sexy goddess Marilyn Monroe hung clothes by the river. Since then, Bow Falls has attracted a large number of backpackers to come and watch every year.

Surprise Corner

Surprise Point is a great viewing point for the Fairmont Banff Hotel. The hotel is located in the mountains and has a simple appearance. It is hidden in the mountains and forests, giving people a mysterious feeling. Here you can have a panoramic view of the Fairmont Banff Hotel, known as the castle of the Rockies, and the Sulphur Mountain behind it.

Town of Banff

Banff is a small town within Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. It is one of Canada's most popular tourist destinations. It is known for its mountainous environment and hot springs, and is a popular destination for outdoor activities and hiking, biking, climbing, and skiing.

Johnston Canyon

Johnston Canyon is located on the Bow Valley Parkway that connects Banff Town and Lake Louise. It was formed by thousands of years of river erosion, so there are many streams and waterfalls in the canyon. The canyon has deep and dangerous terrain, with fast-flowing water in summer and covered with ice and snow in winter. The canyon is covered with lush vegetation, lush and fresh in summer, and covered with crystal tree hangings in winter, each with its own characteristics.