Columbia Icefield & Peyto Lake Day Tour from Calgary or Banff

4.1 (66 reviews) 9–12 hours

out of 5

66 reviews

4.1

Columbia Icefield & Peyto Lake Day Tour from Calgary or Banff — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Snowcoach — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Depart from Calgary or Banff with us and follow the Icefields Parkway through the Canadian Rockies. See Bow Lake and Crowfoot Glacier along the drive, then stop at Peyto Lake for sweeping mountain views.

During the operating season, spend time at the Columbia Icefield and choose an optional, separately priced Ice Explorer ride onto the glacier. If the Icefield visit is closed, the itinerary visits Lake Minnewanka and offers an optional Banff Upper Hot Springs stop instead. Scenic stops may change with road and weather conditions.

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At a glance

Duration: 9–12 hours
Confirmation: Confirmed within 48 hours
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 50 people
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: Chinese, English
Audio guide: Japanese
Operated by: Tourland

Ages: Infants (0–5 years) · Children (6–15 years) · Adults (16–90 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Traffic Accident Insurance (10M liability)
Included: Bilingual Chinese-English tour guide
Included: In-vehicle air conditioning: Air-conditioned vehicle
Included: Standard Sized One Carry-On Luggage Allowance
Included: National Park Fee & GST

Not included

Not included: Lunch (Guests can purchase lunch at Icefield Centre) & Person Expense
Not included: Specific Hotel Pick up (we meet all travelers at a meeting point)
Not included: Checked-In Luggage Allowance (Extra fee may apply if needed)
Not included: Please note this tour does not visit Skywalk
Not included: Gratuities (Suggested: CAD $15 per person per day in cash)

Itinerary

Banff

1 h 30 min

Bus Ride from Calgary to Banff National Park / Pick up at Banff Town
Icefields Parkway

2 hours

One of Canada's national treasures and most rewarding destinations. Stretching 232km (144mi) through the heart of Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site, this world-class journey offers access to a vast wilderness of pristine mountain lakes, ancient glaciers and broad sweeping valleys
Crowfoot Glacier

Passing by

Named after its shape when was discovered. A must-see stop with the climate change nowadays. The "Third toe" was melted and barely visible.
Bow Lake

Passing by

It is the headwaters of the Bow River that runs south through the city Calgary and onto the Oldman River ultimately to Hudson Bay.
Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre

2 h 30 min Admission not included

At the edge of the Columbia Icefield, hop out to explore a small corner of the largest icefield in North America and consider consider an OPTIONAL tour to the Columbia Icefield Ice Explorer.

A once in a lifetime experience to visit the heart of the incredible Icefields Parkway, one of the largest non-polar ice fields in the world. Climb on board an all-terrain Ice Explorer and head on to the surface of the Athabasca Glacier. Walk on, feel and drink from the ancient ice while you learn about glaciers and icefields.

**Please note that this stop point includes lunch break.

**Please not that this stop does not include "Skywalk" due to the tour length concern.

**With the high demand, we strongly recommend to book the option provided with admission.

**If Columbia Icefield is closed, we will visit Lake Minnewanka and Banff Upper Hot Springs.
Lake Minnewanka

20 min

Lake Minnewanka is Banff's largest glacial lake, beautifully framed by towering peaks. Enjoy scenic boat cruises, hike the shoreline, and spot abundant local wildlife.

**If Columbia Icefield is closed, we will visit Lake Minnewanka and Banff Upper Hot Springs.
Banff Upper Hot Springs

one hour Admission not included

Relax in the soothing thermal waters of the historic Banff Upper Hot Springs. Perched on Sulphur Mountain, it offers spectacular views of Mount Rundle. It is the perfect alpine escape to unwind after exploring the Canadian Rockies!

**Admission is not included. The fee is payable on-site.

**If you plan to join this activity, please remember to bring a swimsuit.

**If Banff Upper Hot Springs is closed, we will visit Cave and Basin National Historic Site.
Cave and Basin National Historic Site

30 min Admission not included

Discover the birthplace of Canada's national park system at the historic Cave and Basin. Explore the natural thermal springs hidden inside a fascinating underground cavern. Enjoy interactive exhibits that reveal the rich history of the Rockies!

**Admission is not included. The fee is payable on-site.

**If Banff Upper Hot Springs is closed, we will visit Cave & Basin National Historic Site.
Peyto Lake

20 min

It's milky blue color is unique and will change with the seasons and time of day. (if closed, replaced by Waterfowl Lakes)
Banff

2 hours

Bus Ride From Icefield back to Banff National Park
Calgary

1 h 30 min

Bus Ride from Banff National Park back to Calgary

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Meeting Time 09:25AM. Departure Time 09:35AM. We will meet you at the hotel lobby

*Subject to change to other hotels in Banff Town. Guests will be notified one day prior to departure if any changes.

*Customers will return back to Banff or can choose to be dropped off at Calgary Downtown.
Meeting Time 07:50AM. Departure Time 08:00AM. Bus parks in front of the hotel. Please wait in the hotel lobby and our tour guide will come in and greet you.

*Customers will return back to Calgary Downtown or can choose to be dropped off at Banff Aspen Lodge.

End point

Using your ticket

Please contact us by sending email to [email protected] if you would like to be picked up at Banff but dropped off at Calgary, or picked up at Calgary but dropped off at Banff.

Please note that due to travel length and tour arrangement, we do not offer specific hotel pick up. We meet all travelers at 2 meeting locations

1. Coast Calgary Downtown Hotel & Suites by APA, 610 4 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 0K1. (Departure time 08:00 AM)

2. Banff Aspen Lodge, 401 Banff Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1A9, Canada (Departure time 09:35 AM)(Subject to change to other hotels in Banff Town. Guests will be notified one day prior to departure if any changes)

Cancellation

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

If you cancel	You get back
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Not recommended for travelers with walking difficulties or those who require a wheelchair.

Options

Calgary Pick Up without ticket

Without Ice Explorer Admission

Starting point:

Coast Calgary Downtown Hotel & Suites by APA, 610 4 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 0K1, Canada
Banff Pick Up without ticket

Without Ice Explorer Admission

Starting point:

Banff Aspen Lodge, 401 Banff Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1A9, Canada