2 Day Tours in Banff National Park, Calgary

About this activity

Start with a mellow hike day: Johnston Canyon stroll, sunshine-soaked Sunshine Meadows wander, then gondola up Sulphur Mountain (elevation-bragging rights included). Next day, lake overload: Moraine, Louise, Bow, Peyto, Emerald & Vermilion — six outrageously turquoise lakes with tons of photo time for your camera’s dramatic close-ups.

It’s the perfect Rocky-rom com — mellow nature therapy one day, dramatic glacier-lake catwalk the next. We skip the tourist stampede, linger where the light makes everyone look good, and our great guides deliver secret viewpoints, smooth logistics, and dad-joke-level commentary. Less frantic checklisting, more “wow”s and great Instagram captions.

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At a glance

Duration: 2 days
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 24 people
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: English
Operated by: Banff2Go

Ages: Infants (0–3 years) · Children (4–9 years) · Adults (10–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: WIFI on board
Included: Bottle water on road
Included: Entrance fees: national park entrance fee
Included: Government fees: GST

Not included

Not included: Gratuities: we suggest 10% of your booking
Not included: Meals: Guest meal or drinks are not included
Not included: Admission fees: Banff Gondola ticket is not included. Please contact us if you need help to book the tickets

Itinerary

Day 1 · Trail Junkies’ Day Out: Hiking Lover's favorite

Sunshine Meadows

3 hours Admission included

Note: Sunshine Meadows trail is open from May 26th to Sept. 20th, beyond that range, we go to Lake Minnewanka, Two Jack Lake and Jonson Lake

a gentle alpine trail above Sunshine Village with sweeping wildflower meadows, panoramic mountain views, and three small hidden alpine lakes tucked among the ridges. Easy, well‑marked paths with rolling terrain and short climbs—great for families and casual hikers.
Johnston Canyon

1 h 30 min

Johnston Creek originates north of Castle Mountain in a glacial valley southwest of Badger Pass and south of Pulsatilla Pass, at an elevation of 2,500 meters (8,200 ft). The creek flows southeast between Helena Ridge and the Sawback Range, and then south through a gorge known as Johnston Canyon.

As Johnston Creek approaches the Bow River, it flows through a large canyon formed by erosion over thousands of years. The creek has cut through the limestone rock to form sheer canyon walls, as well as waterfalls, tunnels, and pools.

A popular hiking trail follows the canyon and leads to a meadow within the Johnston Valley above the canyon. The first part of the trail consists of a constructed walkway with safety rails and bridges, while the last part of the trail is natural and more rugged. Within the meadow are the Ink Pots, which are six blue-green spring-fed pools.
Stop 3

15 min

The Vermilion Lakes are a series of lakes located immediately west of Banff, Alberta, in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The three lakes are formed in the Bow River valley, in the Banff National Park, at the foot of Mount Norquay. The area offers wildlife viewing opportunities and breathtaking scenery. Offering spectacular views of Mount Rundle and Sulphur Mountain, the proximity of these lakes to town make them a fantastic place to watch sunrise or sunset.
Sulphur Mountain

1 h 20 min Admission not included

Note, the Gondola ticket is not included, if you decide not to take it, you can take the time to browse Banff Town.

Timeless Rocky Mountain views. 100% reimagined summit experience. Take the Sulphur Gondola (Optional) and discover sweeping scenes of six mountain ranges, the Bow Valley and the charming town of Banff from the Sulphur Mountain summit. Once you're at the top, begin your adventure by strolling the boardwalk to the Cosmic Ray Station and Sanson's Peak and learn about Canada's first national park.

The air is clean and clear up here. When gaze down from the jagged mountain ridge, you stare in amazement at the town, lakes, and rivers on the valley floor far below, and a lot more. it’s such a revitalizing and calming sensation.
Cascade Gardens

20 min Admission not included

ascades of Time Garden spreads out behind Banff National Park's historic administration building at 101 Mountain Ave. A geological sequence of cascading ponds and water courses provide the garden’s namesake and is highlighted with flowers, shrubs, rustic bridges, pavilions and flagged walks. The peak season for blooms is June through September.
Bow Falls

15 min

Bow Falls is a major waterfall on the Bow River. The falls rumble about 30 feet over a low-gradient pitch of channeled bedrock, providing a short turbulent interrupt of the cerulean waters of the Bow River. The falls are pretty, and under the right conditions, exceptionally photogenic, but not terribly impressive.

The 1953 Marilyn Monroe film “River of No Return” featured the bow falls.
Johnson Lake

45 min

Note: From May 26th to Sept 20th, we go to Sunshine Meadows instead.

a calm, family-friendly alpine lake just a short drive from Banff townsite. A flat, easy loop (about 3–3.5 km) circles the water, making it perfect for strolls, picnics, trail runs, and quick dips (water is cold). Scenic views include Mount Rundle and nearby peaks; expect loon calls, occasional wildlife, and plenty of photo ops at the shoreline.
Stop 8

one hour

Note: From May 26th to Sept 20th, we go to Sunshine Meadows instead.

Banff’s largest and deepest lake, carved by glaciers and best known for its dramatic, wide-open waters and jagged mountain backdrop. Popular for boat tours, kayaking, and lakeside picnics, with longer hiking options and nearby picnic areas. Expect windier conditions than smaller lakes, good fishing, and frequent wildlife sightings (keep a safe distance).
Two Jack Lake

30 min

Note: From May 26th to Sept 20th, we go to Sunshine Meadows instead.

a peaceful, photogenic lake just north of Banff townsite, split into Two Jack Lake and Two Jack Main (the larger bay). Easy walking, paddleboarding, and picnic spots with classic views of Mount Rundle and Cascade Mountain. Calm mornings deliver mirror-like reflections ideal for photos; afternoons can pick up a breeze.

Day 2 · See All the Lakes: Moraine, Louise, Emerald, Peyto & Vermilion — Bring Sunglasses, Not a Lifejacket

Stop 1

10 min

Castle Mountain is a mountain located within Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies, approximately halfway between Banff and Lake Louise. The mountain was named in 1858 by James Hector for its castle-like appearance
Moraine Lake

1 h 20 min Admission included

Moraine Lake is a world-famous glacially-fed lake nestled in the heart of Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. Surrounded by the towering peaks of the Valley of the Ten Peaks
Lake Louise

one hour

Lake Louise is a glacial lake within Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. It is named after the Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria and the wife of the Marquess of Lorne, who was the Governor General of Canada from 1878 to 1883. The turquoise colour of the water comes from rock flour carried into the lake by melt-water from the glaciers that overlook the lake. The lake has a surface of 0.8 km² and is drained through the 3 km long Louise Creek into the Bow River.
Lake Louise Visitor Information Centre

45 min

The village of Lake Louise is the highest mini town with an elevation of 1,661 m. Take some free time here to have your lunch, browse the stores and the visitor center surrounding the mini square. Regain some energy for the next 3 lakes of the tour.
Crowfoot Glacier

10 min

Early explorers named the glacier Crowfoot because its three sections of ice looked like a crow’s foot on the mountain. While one of the three “toes” has now receded and disappeared, the glacier is no less spectacular.

The Crowfoot Glacier sits above Bow Lake, providing stunning photo opportunities for those traveling the Icefields Parkway.

The spectacular Crowfoot Glacier can be viewed from a lookout point on the world-famous Icefields Parkway about 34 km (21 mi) north of Lake Louise. Attached to the northeastern side of Crowfoot Mountain, overlooking Bow Lake, the glacier's runoff feeds into the Bow River, which flows from Banff National Park through the City of Calgary to the Alberta prairies.
Bow Lake

30 min

Bow Lake is one of the many lakes that line the Icefields Parkway and a popular stop for visitors to Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. It’s no secret that the Canadian Rockies are not short of spectacular vistas and lakes. Bow Lake is one of our top recommendations for a stop to stretch the legs on the Icefields Parkway.

A short walk along the lakeshore trail is a family-friendly hike, or you can enjoy longer hikes around Bow Lake for a more complete day. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you don’t miss Bow Lake.
Peyto Lake

45 min

Peyto Lake is a glacier-fed lake in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies. The lake itself is near the Icefields Parkway. It was named for Bill Peyto, an early trail guide and trapper in the Banff area. The lake is formed in a valley of the Waputik Range, between Caldron Peak, Peyto Peak and Mount Jimmy Simpson, at an elevation of 1,860 m (6,100 ft). During the summer, significant amounts of glacial rock flour flow into the lake from a nearby glacier, and these suspended rock particles are what give the lake a unique bright, turquoise colour. Because of its bright colour, photos of the lake often appear in illustrated books,and the area around the lake is a popular sightseeing spot. The lake is best seen from Bow Summit, the highest point on the Icefields Parkway. The lake is fed by Peyto Creek, which drains water from Caldron Lake and Peyto Glacier (part of the Wapta Icefield). Peyto Lake is the origin of the Mistaya River, which heads northwest from the lake's outflow.
Emerald Lake

one hour

Emerald Lake is a freshwater lake located in Yoho National Park, British Columbia, Canada. Emerald Lake is enclosed by mountains of the President Range.
Natural Bridge

20 min

Natural Bridge is an impressive natural rock formation that spans the flow of the Kicking Horse River west of Field, where the slower-moving waters from the Field valley flats begin their descent through a canyon to be joined by the Amiskwi River.

Sculpted by the erosive forces of rushing water over what had once been a waterfall, the Natural Bridge is a powerful reminder of how much influence water has in shaping the landscape. Softer rock found below the Natural Bridge's hard limestone band eroded more quickly, and fissures in the rock widened until the flow of water was diverted below the outcrop.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Please wait in the parking area in front of the building.
Please wait in the lobby of the hotel, your tour guide will come to meet you.
Please wait in the lobby of the hotel, your tour guide will come to meet you.

End point

Please wait in the parking area in front of the building.
Please wait in the lobby of the hotel, your tour guide will come to meet you.
Please wait in the lobby of the hotel, your tour guide will come to meet you.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.