Banff to Jasper Columbia Icefield Glacier Walk Private VIP Tour

5.0 (18 reviews) 12–13 hours Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

18 reviews

5.0

Banff to Jasper Columbia Icefield Glacier Walk Private VIP Tour — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Banff to Jasper Columbia Icefield Glacier Walk Private VIP Tour, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Let someone else take the wheel while you relax & enjoy a *full-day private premium journey* along the world-famous Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper. Travel through the heart of the Canadian Rockies, surrounded by towering peaks, ancient glaciers, turquoise lakes, and the chance to spot wildlife along the way. Discover iconic highlights including Peyto Lake, Bow Lake & Athabasca Glacier for an unforgettable Rocky Mountain experience

Visit the iconic Columbia Icefields, with an optional Ice Explorer & Sky-walk experience (tickets required). Throughout the journey, enjoy additional scenic stops, photo opportunities & breathtaking mountain views

Additional stops may include Stutfield Glacier Viewpoint, Big Bend Viewpoint, Tangle Creek Falls, Saskatchewan River Crossing/Howse Pass viewpoint, depending on time and guest preferences

**Please note** The Columbia Icefields Discovery Centre is closed seasonally from mid-October to early May.

Day Trips Full-day Tours Bus Tours Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Car Tours Luxury Car Tours Excellent Quality

At a glance

Duration: 12–13 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–14
Guide: English
Operated by: Wild Northern Journey

What is included

Included

Included: Both national Park entry fee
Included: Hotel pickup and drop-off service
Included: Air-conditioned comfortable transportation
Included: Experienced local guides
Included: Complimentary bottled water

Not included

Not included: Personal expenses, including optional activities and travel insurance
Not included: Gratuities (highly appreciated)

Itinerary

Crowfoot Glacier

10 min

Enjoy a scenic stop at the famous Crowfoot Glacier viewpoint along the breathtaking Icefields Parkway. Named for its original shape resembling a crow’s foot, this impressive glacier hangs high above Bow Lake and offers spectacular Rocky Mountain scenery. Guests will have time to take photos, admire the dramatic glacier views, and experience one of the most iconic natural landmarks in the Canadian Rockies…
Peyto Lake

30 min Admission included

***Famous Wolf-Head Shaped Lake***

Discover the breathtaking Peyto Lake, famous for its striking turquoise waters shaped like a wolf’s head and set against the dramatic peaks of the Canadian Rockies. A short walk to the viewpoint offers panoramic vistas, perfect for photography and soaking in the natural beauty. This iconic lake is a must-visit destination for travellers seeking unforgettable scenery and a true taste of Banff National Park’s pristine wilderness.
Bow Lake

20 min Admission included

***Origin of Bow River***

Fed by the Bow Glacier and Wapta Icefield, this area is known for its pure glacial waters and calm alpine setting.

Visit Bow Lake, a serene alpine lake nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Surrounded by towering mountain peaks and glaciers, the lake offers crystal-clear waters perfect for photography and quiet reflection. Travellers can stroll along the lakeshore, take in sweeping panoramic views, and immerse themselves in the peaceful beauty of Banff National Park’s pristine wilderness.
Stop 4

15 min

Waterfowl Lakes offers a quiet stretch of the Icefields Parkway, where two glacial lakes sit beneath towering peaks and dense forest. The area feels less crowded and more untouched, giving a true sense of wilderness in the Rockies. Nearby, the pyramid-shaped Mount Chephren adds to the dramatic scenery and creates stunning reflections in the water when the lake is calm. The still, reflective surface often mirrors the surrounding mountains, especially on calm mornings. It is a peaceful stop to take in the scenery, stretch briefly, and appreciate the raw natural beauty that defines this remote section of the national park.
Mistaya Canyon

30 min Admission included

This canyon is a powerful natural formation where rushing glacier-fed water has carved deep, twisting shapes into solid limestone over thousands of years. It is a hidden gem nestled inside the forest, where the river funnels through narrow rock walls with strong force and constant movement. The sound of fast-flowing water and the rugged rock formations create a dramatic contrast, making it one of the most impressive short stops along the Icefields Parkway.
6
Athabasca Glacier

3 hours Admission not included
Athabasca Glacier is one of the most accessible and most visited glaciers in North America, forming part of the vast Columbia Ice-fields one of the largest icefields in the Canadian Rockies.

**Optional activity tickets (Ice Explorer & Skywalk) can be purchased at the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre.**
- Ice Explorer & Skywalk Combo: Adult $156 | Child $102
- Skywalk Separte ticket (Glass Bridge over the Sunwapta Valley): Adult $54 | Child $36
Guests have the option to book the Ice Explorer and Skywalk experiences, or take a 15–20 minute hike right to the toe of the Athabasca Glacier, where they can observe how the glacier has retreated significantly over the past 125 years—by almost 1.5 km.

The landscape feels stark and powerful, with a mix of ice, rock, and wind-shaped terrain that reflects the changing nature of the Rockies. This stop offers a close look at a true ice-age relic that continues to shape the surrounding environment.
Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre

50 min

***Lunch stop***

After completing the Ice Explorer or Skywalk activities, guests can unwind with a lunch break at this scenic stop before continuing the journey.
8
Columbia Icefield Skywalk

one hour Admission not included
Guests can experience the Columbia Icefield Skywalk, a glass-floored platform built along the edge of a cliff overlooking the Sunwapta Valley. It offers a unique perspective of the surrounding mountains and glacier-carved landscape from above.

**Optional activity tickets (Ice Explorer & Skywalk) can be purchased at the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre.**
- Ice Explorer & Skywalk Combo: Adult $156 | Child $102
- Skywalk (separate ticket, Glass Bridge over the Sunwapta Valley): Adult $54 | Child $36
As we are unable to stop directly at the Columbia Icefield Skywalk due to parking limitations and no roadside stopping access, guests have the option to book the Ice Explorer and Skywalk experiences at the Discovery Centre or continue the journey toward Tangle Creek. The Skywalk is located above the Sunwapta Valley and offers stunning elevated views.
Tangle Creek Falls

10 min

Tangle Creek Falls is a beautiful, painting-like waterfall along the Icefields Parkway, where water cascades down multiple rock layers beside the highway. It offers easy access and a scenic setting, giving guests a chance to view and photograph the flowing mountain water and the surrounding rocky landscape.
Sunwapta Falls and Canyon

30 min Admission included

Sunwapta Falls is a powerful waterfall formed by glacier-fed water rushing through a narrow canyon before dropping into a deep, rocky gorge. The surrounding landscape is rugged and remote, enhancing the dramatic atmosphere of the location. It showcases the raw force of water carving through stone over time and stands as a striking example of nature’s power and a memorable stop along the Icefields Parkway.
Athabasca Falls

30 min Admission included

Athabasca Falls is one of the most powerful waterfalls in Jasper National Park, where glacier-fed water forces its way through a narrow canyon carved into solid rock. The intense flow creates a dramatic drop and a constant roar, with viewing platforms offering close-up perspectives of the rushing water and deep canyon walls. Surrounded by rugged forest and mountain scenery, it is a striking example of the raw power of nature along the Icefields Parkway.

Meeting point and pickup

The operator picks every participant up from their accommodation or the points below.

Pickup points

Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, Autograph Collection
Canmore Rocky Mountain Inn
Hampshire Inn
Super 8 by Wyndham Canmore
Hotel Canoe & Suites
Northwinds Hotel Canmore
Pocaterra Inn & Waterslide
Kootenay Park Lodge
Fire Mountain Lodge
Blackstone Mountain Lodge
Moxy Banff
Silver Creek Lodge

and 57 more pickup points

Please select your preferred pickup location and be ready at least 10 minutes before your scheduled pickup time....

Pickup is available from Calgary downtown, the Canmore area, Banff town, and Lake Louise Village. If you require a different pickup location, please choose your preferred location or contact us in advance to arrange your pickup.

If you are staying at a hotel, resort, or other accommodation, please wait in the main lobby during your morning pickup. For your convenience, your personal driver-guide will contact you one day before the tour to confirm the exact pickup time, provide detailed pickup instructions, and share their direct contact information.

If you have not heard from your driver-guide by the day before your tour, please contact us directly, and we will be happy to assist you.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
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
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
This is a private tour; only your group will participate
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund