
Banff, Emerald Lake, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Johnston Canyon
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 4 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Banff, Emerald Lake, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Johnston Canyon worth booking?
Banff, Emerald Lake, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Johnston Canyon is a 9-hour experience in Banff, Canada, from $20 per person. It scores 63 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 4 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 63 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (4)
- Duration
- 9 hours
- From
- $20 per person
Discover the uniquely striking scenery of the Canadian Rockies, be prepared for the close sensing of the stunning lake color. Departing early in the morning from Calgary/Canmore/Banff, you can relax in the air conditione
What you get
About this experience
Discover the uniquely striking scenery of the Canadian Rockies, be prepared for the close sensing of the stunning lake color. Departing early in the morning from Calgary/Canmore/Banff, you can relax in the air conditioned vehicle, and leave the driving and the tour guiding to your driver and guide. Our knowledgeable and friendly bilingual guides will be sure to take you to the most iconic attractions in Lake Louise and Emerald Lake giving you a truly authentic and immersive experience. In low season, there might be a chance to get a private tour if you are the only group on the tour. Last minute booking available. Full Refund Available up to 24 Hours Before Tour.
What's included
Included
- GST (Goods and Services Tax)
- Admission fees
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- bottle water
Not included
- Meals are not included
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Johnston Canyon
Johnston Creek originates north of Castle Mountain in a glacial valley southwest of Badger Pass The creek flows 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.
60 minutes here
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
Pass by without stopping
Lake Louise
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.
60 minutes here
Moraine Lake
(Open from June 1 to Oct 14 only) The waters of Moraine Lake seem like they have been poured straight from the heavens into the Valley of the Ten Peaks. The towering mountains encircle the deep blue surface of the lake in a formation so extraordinary, only Mother Nature could shape it. Piles of boulders have been seemingly dropped by the hands of giants, forming miniature mountains near the lakeshore. Let yourself be drawn to the trails that wind amongst the rocks and travel beyond to alpine meadows and sparkling lakes.
80 minutes here · Admission included
Lake Louise Visitor Information Centre
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 rest of the tour.
45 minutes here
Lower Spiral Tunnels Viewpoint
A brutal avalanche in 1899 that destroyed the station at Rogers Pass. One by one, the frugal proposals were eliminated and CP Rail's chief engineer signed off on a much more ambitious project that would solve the problem once and for all.
15 minutes here
Natural Bridge
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.
20 minutes here
Emerald Lake
Emerald Lake is a freshwater lake located in Yoho National Park, British Columbia, Canada. Emerald Lake is enclosed by mountains of the President Range. The vivid green color of the Emerald Lake water is caused by powdered rock from the glaciers, which reflects the blue-green spectrum of sunlight. The rock type and the amount of it in the water causes the color to vary from lake to lake and month to month, even Take a short surrounding-lake walk with us to sense the quiet beauty of the color enriched lake that you would never forget in the rest of your life.
60 minutes here
Hoodoos Trail
A “hoodoo” is a North American term for a unique rock formation. Soft rock is coated by harder earth that resists more erosion from the weather. This protective coating is essential for creating what is known as hoodoos. With the Bow River in the background and towering mountains surrounding you. It’s a majestic viewpoint that gives stunning views overlooking these natural peaks.
30 minutes here
Surprise Corner
Named for its spectacular, surprising views when viewed from Buffalo Street, Surprise Corner is an excellent place for photos and to connect to the local trail system.
20 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Banff
please wait in the hotel lobby, or in front of the main entrance of the hotel.
Meeting point
Banff
Please wait in the parking area
Meeting point
Banff
Please wait at the hotel lobby and our tour guide will come in and greet you.
Meeting point
Banff
Please wait at the hotel lobby and our tour guide will come in and greet you.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Ends at
please wait in the hotel lobby, or in front of the main entrance of the hotel.
Ends at
Please wait in the parking area
Ends at
Please wait at the hotel lobby and our tour guide will come in and greet you.
Ends at
Please wait at the hotel lobby and our tour guide will come in and greet you.
Options you can book
Calgary
Pickup included
Canmore
depart from Canmore Pickup included
Banff
depart from Banff
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Banff2Go
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- No pets allowed.
- Traveler must prepare their own infants car seats
- Travel time included on Tour Duration
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 4 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
2 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Photo opportunities
1 mentionThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Good for families
1 mentionReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Physical effort
1 mentionExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Traveler reviews
4 verified traveler reviews for Banff, Emerald Lake, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Johnston Canyon. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
The Johnston Canyon was a...
The Johnston Canyon was a bit of a hike. My mom who's 73 had a bit of a hard time trekking to the small falls. It's helpful to dress comfortable, closed shoes that you're really comfortable with, sunscreen towards the end of the day or hat, light jacket if you're starting the tour early in the morning. Caroline, our tour guide was very much helpful and considerate. She's enthusiastic and encouraging throughout the tour. Her history spiels were interesting. Caroline was very considerate during the tour since we have a senior and 4 kids. The kids loved Caroline. It was a wonderful trip overall.
via Viator
Excellent tour
We had a great tour experience. Caroline made the trip so much fun. She is very enthusiastic, organized and patient in answerin all our questions. She took us to the best photo spots and was always eager to help us take a group photos! Plenty of time was given to each stop to explore and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Highly recommended. Thank you, Caroline, for the unforgettable trip!
via Tripadvisor
Vicki was our guide and...
Vicki was our guide and she was PHENOMENAL!!! She was personable, on time, and knowledgeable about everywhere we went. Highly recommend!
Response from the operator: Hello Carlin! We're overjoyed to hear that Vicky helped create a great experience for you. Our guides pride themselves in their vast knowledge of the Rockies, glacial lakes, and valleys within and we're glad that their dedication helped enhance your enjoyment of your tour. Thank you kindly for your review, as this helps us remain on our mission to provide great service and an immersive experience for our travellers! Looking forward to your next tour. Kind regards, Banff Tours Team
via Viator
Amazing experience
We have a very good experience, we recommend this company. They are the best! We will these beautiful memories for all life.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 9 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun
- Price range
- $20 to $180
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Banff2Go, who run 11 experiences we rank across 3 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 56.9.
See everything Banff2Go runsWhy this scores 63
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Banff, Emerald Lake, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Johnston Canyon: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Banff.
How much does Banff, Emerald Lake, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Johnston Canyon cost?
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Prices start at $20 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Banff usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Banff, Emerald Lake, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Johnston Canyon take?
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Plan for about 9 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Banff is not rushed.
Is Banff, Emerald Lake, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Johnston Canyon worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 63 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 4 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Banff, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Banff, Emerald Lake, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Johnston Canyon?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Banff, Emerald Lake, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Johnston Canyon suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 9-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Banff, Emerald Lake, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Johnston Canyon?
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Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Banff can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Banff and add a light layer if any part of the 9-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Banff, Emerald Lake, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Johnston Canyon start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Banff within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Banff?
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On Outty we rank every Banff experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and the Icefields Parkway Full-Day Tour, Hop-On and Hop-Off Banff Bus, ShuttleBus 2way Banff to Lake Louise (1Hr) and Moraine Lake (1Hr). The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Banff?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Banff?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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