Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls, and Canadian Rockies Hidden Gems
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 160 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls, and Canadian Rockies Hidden Gems worth booking?
Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls, and Canadian Rockies Hidden Gems is a 8-hour experience in Canmore, Canada, from $259 per person. It scores 74 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 160 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 74 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (160)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $259 per person
If you feel like you've seen and done just about everything in the beautiful, but busy Banff National Park, joining us on this tour to the lesser-known but just as incredible Yoho National Park will scratch that adventure itch you're still working away at. As Banff's top-rated tour provider, we run this as a true small-group experience, max 12 guests, giving you access to places bigger tours simply can't. Highlighted by stops at the amazing, neon-blue waters of Emerald Lake, Canada's tallest waterfall at Takakkaw Falls, and one of the Rockies' best-kept secrets in neighbouring Kootenay National Park, this tour gives adventurous folks access to our personal favourite locations to experience the epic beauty of the Canadian Rockies without the summer crowds. - Explore the Canadian Rockies' hard-to-reach gems in Yoho and Kootenay National Parks - Feel the power of Canada's 2nd tallest waterfall - Get off the beaten path and experience the Canadian Rockies' best-kept secrets
What you get
About this experience
If you feel like you've seen and done just about everything in the beautiful, but busy Banff National Park, joining us on this tour to the lesser-known but just as incredible Yoho National Park will scratch that adventure itch you're still working away at. As Banff's top-rated tour provider, we run this as a true small-group experience, max 12 guests, giving you access to places bigger tours simply can't. Highlighted by stops at the amazing, neon-blue waters of Emerald Lake, Canada's tallest waterfall at Takakkaw Falls, and one of the Rockies' best-kept secrets in neighbouring Kootenay National Park, this tour gives adventurous folks access to our personal favourite locations to experience the epic beauty of the Canadian Rockies without the summer crowds. - Explore the Canadian Rockies' hard-to-reach gems in Yoho and Kootenay National Parks - Feel the power of Canada's 2nd tallest waterfall - Get off the beaten path and experience the Canadian Rockies' best-kept secrets
What's included
Included
- Comfortable, premium transportation
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off at select Canmore, Banff and Lake Louise locations
- Polaroid souvenir
- Fresh water refills (BYO bottle)
- Local guide trained in photography and storytelling
- Small group experience (max 12 guests)
- Hot drinks (hot chocolate, coffee, or tea)
- Lunch
Not included
- Guide gratuities (optional)
What you'll see and do
Kootenay National Park
Kootenay National Park is a land of ice and fire, a place of contrasts, with valleys and canyons carved by glaciers and grasslands shaped by fire. Take a scenic drive along its historic highway to see it all unfold.
Pass by without stopping
Marble Canyon
Just over the continental divide, where the Rockies cross from Alberta into British Columbia, lies one of our favourite local secrets: Marble Canyon. Here, an easy 1.3-kilometre out-and-back trail crosses several bridges, offering incredible views across the canyon and down into the startling turquoise water of Tokumm Creek below. If you like a learning moment woven into your hikes, stop to marvel at how this little creek carved through the creamy-coloured sedimentary rock over millennia to create the canyon. Otherwise, just marvel at the beauty.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Lower Spiral Tunnels Viewpoint
Step off the Trans-Canada Highway and into a piece of Canada's railway history. This roadside viewpoint in Yoho National Park looks out over the Lower Spiral Tunnels, an engineering feat built in 1909 to help trains climb the steep grade through Kicking Horse Pass. Watch as freight trains disappear into the mountainside and reappear, having spiraled through solid rock to gain elevation. Time it right and you'll see a train crossing directly above itself on the switchback, a rare sight most visitors never know to look for. Beyond the trains, the viewpoint offers sweeping views of the surrounding peaks and forested valley, making it a worthwhile stop even if no train happens to pass through.
15 minutes here · Admission included
Emerald Lake
It's pretty easy to figure out where Emerald Lake gets its name. If the colour of the lake isn't enough to move you, the surrounding landscape certainly will. The President Range mountains surround the lake, forming a natural amphitheatre of the grandest scale, with towering peaks and forested banks. As our guest on this small group tour, you'll get guaranteed, expedited entry right to the shoreline. Here, you'll have 1.5 hours to explore the lakeside trails, rent a canoe, or simply hang out under a tree and watch the world go by.
90 minutes here · Admission included
Natural Bridge
Natural Bridge is an impressive natural rock formation spanning the Kicking Horse River west of Field, where the slower-moving waters from the Field valley flats begin their descent through a canyon to meet the Amiskwi River. The lookout gives you a variety of vantage points to take in the formation, with interpretive displays explaining the physical processes at work. It's an easy stop, reachable in minutes on Emerald Lake Road. Rushing water sculpted the Natural Bridge from what was once a waterfall, a powerful reminder of how much influence water has in shaping the landscape. The softer rock beneath the bridge's hard limestone band eroded faster over time, and as fissures widened, the river eventually carved a new path beneath the outcrop entirely.
15 minutes here · Admission included
Takakkaw Falls
At 1,224 feet, Takakkaw Falls is the tallest waterfall in the Canadian Rockies and the second tallest in Canada. As snow and ice melt in early summer, they fuel the cascading water, creating a picturesque mist through the pines. If you're lucky, you may spot a rainbow or two at its base. It's fitting that the waterfall takes its name from the Cree word for "wonderful," pairing perfectly with the national park's name, Yoho, itself a Cree expression of awe and amazement, similar to "wow."
60 minutes here · Admission included
Yoho National Park
Yoho National Park might be one of the smaller parks in the Canadian Rockies, but it packs the biggest punch. Located a little further up the road from the busy, bustling Lake Louise and Banff National Park, Yoho has an intimate feel despite being filled with immense, snow-capped mountains and thundering waterfalls. This beautiful region is heaven for explorers looking to escape the ordinary, and it belongs on everyone's Rockies bucket list. On this tour, your local expert Radventures guide decides the best order to visit each of these locations, based on weather conditions, big bus tour schedules, and a handful of other factors we consider as locals to make sure you get the most authentic experience of the day. As one of our signature small group tours, we'll also take you to a few secret local spots with incredible views along the way.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Canmore
Meet at the front of the hotel. Pickup times (2 hr 10 min after tour start): Jun. 1 – Oct. 12: 10:10am Please be ready 10 min before departure. Vehicle departs on schedule.
Meeting point
Canmore
Meet at the bus Loading zone in Samson mall parking lot opposite Lake Louise Visitors centre. Pickup times (2 hr after tour start): Jun. 1 – Oct. 12: 10:00am Please be ready 10 min before departure. Vehicle departs on schedule.
Meeting point
Canmore
Meet at the front of the hotel. Pickup times (5 min after tour start): Jun. 1 – Oct. 12: 8:05am Please be ready 10 min before departure. Vehicle departs on schedule.
Meeting point
Canmore
Meet at the Bus Loading Zone on Elk Street, by the roundabout across from the Train Station, next to the Banff sign. Pickup times (tour start time): Jun. 1 – Oct. 12: 8:00am Please be ready 10 min before departure. Vehicle departs on schedule.
Meeting point
Canmore
Meet at the front of the hotel. Pickup times (tour start time): Jun. 1 – Oct. 12: 8:00am Please be ready 10 min before departure. Vehicle departs on schedule.
Meeting point
Canmore
Meet at the Bus loading Zone outside Fairmont Shops by turn circle. Pickup times (5 min before tour start): Jun. 1 – Oct. 12: 7:55am Please be ready 10 min before departure. Vehicle departs on schedule.
Meeting point
Canmore
Meet at the front of the hotel on Banff Ave. Pickup times (10 min before tour start): Jun. 1 – Oct. 12: 7:50am Please be ready 10 min before departure. Vehicle departs on schedule.
Meeting point
Canmore
Meet at the front of the hotel on Banff Ave. Pickup times (20 min before tour start): Jun. 1 – Oct. 12: 7:40am Please be ready 10 min before departure. Vehicle departs on schedule.
Meeting point
Canmore
Meet at the front of the hotel on Banff Ave. Pickup times (20 min before tour start): Jun. 1 – Oct. 12: 7:40am Please be ready 10 min before departure. Vehicle departs on schedule.
Meeting point
Canmore
Meet at the front of the hotel on Banff Ave. Pickup times (20 min before tour start): Jun. 1 – Oct. 12: 7:40am Please be ready 10 min before departure. Vehicle departs on schedule.
Meeting point
Canmore
Meet at the Roam Bus Stop on Tunnel Mtn Rd outside Tunnel Mtn Resort. Pickup times (25 min before tour start): Jun. 1 – Oct. 12: 7:35am Please be ready 10 min before departure. Vehicle departs on schedule.
Meeting point
Canmore
Meet at the front of the hotel. Pickup times (25 min before tour start): Jun. 1 – Oct. 12: 7:35am Please be ready 10 min before departure. Vehicle departs on schedule.
Meeting point
Canmore
Meet at the front of the hotel. Pickup times (25 min before tour start): Jun. 1 – Oct. 12: 7:35am Please be ready 10 min before departure. Vehicle departs on schedule.
Meeting point
Canmore
Meet at the front of the hotel. Pickup times (35 min before tour start): Jun. 1 – Oct. 12: 7:25am Please be ready 10 min before departure. Vehicle departs on schedule.
Meeting point
Canmore
Meet at the front of the hotel. Pickup times (40 min before tour start): Jun. 1 – Oct. 12: 7:20am Please be ready 10 min before departure. Vehicle departs on schedule.
Meeting point
Canmore
Meet at the front of the hotel. Pickup times (45 min before tour start): Jun. 1 – Oct. 12: 7:15am Please be ready 10 min before departure. Vehicle departs on schedule.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Meet at the front of the hotel. Pickup times (2 hr 10 min after tour start): Jun. 1 – Oct. 12: 10:10am Please be ready 10 min before departure. Vehicle departs on schedule.
Ends at
Meet at the bus Loading zone in Samson mall parking lot opposite Lake Louise Visitors centre. Pickup times (2 hr after tour start): Jun. 1 – Oct. 12: 10:00am Please be ready 10 min before departure. Vehicle departs on schedule.
Ends at
Meet at the front of the hotel. Pickup times (5 min after tour start): Jun. 1 – Oct. 12: 8:05am Please be ready 10 min before departure. Vehicle departs on schedule.
Ends at
Meet at the Bus Loading Zone on Elk Street, by the roundabout across from the Train Station, next to the Banff sign. Pickup times (tour start time): Jun. 1 – Oct. 12: 8:00am Please be ready 10 min before departure. Vehicle departs on schedule.
Ends at
Meet at the front of the hotel. Pickup times (tour start time): Jun. 1 – Oct. 12: 8:00am Please be ready 10 min before departure. Vehicle departs on schedule.
Ends at
Meet at the Bus loading Zone outside Fairmont Shops by turn circle. Pickup times (5 min before tour start): Jun. 1 – Oct. 12: 7:55am Please be ready 10 min before departure. Vehicle departs on schedule.
Ends at
Meet at the front of the hotel on Banff Ave. Pickup times (10 min before tour start): Jun. 1 – Oct. 12: 7:50am Please be ready 10 min before departure. Vehicle departs on schedule.
Ends at
Meet at the front of the hotel on Banff Ave. Pickup times (20 min before tour start): Jun. 1 – Oct. 12: 7:40am Please be ready 10 min before departure. Vehicle departs on schedule.
Ends at
Meet at the front of the hotel on Banff Ave. Pickup times (20 min before tour start): Jun. 1 – Oct. 12: 7:40am Please be ready 10 min before departure. Vehicle departs on schedule.
Ends at
Meet at the front of the hotel on Banff Ave. Pickup times (20 min before tour start): Jun. 1 – Oct. 12: 7:40am Please be ready 10 min before departure. Vehicle departs on schedule.
Ends at
Meet at the Roam Bus Stop on Tunnel Mtn Rd outside Tunnel Mtn Resort. Pickup times (25 min before tour start): Jun. 1 – Oct. 12: 7:35am Please be ready 10 min before departure. Vehicle departs on schedule.
Ends at
Meet at the front of the hotel. Pickup times (25 min before tour start): Jun. 1 – Oct. 12: 7:35am Please be ready 10 min before departure. Vehicle departs on schedule.
Ends at
Meet at the front of the hotel. Pickup times (25 min before tour start): Jun. 1 – Oct. 12: 7:35am Please be ready 10 min before departure. Vehicle departs on schedule.
Ends at
Meet at the front of the hotel. Pickup times (35 min before tour start): Jun. 1 – Oct. 12: 7:25am Please be ready 10 min before departure. Vehicle departs on schedule.
Ends at
Meet at the front of the hotel. Pickup times (40 min before tour start): Jun. 1 – Oct. 12: 7:20am Please be ready 10 min before departure. Vehicle departs on schedule.
Ends at
Meet at the front of the hotel. Pickup times (45 min before tour start): Jun. 1 – Oct. 12: 7:15am Please be ready 10 min before departure. Vehicle departs on schedule.
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
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Radventures
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Children 8 and under are unable to join our small group adventures
- Not recommended for travellers with mobility issues
- Lunch is included for all bookings made on or after June 26, 2026. A fresh picnic lunch from one of our local favourites, with a turkey sandwich by default. Have a preference or dietary restriction? Reach out and we'll sort you out with an alternative. Booked before June 26? You can still add lunch by calling us ahead of your tour.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 160 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Small groups
4 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
160 verified traveler reviews for Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls, and Canadian Rockies Hidden Gems. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great small group tour!
This was a great small group tour with Gareth! Lunches was also provided from a local cafe which tasted amazing! From the time I booked the tour, I knew I was in good hands with the detailed information and great communications. Highly recommended this tour if you want a stress free time visiting all the beautiful sites in Canada!!
Response from the operator: Thanks for the great review. Glad Gareth looked after you on the day, and that lunch from the local cafe hit the spot. Nice to hear the booking and communication side felt easy too, a stress free day is what we’re after. Hope to see you out on another tour.
via Viator
Great trip great guide
We were blessed with the weather, the choice of sites, the crowd sizes and, particularly, our guide, Gareth. Traveling with a knowledgeable guide who clearly loves his work adds a dimension to the trip that can’t be gotten from guidebooks or even blogs-being present to comment on what’s in front of you. Thank you.
Response from the operator: Good weather, manageable crowds and the right guide is a pretty hard combination to beat. Glad Gareth added something you couldn’t get from a guidebook, because being there to point out what’s in front of you is the whole point. Thanks for the kind words, he’ll be chuffed to read this.
via Tripadvisor
Great Day in the Canadian Rockies
A great day out with Radventures on the Yoho and Kootenay Rockies Hidden Gems tour. The places we visited were absolutely stunning, and our host, Charlie, was fantastic. He was friendly, professional, knowledgeable and informative throughout the day, while also being very engaging and entertaining. His stories and delivery really added to the experience and made the long day fly by. The tips and recommendations for places to eat and good coffee spots around town were also a welcome bonus. To top the day off, Charlie gave us a special treat with an unexpected extra stop where we got to see black bears. Absolutely amazing and a fantastic way to finish an already incredible day. Highly recommend Radventures and, in particular, Charlie as a guide. A brilliant day from start to finish!
Response from the operator: Charlie's food and coffee tips come up in reviews a lot, so glad they were useful. The unplanned stop for the black bears was a nice way to finish, and good to hear the long Yoho and Kootenay day flew by. Thanks for the glowing review, he'll get a kick out of it.
via Tripadvisor
Amazing day and tour!
Had a lovely day with the group! Aaron was the most wonderful guide and was so attentive and encouraged us to ask questions. He was full of enthusiasm from start to finish and really took care of everyone in the group. Showed us lots of cool spots with tons of helpful info. An unforgettable day for sure!!
Response from the operator: Encouraging questions and taking care of the whole group, not just the loudest voices, that's Aaron's enthusiasm doing real work. Thanks for this, we'll pass it on to him.
via Tripadvisor
A must do!!
What an amazing day with Marnie as our guide for this tour. We can’t say enough good things about her. This was one of the best full day tours we’ve ever been on. Marble Canyon is incredible, an absolute must see. Next up, Emerald Lake just as amazing, so peaceful followed up by the Natural Bridge, and just when you think it can’t get better we end up at Takakkaw Falls, magnificent!!! Radventures has the best tours going. We’ve done five straight days with them on various tours, they are sooo good.
Response from the operator: Five straight days with us and still calling it one of the best full day tours you've been on, that means a great deal. Marble Canyon, Emerald Lake, Natural Bridge and Takakkaw Falls all in one day is a proper showcase of the Rockies, and Marnie clearly made every stop count. Thanks for this, we'll pass it on to her.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $259 to $385
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 56
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Radventures, who run 12 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 70.4.
See everything Radventures runsWhy this scores 74
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls, and Canadian Rockies Hidden Gems: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Canmore.
How much does Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls, and Canadian Rockies Hidden Gems cost?
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Prices start at $259 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Canmore usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls, and Canadian Rockies Hidden Gems take?
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Plan for about 8 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 Canmore is not rushed.
Is Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls, and Canadian Rockies Hidden Gems worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 74 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 160 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Canmore, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls, and Canadian Rockies Hidden Gems?
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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 Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls, and Canadian Rockies Hidden Gems suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls, and Canadian Rockies Hidden Gems?
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Around 56 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 Canmore 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 Canmore and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls, and Canadian Rockies Hidden Gems 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 Canmore 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 Canmore?
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On Outty we rank every Canmore experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Explore Banff, Moraine Lake, Louise, Johnston Canyon & Bow Falls, 8 Iconic Stops. 12 Comfy Seats. See Banff's Best in First Class., Moraine Lake and Lake Louise Tour from Calgary - Canmore - Banff. 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 Canmore?
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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 Canmore?
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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.
What is included in Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls, and Canadian Rockies Hidden Gems?
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Included: Comfortable, premium transportation; Hotel pick-up and drop-off at select Canmore, Banff and Lake Louise locations; Polaroid souvenir; Fresh water refills (BYO bottle); and Local guide trained in photography and storytelling. Not included: Guide gratuities (optional). Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls, and Canadian Rockies Hidden Gems?
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Meet at the front of the hotel. Pickup times (2 hr 10 min after tour start): Jun. 1 – Oct. 12: 10:10am Please be ready 10 min before departure. Vehicle departs on schedule. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls, and Canadian Rockies Hidden Gems offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls, and Canadian Rockies Hidden Gems?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls, and Canadian Rockies Hidden Gems wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Not recommended for travellers with mobility issues. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls, and Canadian Rockies Hidden Gems if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls, and Canadian Rockies Hidden Gems?
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Across 160 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, small groups. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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