Icefields Parkway: Peyto Lake, Bow Lake & Columbia Icefield
Traveler rating
4.2/5
Based on 6 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Icefields Parkway: Peyto Lake, Bow Lake & Columbia Icefield worth booking?
Icefields Parkway: Peyto Lake, Bow Lake & Columbia Icefield is a 7-hour experience in Banff, Canada, from $116 per person. It scores 59 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.2/5 rating across 6 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 59 / 100
- Rating
- 4.2/5 (6)
- Duration
- 7 hours
- From
- $116 per person
Begin on an unforgettable adventure through the Canadian Rockies, let our professional team take care of your journey along the stunning Icefields Parkway, one of the world’s most scenic drives, where towering mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and glaciers set the stage for breathtaking views. Stop at the iconic Peyto Lake, with its vibrant turquoise waters and unique wolf-shaped appearance—perfect for photos and memories. Then, experience the wonder of the Columbia Icefield, where our guide will take you on a thrilling Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier, allowing you to walk on ancient ice. With local insights and fascinating stories, our guide will bring the beauty and history of these natural wonders to life. Book your adventure today and let our expert guide show you the Rockies like never before!
What you get
About this experience
Begin on an unforgettable adventure through the Canadian Rockies, let our professional team take care of your journey along the stunning Icefields Parkway, one of the world’s most scenic drives, where towering mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and glaciers set the stage for breathtaking views. Stop at the iconic Peyto Lake, with its vibrant turquoise waters and unique wolf-shaped appearance—perfect for photos and memories. Then, experience the wonder of the Columbia Icefield, where our guide will take you on a thrilling Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier, allowing you to walk on ancient ice. With local insights and fascinating stories, our guide will bring the beauty and history of these natural wonders to life. Book your adventure today and let our expert guide show you the Rockies like never before!
What's included
Included
- National park pass
- Bilingual Tour Guide (English and Chinese)
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Gratuities
Not included
- Meals & All Personal Expenses such as laundry, phone & travel insurance.
- Ice Explorer ( Snowcoach)
- Any additional expenses due to force majeure factors.
What you'll see and do
Calgary
With convenient pick-up options in Calgary and Banff, your journey begins with ease. Sit back, relax, and take in the breathtaking mountain scenery, glacier-fed lakes, and iconic landscapes of the Canadian Rockies along the way. Summer Season : May 1 – Oct 10 Calgary / Banff – Crowfoot Glacier – Bow Lake (20 min) – Peyto Lake (30 min) – Lunch at Saskatchewan River Crossing (optional, 45 min) – Columbia Icefield Snow coach (optional, 90 min) – Return to Calgary Winter Season : Nov 1 – Apr 30 Calgary/Banff - Bow Lake (15 minutes) - Peyto Lake (90 minutes) - Crowfoot Glacier (pass by) - Lunch in Lake Louise Village (optional, 45 minutes) - Vermillion Lake (15 minutes) - Lake Minnewanka (20 minutes) - Two Jack Lake (15 minutes) - Banff
Pass by without stopping
Banff National Park
Discover the breathtaking beauty of Canada’s first national park ,established in 1885 and located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta.
Pass by without stopping
Located along the Icefields Parkway in Banff National Park, Crowfoot Glacier is named for its shape, which resembles a crow’s foot. It sits above Bow Lake and is a striking example of the region’s glacial beauty, with multiple ice “toes” extending down the mountainside. A perfect stop for photos, short walks, and scenic views of the Canadian Rockies.
Pass by without stopping
Summer season : 20 minutes Winter season : 15 minutes Bow Lake is known for its crystal-clear turquoise waters and stunning mountain backdrop, including the Bow Glacier. It’s a favorite stop for photography, short hikes, and picnics, with peaceful reflections on calm days that capture the Rockies’ beauty perfectly.
20 minutes here
Along the Icefields Parkway is a breathtaking journey through an unbroken expanse of snow-capped peaks and towering glaciers, where every turn reveals a scene of awe-inspiring grandeur. Our itinerary includes a scenic drive along this world-class highway, ensuring you experience its majestic beauty from the comfort of our vehicle.
Pass by without stopping
Summer season : 30 minutes Winter season : 75 minutes Located along the Icefields Parkway, approximately 40km north of Lake Louise is the vibrant glacier-fed lake, Peyto Lake. The lake is nestled in majestic mountain ranges which lie on each of its sides. This jaw dropping view is the best reward for an intense scrambling hike. The scenery on the viewpoint looks as if it is a carefully painted piece of art. Peyto Lake’s beauty is comparable with the famous Moraine Lake without as many crowds.
30 minutes here
Lunch stop: MAY 1 - OCT 10 Midday, enjoy a break at The Crossing (Saskatchewan River Crossing), where an optional self-serve buffet lunch is available for purchase.
45 minutes here · Admission not included
Summer Season : May 1 – Oct 10 The journey continues along the breathtaking Icefields Parkway (Highway 93), often ranked among the most beautiful drives on Earth. Upon arrival at the Columbia Icefield Centre, guests may choose to board the legendary Ice Explorer Snowcoach (Optional add-on activity mst be purchsed at least 7 days before the start of the trip) for a once-in-a-lifetime ride onto the Athabasca Glacier, standing atop ice formed over millions of years.
90 minutes here · Admission not included
Two Jack Lake
Note : Winter Season( Nov 1 - Apr 30) Take in the tranquil beauty of Two Jack Lake, framed by majestic mountain scenery. Enjoy a relaxing photo stop and capture the stunning landscapes in winter.
15 minutes here
Vermilion Lakes
Note : Winter Season ( Nov 1 - Apr 30) Enjoy stunning views of snow-covered Vermilion Lakes and the surrounding Canadian Rockies. Take a short scenic stop for photos and experience the peaceful beauty of Banff in winter.
15 minutes here
Lake Minnewanka
Note : Winter Season( Nov 1 - Apr 30) Discover the beauty of Banff’s largest lake, surrounded by dramatic mountain peaks. Enjoy a scenic stop, take photos, and soak in the stunning Rocky Mountain views.
20 minutes here
Calgary
After a day immersed in alpine grandeur, return to Banff/ Calgary, concluding a truly spectacular Rocky Mountains experience.
210 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Banff
Bus stop in front of the Harry Hays Building (across from the Delta Calgary Downtown Hotel), located on 4 Ave SE, Calgary
Meeting point
Banff
Parking Area in front of The Fat Ox of Banff Restaurant
Meeting point
Banff
Meeting point
Banff
【Downtown】316 Riverfront Ave SE, Calgary. (Riverfront parking area across Harry Hays Building)
Meeting point
Banff
Please meet your tour guide/driver outside the hotel. Look for the Westar Travel.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Bus stop in front of the Harry Hays Building (across from the Delta Calgary Downtown Hotel), located on 4 Ave SE, Calgary
Ends at
Parking Area in front of The Fat Ox of Banff Restaurant
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Ends at
【Downtown】316 Riverfront Ave SE, Calgary. (Riverfront parking area across Harry Hays Building)
Ends at
Please meet your tour guide/driver outside the hotel. Look for the Westar Travel.
Options you can book
9:30AM Elk+Avenue Banff Town
Bilingual Service Language: Chinese & English Duration: 8 hours Pick up info : Please arrive 5-10 minutes before the pick-up time. Please wait outside the hotel. Starting point: Elk + Avenue Hotel, Box 1140, 333 Banff Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1J3, Canada
7:45AM BWP -NE Calgary
Meals /Drinks : Not Included Itinerary: Winter season :Peyto Lake (75min),Bow Lake(15 min), Vermilion Lakes (15min),Lake Minnewanka (20 min) Two Jack Lake (15min) Pick up: Please arrive 5-10 minutes before at the hotel lobby. Starting point: Best Western Premier Calgary Plaza Hotel & Conference Centre, 1316 33 St NE, Calgary, AB T2A 6B6, Canada
9:30 AM The Fat Ox of Banff
Meals /Drinks : Not Included Itinerary: Winter season: Peyto Lake (75min),Bow Lake(15 min), Vermilion Lakes (15min),Lake Minnewanka (20 min) Two Jack Lake (15min) Pick up : Please arrive 5-10 minutes before at the parking in front of The Fat Ox of Banff Restaurant. Starting point: The Fat Ox of Banff, 415 Banff Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1E3, Canada
7:45AM Downtown Calgary
Bilingual Service Language: Chinese & English Duration: 10 hours Pick up info : 【Downtown】316 Riverfront Ave SE, Calgary. (Riverfront parking area across Harry Hays Building)
8:05AM Delta Downtown Calgary
Meals /Drinks : Not Included Itinerary: Winter season :Peyto Lake (75min),Bow Lake(15 min), Vermilion Lakes (15min),Lake Minnewanka (20 min) Two Jack Lake (15min) Pick up: Please arrive 5-10 minutes before at the bus stop in front of the Harry Hays Building. Starting point: Harry Hays Building, 220 4 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0L1, Canada
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- cmn, en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Tue, Fri, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Westar Travel Ltd.
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 6 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Physical effort
2 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Traveler reviews
6 verified traveler reviews for Icefields Parkway: Peyto Lake, Bow Lake & Columbia Icefield. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Beautiful
The tour was beautiful, Simon was an amazing tour guide. The tour was worth it, and everything was so beautiful.
Response from the operator: Simon is indeed an exceptional guide, and we’re delighted to know he made your trip memorable. Thank you for traveling with us, hope to see you again :)
via Viator
A wonderful day trip!
A great way to spend the day checking out multiple sites around the area. Jamie was a wonderful guide on the day!
via Tripadvisor
The worst tour I have ever been on - not worth your money
This tour was the worst I have ever been on. Our tour guide Alston was nothing more than a glorified and expensive taxi driver. He was ill-informed about the places we visited on the tour. One comment was "to your left there is a big mountain" - hardly surprising being in the Rockies... We ended up having to do research ourselves on the tour about what we were seeing. He also lacked knowledge about how to put on the cleats for our shoes in the snow/if they were different sizes - we were left to figure it out ourselves and again, this is something I think a tour guide should know. Despite the high price of this tour, I was disappointed to find that we even had to pay for entry to the hotsprings ourselves - I would have expected the $10 fee to be included in the $135 cost of the tour. Overall, I would not recommend this tour to anyone. I am severely disappointed by the experience we had, and would not want anyone else to have the same day we had. It is certainly not worth the price we paid for it.
via Tripadvisor
The scenery, our guide...
The scenery, our guide and hiking were incredible. They would ask for our opinion, how we were doing. Bob was very professional and nice.
Response from the operator: Thanks for your feedback! Hope we can meet you again in Summer.
via Viator
Fabulous trip
My family just returned from Lake Louise one day tour, it’s organized by Westar Travel. Since we have two little kids, tour guide Lisa had taken great care of us and organized a fabulous trip.The landscape explanation along the way is very interesting and lively, it’s very great experience.
Response from the operator: Thank you to comments us! Hope we can meet you again in Summer!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Tue, Fri, Sun
- Price range
- $116 to $159
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Westar Travel Ltd., who run 23 experiences we rank across 4 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 57.6.
See everything Westar Travel Ltd. runsWhy this scores 59
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Icefields Parkway: Peyto Lake, Bow Lake & Columbia Icefield: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Banff.
How much does Icefields Parkway: Peyto Lake, Bow Lake & Columbia Icefield cost?
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Prices start at $116 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 Icefields Parkway: Peyto Lake, Bow Lake & Columbia Icefield take?
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Plan for about 7 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 Icefields Parkway: Peyto Lake, Bow Lake & Columbia Icefield worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 59 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.2/5 across 6 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 Icefields Parkway: Peyto Lake, Bow Lake & Columbia Icefield?
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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 Icefields Parkway: Peyto Lake, Bow Lake & Columbia Icefield suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Icefields Parkway: Peyto Lake, Bow Lake & Columbia Icefield?
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Around 2 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 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Icefields Parkway: Peyto Lake, Bow Lake & Columbia Icefield 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 Hop-On and Hop-Off Banff Bus, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and the Icefields Parkway Full-Day Tour, Lake Louise Emerald Lake Natural Bridge Half Day Tour. 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.
What is included in Icefields Parkway: Peyto Lake, Bow Lake & Columbia Icefield?
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Included: National park pass; Bilingual Tour Guide (English and Chinese); In-vehicle air conditioning; and Gratuities. Not included: Meals & All Personal Expenses such as laundry, phone & travel insurance; Ice Explorer ( Snowcoach); and Any additional expenses due to force majeure factors. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Icefields Parkway: Peyto Lake, Bow Lake & Columbia Icefield?
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Bus stop in front of the Harry Hays Building (across from the Delta Calgary Downtown Hotel), located on 4 Ave SE, Calgary Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Icefields Parkway: Peyto Lake, Bow Lake & Columbia Icefield offered in?
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It is offered in Chinese and 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 Icefields Parkway: Peyto Lake, Bow Lake & Columbia Icefield?
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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 Icefields Parkway: Peyto Lake, Bow Lake & Columbia Icefield wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Icefields Parkway: Peyto Lake, Bow Lake & Columbia Icefield 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 Icefields Parkway: Peyto Lake, Bow Lake & Columbia Icefield?
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Across 6 reviews averaging 4.2 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, value for money. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
What booking options are available for Icefields Parkway: Peyto Lake, Bow Lake & Columbia Icefield?
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There are 5 options to choose from, including 9:30AM Elk+Avenue Banff Town, 7:45AM BWP -NE Calgary, 9:30 AM The Fat Ox of Banff, 7:45AM Downtown Calgary. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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