
Lakes, Mountains & Glaciers - Front seat to natural beauty
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 58 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Lakes, Mountains & Glaciers - Front seat to natural beauty worth booking?
Lakes, Mountains & Glaciers - Front seat to natural beauty is a 10-hour experience in Calgary, Canada, from $113 per person. It scores 84 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 58 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 84 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (58)
- Duration
- 10 hours
- From
- $113 per person
LAKES, MOUNTAINS & GLACIERS Experience Banff’s most iconic landscapes in one unforgettable day—without the rush. Get picked up at your hotel and dive straight into the Rockies: explore Lake Louise, canoe in summer or ride a horse-drawn sleigh in winter, then continue to the legendary Moraine Lake (summer only) for its world-famous viewpoint. Enjoy free time for lunch in Lake Louise Village before cruising the Icefields Parkway to the jaw-dropping Peyto Lake and the crystal-clear Bow Lake—perfect for your new profile photo. Finish in the Town of Banff with time to explore. With a maximum of 12 guests, this tour is designed for travelers who want real time at each stop, not rushed photo stops. Seats are limited—missing this means missing the Rockies at their best.
What you get
About this experience
LAKES, MOUNTAINS & GLACIERS Experience Banff’s most iconic landscapes in one unforgettable day—without the rush. Get picked up at your hotel and dive straight into the Rockies: explore Lake Louise, canoe in summer or ride a horse-drawn sleigh in winter, then continue to the legendary Moraine Lake (summer only) for its world-famous viewpoint. Enjoy free time for lunch in Lake Louise Village before cruising the Icefields Parkway to the jaw-dropping Peyto Lake and the crystal-clear Bow Lake—perfect for your new profile photo. Finish in the Town of Banff with time to explore. With a maximum of 12 guests, this tour is designed for travelers who want real time at each stop, not rushed photo stops. Seats are limited—missing this means missing the Rockies at their best.
What's included
Included
- Bottled water
- Calgary, Canmore, Banff Pick-Up & Drop-Off *See list of places
- Moraine Lake Fees *June 1st to October 10th*
- Peace of mind, We have all the permits and insurance required by local and provincial government.
Not included
- Any activities/rental equipment such as Gondola rides, ice skates, horse sled, canoes, etc.
- Customary gratuity is not required but most welcomed
- *** Remember Moraine Lake and the Valley of the Ten Peaks is only open during Summer months.
- Meals
What you'll see and do
Calgary
Join Banff Day Trips for a day of iconic mountain scenery—complete with convenient hotel pickup and drop‑off right at your hotel's front door. (see list of hotels)
30 minutes here
Kananaskis Country
This scenic drive through Kananaskis Country on our way to Canmore will leave you wishing you could stay a little longer—there’s just so much to see and experience in this beautiful corner of the Rockies.
Pass by without stopping
Canmore
Quick restrooms stop, plus we'll get the rest of our group here. From Monday through Saturday, we'll stop here to get our lunch to go! On Sundays, we'll stop at the Lake Louise Village instead.
30 minutes here
Lake Louise
Our first stop is Lake Louise, where you’ll have ample time to explore. In summer, guests can choose to rent a canoe; in winter, you can enjoy a horse‑drawn sleigh ride across the frozen lake. No matter the season, expect breathtaking views and the option for a short, scenic hike. 90 mins during summer and 2 hours in winter.
120 minutes here
Moraine Lake
*** Summer Months ONLY *** In summer, we continue to the majestic Moraine Lake, surrounded by glaciers and towering peaks. You’ll have time to hike the Rockpile for its world‑famous viewpoint or simply relax along the shoreline and soak in the fresh alpine air.
75 minutes here · Admission included
Lake Louise Visitor Information Centre
Icefields Parkway is one of the most scenic drives in North America, filled with glaciers, mountains, lakes, and wildlife during the summer months. A great place to feel as if you are in a movie, looking through the window, thinking about how lucky you are to be there.
Pass by without stopping
Next, you’ll follow the stunning Icefields Parkway all the way to Peyto Lake, where we’ll take a short walk up to the new viewing platform. This wolf‑shaped, glacier‑fed lake is so striking you’ll wish you could stay there all day.
30 minutes here
Bow Lake
Fall, Winter, Summer, and Spring, this is a crowd pleaser if you get the chance to get here. Bow Lake—one of those rare places where it’s truly impossible to take a bad photo. Get ready for your next profile picture. Bring a charger for your phone and a small towel if you’d like to dip your feet into the refreshing glacier‑fed water.
60 minutes here
Crowfoot Glacier
We'll see many glaciers along the Parkway, during winter months we'll drive by Crowfoot Glacier as the parking lot does not get plowed and is covered in snow. We will stop during the summer months.
Pass by without stopping
Banff Avenue
Our final stop is the Town of Banff, where you’ll have time to stretch your legs, grab a coffee, or browse for souvenirs before we return you to your original meeting point.
75 minutes here
YYC Calgary International Airport
Time to get you home! Let us know if you need an airport drop-off at the end of the day. Not all vehicles have luggage capacity, please let us know ahead of time so we can accommodate your request.
15 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
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
- Banff Day Trips
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Recommended for guests over 4 years of age
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 58 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
58 verified traveler reviews for Lakes, Mountains & Glaciers - Front seat to natural beauty. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Good Trip
Trip is excellent, Mr Kevin guide cum driver is too good and good knowledge, I really enjoyed this trip.
Response from the operator: Thank you for joining us and for the kind words about Kevin. It’s great to hear you enjoyed the day and felt well guided throughout the trip. We really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience, and we hope to welcome you back for another adventure in the Rockies.
via Viator
Banff Brrrrrr
Gordon was great, careful driver. Downside to the day was SNOW & underdressed for it. Van could use new rear shocks.
Response from the operator: Thank you for joining us and for the kind words about Gordon. He’ll be glad to hear you felt well taken care of on the drive. The snowfall definitely surprised a lot of guests that day, and being underdressed never makes it easy, so we appreciate you pushing through the conditions with us.
via Tripadvisor
Would recommend.
Great tour for up close to scenic sights. Patrick was fantastic guide with good knowledge and humour. Thoroughly enjoyed the day.
via Tripadvisor
Great Banff Trip
Dan was my tour guide for this trip. He is very knowledgeable about Banff and provided very insightful introduction and explanation along the way. He is very passionate about his role and answered a lot of our questions with great patience. He also offered 2 extra places for us to visit since our group was right on top of the schedule. He did above and beyond and I truly recommend everyone to take Banff Trip with this provider.
via Viator
Beautiful trip
It was enjoyable and beautiful. First we were picked up by Murray downtown and off we went to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. The drive is so scenic and the weather was gorgeous. Later on we transferred into another van. Rick was our driver. He took us to Peyto Lake and Bow Lake. These lakes are totally different from the other two. The views were breathtaking. At the end we spent 90 minutes in Banff which is a beautiful village with lots of restaurants and stores. I recommend this tour. Just wish they had picked us ip and dropped off at our downtown hotel. I found out at tge end of the tour that the do stop at our hotel.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 10 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $113 to $157
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 20
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Who runs this experience
Operated by Banff Day Trips, who run 6 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 70.9 and 1 in the 90+ Club.
See everything Banff Day Trips runsWhy this scores 84
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Lakes, Mountains & Glaciers - Front seat to natural beauty: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Calgary.
How much does Lakes, Mountains & Glaciers - Front seat to natural beauty cost?
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Prices start at $113 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Calgary usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Lakes, Mountains & Glaciers - Front seat to natural beauty take?
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Plan for about 10 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 Calgary is not rushed.
Is Lakes, Mountains & Glaciers - Front seat to natural beauty worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 84 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 58 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Calgary, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Lakes, Mountains & Glaciers - Front seat to natural beauty?
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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 Lakes, Mountains & Glaciers - Front seat to natural beauty suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 10-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Lakes, Mountains & Glaciers - Front seat to natural beauty?
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Around 20 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 Calgary 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 Calgary and add a light layer if any part of the 10-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Lakes, Mountains & Glaciers - Front seat to natural beauty 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 Calgary 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 Calgary?
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On Outty we rank every Calgary experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Moraine Lake and Lake Louise Tour from Calgary - Canmore - Banff, Explore Waterton National Park from Calgary Day Guided Tour, Discover Banff National Park - Premium Day Trip. 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 Calgary?
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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 Calgary?
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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 Lakes, Mountains & Glaciers - Front seat to natural beauty?
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Included: Bottled water; Calgary, Canmore, Banff Pick-Up & Drop-Off *See list of places; Moraine Lake Fees *June 1st to October 10th*; and Peace of mind, We have all the permits and insurance required by local and provincial gove. Not included: Any activities/rental equipment such as Gondola rides, ice skates, horse sled, canoes, etc; Customary gratuity is not required but most welcomed; *** Remember Moraine Lake and the Valley of the Ten Peaks is only open during Summer month; and Meals. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Lakes, Mountains & Glaciers - Front seat to natural beauty include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 64 listed pickup locations in and around Calgary. Be ready about 30 minutes before the start time.
What languages is Lakes, Mountains & Glaciers - Front seat to natural beauty 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 Lakes, Mountains & Glaciers - Front seat to natural beauty?
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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.
What happens to Lakes, Mountains & Glaciers - Front seat to natural beauty if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Calgary. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Lakes, Mountains & Glaciers - Front seat to natural beauty?
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Across 58 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, photo opportunities. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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