Banff & The Icefields Parkway | Small Group Full Day Adventure
Radventures presents: The Icefields Parkway Explorer.
As Banff's no.1 small-group active adventure provider, we know you want to explore all the famous, must-see spots as well as the secret spots that only us as locals know about. There is so much to see that cramming it all into one day is tough, but we've got it down to a fine art and we guarantee you'll see the best that the Icefields Parkway has to offer.
On this active, small group guided tour, your expert local guide will be on hand to provide you with all the amazing local insights you can imagine, and you’ll be able to hit the trails for some short, mellow hikes to explore the best viewpoints and scenic vistas at your own pace without the constraints of a big bus tour schedule.
- Escape the big bus crowds and increase your chances of wildlife sightings as we explore the Icefields Parkway’s best locations, plus some secret ones!
- Hit the trails to explore Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, Mistaya Canyon, Columbia Icefields & more!
Description
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Icefields Parkway, Banff National Park, Alberta Canada
Widely regarded as the most scenic driving road in the entire world, the Icefields Parkway is punctuated by more than 100 ancient glaciers, cascading waterfalls, dramatic rock spires, and emerald lakes set in sweeping valleys of thick pine and larch forests.
The abundance of wildlife in Jasper National Park and Banff National Park will have you peering around every turn.
So as we take our time to explore, stop for a short hike or two to a breath-taking view point, capture that stunning photo to share with friends and enjoy a roadside picnic amidst the splendour of the Canadian Rockies pristine wilderness, you can be rest assured that you're clocking the Icefields Parkway the right way!
We'll explore all the locations below, plus a handful of other locals secret spots that are well and truly worthy of your Instagram story!
Along the way at around 12:30, we'll stop at our favourite picnic spot with incredible sweeping mountain & valley views for lunch!
Duration: 8 hours
Stop At: Bow Lake, Banff National Park, Alberta Canada
The neon blue Bow Lake is the headwaters of the Bow River, that big beauty of a river that you'll see running through Lake Louise, Banff, Calgary and across the country until it hits Hudson Bay all the way out in the east of Canada!
The lake lines the Icefields Parkway and makes a perfect place to go for a walk down to the lake shore to see Crowfoot Glacier, Wapta Icefield, Bow Glacier, Crowfoot Mountain and Mount Thompson.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Peyto Lake, Icefield Parkway, Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Alberta Canada
The incredibly shaped glacier-fed Peyto Lake is one of the most visited and photographed lakes in the Canadian Rockies for good reason.
During the summer, glacial rock flour flows into the lake and these suspended rock particles give the lake its bright, turquoise colour.
We'll take an easy walk to view the lake from Bow Summit, 2,088 metres (6,800 feet) above sea level.
Bow Summit is the highest point on the Icefields Parkway and is the highest elevation crossed by a public road in Canada.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Mistaya Canyon, Banff National Park, Alberta Canada
Mistaya Canyon is a real hidden & scenic gem on the Icefields Parkway.
Sculpted by the rushing water of the Mistaya River, which originates from Peyto Lake to the southeast, this deep slot canyon features curvy limestone walls and eroded pothole depressions.
It's just a short walk to experience this beauty of a place.
Duration: 40 minutes
Stop At: Columbia Ice Field Highway Highway 1, Jasper, Jasper National Park, Alberta Canada
Just as the name implies these glaciers or “fields of ice” straddle Banff National Park and Jasper National Park and are the largest south of the Arctic Circle!
They are 325km2 in area and 100 to 365 metres (328 to 1,197 ft) in depth and receives up to seven metres (275 in) of snowfall per year.
Here we can walk right up to the foot of the retreating glacier and explore the area, following the path of the glaciers through the years.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Weeping Wall, Banff National Park, Alberta Canada
A mountain that cries?!
Located at Cirrus Mountain, the Weeping Wall resembles a mountain with a river of tears.
More than 100 metres high (330 feet) water cascades in a series of jaw dropping waterfalls.
Duration: 15 minutes
Inclusions
- Fun, friendly & knowledgable local guide with winter driving training
- Small group guarantee (Max 8 guests)
- Private, comfy van transport with A/C
- Ice cold filtered water
- Onboard cooler to keep drinks & lunch cold
- Folding chairs & table for a picnic lunch
- 2 convenient Banff pick-up & drop-off locations
Exclusions
- Alternate pick-up/drop-off locations in Banff or Canmore (please contact Radventures in advance)
- Guide gratuities (not mandatory but greatly appreciated)
- Lunch & snacks (please BYO or contact Radventures in advance to add-on a delicious picnic lunch)
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Face masks required for travelers in public areas
- Face masks required for guides in public areas
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
- Social distancing enforced throughout experience
- Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
- Gear/equipment sanitized between use
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- Regular temperature checks for staff
- Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
- Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required for travelers
- COVID-19 vaccination required for guides
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Operates
See Availability
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
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