Banff & Jasper National Parks Tour with Glacier Adventure
About This Experience
This is the cheapest way in the catalogue to cover both national parks in a day, and the itinerary crosses the boundary from Banff into Jasper on the Icefields Parkway rather than turning around at the Icefield.
The stops are the Parkway's greatest hits: Crowfoot Glacier on the shoulder of Crowfoot Mountain, Waterfowl Lake mirroring Mount Chephren, Peyto Lake from the viewpoint above, and the Columbia Icefield with the Athabasca Glacier running down toward the road. The Ice Explorer excursion onto the glacier is available at the Icefield for an extra charge.
The operator is explicit about the season, and it is the single most useful thing to know when booking this tour: the Columbia Icefield and the Ice Explorer run from early May to mid-October only. Outside that window the itinerary substitutes Lake Louise and Marble Canyon, which is a good winter day out but not the glacier day the title suggests.
As with every transport-only Parkway tour, the Columbia Icefield Adventure and Skywalk entry tickets are separate purchases. Budget for them if the glacier and the glass floor are the point of your trip.
Highlights
- Both Banff and Jasper National Parks in one day
- Columbia Icefield and the Athabasca Glacier at the northern end
- Peyto Lake's turquoise water from the viewpoint
- Crowfoot Glacier and Waterfowl Lake photo stops
- National park pass and hotel-area pickup included
What's Included
- ✓ Pickup from designated points in Calgary, Canmore or Banff
- ✓ Round-trip transport in an air-conditioned bus or van
- ✓ National park pass
- ✓ Guide
- ✓ Bottled water
Not Included
- Columbia Icefield Adventure and Skywalk entry tickets
- Meals
- Gratuities
- Travel insurance
What to Bring
- Warm layers for the Icefield stop
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Camera
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
Good to Know & Caveats
- The Columbia Icefield and Ice Explorer operate early May to mid-October only.
- Outside that season the itinerary substitutes Lake Louise and Marble Canyon.
- Skywalk and Ice Explorer tickets are extra and are bought from Pursuit.
- Expect a 12-hour day, longer from the Calgary pickup points.
- Assistance dogs are welcome; other pets are not.
Not Suitable For
- Wheelchair users
- Pregnant women
- Infants under one year
- Travellers with heart conditions
Meeting Point
Designated pickup points in Calgary, Canmore or Banff (selected at booking)
What Travelers Say
Rated 4.7/5 by 415 verified GetYourGuide travelers.
Excellent experience with AK as our guide! Saw stunning viewpoints and was overall a great experience! Thank you AK and team! 5 stars!!
— Hira, August
Raj was a nice guy and helping and cooperative nature.
— Md., August
Navdeep was a great guide/driver. willing to take pictures and concise with the information. I was also very happy that we make it to Peyto Lake later in the day, we were there almost without any crowds, which was wonderful.
— Ampa, August
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we actually enter Jasper National Park?
Yes. The route continues north past the Banff boundary along the Icefields Parkway, which is what distinguishes this itinerary from the tours that turn around at the Columbia Icefield.
Is the Ice Explorer glacier ride included?
No. It is available at the Columbia Icefield for an additional charge, as is the Skywalk. Both are Pursuit attraction tickets.
What runs in winter?
The Columbia Icefield and Ice Explorer close from roughly mid-October to early May. Winter departures substitute Lake Louise and Marble Canyon instead.
How much walking is involved?
Not much. The stops are viewpoints and short trails, the longest being the walk up to the Peyto Lake overlook. The day is mostly spent on the road.
Is the national park pass included?
Yes. The park entry pass is part of the tour price, so there is nothing to buy at the gate.
