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Private: Banff's Glacial Lakes & Hidden History - From Calgary

By MOLARI Adventure Touring Co.
Price is AU$1,561 per adult* *Get a lower price by selecting multiple adult tickets
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Features

  • 10h
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
  • Selective hotel pickup
  • Multiple languages

Overview

A private journey through the heart of Banff National Park, from the historic 'ghost town' of Bankhead to the vivid turquoise waters of Moraine Lake & Lake Louise.

Join us for an immersive journey through Banff National Park’s most legendary landscapes, balanced with a look into its hidden industrial past. After a morning of history and mini hikes along the Lake Minnewanka scenic loop, we venture further into the park towards the shores and towering surrounds of Moraine Lake and Lake Louise. Transitioning to the Bow Valley Parkway for a scenic return journey, we round out a day defined by grand scale, spectacular alpine colours, and the region's diverse wildlife.

At MOLARI, we prioritise a safe, ethical, and immersive approach to sharing the beauty of the Rockies.

  • Duration: approx. 10 hours
  • Private, door-to-door service (max. 11 participants) with pickup anywhere in Calgary
  • Includes lunch & refreshments along the way
  • Trail difficulty: Easy
  • Guided by a local, certified guide

Activity location

  • Lake Minnewanka
    • Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive,
    • T1L 1K2, Banff, Canada

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • Lake Minnewanka
    • Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive,
    • T1L 1K2, Banff, Canada

Check availability

Private: Banff's Glacial Lakes & Hidden History - From Calgary

  • Activity duration is 10 hours10h
    10h
  • English

Pickup included

Starting time: 7:30 AM
Price details
AU$1,561.24 x 1 AdultAU$1,561.24
Total
Price is AU$1,561.24

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's included
    Private, door-to-door transport in an air-conditioned vehicle
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Lunch and refreshments including drinking water refills
  • What's includedWhat's included
    National/Provincial Park passes and permits, including Moraine Lake access via Moraine Lake Road
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Hiking poles and microspikes/ice cleats (if winter conditions)
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Local, certified guide
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Any applicable pet fees
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Participant travel insurance
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Personal expenses (such as souvenirs or gifts), and any additional snacks, meals, or drinks

Know before you book

  • Not recommended for travellers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for travellers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transport options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Itinerary Note: exact routes, timings, and destinations may vary based on participant preferences, fitness levels, real-time mountain conditions, and safety.
  • Child Seats: required by law for under 6yrs (≤18kg). Not provided; please bring your own if needed.
  • Lunch is a grazing spread consisting of local meats, cheeses, and accompaniments or a deli-style lunch, depending on availability. We are unable to cater for specific dietary requirements or severe allergies; guests with specific nutritional needs are welcome to bring their own lunch.
  • Personal Gear: Please bring a small daypack, sun protection, and a reusable water bottle (refills provided).
  • Technical Gear: We provide hiking poles and microspikes/ice cleats if needed. USB-A charging ports are available in the van—please bring your own cable.
  • Clothing & Footwear: Wear sturdy, waterproof hiking boots (insulated for winter) and adaptable layers (avoid cotton). Bring an extra base layer to change into for the return journey (especially in summer). Check weather conditions before departure.
  • Waiver: required for all guests before departure.
  • Changes/Cancellations: please contact us to discuss.
  • Giving back: A portion of every journey is donated to a hand-picked charity supporting either environmental protection, Indigenous education, or animal welfare. You’ll have the opportunity to choose which cause your booking supports.

Activity itinerary

Bankhead Ghost Town

  • 30m
  • Admission ticket included
The Activity: We begin with a gentle 1.1km loop through what remains of the early 20th-century town of Bankhead, taking an oft-overlooked step back in time to explore a different side of Banff’s past. Walking past the concrete foundations and old railway beds provides a stark historical contrast to the raw, protected mountain landscapes that dominate the rest of our day. Duration: 30 mins.

Lake Minnewanka

  • 1h 15m
  • Admission ticket included
The Activity: At Minnewanka, we'll move past the car park adjacent crowds and walk along the lakeshore to the Stewart Canyon bridge – a flat, 3.2km in-and-out trail. This gives us an open, wind-swept perspective of Banff National Park's largest glacial lake before the midday heat. We then pass by Two Jack Lake to complete the Minnewanka Scenic Drive on our way to Lake Louise.

Lake Louise

  • 1h 15m
The Activity: A visit to the most iconic basin in the range. We’ll move along the shoreline to reach the quieter vantage points of the lake and surrounding peaks, offering a better perspective of the Victoria Glacier and castle-like Fairmont Chateau. The in-and-out lakeshore trail is up to 4.6km in length, with nominal elevation gain.

Moraine Lake

  • 1h 15m
  • Admission ticket included
The Activity: At Moraine Lake, we combine a 2.5km in-and-out lakeshore walk with a short climb (350m each way) up "the Rockpile" for the best views of the stunning turquoise-blue lake and surrounding Ten Peaks – one of the most prized sights in all of Canada. We then have an optional brief pitstop at Lake Louise Village on our way back towards Banff town. Note: Because Moraine Lake Road is closed to all vehicles during the winter season (and to private, non-commercial vehicles year-round), this stop is only available between June and mid-October. Our van has the necessary permits for direct access during this window, so there is no need to change to a different shuttle.

Bow Valley Parkway (Pass by)

The Activity: Time permitting, we transition to the Bow Valley Parkway for part of the leg back towards Banff. A quieter and more relaxed alternative to the Trans-Canada Highway, this route offers a different perspective of the valley and more frequent wildlife sightings. Note: certain sections are subject to seasonal closures for wildlife and to create a vehicle free experience for cyclists; during these times, we utilise the most scenic accessible portions of the route.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    Lake Minnewanka
    • Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive,
    • T1L 1K2, Banff, Canada

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Lake Minnewanka
    • Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive,
    • T1L 1K2, Banff, Canada

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