Introduction: A Twist on the Banff "Big Four"

With this itinerary, we juggle three primary considerations:

#1: The MOLARI core: active discovery through movement;

#2: The Icons: some of the undisputed best scenery in Canada, and

#3 The Reality: The crowds that inevitably follow the scenery.

Our main strategy is to try to manage the route in a way that prevents the crowds from compromising your enjoyment of the landscape, firstly by starting slightly later and reordering the stops. While many others rush straight for lakes Moraine and Louise, our journey begins with the expansive vistas of the Minnewanka loop. We arrange the day to ensure we reach Moraine and Louise with better light and fewer big buses, and save Johnston Canyon for the late afternoon, after the midday groups have departed.

What to Expect - Itinerary & Experience:

Stop 1: Upper & Lower Bankhead

• The Activity: We start the day with a brief walk through the remnants of an early 20th-century coal mining operation, offering a gritty, historical "ghost town" contrast to the natural beauty that follows.

Stop 2: Lake Minnewanka & Two Jack Lake

• The Activity: At Minnewanka, we’ll have 60-75 minutes for a 3km roundtrip hike to the Stewart Canyon bridge. This offers an open, wind-swept perspective of Banff's largest glacial lake before the midday heat. We follow this with a quick stop at the nearby Two Jack Lake on our way to Lake Louise.

Stop 3: Lake Louise

• The Activity: At Lake Louise, we spend a leisurely 45-60 minutes moving along the shoreline for differing vantage points of the Victoria Glacier and peaks that surround the basin. We'll also see up close why the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is home to some of the most coveted rooms in the Rockies.

Stop 4: Moraine Lake

• The Activity: At Moraine Lake, we have another 45-60 minute stop to take in the incredible colour of the water and surrounding Ten Peaks, including a short climb up the "Rockpile" (approx. 350m each way) for a view that drops the jaw every time. We then have an optional brief pitstop at Lake Louise Village on our way out to Johnston Canyon.
• Note: Because Moraine Lake Road is closed to all vehicles during the winter season (and private vehicles year-round), this stop is only available between June and mid-October. Our van has the necessary permits to take you right up to both lakes, so there is no need to change to a different shuttle.

Stop 5: Johnston Canyon – The Afternoon Anchor

• The Activity: A 2.5km roundtrip journey via suspended catwalks to the canyon's Lower Falls. Together with the morning Minnewanka hike, this is the day's main "active discovery" component.
• The Strategy: By saving the canyon for late afternoon, we regain some of the quiet (particularly mid-week) that most summer season visitors miss.

The Return – via the Bow Valley Parkway

• The Activity: We transition to the Bow Valley Parkway, which runs parallel to the Trans-Canada Highway 1, for the rest of the journey back toward Banff. This route is much quieter and more relaxed, offering a different perspective of the valley and more frequent wildlife sightings. Note: certain sections of the road are subject to seasonal closures for wildlife and to create a vehicle-free experience for cyclists; during these times, we utilize the most scenic accessible portions of the route.

Premium Transit: Relax in the exclusive comfort of our vehicle while your guide handles all navigation, storytelling, and park logistics.

Lunch: We pause at a scenic vantage point for a fresh mid-day refuel. Field lunches are prepared by a local deli partner the morning of your tour (see FAQ for more details).

Key Details (From Banff/Canmore):

• Duration: ~8 Hours.
• Format: 100% Private (Maximum 11 participants).
• Pickup & Drop-off: Door-to-door service, starting and ending the day at your preferred Banff or Canmore location.
• Booking cutoff: 24 hours before departure.
• Activity Level: Easy-Moderate.
• Languages: English primary; Spanish and Mandarin Chinese delivery also available.
• Itinerary Note: This tour is only available between June 1st and mid-October each year (depending on when Parks Canada closes access to Moraine Lake). Routes and destinations may vary based on participant preferences, fitness levels, real-time mountain conditions, and safety.
• Planning a multi-day stay? This journey pairs superbly with any of our Kananaskis-based 'Co-design' tours. Ideal for those who want to see the famous icons one day and go further off the beaten path the next.