7-Day Banff National Park Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Banff National Park tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaBanff National Park travel expert at TourRadar

• 4 Days in Canadian Rockies, incl. Vancouver and Banff

  Mountain majesty surrounds you during four days at Bow Falls, Lake Louise, and Moraine Lake. Optional Banff Mountain Gondola rides and hot springs visits enhance your comfortable stay in Banff with guided sightseeing included.

  

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  • Day 1

    Vancouver to Revelstoke (11 hours with stops)

    Leave downtown Vancouver at 8:30 AM. Get there by 8:15 AM to account for morning traffic. You'll watch the scenery change from coastal rainforest to the drier Okanagan Valley. Stop at Grizzli Winery in Kelowna to try their specialty ice wine. If you plan to buy wine, bring a cooler - summer temperatures in the Okanagan often hit 35°C (95°F). Wrap up your day in Revelstoke with a stop at the historic Last Spike in Craigellachie, which marks where Canada's first cross-country railway was completed.

    
  • Day 2

    Revelstoke to Banff via Lake Louise

    Drive through Rogers Pass in the morning for incredible mountain views. Keep your camera ready when you come out of the tunnels. Get to Lake Louise before 10 AM to find parking and avoid crowds. The lake's famous turquoise color looks best in late morning light. Next up is Moraine Lake (open June-September only). A recent visitor shared: "Skip the crowded lakeside path and hike up the Rock Pile Trail - it's a short but steep 10-minute climb to the viewpoint that's on the Canadian $20 bill."

    
  • Day 3

    Banff to Valemount via Icefields Parkway

    The Icefields Parkway is today's main attraction. You'll want to stop often for photos. Visit Bow Lake and Peyto Lake before noon for the best views of their turquoise waters. Book the Columbia Icefield tour ahead of time - it's popular and worth the cost. Pack warm clothes since the glacier is usually 10-15°C cooler than surrounding areas. The drive to Valemount passes Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Rockies. Afternoon clouds often cover the summit, so be prepared for limited visibility.

    
  • Day 4

    Valemount to Vancouver (9-10 hours)

    On your way back, stop at Spahats Falls in Wells Gray Provincial Park. It's an easy 5-minute walk to see the falls. After Kamloops, you'll see your final mountain views before heading to the coast. Plan to reach Vancouver around 7:30 PM, but summer road work might cause delays.

    

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• 6 Day Canadian Rockies Itinerary, incl. Banff and Jasper

  6-day exploration of Banff National Park and beyond, featuring Banff Caribou Lodge stay. Experience the Banff Gondola, explore Vermilion Lakes, and enjoy free time for shopping and hiking in this UNESCO World Heritage site.

  

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  • Day 1

    Calgary to Banff

    The trip from Calgary to Banff takes about 1.5 hours. Try to book a morning flight to make the most of your first day. Grab a seat on the right side of the shuttle for the best mountain views as you head west. You can check into the Banff Caribou Lodge right off Banff Avenue which puts you in a great spot to explore the town.

    
  • Day 2

    Banff Exploration

    Get to the Banff Gondola early before 9 AM to avoid the crowds. The quick 8-minute ride up Sulphur Mountain gives you incredible views of the area. Take your afternoon to walk Banff Avenue and check out the local shops. Looking for a great sunset spot? Drive 5 minutes to Vermilion Lakes for amazing views of Mount Rundle. Just remember to bring bear spray since wildlife often shows up in the area.

    
  • Day 3

    Banff to Jasper via Columbia Icefields

    This is a full day on the Icefields Parkway. Plan for 11-12 hours with stops and leave early to avoid tour buses. The Ice Explorer takes you right onto Athabasca Glacier with rides every 15-30 minutes. Bring warm clothes since it's about 20°F cooler on the glacier. You can even taste 10,000-year-old glacier water if you bring a bottle. When you visit Athabasca Falls later wear good shoes. The walkways get pretty slippery from the mist.

    
  • Day 4

    Jasper Free Day

    Jasper is smaller and more relaxed than Banff and you'll likely see more wildlife here. You can easily walk around town. Want to spot some animals? Head out early morning or around sunset on Maligne Lake Road. The local rangers say to keep bear spray handy and stay at least 100 meters from any wildlife you see.

    
  • Day 5

    Jasper to Lake Louise

    Without stops the drive south takes about 3.5 hours. Make time to stop at Bow Lake and Peyto Lake. The views are amazing and you only need to walk a short way from your car. Try to reach Lake Louise by mid-afternoon to enjoy the views before the crowds show up. Lake Louise Inn is a good place to stay with nice mountain views.

    
  • Day 6

    Lake Louise to Calgary

    Take an early morning walk around Lake Louise before 8 AM when it's peaceful and quiet. For your flight home book something in the afternoon. The transfer to Calgary Airport takes about 2.5 hours and this timing helps avoid rushing and accounts for any mountain weather delays.

    

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• Rockies Winter Fun 4-Day Tour

  Winter magic fills this 4-day Banff National Park visit with ice walks through Johnston Canyon, views from Surprise Corner, and the Hoodoos formations. Snowshoeing at Lake Louise and optional Banff Gondola rides complement your stay at Banff Aspen Lodge.

  

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  • Calgary Canada

    66 mi

  • Banff Canada

    31 mi

  • Lake Louise Canada

    17 mi

  • Yoho National Park Canada

    28 mi

  • Banff National Park Canada

    86 mi

  • Calgary Canada

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