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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• 7 Days in Canadian Rockies, incl. Banff and Jasper

  The majestic Banff wilderness unfolds over seven days with hikes through Johnston Canyon trails, Lake Louise paths, and Moraine Lake terrain. Lake Agnes Trail, Devil's Thumb climbs, and Upper Hot Springs relaxation fill your days. Three nights of camping put you in the heart of prime park locations.

  

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  • Day 1

    Calgary to Banff National Park

    Plan to reach Calgary before 5 PM to skip rush hour traffic on the Trans-Canada Highway. You'll need about 1.5 hours to reach Banff. Stop in Canmore for supplies at Safeway since prices are better than in Banff town. If you're camping at Lake Louise, get there before sunset to set up camp with good light. A word of caution: Pack warm clothes because mountain nights can get cold, dropping below 40°F even in summer.

    
  • Day 2

    Johnston Canyon and Lake Louise

    Get to Johnston Canyon early, before the tour buses show up around 10 AM. It's a 30-minute drive from Banff. The Lower Falls trail is an easy 1-hour round trip on good boardwalks. Plan to reach Lake Louise by noon since parking fills fast. The Lake Agnes Tea House hike takes about 4 hours round trip and stretches 3.5 miles. Remember to bring cash for refreshments at the tea house.

    
  • Day 3

    Moraine Lake

    During peak season, the Moraine Lake road often closes by 6 AM because of limited parking. Your best bet is taking the Parks Canada shuttle from the Lake Louise overflow lot. Walk the short Rockpile Trail (0.5 miles) for the famous "Twenty Dollar View" that used to be on Canadian currency. One visitor shared: "The Rockpile viewpoint at sunrise was worth the 5 AM wake-up—the alpenglow on the Ten Peaks is incredible, but bring gloves as it's cold at 6,200 feet."

    
  • Day 4

    Icefields Parkway to Jasper

    The drive to Jasper takes 3 hours without stops, but plan for a full day of sightseeing. Key stops include Bow Lake (1 hour from Lake Louise), Peyto Lake viewpoint (another 30 minutes up the road with a short uphill walk), and Columbia Icefield (2 hours from Bow Lake). Book an Ice Explorer tour in advance if interested. Important: Fill up on gas in Lake Louise since service stations are scarce and cell coverage is limited on the Parkway.

    
  • Day 5

    Jasper National Park Exploration

    Book the Jasper SkyTram online and go early to avoid long waits. The ride takes 7 minutes and leads to scenic high-alpine trails. The summit walk is a comfortable 45-minute round trip. Spend your afternoon at Maligne Canyon exploring the 2.1-mile loop that crosses six bridges over the 160-foot gorge. Visit Medicine Lake near sunset for the best wildlife viewing.

    
  • Day 6

    Jasper to Banff

    On your return drive, you'll see new angles of the Icefields Parkway. Visit Athabasca Falls (30 minutes from Jasper) and the Columbia Icefield (2 hours from Jasper). End your day relaxing at Banff Upper Hot Springs. Go after 7 PM when crowds thin out. You can even rent vintage swimsuits while enjoying mountain views.

    
  • Day 7

    Banff to Calgary

    Set aside 2 hours to reach Calgary Airport, factoring in morning traffic at Banff gates. If you have time, catch sunrise from the Banff Gondola (first ride at 8 AM) or take an easy walk on the Bow River trail loop (3 miles on flat ground) before leaving.

    

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