It’s time to visit those iconic blue lakes you’ve seen on postcards! Lake Louise is calling, along with Moraine Lake (seasonal), before we journey along the Icefields Parkway, offering breathtaking views of jagged peaks, glaciers, raging rivers, and more turquoise lakes. Keep an eye out for Canadian wildlife like bears, moose, and elk as we stop at the stunning Crowfoot Glacier, Peyto Lake (a favorite of ours), and Mistaya Canyon. Finally, we’ll arrive at our rustic wilderness hostel, where you can relax with a dip and sauna, enjoy a campfire under the stars, and share a home-cooked potluck dinner with fellow travelers.

Accommodation: HI Lake Louise Alpine Centre (night before Day 1)
Accommodation: HI Wilderness Hostel¹ (night of Day 1)
Optional Meal: Home-style group dinner

¹Please note: There are no alternative accommodation options at this location, but we’re confident you’ll enjoy the authentic Canadian experience of staying at our wilderness hostel

Today, we explore Jasper National Park! First, we’ll stop at Big Bend Lookout for a breathtaking view of the North Saskatchewan River Valley. Then, we’ll head to the Columbia Icefield, the largest icefield in the Rocky Mountains at 325 square kilometres, where we’ll hike to the toe of the Athabasca Glacier (conditions permitting). Afterward, we’ll stop at Sunwapta Falls (parking permitting), a stunning pair of waterfalls surrounded by rugged wilderness. Next, we’ll visit Athabasca Falls, a powerful waterfall known for its dramatic beauty. Our journey concludes in Banff, where you’ll enjoy dinner and say goodbye to your new lifelong friends.

Accommodation: HI Banff Alpine Centre
Meal Inclusions: Dinner at Cougar Pete’s Restaurant and Lookout

Moose Accommodation: Please note that no accommodation is included for this evening, and you will need to make your own arrangements. We recommend not booking any onward travel for this day to allow flexibility in case of traffic or weather delays.

The Athabasca Tour begins in the stunning heart of the Rocky Mountains, offering unforgettable experiences for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Whether you’re mountain biking through lush alpine forests or whitewater rafting down exhilarating valleys, adventure awaits at every turn. Activities range from hiking to relaxing in natural hot springs, all set against breathtaking mountain vistas. (Please note: Some activities are only available after completing the tour in Banff.)

Optional activities can be easily booked and paid for through your Moose tour guide during the trip—no need to pre-book! The following exciting activities are available on the Athabasca Tour:

The tour includes accommodation for all nights of the tour in mixed-gender hostel dormitory rooms. While you can request female-only dorm rooms, we usually can accommodate this request, though we cannot guarantee it.

We choose hostels for their affordability, excellent facilities, and friendly atmosphere. Staying in shared dorm rooms allows you to meet more people, interact with other tour guests, and keep costs as low as possible.

If dormitory-style accommodation isn’t suitable for your trip and you’d prefer private accommodation, please reach out to us directly, and we’ll be happy to discuss alternative options for your tour.

The Athabasca Tour covers the middle 2 days of the 8-day Caribou Tour and is part of several combination tours we offer. Some of your fellow travellers will have started the journey in Vancouver before joining you. After finishing in Banff, many will continue their journey toward Vancouver the following day.

All tour finish times are approximate. We strongly recommend that you DO NOT book onward travel for the final day of the tour, as traffic or other unforeseen circumstances may cause delays.

Please note that our itineraries are subject to change, and activities may be cancelled without notice due to circumstances beyond our control, such as weather, traffic, or unforeseen events. If this happens, alternative options may be available, or you may have the opportunity to enjoy more free time to explore on your own!

Some sites on this tour are only available seasonally. Moraine Lake and the road to Takakkaw Falls are open from June to mid-October. Choose a departure within this timeframe to experience these breathtaking locations.

The Athabasca Tour finishes in Banff, with the closest airport located in Calgary (YYC). If Vancouver (YVR) is more convenient for your flights, check out our Wapiti tour.

Flexible about when you can travel? Consider the pros and cons of our travel seasons. In Low Season (May and October), you’ll get the BEST VALUE on our tours, with less traffic and far fewer people at the most popular sites. The trade-off is that the weather is typically more variable, cooler, and wetter. Additionally, some sites may be closed, and the glacial lakes could still be frozen in the spring—though that’s a stunning sight in itself! In Peak Season (June to September), everything is open, the weather is more consistent, warmer, and generally drier, with the glacial lakes in their full splendour. However, tours are more expensive, traffic is heavier, and the most popular spots can be quite crowded.

We take your safety, along with the safety of our staff and partners, very seriously. You can review our Safety Policy here.