Athabasca

Your adventure begins in Banff and 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 Peyto Lake (a favourite of ours), and Mistaya Canyon. Finally, we’ll arrive at our rustic wilderness hostel, where you can relax with a dip and sauna and enjoy a campfire under the stars.

Today, we will explore more of the Icefields Parkway! 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 in Jasper National Park, 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 day’s journey concludes in Banff, where we’ll spend the night in this iconic mountain town, nestled in the very heart of the Canadian Rockies.

The Athabasca Iconic Moraine, Louise and Peyto Lakes Tour through Banff and Jasper National Parks offers many adventure activities in Banff at the end of your trip. Go mountain biking, white-water rafting, and more. Moose offers dozens of options to soak in the scenery in a more relaxed way, like enjoying the Banff Upper Hot Springs or riding the Banff gondola for incredible mountain vistas.

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 in Banff on the day after your Athabasca Iconic Moraine, Louise and Peyto Lakes Tour finishes, so make sure you book extra nights:

The Athabasca Iconic Moraine, Louise and Peyto Lakes Tour includes accommodation for one night of the tour in mixed-gender hostel dormitory rooms with four to six beds. You can request female-only dorm rooms, and we can usually accommodate this, but 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 tour options.

The Athabasca Iconic Moraine, Louise and Peyto Lakes Tour is Days 3 and 4 of the 8-day Caribou Rocky Mountains Tour. Many travellers on your tour will have started together in Vancouver prior to you joining in Banff, and some will continue on to Vancouver after you complete your adventure.

Some sites on this tour are only available seasonally. The road to Moraine Lake is open from late May/early June to mid-October. Choose a departure within this timeframe to experience these breathtaking locations this tour.

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!

This tour starts and finishes in Banff. The closest airport is in Calgary (YYC).

Flexible about when you can travel? Consider the pros and cons of our travel seasons. In Low Season (May and October), you’ll experience fewer crowds and less traffic 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, some tour related items may be 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.

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.