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Discover Banff & Its Wildlife

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Starts atCA$ 95US$ 72€ 62£ 54A$ 101
Duration: 3 Hours
Age: All Ages
Departure: 8:30am (Banff)
Season: Year Round

Guaranteed departure. This tour runs as scheduled with no minimum group size — book with confidence, it won’t be cancelled for low numbers.

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Overview

Build a connection to our World Heritage Site as you visit Banff's landmarks, learn its history and view wildlife in their natural winter habitat.

The tour will include some of the most scenic and historically significant highlights of Banff such as the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Bow Falls, Surprise Corner Lookout, Hoodoos Viewpoint and Lake Minnewanka. Plus, enjoy hot chocolate or fresh water (depending on the time of year) and maple cookies at one of the scenic stops. It's a complete orientation to Banff and a great tour for seeing wildlife in the morning!

Please note that tours starting from Calgary and Canmore consist of a guided tour plus a shared group shuttle to Banff. The shuttle picks up guests for all of our tours once each morning — around 6:00am from Calgary and 7:10am from Canmore — and you will change vehicles in Banff to meet your guide for the day. The return shared group shuttle departs Banff at around 6:30pm.

Highlights

The best parts of the tour for most people include the following:

Bow Falls
Bow Falls
The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
Surprise Corner Lookout
Surprise Corner Lookout
Hoodoos Viewpoint
Hoodoos Viewpoint
Lake Minnewanka
Lake Minnewanka
Realtime pick-up tracking
Realtime pick-up tracking

Tour Details

Tour Duration
3 Hours
Departure Time
8:30am (Banff)
Age Required
All Ages
Season
Year Round

Included

  • Selected pickup: Banff
  • Water or Hot Chocolate
  • Hotel pick up and drop off
  • Hands on interpretive tools
  • Small group size (up to 24 guests per guide)
  • Maple cookie snack
  • Professional certified guide

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the tour include?+
The half-day tour includes a guided bus tour to see some of the local highlights such as the iconic Banff Springs Hotel, Bow Falls and Lake Minnewanka. The tour includes several stops, including a brief break with a maple cookie snack and hot chocolate or fresh water (depending on the time of year), and hands on interpretive tools.
Is there a lot of walking involved?+
Only half your time is spent on the bus, and at every stop you will have the opportunity to get off the bus and stretch your legs. All of the viewpoints are a short walk.
Will I see wildlife on the tour?+
There is a chance of seeing wildlife on the tour and we often spot animals, however we do not guarantee seeing wildlife on any of our tours. Our guides have a lot of knowledge about the animals within the park and can fill you in about them if you see any wildlife or if you have any questions.
What is the cancellation policy?+
We require 72 hours notice prior to departure to change/cancel or refund a tour without penalty. Group bookings of 9 or more guests, as well as custom and private bookings, have a 7 day cancellation period.
Should I tip my guide?+
Tips are not expected, but are certainly appreciated. If you think your guide did a wonderful job and would like to indicate that with a tip, it will be graciously accepted.
How long is the tour?+
The tour begins at 8:30am and returns around 11:30am, approximately three hours.
Where is our pick up and drop off from?+
We pick up from most hotels in Banff and train station in Banff, you can select your preferred pick-up location during the booking process. For drop offs, our guide will ask you on the way back where you would like to be dropped off either in town or at your hotel.
How can I join this tour if I'm not staying in Banff?+
We have fantastic news: starting in summer 2026, we are providing pick-up transfers for those staying in Calgary or Canmore. If you wish to join this tour from Calgary or Canmore, please visit our page dedicated to tours departing from these locations.
Which pickup location am I viewing?+
You are viewing the Banff pickup content.

Booking Terms

  • All children aged 15 years and under must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian.
  • Photo ID may be required for identity verification.
  • By participating in a tour with Discover Banff Tours, guests are acknowledging that they understand that we may take video and photographs of them during their tour. These videos and photographs may be used in promotional materials including, but not limited to, social media.
  • Please note that this tour requires a minimum of 4 participants, please call the day prior to confirm the tour.

What Our Guests Are Saying

Real, verified reviews from guests who explored the Canadian Rockies with us.

Discover Banff & Its Wildlife
From CA$ 95US$ 72€ 62£ 54A$ 101