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974 Reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Edmonton, Canada

Banff Highlights & Wildlife | Award-Winning Small Group Tour

3 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Wildlife, views, and the stories behind them. This small-group Banff wildlife tour heads out on the quiet back roads of Banff National Park, stopping at lakes, viewpoints, and wildlife corridors where animals are most active. Between sightings, your guide shares the history and ecology of the park. We spot wildlife on 95% of departures from May to October. Elk, deer, and bighorn sheep are the regulars, and May to October is also bear season. ★ Banff's top-rated tour provider, with 5,000+ five-star reviews and four Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice awards. Highlights: ◆ Elk, deer, bighorn sheep, and bears (May to October) ◆ Quiet back roads and wildlife corridors ◆ Lake and mountain viewpoints with time for photos ◆ Banff history and wildlife insight from a local guide Why book with Radventures: ▸ Max 10 guests in a premium van, never a coach ▸ Banff-born, independently owned ▸ 1% of every booking protects the places you explore

What to Expect

Shared tour (max 12)

5 stops

6 places

3 hrs duration

Pass by: Banff National Park

Your expert local guide will tailor make the itinerary for each tour. Every day, we connect with other tour operators and Banff locals to gather information about recent wildlife sightings and consider seasonal weather conditions & big bus tour company schedules to ensure that you're getting the best, most authentic experience without the crowds! The destinations listed below are just some of the amazing stops you'll make on this tour.

Stop at: Mount Norquay Road

15 min

Wind up the switchbacks of Mount Norquay, home to Banff's first ski hill, to our favourite viewpoint over the town. Mount Rundle and Cascade Mountain rise on either side, and bighorn sheep are often spotted along the road on the way up.

Stop at: Lake Minnewanka

30 min

Drive the Minnewanka Loop to Lake Minnewanka, the largest lake in Banff National Park, then on to Two Jack Lake with its classic view of Mount Rundle. Your guide keeps watch along the way for elk, bighorn sheep, deer, and in season, bears.

Stop at: Hoodoos Trail

20 min

Take a short walk to the Hoodoos viewpoint, home to one of Banff National Park's red chairs. Look out over the hoodoo spires, the Bow River, and Mount Rundle as the valley opens up below.

Stop at: Surprise Corner

15 min

From Surprise Corner on the slopes of Tunnel Mountain, look across the Bow River to the Fairmont Banff Springs, the "Castle in the Rockies," framed by forest and Sulphur Mountain behind it. It's one of the best-known photo spots in Banff.

Stop at: Bow Falls

15 min

Stop at Bow Falls, the wide cascade just below the Fairmont Banff Springs where the Bow River tumbles toward its meeting with the Spray. Marilyn Monroe filmed scenes here for the 1954 film River of No Return.

What's Included

INCLUDED

Water refills (please BYO water bottle)
Hot drinks (hot chocolate, coffee, or tea) & sweet treat – winter only
Comfortable, premium transportation with large panoramic windows
Polaroid souvenir
Local guide trained in photography and storytelling
Small group guarantee (Max 12 guests)
Hotel pick-up and drop-off at select Banff locations

NOT INCLUDED

Guide gratuities (optional)

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting Point

Where you'll meet your guide

Peaks Hotel & Suites 218 Lynx Street, Banff, AB, Canada, T1L 1K5 Pickup times: Summer (5 min after tour start): May 1 – 31: 5:35pm Jun. 1 – Jul. 31: 6:35pm Aug. 1 – 31: 5:35pm Sept. 1 – 15: 5:35pm Sept. 16 – 30: 5:05pm Oct. 1 – 12: 4:05pm Winter (5 min after tour start): Oct. 13 – Apr. 30: 2:05pm Please be ready 10 min before departure.

Rimrock Banff, Emblems Collection 300 Mountain Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1J4, Canada Pickup times: Summer (10 min after tour start): May 1 – 31: 5:40pm Jun. 1 – Jul. 31: 6:40pm Aug. 1 – 31: 5:40pm Sept. 1 – 15: 5:40pm Sept. 16 – 30: 5:10pm Oct. 1 – 12: 4:10pm Winter (10 min after tour start): Oct. 13 – Apr. 30: 2:10pm Please be ready 10 min before departure.

Banff Train Station 327 Railway Avenue, Banff, AB, Canada, T1L 1A1 Pickup times: Summer (at tour start): May 1 – 31: 5:30pm Jun. 1 – Jul. 31: 6:30pm Aug. 1 – 31: 5:30pm Sept. 1 – 15: 5:30pm Sept. 16 – 30: 5:00pm Oct. 1 – 12: 4:00pm Winter (at tour start): Oct. 13 – Apr. 30: 2:00pm Please be ready 10 min before departure.

Moose Hotel & Suites 345 Banff Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1H8, Canada Pickup times: Summer (5 min before tour start): May 1 – 31: 5:25pm Jun. 1 – Jul. 31: 6:25pm Aug. 1 – 31: 5:25pm Sept. 1 – 15: 5:25pm Sept. 16 – 30: 4:55pm Oct. 1 – 12: 3:55pm Winter (5 min before tour start): Oct. 13 – Apr. 30: 1:55pm Please be ready 10 min before departure.

Fairmont Banff Springs 405 Spray Avenue, Banff, AB, Canada, T1L 1J4 Pickup times: Summer (15 min after tour start): May 1 – 31: 5:45pm Jun. 1 – Jul. 31: 6:45pm Aug. 1 – 31: 5:45pm Sept. 1 – 15: 5:45pm Sept. 16 – 30: 5:15pm Oct. 1 – 12: 4:15pm Winter (15 min after tour start): Oct. 13 – Apr. 30: 2:15pm Please be ready 10 min before departure.

Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa 521 Banff Avenue, Banff, AB, Canada, T1L 1H8 Pickup times: Summer (10 min before tour start): May 1 – 31: 5:20pm Jun. 1 – Jul. 31: 6:20pm Aug. 1 – 31: 5:20pm Sept. 1 – 15: 5:20pm Sept. 16 – 30: 4:50pm Oct. 1 – 12: 3:50pm Winter (5 min before tour start): Oct. 13 – Apr. 30: 1:55pm Please be ready 10 min before departure.

Canalta Lodge 545 Banff Avenue, Banff, AB, Canada, T1L 1B5 Pickup times: Summer (10 min before tour start): May 1 – 31: 5:20pm Jun. 1 – Jul. 31: 6:20pm Aug. 1 – 31: 5:20pm Sept. 1 – 15: 5:20pm Sept. 16 – 30: 4:50pm Oct. 1 – 12: 3:50pm Winter (5 min before tour start): Oct. 13 – Apr. 30: 1:55pm Please be ready 10 min before departure.

One of these locations will be your meeting point. Your booking confirmation will have the details.

End Point

Where the tour ends

One of these locations will be where the tour ends. Your booking confirmation will have the details.

Start time:

2:00 PM

Additional Info

Service animals allowed
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children 8 and under are unable to join our small group adventures

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid will not be refunded.

Any changes made less than 24 hours before the start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience's local time.

This experience requires good weather. If canceled due to poor weather, you'll be offered a different date or a full refund.

This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If canceled because the minimum isn't met, you'll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Customer Reviews

Source: Viator and Tripadvisor

4.7

974 total reviews

Rating Distribution

847

From

CA$149.00 per person

Date

Banff Highlights & Wildlife | Award-Winning Small Group Tour