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Banff Safaris & wildlife activities

Our most recommended Banff Safaris & wildlife activities

From Banff: Lake Louise and Moraine Lake Sightseeing Tour

1. From Banff: Lake Louise and Moraine Lake Sightseeing Tour

Experience Banff’s famous lakes on a guided tour of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.  Keep your eyes peeled for animals such as deer, elk, and bears on your way, and admire views of Castle Mountain before arriving at the first lake of the day. Hear stories about Banff National Park, its history, and the local animals from your guide. Enjoy a 30-minute visit to Lake Louise. Wander the famous shoreline and take photos of the lake against the backdrop of the mountains and Victoria Glacier.  Admire the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Hotel from the outside or inside. Explore Moraine Lake, set in the rugged Valley of the Ten Peaks with waterfalls and rock piles. Enjoy a short guided walk to the famous Valley of the Ten Peaks viewpoint, or relax and take in the lake from the shoreline. Enjoy hot chocolate and maple cookies at one of the scenic stops. After a 30-minute break at the viewpoint, return back to Banff and drop you off at your hotel.

Banff National Park: Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Day-Pass

2. Banff National Park: Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Day-Pass

Maximize your time in Banff National Park with this Hop-On-Hop-Off Pass and see all the main sights at your own pace. The stops include Johnston Canyon, Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, and the Lake Louise Gondola (admission is not included). There are 3 departures from Banff, so you can start early and see everything, or sleep in and enjoy a tour along the famous Bow Valley Parkway to Moraine Lake before your return to Banff. • Stop 1 - Banff - The tour departs at 07:45 AM, 9:30 AM, and 12:15 PM daily • Stop 2 - Johnston Canyon - Hop off here to hike up to the beautiful Upper and Lower Falls or even go all the way up to the famous Ink Pots • Stop 3 - Lake Louise Gondola - Soar by gondola or chairlift to the most stunning views on the Lake Louise Gondola • Stop 4 & Stop 5 - Lake Louise - Make sure to hop-off here to enjoy Lake Louise and all that it has to offer. Check out Lake Agnes Teahouse and the breathtaking Plain of Six Glaciers • Stop 6 - Moraine Lake - the most stunning lake in the Rockies. Experience the absolutely breathtaking Valley of the Ten Peaks that surround the lake. Return to Banff as early as 1:45 PM or enjoy all the stops and come back to the town at 6 PM. On your way back to Banff open the windows and watch for wildlife along the famous Bow Valley Parkway. Grizzly bears, black bears, elk, bighorn sheep have all been spotted here. Your bus will stop for photos at any sighting. Enjoy your tour on the original yellow school bus style with a professional driver and a tour guide. All the buses all guaranteed to be 5 years old or newer. Guides on board each bus will help you plan your day on a 1 on 1 basis and give you a personalized itinerary that matches what you want to do. They also have extensive knowledge of nearly everything you would ever want to know about Banff and can help you with hiking suggestions, or even just great places to eat.

Canadian Rockies Combo: Helicopter Tour and Horseback Ride

3. Canadian Rockies Combo: Helicopter Tour and Horseback Ride

Embark on an unforgettable adventure in the Canadian Rockies. Your experience begins with a 20-minute helicopter ride. Admire the stunning views of the mountains, lakes, and glaciers from above. Your pilot will land where the Cline River and Waterfalls Creek meet. Hop off the helicopter and explore the natural beauty of the region on foot during a 1-hour easy hike. Take in the wild beauty of the backcountry as you trek up to Twin Falls.  Here you will enjoy your delicious picnic lunch. Once you have returned from your helicopter ride, continue the adventure with a 1-hour horseback ride. Marvel at sweeping views of the mountains, crystal clear rivers, and the epic Abraham Lake.

Banff National Park: 1-Hour Bow River Horseback Ride

4. Banff National Park: 1-Hour Bow River Horseback Ride

Start the tour in Banff where you will meet a member of the riding office, who will check you in and provide you a helmet for your ride. From here, walk back outside into the sunshine and meet your trusty horse. Using a step, climb onto your horse under the direction of your guide, and learn some basic horseback riding techniques. Follow your guide along the tranquil Bow River and past the historic Cave and Basin Hot springs - the original birthplace of Banff National Park. This area is home to wildlife in amongst the thick marshes and grassy meadows. Enjoy unspoiled views of the magnificent Rocky Mountains along the way. After 1 hour of scenic horseback riding, return to the stables, where you'll disembark and say goodbye to your horse with some farewell pats.

Kicking Horse River: Whitewater Rafting Half-Day Trip

5. Kicking Horse River: Whitewater Rafting Half-Day Trip

Enjoy an exhilarating whitewater rafting tour on the Kicking Horse River as you brave Class 2 to Class 4/4+ waters with a guide. Take on rapids such as Hopi's Hole, Cable Car, Table Saw, and the famous Portage and Shotgun. Your experience begins at the local partner's day lodge, conveniently located on the TransCanada Highway. After a warm welcome, your crew distributes top-of-the-line rafting gear (wetsuit, wetsuit booties and gloves, spray jackets, life jackets, and helmets). In the comfort of heated change rooms, change into the provided gear before taking a quick shuttle to the "put-in" (starting point), where you receive your extensive safety briefing before jumping in the river. This is the biggest whitewater river in the Rockies. Prepare to hold on and get wet. Enjoy the canyon environment and possibly get a glimpse of a mountain goat, wolf, or bear. Following your trip, another quick shuttle returns you back to the warmth of the base. Once changed back into dry and comfortable land clothes, enjoy snacks and a selection of hot and cold beverages. Stop by the gift shop for a souvenir or photo of the trip to take back home.

Kicking Horse River: Half-Day Intro to Whitewater Rafting

6. Kicking Horse River: Half-Day Intro to Whitewater Rafting

Get a perfect introduction to whitewater rafting on Class 1-3 rapids starting in Yoho National Park of Canada. Experience moderately-challenging rapids and the stunning scenery of the Canadian Rockies.  Check-in at the lodge conveniently located on TransCanada Highway #1. Be fitted with top-of-the-line gear and transported to the starting point of the rafting experience. Receive a thorough safety briefing before setting off on the river. Embark on a 90-minute downstream journey starting with the "Alarm Clock" rapid, which is sure to wake everyone up. In between the exciting rapids, take in the beautiful scenery surrounding you on all sides. Learn about the wildlife in the area, how the Kicking Horse River got its name, and how the river gets its beautiful blue color. Finish the rafting trip at "Hopi's Hole", which serves as an exciting grande finale. After the rafting, be taken back to the lodge to relax and warm up in the heated changing-rooms. Once back in warm, dry clothes, enjoy freshly baked goodies and seasonal fruit along with a selection of hot and cold beverages. Browse through the gift shop to pick up a souvenir t-shirt or photos from your experience.

Banff: Wagon Ride with Cowboy Cookout BBQ Lunch

7. Banff: Wagon Ride with Cowboy Cookout BBQ Lunch

Meet your guide at the stables in Banff, where your adventure will begin. After check in at the office, walk back outside into the sunshine and meet your trusty horse and wagon.  Embark on a 1-hour ride along the Bow River and past the historic Cave and Basin hot springs towards the lunch spot at 3 Mile Cabin. Upon arrival, let the cook know how you would like your steak cooked or first try a round of lassoing or horseshoes. Tuck into your cooked-to-order steak along with a baked potato, cowboy baked beans, Caesar salad, buns, and dessert. This sheltered lunch spot has comfortable picnic benches and there's plenty of time to relax by the fire or try some western style games after lunch if you prefer. After your tasty lunch, take a 1-hour ride back along the Sulphur Mountain Trail and up and around the Windy Knoll, where you can see dazzling views of the surrounding mountains. Back at the stables, disembark and say goodbye to your horse with some farewell pats.

Banff: Wildlife on the Bow River Big Canoe Tour

8. Banff: Wildlife on the Bow River Big Canoe Tour

Discover life on the Bow River in a 12-seat Canoe. Start the tour in the evening and learn fun facts about animal habitats, behaviors, and conservation in the region. Escape the bustling Banff streets and get back to nature. Enjoy paddling up the scenic Bow while keeping your eyes peeled for some of the locals like bald eagles, elk, muskrats, and maybe even “Barry” the resident beaver. Let our informative guides share the best practices for wildlife encounters and discover the challenges they face with increasing human interaction.

Banff National Park: 1-Hour Spray River Horseback Ride

9. Banff National Park: 1-Hour Spray River Horseback Ride

Embark on a horseback riding adventure as you breathe in the pine-spiced mountain air. Approach the Bow Falls and enjoy spectacular views. Pass by the famous Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course known as one of the most immaculately manicured courses in Canada. Continue along the edge of the Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course and cross through the waters once more. A partial climb up Sulphur Mountain brings you through a wooded residential area and back to the corrals. Enjoy a unique experience and cross the Spray River. On hotter days, your horse may even decide to cool itself off by splashing water onto its belly. Have an experience unlike anything else.

Banff: Wildlife and Sightseeing Minibus Tour

10. Banff: Wildlife and Sightseeing Minibus Tour

Get ready to explore the best of Banff, as you discover the history of the Bow Valley. Be picked up from your hotel in a modern minibus by your guide, and start your 3-hour experience. Learn about local wildlife while you keep watch for elk, deer, and bighorn sheep.  Visit Bow Falls, where many iconic movies from the 1950s were filmed. See the famous Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, known as the Castle of the Rockies. Stop at Lake Minnewanka, and learn the importance of wildlife management practices from your expert guide. Be amazed by iconic views from Surprise Corner and the Hoodoos Lookout. There will be plenty of stops along the route for you to enjoy the sights, snap photos, and walk to incredible viewpoints. At the end of your tour you'll be dropped off back in Banff.

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Frequently asked questions about Banff

What are the best day trips and excursions from Banff?

The best day trips and excursions from Banff are:

Banff National Park

Other Sightseeing Options in Banff

Want to discover all there is to do in Banff? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Banff

Overall rating

4.9 / 5

based on 9 reviews

I took my 11 yr. Old son. We are from Edmonton and have been to Banff many times. But we’ve never seen it like this! Our guide Jeff was AMAZING! Friendly and courteous, and he shared so much information about the town, and it’s history. He recommended places to eat and shop and visit after the tour on our own. He spoke about the wildlife in the area, resident wolves and bears and have us things to look up after about those animals. The bus was warm and clean, we really enjoyed it. Just the right length as well. I liked that Jeff didn’t try too hard in making cheesy jokes to entertain everyone. He was very knowledgeable, professional, friendly, and made everyone quite comfortable. I would request him as a guide again!

Our tour guide Jeff was so knowledgeable about the area as well as so personable. I highly recommend the tour. I was travelling with my teen and she loved it as well! Loved that he went above and beyond to make sure everyone was comfortable (it was -27 at the beginning of our tour)

Was only in Banff for one day so this was the perfects way to see all the important attractions in the park without the hassle of driving or trying to find parking. Would 100% recommend this to anyone visiting the park

My boyfriend and I loved it. The guide was great and the tour was super nice. It takes you to the main natural attractions in Banff and the lake part was a true adventure

The guide Annika was very informative, had lots of photos to hand around and show different aspects of the tour, good stops for viewing