Banff to Jasper Columbia Icefield Glacier Walk Private VIP Tour

5.0
(5 reviews)
Banff, Canada

12 to 13 hours (approximately)
Pickup offered
Offered in: English

Let someone else do the driving while you relax and enjoy the world-famous Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper. Travel through the heart of the Canadian Rockies, surrounded by glaciers, turquoise lakes, and the possibility of wildlife sightings along the way. Key highlights include Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, and the Athabasca Glacier.

Visit the iconic Columbia Icefields, with an optional Ice Explorer & Sky-walk experience (tickets required). Throughout the journey, enjoy additional scenic stops, photo opportunities, and breathtaking mountain views.

Additional stops may include Weeping Wall, Athabasca River Viewpoint, Stutfield Glacier Viewpoint, Big Bend Viewpoint, Tangle Creek Falls, or Saskatchewan River Crossing / Howse Pass viewpoint, depending on time and guest preferences.

This is a small-group tour designed for a more comfortable and personalized experience.

**Please note:** The Columbia Icefields Discovery Centre is closed seasonally from mid-October to early May.

What's Included

Both national Park entry fee
Hotel pickup and drop-off service
Air-conditioned comfortable transportation
Experienced local guides
Complimentary bottled water
**Optional** Athabasca Glacier Ice Explorer & Skywalk experiences can be purchase directly on site.
Personal expenses, including optional activities and travel insurance
Gratuities (highly appreciated)

Meeting and pickup

Pickup points
You can choose a pickup location at checkout (multiple pickup locations are available).
Pickup details:

Please select your preferred pickup location and be ready at least 10 minutes before your scheduled pickup time..

Pickup is available from Calgary downtown, the Canmore area, Banff town, and Lake Louise Village. If you require a different pickup location, please choose your preferred location or contact us in advance to arrange your pickup.

If you are staying at a hotel, resort, or other accommodation, please wait in the main lobby during your morning pickup. For your convenience, your personal driver-guide will contact you one day before the tour to confirm the exact pickup time, provide detailed pickup instructions, and share their direct contact information.

If you have not heard from your driver-guide by the day before your tour, please contact us directly, and we will be happy to assist you.

Itinerary

Duration: 12 to 13 hours (approximately)
  • 1
    Crowfoot Glacier

    Enjoy a scenic stop at the famous Crowfoot Glacier viewpoint along the breathtaking Icefields Parkway. Named for its original shape resembling a crow’s foot, this impressive glacier hangs high above Bow Lake and offers spectacular Rocky Mountain scenery. Guests will have time to take photos, admire the dramatic glacier views, and experience one of the most iconic natural landmarks in the Canadian Rockies.

    10 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 2
    Bow Lake

    ***Origin of Bow River*** Fed by the Bow Glacier and Wapta Icefield, this area is known for its pure glacial waters and calm alpine setting. Visit Bow Lake, a serene alpine lake nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Surrounded by towering mountain peaks and glaciers, the lake offers crystal-clear waters perfect for photography and quiet reflection. Travellers can stroll along the lakeshore, take in sweeping panoramic views, and immerse themselves in the peaceful beauty of Banff National Park’s pristine wilderness.

    20 minutes Admission ticket included
  • 3
    Peyto Lake

    ***Famous Wolf-Head Shaped Lake*** Discover the breathtaking Peyto Lake, famous for its striking turquoise waters shaped like a wolf’s head and set against the dramatic peaks of the Canadian Rockies. A short walk to the viewpoint offers panoramic vistas, perfect for photography and soaking in the natural beauty. This iconic lake is a must-visit destination for travellers seeking unforgettable scenery and a true taste of Banff National Park’s pristine wilderness.

    30 minutes Admission ticket included
  • 4
    Waterfowl Lakes

    Waterfowl Lakes offers a quiet stretch of the Icefields Parkway, where two glacial lakes sit beneath towering peaks and dense forest. The area feels less crowded and more untouched, giving a true sense of wilderness in the Rockies. Nearby, the pyramid-shaped Mount Chephren adds to the dramatic scenery and creates stunning reflections in the water when the lake is calm. The still, reflective surface often mirrors the surrounding mountains, especially on calm mornings. It is a peaceful stop to take in the scenery, stretch briefly, and appreciate the raw natural beauty that defines this remote section of the national park.

    15 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 5

    This canyon is a powerful natural formation where rushing glacier-fed water has carved deep, twisting shapes into solid limestone over thousands of years. It is a hidden gem nestled inside the forest, where the river funnels through narrow rock walls with strong force and constant movement. The sound of fast-flowing water and the rugged rock formations create a dramatic contrast, making it one of the most impressive short stops along the Icefields Parkway.

    30 minutes Admission ticket included
  • 6

    Saskatchewan River Crossing is a historic meeting point of three major rivers—the North Saskatchewan, the Howse River, and the Mistaya River—surrounded by wide valley views and mountain scenery. It serves as a natural rest point along the Icefields Parkway, offering open landscapes and a sense of the region’s wilderness and geographic significance. Nearby, Howse Pass Viewpoint adds to the experience with expansive views over a remote mountain pass framed by layered peaks and deep valleys, highlighting the vast and untouched beauty of the Rockies.

    10 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 7

    Weeping Wall is a dramatic cliffside formation along the Icefields Parkway where meltwater flows continuously down the sheer rock face, especially visible during the warmer months. The tall limestone walls create a striking natural backdrop, with multiple streams cascading down like thin silver ribbons. In winter, these waterfalls often freeze into massive ice columns, making the area equally impressive year-round.

    10 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 8
    Athabasca Glacier

    Athabasca Glacier is one of the most accessible and most visited glaciers in North America, forming part of the vast Columbia Ice-fields one of the largest icefields in the Canadian Rockies. **Optional activity tickets (Ice Explorer & Skywalk) can be purchased at the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre.** * Ice Explorer & Skywalk Combo: Adult $156 | Child $102 * Skywalk Separte ticket (Glass Bridge over the Sunwapta Valley): Adult $54 | Child $36 Guests have the option to book the Ice Explorer and Skywalk experiences, or take a 15–20 minute hike right to the toe of the Athabasca Glacier, where they can observe how the glacier has retreated significantly over the past 125 years—by almost 1.5 km. The landscape feels stark and powerful, with a mix of ice, rock, and wind-shaped terrain that reflects the changing nature of the Rockies. This stop offers a close look at a true ice-age relic that continues to shape the surrounding environment.

    3 hours Admission ticket not included
  • 9
    Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre

    ***Lunch stop*** After completing the Ice Explorer or Skywalk activities, guests can unwind with a lunch break at this scenic stop before continuing the journey.

    50 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 10
    Columbia Icefield Skywalk

    Guests can experience the Columbia Icefield Skywalk, a glass-floored platform built along the edge of a cliff overlooking the Sunwapta Valley. It offers a unique perspective of the surrounding mountains and glacier-carved landscape from above. **Optional activity tickets (Ice Explorer & Skywalk) can be purchased at the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre.** * Ice Explorer & Skywalk Combo: Adult $156 | Child $102 * Skywalk (separate ticket, Glass Bridge over the Sunwapta Valley): Adult $54 | Child $36 As we are unable to stop directly at the Columbia Icefield Skywalk due to parking limitations and no roadside stopping access, guests have the option to book the Ice Explorer and Skywalk experiences at the Discovery Centre or continue the journey toward Tangle Creek. The Skywalk is located above the Sunwapta Valley and offers stunning elevated views.

    1 hour Admission ticket not included
  • 11
    Tangle Creek Falls

    Tangle Creek Falls is a beautiful, painting-like waterfall along the Icefields Parkway, where water cascades down multiple rock layers beside the highway. It offers easy access and a scenic setting, giving guests a chance to view and photograph the flowing mountain water and the surrounding rocky landscape.

    10 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 12
    Stutfield Glacier Viewpoint

    Stutfield Glacier Viewpoint offers a striking view of a hanging glacier cascading down rugged mountain slopes, surrounded by sharp peaks and dramatic alpine terrain. The glacier’s layered ice formations and surrounding rock faces create a powerful contrast that highlights the raw, evolving nature of the Canadian Rockies—like a frozen river flowing. It is part of the Columbia Icefields glacial system.

    10 minutes Admission ticket included
  • 13
    Sunwapta Falls and Canyon

    Sunwapta Falls is a powerful waterfall formed by glacier-fed water rushing through a narrow canyon before dropping into a deep, rocky gorge. The surrounding landscape is rugged and remote, enhancing the dramatic atmosphere of the location. It showcases the raw force of water carving through stone over time and stands as a striking example of nature’s power and a memorable stop along the Icefields Parkway.

    30 minutes Admission ticket included
  • 14
    Athabasca Falls

    Athabasca Falls is one of the most powerful waterfalls in Jasper National Park, where glacier-fed water forces its way through a narrow canyon carved into solid rock. The intense flow creates a dramatic drop and a constant roar, with viewing platforms offering close-up perspectives of the rushing water and deep canyon walls. Surrounded by rugged forest and mountain scenery, it is a striking example of the raw power of nature along the Icefields Parkway.

    30 minutes Admission ticket included

Additional info

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Supplied by Wild Northern Journey
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Tags

Private and Luxury
Private Sightseeing Tours
Luxury Car Tours
Involves Animals
Additional fees
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

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

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Rating

5.0 Based on 5 5 reviews
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