Top Alberta Half-day Tours

Experience the most incredible sights in Jasper National Park’s Maligne Valley during this guided excursion to the region’s most scenic lakes and majestic canyons. Check out Medicine Lake, Maligne Canyon, and Maligne Lake during your trip, keeping your eyes out for area wildlife and learning about the unique natural history (and more recent human settlement) of the Canadian Rockies. Over the course of the day, you also get to enjoy short walks through the beautiful scenery, and choose between a boat ride or guided hike at Maligne Lake. Your Maligne Valley trip also includes round-trip transport from your Jasper hotel.

The Maligne Valley lies within the expansive Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada. With this tour, navigate the rugged scenery with ease and reach some of the region’s most spectacular landscapes in comfort. Discover top natural attractions such as Maligne Canyon and Medicine Lake on foot, and enjoy a scenic cruise on Maligne Lake. Along the way, keep watch for sightings of native bears, eagles, elk, and moose in their natural habitat.

Discover Lake Louise and Moraine Lake on this guided tour from Banff. Located inside the Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the lakes are well-known for their distinct turquoise hues. Gain insight into the area’s mountaineering history, admire views of the Valley of Ten Peaks and leave with plenty of frame-worthy photos. Round-trip transportation is included on this small-group tour. Don’t miss this seasonal tour that operates from April to November.

Explore the historic landmarks and natural wonders near the town of Banff on this half-day, small-group tour. Admire the unparalleled beauty of natural sights including Bow Falls, the surreal Hoodoos rock formation, and beautiful Lake Minnewanka, among others. This guided tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Banff, a professional guide, and light refreshments.

Admire diverse animal life in the Canadian wilderness on this 3.5-hour evening wildlife discovery tour from Jasper. Delve into Jasper National Park with your guide. Travel through the mighty Athabasca Valley and marvel at the park’s beautiful landscapes by twilight. Seek out timid native wildlife such as coyotes, deer, elk, big-horned sheep, moose, mountain goats and wolves. Learn of the steps taken to ensure their safety and survival in the park, and gain insight into the region’s rich ecology, history and geology.

Maximize your views of Banff National Park with minimal exertion during this round-trip gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain. Take in views of six different mountain ranges and nearby rivers aboard your state-of-the-art alpine transport, offering large windows and seating for four guests. Enjoy time exploring the ridge line boardwalk before returning back to town.

Take your visit to Jasper National Park to new heights with this ride aboard the area’s famous Jasper SkyTram. Soar above the park’s sub-alpine vegetation, watching for wildlife down below, as you gently climb towards the upper station located at 7,425 feet (2,263m) above sea level. This family-friendly ride on the Jasper SkyTram is the perfect experience for guests of all ages.

Combine visits to the Glacier Skywalk and the Athabasca Glacier on a tour from the Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre. Ride in a huge ice explorer for a guided tour of the glacier and listen to engaging commentary about glaciers, the local ecosystem, and environmental changes. Then walk on the glass-bottom Skywalk for photo-worthy views over the cliff's edge.

Discover the awe-inspiring mountain scenery and massive glaciers of Alberta’s Rocky Mountain region on this full-day Banff glacier tour to the Columbia Icefields. As you follow one of the world’s most famous mountain drives, the Icefield Parkway, you’ll stop at stunning Lake Louise, Crowfoot Glacier and Peyto Lake before the tour culminates in an all-terrain ride on the Ice Explorer through the amazing Columbia Icefields. This day trip includes roundtrip transport from multiple locations in Banff, a knowledgeable guide and buffet lunch.

Join an animal-spotting bus tour in Banff National Park, observing the park’s amazing wildlife at dusk on this 2-hour, small-group tour that’s perfect for nature enthusiasts. Enjoy Banff’s beautiful landscapes in the evening searching for elk, deer, bears and more because each tour has a 95% success rate of viewing animals in their natural environment. You'll also hear about the park's efforts to protect animals and their habitat from your expert guide.

Saddle up for a journey through the celebrated landscape of Banff National Park on this guided horseback riding adventure. Get out of the car and onto the trails of the Bow River or the Spray River and enjoy the area’s beautiful outdoor environment, largely unchanged from the days of the pioneers. This equine-themed odyssey includes a guide, use of a horse, and all necessary equipment.

Show your foodie side some love on this walking food tour of Jasper. The mountain town has come a long way from it’s humble beginnings without losing sight of what makes it special. The same can be said for the restaurant scene, and this is the perfect chance to explore it! Spend about three hours visiting four restaurants, sampling a specialty of the house dish and boozy beverage.

In the cool and quiet evening climate, Jasper’s wildlife comes out in force. Experience Jasper National Park at this special time of day on an evening wildlife tour led by an expert guide. Travel around the park with ease and visit seasonal spots inhabited by grizzly bears, mountain goats, pocket-sized squirrels, and more. This small-group tour, limited to 15 people, includes hotel pickup and drop-off.

Discover the amazing, underground world of caves on this half-day, small-group guided cave explorer tour with all equipment included. Follow your guide through the twists and turns of this subterranean world, crawling past prehistoric bones and observing centuries-old rock formations. Choose to explore lesser-travelled places in the cave and wriggle through manhole-cover sized passages (optional) to test yourself in this rugged environment.

Take on the Class II and Class III white-water rapids of the Sunwapta River with a 4-hour rafting adventure from Jasper, following the dramatic Endless Chain Ridge through Jasper National Park. You’ll paddle alongside an experienced river guide, splashing over an 8-mile (13-km) stretch of fun rapids. This 4-hour whitewater rafting trip includes all necessary equipment and instruction, as well as round-trip transport from a central location in Jasper.

Take an unexpected winter excursion through the landscape of Banff as you search for the park’s famous wildlife on this tour. Head out on a nature-spotting tour to observe animals and learn about their ability to survive the cold winter months. Your morning tour includes round-trip transportation, a professional guide, a light snack and hot chocolate.

Widely considered the Banff National Park’s top attraction, Lake Louise is transformed in winter into a snowy wonderland—but booking transportation to reach it independently from Banff is time-consuming. This hassle-free transfer service includes round-trip travel from central Banff, with interpretive commentary from your guide along the way. Enjoy free time to explore Lake Louise at leisure, with snow-shoes and warming refreshments included.

Enjoy the unique experience of walking on a glacier on this small-group tour. As your guide leads you across the majestic Athabasca Glacier in the Canadian Rockies you'll get insights into its many incredible ice formations such as crevasses, mill wells, meltwater streams, and icefalls. Equipment is provided and no technical climbing experience is required.

Mineral spring pools known for their ochre colors, the Paint Pots are considered among the Kootenay National Park’s top attractions—but reaching them in the winter months isn’t easy. On this snowshoeing tour, hike with ease through the deep snow drifts and soak up the Canadian wilderness scenery. Savor hot chocolate and hot maple taffy, and enjoy personal attention from your guide on this small-group tour—limited to 12 people.

Get up close and personal with the Athabasca Glacier on this small-group guided hike across rock, snow, and ice. Walk in the shadow of soaring peaks and discover the hidden wonders of the glacier as your guide shares stories about its history and geology. For those who want to take it to the next level, your guide will look for opportunities to descend below the ice surface.

Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are widely considered the most beautiful corners of the Banff National Park, but their popularity means they can get busy with nature-loving sightseers. On this tour, visit Lake Louise and Moraine Lake in the evening and admire the scenery when the crowds have gone. Spot native wildlife along the Bow Valley Parkway and enjoy dinner in a log cabin in the Baker Creek Mountain Resort.

Explore the Jasper Valley on two wheels and at your own pace with this private cycling tour that is just for you and your travel companions. Your guide will take you out on trails that are suited to your experience and confidence level while filling you in on the history of the area and looking out for wildlife such as elk, deer and birds.

Immerse yourself in Canada's stunning winter landscape on a 4-hour snowshoe tour from Banff to Kootenay National Park. Follow your guide through Marble Canyon and keep your eyes peeled for moose and wolf tracks. The 2-mile (3km) route is along mostly flat terrain and perfect for first time snowshoers. You also enjoy a hot chocolate break with the opportunity to make your own maple taffy in the snow.

Combine sightseeing with an adrenaline-pumping adventure on this small-group day tour from Banff or Canmore. You'll soak up the sights as you raft down the Kananaskis River, one of Alberta's most pristine waterways. Keep an eye out for wildlife such as bald eagles, bears and deer as you navigate the periodic rapids.