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Day trip to Winter Banff, Gondola,Basin and Cave,Lake Minnewanka
3.4
11 Ratings
Calgary
Experience the beauty of Banff National Park on a day tour to Sulphur Mountain. Ride the Banff Gondola for breathtaking views and enjoy winter activities like Upper Hot Springs and Horse Sleigh rides.
Duration:
10 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Surprise Corner - The Surprise Corner is renowned for its breathtaking views of the grand Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, nestled in the heart of a dense forest with the stunning Sulphur Mountain as a backdrop. This picturesque scene is enhanced by the Bow River cascading into the Bow Falls in the foreground. The magnificent view at Surprise Corner will make you feel as if you’ve stepped into a fairytale.
- Bow Falls - The awe-inspiring sight and the powerful sound of aqua green water crashing over limestone is truly an unforgettable experience. Bow Falls is a shallow but wide waterfall on the Bow River. Several Hollywood films from the 1950s were shot here! Famous Hollywood star Marilyn Monroe was once swept over Bow Falls while filming “River of No Return.”
- Banff Gondola - At Banff Gondola (Optional Activity with additional fees), you can enjoy the stunning scenery that surrounds you from a 360-degree rooftop observation deck with glass fencing. The breathtaking sunsets reflecting on the snowy mountains is a sight you will never forget. (*Banff Gondola is closed for annual maintenance from Nov 4-15, during which this attraction and the Banff Upper Hot Springs itineraries will be replaced by Bow Lake and Peyto Lake)
- Town of Banff - Enjoy a delightful lunch stop in the charming town of Banff, where you can explore local dining options and soak in the vibrant atmosphere.
- Cave and Basin National Historic Site - History enthusiasts will love exploring the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, the birthplace of the Canadian national parks system.
- Lake Minnewanka - Lake Minnewanka, a vast lake offering perfect photo opportunities.
- Two Jack Lake - Two Jack Lake, known for its serene waters and ideal setting for nature lovers.
What's Included
- Traffic Accident Liability
- Bilingual guide service (Mandarin/English)
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Gratuities
What's Not Included
- Meals & All Personal Expenses such as laundry, phone & travel insurance.
- Optional add-on Activities, Excursion and Tours listed on the itinerary
- Meals are not included in this package
Additional Information
Discover the highlights of Banff National Park in just one day with this expertly crafted tour. Enjoy panoramic views from Surprise Corner, capture stunning photos at Bow Falls, and soak in the serenity of Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake. For history buffs, a visit to the Cave and Basin National Historic Site offers insight into the birthplace of Canada’s national parks.
What makes this tour stand out is its versatility—whether you’re seeking adventure or a relaxed day of sightseeing, it has something for everyone. Optional add-ons like the Banff Gondola provide even more breathtaking views. With convenient pick-up from Calgary, Canmore, or Banff, this tour offers the perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and history, making it an ideal choice for exploring the best of Banff in one day.
- Any of the Optional add-on Activities, Excursion, Tours, and meals must be booked at least 10 days prior to tour start. All add-on items are subject the availability.
- This is a combined bus tour. Besides the regular Pickup and drop-off locations, additional points may be added to the tour.
- If for any reason you need to leave our group during the trip, you must fill out a “Letter of Liability Release”, no exceptions.
- If you have special needs (such as but not limited to: bed type, vegetarian options, high-chairs, etc.) please inform us at least 7 days before your trip. We will do our best to accommodate you, but there is no guarantee.
- If you have a connecting international flight after the tour, please ensure that your flight departs after 10:30 pm.（Please understand that depending on schedule, traffic and weather conditions, your arrival time in Calgary may be adjusted ）
- Westar will not be responsible for the performance of this Agreement if prevented or delayed by acts of God, strikes or other labour relations matters, accidents, weather, traffic, airport conditions, lack of performance by third-party suppliers, or other causes beyond Westar’s reasonable control from meeting its terms. Nor will Westar be responsible for any loss or damage relating to trip cancellations or any other cancellations.
Location
Best Western Premier Calgary Plaza Hotel & Conference Centre
33 Street Northeast
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
3.4
(11 Ratings)
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1 star
Kenhb8564ol
Dec 27, 2023
Fantastic and beyond amazement experience. - Banff is such a splendid resort area that comprised of many many activities from horseback riding to rafting. Though I had not been able to do all of these sorts of things nevertheless I was in such an astounding discovery in that little trip. It was all well worth it for a short yet sweet excursion, especially came from the most thirsty state of California where not only crimes infested but fill with human nuisances. Banff gave me an out of this world touch in both soul and physical realms. I am glad I had made such choice to come to this place. I am sure there will be more similar trips like that in the near future --- since Canada will be my final stopping place in my old age.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Revuall
Oct 12, 2023
An amazing vantage point to view Banff and surrounding countryside. - While spending a couple of days in Banff, we did a day tour which included riding the gondola up Sulphur Mountain.
We had done this when visiting Banff in the winter for skiing but that was maybe 15 years ago - this was our first summer visit.
The extra building and ammenities (that have been built since our last visit) at the top of the mountain are now amazing - a wide range of food outlets and even a walk way to a near by peak.
Photo opportunities are endless from the top and it is certainly a must do activity when in Banff!
Certainly worth 5 out of 5 from every point of view.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jessica_w
Nov 22, 2022
Adding the gondola ride... - Adding the gondola ride is a must! It makes the experience even better. Everything else was great and worth it
Review provided by Viator
Vinod_b
Jan 17, 2020
Day trip to Banff was splendid - Spectacular views of Rocky Mountain range and a beautiful Banff town with a natural Hot spring. This town is a winter wonderland with all the necessary amenities. Must visit winter place with a breathtaking drive by the Canadian Rockies.
Review provided by Viator
Jilayner
Oct 3, 2023
Great gondola trip, hot springs disappointing and all a little pricey - Gondola was a bit pricey but well worth it, fabulous mountain views. Hot springs were nice but it's all a bit grubby and tired, showers didn't work, no drinking water in ladies changing rooms and for a 10 min dip was very over priced - although the 10 mins were very nice !
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Erika_m
Nov 19, 2023
Poor advertisement - We felt rushed the whole tour. The tour guide kept emphasizing on us, the non mandarin speaking, to be on time. Especially rushing us because some people in the party had a flight to catch therefore minimizing our tour time. The tour was supposed to be from 800-1800 but we were dropped off before 1600. They should specify that this is an exclusive mandarin speaking tour.
Review provided by Viator
Raji_s
Nov 12, 2023
Gondola visit was... - Gondola visit was canceled. Hot springs trip, that we were looking forward to, was cancelled. Lunch stop was not up to par. Driver was in a hurry and driving well over the speed limit.
Review provided by Viator
Coggs27
Sep 1, 2023
DO NOT BOOK! - I am leaving a second review because i have complained and had very little response and the response i have had has been unsatisfactory. I have asked to speak to someone higher multiple times and i have been ignored. This company has no customer service, does not want to compensate me for a horrendous experience, despite giving them plenty of time to deal with this.
I cannot stress this enough - DO NOT BOOK with them, use anyone else, you will regret it. If someone deals with my complaint i will gladly advise that they have some level of customer service but until then they will not resolve your issues.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Carolinne_silveira
Feb 19, 2020
Don´t waste your money! - Terrible tour guide!!! He just left me behind in the gondola!
We were supposed to meet 12:10 The gondola takes around 10 min to go up or down and the gondola was SUPER crowded, with a huge line to get down.
he asked me where was I at 12:12, I reply 12:13 saying that a was going down in the gondola and 2:14 I saw him just leaving behind because I was almost hitting the ground. I had never been experienced such a terrible feeling. My telephone died and ALL my stuff was inside of the van and he knew it. It is impossible to " hurry up" when you are in the middle of it, and knowing that I was already in the middle of the way, he could wait more 2 min, but no, he left me there. 12:15 I was there and I had to wait for 1 hour till he came back. This is absurd! he knew it that I was in the middle of the way and he chooses not to wait for me. What should I do? jump off the gondola?
BUT THIS IS NOT ALL!!!
I paid for a tour in English, not in Chinese. 95% of the time he chooses to speak in Chinese. On the tour, there was me and more 3 women and these 3 speak English and Chinese. How do I know? because I spoke with them in English, but again, the tour guide choose to keep almost all talking in Chinese. It was possible to notice the full information was given in Chinese and just some enlightenment in English, maybe he is more comfortable talking in Chinese, but I paid for a tour in English and English was the language that everyone had in common.
BUT THERE IS MORE!!!
After all this frustration, it was time to him drop me off in Calgary, so when we arrived he said that I MUST pay him $10 tip. What?!?! If I'm going to give a tip for someone is because I want and no for an obligation, and the person at least needs to give me a decent service, also the amount it will be me who decides! I didn't pay and he got super mad because if it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lindseymariecoffey
Jan 17, 2020
Horrible agency - I have nothing negative to say about our guide he was great, however the planning on the company’s end was very unprofessional and upsetting.
Our itinerary was altered without notification. We didn’t receive options for the change let alone become aware we weren’t going to the places on the list.
Two out of our four venues were altered due to maintenance and one of them was known very far in advance where the company could have informed us. The two shut down were the Gondola ride and Hot Springs, both the biggest and well known attractions in Banff.
The Gondola was shut down for the entire week for annual maintenance, a schedule all locals and especially travel agents know yet there was no mention on the tours website. The hot spring was shut down last minute and the guide adjusted as best as he could and it was greatly appreciated.
Overall, the tour company did not reimburse us for missed attractions nor explain their actions of providing misleading itineraries on the website.
This was an even bigger upset for us because the rerouted places we went to, we were seeing the next day on a different tour. Therefore we paid to see the same attraction twice with no reimbursement, refund, or even apology.
I will not use this company again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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