Why choose this Banff tour ?
Don’t miss a thing as GuideAlong’s Canadian Rockies Audio Tour takes you on an incredible journey through craggy mountains, sparkling lakes, and ancient glaciers. Along the way, you’ll be guided to all of the area’s famous highlights while you spot wildlife along with the world’s most scenic drives.
This self-guided audio tour helps you discover more on your road trip with fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, local tips, and directions that play automatically along the drive.
Enjoy the freedom to explore offline at your own pace so you can spend more time at places that interest you, and bypass any that don’t.
Make the most of your Banff adventure
What makes Self-Guided Audio Tours for the Canadian Rockies a unique experience ?
One of the classic experiences in Banff is to take the gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain, where you can take in 360-degree mountaintop views across six ranges.
Follow the boardwalks that lead to the Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station. You may even see some bighorn sheep alongside the boardwalks. Enjoy the new bistro, coffee, and market-style dining while you watch the sunset.
Located on the Bow River in Banff near the Banff Springs Hotel, just before the confluence of the Spray River.
Water levels will dramatically change throughout the year, especially during the spring thaw. A small car park and trail lead to a higher viewing area. The view of Bow Falls was the clincher in determining the site to build the Banff Springs Hotel.
The view across to the Banff Springs Hotel, Bow Falls below, and Sulphur and Rundle Mountains as a backdrop, has surprised visitors for over a century.
There is a small carpark and viewing platform across the road. It’s also a blind corner, so watch for traffic.
The Cave and Basin National Historic Site of Canada area was well known and used by First Nations people, but it was in 1883, that 3 railway workers stumbled on the cave and its thermal mineral springs. It was an event that triggered much interest and tourism for the area and ultimately to the establishment of Canada’s first national park, Banff National Park.
Tour the Interpretive Centre, and boardwalks to see the original underground cave and the endangered tiny Banff Springs snail.
Travellers originally came to Banff to “take the waters” as part of a health retreat in the mountains. Soaking in the hot mineral springs mix of sulphate, calcium, bicarbonate, magnesium and sodium.
Water temperature ranges between 37-40C/98-104F and these are the only hot springs where you can bathe in Banff National Park. They are located just above the Banff Gondola base station.
Lake Minnewanka – meaning “water of the spirits” in Nakoda – is a glacial lake that has been expanded through the building of 3 small dams. Small cruise boats tour the length of the lake (21km / 13 miles) and can be an excellent way to see animals along the shoreline and learn about the discovery of Aboriginal artifacts, which date back 10,000 years ago.
The (6.4km/4 miles return) Stewart Canyon hike is an easy and rewarding hiking trail, and locals and travelers alike enjoy an ice cream or having a BBQ while taking in the spectacular mountain views.
Known as hoodoos, fairy chimneys or goblins throughout the world, these geological formations are an excellent example the power of rain, wind and ice, eroding rock and leaving behind teetering spires. An easy flat trail leads to the viewpoint that captures the hoodoos, the Bow River and Rundle Mountain.
This trio of shallow, wetland lakes, close to the edge of town can be an excellent place for viewing wildlife; many birds, coyotes and occassionally bear and moose.
It’s a lovely easy walk or bike ride from downtown. You can also access via canoe from along the Bow River when the water levels spill into Echo Creek.
The old Trans Canada Highway 1A drive connecting Banff and Lake Louise is dramatically framed by impressive peaks and provides a slower, more relaxed alternative than the fast Highway 1. There are many scenic viewpoints along the route. Two of the most iconic are the views of Castle Mountain and Morant’s Curve where you can attempt to reproduce the famous historic photograph used to market visiting the Park by train.
The most visited attraction along the route is Johnston Canyon, a relatively easy hike that includes metal walkways bolted to canyon walls. The Lower Falls is a scenic reward for completing the trail. Those wanting more can continue an uphill hike to the Upper Falls.
The Bow Valley Parkway is an excellent place to view wildlife.
One of the most popular natural attractions in Banff National Park is the short hike to Johnston Canyon. It’s a relatively easy 1.1 km (1 mile) walk along the trail and steel catwalks built into the canyon walls to the Lower Falls, where you have the option to crouch to go through a short tunnel to a final viewing platform.
Continue on the trail a bit further (and steeper) to the Upper Falls. In the summertime, the cool canyon provides a natural air-conditioning affect with the fine mist from the falls. In the winter, all this freezes and turns into an icy landscape of frozen waterfalls and snowed covered trees.
The Valley of the Ten Peaks, is considered so iconically Canadian and was featured on the Canadian $20 bill for many years. Enjoy canoeing, a short walk to the Rockpile Viewpoint or Consolation Lake, or a delicious meal at Moraine Lake Lodge. Moraine Lake is typically thawed from June-Oct.
This incredibly scenic drive will no doubt be a highlight of your tour in the Canadian Rockies. It has been voted the World’s Most Beautiful Mountain Drive. You can drive the Icefields Parkway in either direction.
Along the way, we’ll point out the must-do stops of the drive, as well as places that you may want to explore if you have lots of time. Be amazed by the incredible mountains, brightly coloured lakes and glaciers that line the road. The thundering waterfalls are amazing and your chances of spotting wildlife are excellent.
Yoho National Park is the continuation of the National Parks system immediately to the west of Lake Louise. There are 3 very worthwhile places to explore in Yoho and some extra short-stops along the way too.
Takakkaw Falls are the biggest and the mightiest of the many incredible waterfalls in the Canadian Rockies and you will enjoy feeling the mist from this glacier-fed cascade. The drive through Yoho Valley to the falls is often a lucky place for spotting wildlife and there are other short scenic stops to make along the way.
The road usually does not open until June due to avalanche hazards.
The Rockies has many spectularly-coloured alpine lakes, surrounded by gorgeous mountain peaks, Even with many to choose from, Emerald Lake is an outstanding example and not to be missed. AFter the initial thrill of viewing the lake, there is the option to enjoy a flat hike around its perimeter or even paddle a canoe on its blue water. One of the Rockies premier lakeside lodges is located on the shore of Emerald Lake and provides a great option for a casual or more gourmet lunch option.
There’s also a bonus quick stop to be enjoyed at Natural Bridge on the access road to Emerald Lake.
Tour Description & Additional Info:
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Minimum mobile OS version iOS 15 / Android 9 (Pie). iPad models with GPS chip.
Options To Choose for Your Trip:
- Self-Guided Audio Tours for the Canadian Rockies
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Self-Guided Audio Tours for the Canadian Rockies Inclusions:
Included with Your Ticket
- Support: Toll free phone, chat and email
- Easy To Use: Pre-download and tour offline
- Trip Planners: In-app, web and PDF
- Location Based: Stories, tips & directions that autoplay
- GuideAlong (GyPSy Guide) Audio Tour: 520 Points
- One-Time Purchase: No time or date use limit or expiry
- Flexible Routes: Suggested itineraries or create your own
Not Included
- National Park Passes
- Attractions (Banff Gondola, Hot Springs, Cave & Basin) ticket prices vary.
Trending Banff Nearby Tours Likely To Sell Out
Special Instructions:
- This Tour is Provided by GuideAlong (GyPSy Guide).
- Tour Timezone & Starts at America/Edmonton.
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- This Tour is Rated 5 Stars based on 16 valid reviews on VIATOR.
- Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
- Maximum 8 Travelers is accepted for booking.
HOW TO GET YOUR GUIDEALONG AUDIO TOUR:
1. SIGN IN + REDEEM your VOUCHER CODE: https://store.guidealong.com/voucher
2. DOWNLOAD the GuideAlong App
3. SIGN IN to the GuideAlong app with the same Apple or Google account as Step 1
4. DOWNLOAD and OPEN the Audio Tour NOW
*These instructions are also sent via a separate email & text/sms: “Instructions for GuideAlong Audio Tour” or “Your Tour Operator Sent You a Message About Your (Viator) Booking”. Check your junk/spam folder.
PRE-DOWNLOAD THE APP & TOUR NOW
You must pre-download both the GuideAlong app and audio tour files to your phone (audio, maps & images) over reliable wifi or cellular service, before your drive out of signal.
There’s no date/time limit or expiry to use the audio tour, and no data connection is required while touring.
If you are able to OPEN your tour and see the START DRIVING button, you have successfully downloaded all files and are ready to tour.
CHARGING & SOUND
We do not recommend connecting your phone directly into the vehicle usb port. Instead use a usb/c car charger adapter plug into the auxiliary power outlet (cigarette car lighter). It prevents any automatic secondary pairing between your phone and the vehicle for sound and provides a stronger charging option.
HELP & SUPPORT
Have a question – we’re here to help! Lots of information is included in the app and even more is available on our website. Alternatively you can leave a message for support callback toll 18664771791, chat online or email us at info@guidealong.com.