Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls & Canadian Rockies Hidden Gems
5
Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls & Canadian Rockies Hidden Gems
By Radventures
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About
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 12-90, max of 12 per group
Duration: 8h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More
- Expert & fun local guide with lots of local secrets to share!
- Small group guarantee (Max 12 guests)
- Upscale, modern & spacious transportation with large panoramic windows
- Water refills (please BYO water bottle)
- Onboard cooler to keep drinks & lunch cold
- Entry/Admission - Marble Canyon
- Entry/Admission - Lower Spiral Tunnels Viewpoint
- Entry/Admission - Emerald Lake
- Entry/Admission - Natural Bridge
- Entry/Admission - Yoho National Park
What's not included- Hotel pick-up in Banff or Lake Louise (please contact Radventures BEFORE booking for availability)
- Guide gratuities (not mandatory but greatly appreciated)
- Lunch & snacks (please BYO or contact Radventures BEFORE booking to add-on a picnic lunch)
- Start:
- Banff Train Station, 327 Railway Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1A1, CanadaFor select hotel pick-ups in Banff, Canmore & Lake Louise please contact Radventures BEFORE booking for availability. Please meet your guide at the front of the Banff Train Station building and allow an extra 5 minutes for parking and walking to the meeting point if you are driving.
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 299389P6- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Children 5 and under are unable to join our small group adventures
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travellers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 299389P6
From
C$287.50
per adult
Select date and travellers
Similar experiences
Itinerary
- 327 Railway Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1A1, CanadaFor select hotel pick-ups in Banff, Canmore & Lake Louise please contact Radventures BEFORE booking for availability. Please meet your guide at the front of the Banff Train Station building and allow an extra 5 minutes for parking and walking to the meeting point if you are driving.
- Pass byKootenay National Park
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- 5Pass byYoho National Park
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- Safari401048423630 contributionsAmazing tour- would highly recommend!Amazing tour- Michael F was super friendly and so knowledgable, he filled the journey to and from with loads of interesting facts and information, likewise throughout the tour of the canyon- not only was it full of amazing sights- we learned so much too! Thoroughly enjoyed this trip and would highly recommend to anyone! Thank you!Written January 16, 2025
- Dontwaitdoittoday0 contributionsA true Winter wonderland tour!We thoroughly enjoyed our tour with Janet, she was very knowledgeable and a very friendly guide. We visited Johnston Canyon first for a hike in kleats to the frozen waterfall. We only had time for the lower fall so didn't get to the upper falls. The hike itself was quite easy and didn't take very long, the scenery was breathtaking, the snow covered trees and icey river were so pretty. Next, we stopped at Lake Louise village for lunch (this was at our own expense so we ate at the bakery, it was delicious and perfect for an easy lunch). Next stop was Lake Louise, being Winter it was iced over and we had the choice of skating (extra expense) or walking to the other side of the lake. Walking was our choice, it was snowing but wasn't freezing and we chatted to Janet all the way, it was so nice being able to casually chat. We made snow angels, had a snow ball fight, and made a snowman...it was just a perfect afternoon for Aussies that don't ever see snow. Our last stop was a lookout to watch the sunset. A great day was had by everyone on the tour and Janet was the perfect guide. Highly recommend this company.Written January 15, 2025
- jacobhO5336QE0 contributionsBeautiful winter hike!Nolan took us on the Johnston Canyon tour and it was incredible! He is extremely knowledgeable on the history of the area, local wildlife, he even had a ton of facts on the geology of the canyon. He was very attentive throughout the tour to ensure we were getting the most out of the experience. The pace was very easy. The views of the ice falls and frozen waterfalls was stunning and we were fortunate enough to see some ice climbers! I highly recommend this tour to anyone who doesn't mind a little hiking. PS we did the half day Johnston Canyon tour, but it was not an option for this review.Written January 13, 2025
- beezee20100 contributionsGreat tour to see Johnston Canyon and Lake Louise in one dayYou really can't go to Banff without ticking Lake Louise and Johnston Canyon off your list. This tour is a great way to do both with a limited timeframe.This was our second tour with Radventures. We also did the Icefields Parkway with Abraham Lake. They were both quite different experiences. They are both great tours but this one is definitely the more "touristy" of the two that we did. Johnston Canyon was beautiful and we thoroughly enjoyed this part of the tour. The frozen waterfalls at the end were gorgeous and we loved watching the ice climbers at the end. Lake Louise was a bit of an odd experience. It's lovely but it was just a touch too touristy for us. We are glad we didn't skate as there were heaps of people and the ice quality wasn't great either. If the skating part appeals to you would highly recommend you also book the Icefields Parkway tour with this company with skates for Abraham Lakes (AMAZING experience). If the number of people milling around in front of the Fairmont is off putting to you I'd suggest you lace up your boots and hike to the end of the lake. This is what we ended up doing and we thoroughly enjoyed it. We had Janet as our tour guide for this tour and she was fabulous. We all really enjoyed chatting to her throughout. Janet, I think you've inspired my daughter to move to Canada and take up ice climbing :)Written January 11, 2025
- beezee20100 contributions100% one of our top three experiences in CanadaOur Australian family of four spent a month in Canada and did all sorts of tours and experiences but skating on Abraham Lake was unanimously voted as one of the top three experiences for every single member of our family. It kind of sits in one of those "things to do before you die" lists (especially for those of us who live in places where this isn't something we could usually dream of doing). The methane lakes are absolutely stunning and we are so grateful that we booked this experience. Geo was our tour guide and he managed the tour well. Very helpful with making sure we had what we needed and ensuring that those of us who were unsteady on the ice were feeling confident. My husband actually said that skating on the lakes was one of the best things he's done in his life (this is high praise as we travel a LOT and he's had all manner of amazing experiences around the world). This is a wonderful tour to enjoy some of the unique experiences of the region. Make sure you dress warmly. Really warmly. This tour definitely required warmer clothing than the other tour we did with this company to Lake Louise and Johnston Canyon. It's a good idea to just purchase the lunch on this one too. The Johnston Canyon tour you could easily grab your own lunch if you didn't want to preorder but that is not the case with this one. It's more remote, there is a lot of driving and you won't be finding anywhere to grab a bite on the way. Both tours we did with Radventures were great. This is the one to choose if you want something a little bit different and off the beaten tourist path a smidge though.Written January 11, 2025
- kormensandiego0 contributionsGreat Experience with Radventures, Highly RecommendedTyler was excellent with his driving and guiding skills. He was quiet at the start during the drive but soon as we arrived, we found common ground and the stories kept coming. He was great with the kids too and was patient with our slow walking LOL. He was also our barista making us mocha, hot chocolate or coffee. And he helped fit us all with the ice cleats and poles for some of us. Definitely recommend wearing them during winter as some parts of the walk could be wet. We ended up just doing the Lower Falls esp with the long line to the cave. But also bec our capabilities to hike up to the upper falls in a limited time was restrictive. Nevertheless, we enjoyed the whole tour. I know that we could have done this DIY but given our unfamiliarity with the winter conditions, we'd rather have a guide. We also did not have a rental car with a group of 13 people. Definitely did not regret going with Radventures. I actually found them via Viator, but since the shared public tours do not allow kids and did not include our hotel as a stop, I emailed Radventures directly as per Viators note, to check if our group could possibly all join since I know that young kids are allowed in the canyon itself. Radventures gave me an option to go on a private tour, and their van fit us perfectly. The best thing is that it's not a lot more expensive than going on the shared public tour like most providers would do with private tour options. We just managed to fill their van easily in one go. It made our whole experience memorable given that we all could join as a group. Customer service was also great, we communicated via email and everything went smoothly and clearly. They are a pretty new operator, but feels like they've been doing this for years. I would highly recommend them.Written January 6, 2025
- winterphoenix380 contributionsGreat experience and Awesome GuideDid the Johnston Canyon Hike with Radventures and had a blast! Granted, we didn't have time to go up the Upper Falls because the group had both seniors and kids who weren't used to many hikes, but the trail to the Lower Falls were easy and beautiful. Kudos to Radventures for guiding us safely through it and also had piping hot drinks for us after the trip :) Our guide, Tyler, was the best! He catered to everyone in the group and provided tidbits of information about the area along the way! Will definitely look at Radventures again for other activities should I be back in the area!Written January 5, 2025
- oliviaj6770 contributionsHighly recommend Winter Wonderland TourWinter Wonderland tour was incredible! Leah was an incredible guide. Highly recommend to families, couples, individuals, or groupsWritten January 4, 2025
- annj4310 contributionsWonderful Winter Wonderland Tour**Winter Wonderland Tour to Johnston Canyon and Ice Skating at Lake Louise** If you're looking for a magical winter adventure, I highly recommend the Winter Wonderland tour to Johnston Canyon and skating on Lake Louise! This experience was beyond expectations, with stunning views, unforgettable moments, and excellent service. Our tour guide, Janet, was the highlight of the trip. She was not only incredibly knowledgeable about the history and geography of the area, but also a true expert on local wildlife and nature. Her fascinating bear stories and impressive animal sound imitations kept us entertained and engaged throughout the journey. Janet’s passion for the environment truly brought the tour to life. From the moment we started the tour, Janet made sure we were well taken care of. She helped with our crampons, ensuring we felt safe and comfortable while walking along the snowy paths of Johnston Canyon. She was also very thoughtful when it came to taking photos, capturing some beautiful moments we will cherish forever. Plus, she made sure we had a delicious lunch and kept the day running smoothly without a hitch. The experience itself was breathtaking. The frozen waterfalls at Johnston Canyon were stunning, and the hike felt like stepping into a true winter wonderland. Afterward, we skated on the pristine ice at Lake Louise, right in front of the iconic Fairmont Hotel. The scenery was surreal, with snow-capped mountains surrounding the lake and the historic hotel providing a gorgeous backdrop. Overall, this tour was a perfect combination of adventure, nature, and relaxation, and Janet made it all the more memorable. Her attention to detail and genuine care for the group made the experience one we will never forget. Don't miss out on this amazing winter experience!Written January 2, 2025
- Amadmia0 contributionsFantastic fun dayLeah our guide was fantastic so knowledgeable and friendly. Took us to great photo stops as an extra. Views and sites amazing.Written January 1, 2025
- shelleyo8310 contributionsWinter Wonderland indeed!!!Amazing scenery and fantastic tour guide. He was friendly and knowledgeable. We had an amazing day and saw some beautiful scenery.Written December 30, 2024
- Ciaobella770 contributionsGreat tour highly recommended!We had a great day with Rae on the private SUV tour. Rae was very knowledgeable and helpful. I enjoyed the hiking in the canyon even though I had reservations when I was booking about hiking in winter. We had a clear day so it was great conditions for hiking. Enjoyed seeing the iconic Lake Louise and the sinking castle.Written December 27, 2024
- perryb8710 contributionsAn experience not to be missedWe had a wonderful time. Our guide Simon was informative, friendly and especially helpful. Abraham lake, with the ice bubbles, is very special and a must to see. If you are up for it, the ice skating takes everything to the next level. A long day, but an experience not to be missed.Written December 27, 2024
- LeeshLeesh100 contributionsGreat winter day tripTrip was great, some good hiking options with beautiful views and scenery and Janet, our guide was super lovely and helpful theoughout the day.Written December 26, 2024
- melissafC5491ZE0 contributionsUnreal Sights!We used RADVENTURES for a tour of Johnston canyon and Lake Louise and it was fantastic! Our guide was Michael Frymus and he was very knowledgeable about the area. He made several pit stops there and back to take our family to great lookout points. He was is also a photographer which was an added bonus! Overall, we were very pleased with our experience with this company and Michael.Written December 26, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
36 reviews
Excellent
35
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1
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beachiemom
Charleston, SC211 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
I had a great time on the Hidden Gems tour. We went to places that most of the big tour companies don't go which was nice. It was a small group, so it felt more personal. Our guide Riley was very informative about the area, the history, and nature. I bought the add-on lunch and it was delicious. There was a concession stand at Emerald Lake, but it was very crowded, so I'm glad I pre-ordered mine. I recommend bringing a raincoat no matter the weather forecast, as we got stuck in a major downpour and I got soaked. Be careful when booking online, as I messed up my original tour by submitting the wrong date, they were flexible in letting me reschedule my tour for the next day. This is one of the highlights of my trip to the area. Highly recommend!
Written August 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
soccerdeb
ohio248 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
How fun to explore the secrets not often read in the guide books. Tess was a great guide, she made an extra stop at the spiral train tunnel and accommodated everyone’s needs. Bus was comfortable and hikes were within everyone’s abilities. We opted for the packed lunch and it was great or you could bring your own and a cooler was provided. The Takakkaw falls was impressive, we hiked around Emerald lake And visited the lodge. There was a cafe there if needed and you have time to canoe at a much cheaper price than Lake Louise. Marble canyon is about a 30 minute uphill hike All doable without the stress of driving. The day went from 40’s to 80 so dress in layers. They do provide water to fill your bottle if needed. A couple parking lots were full even in September so it was nice not to worry about parking
Written September 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carol C
Atlanta, GA19 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
We took the tour on 7/28 and once again Rad did not disappoint . It was our 3rd tour and again Kayla blew it out of the water. This company needs to continue doing what it excels at, employing local guides that are knowledgeable and who obviously enjoy what they are doing. Their insights add so much to the experience from tips on local eateries, hiking trails and other experiences available to select. Kayla spent her time explaining, sharing and ensuring everyone was getting their questions answered and seeing what they had hoped to see. Absolutely an asset for Rad. We will highly recommend you and your tours. You deliver what you advertise and it’s great. Additionally, our recommendation to anyone booking a tour is request Kayla, she’s awesome.
Written August 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janae O
1 contribution
Jul 2024 • Family
The trip was great despite the circumstances with the wild fires that required us to change things up just a little as we were driving out. Our tour guide Tyler was great and knowledgeable. He spotted a bear on the side of the road and made a point to turn the van around so we could all see it and provided some insight on grizzlies. The group size was perfect, the views and sites were awesome and I would recommend to anyone else looking to do this tour.
Written July 27, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OnAir16375111594
1 contribution
Oct 2024 • Solo
I had a great time as we visited beautiful and very diverse places, including a waterfall, a canyon and a lake, amongst others. The tour was fun and informative, the bus clean and comfortable. Hikes were easy and picturesque. I liked that Radventures tours keep groups small. We were just four people and this made the trip much more enjoyable and flexible. As it was rainy, our guide suggested to keep the visit at the lake shorter and showed us other beautiful spots that we wouldn't have seen otherwise. He was also very knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna as well as the history of the region, and also very thoughtful to make sure everyone had a good experience (unfortunately I forgot his name, a British ecologist, great guide!)
Written October 9, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brittany P
16 contributions
Connor was our guide, driver, and personal photographer through the trip to Emerald Lakes, Takakkaw Falls, Kicking Horse River Valley, Marble Canyon, and a bonus stop to Vermillion Lakes as we were ahead of schedule! Connor was an excellent guide and very knowledgeable. We even discussed a lot about the different trees, plants, and flower species at the different locations. We asked a lot of questions and he was always willing to give answers and honest feedback throughout the day.
We had a great time even when the weather was a bit rainy. We opted for lunch to be provided- it was a delicious sandwich, fruit, and an amazing date cookie. They had water in the van to refill our bottles through the trip. We loved our experience with Connor and Radventures and highly recommend taking their tours!
We had a great time even when the weather was a bit rainy. We opted for lunch to be provided- it was a delicious sandwich, fruit, and an amazing date cookie. They had water in the van to refill our bottles through the trip. We loved our experience with Connor and Radventures and highly recommend taking their tours!
Written August 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karl Y
7 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
MAJESTIC. Again. I keep telling myself that these places are on Earth and not in an alien planet.
I wasn’t particularly excited for this part of the tour as it was our last before leaving Banff, but again each stop was quite the adventure. The 1.5 hour stop at Emerald lake where we went paddle boarding was so therapeutic it just evaporated all the separation anxiety in me lol. Plus I’m really happy we passed by the Natural Bridge while in Yoho!
Our guide Riley was so accommodating and has a really cool personality we can always approach. Go and take this tour to complete your experience!
I wasn’t particularly excited for this part of the tour as it was our last before leaving Banff, but again each stop was quite the adventure. The 1.5 hour stop at Emerald lake where we went paddle boarding was so therapeutic it just evaporated all the separation anxiety in me lol. Plus I’m really happy we passed by the Natural Bridge while in Yoho!
Our guide Riley was so accommodating and has a really cool personality we can always approach. Go and take this tour to complete your experience!
Written August 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JoyOfLife
8 contributions
Aug 2024 • Friends
We had a great time with Radventures during our recent trip to Banff. We were a group of 11 adults and needed a big vehicle and a driver/guide to take us sightseeing. Tess was our driver and guide for the day and she was awesome. We visited Emerald Lake, Takakaw Falls, and surrounding area. Tess was very friendly and knowledgeable about the area and told us many interesting tidbits about the lakes and the park. She also worked with us and was flexible when we changed our mind to visit Marble Canyon and instead spend more time Canoeing at the Emerald Lake. They had packed us delicious sandwiches for lunch too. Overall a great experience and was very convenient to have a mini bus big enough for the whole group with a professional guide. Highly recommend!
Written September 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
asl492
Arcadia, CA156 contributions
I took the Hidden Gems tour on the first Sunday in September.
Well, I wouldn’t exactly call Emerald Lake and Takakkaw Falls “hidden” considering the massive amount of visitation they receive. Still, I get it. Yoho and Kootenay don’t receive the same recognition that Banff and Jasper do.
I loved all the sites—Marble Canyon, Emerald Lake, Natural Bridge, and Takakkaw Falls. Our tour guide Tess did an excellent job of handling all the logistics , ensuring we had ample time to see each site.
In fact, as great as the sites were, the best thing about the tour was Tess. She was both super knowledgeable and super friendly. Some people underestimate the importance of the guide in the success of a tour. Having a superior one like Tess took this already noteworthy tour to a whole other level. Whatever RADventures is paying her, it isn’t enough.
The tour vehicle was comfortable for the small group we had of eight people. I could see how it might be a little cramped, though, with a full tour of twelve. For a full day outing like this one, it might be nice to have USB ports in the vehicles like some tour operators have. Other than that minor issue, I have no real complaints. This is the third tour I’ve taken with this company, and I would gladly take another one.
Well, I wouldn’t exactly call Emerald Lake and Takakkaw Falls “hidden” considering the massive amount of visitation they receive. Still, I get it. Yoho and Kootenay don’t receive the same recognition that Banff and Jasper do.
I loved all the sites—Marble Canyon, Emerald Lake, Natural Bridge, and Takakkaw Falls. Our tour guide Tess did an excellent job of handling all the logistics , ensuring we had ample time to see each site.
In fact, as great as the sites were, the best thing about the tour was Tess. She was both super knowledgeable and super friendly. Some people underestimate the importance of the guide in the success of a tour. Having a superior one like Tess took this already noteworthy tour to a whole other level. Whatever RADventures is paying her, it isn’t enough.
The tour vehicle was comfortable for the small group we had of eight people. I could see how it might be a little cramped, though, with a full tour of twelve. For a full day outing like this one, it might be nice to have USB ports in the vehicles like some tour operators have. Other than that minor issue, I have no real complaints. This is the third tour I’ve taken with this company, and I would gladly take another one.
Written September 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniel H
12 contributions
Our second tour with Radventures, this one was definitely memorable. We were picked up early by Emma, who was incredibly friendly and immensely knowledgeable about the region. Despite a fair bit of driving, which we expected due to the dispersed locations, we visited Marble Canyon in Kootenay National Park, Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park, where we took a 90 min hike around the circumference, and then visited Peyto Lake in Banff National Park due to Takkakow Falls being closed for avalanche risk. The day was incredible, we saw some truly hidden gems and were so glad to see more of the neighbouring national parks. Emma was amazing, so knowledgeable and friendly and honestly a credit to the company. Will definitely be back for more!
Written June 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.