Stunning vistas and picturesque lookout points in the Canadian Rockies await you on this breathtaking excursion through Banff and Yoho National Parks. Both parks are known for abundant wildlife—keep your eyes peeled for mountain goats, elk, big horn sheep, and eagles in their natural environment.
After being picked up, travel along the Bow Valley Parkway, a 32-mile (51 km) scenic drive through the mountains into Banff National Park. At Johnston Canyon, take a mid-morning stroll to see the area’s tumbling waterfalls and the deep emerald and azure waters of the Ink Pots.
Stop for a picnic lunch near the iconic railway hotel the Fairmont Chateau, which offers breathtaking views of the turquoise waters of Lake Louise. Next, travel to glacial Moraine Lake—nestled within the Valley of the Ten Peaks, this deep blue lagoon is framed by 10 towering mountains and is one of the most photographed sites in Canada.
At the Spiral Tunnels viewpoint in Yoho National Park, learn how the tunnels were carved through the mountainsides in the late 1800s—you may even see a train chugging along the old tracks. Try to spot the wreckage of an old derailed train, and take in sweeping views of the Yoho Glacier and Mt. Ogden.
As you continue on through the magnificent Yoho Valley, keep your eyes peeled for grizzly and black bears. Your final stop is at the thundering Takakkaw Falls—cascading down 1,260 feet (384 m), this is one of Canada’s highest waterfalls.