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Athabasca Glacier

Athabasca Glacier: Our most recommended tours and activities

Jasper: Columbia Icefield Skywalk and Ice Explorer Ticket

1. Jasper: Columbia Icefield Skywalk and Ice Explorer Ticket

Enjoy an adventure at the Columbia Icefield Discovery Center. Get a guided tour around the Athabasca Glacier on Ice Explorer, admire the stunning mountains and glaciers and listen as your guide informs you of all the facts and history. Meet your guide, who will take you to the Athabasca Glacier. At the scheduled time, board your Ice Explorer, a massive vehicle designed explicitly for glacial travel, and set off on an exciting ride. During your ride, hear stories and facts about the Columbia Icefield and the glaciers around you. Once on the Glacier, hop off the vehicle to walk on the thick, 25,000-year-old ice and drink cold, pure water from the glacier itself. This is an experience you will never forget. Then, take a short ride to the Columbia Icefield Skywalk. Heighten your senses by walking on a platform where only glass separates you from a 918-foot (279-meter) drop. Marvel at the spectacular views of the mountains, glaciers, and the Sunwapta River with its waterfalls.

Banff: Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield Parkway Tour

2. Banff: Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield Parkway Tour

Discover the Athabasca Glacier on a guided tour from Banff. Journey along the scenic Icefields Parkway and climb into an Ice Explorer vehicle to explore the awesome glacier. Experience breathtaking views of the Sunwapta Valley as you step across the Glacier Skywalk. Get picked up from your Banff hotel in a modern mini bus by your friendly guide. Departing from Banff, your guide will welcome you on the tour with an overview of where you'll be headed as you sit back and enjoy the ride along the Icefields Parkway, one of the world’s most stunning scenic drives. Benefit from a tour where you don’t have to navigate or watch the road. Sit back, relax, and focus on the amphitheater of mountains towering above as you keep your eyes peeled for wildlife at the edges of the forest. Stop at the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre and board an Ice Explorer vehicle. Drive onto the Athabasca Glacier, learn about its history, and take some free time to soak up the views. Touch this ancient sheet of ice and even drink pure, cold water straight from the glacier. Head to the nearby glass floor Glacier Skywalk and follow the 1-kilometer walkway that leads to a platform where glass is all that separates you from a 918-foot drop. Witness the giant glaciers perched above you and admire the views of the spectacular Sunwapta Valley spread out below. Enjoy a scenic stop for a hearty packed lunch of a sandwich, juice, fruit, chips, and brownies. Visit iconic landmarks along the Icefields Parkway such as Bow Lake, the headwaters of the mighty Bow River before heading back to Banff.

Canadian Rockies 7–Day National Parks Group Tour

3. Canadian Rockies 7–Day National Parks Group Tour

Day 1: Seattle to Kamloops Kamloops British Columbia is abundant with stunning scenery and great wildlife . Cougars, bears, elk, and more inhabit the Thomson River Valley. Stop for a short walk and picnic at Bridal Veil Falls Provincial Park.  Day 2: Yoho National Park Explore trails around the magnificent Emerald Lake or simply relax in the lakeshore cafe and enjoy the views. Drive along the Kicking Horse Pass across the Continental Divide into Alberta. Enjoy panoramic vistas of peaks exceeding 10,000 feet on Rogers Pass at the summit in Canada's Glacier National Park en route to Banff, your night stop. Day 3:  Banff National Park - Lake Louise Lake Louise is an alpine lake known for its stunning turquoise glacier-fed waters, surrounded by high peaks and overlooked by a stately chateau. Multiple hiking trails lead to the Lake Agnes Tea House for bird's-eye views of the lake. Take a hike to the Plain-of-Six-Glaciers, take it easy exploring the lakeshore or choose to canoe on these pristine waters. Visit Moraine Lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, at an elevation of approximately 6,183 feet, for some epic photos. Day 4: Icefields Parkway Spend the day driving and exploring the Icefields Parkway. This drive offers endless vistas, jagged mountains, glaciers and wildlife viewing opportunities. Enjoy short walks, views of Bow Glacier and Peyto lake, take an optional helicopter flight over the Columbia Icefield, or strap on some crampons and step out onto the Athabasca glacier. Day 5: Jasper National Park Enjoy Canada's largest National Park, Jasper. Marvel at the snowcapped summits and beautiful lakes in this true wild mountain wilderness. Jasper offers an abundance of wildlife sightings, jagged mountain peaks, alpine lakes and numerous hiking and biking opportunities. Choose to visit Miette hot springs, or hike/bike the famous trails around stunning lakeshores. After a full day of activities, follow the Yellowhead Highway, hugging the mighty North Thompson River to your night stop of Cleawater BC. See the base of 12,972-foot Mount Robson (the highest point in the Canadian Rockies) and maybe catch a glimpse of the infamous peak en route. Day 6: Whistler and Vancouver On to the alpine resort of Whistler, nestled at the base of Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Today is yours to explore all that Whistler has to offer. Enjoy spectacular scenery and incredible photo opportunities as you explore this ski town, home of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. Drive the spectacular Sea to Sky highway for your evening in Vancouver. Day 7: Vancouver and Seattle This morning, tour Vancouver, including the waterfront, Gas lamp district, Chinatown, and Stanley Park. Head to Seattle for a your evening downtown or drop off at the departure hotel.

Jasper: Transfer to Banff/Lake Louise w/ Columbia Icefields

4. Jasper: Transfer to Banff/Lake Louise w/ Columbia Icefields

Your journey through two of Canada's most renowned national parks: Jasper National Park and Banff National Park, commences the moment your friendly driver/guide meets you at your hotel or approved accommodation. Departing the picturesque mountain town of Jasper, you will travel the Columbia Icefields Parkway, truly one of the most scenic roadways in the world. Take in the magnificent scenery and make several stops along the route to appreciate the region's breathtaking beauty. Along the way, highlights include Athabasca Falls, the Columbia Icefields, the Weeping wall, Petyo Lake, Bow Lake, Crowfoot Glacier, Saskatchewan Crossing and Lake Louise. You will also partake in a delicious picnic lunch at a scenic viewpoint during this journey. At the Columbia Icefields you will take part in a Glacier adventure to Athabasca Glacier as well as experience the Glacier Skywalk for vistas over the Sunwapta Valley. This interpretive tour is designed to provide the optimum in guide and passenger interaction. Small vehicles and group sizes are guaranteed in order to make your journey in this stunning environment memorable. Have your camera ready, as this remote region of the world provides you with excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.

Banff: Bow Lake and Columbia Icefield Parkway Tour

5. Banff: Bow Lake and Columbia Icefield Parkway Tour

Full description Discover the Athabasca Glacier on a guided tour from Banff. Journey along the scenic Icefields Parkway and climb into an Ice Explorer vehicle to explore the awesome glacier. Experience breathtaking views of the Sunwapta Valley as you step across the Glacier Skywalk. Get picked up from your Banff hotel in a modern minibus by your friendly guide. Departing from Banff, your guide will welcome you on the tour with an overview of where you'll be headed as you sit back and enjoy the ride along the Icefields Parkway, one of the world’s most stunning scenic drives. Benefit from a tour where you don’t have to navigate or watch the road. Sit back, relax, and focus on the amphitheater of mountains towering above as you keep your eyes peeled for wildlife at the edges of the forest. Stop at the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre and board an Ice Explorer vehicle. Drive onto the Athabasca Glacier, learn about its history, and take some free time to soak up the views. Touch this ancient sheet of ice and even drink pure, cold water straight from the glacier. (Icefield Glacier Tickets Not Included- You Must Book Your Own Ticket for Icefield Glacier Tour) Head to the nearby glass floor Glacier Skywalk and follow the 1-kilometer walkway that leads to a platform where glass is all that separates you from a 918-foot drop. Witness the giant glaciers perched above you and admire the views of the spectacular Sunwapta Valley spread out below. Enjoy a scenic stop for a hearty packed lunch of a sandwich, juice, fruit, chips, and brownies. Visit iconic landmarks along the Icefields Parkway such as Bow Lake, the headwaters of the mighty Bow River before heading back to Banff.

Canada 7–Day National Parks Camping Tour from Seattle

6. Canada 7–Day National Parks Camping Tour from Seattle

Day 1: Seattle to Kamloops Kamloops British Columbia is abundant with stunning scenery and great wildlife . Cougars, bears, elk, and more inhabit the Thomson River Valley. Stop for a short walk and picnic at Bridal Veil Falls Provincial Park. Spend your evening under the stars with your provided camping equipment. Day 2: Yoho National Park Explore trails around the magnificent Emerald Lake or simply relax in the lakeshore cafe and enjoy the views. Drive along the Kicking Horse Pass across the Continental Divide into Alberta. Enjoy panoramic vistas of peaks exceeding 10,000 feet on Rogers Pass at the summit in Canada's Glacier National Park en route to Banff, where you will spend your night camping. Day 3:  Banff National Park - Lake Louise Lake Louise is an alpine lake known for its stunning turquoise glacier-fed waters, surrounded by high peaks and overlooked by a stately chateau. Multiple hiking trails lead to the Lake Agnes Tea House for bird's-eye views of the lake. Take a hike to the Plain-of-Six-Glaciers, take it easy exploring the lakeshore or choose to canoe on these pristine waters. Visit Moraine Lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, at an elevation of approximately 6,183 feet, for some epic photos, before setting up camp. Day 4: Icefields Parkway Spend the day driving and exploring the Icefields Parkway. This drive offers endless vistas, jagged mountains, glaciers and wildlife viewing opportunities. Enjoy short walks, views of Bow Glacier and Peyto lake, take an optional helicopter flight over the Columbia Icefield, or strap on some crampons and step out onto the Athabasca glacier. Spend you evening camping under the night sky. Day 5: Jasper National Park Enjoy Canada's largest National Park, Jasper. Marvel at the snowcapped summits and beautiful lakes in this true wild mountain wilderness. Jasper offers an abundance of wildlife sightings, jagged mountain peaks, alpine lakes and numerous hiking and biking opportunities. Choose to visit Miette hot springs, or hike/bike the famous trails around stunning lakeshores. After a full day of activities, follow the Yellowhead Highway, hugging the mighty North Thompson River to your night stop of Cleawater BC. See the base of 12,972-foot Mount Robson (the highest point in the Canadian Rockies) and maybe catch a glimpse of the infamous peak en route to your camping location. Day 6: Whistler and Vancouver On to the alpine resort of Whistler, nestled at the base of Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Today is yours to explore all that Whistler has to offer. Enjoy spectacular scenery and incredible photo opportunities as you explore this ski town, home of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. Drive the spectacular Sea to Sky highway for your evening at a hostel in Vancouver. Day 7: Vancouver and Seattle This morning, tour Vancouver, including the waterfront, Gas lamp district, Chinatown, and Stanley Park. Head to Seattle for a your evening downtown or drop off at the departure hotel. Please note: there is a mandatory food kitty payment of $100 USD to cover camp meals as follows — 5 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 evening camp meals. Please advise the local supplier of any dietary requirements.

Vancouver to Banff and Jasper 5 Day Private Tour

7. Vancouver to Banff and Jasper 5 Day Private Tour

Experience some of the most majestic sights of the Rocky Mountains on a 4-day tour to Banff National Park. Ride the Banff Gondola, marvel at the azure waters of Lake Louise and more. Day 1: Depart Vancouver and make your way into the Rocky Mountains to Banff where we will stay for the next 5 days Day 2: Visit some of the natural wonders of Banff National Park, such as Vermilion Lakes, the thermal springs of Cave and Basin National Historic Site and Bow Falls waterfall. Ride the Banff Gondola up Sulfur Mountain and stop at Two Jack Lake for stunning views of Rundle Mountain. Take an optional boat trip on Lake Minnewanka. Day 3: Explore Lake Louise resort. Visit Lake and Fairmont Chateau for lunch. Explore for 1-hour hike Johnston Canyon. Stop to view beautiful Lake Moraine. Time permitting, you can take a hike to the peak of Bow Summit and view one of the most beautiful lakes, Peyto Lake.  Day 4: Driving to Jasper. First stop at Columbia Icefield and Skywalk. We will continue to Athabasca Falls and and Jasper city for lunch. In Jasper we can visit Pyramid Lake or take the Skytram to the peak of Whistler mountain. Arrive late evening in Banff. Day 5: Leave Banff early morning returning to Vancouver. On the way, you can stop at Emerald Lake if you couldn't on the first day. Stop for lunch in Kamloops. Arrive in Vancouver at 8:00 PM.

Other Sightseeing Options in Athabasca Glacier

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What people are saying about Athabasca Glacier

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 525 reviews

We had an awesome time on our trip. Surprisingly, this 11 hour trip seemed to fly by... never once feeling bored or tired (well maybe a little tired on the last leg of the trip driving back). Our guide was very knowledgeable on most everything the guest threw at him. The short trip to and from the actual glacier was fun as our guide Simon was quite entertaining himself (he was from New Zealand... wife loves accents LOL). Highly recommend this trip.

Guide was wonderful, all activities were great, loved the time spent on the glacier and all the side trips at different lakes were good and the lunch was also good! Day well spent!!!!!

Eli was an excellent tour guide! We had the most wonderful day and learned so many new things about the area. Great experience!

Great experience. Our guide Tim was very knowledgable and had loads of anecdotes to pass on. Would thoroughly recommend.

Kelsey was thorough, patient and pleasant. The trip was an incredible experience for my family.