Small Group Wildlife Adventure: Explore Banff's Secret Spots with Top-Rated Tour Operator
4.5
172 Ratings
Banff
Escape the crowds and discover Banff's secret wildlife spots on a small group adventure. Explore backroads and encounter bears, moose, and more with expert guides.
Duration:
3 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Banff National Park - Your expert local guide will tailor make the itinerary for each tour. \n\nEvery day, we connect with other tour operators and Banff locals to gather information about recent wildlife sightings and consider seasonal weather conditions & big bus tour company schedules to ensure that you’re getting the best, most authentic experience without the crowds! \n\nThe destinations listed below are just some of the amazing stops you’ll make on this tour. Our expert local guides like to throw in a surprise or two along the way to really make our guests day, so you can expect one or two more secret spots along the way!
- Lake Minnewanka - Keep your eyes peeled for bears, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, coyotes, foxes & other wildlife as we travel deep into Banff National Park to explore the deep blue glacially fed lakes of Lake Minnewanka & Two Jack Lake.
- Bow Falls - Visit the incredible Bow Falls, home to the famous scene from the 1953 Marilyn Monroe film “River of No Return”.
- Mount Norquay Road - Ascend up Mount Norquay, the home of Banff’s first ski resort and visit our favourite viewpoint showcasing the town of Banff and the big mountains that surround it.
- Vermilion Lakes - See where the frozen waters of Vermilion Lakes meet the warm thermal spring waters rising from beneath the Canadian Rockies, with epic 360 degree views of Banff’s biggest mountains.
- Surprise Corner - Gaze through the alpine forests up Tunnel Mountain through to a famous local hotel that resembles a castle in the sky!
- Hoodoos Trail - Take a short walk to one of Banff National Parks red chair destinations with epic views of the Hoodoo’s and the Canadian Rockies as they sprawl across the Bow Valley
What's Included
- Max 14 guests for a personalized experience
- Enjoy wildlife sightings during dusk/sunset
- Savor hot chocolate, tea, or coffee at a viewpoint (winter)
- Convenient pick-up from Banff Train Station
- Travel comfortably in a van or minibus with A/C
- Get exclusive insights from an expert local guide
- Please bring your own water bottle for refills
What's Not Included
- Pick up from Banff hotels (please contact Radventures BEFORE booking for availability)
- Lunch & snacks
Additional Information
Leave the masses behind and set off with Banff’s premier tour company along underexplored paths brimming with fauna. You’ll also be able to witness some of the finest vistas in Banff and hidden gems yet to be mentioned in travel guides.
As we journey through the backroads of Banff encompassing forests, mountains, and wildlife trails inhabited by bears, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, lynx, cougars, coyotes, foxes, deer, and more, you will be mesmerized with the captivating storytelling of Banff’s indigenous roots and European history, along with intriguing trivia about the local animals.
Our tours are unique as they are conducted in small groups, and our transportation is perfectly sized for the terrain we travel. Moreover, our guides are local experts who possess exclusive access to certain parts of Banff. As a result, we are able to witness wildlife on 95% of our summertime expeditions every day.
Location
Banff Train Station
Railway Avenue
*For hotel pick-up, please contact Radventures BEFORE booking your tickets.*
Please meet by the Canadian flag in front of the main Banff Train Station building.
Allow 5-10 minutes to walk from the free all day parking located at the north east end of the train station.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.5
(172 Ratings)
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Keri_j
May 21, 2024
Excellent, highly recommended - Great value for money.
Our guide Emma & her colleague (sorry I can’t remember his name) were excellent and knowledgeable. So friendly and helpful, and answered all our questions.
I was so happy that we managed to see a bear, but we also saw long horned sheep and lots of Elk on a the very nice Fairmont Golf Course! I believe some golfers had to forgo that particular hole.
Review provided by Viator
Wander00440559222
May 20, 2024
Excellent wildlife and sight seeing for tourists. - Connor was a fantastic guide, with plenty of knowledge and a great personality. We had a great time with a great group where everyone was friendly. We saw tons of wildlife and beautiful views on the tour. 5 star experience thanks to a great guide!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tracie_n
May 19, 2024
Awesome! Worth every penny! - Fabulous tour! Michael was awesome! We even got to see a bear! It was a fun outing! We enjoyed hearing some of the history of the mountains.
Review provided by Viator
Tammie
May 18, 2024
Fantastic tour - highly recommended - My husband and I took this tour on the 17th of May and absolutely loved it! Conner was our guide and he went above and beyond for us. A lot of interesting knowledge and a great, fun personality. We saw two black bears and one baby grizzly bear, as well as dozens of Elk and deer. Ground squirrels, mountain sheep and ravens! Blew us away. Highly recommend this trip. VERY good value for money and really comfy car for a small group.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tammie_r
May 18, 2024
Fantastic tour - highly recommended - My husband and I took this tour on the 17th of May and absolutely loved it! Conner was our guide and he went above and beyond for us. A lot of interesting knowledge and a great, fun personality. We saw two black bears and one baby grizzly bear, as well as dozens of Elk and deer. Ground squirrels, mountain sheep and ravens! Blew us away. Highly recommend this trip. VERY good value for money and really comfy car for a small group.
Review provided by Viator
Lisagh741wd
May 18, 2024
Beautiful evening exploring Banff - Our tour guide was an enthusiastic and knowledgeable person. As a low vision participant, she took extra care to ensure I was comfortable and able to manage our various stops. We saw some amazing landscapes, bodies of water and wildlife. Would highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Stephanie_z
May 16, 2024
Great experience - Tyler was an amazing guide…he was knowledgeable as well as entertaining. We were able to see wildlife and Canada’s breathtaking scenery…. Would recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Annamw597fo
May 16, 2024
Beautiful, education and fun!! - My husband and I had an amazing experience with Radvenures. We saw the highlights of Banff and learned about the relevance and history. We saw a variety of wildlife including elk, two types of deer, long horned sheep, and a black bear. The van was comfortable and tour guide, Michael, was friendly and informative. We would recommend this experience to our friends and family and would do it again when we return to Banff!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sophia_m
May 15, 2024
Highlights of Banff - Our guide Michael was very nice, he knew a lot about the area and the animals in the area. The vibe on the ride was very nice and the guides took beautiful pictures of us!
We saw a lot of animals: elk, deer, sheep and even a black bear! Would recommend on the beginning of the trip as it also covers a lot of Banff highlights.
Review provided by Viator
Ronaldr_p
May 16, 2024
A Very Good Evening Adventure - Tyler was a very good guide and very ready to answer any queries. We visited some amazing viewpoints. Found the wildlife and commentary about them excellent. ( of course we would have loved to have seen a bear but are pleased that a wild creature was not organised for our pleasure).
Review provided by Viator
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