Jasper National Park Tour: Explore Maligne Valley, Medicine Lake, and Spirit Island
4.6
365 Ratings
Jasper
Embark on a 6-hour adventure in Jasper National Park, exploring Maligne Valley, Medicine Lake, and Spirit Island. Discover stunning scenery, wildlife, and rich human and natural history with an expert guide.
Duration:
6 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Maligne Canyon - You’ll stop first at Maligne Canyon where a short walk takes you across two bridges over a 165 foot (50m) deep gorge that has been carved into the limestone. Catch great views of the waterfalls spilling into the canyon below as you explore the area with your guide, who will share information about the geology and wildlife in the area.
- Medicine Lake - After checking out Maligne Canyon, you’ll continue to drive to Medicine Lake, taking a gorgeous road that winds through a dramatic mountain and forest landscape. Medicine Lake is famous for ‘vanishing’ every summer, the result of an extensive underground karst system
- Maligne Lake - From Medicine Lake you’ll follow the road to gorgeous Maligne Lake where you’ll have a choice of a boat cruise to Spirit Island or a 2-mile (3.2km) guided hike on an easy and level trail.
If you choose the hiking option, you’ll follow your guide on the Mary Schaffer Loop trail, which skirts the shore of Maligne Lake to a beautiful viewpoint with interpretive displays and benches before continuing into the trees and back to your starting point.
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Spirit Island - If you choose to take the boat cruise, you’ll board a comfortable enclosed boat with large windows for a scenic tour on Maligne Lake. Your boat will stop at Spirit Island, a small gem in the lake, where you’ll have time for photos and a short stroll.
Please note this is NOT included for guests who choose the WALK option
Throughout the day, your guide will explain the natural and human history of the area and will keep an eye out for the abundant wildlife that lives here. Sightings may include bear, deer, caribou, wolves, moose, bighorn sheep, bald eagles and osprey, among the many animals of Jasper National Park.
At the end of your tour, you will be returned to your Jasper hotel.
What's Included
- Professional guide
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Hotel pickup and drop off
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
Additional Information
Embark on a 6-hour exploration of Jasper National Park’s magnificent Maligne Valley with a knowledgeable guide. Your adventure includes visits to Maligne Canyon, Medicine Lake, and Maligne Lake, where you’ll have opportunities to spot wildlife and learn about the area’s human and natural histories in the proud setting of the Canadian Rockies. The journey is filled with breathtaking vistas, and you’re welcome to capture them on camera or take brief hikes. At Maligne Lake, you can opt for a boat tour to Spirit Island or a led walk on the beach.
Please remember: Spirit Island isn’t included in the guided walk. To see Spirit Island, you must choose the BOAT option.
- Contents of tours may vary due to weather and road conditions
Location
Maligne Canyon
Maligne Lake Road,
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.6
(365 Ratings)
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Ctuss
Mar 14, 2024
Plenty to do in Jasper - We spent six days in Jasper. We planned for three days here, then were to travel to Saskatoon by train and spend three days. A train derailment caused us to stay in Jasper a bit more and then travel through Saskatoon on to Toronto. the folks in Jasper were nice and the three extra days here allowed us to see and do more. The train trip was good, also.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rohan
Jan 26, 2024
Great Canadian Wildlife - We were hoping to see wildlife and we saw it—elk (practically unavoidable around Jasper), bighorn sheep, coyote, bald eagle, and a moose (apparently an infrequent opportunity). It wasn’t a cold day (by Jasper winter standards), but we appreciated the warmth of the bus. There weren’t that many people on the tour, so everyone got a window seat—and, notably, the climate control was right to keep the windows clear without the temperature being uncomfortable.
The guide/driver was a local, which added to the Canadian flavour of the experience, very knowledgeable about the area and its natural history, and highly adept at spotting animals.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Charlotte_k
Oct 31, 2023
One of the high points on a tour full of high points!! - The excursion was wonderful! It really was a high point on what was already an extraordinary trip with Rocky Mountaineer. We had signed up for this excursion on a "free day" with RM. We had such a beautiful time seeing Medicine Lake, Maligne Lake and the cruise to Spirit Island, a hike in the Maligne Valley with extraordinary water fall views, and a smart and charming tour leader who's name unfortunately has escaped me. We were there on Oct. 4th, 2023 if that helps. All of us in our group recommend this excursion without hesitation. One of the high points on a tour full of high points.
Review provided by Viator
J8985nwdany
Oct 22, 2023
Great tour, go before end of season - Views were amazing! The season we went (Mid October after Canadian Thanks Giving) had no more boat cruise and shops open, which was a bit disappointing but that’s on us visiting when the season has ended.
Sebastian did a wonderful job guiding us with a lot of local stories during our tour.
We highly recommend this tour for anyone visiting.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Hong_t
Oct 16, 2023
Great Tour of Maligne Canyon/Lake - Great tour to Maligne Canyon, Medicine Lake and Maligne Lake with Yvonne. Loved her personality. Very knowledgeable. Did not go to Spirit Island due to the season. Was able to spot multiple moose on the moose trail. Would definitely recommend!
Review provided by Viator
Florianht4249cs
Oct 15, 2023
Great - Great views, and amazing tour guide Dieter, telling a lot of interesting facts! We also saw several wildlife (deer, moose) up close.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sandra_c
Oct 13, 2023
Great excursion! - Our tour guide, Ben, was very knowledgeable about everything. He was patient and so nice to all of us. We had lots of questions and he was so willing to answer all of them. The area is just gorgeous! The mountains were hiding a bit in the clouds. I recommend this tour.
Review provided by Viator
Emma_t
Oct 13, 2023
Lovely tour - Very good tour, Fred was a wonderful tour guide with lots of information.
Was raining when we got to Maligne Valley, so anyone without an umbrella or rainproof coat was given a poncho, which was lovely.
Saw lots of wildlife during the trip, which Fred stopped at so we could take photos and let us off the bus if it was safe. Managed to see elk, a black bear and cub, bighorn sheep, and some moose.
Unfortunately, the boat trip to Spirit Island was canceled due to a snowstorm, so no boats were running. We did receive a partial refund for that part of the tour.
Review provided by Viator
Fion_p
Oct 15, 2023
We have great time with... - We have great time with the guide. Nice trail to walk; however, a little bit disappointing that we don’t get the cruise ships for maligne lake to see the spirit island
Review provided by Viator
Julie
Nov 14, 2023
Don’t believe everything you read - It was supposed to be a boat cruise. Nowhere did it say after Thanksgiving it was a hiking tour. It was still listed on the calendar as a boat cruise. Very disappointed.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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