Canadian Rockies Culture & Heritage Trails

Escape the crowds and witness nature’s breathtaking fall transformation on a private guided tour of Banff and Yoho National Parks. Experience the cultural heritage and history of the parks while exploring the beautiful winter landscape and enjoying snowshoe walks.

Duration: 12 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Lake Louise - The Stoney Nakoda’s (Native American ) called Lake Louise Ho-run-num-nay meaning “lake of the little fishes” and it was a Stoney guide who took Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) workman Tom Wilson to the site in 1882. Wilson named it Emerald Lake, but the name was changed (1884) to honour Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, fourth daughter of Queen Victoria and wife of Governor General the marquess of Lorne.

At this stop you will learn the story of Tom Wilson the first guide in Banff National Park as well the member of the Steele’s Scouts Commemorative Militia Cavalry who participated in bringing down Louis Riel’s North-West Rebellion.

  • Bow Lake - Bow Lake sits at an elevation of 1920 meters and spends most of the year locked away in ice. The lake acts as the source of the Bow River that flows through Banff, Canmore, and Calgary.

When we stop at Bow Lake you will learn the story of Jimmy Simpson who was one of the most important guides, outfitter, lodge operator, hunter, naturalist and artist in the Canadian Rockies. This story is about a legendary man who ascended some of the highest peaks in the range and guided leading scientists, mountaineers, big-game hunters and world-famous artists through some of the most unimaginable scenery on earth to entertain thousands of visitors at his famous lodge at Bow Lake.

  • Peyto Lake - Before named Peyto the lake was known as Doghead Lake—exactly what it resembles from any high point near its south end looking north. It was renamed for guide/outfitter, Bill Peyto, who would later become one of Canada’s first Banff National Park warden.

The panoramic lookout is insanely beautiful.

  • Saskatchewan River Crossing - Historically, North Saskatchewan River Valley, White Goat Wilderness Area and Kootenay Plains Corridor commemorate the diversity of human experience and the legacy of thousands of years of human history and mark the tangible cultural remains of the lives and stories of the people who used this part of Canadian Rockies as an important trade and travel corridor linking the Alberta Plains to the interior of British Columbia.

Among the scenic features are the gnarled and windblown limber pines growing on exposed rocky ridges.

There is a Limber Pine growing in this. It is estimated to be about 2500-3000 years, making it the oldest living Limber Pine in the world and the oldest tree in Canada and you will have a chance to see this tree during this tour.

What's Included
  • Private transportation
  • All-inclusive fees and taxes
  • Exclusive private guide
  • Intimate group experience, 2-3 travelers max
Additional Information

This private guided Banff and Jasper National Park tour may be just what you need. Escape the crowds and witness nature’s breathtaking spring, summer fall and winter transformation. The itineraries for this tour are based on the cultural heritage and history of Banff and Jasper National Park . An essential part of this tour is taking short and easy walks away from crowds. Travelers with all abilities can manage these walks.

  • This private tour will have a maximum of 3 travelers
  • Free pick up/drop off from Hotel and Airbnb
Location
Lake Louise
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(79 Ratings)
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U7171grsusanc
Jul 20, 2024
Exceeded our expectations - Jerzy showed us the most wonderful day. We thoroughly enjoyed Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, Saskatchewan River Crossing, Columbia Icefield, and Tangle Creek Falls. Jerzy provided us with so much interesting information about the history of the places we visited. We learned about the life of Jimmy Simpson. I did more research about this mountain man after the tour. Jerzy was flexible with us-- Focusing on the lakes and waterfalls we wanted to see most. It was a full day, so many stops, so many great pictures. Thanks to Jerzy we had the most enjoyable experiences. He is fun and very personable. If we ever go back, we will definitely book again with Jerzy. Spending the day with him was well worth the money. Could not have been better. Would love to do it again. It was great!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Eopatowiecka
Jul 16, 2024
Authentic experience for travellers - It was an amazing experience to have. We felt fully supported and we got to know a lot about the history, nature, and geography. We truly had a chance to see the heart of the Rocky Mountains, far away from crowds. We accessed views from very rare points, giving us a unique view of the national parks. We had stops along the way so we could see all the beautiful emerald and glacier lakes that are so beautiful and that much less crowded like Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. I full recommend the trip with Jurek, especially if you expect to have authentic experience, as it is very rare to meet people like him. It is a very important part of a journey to meet not only a guide, but a person who truly cares and is passionate about his job. My son who sometimes finds it difficult to interact with others was enjoying the trip a lot, which also makes me very happy.
Review provided by Viator
Alex_d
Jul 7, 2024
Best way to see the area - This tour is unlike any other and we highly recommend it. Jerzy weaves the history of the area with the amazing landscape to provide an unforgettable experience. The Jimmy Simpson stories and Jerzy’s passion for the area are unmatched. Great hidden hikes and suggestions for future trips, too!
Review provided by Viator
Lloyd_s
Jul 1, 2024
Best Tour Guide Ever - This was absolutely the best tour we have ever been on. Our guide Jersey was fully engaged in making this the best experience it could be. Before we started he asked us what we wanted and how much hiking we were interested in so he could plan our trip. He is a student of history with a very interesting background and was full of knowledge about the area and the people who helped to build the area into what it is today. He was excited to be with us and made us feel very welcome. He volunteered to take pictures and with great enthusiasm tried to make every picture the best it could be. He would move around from different viewpoints to give us the most memorable images. We highly recommend his service and would never take a bus tour again after our experience. You will not be disappointed if you are lucky enough to get on his schedule. Thank You, Jersey Lloyd & Debbie Stephens Williamsburg, Va.
Review provided by Viator
Zizhen
May 23, 2024
highly recommended - Jerzy was very good. He took us to many check-in spots and many unknown but beautiful places. He also avoided the peak tourist season and went to places where there were not many people. If you want to see bears, you will not regret choosing him. He knows where the bears live.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cristinasr332cj
May 10, 2024
Best personalize Calgary tour ❤️🙏🏻⭐️ - The best tour ever not only because of the places we visited, but because of Jerzy's extreme human quality. We traveled with our elderly dad and Jerzy took special care of his needs. He took us to not so touristic sites and adapted the tour so all of us could enjoy it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kathy
Mar 2, 2024
Wow! Beautiful! Amazing! Repeat! - What an amazing day! Jersey is an absolute joy!!! He’s knowledge of the area is thoughtful and engaging. The scenery in the middle of winter was breathtaking. I can’t wait to come back in warmer weather. I would redo the tour again with Jersey in a heartbeat!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alberto_g
Jan 23, 2024
A Unique Experience in The Canadian Rockies - A refreshing experience well worth the time! We are a bit late on this review due to continuous travels, but are now taking the time to mention our extraordinary experience on our trip to Alberta, Canada, during December 2023. We are avid travelers who prefer to take our journeys in depth, and typically venture out on our own, but having an experienced guide made the visit so much more than we could have imagined. We are typically keen on experiencing our geographical roadmaps with included areas of cities or towns well known, but highly prefer to have a distance from the crowds while enjoying lesser known areas or locations which are just as beautiful and more memorable than your typical beaten path. Jerzy, was able to balance both of these for us, and was by far the most kind, and flexible tour guide we have ever had during our Winter adventure. Being a photographer hobbyist, we felt so much support from Jerzy, with his extensive knowledge on the history behind our visited locations, and recounting tales of Jimmy Simpson, who was a guiding and outfitting pioneer in the Canadian Rockies and founder of Num-Ti-Jah Lodge at Bow Lake, which was absolutely breathtaking! We were able to see the glacier caps over the mountains, and an impressive view of the glass shards pushed on the shoreline while the lake was in process of the fall overturn while at this location. Every moment we spent on this trip, and the locations were truly magical! Emerald Lake, Peyto Lake, Herbert Lake were among some of the fascinating locations we experienced, but the enthusiasm and journey and humility that Jerzy, provided was what made our day very special, and unmeasurable. We consider Jerzy, a new friend from the Canadian Rockies, and will look forward to more journeys together in the near future. Thank you Jerzy, for your kindness and extensive experience!
Review provided by Viator
Luke_b
Jan 21, 2024
Wonderful Tour - We did this tour with Jerzy back in September (sorry for the very late review!). We did not have a car during our holiday, so this tour was a great way to see lots of places we would not have been able to see otherwise. It was great having a private tour as Jerzy recommended places and we picked where we wanted to go. Whilst driving Jerzy played some interviews on the history of the area with Jimmy Simpson which were interesting. to hear. Our favourite places we visited were Bow Lake, Takakkaw Falls and Marble Canyon (we had the whole canyon to ourselves!). Jerzy is a great guide and made sure we covered everything we wanted to without feeling rushed. We would recommend his tour. Thanks Luke and Steph
Review provided by Viator
Margaret
Oct 29, 2023
Nice coach, Unexpectedly excellent experience! - Jerzy is a friendly & sincere guide, which tries his very best to bring the ultimate Banff experience to us. At the beginning of our journey, he tailored the journey by first understanding what spots we have been to before, and what experience we would like to have during this 1-day tour (eg: hiking/sight-seeing etc.). I still remembered that the weather that day is not really nice in the morning, but Jerzy paid an effort in keeping track at the weather in Banff, discussed with us and had re-arranged the travelling spots for us. Throughout the day, we had an excellent experience, which could go to the spots that we want to go in Banff. Thanks Jerzy for your excellent tour! :) We went to the Yoho National Park (Emerald Lake, and the Natural bridge), the Peyto Lake, the Bow Lake, the Bow Falls, and the Surprise Corner. Jerzy knows very well about Banff, and he knows some secret best viewing point that only a local would know! If you’re looking for the most local experience, then Jerzy’a tour would definitely be a good choice for curating your Banff journey. Thanks Jerzy, my mum and I enjoyed your tour very much, and thanks for trying your very best in curating the ultimate Banff journey for us :)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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