4.9 (47 reviews)
3 hours
Lake Louise, Banff
Max 12 guests
Tour Highlights
🌅
Paddle Lake Louise at sunrise, before the crowds arrive
🛶
Guided canoe experience on calm, turquoise waters
📸
Unobstructed photo opportunities with the Chateau in the background
🏔
Views of Victoria Glacier and the surrounding peaks
👤
Expert local guide with deep knowledge of the area
☕
Hot drinks and light refreshments provided
About This Experience
There's a reason Lake Louise is one of the most photographed places in the world — and there's a reason most photos don't do it justice. The turquoise water, the glacier backdrop, the scale of it all — it has to be experienced firsthand.
This early morning canoe experience gets you on the water before the day-trippers arrive. You'll paddle across some of the most iconic water in the Canadian Rockies with a guide who can point out the geological features, the wildlife patterns, and the best angles for photos. It's calm, it's beautiful, and it's the kind of morning that stays with you.
What's Included
✓Expert local guide
✓Canoe & paddling equipment
✓Life jackets (all sizes)
✓Hot drinks & snacks
✓Safety briefing & paddling lesson
✓Hotel pickup (Banff / Canmore)
✕Parks Canada pass (required)
✕Gratuities (optional)
Itinerary
5:30 AM
Hotel Pickup
We collect you from your hotel in Banff or Canmore in our comfortable 15-passenger van. Coffee and light snacks are waiting.
6:15 AM
Arrive at Lake Louise
Arrive before the crowds. Your guide briefs you on safety, paddling technique, and what to look for on the water.
6:30 AM
Sunrise Paddle
Launch your canoe onto the turquoise water as the sun hits Victoria Glacier. Paddle toward the glacier with your guide narrating the landscape.
7:45 AM
Shoreline & Photos
Return to shore and take in the views from the lakeshore. Your guide will suggest the best spots for photos.
8:30 AM
Return to Hotel
Arrive back at your hotel in time for breakfast, with a morning you'll never forget.
Meeting Point
📍 Map — Hotel pickup in Banff / Canmore
Cancellation Policy
🛡
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Cancel for any reason up to 24 hours before your tour starts and receive a full refund. If we cancel due to weather conditions, you'll receive a full refund or the option to reschedule.
Questions About This Tour
Lake Louise gets extremely busy by mid-morning in summer. By getting on the water at sunrise, you experience the lake in near-silence with perfect reflections. It's genuinely a different experience from visiting at 10 AM.
Yes, you need a valid Parks Canada Discovery Pass or day pass for Banff National Park. If you don't have one, we can stop at the park gate on the way in. Day passes are $10.50 CAD per person.
Light rain doesn't stop us — paddling in mountain mist can be magical. For safety, we only cancel in severe weather conditions (lightning, high winds). If we cancel, you receive a full refund or can reschedule.
Children ages 6 and up are welcome. Kids under 12 must be in a canoe with an adult. We provide child-sized life jackets. The early start time can be challenging for very young children.
Guest Reviews
"The sunrise was absolutely breathtaking. Having the lake practically to ourselves made it feel like our own private experience. Our guide was fantastic."
AP
Alex P.
August 2024
"Worth every penny and every minute of early waking. The colors of the lake at sunrise are unreal. My wife and I keep looking at the photos."
