Spirit Island, Lake Maligne

Sit back and relax onboard a comfortable and unforgettable 14-kilometer (8.7-mile) cruise along Maligne Lake. Take in the views of the surrounding peaks of the Canadian Rockies, alpine glaciers, and azure water of the lake. Watch out for wildlife and learn from your guide about the early explorers and indigenous people of Jasper National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site. Visit the tiny but very famous Spirit Island, which is only accessible by boat, and enjoy a short nature trail before returning to Home Bay.

Following a pick-up from your accommodation in Jasper, climb aboard a 21-seat tour bus for a comfortable drive up the valley. Your first stop will be at Maligne Canyon. Enjoy an easy 30-minute walk and see the deepest portion at 164 feet, including a thundering waterfall. Re-board your bus and drive on through stunning landscapes en route to Medicine Lake. Here the tour will make a 10-minute stop for photos, and your guide will explain why this is known locally as the "disappearing lake." Continue on to Maligne Lake and take a 90-minute scenic cruise to Spirit Island. Throughout the day, look out for Canada’s famous wildlife, such as abundant moose, the odd black bear, and even a grizzly.

Experience magical mountains, alpine meadows, and thrilling rivers on this 5.5-hour tour to the Maligne Valley from Jasper. Part of the Jasper National Park, the valley is home to magnificent lakes and outstanding hiking trails. Following a pick-up from your Jasper hotel, you will go on a short hike past the sheer 100-foot walls of Maligne Canyon. Then, take a scenic drive to Maligne Lake and the "disappearing" Medicine Lake. Look out for elk and moose as you drive. Maligne Lake is the second largest glacial-fed lake in the world. It drains into the Maligne River and continues down to Medicine Lake. You will visit what is arguably the most extensive karst system - or underground river system - in Canada. An underground network of caves remains largely out of reach to visitors, keeping it a mystery for future exploration. Your professional guide will expand on this inscrutable place during an immersive narrative. During the summer season, you can join an inclusive boat cruise to Spirit Island, the only means of reaching the isolated island, for serene views of the stunning alpine scenery.  During the rest of the year, you can enjoy a guided hike along the Mary Schaffer Loop. Depending on the time of the year, you will enjoy wildlife viewings in the area around Maligne Canyon, including moose, sheep, caribou, and bears. Jump back on the bus for your return journey and hotel drop-off in Jasper, at the heart of Canada’s largest Rocky Mountain national park.

Don’t miss a thing as your favorite audio tour narrator guides you to not-to-be-missed places of interest across Banff, Lake Louise, Yoho, Icefields Parkway and Jasper, along with fascinating stories, tips and directions. Follow the suggested itineraries, or divide the commentary and create your own half, full or multi day sightseeing trips. The Canadian Rocky Mountains National Parks are such an amazing place where the scenery is often almost too good to be true. The National Parks are spread over hundreds of miles, each area with its own rewarding features, attractions and wildlife. Includes: Lake Louise and Yoho (Full Day) Lake Louise is one of the most famous of all the photos to take in the Rockies, with the beautifully coloured lake backdropped by massive, glacier-draped peaks. Moraine Lake is easily as stunning, with 10 peaks surrounding the lake. Be sure to read the information about pre-planning required to visit Moraine Lake. Yoho is the National Park that continues directly west of Lake Louise. Major attractions include Takakkaw Falls, a mighty glacier-fed cascade is the biggest in the Rockies, the serene Emerald Lake, and the Natural Bridge - an awesome display of the power of water. Also make a stop at the Spiral Tunnels to witness some manmade ingenuity. Commentary fills the portion of the drive between Lake Louise and Banff, with Johnston Canyon the most popular stop, and it's your choice whether to drive on the fast Hwy 1, or the slower, scenic 1A - Bow Valley Parkway. Icefields Parkway (Long Full Day) Without any doubt, this is the most scenic drive in the National Parks and has been voted the World's Most Beautiful Mountain Drive. Glaciers that practically touch the road, brilliant blue lakes, and thundering waterfalls dominate the route. And this drive is usually rich with wildlife. Take a full day to enjoy all the stops if driving one way between Banff or Lake Louise and Jasper, or reverse. It is also common to drive from Banff/Lake Louise to the Icefields Centre and then return as a day trip. Jasper (1-2 Days) With wider valleys between its mighty mountain ranges, and a touch lower elevation, Jasper is an ideal environment for wildlife. Drive the loop that visits the pretty lakes that sit on a benchland above the town, effortlessly climb Whistlers Mountain on the TramWay and even share the view with some big horn sheep on Old Fort Point, all close to the town. Then venture further out to the Maligne Canyon and Maligne Lake, the location of the famous Spirit Island cruise. And be sure to soak in the Rockies' hottest springs at Miette. Around Town of Banff (Half- Full Day) There are about a dozen surprisingly impressive things to do around the town of Banff, none more than 20 minutes away. Join the tour loop and follow from place to place with frequent stops for incredible views, waterfalls, mountain lakes and often lucky wildlife spotting locations.