Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls, and Canadian Rockies Hidden Gems
Overview
Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
If you feel like you’ve seen & done just about everything in the beautiful, but busy Banff National Park, then joining us on this tour to the lesser-known but just as incredible Yoho National Park will most definitely scratch that adventure itch you’re still working away at!
Highlighted by stops at the amazing, neon blue waters of Emerald Lake, Canada’s tallest waterfall at Takkakaw Falls and one of the Rockies nearby best kept secrets in neighbouring Kootenay National Park, this tour gives adventurous folks access to our personal favourite locations to experience the epic beauty of the Canadian Rockies without the summer crowds.
- Explore the Canadian Rockies epic, hard to reach gems in Yoho & Kootenay National Parks
- Feel the power of one of the biggest waterfalls in all of Canada (380m tall!!)
- Get off the beaten path and experience the Canadian Rockies best kept secrets!
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Children 8 and under are unable to join our small group adventures
Not recommended for travellers with mobility issues
Your picnic lunch comes with a Turkey sandwich by default. Prefer something else? Call us to swap it for Roast Beef, Ham, Chicken Tikka, or Vegetarian. Changes must be made by 2pm the day before your tour.
What To Expect
Kootenay National Park
A land of ice and fire, Kootenay National Park is a place of contrasts, with valleys and canyons carved by glaciers and grasslands marked by fire. Take a scenic drive along its historic highway.
Marble Canyon
Just over the continental divide, where the Rockies cross from Alberta into British Columbia, lays one of our favourite local secrets in Marble Canyon. Awaiting us here is an easy 1.3 kilometre out and back trail that crosses several bridges providing amazing views across the canyon and down into the startling turquoise water of Tokumm Creek below. If you like a learning moment woven into on your hikes, stop to marvel at how this little creek carved through the creamy coloured sedimentary rock over millennia to create the canyon. Otherwise, just marvel at the beauty.
Options
Rockies Hidden Gems with Lunch
Picnic Lunch: A fresh picnic lunch from one of our local favourites. Pickup included
What‘s Included
A fresh picnic lunch from one of our local favourites. Comes with a Turkey sandwich by default. Have a preference or dietary restriction? Reach out and we'll sort you out with an alternative.
Polaroid souvenir
Comfortable, upscale transportation with panoramic windows
Small group experience (max 12 guests)
Expert local guide trained in photography and storytelling
Fresh water refills (BYO water bottle)
Guide gratuities (optional)
National Park Pass
Pickup points
Fairmont Banff Springs
405 Spray Avenue Banff Canada
Peaks Hotel and Suites
218 Lynx Street Banff Canada
Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa
521 Banff Avenue Banff Canada
Tunnel Mountain Resort
502 Tunnel Mountain Road Banff Canada
Rimrock Banff, Emblems Collection
300 Mountain Avenue Banff Canada
Canalta Lodge Banff
545 Banff Ave Banff Canada
The Juniper Hotel
1 Juniper Way Banff Canada
Moose Hotel and Suites
345 Banff Avenue Banff Canada
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
120 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Jaw dropping sites with an exceptional guide
X6162RIalang,Jun 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Taylor was beyond informative and made our visits to the “hidden gems” fun and exciting! His knowledge of the area was apparent and his use of time on the van between stops was very well balanced, using some to engage us and other time to just let us enjoy. At each of these magnificent stops he walked with us, provided extra tidbits, played photographer, and just ensured we were getting the most out of our visit. This was our third Radventures experience and Taylor’s performance solidified our view that with this company, excellence is the norm!! The one cautionary note for this tour… we started in Lake Louise which, due to geography, caused us to miss the first “gem” (Marble Canyon in Kootenay National Park) as it occurred before our pickup. (We knew about this in advance.) While the rest of the tour is most definitely worth it, anyone buying this particular tour should just know that starting in Banff Instead of Lake Louise will add some content.
Great tour- beautiful and very educational!
jeffeV6091VJ,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very educational and entertaining. Great scenic tour! Max did a great job of explaining the area geology, animals, and landscape. Highly recommended!
A great natural experience around Banff
295kelvino,Jun 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Unexpected highlights with " Taylor" our driver and nature guide throughout the day was a bonus. Communication from Radventure's prior to the day with intinerary change outside of their control was also appreciated. This tour required a good level of agility due to the hikes on rough tracks to see some amazing places.
Bee is the best!
F3562HGlauram,Jun 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Bee was great! She took us to Maple Falls and Emerald Lake as our major stops and a few other hidden gems. We had the best bear sighting of our trip on this tour. Bee was very friendly and knowledgeable about the area and wildlife. We enjoyed the tour and would highly recommend it… and ask for Bee😀
Great tour, small group
744ashlingf,Dec 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Super tour with our driver/guide Tess. Nothing was a problem to her. Very informative and knowledgeable about the area. Ended the day with a close up of Elk!
Small group tours are the best!
basias944,Oct 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We took the “Rockies Hidden Gems” tour from Banff. We visited Yoho and Kootenay National Parks and saw Emerald Lake, the Takakkaw Falls and Marble Canyon, just to name a few. Radventures offers tours in smaller vans/buses, which we much preferred over the large bus experience. Our tour guide, Cam, was excellent. He was friendly, kind, knowledgeable about the sites, and struck the delicate balance between talking and allowing some quiet so we could appreciate was we were seeing and experiencing. Strongly recommend!
Charlie outstanding tour guide
Sherpa167966,Oct 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Charlie was an outstanding guide —very knowledgeable and made our tour a memorable experience. We were very happy with this tour and highly recommend.
Thanks Aaron for a fun filled day, great conversation, knowledge and stories of the sites, small van and timed perfectly
Su-ellen Lynett... C,Oct 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Tour timed to dodge the crowded and we were able to continue at the pace of us in the van. Aaron engaged with all participants and shared knowledge and stories of his time around Banff.
Amazing experience with an amazing guide!
nickv317,Sep 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a great experience. From seeing so many of the less visited but just as spectacular sights to our tour guide Lugo’s amazing knowledge and guidance, this experience was amazing!! I highly recommend you book this excursion!
So much to see; so much to learn. Have an amazing day with Radventures Hidden Gems Tour!
M3853PRbriand,Sep 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This is a great tour with a great company. You will get to see 3 National Parks (Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay), and see things you might not choose on the standard tours. Our favorites were Takakkaw Falls, Emerald Lake, and Marble Canyon. A long day, but totally worth it. Our guide Aaron was extremely helpful and generous with taking pictures and making everyone feel included and welcome.
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Operated by Radventures