Small-Group Yoho and Kootenay Day Tour: Takakkaw Falls, Emerald Lake, Marble Canyon

Takakkaw Falls is the reason to book this one. A short hike ends at the base of the 373-metre cascade, close enough to feel the mist, and it is the first of five stops spread across Yoho and Kootenay National Parks. Emerald Lake comes next, with a short group walk around its shore. The lunch stop is also at Emerald Lake, at around 2 PM. Further along the Kicking Horse River, the Natural Bridge is a rock formation the river has cut through, and the guide explains the forces that shaped it. At the Lower Spiral Tunnels viewpoint the talk turns to railway engineering: the tunnels let trains handle the steep Kicking Horse Pass, and trains can be seen passing through them. The last stop is Marble Canyon in Kootenay National Park, a narrow limestone gorge cut by the glacial water of Tokumm Creek, crossed by wooden bridges over the rushing turquoise water. The group is small and the schedule is relaxed, with time to explore. Lake Minnewanka is among the scenic photo stops on the route. Pickup is offered in Banff, Canmore and Calgary. The tour needs a minimum of 3 guests to run. If it cannot, the operator contacts guests to arrange a different date.