Banff: Grizzly Bear Refuge Tour With Lunch

Visitors to Banff can experience the thrill of spotting a grizzly bear on the Grizzly Bear Refuge Tour. This 10-hour adventure offers a chance to see Boo, a resident bear, while exploring the stunning Canadian Rockies. The tour includes a scenic drive, a gondola ride, and a delicious lunch at Canada’s highest restaurant. With knowledgeable guides and a small-group setting, this tour provides a unique opportunity to connect with nature. But what can you expect to see and do during this unforgettable experience?

Key Points

• A 10-hour excursion focused on viewing Boo, a resident grizzly bear, in the Canadian Rockies, with a scenic journey and key highlights like Takakkaw Falls and Emerald Lake.
• The tour includes a guaranteed grizzly bear sighting, a visit to the Grizzly Bear Refuge, a gondola ride to the highest restaurant in Canada, and a lunch.
• The tour provides a small-group experience with hotel pickup and drop-off, as well as a knowledgeable guide who offers commentary throughout the day.
• Comfortable shoes and warm clothing are recommended due to unpredictable weather, and large bags and luggage are not allowed on the tour.
• The tour is priced at $221.22 per person and offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview

The Banff: Grizzly Bear Refuge Tour with Lunch is a 10-hour excursion that takes visitors on a scenic journey through the Canadian Rockies with a focus on viewing Boo, a resident grizzly bear.

Priced from $221.22 per person, the tour includes hotel pickup, a professional certified guide, and a small-group experience.

Key highlights include Takakkaw Falls, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, and Emerald Lake.

The tour offers a guaranteed grizzly bear sighting or the next tour is free.

With free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, this tour provides a unique wildlife encounter in an alpine setting.

Itinerary Highlights

This tour includes several key stops along the way. First, you’ll visit Takakkaw Falls, Canada’s second-highest waterfall with a 254m/830ft drop. Next, you’ll ride an enclosed gondola to the top of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, where you’ll enjoy lunch at the highest restaurant in Canada. The main highlight is the Grizzly Bear Refuge, where you’ll meet Boo, a resident grizzly bear in a 20-acre habitat. On the return journey, you’ll make a scenic photo stop at Emerald Lake.

| Itinerary Highlights | Description | Duration |

|———————|————-|———-|

| Takakkaw Falls | Canada’s 2nd highest waterfall | 45 minutes |

| Kicking Horse Mountain | Gondola ride to 7,700 ft, lunch | 1 hour |

| Grizzly Bear Refuge | Meet Boo the grizzly bear | 1 hour |

| Emerald Lake | Scenic photo stop | 20 minutes |

Tour Experience

Guests embark on a sightseeing bus tour (1.5 hours) to explore the highlights of Banff National Park.

They stop at Takakkaw Falls for a guided tour (45 minutes) to witness Canada’s second-highest waterfall.

Next, they visit Emerald Lake for a photo stop and short walk (20 minutes).

Emerald Lake offers a photo opportunity and a brief stroll around its picturesque surroundings.

An optional gondola ride (20 minutes) takes them to 7,700 feet for lunch at the highest restaurant in Canada.

The highlight is the Grizzly Bear Refuge, where they can observe Boo, a resident grizzly, in his 20-acre habitat (1 hour).

Knowledgeable guides provide commentary throughout the day.

Inclusions

The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off available on request, as well as a professional certified guide to lead the small-group experience. The tour package also includes:

| Inclusions | |

| — | — |

| Grizzly bear refuge tour | ✓ |

| Gondola ticket | ✓ |

| Lunch | ✓ |

| Gratuities | ✓ |

| Small-group tour experience | ✓ |

Guests are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes and warm clothing. Luggage and large bags are not allowed on the tour. The pickup schedule starts at 7:55 AM with specific times listed for each location.

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Important Information

What should guests bring for the tour? Visitors are advised to wear comfortable shoes and bring warm clothing, as the weather in the Canadian Rockies can be unpredictable.

Visitors are advised to wear comfortable shoes and bring warm clothing, as the weather in the Canadian Rockies can be unpredictable.

Large bags and luggage aren’t allowed on the tour. The pickup schedule is clearly outlined, with specific times listed for each of the 13 designated locations in Banff, starting as early as 7:55 AM.

Guests should be aware that early and late season bookings may result in itinerary changes, and the Takakkaw Falls Road typically opens in late June.

Following these simple guidelines will ensure a smooth and enjoyable Grizzly Bear Refuge Tour experience.

Pickup Locations

The tour offers pickup from 13 convenient locations around Banff, including the Banff Train Station, Juniper Hotel, and Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa.

Guests can choose the most suitable pickup point based on their location. The pickup schedule starts at 7:55 AM, with specific times listed for each location.

This ensures a seamless start to the day’s adventure. Whether travelers are staying in the heart of Banff or on the outskirts, they can easily access the tour with the comprehensive pickup options provided.

The well-planned logistics make it simple for guests to join the Grizzly Bear Refuge Tour.

Key Stops

After pickup, the tour takes guests to several key stops throughout the Banff region. The first stop is Takakkaw Falls, Canada’s second-highest waterfall with a 254m (830ft) drop. Next, the tour visits Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, where guests can ride an enclosed gondola to 7,700 ft and enjoy lunch at the Eagles Eye Restaurant, Canada’s highest restaurant. The main highlight is the Grizzly Bear Refuge, where visitors meet Boo, a resident grizzly bear in his 20-acre habitat. Before returning, the tour makes a scenic photo stop at Emerald Lake.

| Key Stops | Experiences |

| — | — |

| Takakkaw Falls | Canada’s second-highest waterfall |

| Kicking Horse Mountain Resort | Enclosed gondola ride, lunch at Eagles Eye Restaurant |

| Grizzly Bear Refuge | Meet Boo the grizzly bear |

| Emerald Lake | Scenic photo stop |

| Sightseeing Bus Tour | 1.5 hours |

Customer Reviews

According to several customer reviews, the Banff: Grizzly Bear Refuge Tour consistently receives high praise.

Customers, like Sandra, emphasized the guide’s expertise and enthusiasm. Others, such as Jeremy, highlighted the emotional experience of meeting Boo the grizzly bear.

MaryBeth enjoyed the scenic gondola ride and wildlife viewing. The tour provides a unique opportunity to observe a grizzly bear in a 20-acre natural habitat.

With a guaranteed grizzly sighting or a free next tour, the experience offers excellent value. The tour’s combination of natural wonders, educational elements, and wildlife viewing makes it a top-rated attraction in Banff.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Exact Location of the Grizzly Bear Refuge?

The grizzly bear refuge is located in a 20-acre habitat. Guests have the opportunity to meet Boo, a resident grizzly bear, during the tour experience.

Is There a Limit on the Number of Participants per Tour?

The tour does not specify a limit on the number of participants. However, it’s described as a "small-group tour experience", suggesting a relatively intimate group size to facilitate a personalized wildlife viewing and sightseeing experience.

Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks on the Tour?

No, bringing your own food and drinks is generally not allowed on this type of guided tour. The tour includes a lunch at the restaurant, and outside food and beverages are typically prohibited for safety and liability reasons.

Do I Need to Pay Extra for Any Optional Activities?

The tour includes the gondola ride ticket, so there are no additional fees for that optional activity. However, any other optional activities or purchases would need to be paid for separately by the participant.

Is There a Professional Photographer Accompanying the Tour?

The tour doesn’t include a professional photographer. However, guests are welcome to take their own photos throughout the tour’s scenic stops, including at the grizzly bear refuge and on the gondola ride.

The Sum Up

This Banff tour offers an unparalleled opportunity to witness a resident grizzly bear in its natural habitat. With a scenic journey through the Canadian Rockies, stunning natural wonders, and a gourmet lunch, it provides a well-rounded experience that blends adventure and comfort. Knowledgeable guides and a small-group setting ensure an intimate and memorable encounter with the iconic Boo the grizzly bear.

You can check availability for your dates here: