Banff, Canada 🇨🇦
- Akash Bhatia
- 6 hours ago
- 6 min read
Getting to Banff:
The week of July 4th has quietly become a tradition for Meghna and me — our go-to window for summer travel. I had been eyeing flights from Dallas to Calgary for months, but prices always felt unreasonable for a 3.5-hour flight — usually hovering around $700 per person, and that’s before factoring in Banff accommodations, which aren’t exactly budget-friendly.
Then I stumbled upon a mileage deal I absolutely could not pass up.
We flew out of Dallas on July 3rd and returned July 9th, giving us nearly a full week to soak in the Canadian Rockies.
Day 1 Settling In
We landed in Calgary and made our way to the Budget Rental Cars booth. Here’s a pro tip that will save you serious time: make sure FastBreak is added to your booking. It’s completely free and lets you skip the counter.
We learned the hard way — waiting nearly an hour for our car. Budget was the only rental company with a line; everyone else walked straight through. Lesson learned.
The drive from Calgary to Banff is about 1.5 hours, and while stops are limited, you’ll pass through Canmore — another excellent (and more budget-friendly) place to stay. We opted for Banff town to be closer to restaurants, shops, and the overall energy.
Day 2 Johnson Canyon -> Ink Pots 🥾
Our first hike was Johnston Canyon to the Ink Pots (AllTrails Link) — a 7.1-mile round trip that took us roughly 5 hours total.
Along the way, you’ll pass:
Lower Falls
Upper Falls
Well-maintained iron catwalks
And eventually, the stunning Ink Pots
Parking is abundant near the trailhead, but we still started early — around 7:00 AM — to secure a spot and finish by early afternoon. We were hoping to be done by 12–1 PM since friends were arriving in Banff later that day.
The trail begins directly behind the resort, which is super convenient if you need coffee, snacks, water, or souvenirs before starting. Most hikers turn back after the Upper Falls, so once you push past that point, the trail noticeably quiets down — which made the Ink Pots feel even more special.
Day 3: Lake Louis & The Tea Houses
Day three delivered the iconic Lake Louise views — and our accidental longest hike of the trip. We missed the turnoff for the Lake Agnes Tea House while enjoying the lakeside views… and somehow rerouted ourselves toward a second tea house we didn’t even know existed. If you hike with me, just know: you’re getting your steps in.
We eventually made our way up to the Plain of Six Glaciers viewpoint, stopping frequently for photos and breathers as elevation gain added up.
As Pardis perfectly described it:
“We’re about 20 Fairmonts up.” Translation: a lot of steps.
This Plain of Six Glaciers tea house isn’t the famous Lake Agnes stop most tourists aim for — and honestly, that’s part of the charm. It was the perfect reward after miles of unexpected climbing.
Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House
After continuing on toward Lake Agnes, we stopped at Little Beehive, but skipped Big Beehive — fatigue was real at this point. We finally reached the Lake Agnes Tea House, where we placed bets on whether the menu would match the earlier tea house.
Spoiler alert: it didn’t.
Lake Agnes Tea House
On the way down, rain rolled in unexpectedly, giving us moody views of Mirror Lake. Pro tip: always pack a rain jacket in Banff, even if rain isn’t in the forecast. By the time we reached the bottom, we were exhausted — having logged over 11 miles total.
Would I do the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House again? Probably not.
Next time, I’d stick to Lake Agnes, Big and Little Beehive (link to AllTrails), which offers incredible views with less fatigue. The Plain of Six Glaciers is stunning — but it’s a grind.
Day 4: Sunrise at Moraine Lake
Another early morning — and this time, the sun wasn’t even up yet.
We booked Ten Peaks Shuttle & Tours — our first WanderEarth sponsor 🙌 Use code WANDER10 for 10% off your booking.
Ten Peaks picked us up directly from our hotel lobby and drove us to Moraine Lake. The ride was about 45 minutes, most of which we spent half-asleep — except for the brief moment of pulling into Moraine Lake, which we caught on video.
Important note: Even in July, it was freezing while waiting for sunrise. Ten Peaks provided warm blankets, which helped — but it was still cold until the sun finally crested the peaks.
Most sunrise tours leave shortly after the sun comes up, but we had arranged a longer stay, which I highly recommend. Moraine Lake deserves more than a quick visit.
There is no parking at Moraine Lake, so your options are:
Parks Canada Shuttle (book the moment spots release)
A private tour company like Ten Peaks
That’s how we ended up with Ten Peaks — Parks Canada spots sell out fast.
There’s also a small coffee shop at Moraine Lake that opens later in the morning. We grabbed pastries and surprisingly good chicken and vegetable samosas, which became our breakfast once the sun was fully up.
Once the sun was up and the warmth from the sunlight started hitting we went kayaking on Moraine Lake.
With our morning starting so early at Moraine Lake, we headed back to the Airbnb to rest and recharge. After a much-needed nap (and honestly, some serious recovery), we went out to Banff Mall to eat at Grizzly House Fondue.
Day 5: Tunnel Mountain and Fairmont Château Lake Louise
To kick off our morning, we started with a chill hike up Tunnel Mountain — the perfect way to ease into the day without committing to a full-on trek. Often called “the locals’ hike,” Tunnel Mountain offers sweeping overlooks of Banff and the surrounding Bow Valley without requiring a ton of effort.
The trail is well-maintained, clearly marked, and mostly paved, making it accessible for all fitness levels. You’ll gain elevation steadily but never feel like you’re grinding — it’s more of a gradual climb that lets you enjoy the scenery along the way. The hike is roughly 2.8 miles round trip and took us just under 1.5–2 hours at an easy pace with plenty of stops for photos.
From the top, you’re rewarded with panoramic views of Banff town below, the Bow River winding through the valley, and layers of mountain peaks in every direction. It’s the kind of hike that feels high reward for relatively low effort — especially if you’re short on time or saving your legs for bigger adventures later in the day.
If you’re looking for a scenic, low-commitment hike to start your Banff itinerary, Tunnel Mountain is an easy win.
We made our way to Lake Louise for one last round of photos, then wrapped up the day with drinks and appetizers at the Fairmont Château Lake Louise. Sitting with a lakeside view with a drink in hand felt like the perfect way to slow things down after a packed few days of hiking and early mornings.
It was our final chance to soak in the views of Lake Louise — and there really isn’t a better place to do it.
Day 6: Exploring Canmore & Calgary
We wrapped up our time in Banff with a short drive to Canmore for brunch. The town has a charming, local feel — lined with independent shops, cafés, and a slower pace compared to Banff. While Canmore offers more housing and lodging options (often at a better value), we were definitely glad we chose to stay in Banff town for the energy and walkability.
From there, we headed back to Calgary to explore before our flight home. We spent time wandering through malls, walking downtown, and soaking in the atmosphere as the city buzzed with events. It just so happened to be the weekend of the Calgary Stampede, along with an EDM festival happening nearby.
While we didn’t make it into either event, it was still fun to experience the energy — live music drifting through the streets, crowds in cowboy hats and boots, and the overall festive vibe. It was an unexpectedly fun way to close out the trip and a reminder that Calgary has a lot more to offer than just being the gateway to the Rockies.
Final Thoughts: Why Banff Keeps Calling Me Back
As we wrapped up our time in Banff, it felt very much like a “see you later”, not a goodbye.
My first visit was back in 2016, right after college — my first big trip. I hadn’t traveled much growing up, and Banff hooked me instantly. Coming back now with Meghna made it even more special.
I’ve visited many national parks and nature destinations since, but Banff remains unmatched — and here’s why:
✈️ Easy 3.5-hour flight from Dallas
🚗 Just a 1.5-hour drive from Calgary
🗺️ Extremely easy to get around by car
🥾 Hikes for every level, all with unreal scenery
👨👩👧 Family-friendly — we saw all ages on the trails
Banff doesn’t just impress once — it keeps pulling you back.
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