Optional Tours - AO Trips
The following optional tours are available exclusively to A-O Trips participants for purchase through Gavel International.
Auto-Owners Insurance Exclusive Optional Tours purchased in advance will be charged in US Dollars at the time of booking. (The charge will appear on your credit card statement as A-O Trips)
We expect the optional tours to sell out and suggest you book your desired tours as soon as possible.
To guarantee your participation in the exclusive optional tours, reservations must be made at least 31 days in advance of the date on which you depart for Banff. While we will try to accommodate late reservations, we cannot guarantee availability after the cut-off date or onsite.
You may cancel or change your selections up until 31 days prior to your group departure. At 30 days prior to your group departure, tours will be NON-REFUNDABLE. (You can transfer your tour to someone else within your same group but please communicate this to the A-O Trips Travel Desk at Gavel International.)
You will receive an immediate confirmation via email of your purchase once it is complete. If you do not receive this confirmation, the booking process was not completed, so you will need to submit your tour purchase again. Please contact the A-O Trips Travel Desk at Gavel International if you need assistance purchasing optional tours.
Optional tours are subject to cancellation if minimum numbers to operate the tour are not met. If tours are cancelled, a full refund will be credited to your credit card, and you will be notified via email.
Please note that tour times are subject to change.
All tips and gratuities are included. Additional tips and gratuities are not necessary but can be given at your own discretion.
Guests will board their motor coach for a half-day tour of Banff. As the oldest and largest town in the Canadian National Parks, Banff undoubtedly owes its existence to the discovery of hot mineral springs on the slopes of nearby Sulphur Mountain. A gondola trip up Sulphur Mountain and the Gondola Summit provide panoramic views of the snow-capped peaks and valleys of the Bow Valley. There’s no shortage of fun in the state-of-the-art Gondola Summit building. With acclaimed restaurants, interactive interpretive exhibits, a multi-sensory theatre and a breathtaking 360-degree rooftop observation deck, the Banff Gondola summit heightens the senses. For those who are a little more adventurous, you can take the stairs to Sanson’s Peak for another panoramic view of the valley.
After the stop at Sulphur Mountain, the tour continues with many other fascinating sights around Banff, among them the unusual geological formation known as ‘the Hoodoos’, a stop at the BANFF sign for that souvenir selfie and the magnificent view of the Bow River Valley as seen from Tunnel Mountain Drive.
Duration: 3.5 hours
Includes:
- Roundtrip transportation
- Admission on Banff Gondola
- Guide narration
WHAT TO WEAR/BRING: Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing and comfortable shoes, dress in layers, including a lightweight waterproof jacket. Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, and bug spray.
INCLUSIONS: Roundtrip transportation, guide, gondola tickets.
EXCLUSIONS: No lunch provided.
RESTRICTIONS/NOTES: N/A
ACTIVITY LEVEL: Mild – Family Friendly (walking to/from the motor coach and Gondola, getting on/off the motor coach at each stop)
PRICE: $140.00 USD per adult
Children 10 - 17: $62.00 USD per child
Children 5 - 9: $40.00 USD per child
Children under 5 - no charge
MINIMUM 40 paying adults / MAXIMUM 52 per coach
Tentative Schedule:
8:45 am - Group meets at Fairmont Banff Springs Resort Main Lobby
9:00 am - Group departs Fairmont Banff Springs Resort for Banff Gondola
9:30 am - Arrive Banff Gondola
9:40 am - Ride Banff Gondola to Sulphur Mountain
11:00 am - Depart Sulphur Mountain for Banff Sightseeing Tour
12:30 pm - Return to Hotel (or be dropped in town)
A scenic transfer takes guests to Castle Junction where you begin your trail walk at Johnston Canyon, a local favorite. The adventure includes walking into a deep canyon and over suspended catwalks that are affixed to the limestone cliffs taking in the awesome views of the canyon along with waterfalls and streams. You will also learn about the formation of the canyon and spot fossil corals in the rocks. Note: This walk takes you into the Canyon and back out the same way – guests have the option of turning around at any time and going back to the beginning of the trail to wait there for the rest of the group to return.
Duration: 4.5 hours
Includes:
- Roundtrip transportation
- Guided Walk to the upper falls (approximately 3 hours of walking)
- 1 guide for every 12 guests
WHAT TO WEAR/BRING: Comfortable walking shoes or walking sandals such as Teva’s, dress in layers, including a lightweight waterproof jacket. Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, and bug spray.
INCLUSIONS: Roundtrip transportation and a guide escort for every 12 people
EXCLUSIONS: No lunch provided.
RESTRICTIONS/NOTES: Not suitable for people with mobility challenges and for those who cannot walk for a long period of time.
ACTIVITY LEVEL: Mild - Moderate (getting on/off the vehicle, walking on uneven paths with inclines and descents for approximately 3 hrs.)
PRICE: Tour price is: $142.00 USD per person (5 yrs. +) based on a min 8/max 12 per guide. Tour is for ages 5 and up.
MINIMUM 8 paying guests / TOUR MAXIMUM 48 at one time
Tentative Schedule:
7:45 am - Group meets in the Main Lobby
8:00 am - Group departs Fairmont Banff Springs Resort for Johnston Canyon
8:30 am - Arrive Johnston Canyon to begin trail walk
12:00 pm - Approximate return time to hotel (or be dropped in town)
