Why Choose a Private Guide for a Canadian Rockies Tour?
Tours are a wonderful way to experience what any destination has to offer, and in the incredible Canadian Rockies, the activity options are limitless. There are multiple tours for every budget and interest level, and a personal tour guide can show you all the hidden gems that you wouldn’t discover on your own. With guides’ vast knowledge of the area, private tours are an efficient way to see all the hotspots without the hassle of trying to organize a memorable trip on your own.
8 Benefits of Personal Tour Guides vs. Public Tour
1: Tailor-Made Itinerary
Your dream vacation should be everything you want and more! A big advantage of booking with a private Canadian Rockies tour guiding company is the option for a personalized, tailor-made tour. Tour guiding companies have many pre-planned options on their websites, however, a customized tour means you can choose exactly where you want to go, what you want to do, how long you want the tour to be and also the type of food you want. No need to do any research—a private tour guide will get to know you and your interests to craft your ideal Canadian Rockies tour.
2: Group Size
Public tours can have anywhere from 12 to 50 guests at any one time. Private tours are limited to how many people are in your family or group, so you’re not just another face in the crowd. This allows for maximum flexibility on your tour—no need for a set schedule, and no inconsiderate strangers holding up the day. Private tours are all about freedom and gaining the most from your day, with the people you care about.
3: Delicious Dining Delivered To You
Discovering amazing food is part of the joy of a vacation, so why compromise on a public tour? Booking with a private guide expands your dining options—no more big line ups for the buffet with only a couple options to meet your dietary needs. Sit-down experiences and luxury picnics are encouraged where possible, so you don’t have to enjoy the decadent meals local eateries serve up on the fly. Your guide will find the best option to suit your needs and satiate your appetite.
4: Local Knowledge from an Expert
A personal tour guide is a local who knows the Canadian Rockies extremely well, including the history, geology, flora and fauna. The majority of guides in the Canadian Rockies are accredited by the Interpretive Guides Association completing courses specific to the mountains that surround them. Whether you opt for a guided hike or sightseeing, your personal tour guide will take you the road less travelled and provide all the information you want to know. Don’t be afraid to ask questions—having a local guide is also a great way to get information for the rest of your trip, like the best restaurants, shops and must-do activities that you might not find in a guide book.
5: Private Vehicle and Professional Driver
Sit back and relax! The best part of a private Canadian Rockies tour is the luxury of having your own vehicle and driver to chauffeur you to and from your destination. No need to worry about directions, getting lost, or what side of the road you should be on. A guide will collect you directly from your accommodations at a time that suits you, with no waiting around for a packed bus. Enjoy a glass of wine with your lunch, gaze out the window at the stunning scenery or watch for wildlife without keeping one eye on the road. Your professional driver is behind the wheel.
6: Hassle Free Planning
Planning a trip may be exciting, but it’s also often stressful. You may have more questions than answers—like if the attraction will be open, how to buy tickets, how far away your destination is from your accommodations and where to find the best restaurant Your personal tour guide will know the answer to all of these questions and more, and will get you where you want to go and when with ease!
7: Accessibility to Attractions
Not all attractions in the Canadian Rockies are open year-round. During peak times, certain attractions are closed to the public, such as Lake Louise. Other attractions such as Moraine Lake are not accessible by public vehicles. You can avoid frustration and the waste of your precious vacation time with a personal tour guide. Tour operators have access to certain areas even if they are closed to the public, so you won’t miss out on what you really want to see.
8: Rapport with your Guide
Get on a first-name basis with your personal tour guide! It’s much easier to ask questions and request changes to your day with a private guide, because private tours allow for a much better flow of conversation than larger bus tours. Bigger tours are intended to deliver as much information to guests as possible, and while some people may enjoy this, it does detract from the personalized experience that only a personalized private tour can offer. Your guide is there to ensure your trip exceeds your expectations, with the photos to prove it!
How Affordable is a Private Tour?
Private tours can be costly, but mostly this depends on what you value in your vacation time. For many, visiting the Canadian Rockies is a once in a lifetime experience, and the last thing you want is to waste your time. With a private tour, things like meals, park passes, snacks and drinks are usually included, and you’ll be conveniently and efficiently shuttled to all the hot spots you want to see. As you explore, your personal guide will provide you with all the tips you need to make the rest of your stay as phenomenal as your tour.
2 Once-in-a-Lifetime Private Tour Experiences in the Canadian Rockies
Lake Louise Twilight Experience – Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are two of the most popular destinations in Banff National Park. If you want the best experience, the time to visit is when the tour buses have left and the lighting is beautiful. A twilight tour ensures that you get to take in the stunning blue of the lake and the towering serenity of the mountains, without the crush of a crowd. A delicious first class meal is included with this tour at the historical Lake Louise Station Restaurant.
Private Guided Hikes - If you love the outdoors a hike in the Canadian Rockies is an unforgettable experience set with spectacular views. With a personal tour guide, you set the pace and your guide will ensure the trail is within your abilities, so you can focus on basking in the scenery.
Canadian Rockies Experience is a Canmore based company offering luxurious, private sightseeing and guided hiking tours in the summer and winter. Intimate, highly customized tours allow you to travel like a local and fall in love with the unbelievable Canadian Rockies. Book now to plan your perfect vacation today.
Contributor - Laura dowling
Laura Dowling is an Interpretive Guides Association (I.G.A.) Professional guide. Laura is passionate about guiding visitors around the Rockies and making sure they experience all it has to offer.