The night was starry, and the moon was half-crescent. I cuddled up beside the bedside window inside a wooden chalet to witness the night’s grandeur.

But slowly, the starry sky lulled me into sleep. The next day, when the night departed and the sun made its grand entry, I woke up and witnessed a magical morning slowly unfolding.

The Canadian Rockies afar were shining in a silvery glow. The dewdrop on a green leaf was reflecting the morning glory.

And I was slowly sipping the cup of hot coffee. The spark of aliveness everywhere ignited the romantic traveler in me, and I decided to go on a cruise on Lake Minnewanka in Banff, Canada, by Pursuit.

The spark of aliveness everywhere ignited the romantic traveler in me, and I decided to go on a cruise on Lake Minnewanka, in Banff, Canada. #Travel #wanderer #ExploreCanada #wilderness Click To Tweet
A cruise on Lake Minnewanka in Banff, Canada, Travel Realizations, pursuitbanffjasper

It was around 10 in the morning when I reached the parking lot with trepidation in my heart. I was unsure whether I will get a parking space.

But luck favored me, and I got one. I quickly walked down a few meters and saw the milky green water of Lake Minnewanka. Ah! what a wonderful scene it was as I looked through the frame made up of trees.

Tip: Arrive early, especially in summer, and look for parking spaces in between.

A cruise on Lake Minnewanka in Banff, Canada, Travel Realizations, pursuitbanffjasper
A lake and two travelers on a summer day sailing through Lake Minnewanka!
A cruise on Lake Minnewanka in Banff, Canada, Travel Realizations, pursuitbanffjasper
A decked up summer day!

Embarking on a boat to cruise Lake Minnewanka

A cruise on Lake Minnewanka in Banff, Canada, Travel Realizations, pursuitbanffjasper

The captain of the boat signaled alright, locked the gate and our boat set sail on the sparkling milky green water.

Inside the boat, one of the crew members welcomed everyone and informed us a few interesting facts and legends about Lake Minnewanka.

The captain of the boat signaled alright, locked the gate and our boat set sail on the sparkling milky green water. #Travel #wanderer #ExploreCanada #wilderness Click To Tweet
A cruise on Lake Minnewanka in Banff, Canada, Travel Realizations, pursuitbanffjasper
From the boat wherever I looked, I saw the majestic Canadian Rockies!

A summer serenade!

A Perfect reflection!

I felt that the Canadian Rockies stand solemn guard over the Lake Minnewanka which hides a ghost town beneath its surface and in return the lake gifts a perfect mirror to the mountain.

This corner of the Rockies in Banff seems to me exactly what my meditation podcasts were telling me to visualize, but here I don’t have to close my eyes. I can open them.

A cruise on Lake Minnewanka in Banff, Canada, Travel Realizations, pursuitbanffjasper
The reflection shivering under the gentle touch of the breeze.
I felt that the Canadian Rockies stand solemn guard over the Lake Minnewanka which hides a ghost town beneath its surface. #Travel #wanderer #ExploreCanada #wilderness Click To Tweet

Lake Minnewanka hides a ghost town beneath its surface

Like the sunbeam, I too wanted my vision to penetrate this glassy lake and look inside.

My desire to look beneath was not fulfilled. But my failed vision didn’t deter me from quenching my curiosity.

After a little research, I discovered that this Canadian lake hides a ghost town beneath its surface!

lake is the landscape’s most beautiful and expressive feature!
After a little research, I discovered that this Canadian lake hides a ghost town beneath its surface! #Travel #wanderer #ExploreCanada #wilderness Click To Tweet

In times gone by, there used to be a hamlet named Minnewanka Landing, at the base of the Canadian Rockies. City dwellers from Calgary used to flock to this summer village for its beauty and charm.

Around 1886, a hotel named Beach house was constructed out of logs. Over the years the town grew to include four avenues, three streets, dozens of cottages, numerous hotels and restaurants, and multiple sailing outfits that would take guests on boat excursions around the (much smaller) original lake.

Minnewanka Landing continued to thrive until 1941 with the building of a dam, which raised the reservoir’s waters by 98 feet, engulfing everything in its wake. 

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Since every good thing comes to an end, our cruise on Lake Minnewanka, too, came to an end after an hour. I bid adieu to the sparkling blue water with a heart full of charming sceneries.

If you are visiting Banff, plan to go for beautiful hikes amidst the wilderness, and also don’t miss the cruise on Lake Minnewanka by Pursuit. Don’t miss an hour full of panoramas and splendor.

Tip: Check out some beautiful Canadian Souvenirs.

A cruise on Lake Minnewanka in Banff, Canada, Travel Realizations, pursuitbanffjasper, ChirasreeinCanada, Chirasree
Against the backdrop of ecstatic serenity!
I bid adieu to the sparkling blue water with a heart full of charming sceneries. If you are visiting Banff, then don't miss the cruise on Lake Minnewanka by Pursuit. Don't miss an hour full of panoramas and splendor. #Travel… Click To Tweet
A cruise on Lake Minnewanka in Banff, Canada, Travel Realizations, pursuitbanffjasper
Just before bidding adieu, one last time I captured the beautiful Lake Minnewanka!

Disclosure: I wrote this post as part of a campaign with Pursuit. Opinions on this blog, as you can tell, are always mine.

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Chirasree Banerjee

Hello. My name is Chirasree. I have been traveling for almost 11 years to places all over the world. I enter into a separate reality during my travels and enjoy the allure of escape from the mundane. I seek beauty through nature and human-made creations. Because beauty is powerful. I seek knowledge. I observe, absorb, and write about the places I visit and the profound realizations and inspirations that each place has to offer.