Full-Day Lake Tahoe Circle Tour including Olympic Valley
Recommended by 94% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Lake Tahoe, USA
- 7 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Travel the full circumference of Lake Tahoe in comfort—and maximize your limited travel time—on this full-day bus tour. Look forward to exploring the lake's highlight sights and vistas. Admire viewpoints at Emerald Bay and Truckee River Dam, see where the 1960 Winter Olympics were held at Palisades Tahoe Ski Resort, and stop at Tahoe City for lunch (own expense). As you go, your guide provides rich historical context for the beautiful landscapes.
- Make a full circle around Lake Tahoe on this comprehensive day tou
- Spot top viewpoints and historic landmarks, and learn insider facts
- Travel in comfort aboard an air-conditioned shuttle bus
- This tour is a great option for visitors without their own transport
What's Included
- Transport by air-conditioned shuttle bus
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (select hotels only)
- Driver/guide
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
Marriott Resorts Red Curb pullout on Hwy 50 by Heavenly Gondola 8:00am Golden Nugget Lake Tahoe - main lobby area 8:05am The Hilton Vacation Club - bus stop on Ski Run Blvd. 8:10am
Operating hours.8:00 am
Itinerary
Your tour begins with morning pickup from select South Lake Tahoe hotels. Board your shuttle and admire Lake Tahoe’s panorama from the windows.
Travel along the south shore first, stopping at Emerald Bay State Park, home to some of the lake’s most beautiful vistas. Step out to admire Fannette Island and the towering Sierra Nevada peaks.
Next, continue to the home of the 1960 Winter Olympics, Palisades Tahoe Ski Resort. Take some time to explore the mountain village before heading to Tahoe City. There, have free time to grab lunch or shop (own expense).
After your break, travel across the state border into Nevada, stopping at Logan Shoals for more incredible views. As you travel, your guide provides fun and factual narration about the area and the sights that you pass.
Your Lake Tahoe circle tour concludes at the original departure point.
Travel along the south shore first, stopping at Emerald Bay State Park, home to some of the lake’s most beautiful vistas. Step out to admire Fannette Island and the towering Sierra Nevada peaks.
Next, continue to the home of the 1960 Winter Olympics, Palisades Tahoe Ski Resort. Take some time to explore the mountain village before heading to Tahoe City. There, have free time to grab lunch or shop (own expense).
After your break, travel across the state border into Nevada, stopping at Logan Shoals for more incredible views. As you travel, your guide provides fun and factual narration about the area and the sights that you pass.
Your Lake Tahoe circle tour concludes at the original departure point.
1
Palisades Tahoe
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Lake Tahoe
2 hours • Admission Ticket Free
3
South Lake Tahoe
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
North Lake Tahoe Visitor Center
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
5
Logan Shoals Vista Trail
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Cave Rock (Pass By)
6
Emerald Bay State Park
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
7
Tahoe City
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- A maximum of 10 people per booking
- It is recommended to bring comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen and a reusable water bottle
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 26 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.7
based on 156 reviews
Denise_W, May 2026
Great experience . Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and made plenty of stops . Covered the entire lake and left us plenty of time for lunch and exploring Tahoe City.
Marcia_R, May 2026
We saw so much! We traveled around the lake going through so many small towns each with its own personality. Our tour guide was amazing entertaining us with information and funny stories the entire six hours. The tour was a wonderful experience.
Betty_H, Oct 2025
This is wonderful trip around the lake driven and narrated by Nevada who is fantastic. He is very knowledgeable. We took this same tour a couple years ago when we were out here and so much enjoyed it that we decided to do it again. And the best part was that Nevada was our driver and narrator back then.
Carrol_B, Oct 2025
Great trip. The driver was very knowledgeable and friendly. Would recommend this trip to anyone. Thanks
Pamela_B, Oct 2025
Excellent guide! We learned so much. Even though it was raining we saw so much!
So beautiful .
The van was nice and comfortable and the whole day was fantastic.
Katherine_R, Sep 2025
Our tour guide Nevada Smith was very knowledgeable, friendly and sensitive to our needs! He’s funny and keep the ball rolling!
Earl_R, Sep 2025
We unfortunately we’re not able to take the tour because American Airlines canceled our connecting flight going to Lake Tahoe on Monday. I called on Monday to cancel the tour since we would not be making it to Lake Tahoe. We were in flight all day and unable to be reached. But did let Viator that scheduled the trip know that we would not be able to make it due to flight cancellation. The tour decided not to refund our fee. We were very unhappy with that decision since it was not our doing, it was American Airlines. They said American Airlines shared refund, which you know that would not happen. Via tour should have refunded to keep their customers happy and in good standing. Hard to give a full review of the tour experience since we did not go, but because there was a hitch with our plans due to flight cancellation, the tour operator was not understanding. Very unhappy!!!!!!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
This negative review is not about us, the tour operator but Viator which sell tickets
( very important )
Paulette_T, Sep 2025
We saw a lot and learned so much about the area. It was much better than driving ourselves around the lake.
lmcirvinrn, Aug 2025
Prompt pick up at selected site. Great informative narrative throughout day. Plenty of bathroom breaks, good lunch site recommendation in Tahoe City (Rosie's). Booked this trip after reading reviews and recommendation by another reviewer that this trip should be for day 1.
Very glad we did. First trip to Lake Tahoe.
Heidi_S, Jul 2025
This is an outstanding tour of Lake Tahoe. Our guide, Nevada Smith, shared lots of stories and information about the area!
margomagoo51, Jul 2025
It was a fun, informative day. There were plenty of stops for scenic views and the bathroom facilities.
Gina_T, Jul 2025
Tour concise and guide very well versed with the region. It was well worth the price and time to do this tour.
Bridget_M, Jul 2025
Circled the entire lake, driver was very knowledgeable and kind. We had one child 11 years old who also enjoyed seeing the sites! I would recommend!
Melanie_W, Apr 2025
It was very informative and it was breathtaking. We really enjoyed ourselves. It was 12 of us in our party.
Susana_C, Oct 2024
Looking at the Emerald Bay just bypassed. Not able to visit all the places supposed to be visited . When I called to book the trip, I asked the lady what& how many places will be visiting, but I think we didn’t get to see all placed y
Response from Host, Oct 2024
We're bummed that this tour did not meet your expectations, we strive to make it as good as possible based on guest's feed back. Thank you
Randi_M, Sep 2024
My husband and I came to Lake Tahoe to celebrate our wedding anniversary. I booked the lake tour because he had never been to Tahoe before. We had a wonderful time. The weather was beautiful and the tour guide was great. He had so much information about the lake, the various areas around the lake the famous people who live at the lake (past and present). He engaged the passengers by asking questions and getting us to sing songs. We would recommend this tour to anyone visiting Lake Tahoe.
Doug_H, Sep 2024
The views were good and the trip was worth the money that we spent. Wish there would have been snow on the mountains that would have been pretty
Jason_W, Aug 2024
Would really recommend this tour, our guide was fantastic. We would suggest it to start your trip because it gives a great overview of the lake and helps direct you towards other activities for the balance of your trip.
Blanca_F, Aug 2024
Learned so much about Lake Tahoe. Our tour guide was informative, nice & a good driver. The views were beautiful.
ROBERT_B, Aug 2024
We had a great time on the tour. It was our. ANNIVERSARY week and really wanted to enjoy ourselves. The best part was the stop at Tahoe City. Spectacular views, great weather 👍
Mark_P, Jun 2024
Driver was great! Nice not to have to drive to see the lake. Will definitely consider doing again next year.
Anil_S, Jun 2024
We could enjoy the beauty of lake tahoe from all the side. Guide kept us informed and entertained us with hollywood knowledge.
Teresa_W, May 2024
Bus driver was entertaining and route was well planned. A phone was left on the bus and driver went above and beyond to return it.
Timothy_G, May 2024
Overall a great way to see Lake Tahoe and Squaw Valley in 1 day. Trip was a bit long (7 hours) and did get redundant with too many similar lake view stops. Shorten lunch to 1 hour. Tour guide comments well done.
Bryan_R, May 2024
This is a great experience to see what other parts of the lake have to offer and can't travel on your own.
Pros: affordable for the experience, amazing vistas, good for picking a 'jumping off' point if staying at or near lake tahoe for several days. There's a good amount of varied commentary on the history of the lake and the area surrounding it while going from stop to stop.
Cons: For some, the timeline of the tour might be too constrained to see certain places. You're on your own for food and drinks. Consider taking water at the bare minimum.
Higinio_C, May 2024
Everything about the lake and info by driver. Really enjoyed the tour. Always use visitor. Have used them all over Europe.
david_h, May 2024
Stress free and very nice driver was very knowledgeable and friendly there were plenty of bathrooms available throughout the trip and plenty of opportunities for photos
Maria_D, Apr 2024
Seeing Emerald bay. The view from above was breathtaking. Also seeing the lake at a lower level was amazing. Could see right to the bottom.
Cindy, Nov 2023
This trip around Lake Tahoe was absolutely perfect! We started out by being blessed with sighting 2 maybe 3 bears in a wooded area. This was very exciting! Our tour guide was full of great stories and Tahoe information that he shared with us around the lake. His knowledge and his ability to share in an entertaining way made our trip very pleasant. I have made this trip before and I will again hopefully in the future. I highly recommend this experience.
Mandisa_M, Nov 2023
I would definitely recommend taking this trip. The driver was very knowledgeable about the area. He's was very funny.
Likely to Sell Out
From $70.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Full-Day Lake Tahoe Circle Tour including Olympic Valley
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