The rugged west coast of Canada is one of untouched nature, unique
cultural history and a charm that is truly only found in this part of
the world. Join us for the return of the gray whales to Clayoquot
Sound, explore the nature of the west coast and learn of the unique
cultures of our First Nations peoples.
ItineraryDay One - Vancouver
Arrival in Vancouver. Our guide will greet you and bring you to our hotel. Dinner is at the hotel tonight. (1 night, D)
Day Two - The Gulf Islands
After
a good breakfast, we'll be taking the ferry to Vancouver Island and
from there another ferry will bring us to the Gulf Islands for two
nights. We'll spend the afternoon getting acquainted with our local
surroundings through a guided tour. (2 nights, B/D)
Day Three - Sea kayaking
What
a better way to get to know our surroundings than from the water. After
a three hour sea kayak experience we'll spend the rest of the day on a
guided hike learning of the local flora and fauna. (B/D)
Day Four - Tofino
After
another short ferry ride back to Vancouver Island we'll visit the
communities of Chemainus, famous for its murals, and Duncan, city of
totems. After a drive over the two mountain passes, we'll reach Tofino
on the west coast of Vancouver Island. (2 nights, B/D)
Day Five - Pacific Rim National Park and Clayoquot Sound
We'll
spend the morning on numerous guided hikes in Pacific Rim National
Park. After lunch we'll suit up and board our zodiacs to go look for
whales on the open Pacific Ocean. Other animals we have seen on this
journey include sea lions, seals, otters, bald eagles, orcas, dolphins
and more. (B/D)
Day Six - Quadra Island
Today we're
leaving Tofino back for the eastern coast of Vancouver Island. After a
short walk in Cathedral Grove through a stand of old growth Douglas fir
trees, we'll reach the town of Qualicum Beach for lunch. Our journey
now takes us north to Campbell River. Another short ferry ride will
bring us to our destination today - Quadra Island. (2 nights, B/D)
Day Seven - Mother Nature
You'll
have today free to explore the wonders of this small island. Activities
offered include fishing, kayaking, whale watching, hiking, cycling and
more. (B/D)
Day Eight - Sointula, Malcolm Island
Another
two ferry rides are necessary today to reach our goal destination.
Along the route we'll stop in Sayward for lunch. Sointula is an old
Finnish settlement on Malcolm Island and you can still see their
heritage today. (2 nights, B/D)
Day Nine - Alert Bay
Our
excursion will take us on another ferry ride to nearby Cormorant Island
and the town of Alert Bay. Here we will visit U' Mista Cultural Centre,
a First Nations museum where we will learn further of their history and
culture. We'll see the world's tallest totem pole and explore the shops
of Alert Bay. In the afternoon we'll return to Malcolm Island to
further explore the island. (B/D)
Day Ten - Vancouver
Upon
returning to Vancouver Island we'll drive south to Nanaimo and take the
ferry over to Vancouver. Dinner will be on the harbour front of
Vancouver before we go up the Harbour Tower to view the city lights
from above. (1 night B/D)
Day Eleven - Return flights
You'll have free time downtown Vancouver before our guide returns you to the airport.