A Vancouver Island Highlights Tour

4 Days / 3 Nights

This circle tour from Vancouver includes: the Butchart Gardens, a guided tour of Victoria (including a horse carriage ride), a train ride over the Malahat, the Quw’tsun Cultural Centre, the Pacific Northwest Raptor Centre, a winery tour and a visit to an ecological reserve. Towns visited include Victoria, Duncan, Chemainus and Nanaimo.

Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
Activity Level : Easy
Accommodation: Two nights Bed and Breafast, one night hotel
Meals: Three hot breakfasts and one lunch

Tour Dates (2008):

Beggining May 07, 2008.

The last tour departs Oct 29, 2008.

Departs: Vancouver, BC at 7:30am.
Returns: Vancouver, BC by 7:00 pm (approximately)

Price:

May and October departures:

$775.00 PP single supplement $150.00

June to September departures:

$895.00 PP sinlge supplement $245.00

Included:

Services of a driver/leader and 15 passenger van.
All ferry fees to and from Vancouver Island and New Castle Island
All guiding fees
All accommodation as listed on the itinerary
All meals listed on the itinerary
All park and land use fees
Entrance Fees to the Quw`tsunCultural Centre with BBQ Salmon Lunch, Northwest Raptor Centre, and local winery.
Part of the proceeds of this tour are donated to The Land Conservancy of British Columbia to support Wildwood.

Not Included:

Optional activities, gratuities and GST
Optional Activities: Whale-watching, kayaking, Butchart Gardens.

Frequently asked questions

What is adventure travel? Adventure travel is an exploration of the outer world that takes place in a remote, exotic or wilderness setting. A wide continuum of adventure activities, from sea kayaking to wilderness survival, enables travelers to experience varying degrees of risk, excitement and tranquility. Adventure travelers also seek the inner world of personal challenge, self-perception and self-mastery
What type of adventure travel is emphasized? Our soft adventure trips are for alternate travelers who don't have the time or experience to discover remote places by trial and error. Compared to hard adventure, our tours require less physical risk, little or no experience and provide more convenience in terms of sleeping arrangements, and cuisine. Our main objective is to have fun and enjoy the outdoors! We also ensure people are informed about the land they travel in -- our tour leaders are knowledgeable in the area's environment, natural history and culture.
What areas do you travel in? We explore wilderness areas, parks and protected areas in Alaska, Yukon Territory, the Rocky Mountains and Vancouver Island. Our scheduled tours depart from Vancouver, BC; Victoria, BC; Edmonton, AB; Calgary, AB; and Whitehorse, YT.
What kind of vehicle will I be traveling in? We drive fully optioned, late model 15-passenger vans. Our vans are commercially inspected and certified every six months and come equipped with full length roof racks and tarpaulins. While the vans seat 15 people, we travel with no more than 11 in BC and 13 in the Yukon and Alaska.
What's Included? All our tours include accommodation, transportation, an experienced driver/leader and all park entrance fees. Camping tours include all camping gear, except sleeping bags. Each tour also includes some activities while on tour. Read each tour description for more information.
What's Not Included? Meals, accommodation before or after the tour, optional activities, gratuities for the guide and GST are not included in the price of the tour.
What kind of accommodation can I expect? The type of accommodation varies according to the tour, from hard shell to camping. Hard shell accommodation includes "simple hotels" (clean, generally smaller character hotels with basic amenities) and hostels (some with private rooms, all with communal facilities for cooking, socializing). Camping facilities also vary according to the tour. As examples, the campgrounds we stay at in the Rocky Mountains generally come complete with showers, flush toilets, picnic tables - some even have Laundromats. Generally, the further north we go on our Alaska and Yukon trips, the fewer frills we encounter. This often means drop toilets, hauling water from streams and foraging for our own firewood. While our tents are sized as three person tents we limit two persons per tent.
How do you arrange meals on your trips? The inclusion of meals depends on the type of accommodation provided on the tour. While meals are often included on some days in our tours that involve hotels, passengers generally purchase their own (more specifics are provided in our pre-departure information). Our hostel tours do not include meals, but the hostels we stay in have access to central cooking and dining facilities. On camping tours we use a "food kitty", where a contribution of $12 per day buys three meals per day. Contributions are paid to the tour leader/driver at the beginning of the tour and are not subject to Canadian GST of 6%. On these tours, everyone participates in meal preparation and daily chores. Travellers enjoy barbeques and a wide choice of pastas and salads, meats, vegetables, fruits and deserts.
How would I fit in as a first time camper? Don't worry! Our tours come complete with all the gear you need, from camp stoves to cutlery. Just bring your sleeping bag, personal gear and the items listed in your pre-departure information (eg, suntan lotion, camera, film). Our tents take less that five minutes for one person to set up. Your Midnight Sun tour leader will make you look like an expert camper in a few days!
What about cultural considerations? Please don't let language or culture be barriers to enjoying our splendid country. Our tour leaders are well traveled outside of Canada and sensitive to the challenges of visiting a new country. No matter what language you speak, or what diet you have, we will take the steps to maximize your comfort level. And provide you with a great time!
What is the best time to visit western Canada and Alaska? The season varies according to the area you want to visit. The season on Vancouver Island begins in April and ends in mid-October. In the Rocky Mountains, we begin our tours in early June. The season in the Yukon and Alaska is from early June to mid-September.
When should I start to plan to take my trip? July and August are peak months for travel in western Canada and Alaska. If you plan to travel with us during this months, we recommend you book by April to avoid disappointment.
Who goes on your tours? Everyone with an interest in the environment who wants to see wildlife and have fun at an affordable price. Some clients have limited camping experience and some have lots of camping experience; all prefer to travel with like minded people.
Are couples welcome? Of course! On average, we tend to have one to two couples on every tour. The majority of our customers tend to be single.
What is the average age range and gender balance of people on your tours? On average, our clients tend to be between the ages of 24-54, and are in average physical condition.
When is the best time to go to see bears (wildlife)? While nature is unpredictable, the best time to see bears is usually in the early spring or late summer. Opportunities also depend on when the salmon are running. The many areas in which we travel have different salmon runs -- different species of salmon have runs at different times. You will have to ask the office closer to the time of your travel to get a better idea about bear viewing opportunities. However, we have been delivering tours since 1996 - and if anyone can help you spot a bear - we can!
Are there mosquitoes, what should I bring if I don't like to use deet? Depending on the area you tour in, you may encounter mosquitoes. Our Vancouver Island tours see very few if any mosquitoes as the ocean breeze tends to keep them away. While hiking in the Rockies you may encounter a few while hiking near stagnant lakes in the peak of the hot season (late July early August). In the Yukon and Alaska you will see mosquitoes from late June to early August. Near the towns there are few if any. But more tend to appear when we are camped near the tundra or muskeg. Deet is the best to keep mosquitoes away, but should not be applied directly to your skin. If you do not like to use deet you could use a natural product call "Natural-Repel" or "ZZZZWAT". This product can be applied directly to your skin and is 100% natural and environmentally friendly. There are many other products on the market with various combinations or citronella in them that are all deet free.
What kind of a sleeping bag should I bring? We suggest a four season sleeping bag rated to -3.

Package Price:
775.00 Can./Person
0.00 U.S./Person

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Location: Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Weather: Warm summers
cold winters

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Day 1

Victoria, B.C.

The tour begins with a 7:30 am pick-up in Vancouver. Guests are transferred to Tsawwassen ferry terminal for a 1.5 hour ferry crossing across the Straight of Georgia and through the southern Gulf Islands to Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island.

From the ferry terminal we meander down the Saanich Peninsula to the world famous Butchart Gardens. A fifty-five acre estate, the Gardens offer exquisite floral displays, meandering trails, giant lawns, scenic viewpoints and themed gardens. Established in 1904, the gardens were designated as a Canadian Heritage site in 2004. We’ll drop off those who wish to spend about three hours seeing the Gardens and continue into Victoria.

Arriving in Victoria, we take a short drive into the downtown core for a guided tour. After checking into our Bed and Breakfast, the rest of the afternoon is free to explore on our own. Optional activities include: whale watching, moped rentals and the BC Museum. Nearby walking opportunities include Thunderbird Park, Beacon Hill Park or strolling along the colourful Inner Harbour walkway while observing the buskers and musical performers. Later we return to Butchart Gardens to pick up those who chose to take this optional activity.

Accommodation: Bed and Breakfast
Meals: None

Day 2

Duncan, B.C.

After an early breakfast we escort you to the train station near the Inner Harbour. We then board the Malahat train at 8:00 am for a 90 minute ride to Duncan over one of the most scenic rail routes in Canada. Once in the town of Duncan, you will be met by your guide and tour the “City of Totems”. Our visit to this small city is highlighted by a tour to the Quw’tsun Cultural Centre, where we will experience the sights and sounds of the traditional dance and food along the Cowichan River with First Nations people. Our lunch will feature a traditional BBQ Salmon lunch cooked on cedar stakes cooked over an open fire in traditional native style.

Following lunch we’ll visit the Pacific Northwest Raptor Centre, where we get an up close and personal look at these magnificent birds of prey. Our walk through the natural grounds reveals owls, hawks, falcons and eagles in a variety of settings. After checking into our oceanside hotel, the rest of the afternoon is ours to explore the local Maritime Centre, visit the local shops or try our hand at kayaking the local waters.

Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Day 3

Nanaimo, B.C.

After breakfast we drive into the Cowichan Valley to visit a local vineyards and winery. Also known as the “Warmland” the Cowichan Valley is becoming well known for its award winning wineries. Our visit to the valley will be punctuated by the surrounding wilderness and big trees in the area.

Heading north, we take a less traveled, secondary road to Chemainus, the “Little Town that Did”. Once a mining, fishing and forestry town, Chemainus soon felt the tides of change as these industries slowly dried up in the area. Through the determination of the local residents this small dying town boomed again with prosperity as local and international artists started to paint the history of the town in giant murals on the sides of buildings for all to see. Soon people were coming from all over the world to view this giant outdoor art gallery.

From Chemainus we head further north to the second largest city on Vancouver Island, Nanaimo and nearby Yellow Point. Here we’ll enjoy two tours to some of the local curiosities that make Vancouver Island so unique. Our first stop is a tour of Wildwood, an important ecological reserve now under the protection of the Land Conservancy. Founded in 1938, Wildwood is the oldest ecoforest on the west coast of Canada. People come from all over the world to be inspired by the sustainable land use ethic that was so carefully practiced by its founder. After Wildwood we make our way to the home, garden and studio of two local artisans. Known for their “funky baroque” living outdoor garden art gallery we’ll view the inspirational art of the west coast. Our day concludes upon checking into our Nanaimo Bed and Breakfast.

Accommodation: B & B
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4

Return to Victoria, B.C.

This morning we strap on our walking shoes and do what the locals have been doing since 1930: hop on a ferry and take a short cruise to New Castle Island Marine Park. This park is one of the most intriguing parks in BC. From Nanaimo we’ll take a 10-minute ride that drops us off on Newcastle Island, located just a few hundred meters offshore from Vancouver Island. From a distance we’ll see an island shoreline dominated by steep sandstone cliffs and ledges, interspersed with sunny beaches. Up close, we’ll discover rocky caves and caverns - a marked contrast to the interior of the island, which is studded with mature Douglas fir, Garry oak, arbutus and dogwood trees.

Visitors to Newcastle Island can choose from an extensive network of walking/hiking trails that lead to various historic points around the island. Indian middens offer mute evidence of at least two Salish First Nations villages, which were deserted before the discovery of coal in this area in 1849. Subsequent decades saw the island's fortunes rise and fall as it went through various incarnations while supporting a fish-salting operation, a sandstone quarry and a shipyard. Lunch is available at the newly restored Newcastle Island Pavilion as well as interpretive programs and a gift shop.

Completing our circle tour, we catch an early afternoon ferry from Nanaimo back to the city of Vancouver. Guests will be dropped off at their hotels in the downtown core of Vancouver.

Accommodation: On own
Meals: Breakfast

"A Vancouver Island Highlights Tour"