Salish Sea Voyager - British Columbia Small Group Adventure

Itinerary

Day 1: Vancouver to Whistler - breathtaking beauty at every turn

Stop At: Porteau Cove Provincial Park, Highway 99, Squamish, British Columbia Canada
We escape directly the rush of the city and there is hardly a better route for that than BC Highway 99, which is also called Sea-to-Sky Highway. Your holiday mood will guaranteed set in here with all this natural beauty just at about every different turn.
Our first destination is Porteau Cove Marine Park, where we can enjoy a beach stroll and short walk to a lookout point.
Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Shannon Falls Provincial Park, Squamish, British Columbia V0N 1H0 Canada
Our next destination in the Sea-to-Sky region will be Shannon Falls Provincial Park, where, on a short nature walk, we can admire the third tallest waterfall in the province.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Brandywine Falls Provincial Park, Highway 99, Whistler, British Columbia V0N 1H0 Canada
Continuing our drive north towards Whistler, another highlight of this region is waiting for us - Brandywine Falls. The easy walk to the lookout point, that offers a view of a rare cross-section through old lava flows, will take us about 30 minutes.
Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre, 4584 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, British Columbia V0N 1B0 Canada
Once we arrive in Whistler, we will take a tour through the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre, where we will learn about the Coast Salish Peoples, the rich history of their land, culture and artwork.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Lost Lake, Whistler, British Columbia Canada
Before we arrive at our hotel, we will take another walk to Lost Lake, which borders directly on Whistler Village. From here we get a great view of the whole ski area and can look forward to our hike on Whistler Mountain the following day.
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Pan Pacific Whistler

Day 2: Whistler Blackcomb - world-class mountain resort

Stop At: Whistler Blackcomb, 4545 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, British Columbia V8E 0X9 Canada
Today is all about zero driving and enjoying the fabulous alpine scenery of the Pacific Ranges, a sub-range of the Coast Mountains. We are taking the Gondola up to Blackcomb Mountain for a half-day hike. Besides the grand views of the alpine, we also have a good chance to see Marmots, who like sunbathing on large boulders. With their high-pitched warning sound, the Marmots are nicknamed “Whistler” and this is how the resort got its name.

Total hiking: approx. 8 km, 3.5 hrs, max. Elev. 200 m

Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Pan Pacific Whistler

Day 3: Whistler - alpine scenery and natural history of the Coast Mountains

Stop At: Whistler, Whistler, British Columbia
Today is again all about hiking. In the morning we are heading up Blackcomb Mountain and taking the iconic Peak 2 Peak Gondola that links Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. Whistler offers some great opportunities for viewing glaciers on the highest peaks. Via gondola and chairlift the alpine terrain is quickly reached to start our day-hike. At the end of our hike we will enjoy again the 11-minute ride over the mighty Fitzsimmons Valley.
Total hiking: approx. 9.5 km, 6 hrs, max. Elev. 300 m
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Pan Pacific Whistler

Day 4: Whistler to Squamish - the temperate rain-forest of Canada

Stop At: Whistler Olympic Plaza, 4365 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, British Columbia V0N 1B4 Canada
We take it easy this morning in the village of Whistler. This dynamic and vibrant resort, where the 2010 Winter Olympics were hosted, is a top-destination in North America and attracts not only skiers from all over the globe but also mountain bikers in the summer. You can watch bikers racing downhill, or visit the Audain Art Museum or just enjoy any other recommendation from your tour guide.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Alice Lake Provincial Park, Highway 99 (13 kilometers north of Squamish), Squamish, British Columbia V0N 3G0 Canada
In the afternoon we are heading south to Squamish. Today's nature walk in Alice Lake Provincial Park provides an excellent introduction to Canada's temperate rain forest. In this climate, everything is soft, lush and mossy. Our walk leads us through this ecosystem and is truly a blessing for body and soul. After that we have a short drive to our accommodation for the next 3 nights.

Total hiking: approx. 5 km, 2 hrs, max. Elev. 200 m
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Executive Inn Squamish or Sunwolf Cabins

Day 5: Squamish - From lumber village to a striving town

Stop At: Stawamus Chief Park, Squamish, British Columbia Canada
Forestry has traditionally been the most important industry in the Squamish region. However, with the opening of the Sea-to-Sky Gondola in 2014, this has changed and tourism has become an increasingly important part of the economy in this small town. The Sea-to-Sky Gondola has been a huge success since their opening and is our destination for today. Here is the beautiful Summit Lodge which has a restaurant, sundeck and a suspension bridge.

Total hiking: approx. 6 km 3 hrs. max. elev. 200 m
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Executive Inn Squamish or Sunwolf Cabins

Day 6: Squamish - Canadian Nature at its finest

Stop At: Garibaldi Provincial Park, 1376 Depot Rd E, Brackendale, Squamish, British Columbia V0N 1H0 Canada
After a short drive, today is dedicated to completely enjoying the excitement of being in Canadian nature, to see turquoise lakes and striking peaks. For the views of glacier covered valleys and one of the most beautiful lakes in Canada, we will take a full-day hike.

Total hiking: approx. 18 km. 5-6 hrs, max. elev. 820 m
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Executive Inn Squamish or Sunwolf Cabins

Day 7: Squamish to Quadra Island - Coast Salish and Kwagiulth impressions

Stop At: Horseshoe Bay, Horseshoe Bay, West Vancouver, British Columbia
Horseshoe Bay is not only known for its amazing coastal views and laid-back character but also for its ferry terminal, that operates car-ferries to Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast or Bowen Island. In the morning, we will board the BC Ferry to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Quadra Island, Quadra Island, British Columbia
After the 90-minutes ferry trip to Vancouver Island, we are heading towards Campbell River, the gateway to the north of Vancouver Island. From the small ferry terminal in Campbell River, we will travel to Quadra Island, our destination for 2 nights.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Tsa-Kwa-Luten Lodge

Day 8: Quadra Island - authentic island atmosphere in magnificent surroundings

Stop At: Quadra Island, Quadra Island, British Columbia
Geographically, Quadra, along with other islands, virtually blocks the Strait of Georgia to the north. This group of islands, the Discovery Islands, of which Quadra is the largest of them, forms an impressive strait. From your accommodation, you can enjoy the views as well as explore the ancient rock carvings or explore the quiet coves of Quadra Island on a guided kayaking tour (optional).
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Tsa-Kwa-Luten Lodge

Day 9: Quadra to Parksville - the “Forbidden Plateau” and the wide sandy beach in Parksville

Stop At: Strathcona Provincial Park, Westmin Rd, Comox-Strathcona D, British Columbia V0P 1G0 Canada
Back to Campbell River, the journey takes us to Strathcona Park for our hiking adventure today. Strathcona Park is not only known as the oldest Provincial Park in British Columbia but also for its Della Falls, the highest waterfall in Canada.

Total hiking: approx. 8 km, 3.5 hrs, max. Elev. 70 m
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Parksville, Parksville, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
After our hiking adventure we will travel back on Highway 19 to Parksville, our destination for only 1 night. Especially beautiful is the wide sandy beach at Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park, which is just a short drive from your hotel. Here we can take a long sunset walk, where you have good chances to see Canada geese, bald eagles or great blue herons.
Duration: 15 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Travelodge Parksville

Day 10: Parksville to Tofino - tremendous heights in Cathedral Grove

Stop At: Tofino, Tofino, Clayoquot Sound, Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Close to one quarter of the world's temperate rain forest is in BC. At MacMillan Provincial Park, also known as Cathedral Grove, we can admire trees whose age and appearance will take your breath away.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Jamie's Rainforest Lodge

Day 11: Tofino - between the mountains and the sea

Stop At: Tofino, Tofino, Clayoquot Sound, Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
The untamed wilderness and tranquility of this region has always been a magnet for nature lovers, artists and surfers. The character here can be described as: adventurous and laid-back. The beaches around Tofino are a popular destination for surfers from all over the world and the small town is also known as Canada's surfing capital. Long Beach, a 16-kilometer, driftwood-covered, wide sandy beach is considered the best surfing area.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Jamie's Rainforest Lodge

Day 12: Tofino to Victoria: City of the Totems and the provincial capital Victoria

Stop At: Duncan, Duncan, Cowichan Valley Regional District, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
In Duncan, a project has been underway since 1985, during which the Cowichan people carved totem poles of cedar wood and exhibited them throughout the Old Town.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Victoria, Victoria, Victoria Capital Regional District, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
The provincial capital is surrounded on three sides by water and rewards visitors and residents with its English charm and beautiful gardens.
Duration: 7 days

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Embassy Inn

Day 13: British Columbia's capital Victoria - a class of its own

Stop At: Victoria, Victoria, Victoria Capital Regional District, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
From the Inner Harbor, you can join a whale-watching tour, enjoy the many street performers, or simply stroll through the small shops on Government St. and down the narrow Fan Tan Alley in Canada's oldest Chinatown. The southern tip of the city borders the Strait of Juan-de-Fuca and offers beautiful views of the Olympic Mountains in Washington state.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Embassy Inn

Day 14: Victoria to Vancouver

Stop At: Victoria, Victoria, Victoria Capital Regional District, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Before once again setting sail and boarding the Ferry, you'll have the opportunity to explore more of Victoria in the morning. In the afternoon, we will board the BC Ferry from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal on the mainland.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.