7 Days of Exploring and Adventures
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* Price in CAD$, excluding GST and based on double occupancy
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Description
The west coast of British Columbia is an ocean-carved land of extremes ranging from the wild Pacific coast with rainforests to the mild island riddled shores of the Salish Sea. You will be amazed by the magnificent views of distant snow-capped mountain ranges, small islands and vast ocean which are considered a constant on this tour. Nature and wildlife is abundant on Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast and we use several ways of exploring the pristine beauty of this area. On foot, underground and by kayak we offer a unique perspective on the landscape, the environment and the natural history. |
Although experiencing nature is a big part of the tour it is combined with visits to cities and towns, breweries and wineries including several local attractions and points of interest. Regular ferry rides will provide scenic boat rides and lodging is located close to the ocean.
This tour is a perfect combination of exploring, adventure and cozy comfort; we hope to roam with you soon in this beautiful part of British Columbia. |
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Day 1: Vancouver - Sooke
We start in Vancouver and explore the city in a unique way; immersed in an augmented reality outdoor adventure game we have to work together, find clues and save the city!! After lunch at a local brewery we hop on a scenic ferry ride from Tsawassen to Schwartz Bay on the Saanich Peninsula and then drive to Victoria, the capital of British Columbia and picturesquely located on the south tip of Vancouver Island. The harbour with the Empress Hotel and the Parliament Building including China Town deserves a quick visit. We stay the night in an oceanfront hotel in Sooke. |
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Day 2: Sooke - Port Renfrew
Wear your hiking boots with good grip and bring your binoculars because today we visit the super-natural Juan de Fuca coastline. We start the day with a hike to Botanical Beach at Port Renfrew. This beach has amazing tidal pools carved in soft sandstone which are only visible at lower tides. It seems like you are staring in your own private aquarium! Even at a high tide the waves crashing on the rocks is worth seeing. Also keep your binoculars ready for Bald Eagles, seals and other wildlife. After a quick lunch at the local pub we visit one or more beaches of the rugged west coast with its majestic temperate rainforest before heading back for a second night in Sooke. |
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Day 3: Sooke - Parksville
After a day of exploring nature we pack our stuff and travel up island for some historic and simply enjoyable locations. In the morning we visit the Kinsol Trestle bridge; one of the eight trestles along de Cowichan Valley and one of the tallest free-standing and most spectacular timber rail trestle structures in the world. Seeing this incredible structure will probably make us thirsty for the local wines and ciders of the Cowichan Valley. This prolific agricultural region grew into an increasingly acclaimed wine region since the first commercial vineyard was planted here in the 1970’s. We have lunch at one of the local vineyards. Then we get up close with several birds of prey in the Raptor Centre which hosts eagles, owls, hawks and kites. You will also have the opportunity to come face to face with our local Bald Eagle. We also learn that these majestic birds are vulnerable and how they play a critical role in maintaining the delicate ecological balance. Some of them are even actively used in wildlife management. You will leave with a deeper appreciation and understanding of these birds of prey. We continue our journey north and bring a quick visit to the historic Morden Colliery park which contains the only remaining coal tipple on the island. This concrete tipple was built in the early 1900s and is an excellent reminder of the coal mining history of Vancouver Island. We may have time to visit Nanaimo with the Bastion and go for a scenic shoreline walk before we end the day at our hotel in Parksville. |
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Day 4: Parksville - Coombs & Caves
Today is going to be an exciting day; wear your hiking boots for a short walk along the river in a local park. After we stretched our legs we have lunch at the whimsical market of Coombs with local products and even a few goats on the roof. Now, get ready for an adventure! In the afternoon we descent into the darkness of the Horne Lake caves and meander our way through a natural underground wonderland. After receiving our caving helmet we hike to the cave and descent for more than 1 hr in this breathtaking and stunning landscape; you see nature with new eyes. We return to the resort in Parksville and may have the energy for an evening walk on the beach. |
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Day 5: Parksville - Lund
Today we cross the Salish Sea by ferry from Comox to Powell River and officially return to what the islanders call ‘the mainland’. This is only relative because the impenetrable Coastal Mountains are located in the background which gives this area a quite secluded feel. After a quick lunch in Powell River we hike a small and scenic part of the Sunshine Coast Trail; a long-distance hiking trail of 180 km created and maintained by volunteers. We have unparalleled views on the Salish Sea from bluffs filled with distinctive, evergreen Arbutus trees. Thirsty, we arrive at the tasting room of the local brewery to try their delicious brews. That night we stay in cedar cabins gorgeously located on the Malaspina Peninsula with views of Okeover Inlet. |
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Day 6: Kayaking in Desolation Sound
We have breakfast in the beautifully located bakery of Lund; a scenic village at the most northern point of Highway 101. This is also the start of a completely new adventure; we receive instructions, gear up and step in our kayaks for a one day guided tour. This is the best way to visit this stunning coastline and access all the shallow nooks and crannies with its abundant intertidal wildlife. Our guide(s) will keep us safe and navigate us through this amazing landscape. We pick a spot for lunch, stretch the legs and go for a swim if you feel brave! You will likely spot some seals and sea lions from your kayak and maybe an orca when you are lucky! But don’t forget to look down; kayaking is a great way to discover the many critters in the intertidal zone like sea stars, crabs, sea cucumbers and sea urchins. At the end of the day you will definitely appreciate the west coast dinner served at the restaurant located close to our resort. |
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Day 7: Lund - Vancouver
We have an early rise because today we notice that being on ‘the mainland’ still means taking a few ferries. After a quick breakfast in Powell River we catch the ferry for a scenic ride from Saltery Bay to Earls Cove and hike to Skookumchuck Narrows. Depending on the tide you can experience the awesome power of incredibly turbulent tidal rapids. The difference in water levels between one side of the rapids and the other sometimes exceeds 2 metres in height with current speeds exceeding 30 km/hr. The rapids are famous for their spectacular whirlpools and whitewater including some standing waves occurring between tides. After lunch we head south along the Sunshine Coast and go for a hike at Smuggler Cove Provincial Park and enjoy the many viewpoints on the Salish Sea. Our route continues to Langdale where we take the ferry to Horseshoe Bay; suffice to say, another breathtaking boat ride with amazing views of the fjord-like rugged coastline we now know so well. From here we drive to Gastown in Vancouver where we end our trip in the local pub. After enjoying some local craft beer and finger food we say our goodbyes. You look back at a one-of-a-kind experience and leave with only the best memories! |
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