Day 1 -
Arrive Vancouver
|
Fly from London Heathrow to Vancouver. Pick up your rental car at the airport and drive to your overnight accommodation in Vancouver.
|
|
Day 2 -
Vancouver to Sunshine Coast (64 miles / 103 km)
|
|
In the morning, depart Vancouver for Horseshoe Bay and sail for 45 minutes on BC Ferries (ferry tolls included) to the Sunshine Coast. This scenic cruise takes you through fjord-like waters with mountains blanketed with virgin forests and glaciated peaks. At Langdale, disembark the ferry and drive the leisurely and stunningly scenic route through virgin forests and coastal fishing villages to your overnight accommodation at the Rockwater Secret Cove Resort.
|
|
Day 3 -
Sunshine Coast
|
|
The beautiful natural landscape of Canada's Pacific Coast will allow you to take part in a host of outdoor adventures. The lodges well-trained guides work with all ages to provide an unforgettable recreational experience or you might choose to just sit back, relax and enjoy the coast.
|
|
Day 4 -
Sunshine Coast to Quadra Island (47 miles / 78 km)
|
.jpg "Sunshine Coast to Quadra Island (47 miles / 78 km)")
Today, travel north to Earls Cove for a 50 minute BC Ferry ride (included) to Saltery Bay. Continue following the coast to Powell River to board another BC Ferry service (ferry toll included) across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver Island. Continue north to Campbell River and your destination, Quadra Island.
|
|
Day 5 -
Eco Wilderness Cruise into Desolation Sound
|
.jpg "Eco Wilderness Cruise into Desolation Sound")
By Zodiac, cruise through breathtaking Desolation Sound and enjoy the majesty of Toba Inlet to seek out Black Bears in their natural habitat.
|
|
Day 6 -
Quadra Island to Tofino (140 miles / 225 km)
|
|
Depart Quadra Island on a short BC Ferry ride (included) to Vancouver Island and head south west to Tofino on the rugged West Coast. En-route, photography stops should be made at Cathedral Grove, to enjoy the splendour of 800 year old Douglas Fir and Cedar plus the Mars Water-bombers at Sproat Lake - the world's two largest water-bombers, used for the sole purpose of putting out forest fires. After the Mars Water-bombers, drive through the majestic Sutton Pass and the Sawtooth Range of the Cascade Mountains to arrive in Tofino around mid-afternoon.
|
|
Day 7 -
Tofino (Pacific Rim National Park) with Whale Watching Cruise
|
.jpg "Tofino (Pacific Rim National Park) with Whale Watching Cruise")
Today, you may wish to walk along the famed Long Beach, with its miles of pristine sandy beach and pounding surf, or explore the rain forests on a selection of well groomed trails. Mid afternoon enjoy a 3 hour whale watch cruise (included) through the Clayoquot Sound, revealing sensational scenery, and wildlife such as Gray Whales, Sea Lions, Porpoises and Killer Whales. The area is also known for its variety of birds, including tufted puffins and resident bald eagles.
|
|
Day 8 -
Tofino to Victoria (195 miles / 313 km)
|
|
Travel back to the East Coast of Vancouver Island and head south to Victoria. En-route, stops should be made at the artist community of Chemainus, where you can admire the giant murals which adorn the exterior walls throughout the town and Duncan the "City of Totems". Here, you can visit the Cowichan Native Village which provides you with an insight into the lives of the northwest coast people (admission not included).
|
|
Day 9 -
Explore Victoria
|
.jpg "Explore Victoria")
Today is yours to explore Victoria at leisure, with its 19th-century architecture, British traditions such as high tea and shops full of woolens and china. Admission is included to the Butchart Gardens with its 50 acre display of magnificent colour.
|
|
Day 10 -
Victoria to Vancouver (43 miles plus ferry / 69 km)
|
|
Leaving Victoria drive north to Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal for a 90 min ferry ride (ferry toll included) to Tsawwassen. On board BC ferries enjoy the scenery of the Gulf Islands as you cross the Strait of Georgia. From Tsawwassen, continue on to Vancouver where you will check in to your overnight accommodation.
|
|
Day 11 -
Vancouver
|
|
Check out of your accommodation and drive to Vancouver Airport where you will drop off your rental car and depart on your return flight home.
|
|
Day 12 -
Arrive London Heathrow
|
|
|