Package includes transportation, accommodation, 2 dinners at Tofino, all meals for 3 days at Cortes Island, and all listed tours.
Pick up at Victoria, travel to China Beach on the southwest side of Vancouver Island. This area is rich in old-growth rainforests, cascading waterfalls that drop off high cliffs right into the sea, huge rock pools with abundant sealife and anenomes, and wild crashing waves. Blue herons, eagles, kingfishers, sandpipers, and seals and whales, can be seen from the rocky beaches. This is the start of the Juan de Fuca trail, which ends at Botanical Beach. We will spend two days in this area, exploring and walking parts of the Juan de Fuca trail. The trails are well maintained and the hikes will be short enough to enable anyone in good health to relax and enjoy the breathtaking scenery. Accommodation will be at an excellent bed and breakfast near China Beach.
On the third day we will visit a small seaside town called Chemanus where you will be treated to a carriage ride and see some interesting murals. A short drive from Chemanus takes us to Nanaimo, where you can either enjoy a pleasant walk along the seafront, or indulge in some shopping for souvenirs at one of the many shopping malls.We will stay overnight in Nanaimo at a motel.
From Nanaimo, which is on the east coast of Vancouver Island, we will take a trip across the island through some of the largest old growth forests in the world, to Tofino on the west coast, where we will spend the next two nights in a luxury hotel.
Tofino is a famous whalewatching destination, and on day five we will board a boat for a six hour whalewatching/bearwatching tour that winds through several small islands to an island hot spring. A twenty minute walk along a covered boardwalk takes us to this isolated hot spring. Dinner will be provided both these evenings.
From Tofino we will travel to the east side of the island again up to Campbell River, the salmon fishing capital of the world. The east side of the island is sheltered, and the ocean is dead calm most of the year. We will take a ferry to Quadra Island, then a 45 minute ferry ride to a beautiful isolated island called Cortes Island, where you can really relax and unwind for the next three days. Accommodation will be either a motel or B&B, both of which have 2 double beds and private bathrooms. While on Cortes Island your guide will arrange for all meals.Your guide will take you hiking, swimming, shopping, beachcombing, sightseeing and more. There is no strict itinerary, except relaxing and enjoying the beautiful surroundings.
On day 9 we will island hop back to Campbell River where you can sightsee, visit an original aboriginal show and museum, or just shop for souvenirs in this small town. Accommodation will be arranged in Campbell River. From Campbell River we will drive to Victoria or Nanaimo where our tour will end.
Months of operation: June to September
Length of package: 10 days, 9 nights.
Price: $2250/Can./person/double occupancy.
