Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on G Adventures 8 Day Active West Coast Canada Discovery. Get your heart pumping and your bodies moving with this eight-day adventure through some of British Columbia’s most sought-after landscapes. Venture by ferry to Vancouver Island and embark on hikes in East Sooke Provincial Park and the famed Juan de Fuca trail. Camp under the stars, hike up mountains in Squamish and Whistler featuring views of alpine lakes and glacier capped peaks, and see for yourself why the west coast is the best coast.
Itinerary
Enjoy a morning welcome meeting with your CEO in Vancouver before catching the ferry to Sooke on Vancouver Island. Eat a picnic lunch upon arrival before setting off into East Sooke Regional Park for some hiking. There’s a wide range of trails that have different levels of difficulty, but all of them will offer great views of the dramatic, rocky coastline, and lush Pacific rainforest filled with moss and green ferns. In the evening set up camp, get settled, and have dinner around a fire with the group. Stay: Sooke River Campground (L/D)
After fuelling up with a camp breakfast the group will travel to the Juan de Fuca Strait from Sooke to embark on a hike along a section of the impressive trail. You’ll traverse miles of dense coastal forest and walk over beautiful pebble beaches, past gurgling waterfalls, slippery suspension bridges (watch your step) and the occasional pit of mud, but the dramatic views along this hike are well worth the effort. Transfer back to Sooke in the evening to rest up at camp and have dinner as a group. Stay: Sooke River Campground (B/L/D)
Today after breakfast at camp the day is yours to do as you wish. If you need a break from hiking consider one of the many optional activities available like, sea kayaking, whale watching, bicycle rentals, or a visit to the quaint town of Victoria for some people watching and cafe hopping. Stay: Sooke River Campground (B)
In the morning after breakfast the group will transfer to Cowichan Valley where you'll go out on canoes and kayaks in Cowichan Bay. In the afternoon the group will travel to Parksville and walk in Rathtrevor Park along the beach. Feel the sand beneath your feet, hear the waves crashing, see old growth forests along the shoreline, and look for wildlife in the tide pools. In the evening set up camp and relax in the outdoors. Stay: Mountain Fun Campground (B/D)
Leave Parksville behind and head to the ferry port in Nanaimo to hop on a ferry to Horseshoe Bay. Once across the water, the group will drive to Squamish and hike The Stawamus Chief trail. This trail is one of the region’s best hikes and will take you up a steep incline to one of its three peaks. The views of the area surrounding Squamish, with the Howe Sound and the Garibaldi Park to the north are incredible. Enjoy a picnic lunch during your hike and in the evening relax at camp and have dinner as a group, refuelling after the day’s adventure. Stay: Mountain Fun Campground (B/L/D)
Another great day of hiking to discover captivating views and new heights (literally). Set out to trek the Elfin Lake trail in Garibaldi Provincial Park. Offering amazing views you’ll hike 11km to get to the lakes, but it’s certainly worth it. Go for a dip in the icy water, fill up your bottles in another pond reserved only for drinking water and have lunch as you admire those insane views. After hiking the 11km downhill you’ll be able to have dinner wherever you choose in Squamish before heading back to camp for the night. Stay: Mountain Fun Campground (B/L)
In the morning the group will travel from Squamish to Whistler to take the Whistler Gondola up to the peak and hike the High Note trail. This trail offers hikers with the most scenic views of Cheakamus Lake with its vibrant aquamarine waters. The hike begins at the top of Whistler Mountain and takes you around the backside with views of the surrounding mountains and a descent through an alpine area. After the hike you’ll have free time to enjoy Whistler. Consider checking out the Squamish-Lil'wat Cultural Centre, the Cloudraker Skybridge, or find a cozy coffee shop in town. In the evening at camp you’ll have your final dinner as a group around the campfire. Stay: Mountain Fun Campground (B/L/D)
Travel from Whistler to Vancouver. Tours ends on arrival in Vancouver. (B)
Trip Inclusions
Hop on a ferry from Vancouver to Sooke.
Enjoy hikes in the lush Pacific rainforest in Sooke and along the Juan de Fuca trail.
Paddle around Lake Cowichan.
Hike to see the impressive views on the Stawamus Chief trail.
Take a dip into the cold waters of the Elfin Lakes in Garibaldi Provincial Park.
Ride the Whistler gondola to hike the High Note trail from the peak.
Spend free time exploring Whistler.
Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
Ferry ride from Vancouver to Sooke
An afternoon of hiking in East Sooke Provincial Park
A trek along a portion of the Juan de Fuca trail
Canoe or kayak rental on Cowichan Lake
Ferry from Nanaimo to Horseshoe Bay
A hike up The Stawamus Chief train
A visit to Garibaldi Provincial Park and a hike to the Elfin Lakes
A ride up the Whistler Gondola to hike the High Note trail
All transportation between destinations
Participation camping (7 Nights)
Participation camping in clean local campgrounds.
All camping equipment (with the exception of your sleeping bag and pillow) is supplied, including comfortable camp mattresses. We supply dome tents that take only 5 minutes to assemble/disassemble. They are good quality, durable, industry-standard, oversized 2-person tents, each with 2 separate and convenient zip-up doors, so that each person has his/her own entrance.
We use 2 types of campgrounds in Canada:
1.) Private campgrounds: These are privately run sites, usually with all services such as fire pits, picnic tables, drinking water, toilets & shower buildings. Some have small outdoor swimming pools and laundry facilities. These campgrounds are typically located near national park entrances or towns.
2.) Public campgrounds: These are park-run sites, usually with basic facilities such as fire pits, picnic tables, and drinking water.
3.) All campgrounds provide showers and sanitary facilities within the campground. Please note that the shower facilities at the Sooke River Campround are coin-operated hot showers ($1.00 / 5min) with keypad entrance.
4.) Charging stations may or may not be available at every campground. Most provide them, but your CEO can alert you when there will be a time between charging access points.
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout
7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners
Private vehicle, ferry, and hiking
Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
Note
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate.
Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in USA. T&C’s apply.
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by G Adventures. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from G Adventures. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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