The Best of The West 

We proudly offer you our exclusive 22 day summer tour for 2010.

Covering South Western B.C., this itinerary includes all the best of the West ! 

During this tour we will travel in a comfortable
12 passenger van.

For accommodation we use comfortable hotels, beautifully located lodges as well as a remote wilderness cabin.

Minimum 7, maximum 10 participants

Dates 
Tour 1: June 27 - July 18, 2010
Tour 2: August 29 - September 19, 2010

Prices based upon double occupancy
Tour 1 CAD 4599
Tour 2 CAD 4645                                                   Prices for single room 
                                                                             Tour 1 CAD 5810
                                                                             Tour 2 CAD 5870
Brief summary ; click here

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Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 + 2
We start in cosmopolitan Vancouver, where we’ll show you all the highlights: Yaletown, BC Place, Chinatown, Gastown with the old Steam Clock, Canada Place, Stanley Park and Granville Island Public Market.

Day 3
From Vancouver, we head east to Hope and Manning Park. On our way we will visit the Othello Tunnels. In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s it was critical for the Canadian Pioneers to connect one coast of this great country to the other and increase transportation. In the early 1900’s, the Canadian Pacific Railway decided a route was necessary to link the Kootenay Region with the BC coast by rail. The railway was built over three mountain ranges. In the Coquihalla Gorge, the river cut a 300 foot deep channel of solid granite, and a straight line of tunnels were built through it which are known now as the Othello Tunnels. Decades later, several floods washed sections away and the former railway is now used by hikers & bikers. You will be amazed by the gorgeous canyon views during an easy stroll along the old track (5 km hike, no elevation gain).

Day 4
Manning Park is known for the variety of landscapes with rain forests on its west side to grassland slopes on its east side. Between the two extremes lies a land of wild rivers, crystal lakes, towering peaks, and alpine meadows. Here, we will hike into some of the incredible scenic surroundings (easy 9-13 km hike).

Day 5 - 7
Heading north, unsurpassed scenery, wildlife, waterfalls, extinct volcanoes, alpine flowers and outdoor adventures await you in the pristine wilderness of Wells Gray Park. This park is an undiscovered area of BC. Wells Gray Park also offers lush forests, lava rock formations, unspoiled lakes and beautiful rivers. Hiking is the best way to see the natural beauty of this area (several options 5-12 km hikes, easy to moderate). Wells Gray is also the perfect place to go for an optional horseback ride, whitewater rafting adventure, kayak trip or scenic flight.

Day 8
From Clearwater and Wells Gray Park, we head into the Old West and the Cariboo region of B.C. Because this tour shows all the best of the West, we have to visit a rodeo of course!

Day 9
From the Cariboo, we head even further west into the Chilcotin, where we will hike through Farwell Canyon, a natural treasure surrounded by ancient, pillar-like sandstone formations called hoodoos (5-10 km, moderate).

Day 10
We'll move further west into the beautiful remote Bella Coola Valley. On our way we'll enjoy an easy walk along "the Precipice" (2 km, easy). The spectaculair road through Heckman Pass offers gorgeous views of the Coast Mountains.

Day 11
Enjoy a day of relaxation in the 'Great Bear Rainforest' . As desired you can join guided eco-rafting, a zodiak inlet tour, Grizzly Bear viewing or you might want to try snorkling with salmon.

Day 12 - 14
In Tweedsmuir Park, we head out on a remote 3 day wilderness adventure. We cross the Hotnarko River suspension bridge and start out on the old mountain trail that leads us up the Atnarko River into Stillwater Lake. We will board a 25 foot, 10 passenger canoe for a paddle up to the headwaters of Stillwater Lake and our accommodations in a Wilderness Cabin. There is no electricity here other than provided by a small gas generator for lights and the basics. Satellite phones are our only means of communication to the outside world. Access to this camp is only by walking in on the trail or Helicopter or Floatplane. It may be basic but all the comforts are here and a nice hot shower feels great at the end of a long day! The cabin has two cosy bedrooms with foam mattresses. From the Stillwater Base Camp we adventure out to Hunlen Falls, Canada’s 3rd largest waterfall. Chances of seeing wildlife such as Grizzly and Black Bears, Coyotes, Deer and Eagles are very good during this 3 –day wilderness adventure.

Day 15
You will see British Columbia through the eyes of the First Nations when we visit Bella Coola. Here we follow a Nuxalk guide, hiking to ancient petroglyphs at Thorsen Creek, which archeologists have dated to between 5-10,000 years old. During this magical forested route, we immerse ourselves in this ancient culture (moderate 4 km hike).

Day 16
We then board the ferry for the Discovery Coast Passage. This scenic ferry trip brings us via the picturesque Dean Channel and the Pacific Ocean in 13 hours to the northern tip of Vancouver Island.

Day 17 
During our stay in Alert Bay, a global centre of First Nations culture, we will head out to enjoy some more Native culture by visiting the U’mista Cultural Centre and their world famous potlatch collection.

Day 18
Alert Bay is home to the Orca – also known as the Killer Whale. We will sail with the Whales.... moving quietly, sharing in spirit with the Orca. This Whale-watching tour will be an unforgettable experience.

Day 19 + 20
Located in the centre of Vancouver Island, Strathcona Park is a rugged mountain wilderness comprising more than 250,000 hectares. Mountain peaks - some perpetually mantled with snow - dominate the park. Lakes and alpine tarns dot a landscape laced with rivers, creeks and streams. Here we will hike through the wildflowers that carpet the subalpine meadows (moderate, 15 km).

Day 21
At the end of the tour we return to Vancouver. By ferry we cross the Georgia Strait. Time for a final wink at the Bald Eagles.... In Lighthouse Park we hug some big Cedars goodbye.

Day 22
After this unforgetable trek it's not easy to say goodbye to our friends and to this beautiful country.

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Brief itinerary

Day
1 Vancouver arrival, 2 nights
2 City tour Vancouver
3 Othello Tunnels (easy 5 km hike), Manning Park , 2 nights
4 Full day hike (easy, 9 - 13 km)
5 Transfer to Clearwater, visit waterfalls Wells Gray Park, 3 nights
6 Full day hike (moderate, 9 km, 450 m. elevation)
7 Optional: relaxing, hiking, canoeing, scenic flights, horseback riding or rafting
8 Rodeo Williams Lake, transfer to Chilcotin , 2 nights
9 Farwell Canyon, hike
10 Precipice lookout, transfer to Bella Coola Valley, 2 nights
11 Relax or optional activities- Eco raft, Salmon snorkling, zodiak tour 
12 Wilderness adventure 3 days, 2 nights in a remote cabin
13 Wilderness adventure, hike (moderate 4 hrs)
14 Wilderness adventure, Bella Coola, 2 nights
15 Thorsen Creek petroglyphs excursion (moderate, 4 km)
16 Discovery Coast Ferry Passage (13 hrs) to Port Hardy, 1 night
17 Transfer to Alert Bay, visit U’mista Cultural Centre, 3 nights
18 Whale watching
19 Miracle Beach (easy, 2 km), transfer to Mount Washington, 2 nights
20 Hike Strathcona Park (moderate, 15 km, 185 m. elevation)
21 Ferry Georgia Strait (1,5 hrs). Hike Lighthouse Park (easy 4 km).Transfer to Vancouver, 1 night
22 departure from Vancouver 

Price includes
All applicable taxes
All transfers and ferries day 2 till 21
Accommodation                                  
Breakfast day 9 till 14
Diner & Lunch day 12, 13
City tour Vancouver
Entrée Rodeo
Stillwater Wilderness adventure 
Petroglyphs excursion
U’mista Cultural Centre Alert Bay
Whale watch excursion
Full-time tourdirector/driver/guide

Not included
Airport transfers
Airfare
Meals (except above mentioned)
Insurance
Optional activities
Gratuity

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