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Leave the logistics behind and immerse yourself in the untamed beauty of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. This curated journey takes you from the historic streets of Victoria to a water-accessible, off-grid lodge in the heart of the Broken Group Islands. Along the way, you will connect with First Nations culture, kayak through pristine marine passages, and witness incredible coastal wildlife. Complete with guided island tastings and seamless regional travel, this is the ultimate West Coast escape designed for the conscious adventurer.
Details
Prices from: €3449.00
Duration: 6 Days
Service Level: Upgraded
Travel Style: The Geluxe Collection
Physical Grading: 3 - Average
Trip Type: Small Group
Merchandising: New Trips
Gaze out at the mountains, forests and vast ocean as you touch down with the anticipation of getting out and exploring it firsthand. You can almost taste nature's essence in the air with every breath as you make your way from the airport to Victoria at the island's southern tip. We welcome you to beautiful Vancouver Island and invite you to prepare for an immersive adventure through spectacular landscapes and cultural encounters.
Arrive at any time and transfer to the hotel for check-in. In the evening, meet up with your CEO and fellow travellers at a welcome briefing to prepare for the adventure ahead, followed by a welcome dinner.
Travelling north along the Saanich Inlet you'll see lush old growth Pacific coastal forests, home to massive Douglas Fir trees. Savour lunch with a view next to Sproat Lake before arriving to the Tseshaht Cultural Center for an immersion into the island's prominent indigenous traditions. Learn about reforestation and conservation initiatives then swap the land for the sea as you board a boat for a short yet beautiful ride through the Broken Group of Islands. Feel the wind on your face as you glide along the water en route to the lodge at Barkley Sound - our base for the next couple of nights.
Travel north from Victoria to the Tseshaht Cultural Center, followed by lunch at Sproat Lake Landing Resort. Visit the Tseshaht First Nation Welcome and Reforest Project. Next, transfer west to Secret Beach and catch a water taxi into Barkley Sound. Arrive at the off-grid Broken Island Lodge for a relaxing evening and an optional history presentation.
Spend your morning exploring the calm waters along the coastal sea by kayak, paddling along the serene shorelines and keeping a lookout for resident birds and wildlife. Back at the lodge, a delicious lunch awaits with an afternoon to do as much or as little as you please, with options to hike in the forest or just relax and unwind in the hot tub. The evening offers a boat tour through the marine park, taking you to unique, remote locations beyond the reach of a kayak paddle.
Depart for a four-hour guided kayak excursion through Julia Passage, stopping for lunch on Robinson Island. Return to the lodge in the afternoon for free time to use the hiking trail or hot tub before dinner. End the day with a one-hour evening boat tour through the Broken Group Islands.
Setting off by boat again from the lodge, you can catch a last glimpse of the Broken Group Islands before driving north to Little Qualicum Falls. Walk amongst the impossibly varied shades of green in the old growth forest on the way to the spectacular waterfalls, cascading down a rocky gorge. Continue to the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre, where you'll see firsthand how the facility cares for rescued animals while also educating the public on important wildlife and environmental issues. From the eastern coast of the island, hop on a ferry and head into the southern Gulf Islands to Salt Spring Island, another natural paradise, and a haven for local artists and culture.
Take a water taxi to Secret Beach, drive to Little Qualicum Falls for a forest walk, and tour the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre. After lunch at Rusted Rake Brewing, board the ferry from Crofton to Salt Spring Island. End the day with check-in and a walk through town.
Start the day on your terms with a choice between an exhilarating whale watching tour in the Southern Gulf Islands or take a scenic kayak paddle to Third Sister Island and the picturesque and shell-ridden Chocolate Beach. Later, join your Chief Experience Officer (CEO) for a local food and drink tour featuring regional cider, wine or beer, and goat cheese. Conclude this unforgettable day by gathering with your group evening for a farewell dinner.
Choose between a Zodiac whale watching tour or a kayak excursion to Chocolate Beach in the morning. In the afternoon, take a two-hour food and drink tour to taste local cider, wine, beer, and goat cheese. End the day with a group farewell dinner.
Today your adventure comes to an end, but the memories made during your time on Vancouver Island will live on.
Take the morning transfer to Fulford Harbour for a 35-minute ferry crossing to Swartz Bay, followed by a drive to the Victoria Airport, where the tour ends. For those wishing to continue on to Victoria, an option is available to be dropped off in downtown Victoria.
Please note your departure flight should take-off no earlier than 2:00 PM
Please note that if you have booked the "My Own Room" option for this tour, you will receive your own single room for all night stops
Experience a Tseshaht First Nations welcome, plant rainforest trees, and hike to Little Qualicum Falls. Next, take a water taxi to the off-grid Broken Islands Lodge to kayak and boat the passages. Customize your trip with either a Zodiac whale watching tour or a paddle to Chocolate Beach. Conclude by meeting rescued wildlife and sampling artisan treats on Salt Spring Island.
Hotel (6 nights)
Should you need to contact us during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call either the G Adventures Local Representative (if one is listed below) or our G Adventures Local Office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible.
AIRPORT TRANSFER
If you have purchased an arrival through G Adventures or if an arrival transfer is included in the cost of your tour, please note that: Your arrival transfer has been arranged based on flight information provided to us. If you are advised of a flight schedule change or flight cancellation within 48 hours of your scheduled arrival time, please call the emergency contact number to advise of your new arrival flight information. If you do not, we will not be able to rearrange your arrival transfer and you will need to make your own way to the starting hotel at your own expense. If your arrival transfer does not arrive within 30 minutes after you have exited the arrivals area please take a taxi to your start point hotel.
EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS
G Adventures Local Representative
From outside the USA: 1-514-948-4145
From within the USA: 514-948-4145
If you are unable for any reason to contact our local representative, please call the numbers listed below which will connect you directly with our Sales team who will happily assist you.
Toll-free, North America only: 1 888 756 9806
Calls from UK: 0344 272 0000
Calls from Germany: 0800 365 1000
Calls from Australia: 1 300 796 618
Calls from New Zealand: 0800 333 307
Outside North America, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the UK: +1 416 260 0999
No optional activities
Minimum age of 18 years for this trip.
No, international flights are generally not included in the price of your tour.
However, on some combo tours travelling between two different countries, international flights are included as part of the itinerary and price of the tour. Please speak to your GCO or booking agent for further details.
In addition, check-in times and baggage allowances/restrictions vary by airline and can change at any time. For the most up-to-date information for your flight, please contact your airline. We recommend checking in online in advance to avoid potential delays at the airport.
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.
5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Meeting & Dinner - Meet your CEO and Group, Victoria
Your OMG Day: Choice of Zodiak Whale Watching or Chocolate Beach Kayaking, Saltspring Island. Complimentary arrival transfer. Welcome Dinner. Tseshaht Cultural Center Visit. Tseshaht First Nation Welcome and Reforest project activity. Whaling history presentation. Guided morning sea kayaking excursion with lunch on Robinson Island. Lodge trail hiking and hot tub relaxation. Evening boat tour of the Broken Group. Little Qualicum Falls walk. Lunch and tasting at Rusted Rake Brewing. Guided tour of the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre. Exploration of local boutiques and galleries. Island food and drink tour. Farewell Dinner. All tips included for activities and meals, except for CEO and porterage. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
For details of your joining hotel please refer to your tour voucher, G Account, the G Adventures App or contact your travel agent.
An arrival transfer is included when you arrive on Day 1, or if you arrive up to three days prior provided that you have booked your pre-accommodation through G Adventures in our joining hotel. Due to customer experience and quality considerations, all services related to the tour must be continuous. Our driver will be waiting for you with a G Adventures sign, and they will be waiting for you outside the luggage hall.
If for any reason you are not met at the airport, please call our local support line. If you are unable to make contact for whatever reason, please make your way to the joining point hotel via taxi.
Please note that day 1 is an arrival day and no activities have been planned on this day.
Upon arrival to your Joining Hotel (note that check-in time will be in the afternoon), look for a note or bulletin board in the reception with a note from your CEO. This note will give the details of your Welcome Meeting on day 1, where you will get a chance to meet your CEO and other travellers, as well as learn more about how the tour will run. If you don't see a note, please ask reception for details!
If you are arriving later and will miss the Welcome Meeting, your CEO will leave a note at reception for you with any information you may need, and with morning instructions for the next day.
Your departure flight should depart no later than 2pm.
Documents:
• Flight info (required) (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border)
• Insurance info (required) (With photocopies)
• Passport (required) (With photocopies)
• Vouchers and pre-departure information (required)
• Visas or vaccination certificates (With photocopies)
Essentials:
• Toiletries (required) (Shampoo, bodywash, soap, etc.)
• Binoculars (optional)
• Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries)
• Cash, credit and debit cards
• Day pack (Used for daily excursions or short overnights)
• Ear plugs
• First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen, whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)
• Flashlight/torch (Headlamps are ideal)
• Fleece top/sweater
• Footwear
• Hat
• Headphones (Noise-cancelling recommended)
• Locks for bags
• Long pants/jeans
• Moneybelt
• Outlet adapter
• Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.)
• Reusable water bottle
• Shirts/t-shirts
• Sleepwear
• Small travel towel
• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Watch and alarm clock
• Waterproof backpack cover
• Windproof rain jacket
Health & Safety:
• Face masks (Clients will be only be required to wear a face mask where it is mandated by local regulations.)
• Hand sanitizer
• Pen (Please bring your own pen for filling out documents.)
Warm Weather:
• Sandals/flip-flops
• Shorts/skirts (Longer shorts/skirts are recommended)
• Sturdy water shoes/sandals
• Sun hat/bandana
• Swimwear
Max 16, avg 12
Prices from: €3449.00
6 day The Geluxe Collection tour
The Department of Foreign Affairs has up-to-date advice for Irish citizens on staying safe and healthy abroad. For more security, local laws, health, passport and visa information see https://www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/overseas-travel/ and follow dfatravelwise