Guide

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout.

Accommodation

Participation camping (7 nts).

Transport

Private vehicle, ferry, and hiking.

Meals

7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners

Others

Your Welcome Moment: 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.

Hygieneprotocol

As of October 1, 2021 G Adventures’ Vaccinated Tours Policy applies:  All travelers must meet the G Adventures requirements for joining their tours.  The majority of tours require travelers to be fully vaccinated and the full/final COVID-19 vaccination must be at least 14 days before the first day of the tour.  There are some tours and departures that are only ‘Travel-Ready’ which means all travelers must be fully vaccinated or have a negative COVID-19 test within 96 hours before the first day of the tour.  Please, double check with the G Adventures Support Team about the requirements of your tour and departure date. ** Updated Vaccine Mandate Changes as of 16 December 2022 below** Travel with Confidence & Vaccinated Tours As we continue to see vaccine mandates shifting and countries evolving COVID-19 policies, we have continued to monitor and adjust our policies in line. Based on this, we will be making some adjustments to our Vaccinated Tours and Travel with Confidence policy in 2023. Tours departing on or after March 31, 2023 we will no longer be requiring all travellers to be vaccinated to travel with G Adventures. However, we still strongly recommend that all travellers are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to travelling. As per our existing policy, it is the travellers responsibility to ensure they are aware of and adhere to the regulations of the country they are visiting. Please remember to ensure that your travellers have adequate travel insurance to protect them should their travel plans change, this should include trip disruption and COVID-19 coverage. Our National Geographic Journeys, National Geographic Family Journeys and G Expedition will remain fully vaccinated for all departures . You can read more about these policies here: https://www.gadventures.com/travel-with-confidence/  Leading up to March 31, 2023 our tours will continue to be Vaccinated Tours and you can look for the Vaccinated Tours icon to indicate which departures are vaccinated and which will not require a vaccination as we move forward with this change. You can find more information on our Travel with Confidence landing page https://www.gadventures.com/travel-with-confidence/  or as well as on Sherpa.  Thank you for your continued support as we navigate these updates. ** Updated Vaccine Mandate Changes as of 16 December 2022 above**

Not included:

Flights

Flights are not included.

Insurance

Insurance is not included.

Others

1. HIKES AND WALKS All walks and hikes proposed by our CEO will be a moderate level. You may choose to participate or not, but exploring our national parks on foot is part of our way of travelling. It’s a healthy way to discover Canada’s beauty and landscape. 2. COMBO TRIP Please note that some trips could be a combination of multiple G Adventure tours. You should expect some group members to join or leave the tour between tour segments. book the right trip, we recommend that travellers under legal drinking age take this into consideration when booking a tour that visits several big cities. 3. An essential part of your trip is participation - from putting up your tent (while camping) or packing it away in the morning, to helping with meal preparation and cleaning up - it is all part of your adventure and when everyone puts in a little effort the trip will run smoothly. Your CEO will do all the meal planning, but we do ask the clients to help with the preparation and washing up. Team spirit is part of the fun! All camping equipment (with the exception of your sleeping bag and pillow) is supplied. We supply dome tents and assembly/disassembly takes only 5 minutes. All tents have built-in insect nets. Comfortable, self-inflating mattresses are also provided, which are approximately 4cm thick. 4. Proper sleeping bags are necessary for this tour. Please ensure that your sleeping bag is rated to (-17°C for spring and fall trips and 0°C for trips June - Sept). Prices range from $60-$150USD. 5. Please note that the legal drinking age in the United States is 21. Many bars and clubs will ask for ID at the door, therefore listening to live music in certain bars or spending a night out in Las Vegas is not possible when you are under the legal age, even if you don’t plan on consuming alcohol. Drinking laws are strictly enforced and our CEOs are unable to help those under age obtain alcohol of any kind. While this should not stop those under legal drinking age from booking a tour, it is important to note that if a traveller is under-age there are certain optional nighttime activities that they may not legally be able to participate in. When trying to book the right trip, we recommend that travellers under legal drinking age take this into consideration when booking a tour that visits several big cities.Victoria - Zodiac Whale Watching Cruise (173.60CAD per person) - Bike Rental Sooke & Victoria Sooke - Sea Kayaking

Optional

Victoria - Zodiac Whale Watching Cruise (115CAD per person) - Bike Rental Sooke & Victoria Sooke - Sea Kayaking

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Vancouver/Sooke (1L, 1D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Vancouver/Sooke (1L, 1D)

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.

Meals Included:
- Lunch
- Dinner

Transport:
- Ferry 04:00 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- East Sooke Regional Park Hike
- Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Day 2 Day 2: Sooke (1B, 1L, 1D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Sooke (1B, 1L, 1D)

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.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner

Transport:
- Private Vehicle 01:00 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- Juan de Fuca Hike
Day 3 Day 3: Sooke (1B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Sooke (1B)

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.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Day 4 Day 4: Sooke/Parksville (1B, 1D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Sooke/Parksville (1B, 1D)

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.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner

Transport:
- Private Vehicle 02:00 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- Kayak on Cowichan Bay
- Rathtrevor Beach Walk
Day 5 Day 5: Parksville/Squamish (1B, 1L, 1D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Parksville/Squamish (1B, 1L, 1D)

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.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner

Transport:
- Private Vehicle 01:00 Hr(s)
- Ferry 01:45 - 02:00 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- The Stawamus Chief Hike
Day 6 Day 6: Squamish (1B, 1L)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Squamish (1B, 1L)

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.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch

Included Activities:
- Elfin Lakes Hike
Day 7 Day 7: Squamish/Whistler (1B, 1L, 1D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Squamish/Whistler (1B, 1L, 1D)

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.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner

Transport:
- Private Vehicle 01:00 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- High Note Hike
Day 8 Day 8: Whistler/Vancouver (1B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Whistler/Vancouver (1B)

Travel from Whistler to Vancouver. Tours ends on arrival in Vancouver.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast

Transport:
- Private Vehicle 02:00 - 03:00 Hr(s)

Additional Notes: Please book any departing flights no earlier than 4:00pm.

8 days tour

Active West Coast Canada Discovery

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Active West Coast Canada Discovery

Day 1: Vancouver/Sooke (1L, 1D)

Day 2: Sooke (1B, 1L, 1D)

Day 3: Sooke (1B)

Day 4: Sooke/Parksville (1B, 1D)

Day 5: Parksville/Squamish (1B, 1L, 1D)

Day 6: Squamish (1B, 1L)

Day 7: Squamish/Whistler (1B, 1L, 1D)

Day 8: Whistler/Vancouver (1B)

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