Exploring West Coast, Travel by Land & Sea – BC Exclusive

Today, you will be driving to take the BC ferry, sailing through the beautiful Gulf Islands to Victoria, the Provincial Capital on Vancouver Island, where there are many attractions and unique shops to wander around and feel the charm of this historic city. Browsing the exquisite shops along Government Street, tasting Hong Kong-style tea in Chinatown, or enjoying English refreshments at The Empress Hotel at your own expense. You may also rent a bicycle to roam around the beautiful harbor and Fisherman’s Wharf. If you are interested in marine life, it is recommended that you take a whale watching tour.

  Accommodation suggestion
Hotel Grand Pacific (4 ) or more selective

Start your morning by visiting the famous Butchart Gardens permeate the beautiful landscape with fully in-season flowers and plants. Later, start your Aboriginal and cultural tour. First, visit bald eagle and salmon Reserve Golden Creek Provincial Park to observe the Pacific salmon migratory Reserve and bald eagle habitat ecology. Then head to the Totem Town ”Duncan” and admire the different ethnic cultures, history, commemorative Indian totem column and go to the “Mural town” –Cheminus and admire the huge murals, experience the art of history through painting; later reach the coastal garden city of Nanaimo stopover for delicious ”Nanaimo bar” dessert bite, continue heading north to the “salmon capital of the world”- Campbell River.

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Coast Campbell River (3 ) or more selective

Today, you can take part in the most famous fishing trip in the area. Indulge yourself in the fun of catching salmon or halibut, and they will package your fish or make canned let you can bring home with full memory, or Try a unique tour of “Snorkel with Salmon” (from July to September); the crystal-clear water allows for easy viewing of the salmon in the river environment. Wearing a wet suit snorkelling on the Campbell river to view amounts of migrating salmon swimming toward you is a wonderful experience, afternoon hiking to Elk Falls Suspension Bridge sees the beautiful and natural.

In the morning, you will continue north along the coast road to the forested Northern Vancouver Island, drive into Telegraph Cove, a fishing village. You can take a whale watching tour of the Johnstone Strait, which is internationally known for having the world’s largest number of killer whales; if you are an adventurer, taking a sea kayaking tour, experience the whales, wildlife and Island passages of Johnstone Strait, tonight stay town of Port Hardy.

  Accommodation suggestion
Glen Lyon Inn (3 ) or more selective

Today, drive to the ferry terminal and take the BC Ferry north along the famous Inside passage waterway to the wonderful Prince Rupert. Enjoy yourself with the breathtaking scenery along the gorgeous coast. Prepare yourself for the grand dolphins, whales and bald eagles spontaneously greeting you along the way. Although it is a very long day but a fantastic way of seeing the scenery and have a chance to get a spectacular sunset, with the sun dropping below the horizon before docking in Prince Rupert.

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Prestige Hotel Prince Rupert (3 ) or more selective

Spend time exploring The Museum of Northern British Columbia, its large cedarwood longhouse houses collections and exhibits highlighting the Indigenous peoples’ culture and history in the Pacific Northwest. For wildlife lovers, don’t miss an opportunity to take a short boat ride and travel North through Chatham Sound into Khutzeymateen Province Park area; here is home to one of the highest concentrations of grizzly bears in North America. After, drive along the Skeena River on scenic Highway 16 to the east. The drive is equally spectacular, with glimpses of tall waterfalls trickling down the mountains; if you have time, stop over at Hazelton’s visit Ksan Historical Village and Museum to learn about First Nations culture. Later on, we arrive at the Smithers.

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Sandman Inn Smithers (2 ) or more selective

This morning you will pass through many unique small towns with roadside antique stores or indigenous culture villages. You can take a detour to sightsee north of Fort St. James which is a former fur trading post in north-central British Columbia, the National Historic Site is the largest collection of wooden buildings faithfully restored to the fur trade era. Later arrive Quesnel, a last stop on the Fraser River for the Gold Rush Trail in the late 1800s and service center for gold prospectors stocking up with supplies before heading east for the gold rush. Discover Quesnel Museum to understand early century resident life and visiting several historic sites: St. Andrew’s Church, original 1867 Hudson’s Bay Company Trading Post. Also, don’t forget to take a photo with the World’s largest Gold Pan before the end of the day.

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Sandman Hotel Quesnel (3 ) or more selective

Today driving through highway 26 for a history explore tour, first arrive Cottonwood House, this historic site original 1860s to help with the farm chores or sample fresh farm produce and baking, which a great introduction to the Gold Rush era of the Cariboo region. Continue to follow route arrive today’s highlight the Barkerville Historic Town & Park; the legendary gold digger Bill Barker’s triggered not only multi-billion dollar industrial revolution that literally builds a province; when you visit this historic town to image living testament to BC golden beginning; this is a unique, world-class heritage site and remains a thriving place, rich in history and full of life; more than 125 heritage building including satellite museum, Chinatown, clinic, post office, school, restaurant, shops so much to explore. After visit tonight stay at William Lakes.

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Sandman Hotel & Suites Williams Lake (2 ) or more selective

This morning driving through highway 97 to 100 Mile House, you can stop at 108 heritage sites. Museum then turns to highway 24, nearly the same route that the fur traders used centuries ago. The parts of Hudson’s Bay Fur Brigade Trail can still be seen near the east end of the highway and is preserved as a “heritage trail.” if you are an avid angler, you will be love here; this section route also named ”Fishing Highway” along this route can access over 100 lakes, an easy to enjoy Fly fishing! Afternoon arrives Sun Peaks, hiking up to Mountain, golfing, learning mountain bike, or have a cop coffee or a glass wine to experience mountain resort vacation style.

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Sun Peaks Grand Hotel & Conference Centre (4 ) or more selective

Say goodbye to Sun Peaks; heading to Kamloops here is an important transportation hub in inland BC; it was known as a fur trading place in the past time. Ginseng becomes an important output product over decades; you may stop over and tour the Ginseng farms. Later continue driving south highway 97 to Okanagan Valley. The first city arrives Vernon, visit Orchard farm going to u-pick up fruits’, bite a fresh cherry, peach, apple or many local products; then follow lakeshore driving arrive the sunny city of Kelowna. In here, you can enjoy boating, water skiing on the lake; for adventures will enjoy a visit to Myra Canyon by cycle on the reclaimed Kettle Valley Railway through tunnels and over trestles alongside a steep canyon rock face. Another best way to tour Kelowna, which follows the vineyards trail, is to visit the winery, taste wine, distilleries and cideries, or explore some organic farm, restaurant to feast local gourmet, all easy for you to make another unforgettable memory.

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Best Western Plus Wine Country Hotel & Suites (3 ) or more selective

Morning wanders at Lake Okanagan searching for a lake monster legend” Ogopogo” or spends time at the resort enjoy spa before you depart back to Vancouver; if your wish, follow highway 97 south continue to Summerland, Penticton for more winery explore. Afternoon through Fraser Valley back to Vancouver, your journey concludes today.