Day 1 - Vancouver
Upon arrival at the Vancouver International Airport, pick up a rental car and proceed to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore Vancouver on your own. Canada’s third-largest metropolitan centre, Vancouver is a busy port with a thriving multi-culture ambiance. The city is located in a spectacular setting with the Coast Mountains across Burrard Inlet to the north and the waters of the Strait of Georgia to the west. Restaurants, shopping, nightlife, a mild climate and a cosmopolitan atmosphere make Vancouver a favourite tourist destination.
Moderate: Overnight Pacific Palisades Hotel
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Hotel Vancouver – Fairmont room
Day 2 - Vancouver to Victoria
Your destination today is the city of Victoria located on Vancouver Island. Drive south to the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal and board a B.C. Ferry for a ninety-minute ferry ride through the scenic Gulf Islands (ferry fare included). On arrival at the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal on Vancouver Island, travel south along the Saanich Peninsula to Butchart Gardens (admission included). This 20-hectare (50–acre) botanical showcase is renowned for its skillful blending of rare and exotic plants and trees mixed with native flora in a colourful and authentic series of formal gardens joined by several paths. After a visit at the gardens, continue to Victoria, travelling through the scenic Uplands and Oak Bay residential areas with spectacular views of the Olympic Mountains and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Upon arrival in Victoria, check in to your selected hotel.
Moderate: Overnight Harbour Towers Hotel
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Empress Hotel – Fairmont room
Day 3 - Victoria
Today is at leisure to enjoy the heart of Victoria close up – at street level, strolling Victoria’s Inner Harbour and Olde Town districts. The Inner Harbour is rich with a variety of heritage attractions, museums, galleries and shopping boutiques waiting to be explored. Located just outside the city is Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site (admission included). The western entrance to Esquimalt Harbour is guarded by this former military installation, which features displays and interpretive information about Victoria’s naval history. After strolling the beautiful treed grounds of Fort Rodd Hill, visit the Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site (admission included). The Fisgard Lighthouse was the first permanent lighthouse on the west coast, built in 1860 and is still in operation today.
Moderate: Overnight Harbour Towers Hotel
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Empress Hotel – Fairmont room
Day 4 - Victoria to Tofino
Depart Victoria today and travel north along the Island Highway. Travel north to the town of Chemainus, the “City of Murals.” More than 30 murals decorate the buildings in this logging and manufacturing town. The murals, painted by a number of prominent artists from B.C. and around the world, depict area wildlife, Native peoples, logging and historical events. Continue north on Highway 19 through Nanaimo to Parksville where, at the junction of Highway 54, head west toward the Pacific Ocean. The small community of Coombs and the Coombs Bakery and Market make a perfect rest stop to buy picnic supplies before you enter Cathedral Grove (Macmillan Provincial Park). Cathedral Grove is a preserved rainforest where you can see spectacular stands of old growth (un-logged) timber including enormous cedar, hemlock and Douglas fir trees. In the small city of Port Alberni, visit the Maclean Mill National Historic Site, the last surviving steam operated sawmill in Western Canada. Located on the edge of Pacific Rim National Park is the village of Tofino, your home for the next three nights.
Moderate: Overnight Harbour Towers Hotel
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Empress Hotel – Fairmont room
Day 5 – Tofino Exploring
Established in 1970, the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve has 3 components; the Broken Group Islands at the mouth of the Alberni Inlet, accessible only by boat, a paradise for small craft and kayakers; the West Coast Trail, a 73-kilometre wilderness hiking trail along the rugged and remote coast of Vancouver Island; and the popular and easily accessible Long Beach Unit between the villages of Tofino to the north and Ucluelet to the south. This park reserve encompasses rocky headlands pounded by the Pacific Ocean, long sweeping beaches of wave-washed sand, marshes and bogs full of flowers and birds and a primeval rain forest with huge trees. This is a place to wander and contemplate, to explore tide pools, to relax on a sunny sheltered beach. The Wickaninnish Centre, once a popular inn, is a distinctive building with “Tahitian roof” architecture and was renovated in the 1970’s to become the main interpretive centre for the park. Interpretive talks, guided walks with park staff and other activities start from this point.
Moderate: Overnight Tofino (Hotel TBA)
Deluxe: Overnight Tofino (Hotel TBA)
Day 6 – Tofino Exploring
Another full day on your own to explore Pacific Rim National Park and the surrounding area. You may wish to take a whale watching or bear viewing cruise or a hot springs explorer tour.
Moderate: Overnight Tofino (Hotel TBA)
Deluxe: Overnight Tofino (Hotel TBA)
Day 7 - Tofino to Vancouver
Today, travel back along Highway #4 to the east coast of Vancouver Island, then to Highway 19 and Nanaimo, and board a BC Ferry for a 95-minute ferry crossing to Horseshoe Bay. Your holiday concludes with the return of your rental vehicle either at the Vancouver International Airport or a downtown location.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- 6 nights accommodation, any mandatory service charges and room tax
- 7 day mid size car rental
- BC Ferry fares between Vancouver & Victoria and Nanaimo & Vancouver
- Admission to Butchart Gardens
- Black Bear Viewing in Tofino
- National Park Fees & Historic Sites Pass
- Luggage handling at hotels
- Personalized documentation package
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Car Rental: vehicle insurance, airport concession fee, provincial sales tax, refueling service charge, parking, gas, highway tolls, baby seats, additional driver taxes and credit card security deposit
- Meals not listed as included
- Transfers not listed as included
- Gratuities
- Trip Cancellation Insurance (Insurance can be purchased from your Vacation Specialist, ask for more details)