5 DAY ITINERARY
Day 1 – Vancouver to Port Alberni
The adventure starts with a short trip to Horseshoe Bay by private motorcoach where you will board the new Coastal Renaissance ferry at 8:30 AM for a 90 minute crossing to Vancouver Island and the hub city of Nanaimo. Your private motorcoach will then follow the scenic Island Coastal Highway north to Courtenay where you will have lunch and board VIA Rail’s historic E&N Malahat Dayliner. After a short and nostalgic ride you will re-board your motorcoach in Parksville, making a brief stop at the historic Coombs Market before crossing the rugged Island Mountain Range and arriving in Port Alberni at about 5:30 PM. (Lunch & Dinner)
Moderate: Overnight Best Western Barclay Hotel
Day 2 – Cruise the West Coast/Ucluelet
A hot buffet breakfast is served at 6:30 AM and at 7:30 am you’ll depart the hotel for the short trip to the boat dock. After a quick orientation, board the coastal supply vessel “Frances Barkley” for a spectacular morning cruise that will include a stop at Sechart in the Broken Islands and your final destination in Ucluelet at 12:30 PM. You will likely encounter a variety of wildlife viewings, coastal settlements, commercial fisheries and kayakers along the way. Lunch (on your own) is available on board the ship. Your coach meets you in Ucluelet and starts a beautiful afternoon of sightseeing in Pacific Rim National Park. The village of Tofino and Radar Hill will be visited as well as a one-hour stop at the Wickaninnish Visitor Centre on Long Beach. You return to Ucluelet for the evening and take an early gourmet dinner on board The Canadian Princess. (Breakfast and Dinner)
Moderate: Overnight Pacific Rim Motel
Day 3 – Port Alberni
You have the morning free to visit the shops and galleries of this seaside village. At 1:30 PM you leave Ucluelet and visit a lighthouse on the southern end of the peninsula. Later, depart Port Alberni and travel a scenic route that will include Sproat Lake and the water bomber base on Sproat Lake. Along the way, visit the Alberni Valley Museum before checking into your hotel. Dinner will be taken in a seaside restaurant. (Breakfast & Dinner)
Moderate: Overnight Best Western Barclay Hotel
Day 4 – Port Alberni to Victoria
Enjoy breakfast at 8:00 AM before departing for the railway station where you will board the Alberni Pacific Railway steam train for its departure for the McLean Mill National Historic site. This is the only steam operated sawmill in Canada. After the tour of the mill you will have the opportunity for lunch (not included). In the early afternoon, the tour heads eastward to Nanaimo train station where you will board the The Malahat Dayliner for your train trip to Victoria. Arrive in Victoria at 6:00 PM. (Breakfast)
Moderate: Overnight Queen Victoria Inn & Suites
OPTION:
Last Day of the 4 Day Itinerary - Enjoy breakfast at 8:00 AM before departing for the railway station where you will board the Alberni Pacific Railway steam train for its departure for the McLean Mill National Historic site. This is the only steam operated sawmill in Canada. After the tour of the mill you will have the opportunity for lunch (not included). In the early afternoon, the tour heads eastward to the Departure Bay (just north of Nanaimo) for the 4:30 afternoon departure on BC Ferries back to the mainland. Your journey ends in Vancouver at about 7:00 PM. (Breakfast)
Day 5 – Victoria to Vancouver
You will have a full day to enjoy the sights, shops and attractions of Victoria. Return to Vancouver on Pacific Coach Lines and BC Ferries at your leisure utilizing the vouchers that have been provided.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- 4 nights accommodation, any mandatory service charges and room tax
- Services of a Tour Escort
- Meals: 3 Dinners, 1 Lunch, 4 Breakfasts
- Transportation by motor coach as outlined in itinerary
- BC Ferries passenger toll from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo & Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen
- VIA Rail E&N Malahat Dayliner from Courtney to Parksville and Nanaimo to Victoria
- Alberni Pacific Railway Steam Train ride
- Cruise aboard the Frances Barkley
- Admissions: Alberni Valley Museum, McLean Mill National Historic Site including tour
- Personalized documentation package
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Meals not listed as included
- Gratuities for guides, driver and tour escort
- Trip Cancellation Insurance (Insurance can be purchased from your Vacation Specialist, ask for more details)