Our Canadian Island Adventure begins today in the city of Sidney, British Columbia, very near to the Victoria International Airport (airport code YYJ).

Travelers arrive throughout the day. Our first official activity is the Welcome Orientation this evening at 7:30 pm at our hotel. Please plan to arrive in time to attend this important Adventure kick-off!

For those who arrive into Sidney a day early (May 31), an optional Butchart Gardens is available today (June 1). Butchart Gardens is a fanciful floral funhouse that is listed as a National Historic Site of Canada. This exciting exploration of these world-famous gardens includes round-trip transport from our airport hotel to Butchart Gardens, entrance to the Gardens, and guide services. Estimated price: $75

Walk #1: Goldstream Provincial Park Walk
Walk #2: Chemainus Murals Walk

We depart the Saanaich Peninsula this morning on our way up the east coast of Vancouver Island, with views of the Salish Sea.

We stop first for a walk among massive trees and a meandering river at Goldstream Provincial Park, mere miles away from the urban fun of downtown Victoria but a verdant landscape that feels far removed from city life.

Continuing north along the Cowichan coast, we savor a lunch break followed by a memorable stroll among the dozens of delightful murals that dot this picturesque artisan village nestled between the mountains and the sea.

We wrap up our day with a group dinner at our harborside hotel in Nanaimo, a picturesque town located along the Strait of Georgia.

Walk #3: Newcastle Island Walk – 5 or 10 km

Today we enjoy the natural beauty and history of Newcastle Island Provincial Park, a picturesque island off the coast of Nanaimo’s downtown and the traditional territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation.

Accessible only by passenger ferry or boat, we’ll take picnic lunches with us as we are transported on a short ride across the bay. Once at Newcastle, we engage the island’s cultural richness as we hear the sacred stories from Knowledge Keepers of the Snuneymuxw.

Next we continue our exploration of the island on its excellent trail system, where we also witness evidence of coal mining, sandstone quarrying, and herring fisheries. Once we’ve had our fill at Newcastle Island, our return ferry whisks us back across the waters to downtown Nanaimo, where the remainder of the evening and dinner are free for you to enjoy as you see fit.

Walk #4: Little Qualicum Falls Walk
Walk #5: Cathedral Grove Walk

Departing Nanaimo this morning, we transition from the calmer seas of the eastern Vancouver Island shore to the wild Pacific waters of the west coast, exploring some fascinating natural beauties in the central part of the island along the famed Pacific Rim Highway.

After a fun morning stop at Coombs Country Market (famous for its goats grazing on the roof), we walk alongside a thundering torrent at Little Qualicum Falls, an impressive set of cascades that careens through a forested rocky gorge.

From Little Qualicum Falls, the grandeur continues with a short but stunning stroll in the magnificent temperate rainforest of Cathedral Grove. Located within MacMillan Provincial Park, the combination of 800 year old trees, bountiful ferns, and verdant, draping moss is awe-inspiring.

Following a lunch break in the town of Port Alberni, we finally reach the Pacific shores and make the first of many beach stops on our way to a two-night stat in Ucluelet, a wonderfully-set coastal town near Pacific Rim National Park.

Walk #6: Tofino Beaches Walk
Optional Whale Watching Excursion

Nestled along the rugged west coast of Vancouver Island, Tofino is a truly special place! Set on the southern edge of Clayoquot Sound, in the traditional territory of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations people, this area is a nature lovers paradise attracting surfers, hikers, birdwatchers, whale watchers, and campers, especially in the summer months.

This morning, we feature a couple of short beach hikes in the Tofino area. Several great candidates include Chesterman Beach, Cox Bay, Tonquin Beach, and Middle Beach. After a lunch break, the remainder of the day is free to continue exploring Tofino. We may also offer an afternoon bonus beach walk.

Whale Watching Excursion: For those who would like to participate in a wild boat-based afternoon adventures from the marina in town, a 2.5 hour whale-watching tour is available. It is not uncommon to see grey whales, humpback whales, and killer whales (orcas) in addition to other aquatic mammals (seals, sea lions, dolphins), and eagles. Estimated price: $150

Walk #7: Wild Pacific Trail Walk
Walk #8: Englishman Falls Walk

Before leaving the stunning west coast of Vancouver Island, this morning brings one more jaw-dropping treat as we walk along a couple different sections of the Wild Pacific Trail.

This easy footpath in Ucluelet is chock full of dramatic coastal vistas along a rocky and gnarly coastline that will have you snapping photos left and right. In addition to constant views, other highlights include a lovely little lighthouse, an ancient grove of Western red cedars, and a dense rainforest canopy throughout.

On our way back across the spine of the island, we stop for a lunch break in Port Alberni before a short but sweet hike at Englishman Falls Provincial Park, where a pristine mountain stream plunges into a narrow chasm then descends through a deep canyon.

After this visual feast of a day, we arrive back alongside the harbor front of Nanaimo for a night of rest and relaxation before our final push to Victoria.

Walk #9: Westwood Lake Walk – 5.5 km
Walk #10: Duncan Totem Poles Walk

Before departing the lovely Nanaimo area this morning, we explore one of the city’s best loved parks, enjoying a nice, forested walk around Westwood Lake, nestled in the foothills of Mt. Benson.

Next, we immerse ourselves again the rich cultural First Nations heritage of the island with a visit to Duncan, which serves not only as a lunch break but also as the site of over 40 beautifully carved totems scattered throughout the city. Our walk here takes us past several of these picturesque poles, each telling a unique story.

Finishing off our day, we drive south to Victoria, capital of British Columbia, and check in for two nights near the historic harbor in one of Canada’s great cities!

Walk #11: Victoria Harbor Walk
Optional Afternoon Tea at the Empress or Royal BC Museum

With a reputation of being “more English than England,” Victoria combines wonderful European charm with outstanding scenery and one of the oldest Chinatowns in North America.

This morning provides a chance to explore this multi-faceted city on foot, with numerous highlights including the picturesque Inner Harbour, fascinating alleys of Chinatown, regal Empress Hotel and architecturally stunning Parliament, vibrant hues of Fisherman’s Wharf, endless Olympic Mountain views across Juan de Fuca Strait, and nicely manicured grounds of Beacon Hill Park.

Lunch, as well as the afternoon, are free for you to explore Victoria’s many great eateries and harbor scenery. In the evening we gather at our hotel for a Farewell Dinner.

For those who would like to take a deeper dive into the BC scene this afternoon, we offer a couple of different optional activities for you to mull over.

Royal BC Museum: First consider a visit to the amazing Royal BC Museum, one of North America’s must-see collections. Easily accessible on foot from our hotel, this Canadian treasure offers a great way to spend an afternoon. This is not a group activity. Museum-goers will visit on their own or with friends and pay individual admissions.

High Tea: For those who would like to fully immerse themselves in the English tradition of afternoon tea, Victoria’s most recognizable landmark, the Fairmont Empress Hotel, offers the grandest of the grand afternoon teas in town.  This popular activity takes place in their famous Tea Lobby, which overlooks the city’s beautiful Inner Harbour.  While formal attire is not necessary for this optional experience, smart-casual dress is recommended as you sample from the hotel’s exclusive tea menu, followed by fresh fruit cocktail or berries with whipped cream, and an assortment of tea sandwiches, fresh scones, tea cakes, and pastries. Estimated price: $89

Our Vancouver Island Adventure draws to a close with breakfast at our hotel. The WAI guide team will help travelers with similar departure times arrange ride-sharing for the 30-minute taxi to Victoria International Airport (YYJ).

Thanks for sharing this adventure with us on one of the world’s most diverse and beautiful islands!

To register, a non-refundable $300 deposit is required to hold your spot. A final payment is due 90 days before departure and is non-refundable after the due date. You will receive a prompt email from us 2 to 3 weeks in advance.

Soon after registration, an “Adventure Advice” email will be sent with critical information on flight arrangements as well as important steps to take in the months before your trip. Please do not buy your airline tickets until you review this Adventure Advice email.

Please follow this link to read our full General Tour Conditions.

We generally walk at a pace of 2 to 3 miles per hour. Several walks on this trip are oriented more towards education, and therefore take longer due to stops for guide commentary. Nature walks, on the other hand, generally continue at a steadier pace because we’re stopping less to talk.

In most cases, we are not “strolling.” We are walking at a relaxed but steady pace. Your experience will be significantly affected by your level of physical fitness. If not walking regularly at home, we strongly recommend that you make a priority of “training” beforehand in order to both enjoy the trip and avoid medical issues due to overexertion. If you have questions about your ability to participate, please call our office at 1.360.260.9393.

We have adopted a walk difficulty rating system which contains a numeric indicator for trail incline and an alpha indicator for trail terrain. The explanation for this system is presented on the table below:

INCLINE

1. Minimal hills or stair climbing. Cumulative elevation gain: <200 feet.
2. Some moderate hills and stair climbing. Cumulative elevation gain: 200-1000 feet.
3. Some significant hill or stair climbing. Cumulative elevation gain: 1000-2000 feet.

TERRAIN

A. Almost entirely on pavement.
B. A significant part of the route is on well-groomed trails with very few obstacles.
C. A significant part of the route is on somewhat difficult terrain (rocky / rooted paths or soft sand).

The official start point for this Adventure is our hotel in Sidney, BC, on Vancouver Island just a 5 minute taxi-ride from Victoria International Airport (airport code YYJ). The official finish point is our hotel in Victoria, about a 30-minute drive to Victoria International Airport.

We recommend that you contact Laura Pfahler, the travel agent we work with, to help book your flight arrangements. In this age of airfare complications and airport uncertainty, using a travel agent is a good investment!

More details about flight arrangements and travel agent contact information will be provided in an Adventure Advice PDF by email after you register for the Adventure.  Please do not book your airfare prior to receiving these flight details from us!

• Laura Pfahler: 503.434.6401 or [email protected]

Be aware that some travel insurance policies contain time-sensitive provisions (i.e. some benefits, such as coverage of pre-existing conditions, are available only if the policy is purchased within a certain number of days of the purchase of the travel package). In addition, remember that airfare is not covered by any travel insurance policy you may have purchased for the tour.

• Focus on health before the tour so you start healthy.
• Pace yourself while on tour; travel is inherently stimulating and can produce adrenalin boosts that mask energy drain. Guard your energy reserves and consider the length of the trip and whether to opt out of some activities and/or walks.
• Be self-aware. If you feel yourself tiring or feel a bug coming on, take precautions to block it (e.g. extra rest, extra doses of vitamin C, etc).
• If you feel a bug coming on or if you take ill, distance yourself from others when possible.
• If you feel ill, isolate yourself towards the back of the bus and away from others

Click WAI Wellness on Tour Policy to view the WAI policy on Wellness on Tour.

Soon after registration, an “Adventure Advice” email will be sent with critical information on flight arrangements as well as important steps to take in the months before your trip. Please do not buy your airline tickets until you review this Adventure Advice email.

A final payment is due 90 days before departure (March 3, 2024) and is non-refundable after the due date. You will receive a prompt email from us a week or two in advance. Please see our General Tour Conditions for the full terms and conditions for participation in this Adventure.

Around 2-3 weeks before departure, you will receive a final email packet with details of the program, including hotel names and contact information, a list of fellow travelers, and a more detailed daily schedule.

We look forward to enjoying this brand new Adventure through the natural wonders of Vancouver Island!