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| The Wide Open Spaces of the West and the Islands of the Pacific |
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Home > Summer > Escorted Tours > The Wide Open Spaces of the West and the Islands of the Pacific
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-Duration : 20 days / 19 nights
-Theme : Nature and discovery in Canada West
-Begin : Calgary
-End : Vancouver |
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| Highlights during this 3-week journey are the famous parks of the Canadian Rockies, the Coast Mountains and Pacific Rim National Park. You travel through some very remote regions of the north west, experience the variety and vastness of the country from huge cattle ranches to tiny fishing outposts. You take the Discovery Coast Ferry to Vancouver Island and here, at the westernmost edge, you find yourself in an ancient forest which borders the endless sandy stretch of Long Beach. In sleepy Tofino you can go on a whale or bear watching cruise. Finally the cities of Victoria and Vancouver. |
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| From Calgary (day 1), here are a few optional short stays that you could easily add to your package. Please refer to their duration in order to determine the number of nights each of these trips will add to the original route. |
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City Escape - Calgary
Duration: 3 days and 2 nights
Theme: Discovery and Activities
Location: Calgary
For more information |
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City Escape - Vancouver
Duration: 4 days and 3 nights
Theme: Discovery and Activities
Location: Vancouver
For more information |
These are only a few samples of the short packages that are actually available. For additional ideas, please visit our short packages section.
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Day 1 - Calgary:
Arrive in Calgary, transfer from the airport to the hotel. “Welcome to the West” dinner and pre trip information with your guide.
Day 2 - Banff National Park:
Short city tour of Calgary and 170 km (105 mi) drive into Banff National Park. In the forested campground you pitch your tent for the next two nights. This afternoon your guide takes you on for a warm-up hike on one of the many trails near Banff. Walking time 2 – 3 hours
Day 3 - Banff National Park:
A longer hike on one of the many trails in this national park is on today’s menu. Your guide knows the best destinations for the times of the season, even the lesser known. An easy forested trail ends in an alpine meadow with wide angle vies in all directions, ideal for further explorations. Maximum height at 2300 m (7660 ft) with 655 m (2181 ft) gain. Later you might want to relax in the warm sulphur pool and browse the many stores and boutiques of the little town. Walking time 7 hours.
Day 4 - Lake Louise / Yoho National Park:
Countless photo opportunities along the Bow River and in the high alpine of Lake Louise. Here you can rent a canoe, hike to a romantic tea house and even further up the trails, or just sit and admire. The tents are set up in Yoho Park at the western flank of the Rockies.
Walking time 2 – 4 hours.
Day 5 - Lake Louise / Yoho National Park:
This park boasts the most outstanding trails in mountain wilderness, with glaciers, lakes and waterfalls. Planned for today is an 18 km (11 mi) loop through 2 passes at 2180 m (7195 ft). Walking time 5 hours.
Day 6 - Shuswap Lake:
Glacier Park is reached through the Rogers Pass. Snow avalanches have scarred the slopes of the steep valleys. A 5 km (3 mi) hike to 2290 m (7627 ft) is rewarded with an almost 360 degree view of the surrounding peaks. The Transcanada Highway takes you into the warm and dry plateau of British Columbia. Camping by one of the many lakes, time for a swim Walking time 3 hours.
Day 7 - Shuswap Lake:
This area is a favourite holiday playground for many Canadians. Vast clear lakes for fishing, swimming and water sports, mountain solitude, lots of space and fresh air. Unless you wish to take it easy on the beach you can join the guide for another hike. One suggestion is the Silver Star ski area where a ski lift saves you the long ascent.
Days 8 and 9 - Williams Lake:
Near 100 Mile House you reach the Cariboo Trail. During the 1870 gold rush this was the route from Vancouver to the Cariboo Mountain gold fields. Today the high plateau is ranch country, professional cowboys still patrol the scattered cattle herds. The thousands of square miles west of the town of Williams Lake are almost unpopulated. A trail ride or rafting down the canyons and sun burnt hills of the Chilko River make for a close-up wilderness experiences. Ask your guide to arrange these excursions.
Days 10 and 11 - Tweedsmuir Park:
Stretches of the road leading west into the remote Chilcotin Plateau are not paved. Heckman Pass at 1525 m (5080 ft) is entrance to the province’s largest and probably most scenic park (9810 sq km, 3787 sq mi). It is first of all a wilderness park, access is limited. The trail into the Rainbow range leads into one of the most spectacular sights. Highly recommended is a flight in a small plane over glacier crowned mountain tops. Bush planes which are an important means of transportation for this region. Walking time 4 – 7 hours.
Day 12 - Bella Coola:
The winding road down from the Coast Mountains ends at the head of a long fjord. Life is quiet in this friendly, remote fishing village, nestled between the mountains and the sea. This a wonderful chance to visit and meet local Canadians, go salmon fishing, find the historic native rock paintings or explore one more mountain trail before leaving the mainland.
Day 13 - Discovery Coast Passage:
For the next 24 hours you cruise past forested shores, many islands and the Hakai Marine Park. Eagles and sea birds are easy to spot, sea lions rest on the rocks, safe from the orca whales. It is a working ferry, not necessarily designed for tourists. In the relaxed, easygoing atmosphere on board it is easy to make new friends.
Day 14 - Strathcona Park:
Arrival early morning in Port Hardy on the northern tip of Vancouver Island. Your bus takes you along the eastern shore to Campbell River and 50 km (32 mi) inland into Strathcona Provincial Park. This is BC’s oldest park with the 6 highest mountains of the island and with Comox Glacier. There is enough time today for a ridge hike to Arnica Lake, 6 km (3.7 mi) one-way with many switchbacks and 800 m (2664 ft) gain. Walking time 2 - 3 hours.
Days 15 à 17 - Tofino:
Another dramatic change of scenery as you cut through the centre of the island to the far western coast. The road is winding between swift rivers, lakes, mountains, through forests of giant cedars and finally down to the Pacific Ocean. We set up camp for the next 3 nights under ancient Douglas fir and hemlock trees in PACIFIC RIM NATIONAL PARK. It is a magical place to relax or to explore, dig clams in the tidal flats at low tide, watch tremendous waves rolling in all the way from Asia, hike mysterious trails in a fairy tale forest of ferns and mosses and thousand year old trees. There is more: many artists have made the charming villages of Ucluelet and Tofino their home, small shops offer and unique and special souvenirs. A 7-hour boat excursion (optional) features a stop at natural hot springs, along the way you have best chances to see bald eagles and black bears looking for fish. Sea kayaking is another safe and fun activity and either this or whale watching are highly recommended options.
Day 18- Victoria:
Along the picturesque coastal highway past the beaches of Parksville, Chemanius with it’s colourful downtown murals, Duncan, the city of totems, to the capital city of British Columbia. Your campground under giant cedar trees has it’s own little waterfall.
Day 19 - Vancouver:
You catch the ferry back to the mainland. Early afternoon you arrive at the hotel in downtown Vancouver. Rest of the day is free in what many call the most beautiful city in North America. So much to see: Robson Street, Chinatown, Gastown, museums, the harbour or the totem poles in Stanley Park. All easily reached by foot. Your tour ends with arrival at the hotel.
Day 20 - Vancouver:
Transfer to the airport for the flight home.
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| Departures dates |
 June 28
July 05, 19, 26
August 09, 16 |
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| Price per person: |
Occupancy |
Standard Accommodation and tent |
| double |
2640 $ CAD- Tx. Incl. |
| single |
2867 $ CAD- Tx. Incl. |
| The cost includes: |
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The cost does not include: |
· The personalized roadbook of the perfect Globe-Trotter:road map, detailed itinerary, useful infos, touristic guides, etc.
· All transfers
· Transportation in passenger van
· 2 nights hotel (twin) with breakfasts
· Other nights in tents (2 person / tent)
· Welcome gift
· Camping equipment (except sleeping bag)
· Hard-foam mattress
· Admission to the National Parks
· Camping fees
· Fare for the two ferries as mentioned
· Services of a guide
· The applicable taxes and the contribution to the compensation Fund |
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· Air travel (available for this program, please see the quote request form or purchase your airline tickets our website)
· The travel insurance
· Meals
· Ski lift Silver Star: $12
· White-water rafting app. $130
· Two hour trail ride app. $45
· Sightseeing flight: $370 for 6-person / plane
· Sea kayaking or whale watching in Tofino $77
· 7 hour cruise to hot springs in Tofino $115 |
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