DAY 1

• Arrive at Vancouver airport and transfer to your hotel.

• Getting around:

  • The Canada Line is Vancouver’s rapid transit connecting YVR to downtown Vancouver in less than 30 minutes.

    • Vancouver’s public transportation system is extensive to all major downtown tourist attractions.

    • Car rental is your best option for transportation outside the Vancouver central district.

• Things to Do.

• Best hotel location: we recommend the West End because of its proximity to major attractions, nightlife and the many restaurants and cafes lining Robson and Denore streets. <Where to stay>

• Where to eat.

• Travel Guide: DK Top 10 Vancouver / Vancouver Island and Fodor’s Vancouver & Victoria.

• Overnight: Vancouver (3 nights)

DAYS 2 and 3

• Two (2) days to discover Vancouver.

• Stanley Park - explore scenic views of the water and mountains along Stanley Park's famous Seawall.

  • <Walk the park route> Discover endless trails, beautiful beaches, local wildlife and natural and historical landmarks. The full loop is 10-km.

• Biking trails around Vancouver are a very popular activity. Many bike paths are car free nd well maintained.

  • Bicycle information + Bike Map.

  • Rent at Spokes Bicycle Rentals or at another bike shop near Stanley Park.

  • Electric bike rentals are becoming more popular. An electric bike is easy to ride – the motor helps you pedal. You put less effort into it, you sweat less, riding is even more comfortable and pleasant. Remember your on vacation!

• Granville Island - it consists of a large public market, a marina, a boutique hotel, various performing arts theatre, fine arts galleries and variety of shopping areas. <directory> <getting there>

• Vancouver North Shore.

  • Grouse Mountain - take the scenic Sky Ride gondola to the peak. At the top are two (2) restaurants, a ski and gift shop, and a movie theatre.

  • Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.- only 15 minutes from downtown, the park features rain forest eco-tours, gardens, nature trails, a cafe and North America's largest private collection of First Nations totem poles.

  • North Shore Spirit Trail - a new 35 km (21 mi.) waterfront greenway luring pedestrians, joggers, and bikers.

    • Located in North Vancouver <trail route>

• Gastown - Vancouver’s most historic neighborhood. You’ll find a picture-perfect collection of old buildings, cobblestones, the Steam Clock, and vintage lampposts. A lively area with boutiques, one-of-a-kind galleries and some of the best culinary cuisine in Vancouver. Music lovers head for Guilt & Co which offers jazz, soul and cabaret.

• Talaysay Tours - explore beautiful locations with a local First Nations guide. The First Nation guide will share ancient and contemporary stories, legends, and their Aboriginal ways of living.

• Overnight: Vancouver

DAY 4

• Depart to Victoria, B.C.

  • Be mindful, Victoria is located on Vancouver Island, whereas Vancouver city is located in the lower Mainland of British Columbia.

  • If you plan to visit Vancouver Island, renting a car is definitely a wise choice. With a rental car, you'll be able to move from one part of the island to another with ease. You'll also save yourself a lot of invaluable time, since you won't have to wait around for public transportation.

  • There are NO car rental agencies at the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal. (Vancover Island)

    —Car rentals are available at Victoria Int’l Airport. The airport is a quick 9-km ride from the ferry terminal, making it a convenient choice for visitors who prefer having a car once they disembark from the ferry. <Map>

    —The fastest way to get from Swartz Bay ferry terminal to Victoria Airport (YYJ) is grabbing a taxi which takes 10 minutes.

  • The other option is to bring the rental car onto the ferry from Vancouver city.

• Ferries leaves from Tsawwassen terminal (mainland) and arrives at Swartz Bay.

  • <Ferry Schedule>

  • <Learn more about BC Ferry>

• Ferry/driving time:

  • Downtown Vancouver --car--> Tsawwassen ferry terminal, 45 minutes.

  • Tsawwassen ferry terminal --ferry--> Swartz Bay, 1 hr. 35 min.

  • Swartz Bay --car--> Victoria, 45 min. (by bus or car)

• Overnight: Victoria (3 nights)

DAYS 5 - 7

• Two (2) days to explore Victoria. <map>

• The Inner Harbor is Victoria's main tourist neighborhood. The harbor itself is home to various fishing boats, colorful floating homes and wide pedestrian streets, which are often frequented by street vendors and entertainers.

  • Numerous cafes and restaurants line the sidewalks and provide the perfect setting to enjoy an afternoon cup.

• Whale watching - is a captivating experience. Victoria offers numerous tours where visitors can witness majestic whales in their natural habitat, creating unforgettable moments.

• Butchart Gardens - is a well-known group of floral display gardens. <How to get there>

• Venture to Juan De Fuca Park - the park offers spectacular hiking, marine and wildlife viewing and a roaring surf along the Pacific coastline of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

  • There are four (4) trailheads to the Marine Trail <learn more> within the park:

    • China Beach (the most southern trailhead) A 1-km trail leads from the parking lot through forest to the beach. A viewing deck offers views of the beach and Juan de Fuca Strait. This is an easy to moderate, fairly steep trail. <details>

    • Parkinson Creek, <details>

    • Sombrio Beach, <details>

    • Botanical Beach (the most northern trailhead). <details>

  • We strongly recommend downloading the AllTrails app.

    • AllTrails is a platform for users seeking comprehensive details on hiking. It includes features like trail maps, reviews, photos, & user-generated content.

  • <Learn more about the trails>

  • The trails are accessible by car from several points along Hwy. 14, so it is easy and convenient to hike even a small section of the each trail.

  • Getting there from Victoria: drive on Highway 14 westbound toward Port Renfrew.

    • Drive time: 1 hr, 45 min (75 km).

• Overnight: Victoria.

DAY 8

• Next stop is Tofino. A remote, small district on Vancouver Island, off Canada's west coast. Visitors can pick their level of adventure, from coastal camping to rented beach homes to luxurious five star properties.

• On the way, stop at Pacific Rim Park - a magnificent area of old growth forests, rocky coastline and long sandy beaches.

  • Wickaninnish Beach: located in front of the Kwisitis Visitor Center. It is a great place to explore, build sandcastles and wade into the water. Lunch available at Wickaninnish Inn.

  • Combers Beach: covered in pristine sand, the beach provides relatively quiet waters and a great view of Sea Lion Rocks.

• Storm watching: best is from November through March. <video>

  • Best viewed at Kwisitis Visitor Centre’s Observation Deck at Wickaninnish Beach.

• First Nations cultural experience. Insight into First Nations sharing history, traditions and culture with visitors.

• Overnight: Tofino (3 nights) <Where to stay>

• Distance: Victoria —> Tofino, 4 to 5 hours.

National Park Entry Fees: Visitors to the national park reserves are required to have a valid national park entry pass. These can be purchased at the Pacific Rim Visitor Center, the Tofino Visitor Center and at the automated national park entry pass machines in the various parking lots within the national park reserve.

For more information on national park entry fees, click here.

DAYS 9 and 10

• Two (2) thrill-seeking days in Tofino region.

• Tofino is known for wild natural scenery including lakes, inlets, ancient rainforest and sandy beaches. 

• Enjoy Wickaninnish and Combers Beach at Pacific Rim Park.

  • (As described above on Day 7)

• Explore Clayoquot valley by boat tours, hiking or biking.

• Kayaking and canoeing.

• Overnight: Tofino.

• Distance:

  Tofino <—-> Combers beach, 22 minutes one way.

DAY 11

• A demanding travel day, departing Tofino to Vancouver Int’l. Airport.

  -Depart Tofino for Duke Point (the ferry terminal in Nanaimo), then onward to Tsawwassen terminal.

  -Ferry arrives at Tsawwassen and you continue to Vancouver Int’l Airport.

  • If you don't have a car, you can still get to the airport by taking a taxi.

• -Ferry Schedule.

• Overnight: depart on your flight home or spend the night at the airport hotel if your flight is the next day.

• Driving/ferry time: (Route)

  -Tofino --car--> Duke Point (Nanaimo terminal), 3 hrs.

  -Duke Point---ferry --->Tsawwassen terminal, 2 hrs.

  -Tsawwassen--car--> Vancouver Airport, 30 min.

DAY 12

• Depart anytime, if you were unable to catch your flight on Day 11.

Experience the Grizzly Bears

Optional extension available each year ~ August 25th - October 15th

• Powerful and majestic, the grizzly bears of British Columbia represent the wild beauty of this region.

• Within Desolation Sound lies the serene Toba Inlet. A hidden gem where you can enjoy a bear watching experience.

• The tour involves a leisurely cruise through island passageways before arriving at Toba Inlet.

  • Tour departs from Campbell River.

• <Bear Viewing Tour>

source:  wikipedia.org

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